Marines looking into puppy-cruelty video

The Marine Corps released a statement today that it is investigating a video that began circulating online yesterday of a uniformed Marine throwing a puppy off a cliff.

The video is here, but beware, it's unsettling.  Note: Citing a terms-of-use violation, YouTube removed its most-watched version of the video, even after it had been posted for a day and had received worldwide attention and become a legitimate news story.

In the video, a second Marine identifies the first by name;

"That was mean, Motari," he says, unconvincingly.

Online denizens quickly located the Bebo.com profile of a Marine named David Motari.  The Marine Corps press office confirmed that Motari is, or at one time was, in the corps. 

A phone number and address for a David Motari was repeatedly posted on the Bebo profile and in the comments on the Digg entry that led to the video.  When I called the number, it had been disconnected.

There's a debate to be had about where the death of a puppy lies along the spectrum of war horrors, and why a video like this can gain wide online attention when other outrageous footage -- say, involving the death of humans -- is only rarely circulated.  Any thoughts?

Commenters:  Please do not submit any more comments that advocate violence against the Marine in question, who I remind you has not been positively identified.  This story has too many facts missing for people to be treating it like it's a closed case. (Wed 3/5)

Note: I'm closing the comments because they've degenerated into name calling and taunts. (Thurs 3/6)

Comments

[TheOtherSide]

Well this is nothing compared to all of the other snuff videos the military has produced. Go here to see a whole lot more disturbing video from the noble military:

http://www.infowars.com/?p=586

I bet the Iraqi people are really loving their "freedom". Why doesn't the media ever report the other side of the news in Iraq? Huh??!!

[Lindsey]

This was soo awful...i saw it on the news and i think people like that are cruel and deserve to go straight to hell!!! Millitary or not, they were taught morals and values that lot of americans dont have but hurting innocent animals is so wrong! I hope his ass gets kicked out!

[Ronald]

Is this what the Marines should teach us, killing inocent puppies for fun?

[Dion]

The reason WHY such an event generates such interest and intense disgust is because the little dog is absolutely defenseless and was tossed like some rag to be thrown away. Now you may say that the same can happend to people but theres one thing unless you are an absolute moron you KNOW there are consequences for those type action should you pursue them and the authrorities pursue it. Its obvious that this soldier did not have any notion that any consequence would be entailed in this action until now. Kinda like juveniles who video some event and then make the mistake of passing it around...eventually it will bite you in the rear end by someone who will turn it in to the authorites. Insofar as the human to human war..atrocities are to be expected between people...but with any human..this is one event that is disgusting be you being Iraqi, American or anything that has some idea of what is right and wrong.

[AMERICAN]

What a big brave Marine he is. I hope this man doesn't have, or ever have children. He picks on the defenseless, innocent, he is a monster. We will see what kind of spin the USMC puts on this one.

[Angry Naked Guy]

"There's a debate to be had about where the death of a puppy lies along the spectrum of war horrors, and why a video like this can gain wide online attention when other outrageous footage -- say, involving the death of humans -- is only rarely circulated. Any thoughts?"

If "of humans" you mean "of adults," the answer is obvious -- most adults are capable of making their own decisions, and have done so. In many cases these choices (like joining the military, becoming a "gangsta," or becoming a suicide bomber) like to their deaths. A puppy (or any animal, for that matter), on the other hand, cannot make a conscious decision to be thrown off a cliff. Now, imagine if the puppy was replaced with an infant -- another case of "outrageous footage ... involving the deaths of humans." Do you honestly think such a video would not gain wide circulation and outrage?

[Adam]

People can argue that war atrocities are more important. But this video nonetheless shows a basic disregard for living things in general. This is this degenerate's idea of fun, to be videotaped and spread about like some stupid drunken college youtube post. These are the kind of people that we're training to defend out country? To hold that kind of vaulted responsibility? These are the people that represent us in countries like Iraq? And we wonder why such horrible things happen. And why so many of them hate us.

[Bao]

I'm Vietnamese, and I don't think this is a big deal. Back in the old days, US soldiers regularly raped little girls, some as young as 9 or 10, then killed them, and most of America supported it as long as there was no video of it. And if there was video, then the American people would rather have it buried so that they can keep on telling themselves that American war is always for the purpose of peace.

[sophia]

What a sadistic, coward!! Are we supposed to be proud of our soldiers like this evil creature ? Who is laughing and appears very proud that he has been fighting in the military, yes, by throwing a poor, frightened, totally defenseless little puppy over the cliff. David Motari, you are a real man!! You will go to HELL, just matter of time.
No wonder there was Abu Gharab. Soldiers like him is obviously a sociopath who is a loser in life, and only place will take him is the Military. It appears that some of the criminals have found a sanctuary in the US Military, like a child in the candy store, these cold blooded criminals got a license to kill all in the name of "defending our country." A low life like David Motari put a stain to all the honorable people who are kind and brave and making the ultimate sacrifice for this country. This kind of barbaric act must be taken seriously, because who will be his next victim? More innocent animals? Children? Justice must be served and he needs to be locked up and throw the keys away.

