Which would all be fine if it weren't for the way the USMC actually use the amphibs. If one were to ask a USMC Harrier driver how they felt on the deck and how they fared in the priority stakes etc you would probably find repeated tales of woe - not being able to get off the deck due helo ops and a myriad of other RW centric stories.
But it's their train set and if that's the way they want to play with it I wish them all the best. They are pretty formidable as a stand alone entity.
I think you might find it very easy to 'Red Team' statements such as those that seek to justify a Harrier's lack of speed, legs and bring back by saying that they are all plusses because it means you can bring the ship in closer. Slightly skewed thinking really. This is the same ship that's rippling helos like there's no tomorrow to get as much ammunition, water, food to the heroes on the ground as possible.