Mark Shields was a Marine. Who knew?

And he thinks we could learn a thing or two from the Corps about the relation of self to society, service, and moral duty.

Mr. Shields has, over the years, been the affable liberal voice in the political commentary portion of the PBS's News Hour, opposite various slightly right of center folks, Paul Gigot, David Gergen, and now David Brooks. Always of good humor and civil.

The Marine ethic emphasizes responsibility to duty and responsibility to others before self. This is the very opposite of the unbridled individualism that elevates profit and personal comfort to high virtues. The selfish and self-centered CEO or senator who disregards and discards his loyal "troops" would be shunned in the Corps.

Civilian Americans must understand that the greatest civil rights victories have been won by the Marines and the U.S. military, the most successfully integrated sector of our national life. Why? No racial reference and no racial discrimination. The first time I ever slept in the same quarters with African-Americans or Latinos — or took orders from them — was as a private in the Marines Corps.

Yes, America really does need more Marine values and influence.

Kudos to you Mr. Shields.