After The Debate: The Case For Obama (the Marine Corps) and a Culture of Brotherhood
Before my son John joined the Marines I would have laughed at the idea that I -- a life long Republican, white, middle aged "I Want!" kind of selfish guy -- would become a loyal Obama supporter. I would also have thought that Senator Clinton's attacks on Obama (in the PA debate), were just inevitable business as usual, not a gross exercise in immorality...
Before I became connected to my country in a new and deeper way through my son's service, I would have dismissed Senator Obama's eloquent call for us to grow beyond our Red State/Blue State divisions as "just words..."
Before my son proved me wrong I would have doubted that he would be susceptible to hearing a "higher call" and wanting to, "be part of something bigger than myself..." and I never would have predicted that Obama could move so many millions of "apathetic" young people my son's age to involve themselves in politics.
My journey from cynicism to the Obama camp had an unlikely beginning. It began in 1999, when a barrel-chested Marine recruiter showed up in dress blues and bedazzled my son. I did not stand in the way. John was headstrong, and he seemed to understand these stern, clean men with straight backs and flawless uniforms. I did not. I live on the Volvo-driving, higher education-worshipping North Shore of Boston. I write novels for a living. I have never served in the military.
It had been hard enough sending my two older children off to Georgetown and New York University. John's enlisting was unexpected, so deeply unsettling. I was a "pro-military" Republican, but not with my kid! Right?
Besides, I was a snob. I didn't relish the prospect of answering the question, "So where is John going to college?" from the parents who were itching to tell me all about how their son or daughter was going to Harvard. "But aren't the Marines terribly Southern?" asked one perplexed blue blood while standing next to me at the brunch following graduation. "What a waste, he was such a good student," said another parent. One dad (a history professor at Brown), spoke up at a school meeting denounced my son's choice and suggested that the school should "carefully evaluate what went wrong in this case."
When John graduated from three months of boot camp on Parris Island, 3,000 or so parents and friends were on the parade deck stands. We parents and our Marines were not only of many races but were representative of many economic classes as well. Many were poor. Some arrived crammed in the backs of pickups, others by bus. John told me that a lot of parents could not afford the trip.
We parents were white and Native American. We were Hispanic, Arab and African American and Asian. We were former Marines wearing the scars of battle, or at least baseball caps emblazoned with battles' names. We were Southern whites from Nashville and skinheads from New Jersey and black kids from Cleveland wearing ghetto rags, and big white ex-cons with ham-hock forearms defaced by jailhouse tattoos.
We would not have been mistaken for the educated and well-heeled parents gathered on the lawns of John's private school a half-year before. And no one there thought that service and idealism are so foolish that "What went wrong?" is the "answer" to someone who wants to serve. No one was saying that the drill instructors were using "just words" when they spoke of brotherhood, honor and service.
After graduation one new Marine told John, "Before I was a Marine, if I had ever seen you on my block I would've probably killed you just because you were standing there." This was a serious statement from one of John's good friends, an African American ex-gang member from Detroit who, as John said, "would die for me now, just like I'd die for him."
Six years later, when I was researching my novel Baby Jack (about the Marines) I had the privilege of being given free rein on Parris Island's Marine Recruit Training Depot. This time I was there as a writer, not a parent standing on the parade deck stands.
I went "lights to lights" (as they call the dawn to dusk days of intense training) with various platoons of recruits at various stages of their training. I watched as terrified young recruits were transformed into confident Marines. I watched as dedicated to drill instructors fought against their fatigue to lead "from the front" and teach by example. I stood there in awe and I felt the last traces of my cynicism melt away.
Words such as patriotism, honor and service suddenly felt as if they had a real meaning. On Parris Island those words were not political catch phrases being manipulated to get votes but simple rules to live by. And those same values motivated the young Marines who went into combat at my son's side to care for him as if he was their brother.
What I see in Senator Obama is someone who manages to articulate -- and more importantly sincerely believes in and practices -- the brotherhood of selfless service and the unity of the American family. What I sense in Obama is the same moral ethic I saw in those drill instructors.
I also see a Marine-like level of discipline in Obama, as when, for instance, he refused to be drawn into Senator Clinton's nasty web of insinuation during the April 16 debate in Pennsylvania. Obama could have opened a Pandora's Box of scorched-earth counter attack--Clinton's association with communists in her youth, her 108 million and where she got it, her husband's association with dictators as a for profit "consultant"... on and on. But Obama didn't go there.
Obama answered Clinton's insinuation (that he is guilty-by-association and because of people he knew, or talked to or met, or heard of...) but refused to be drawn into the pissing contest that she was trying to start--with a big assist from the insanely petty moderators. Obama was calm under fire to a degree that was truly extraordinary.
