Seattlest was hoping we could avoiding writing about the whole Marine puppy killing on YouTube thing. Just writing that sentence makes our stomach lurch. However, it's a story that just won't go away and which has local connections, so we're here to tell you about it.

A Monroe, Wash., family has reportedly been getting threats by mail and phone since their son was named as the possible Marine in the video. In the week since it was posted, millions of people have watched the video and hundreds of irate comments have been left on websites that have hosted it. Some of the sites hosting the video and comments about the video have included the name, telephone number, and address of the Washington Marine suspected of being the abuser on tape. Even the names and addresses of the Marine's family have been posted online. The family has disconnected their phone because of the threats.

The Marines are investigating the incident, but will not confirm the identity of the soldier on the video. The Marines have denounced the videotape, saying in a press release earlier this week, "The video is shocking and deplorable, and is contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine."

AP Photo, not taken from the actual video--which, truthfully, Seattlest can't bring ourselves to watch