Posted on 01/15/2006 4:00:20 PM PST by armydawg1
Jack Murtha's 'Fake' Purple Hearts - An Open Letter
May 5, 2002
Dear Jack,
I’m writing on matters of joint concern. A number of weeks ago I was talking with someone who is a mutual acquaintance and your name came up. It was an unusually frank discussion and I considered it private. I did relate some opinions about you and shared some recollections about experiences with you in Congress. I was, to be honest, critical about how you misled me about ABSCAM where you convinced me you had voluntarily told federal agents about the offer of money to you and I learned later, after I had successfully defeated the ethics charges against you, that you had merely manipulated the system to cooperate with federal agents to avoid prosecution.
I also shared my recollection of when you admitted, back in our corner, that you didn’t earn your purple hearts (you indicated you had small scratch on your cheek that wasn’t even directly related to an APC that ran over a small anti personnel mine that was behind you). The other purple heart you even declined to explain.
At the time you were feeling particularly vulnerable, because it wasn’t too long after you had called me crying and sobbing, thanking me for “saving your life” before the ethics committee. There was no doubt in my mind that you were expressing to me that you did not believe you did anything sufficient to earn the purple heart, and that you didn’t want to be active in my efforts to laud Vietnam Veterans that served with us.
Given what I know about the brave men who served in the Marine Corp., I did not criticize you, but to be honest, I was shocked and disappointed in you personally. We both knew what was at issue, and we both know what happened and that you wanted to avoid the limelight. Later, we ended up having to run for the same seat. It was a good clean race and I admit I knew I couldn’t win, simply on the basis of voter turn out alone. During that time some people came to me with documents indicating you had used influence, after the fact, or had embellished your purple heart awards. I did not respond, and I said nothing. In doing so I may have betrayed my comrades in arms because I knew then what you had told me in the corner of the house - but I had told no one about that and I stood mute. But a few weeks ago my conversation was private and I was not seeking to do you any harm, though it would be ridiculous for me to infer that I have any respect for what you’ve done.
Regardless, shortly thereafter a reporter called me and I was put in a very different position. I could either deny what I said in private conversation, and thus lie, or I could fess up to the truth, or, I could take the cowards way out and stand mute. If I say something, I should either have the courage to back it up, or I shouldn’t open my mouth. Regardless it was too late, and I did not choose to lie. So I admitted to what I had said. However, I later received two calls from two different aides of yours, and later I was called a liar in the press. I am not a liar and I want an apology for the remarks you authorized that I didn’t tell the truth about our conversation. I don’t know how you got yourself awarded the purple hearts, but I know you indicated you didn’t earn them.
By the way. I’m not an ingrate. I deeply appreciate the help you gave me for the last governor’s primary. In fact, out of respect for you, when I realized that the race was going no where, I didn’t even cash the check you sent, (which I kept). Being grateful for your help, I have not sought to hurt you - but I will not betray or exploit the young men who died while fighting, with me, for this country. Never coming forward is one thing - I never have. Lying is another. Coincidentally I just settled an 11-year old law suit with Barbara Hafer where she apologized in writing for campaign defamation and admitted that federal agents (Thornburgh’s political friends) lied to her. I will not accept your falsehoods now. Enough is enough.
You clearly indicated to me in a moment of weakness, that you hadn’t deserved the purple hearts and there was no confusion on that. You may deny that all you wish - but you and I know that that conversation took place. Please apologize now. You may fool a few reporters into believing that merely because you got some perfunctory paperwork made out by a friend, that that means you earned the purple hearts. But even if you were awarded the medals later, there should be affidavits from witnesses. These things should be easy to get - where are they? I bet they don’t exist Jack because you are the one who’s lying. Luckily there’s one easy way to settle all this. Call a press conference. Explain where you were and what you were doing when you got the purple hearts. Explain who was with you and treated your wounds, but most important Jack describe your wounds or the lack thereof, as you did for me, years ago. I am absolutely certain that you won’t do that - because, though you may have manipulated some paperwork that says you were awarded the medals (for political purposes) you can’t produce the witnesses or documents to show any wounds or circumstances under which they occurred.Unless the Marine Corps gives out medals for unsubstantiated non -combat related telltale scratches, procured for use in political campaign - then show me the money Jack - because there should at least be evidence by affidavit, or record of the scratches, that’s what getting a purple heart requires - show me.
You may be able to take advantage of a few Washington reporters who don’t have sufficient experience to understand - but you can’t fool combat veterans of the Vietnam war by hiding behind “Unit” losses - we’re used to those stories. I have my orders describing my combat awards Jack - to back up my DD-214. Where’s your’s? And Jack - don’t ever call me a liar.
Sincerely,
Don Bailey
Submitted by Kelly Anne
I agree it will take a stronger case. But I see nothing wrong with asking for the records based on the horsecrap put forth by Kerry.
"I don't doubt their sincerity or denigrate their research skills, but I don't see the kill-shot in what they've published so far." You're right, this isn't it. Additionally, one doesn't ususally see a sniper in advance.
"My own gut feeling is that Murtha would slowly disappear like Sheehan as the MSM slowly realizes that he's nuts."
I beg your pardon, but Cindy sheehan didn't fade away because the MSM slowly realized she was nuts. She faded away because good FReepers and others stood up to her and told the MSM she was nuts.
"And, with all due respect, people like yourself and the vietnam vets here have a strong emotional reaction to his attempts to demoralize the troops and may be more willing to take the shot than they should be."
Strong emotional reaction?
Man, it's a good thing I'm not PMSing. LOL.
His attempts to 'demoralize' the troops?
Gimme a break.
Demoralize the troops??????????????????????????????????