[Will Raee]

I spoke to David Motari's mother on her cell phone this morning, as well as a few friends. I saw the video a few days ago before it went viral and was able to access quite a lot of his personal information before it got censored or taken down. The people around him are shocked and very upset to say the least. Apparently, he lost a brother in a car accident 4 years ago - they told me he was a good Christian (as all are). His mother is devastated - she was real proud of him before - hanging pictures all around her desk at the reality office. I do feel bad for her. I can hear the disappointment in her voice. The bottom line - who knows what makes a person like this into the evil scum bag that he is today. All we can do is push the powers at be to ensure he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This puppy was a defenseless creature that was probably happy to even have human contact. I'm sure if he did the same thing to a human baby it would get even more attention. It is true that we have come to expect atrocities in war, but this was not an act of war. This was just sadistic cruelty all for a little chuckle. This is who represents us abroad. And, if one does the research they will find more of this kind of reprehensible behavior. I for one will do all I can to make this scum-bag pay for his actions. This is not just about a defenseless puppy. This about the evil people of this world versus the good natured, the selfish and insensitive versus the caring. The old ways versus the new age. It's about people of want to live in peace versus people who want to make others suffer. There is enough hardships in life to deal with without David Motari and his kind continuing to make life harder for all the rest of us. People need to write the military, your congressmen, the media, and who ever can make a difference. Nothing will change until we make it happen.

[sophia]

Bao: I am an American of Chinese ancestry and I have the same last name as yous.
To say that because the US soldiers have raped young girl during the Vietnam War, so the cruelty to the innocent animals is "NO BIG DEAL" is unconscionable. Are you suggesting that only the human life matters? Raping the innocent girls are definitely despicable and reprehensible, abusing the innocent animals are wrong too. We are talking about the basic human decency.
Animals are living beings who share this earth with us and they deserve a fair treatment.
So be kind and benevolent to all, both humans and animals.

[Bill G]

I love how all of you paint our entire military as rapists and murderers now, what a typically pathetic knew jerk reaction from typically pathetic Americans.

[Bryon]

He'll be on the news in a year or so crying and telling a judge how sorry he is (that he got caught).

[Rambo]

Well, if you're Vietnamese and don't like America...there's an over-night flight to Hanoi.

Sure, the video is disturbing -- kind of like a car accident you don't want to watch. American soldiers aren't supposed to be malicious killers like that - but there's always a bad egg every so often - remember...'one bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch...'

There's a hell of a lot more good done by US soldiers that the death of a little dog.

[Doolan]

Irregularities committed by US soldiers in a situation of war get more publicity than those committed by the armed forces of a dictatorship. In my opinion this is so for two reasons: first, there exists in the US a certain freedom for the media. Second, the US is expected, generally speaking, to be above certain atrocities.

In other words, they get publicity because they are an exception, not a norm, and because the country they originate in is actually allowed to discuss it.

This is a good thing, and in my opinion should stay like that. In spite of what the public opinion will try to tell us, outraged by the exceptional acts of cruelty, the Armed Forces of the United States are not a gathering of killers. On the contrary, they are, like the armed forces of most countries, a group of dedicated individuals with strong discipline and good moral fiber.

Naturally, for it to stay like this, such irregular cases, minor as they might seem to some, must be prosecuted with full strength. Our morality and sentimental reactions aside (I am a die-hard animal lover who doesn't even kill spiders or cockroaches), the key issue as far as the military is concerned is the improper, indecorous behavior of a man in active duty who wears the uniform of the USMC and is, by his job and rank, considered to be a representative of his unit, his army and his country. Furthermore, the fact that it's a random and unjustified act of cruelty towards a defenseless living being should be enough to revoke his right to carry a weapon and bear the responsibility of the life and death of enemies, comrades and civilians. To add even more to the offense, filming and publishing it tarnishes the reputation of the institution he belongs to.

In short, puppy or not, dead or not, is not the issue, even though the video literally ruined my day. The issue is that an adult who chose to represent his country in active duty has publicly degraded his uniform and his group, displaying a behavior that is improper of a United States Marine if their code of conduct is anything to go by. He, as any others caught doing as much as insulting the Iraqi police (as seen in another video), should be demoted at least and receive dishonorable discharge at most if his unit wants to keep the slightest trace of prestige.

