What was obvious to me was that the GOP panicked and spun Murtha's call for for withdrawing in a safe and orderly manner into an irresponsible resolution for "immediate pullout" that Murtha would not support.
While part of his service to the nation was honorable, his actions over the last several years are clearly in question. And his actions this last week were despicable.
What is despicable is the knee-jerk smear campaign launched by the GOP and Bush Administration against this decorated military veteran. He is NOT a typical Hollweird style liberal. He is an old school, blue collar democrat: highly patriotic and supportive of our military, pro-life and pro-2nd Amendment. You know.... the type that crossed over and gave Ronald Reagan landslide victories... the type that is most likely to enlist in the armed services... and the type that George Bush thinks should work for 50¢ per hour in the global marketplace.
Put yourself in the shoes of our military on the ground.
Don't you think a vote of confidence by the house just might make you feel a little more comfortable in what you are doing?
Don't you think Murta's comments when reported in Al-Jeezra just might be the terrorist's dream come true?
I don't see any GOP panic, you've been imbibing too much MSM kool-aid.
My plan calls:
To immediately redeploy U.S. troops consistent with the safety of U.S. forces.
To create a quick reaction force in the region.
To create an over- the- horizon presence of Marines.
To diplomatically pursue security and stability in Iraq
Our military has done everything that has been asked of them, the U.S. can not accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. IT IS TIME TO BRING THEM HOME. (emphasis his)
Find all this near the bottom of Murtha's own web page.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa12_murtha/pr051117iraq.html
Wish I could agree with you Willy, but there's no way I can respect this guy after what he has said.
Our troops are the enemy?
Terrorism started in 2003?
Immediate redeployment?
Diplomatic remedy?
Time to bring them home, now?
Where did you get the idea that he was not asking for immediate withdrawel?
This guy has lost it. Our troops are NOT the enemy. If he can't respect them, I cannot respect him. The terrorist campaign stated on 09/11/2001. I shouldn't have to remind Murtha of that, and the fact that I obviously need to displays a mental lapse which calls into question his abilty to think cogently.
The call for immediate redeployment and handing over the situation completely to the Iraqis, with us only supporting a diplomatic remedy, is a complete surrender to terrorism IMO. We leave when the Iraqi govenment and our military leaders say so, not one moment sooner. The Iraqi government, voted for by the people, and just weeks from formal installation has asked us to stay for a while longer. Murtha has disgraced himself with his comments.
As a general rule, I appreciate the issues you raise on this forum. Can't always agree. You take care bud.
They don't come any more patriotic than this guy.
GOP Lawmakers Float Ethics Probe of Murtha
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1524953/posts
Our troops could use less support if this is Murtha's definition.
The "NO" Vote - Peterson, Murtha Screw Our Soldiers
http://www.seamuspress.com/archives/rep_john_murtha/
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:7UHODPfnNcIJ:construct.haifa.ac.il/~danielp/soc/sims.htm+Murtha+ethically+challenged&hl=en
In some more extreme--and definitely ethically questionable--situations, such actions are designed to reward some large-scale campaign contributors in the home district. A case in point is the Maxi Cube cargo handling system. Funds for testing the Maxi Cube cargo handling system were written into the fiscal 1989 defense budget during the final Senate-House Appropriations conference at the request of Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania. The $10 million item was specifically targeted for a Philadelphia businessman (and contributor to Murtha's campaign) who was to manufacture the truck in Murtha's home district. The only problem was that the U.S. Army had clearly said that it had "no known requirement" for the handler. In response, Murtha was reported to be "mad as hell" at the "nitpicking" by the army. He pushed ahead anyway and used his position on the Appropriations committee to freeze a series of military budgeting requests until he got his pet project approved.
And Murtha is not alone. Rep. Les Aspin of Wisconsin got the Defense Appropriations committee to include $249 million to continue making a certain ten-ton truck (in Wisconsin, naturally) that the army was trying to phase out. It, too, was unneeded, but Aspin wanted the project for his home district. Is this legal? Yes? Is it ethical? That depends upon your point of view (Morgan, 1989). Clearly, Murtha and Aspin thought it was appropriate, given the realities of today's private and public organizations.
I agree with you re: the smear campaign. I know it is an unpopular view here unfortunately. But it is one that I am also hearing from soldiers and vets. This is a good way to lose the military vote. To start a smear campaign against soldiers who disagree with us politically.
But Willie, its easier to call someone a traitor than really listen to what they are saying. Get with the program.
No, he is NOT a conservative Democrat. His voting record is moderate to liberal, depending on the issue, and he has been waffling on the isssue of Iraq for two years.
MSM and Dems hopped on Murtha like high speed rail to paradise. The unfortunate thing for them is that a.) Murtha is not just another liberal, and b.) the train stopped at Timbuktu.