This photo is shameful

I was very disturbed to see the photo of 10 Marines in Afghanistan posing with the SS (or Schutzstaffel) flag [“Marines posed with Nazi logo,” News, Feb. 10].

A symbol that signifies some of the most heinous acts committed by humanity upon itself. Even if these Marines never opened a book on military history (which I doubt) they had to have seen the Nazi emblem in one of the countless films made since the end of World War II.

Either these Marines are completely naive about popular culture — in which case I question the caliber of recruits — or they are lying to save their skins. And although they may have escaped punishment, it does not change the fact that they have brought shame upon the United States Marine Corps.

— Mike Murdock, Seattle

This is a sign for making education a priority

Is there any more compelling evidence for the need to make education a priority over military-industrial spending than the photo of U.S. Marines in Afghanistan posing in front of a Nazi SS flag, claiming that they didn’t know what it meant? What’s next?

Heartily singing “Deutschland Über Alles” in a bar, thinking that it’s just an old drinking song?

— Ron Dickson, Seattle