US Rep. Murtha says he wouldn't join military now

Reuters ^ | January 3, 2006

[jmc1969]

Rep. John Murtha, a key Democratic voice who favors pulling U.S. troops from Iraq, said in remarks airing on Monday that he would not join the U.S. military today.

A decorated Vietnam combat veteran who retired as a colonel after 37 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Murtha told ABC News' "Nightline" program that Iraq "absolutely" was a wrong war for President George W. Bush to have launched.

"Would you join (the military) today?," he was asked in an interview taped on Friday.

"No," replied Murtha of Pennsylvania, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives subcommittee that oversees defense spending and one of his party's leading spokesmen on military issues.

"And I think you're saying the average guy out there who's considering recruitment is justified in saying 'I don't want to serve'," the interviewer continued.

"Exactly right," said Murtha, who drew White House ire in November after becoming the first ranking Democrat to push for a pullout of U.S. forces from Iraq as soon as it could be done safely.

"Let me tell you, war is a nasty business. It sears the soul," he said, choking up. "And it made a difference. The shadow of those killings stay with you the rest of your life."

Asked for comment, a Defense Department spokesman, Lt. Col. John Skinner, said: "We have an all-volunteer military. People are free to choose whether they serve or not."

"Our freedom of speech in this country allows all of us the opportunity to voice an opinion. It's one of our great strengths as a nation," he added.

[Baby Driver]

Oh Man! Talk about inciting disaffection in the
US Military...

Mutha needs to be put up against a wall..after
a trial. that is.

[stevem]

Someone needs to tell Murtha that cowards cut and run, Marines never do.

[OldPossum]

Someone on this thread noted that Murtha is on a media attention high. No doubt. I wonder how he'll feel when the DNC and their lap dogs, the media, dump him after he has exhausted his usefulness to them.

[mombrown1]

Benedict Arnold was well loved by his men and General Washington. Murtha is a stooge for the dummies.

[Jet Jaguar]

Thanks for the post. I was not quite sure if he was suffering from dementia. I am sure of it now.

[centurion316]

A decorated Vietnam combat veteran who retired as a colonel after 37 years in the U.S. Marine Corps

Mr. Murtha was a Marine Corps Reservist. He volunteered for active duty in Vietnam. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we must assume that his service in Vietnam, and his decorations, were legit. He should be honored for that.

However, the press characterization of him as a 37-year career Marine is pure bunk. For most of those 37 years he was a politician, and for many years has served on the Defense subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee. You can bet that the Marines wined and dined him at every opportunity - and I'm sure that he returned the favor. He suffered no privations, enduring no long deployments, and certainly did not have to compete with his peers for infrequent promotions. The guy is a phony, and the MSM are soaking it all up.

[ridesthemiles]

Knowing now what we know about Mr Murtha, I would hope the Marines would decline HIM.

What a POS. He and Cincy Sheehan need to put on a road show together.
Hope and Crosby they aren't.

[Baby Driver]

Hey Murtha! Tuck your tie in your blouse, so that
every Marine that sees you coming, can know what
you are, without having to say a word to you.

[leprechaun9]

I wouldn't want that bloated pimp of the election industry anywhere near a military conflict. He probably would pull the new French flag out of his pocket and lead the parade of anti-Americans against our government. By the way, the new French flag changed the former red and blue sections to WHITE!

[newnhdad]

I've never served myself, but my wife is currently an active duty member of our armed forces so I have to take my hat off to anyone that has served.
That being said, I think this man needs to be taken away by medical professionals and his competency needs to be checked, because no politician in their right mind would be attempting to undermine recruiting efforts during a time of war.

[Crooked Constituent]

If I were a betting man, I'd bet that we eventually win in Iraq.

Murtha democrats are taking a huge risk with this strategy.

[USNBandit]

A decorated Vietnam combat veteran who retired as a colonel after 37 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Murtha told ABC News' "Nightline" program that Iraq "absolutely" was a wrong war for President George W. Bush to have launched.

A war that was "absolutely" wrong for the President to launch, but absolutely right for Mr. Murtha to vote for. -H.R. 114 107th Congress.

[Taxman]

Murtha is not the "Real Deal!" Give him his due and credit for his service in Vietnam as a Captain of Marines.

He is, however, a "Political Marine Reserve Colonel."

'Nuff said?

The "Real Deal" would be Rep. Sam Johnson, Colonel, USAF (Ret). Fighter pilot; 29 years in the USAF; 7 years in the Hanoi Hilton; many medals and accolades in USAF and in Congress. He was a Colonel, then he became a politician.

Unlike Murtha. I never thought I'd get to a point that I could with a clear conscience, disrespect a Marine Officer, but, since Murtha is not a "Real Marine Colonel," I have no problem with it. Murtha is a scumbag!

No offense intended to any other honorably serving Marine Reserve Officer. I, myself, am a retired Naval Reserve Officer, and have the utmost respect for all those serving in all branches ofthe Reserves and the National Guard -- except those who use their political connections to achieve high rank.

For example, Colonel Murtha, USMCR.

[Theresawithanh]

You are definitely right, I should change my post to read "Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, etc., etc., etc., are helping Al Jazeera, and they should all STHU."

[Doogle]

US Rep. Murtha says he wouldn't join military now

a key democratic figure

..and this is news?

Doogle

[bubman]

Isn't he too old?

[Steel Wolf]

Rep. John Murtha, a key Democratic voice who favors pulling U.S. troops from Iraq, said in remarks airing on Monday that he would not join the U.S. military today.

I hope I never live long enough to see U.S. troops in the field and not feel the desire to be there with them. One day, when I'm an old, old man, some Democratic President is going to send troops into some wrongheaded Bosnia-like peacekeeping adventure, and as much as I'll oppose it politically, I'll wish I was 20 again so I could go and be there, hating it with everyone else. I can't imagine feeling any other way.

Former Marine or not, Rep Murtha has lost the faith.

[fight_truth_decay]

Says:"Other than Murtha, who is operating as an agent for some top military commanders, all of the other posturing politicians are basically insignificant—Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton and so on. They do not even claim to be leaders for the growing anti-war sentiment in the United States. They are simply maneuvering opportunistically for reelection in 2006 and beyond. They ride the fence to appease their corporate backers while attempting to pander to an increasingly anti-war electorate."

[RTINSC]

I agree. A shameful statement from a politician in a time of war.

[hinckley buzzard]

"Let me tell you, war is a nasty business. It sears the soul," he said, choking up. "And it made a difference. The shadow of those killings stay with you the rest of your life."

*Whatever you say, Staff Geek. You must've killed many a guy who brought you lukewarm coffee to get all emotional like that, huh?*

It is abundantly clear that Jack Murtha did something he shouldn't have, and it ended really badly for one or more Americans. Too bad he is not strong enough to face up to his acts and take responsibility rather than shifting blame onto a CinC who is his moral superior.