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
Somebody didn't read that, I did.
Here we have two legitmate sources of proof that Muthra requested to be awarded Purple Hearts, Fox and Saylor,
As well as one of Muthra's own people providing proof that the Commandant of the Marine Corps actually responded to a request from Muthra for Purple Hearts.
Muthra claiming he never asked for them has been disproven by his own people.
Poor peaches, what will you do now?
I agree that medals mean something and that's why I've repeatedly said, let the vets handle this. Just like they did Kerry.
I wonder what the book Stolen Valor had to say about Murtha; they investigated people very thoroughly in that book as I recall, although I read it a few years ago and have forgotten a lot of the details.
And there's enough that Murtha is doing right NOW, like aligning himself with Code Pink, that I think we should focus on, imo.
peach is trying to silence anyone that thinks Muthra should come clean about his Purple Hearts, mostly by implying that to republicans shouldn't touch this issue and that by allowing Muthra to continue to spout off about Iraq whatever the consequences somehow he will embarass himself.
Personally I feel that long before that happens he will do an incredible amount of damage to the moral of our soldiers and to the will of the nation, and that something else must be done.
>>> by allowing Muthra to continue to spout off about Iraq whatever the consequences somehow he will embarass himself.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1558539/posts
“Vast majority of U.S. troops forced to leave Iraq” (Murtha gets his mug in Aljazeera)
Smells like a Vietnam Radio broadcast to me.
"But he's just a senile old man, we should just leave him alone" {sarcoff}
All I can say is "Blind Egyptian Sheik"
Yup. Blind Egyptian Sheik is correct. The approved monies that flowed into Afghanistan during Wilson's Rogue War funded Sheik Rahman.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1489385/posts
My Enemy's Enemy by George Crile
Also created a huge black market of American weapons.
Our men and women are still being shot at by our weapons.
>>> Should they succeed, the military and returning veterans will be marginalized and ignored.
Just like the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Murtha claimed their moral was in the toilet; despite what their own Sgt. said.
Murtha also never came to see them depart, he never sent any letters to them and did not show up to see the unit return to Pennsylvania.
See the CBS story. As I said, I only saw a bit of the show, while eating at a restaurant in San Antonio. (I live about 2 1/2 hours north of there). But what I saw made me want to barf, which my said I couldn't do there, so I had to stop watching. Later, I read about it on the link above.
But by then he was a moderately powerful US Senator, as well as a retiring Marine reservist.
Have a good night Biglook!
The Constitution says:
---------
Art. 1, Section. 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
...
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
----------------------
Thus, they are not priveleged from arrest for Treason or other Felony crime. They may only be removed by their colleges in the same House. So concievably one could be arrested and tried for Treason, but not expelled from the Congress, but that doesn't seem overly likely.
I'm not sure, but it also seems that the House could impeach a Senator, and then the Senate would have to try him. The Senate couldn't find der Slickmeister, who never was a Senator, guilty. They are unlikely to do so for one of their own, based on a bill of Impeachment from the house. Besides we'd have to put up Tom Cruise's ranting again. I'd rather go for the straight arrest and trial like any ordinary citizen peon.
>>>>I'd rather go for the straight arrest and trial like any ordinary citizen peon.
Big bump from a peon.
I bet anything that if we started filing felony charges, they all would wake up real quick.
Any idea how this is done?
You still haven't provided me a link to where this rule of your's exists.
and if you are so embarassed for me, will you just go away and sulk for me, mope and feel ashamed as well.
In a battle of wits I know I've beaten you when you feel the need to project your thoughts and feelings into me, to tell me how I should act or respond to you, how you feel the need to invent rules for me to follow when you won't follow them yourself.
Just like when you choose to ridicule Tonk for calling you out on your attempts to silence those that want to do something about Muthra, calling him ridiculous and such, the man has done more for this board and Vets then you could ever hope to do if you had a hundred years to do so.
And yet that means nothing to you, or maybe it does perhaps you're just jealous in your own little way, and choose to show it by being the "Voice of Reason"
How like Muthra you act.
The difference between The Republican Party and republicans, since your head will explode if I don't tell you, It's obivious.
The Party exists at the whim of republicans, after all we aren't controlled by it like the democrats.
Probibly not the answer you were looking for but it is none the less true.
While the details vary from jurisdiction to jurisdictiion, one can file a criminal complaint with the appropriate police agency or prosecutor. Which in this case probably means the federal District Attorney in either the Member's home district or in DC. However, AFAIK, the prosecutor doesn't have to do anything with such a complaint, any more than the do with a criminal charge from the police. They can just ignore it or they can take it to the Grand Jury (or in some cases straight to the Judge).
A common retirement goodbye "kiss". Nothing for the prior 23 years though...odd.
Wow, thank you. That is enough to help me focus on the next steps.
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.