[Dion]

People people people... NO one is saying the US forces are BAD..we are only focusing on one PERSON who has been videoed and captured doing something disgusting. Do atrocities happend in war..ofcourse they do but unless you can document it right there we can only discuss it.
The deal with video is ..you are right there..its not like someone is reading a page. Obviously the reaction is a lot more emotional and swift as if you were there. The story is about a young man who has no regard for a simple animal (which probably wandered over) and decided to throw it.
Doesnt the yelp of the little dog kinda get to you...make you scream from within. If you have any kind of compassion...it should move you....

[stephen]

this "boy" is a despicable excuse for a human being. in fact any of the "boys' involved in something as vile an act as that should not only being removed from the corp, but brought up on animal cruelty charges.
i had a great-uncle and an uncle in the marine corps and something so disgusting would never have even entered their minds.
this kid is a punk. i bet his parents are real proud of the piece of "shit" they raised.

my you rot in hell.

[Bao]

What I'm saying is...

The US is in Iraq now because it feels no guilt for what it did in Vietnam. The rape and slaughter of little girls back then was the norm, and the American people knew it was going on.

This uproar over this video proves my point. Why do Americans think these things only happen because there's a video? We've heard much worse coming out of Iraq but people still go on thinking that America's there to fight for freedom.

As for flying back to Hanoi - I go there often. I spend lots of time over there talking to people from around the world about how idiotic and evil the typical American is. I also tell them that I'm very glad America is going broke fighting a war that it's currently losing. hardee har har.

Oh, and I thank this soldier for displaying his Christian American virtue for the world to see.

[Kimberley]

This war and our war-mongering government are creating cold-blooded killers that are going to be reintroduced to our society. We have allowed our bloodthirsty psycho of a "president" to get us into a war for the sake of his own sick ego; our troops are suffering endless abuse of stop-losses and lack of support by their own government. Their lives are falling apart back at home in their absence, and they are cracking under the strain. Anyone who would do a thing like this would just as easily murder, rape or maim a human without a second thought. Animal abuse is the main indicator of psychopathic killers. This man is sending a warning that his soul has turned to rotted filth and that he is no longer capable of controlling hideous cruel and evil impulses. He's showing glee in the willful torture of a completely innocent and helpless creature - if the sight of a puppy with it's legs tied being flung over a cliff doesn't make your blood run cold, realize that it could just as easily be a human child without him blinking an eye. We have to realize what the relentless abuse these people are suffering at the hands of our government is doing to their minds and their souls. Our society is going to pay heavily in the future for the callous lack of responsibility on the part of our government towards our troops.

[Maralago]

Any psychologist will tell you that someone who abuses animals - particularly someone who does it with glee, not just a heat-of-the-moment reaction - harbors deep sociopathic tendencies. This type of person will escalate to abusing, torturing and perhaps one day murdering humans if not stopped. It is just that simple. Because of a small animal's complete defenselessness, "normal" humans feel empathy, compassion and a desire to protect such creatures. Those humans who feel the need and - this is most important - find JOY in their pain & suffering lack conscience and are dangerous. This is not post-traumatic stress. This individual has something wrong with the way his mind works.

For those suggesting he is typical of American soldiers, you are idiots. For the Vietnamese individuals suggesting Americans enjoyed it when US soliders raped and killed their people, you have projected your own disgust & pain into a delusional, baseless accusation with no validaity whatsoever. For those who say this soldier's mother is very upset about what he did, I suggest you read her post on his blog. She can't understand why everyone is so upset about him killing a puppy. I believe we have now come to the root of this monster's evil. I also believe he, David Motari, needs to be put down like the rabid dog he is.

[Angela]

The reason this video is disgusting and so widely circulated is because a marine, a person trained to protect the helpless, tossed a helpless puppy to its death. If the public cannot trust the marines with the life of a puppy, then how can we ever trust them with the lives of human beings. I hope he is punished for his disgusting choice.

[lt.usmc]

Scum like this does not belong, in the core. That was the most distrubing thing that i have ever seen a human being do!

[mpw]

this person, if indeed he is worthy of such a distiction is a disgrace to the men and women that serve our nation. whether we agree or disagree with the war and our nation's politics is irrelevant in this case. motari is a word that does not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as USMC or any other branch of our armed services, they exhibit bravery every day for all of us so we dont have to fight, motari is nothing but a cowardly thug who deserves every bit of the misery and notoriety that is coming to him. i can only hope he is brought to justice for this disgusting and deplorable act.

[Marie]

That was absolutely horrible. They should throw him in that tiger cage in San Francisco to give them a little extra snack.

[Oscar Hall]

That man is not nice, can you guys in America punch him on the nose for me?