Posted on 08/09/2007 8:33:52 AM PDT by RedRover
On May 19, 2006, this exchange took place on CNN:
____________________________
WOLF BLITZER: You've suggested this week that there, in effect, was a massacre [in Haditha].
CONGRESSMAN JOHN MURTHA: Well, there was. There's no question about it.
I know, in talking to a number of people...I've never given you bad information yet. When this thing's all over, you're going to see exactly what I've said to be true.
That, there was an IED attack, it killed one Marine, and then they overreacted and killed a number of civilians without anybody firing at them. That's what you're going to find out.
____________________________
Congressman Murtha should never have made these statements. No congressman should ever place himself in the role of judge and jury. It was wrong to use American servicemen to score points against the war they were sent to fight.
But now we also know what Murtha said was false.
Bearing false witness against servicemen during a time of war. On a scale of betraying one's country, it doesn't get much worse than that.
There always were questions about Congressman Murtha's "information". He knew that all along.
And now his "information" has been exposed in court as hysterical accusations brought by our own enemies. LCpl Justin Sharratt has now been exonerated. More exonerations will almost certainly follow.
There's no question about it...
The Marines were under fire that morning. Numerous witnesses at the hearings have testified to that fact. Haditha was a complex ambush that resulted in one Marine dead and eleven wounded.
Marines did not overreact. LCpl Sharratt and his squad mates (Cpl Salinas and SSgt Wuterich) protected women and children from harm as they pursued suspected insurgents armed with AK-47s. One Marine particularly reviled in the press, Sgt Dela Cruz, took prisoners that morning and retained an incredibly cool head in a hostile environment.
But can any of our Marines be truly exonerated after Congressman Murtha repeatedly assured the world they were guilty?
You, the media, broadcast Murtha's politically-motivated slander, virtually unchallenged, to millions around the world who believed every word he said. They still do. How many people know that Marines have been found innocent? Of those who know, how many believe the exonerated Marines are actually guilty? The damage is incalculable to our nation, the Marine Corps, and to the accused.
Anyone has the right to oppose the war in Iraq. But not by deceit and by destroying the lives of our servicemen.
You, the media, have a responsiblity to undo the damage.
Ask Congressman Murtha for an explanation.
Ask Congressman Murtha if he'll now apologize and admit that, in fact, there were questions about what happened that morning in Haditha.
Congressman Murtha owes it to America. He owes it to the Marines who've been exonerated and he owes it to those who await their day in court. And so do you.
Some highlights of Congressman Murtha on Haditha (click picture for a larger image)
For highlights from the Congressman Murtha's original press conference on May 17, 2006, go here.
It’s time to unleash some good old fashioned American outrage on the liars!!
Great post.
What I want to see done is, after all of these Haditha cases are resolved, all of the Republican Members of Congress bring a Motion for Censure and Expulsion of Congressman Murtha, on the grounds of Sedition and Treason.
Fat chance, I know -- but we should ask and get an answer as to why not.
Meant to add you all to my last.
Lets start contacting Wolf Blitzer and ask him to demand an answer from John Murtha about the statements Murtha made to him about the Haditha Marines.
Murtha was and still is either a grossly uninformed Congressman, a Congressman who used the opportunity to use this incident for his own political gain, a flat out liar or possibly all three.
Contact Blitzer and other news media and ask them to get some answers from Fat Jack Murtha!
CNN
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/cnntv/ CNN contact page for shows and individuals
MSNBC
hardball@msnbc.com Matthews
joe@msnbc.com Scarborough
Tucker@msnbc.com Carlson
GeneralComments@feedback.msnbc.com
FNC
Special@foxnews.com (Brit Hume)
Myword@foxnews.com (John Gibson)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,77538,00.html FNC contact page
I want to mail Wolf Blitzer at CNN in particular. Let's demand accountablility!
See jaz’s list of liars at post 7!!!
>> The Marines were under fire that morning.
>> LCpl Sharratt and his squad mates (Cpl Salinas and SSgt Wuterich) protected women and children from harm as they pursued suspected insurgents...
This I believe.
Blog it, babe!
We should also contact Murtha’s office and demand accountability. His conduct regarding the Haditha Marines was and still is despicable.
Telephone:
800-289-2642 from Western PA
814-535-2642
202-225-2065
Snail Mail:
647 Main St, Suite 401
Johnstown, PA 15901
Fax:
814-539-6229 — District
202-225-5709 — Washington
When the investigating officer recommended dismissing the charges against Justin Sharratt, people began calling Murtha’s office to voice their opinions. Comments from Murtha’s staff were that he wouldn’t comment because the investigation was “on-going”. Well now that this process is OVER, Murtha can’t hide behind that excuse anymore.
Murtha wasn’t shy when he tried to condemn and convict these Marines. Now what will he say to callers?
You’re exactly right!
He hid under his deak supposedly because the investigation was still on-going.
I believe the coward will still hide under his desk now that it’s over for Justine Sharratt, Murtha is too despicable to ever admit he was wrong.
Done!!
Well said.
I want to see this get even a FRACTION of the attention that the malfeasance of Nifong received. (And it should receive MUCH MORE! These men are fighting for US!) Comparisons to Nifong, though, would be good as well. Let's see the talking heads express outrage that these Marines were part of some political agenda.
Yeah, I suppose that is too much to hope for, but if they get enough mail...
Getting busy now.
Imagine if the passion everyone at FR poured into defeating the immigration bill was now given to shining a light on this issue so that liar Murtha and his enablers in the press would be exposed for the unpatriotic military haters and opportunists they are. Our borders would be entirely different were it not for the sacrifice of men like these through out our history. I know it’s too much to ask, but a girl can dream.
Cindie
Red this is a great post.
I faxed Murtha and sent him the story from today.
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