Obama's idealism, and articulate calm inspires young men and women to join in his campaign for the same reason the Marine Corps inspires recruits: Obama (like the Marines) calls us to be part of something bigger than "me" and offers a purpose in life that adds up to more than just one more consumer choice -- just another "I want."
Obama and the Marine Corps' moral ethic is: I AM my brother's keeper. And against all odds this USMC/Obama ethic is now resonating with millions of Americans, particularly young Americans who are thronging the Obama "movement." We should rejoice. We should be grateful for a man who has broken the chains of cynicism.
John is back from war and out of the Marines. But he connected me to my diverse country in a way that has stuck. I was too selfish and insular (too typically white, Republican and affluent!) to experience this connection before. But somehow his idealism rekindled mine. John's service opened my heart so that I could hear Obama call all Americans to the sort of change and dedication my son found.
We have a choice in this election between the old cynicism and a new hope, between the mentality that meets calls for idealism with a knowing sneer, a "what went wrong?" or "it's only words" or "but what about your pastor's inflammatory remarks?" -- or the spirit I found on Parris Island and that resonates in Obama's speeches and his life of service to community, not to mention his self-control when under even the most unfair attacks.
We can listen to Obama and work with him. Or we can miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance and follow Hilary Clinton into the swamp of power for power's sake, connection for profit (108 million of profit!) and business as usual.
The choice between Obama and his opponents is clear. Hillary Clinton is a poster child for the grasping selfish America of the main chance. Her words say one thing, her 108 million dollar fortune -- earned by cashing in on the Clinton's connections--says something else. She and her husband have abused the trust the American people put in them. They talk service. What they do is greed and power at any cost, even at the cost of trashing Obama and risking our ability to change course.
The spirit that the Clinton's actions represent could not be further from that of the underpaid overworked drill instructors on Parris Island. And it couldn't be farther from the 20 years of community service Obama has lived. So the Clinton's are reduced to trying to distract us by a smear-by-association tactic: who Obama knows, or met or once talked to or went to church with...
John McCain has also sold his soul for his presidential ambition. He supports a war he knows is wrong and that he and Clinton voted for. He has curried favor with the Religious Right that he once rightly denounced as "agents of intolerance." He too wants to fight a war and lower taxes at the same time. McCain lacks the ethic of truth telling.
Inspiration is what Obama offers. A true and good life backs up his words. The presidency is a symbolic position as well as a powerful one. The nation's leader must be able to inspire. Obama does that. His life and words match. And his ability to draw all those young people to him is what leadership -- in the Oval Office or on the parade deck at Parris Island -- is. Obama is worth fighting for.
Frank Schaeffer is a writer and author of "KEEPING FAITH-A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps" and, "CRAZY FOR GOD-How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back"
Follow Frank Schaeffer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/frank_schaeffer
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I can relate. I have a doctoral degree and 20 something son is in the army. I wouldn't have chosen that for him but we have talked about how he is part of something bigger than himself. There are idealists in the army and people with good values. College versus tech school versus military is just another demograhic that can divide us. As Obama says, we have more similarites than differences.
Thank you for this article...
I never thought that Obama was Marine-like in his bearing, but he definitely displays grace under fire. It would certainly be understandable if he had lost his cool after all the kitchen sinks that have been hurled at him in this campaign. I would certainly would have understood if he had just walked out of that despicable debate the other night. But he has managed to keep his cool. He hasn't sunk to HIllary Clinton's slimy level, though there are all kinds of kitchen sinks he could hurl at her. The ability to remain cool and to display grace under fire are qualities we need in a Chief Executive. McCain is too much of a hothead, and Clinton is too petty and vengeful.
Obama '08!
Isn't it funny how the media is spinning this debate. Because he chose not to sling mud, he didn't perform. This was not a debate, this was an attempt to annihilate, however he survived and stayed above the fray. Obama stood by what he stands for and did not sink into the Politics of the past!
I'm sure they were pissed that he didn't bite and fall into their trap. He let them know that he knew what they (3 against 1) were trying to do and that he was not going to play their game!
Does the media think the public is stupid! Hooray for Obama!
What a great post. I agree with your take on how Obama did in the debate. You also give some inkling that there are Marines who support Obama. When my family were stationed with the Marines during the 90's we found very few who were democrats, or pro Clinton.
Thank you. Your articles are always a relief after watching the news media keep the pettiness going with their constant rehashing of the same nonsense. I turn the news off infuriated and read your articles and am left hopeful again that just maybe....
I'm so touched by your post. I also loved your other one about why you support Obama and how you argue that he is pro-life. I have come out of the Republican religious right. I've served overseas for a Christian organization. I know the world view you've come from. I read many of your father's books when I was in high school. My own journey as a woman in this environment to a deeper spirituality has been a long and fraught one, so I can relate to what you must have gone through.
