Another excuse to show attractive women.

Here's a story from the Huffington Post that stinks like overripe fish.

According to this, a US Marine officer complained about the public state of undress of Australian women, bringing scorn and shame to centuries of USMC tradition.

Yes, I know officers in general can be a priggish lot. I had a colonel ask me why the men in the barracks drank so much. When I asked if he'd never imbibed just to get drunk he said no, he hadn't, leaving me temporarily speechless.

But I'm having a hard time believing any Marine would write this to the editor of the local Oz paper:

"It's about having standards, ladies," wrote an obvious charlatan claiming to be a Captain John Campbell. "What are standards? Well, it can begin by dressing in a manner that leaves something to the imagination, to say the least."

Australians, as you might imagine, had a few suggestions for Captain Campbell.

Lana Sandic, 19, said, "Most Territory girls would say put it where the sun doesn't shine."

Another Aussie wrote it off as "Another bloody American trying to educate the world" and suggested "Mate, look at your women in the US - Rosanne to Britney. At least we have a bar to raise."

Another wrote: "Leave your opinions in the USA. PS: You didn't vote for Bush by chance?"

Ouch.

But there is evidence that this is either a hoax or the letter writer, like our own commenter Anonymous Al, did not have the balls to use his real name.

The US consulate says they couldn't find a serving Marine with that name in Australia, and the paper confirmed they had been unable to contact Captain Campbell.

The paper, the Northern Territory News, has linked to an online portfolio of Australian girls called "Beautiful Territory" and requests your response. Do you side with Captain Campbell and the Taliban or do you take a more enlightened and libertarian view?

Take a look and let them know. After all, our national manhood, the reputation of the Corps, and good relations with an ally are at stake.

This isn't just your Constitutional right, gentlemen, it's your patriotic duty.