Posted on 11/20/2005 10:03:23 AM PST by Kitten Festival
The prize for the most dramatic oratory in the United States Congress in the new millennium goes to fledgling Representative Jean Schmidt. In the midst of debate over whether the House of Representatives should vote on a resolution endorsing immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq she conveyed a message she had received from an active duty Marine colonel, to Representative Jack Murtha. Murtha, a decorated Marine veteran, inspired the debate earlier this week by calling for withdrawal from Iraq.
Representative Smiths message quoting the colonel was simple: Cowards cut and run, Marines never do. [snip] When people engage in debate within the boundaries of legitimate disagreement they should be respectful. But we need to maintain those boundaries.
Jack Murthas call for immediate disengagement took him far outside the boundaries of legitimate disagreement. He has never been able to articulate any plausible basis for his position on Iraq. There is a simple reason for that. There isnt one.
Reasonable people cannot differ about whether or not the United States should press forward with our war against the terror masters. For the time being Iraq is inevitably the principal front in that war. A congressman who tries to duck his share of the responsibility for prosecuting that war is displaying moral cowardice. Any American who recommends retreat is injuring his own country and calling his own patriotism into question.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
- When he further says, "they" (meaning our soldiers and Marines) "have become the enemy" and that terrorism actually started with their deployment to Iraq in 2003?
- When the evidence is actually quite to the contrary, that our soldiers and Marines have performed magnificently in achieving their objectives, that the insurgency is on the ropes, and Democracy is taking root in the Middle East in consequence of the brave and faithful efforts of our soldiers and Marines?
- When the natural tendency of such words is to undermine the morale of our soldiers and Marines and to enocurage the flagging spirits of the terrorists who kill our soldiers and Marines?
If not perfidy or treason, what do you call it? What politically correct euphemism do you prefer?
A reasonable exit strategy. Beats the heck out of the "we're done when we're done" line Bush gives.
The problem is that our very presence is fueling the insurgency. Every day, more insurgants (not all of whom are immigrants) are created out of anger at our continued presence there. There comes a point in time when the Iraqi government has a better shot without us there. That's not "cutting and running." That's a recognition that we can't do everything.
Murtha's argument - which I have tried to argue for him just now - has merit as I see it. He deserves to be listened to, and not just shouted down by some chicken-hawk. No one has the right to call him a coward, even if he thinks the time has come for us to leave Iraq.
Murtha is a traitor. Honorable Ameicans do not support let alone praise his perfidy.
And therein lies this Republic's greatest handicap..
There are far TOO MANY fools, idiots, liars, perverts, traitors, racists, crooks, leftists, cowards and surrender monkeys in the U.S. Congress...
The Democrat party has excelled in drawing the worst of society to their bosom --- but the Republicans are challenging their lead...
I've seen FAR better men and woman in Corporate Board Rooms....and hunkered down behind he wire..
Sad...
Semper Fi
Traitors weren't in the Marine Corps for 30 years. Traitors didn't volunteer to go to Vietnam.
Unfortunately, to the simple-minded BushBot, anyone who doesn't toe the line and parrot the Dubya Rationalization of the Week (TM) is a "traitor."
Grow up and learn to debate beyond insults. Some people think our troops are in the way of Iraq's progress. Others think that our troops are stuck in a quagmire. Neither are traitors for wanting to end that situation.
Well put....
And you didn't use any profanity...
I'll have to try that.
Semper Fi
What a load.
"The problem is that our very presence is fueling the insurgency."
And what fueled the insurgency when we left immediately at the end of the first Gulf War?
When the invasion of Iraq began, the media's favorite talking point was would we pull abandon the Iraqis like we did before? How horrible that would be.
Now they want to make George do it. (It's just like their endless pressure on W's father to raise taxes after his pledge. And it will have far more tragic results. But the media hates our country.)
"Every day, more insurgants (not all of whom are immigrants) are created out of anger at our continued presence there."
Read some of the polls in Iraq. The vast majority of the people want us there. They know if we leave they will once again be at the mercy of the Bathists and other people who were thrown out of power, but who are armed to the teeth. You simply don't know history or the current situation -- or the demographics in Iraq.
"There comes a point in time when the Iraqi government has a better shot without us there. That's not "cutting and running." That's a recognition that we can't do everything."
No kidding. Of course that is what Bush has been saying all along. BTW, have you posted similar remarks about getting out of Bosnia or even South Korea?
"Murtha's argument - which I have tried to argue for him just now - has merit as I see it. He deserves to be listened to, and not just shouted down by some chicken-hawk. No one has the right to call him a coward, even if he thinks the time has come for us to leave Iraq."
Yeah, it's such a valid argument that even he wouldn't vote for it. Sort of like Charlie Rangel voting against his own bill to reinstate the draft. In fact, exactly like it.
Murtha is a cheap political hack who was using this stunt for self-promotion. Read his book. He's a stupid self-promoting grifter.
He wants us to lose in Iraq so that he can say he was right. Just like he was right about Vietnam. (In both cases he claims we don't have enough intel to fight the war.)
If we had more people like Murtha (and you) sixty years ago we'd all be speaking German.
Our soldiers are not infants. They recognize that wanting to bring them home is not an opposition to the troops.
"No. He's an old fool."
He's more than an old fool. He is a
dastardly turncoat.
(I have not served. My tagline honors my son and my cousin.)
|
|||
His previous service to our country is disgraced by his present service to his party. The DNC membership card must be imbued with mind-sapping properties that even a Marine cannot withstand.
Treason and courage are not mutually exclusive.
"Even warriors are not exempt from senile folly and/or political pressure."
I agree. Petain and Hindenburg were war heroes too.
Talk like this diminishes our side. He is not necessarily a coward nor a traitor. He is mistaken, and making a poor judgment. Elevating the rhetoric beyond that is so...democratic. :-)
No, he is neither, he is simply wrong.
Murtha is a traitor. Honorable Ameicans do not support let alone praise his perfidy.
Please add one more to your ever-growing list of Dishonorable Americans. Then, for the love of God and Country, check yourself.
Unfortunately, to the simple-minded BushBot, anyone who doesn't toe the line and parrot the Dubya Rationalization of the Week (TM) is a "traitor."
Performance over one period of time, or in a specific activity - does not inoculate them from all evil...
Some "Heroes" become serial killers..
Some "Heroes" become traitors...
Some "Heroes" were never really heroes --- but got their "card punched" to pursue a career in politics....
John Kerry comes to mind....
Benedict Arnold....Jimmy Carter...Scott Ritter.....
Hell, even a REAL warrior like Hackworth -- finally started getting most things wrong in his old age.
It always amuses me, to see how selective and ill informed most leftists are when they select whom they would regard as a "military hero"....
John Kerry provided another of his famous flip/flops, by declaring Murtha a true hero and patriot. Murtha was one of the Marines that Kerry once slandered by accusing us of ravaging Vietnam in the manner of Genghis Khan - raping, beheading, cutting off ears, killing every living thing in sight......
I see from your profile page, that another idiot is pursuing a career in the "law".....
Semper Fi
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.