He might as well be dressed in a burka with a freaken bomb underneath.
I doubt that you have even read your own replies....
As I read them you come off as someone that is unwilling to do anything at all to stop Muthra from being The Voice of military expertese and logic in this country.
You would allow him to continue to spout off so that he can be ignored.
That's like saying we should let our enemy shoot at us so we know they are there and can do something if we are wounded by them.
This ain't that kind of war, and if you want to fight it that way, you are part of the problem.
Baloney. I know exactly what I've said and there are lots of freepers on other Murtha threads who feel EXACTLY the same way I do. But keep attacking those who don't agree with you. It's such an admirable trait. /sarcasm
>>>I read it, I think you are wrong but didn't want to say so.
Now that is not fair. How is anyone suppose to learn anything if corrections are not made?
>>>>The Government decides if criminal charges can be brought, in the case of say battery or other normal crimes involving two parties, it is up to the injured to prefer or press charges in most cases.
I've found statements such as this on almost all state sites I've checked. I've asked a few here and there that know legal stuff and they have all said citizens can file charges.
Leave treason out, I'm sure that is a different case. But with the ones we have mentioned, there must be other charges that we can make.
http://www.co.washington.ar.us/ProsecutingAttorney/CitizenComplaints.htm
(snip)
The citizen complaint is a method by which a person can seek to press charges on someone who has committed a criminal wrong and fits within the jurisdictional limitations described above. However, keeping in mind that this service is free to the public, we request that a person wishing to file a citizen’s complaint make an appointment with the receptionist before coming to the office. This serves two purposes:
1) It allows the person to choose the best time for their schedule to come in and talk with a law clerk,
2) The question may be answered over the telephone saving the citizen the time and trouble of having to come in to the office.
(snip)
And I know what I read that you said.
You are one of those that want to ignore him and do nothing hoping against hope that he will sink himself.
That tactic was tried with a Young John Kerry in 1971 when he used the position of small unit commander to condemn The War in Viet Nam.
Had his medals been challenged then and he and them exposed for what they were, perhaps 3 million southeast asians would not have been slaughtered by the communists after Congress decided not to abide by the peace treaty so many americans died to secure with the North.
I understand the unwillingness to take Muthra to task by any means possible, I just don't believe this nation can afford to allow him to continue.
You know that he will say anything and do anything to disrupt our efforts in Iraq, are you really willing to allow that to happen unchecked?
Oh. I see it is you who hasn't read the thread. Point me to where I said that nothing should be done to him. I'll wait.
If you read the entire thread, you'd see where I said that if the veterans want to go after Murtha, go for it. None of us is here to tell veterans or any other group, except Conservatives and Republicans, what we think they should do.
And if you read that thread I posted, you would see where lots of freepers can see the set-up. But I realize that politically naive voters just don't get the implications of this matter.
Also, point me to the evidence that Murtha's medals were not earned.
You've answered your own questrion, which by the way is a much better way for you to learn then if I actually corrected you.
I've also been known to post totally erroneous facts just to see who is really paying attention.
consider yourself warned ;)
I did read the thread. Matter of fact, I even responded to your post that made that statement and you never answered.
You obviously didn't read where I clarified as stated in my previous post. Nice bit of cherry picking on your part, don't you think?
Then why am I back at my same question???
Does anyone know how to ping Bill O'Neal, Jay Sekulow, Ann Coulter or someone that knows law? Or let me clarify, that will answer my questions?
How can we, me, whomever is willing, bring criminal charges to anyone of the crimes that our 'fine' politicians commit? We have had enough.
To: Peach
What about blue state denizens? We can't have valid elections when our congress critters are corrupt.
(NJ and PA are very intertwined...see McGreevey's bulletin board scandal)
I've no idea why you are acting they way I've seen you on these Murtha threads. But you seem to be very emotional and defensive and you are not understanding what people are saying.
#1. I don't answer every single post to me. Do you? I don't have the time.
#2. I wasn't quite clear what your rather bizarre post referred to. You're saying we can't have valid elections in THIS country because of people like Murtha, who although I believe is a lying SOB, certainly hasn't prevented us from having valid elections.
#3. Defensive? Now I KNOW you haven't read the entire thread. I wasn't defensive on any thread about this topic except this one. And that is ONLY because someone who is acting rather unhinged, like he alone saved western civilization, has called anyone who doesn't agree with him a MoveOn.org person.
Do you really want me to?
or is just another kind of bluff like you've pulled with Tonk?
I don't quote others, if you don't know how what you say is being read by me, I'm not going make you eat your own words.
I'm not here to flame anyone, but don't think for a second that I can't. I was a hardcore Troll for years and can run circles of logic that will make your head spin.
By the way when you say that "if the veterans want to go after Murtha, go for it."
Does that include Vets like Tonk and myself that are making the case why this must be done, because if you really felt that way you would allow us to use these threads to gather support amoung other vets instead of trying to derail these threads.
You were a hardcore troll who can run circles of logic around anyone? OMG
Is there something about freepers on this thread who think they have single handedly saved western civilization?
And, using that famous logic of yours, why does my saying that the veterans should go for it but Republicans should stay far, far away from this issue bother you so much? And why is your reading comprehension so bad that you can't logically figure out what that means and instead try to pretend that anyone who makes such a suggestion is trying to derail a thread?
I backed up my statements.
Now, you don't want to be on this thread, then don't post.
I've already answered your question, we can't charge anyone with treason as private citizens,and I suspect that Bill O'Neal, Jay Sekulow, or Ann Coulter will tell you the exact same thing.
As I have said The Founding Fathers set the bar for proving treason almost impossible high for a reason.
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