Murtha's War Hero Status Called Into Question

cnsnews.com ^ | 1/13/05 | By Marc Morano and Randy Hall

[jwalsh07]

You have obviously never served...probably you should not comment....

Your judgement here is flawed and more to the point having served is not a requirement for offering an opinion on those who have or haven't.

And now I'll explain why your judgement is flawed. Murtha has stuck his ample foot in his ample mouth more times than is necessary to cast doubt on his opinion. When he advises young men and women not to serve their country while we are engaging islamofascists worldwide he wins no points. When young soldiers stand up and tell him that to his face he loses points and credibility as he should. So Murtha should be attacked but not for what he did 37 years ago but for the lunacy he is offering today for two reasons. The first is that attacking his record engenders sympathy for an old Marine that he would not otherwise get from various folks in this country. And the second is because it has no bearing on todays debate though it might go to his credibility.

So my judgement is to attack his words and leave his DD-214 in the closet.

And one other thing, I never did like officers. :-}

PS: usmcobra, only the analysis applies to you. I understand where you're coming from and the analogy to politicans during Vietnam is right on target. People should be reminded of that on a daily basis.

[freema]

Thank you.

[El Gato]

That was the Army definition, and doesn't address the issue of the "V" device. Here's something from the Navy Exchange Service Command (which also covers the Marines):

"V" Device Authorized for acts or service involving direct participation in combat operations

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

murtha + code pink = traitors

Wonder which so called "FReepers" think that the GOP pulling the "white flag ad" was a good thing because
they want to be "PC" but
don't give a damm about our troops,
overseas and at home.

[El Gato]

So Murtha should be attacked but not for what he did 37 years ago

But he's not being attacked for what he *did* all those years ago, but rather for distorting it now. Big difference.

[RushCrush]

Thanks, Tonk! This is exactly what I was looking for (and was too lazy to research myself!)

I plan to forward this information to all my liberal associates. Thank you!

[RushCrush]

Source for that? I hadn't heard...????

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Actually he quietly released it to a couple of friendly reporters at the Boston Globe and had a "military expert" go through it for them....I imagine Murtha would do the similar thing if pushed."

348 days ago,
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886726
Hanoi Kerry promised, on national TV,
to sign form SF-180 AND release his full military records
to the public.
He has yet to do so.
President Bush signed his Form 180 in 2004.

Kerry Hangs Back From Disclosure to All
The NY Sun June 9, 2005 Josh Gerstein
http://www.nysun.com/article/15135

Did Kerry really release Navy records?
Chicagao Sun Times June 9, 2005 THOMAS H. LIPSCOMB
http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-lip09.html

EXPOSE HANOI KERRY!

MUST SEE WEBSITE!!!!

http://www.kerrystreason.com/index.html

http://stophanoikerry.150m.com

[crushelits]

I agree.

If he served and is proud of his service, he should show everything.
If he doesn't show all then he is a a fraud.
Like Skerry.

[snuffy smiff]

Amen.

And the vile stench of sappers is beginning to get rather strong around here...

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[JCEccles]

So Murtha should be attacked but not for what he did 37 years ago

Why? Murtha has very noisily and visibly played up his war experiences from 37 years ago in a cynical attempt to gain moral advantage over those he disagrees with. Thus, he has put his military service in play.

I say, fire for effect on his fraudulent heroism.

[cmotormac44]

Right on Marine---just say any 'honest serviceman' would be proud to show his records---my 5 years during WW2 and after don't show me as any hero and I never claimed to be--just because I served at Normandy on 6/6/44, and for some time thereafter, with a Flotilla of 60 US Coast Guard cutters (wood hulled and carrying 2000 gal of gas for fuel)certainly doesn't give me bragging rights to set myself up a any type of 'war hero'--fact that that CG Rescue Flotilla 1 saved 1438 men and 1 woman during the landings time does prove we were worth the effort---Murtha is just like many phoney's who may have been in service but blow it up for their own profit later on---hell, I cut my leg on the engine room ladder during enemy action but never even thought of asking for a medal--then again, I am not a slimey "demonrat" lookin for my 15 minutes of glory by bashing our President and spitting on the men and women in harms way---can't say in polite society what I really think of his kind other than 'traitor' and 'scum of the earth' (then, that is really a true Rat designation after all)

[kabar]

Agree with you. Murtha, like Kerry, has touted his war record to validate his views. Murtha mentioned in his press briefing and on the House floor his meeting with a wounded soldier in Walter Reed who had not received his PH. Murtha said he offered his own.

Murtha is out of the Tip O'Neill school of political hacks whose ambition exceeds their record or ability. LBJ received a fraudulent Silver Star to advance his political career.

Murtha is coming out now because he may be subject to an ethics investigation dealing with his ties with his brother’s lobbying firm, KSA. He can now claim that he is a target of any possible investigation because of his anti-war views.

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

The sources for this story set off some alarm bells. Fox and Bailey were both defeated by Murtha in congressional elections. Sour grapes? I think some impartial witnesses are needed.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for your service to our country

[Segovia]

You, too? Perhaps we should write some letters to the editor of the Herald Standard, asking them to look into their archives for stories about Murtha's valiant exploits in the '60's? Does your name reflect your 40? I know where that is. I remember some stories not too long ago about Murtha playing s.o.p. Pennsylvania politics and getting his family and friends big defense contracts thru his position on committees--- never was anything honorable about this man, our friends from the rest of the country just don't understand Fayette County politics!

[staytrue]

Is this a wise place to go?

This is what Bush called "the politics of personal destruction" I call it character assasination.

The unfortuneate part is that character assasination is the only thing the democrats know how to do. I say we must retaliate in kind. I don't like it because most people are doing good things 99% of the time and to focus on the other 1%, well, it can get ugly, especially since none of us are saints and even if we were, most things can be spun to look ugly.

but the democrats want a no holds barred knife fight, so we have to do the same.

[staytrue]

IMO real heros don't ask for medals OR flaunt them.

Bob Dole and Bush 41. Over their political careers, you would barely know they had even served in the military.

[cookcounty]

I loved the clip on Brit Hume tonight of the soldier that showed up and ripped Murtha a good one over his "morale is poor" remark: "You didn't talk to anybody in my unit!!!"

Eyes were flashing, the kid was mad, Murtha couldn't look him in the eye.