You lift the discourse and it is redemptive after what we've endured from the religious right and its unholy alliance with the Bush administration. And you lift the discourse after the most appalling, dispirited couple months of campaigning. It's hard to remember those heady days in January and early February with the hope of Obama's candidacy and all you so articulately stated that he represents.
Finally, you give me hope that people can change and grow in their spirituality and their outlook. I'm so encouraged that you opened your heart and mind to your son and allowed his life and views to change you. As long as there are people like you, Obama and your son out there, I have hope that we can turn this nation around. You have clearly outlined the choices we face. Will we choose rightly? I pray so.
I have a confession
But it goes beyond just his service. Look at how your attititude has changed. How his decsion touched your life. I look forward to your posts. I feel your thoughts and words deeply. You say what I have come to feel.
A year ago I didn't care about this election at all. Now, each day I'm looking for the latest info. Barak Obama has made me excited about the "What could Be". And your words really explain why.
Thank you
Hate to bust you bubble! But Obama has no clue on how the Marines are ran. Does anybody know what rank Obama was in the military? Oh, thats right , he never served this great country he claims to love. O.K. Than what level was he when he was in the Boy Scouts???? Oh, again, my bad. He was not ever a Boy Scout??? What about Cub Scouts??? Indian Guides??? I guess Imus was correct, Obama is a bigger Pu@#y than Hillary!!!
The Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright , Jr. was a Marine he even dropped out of college to sign up in 1961. After two years he transferred to the Navy to become and graduated from medical corpsman school as valedictorian. Wright was part of the medical team assigned to care for LBJ during his gall bladder surgery. LBJ wrote him three letters of commendation.
The man's patriotism is unimpeachable!
Rev. Wright for President!
Interestingly enough, Obama's spiritual mentor was a marine, a very dedicated one who joined up in answer to JFK's call to "ask what you can do for your country." He was defended recently by Pastor Michael Pfleger and invited to speak at his church along with Maya Angelou.
Father Pfleger, a Catholic priest and activist, dedicates his life to serving the poor and working with young people. Unfortunately, a good marine and a great Pastor got mangled up to boost MSM's ratings and in the service of the Clinton's overweening ambition. I will pass on something Father Mike said that I take comfort from:"Truth will overcome. We just have to be willing to endure and keep fighting."
And if you would have told me a few years ago that I'd be writing to a priest someday...
Imus? you win.
The article was about the ethics of brotherhood and friendship. The article was about being cool under fire, disciplined and poised. ...not who is a bigger Pu@#y!
Obama, one could imagine, has lived and learned in places and amongst people that has given him an insight of ourselves any of us might envy, if we were so disposed..
It's such a case of -does your heart good- to see that others are feeling what I'm feeling when I recognize this incredible letdown watching Hillary attack Obama about things that are more of a twist then they are real, then try to defend herself by saying, " This IS a legitimate question-" when we all know Damn well that Obama was just trying to describe people's letdowns, and the trail that's been blazed in their attempts to try to live with them. Such a vast disappointment because in case she won, I was allowing myself to see the promise it could bring, but she just deflated it all with one big twist of the words she wants to spout, and cut like a knife.
But ya know what Hillary? You live by the knife, you die by it. What a foolhardy, stupid waste.
But your post was much more then just about this, Mr. Schaeffer. You carry us all on a heck of a great ride. A better part of this country we all love so much.
Thank you, sir.
Perhaps you can show us how the democrats can find that middle ground an re-unite after this bitter division..
Thank you sir for sharing your story...it truly moved me.
Great article Sir.
I enjoy reading your articles.
Thank you,
I would like to see this post plastered on the front page of every paper in america, this is the best explanation yet of what obama's message is about I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER
Wonderful and inspiring post, Frank! And welcome to the fold of those who honor their country by military service and their families!
As always, good read Mr. Schaeffer. Thank you.
Mr. Schaeffer:
I liked your comments. I am an Obama supporter because he is the right man at the right time with the right experience. Also, I find Hillary Clinton to be a person who thinks she is entitled to be President and I don't like that kind of attitude. And with John McCain, he is a good and brave man who is too old and he is not the right person at this time in history to be President. He should have been the GOP nominee for President 8 years ago, but because of W's dirty tricks in SC, McCain was derailed. I like the fact that you have the guts to admit before your son joined the Marines, that you were too eurocentric and elitist, bravo! Many people wouldn't admit to something like that. We are our brother's keeper. I am a big believer in diversity and one of the reasons why I am the person that I am today is because I try to be around a diverse set of people.
Another bit of diversity that should be mentioned are people with disabilities. We are the biggest minority in this country, over 50 million of us. And very rarely is anything said. Maybe in 2012 politicians will start pandering to us.
Xenia Grant
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