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 don't see anyone here defending him; I see some freepers, including me, going after Murtha for stuff he's doing NOW, like aligning himself with Code Pink.
Sorry, I should have added that someone there might be able to provide some guidance and garner support.
Someone was looking for Jay Sekulow, I don't remember if it was you or not, but here's the link.
www.aclj.org/
Good, he should be held to account for all of his lies.
No matter how far back they go.
Birds of a feather...
Can really picture Murtha in Pink!!!
"I've said that veterans should handle it but the Republican party needs to stay far away from it."
UH OH Peach!
"Murtha also told differing stories about when and where he was wounded in action. A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story reported in 2002 that Murtha had facial lacerations. In 1994, the Uniontown (Pa.) Herald-Standard quoted Murtha saying he was “wounded in the arm” for one medal and “my knee was banged up and my arm was banged up when a helicopter was shot down” for the other. Then, Morano and Hall uncovered a June 1, 1967 report in the Johnstown (Pa.) Tribune-Democrat quoting from a letter from Murtha to his wife describing his injuries as being "struck in the ankle" by a "shot that ricocheted off the helicopter."
Murtha’s Mangled Medal Stories
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1560074/posts
Now what was that about there was no proof about what?
I did debate, you attacked me and others on this thread for saying anything that didn't follow your orders.
Clearly you read everything on this thread so I didn't need to "ping" you despite the rules. The only reason you haven't tried to have me banned for breaking those rules is that on this thread you broken one of the rules that is actually displayed on every submit post page.
NO personal attacks!
Many other Freepers would have already signaled a mod as to the sort of insults and innunedoes you thrown about on this thread, as a former marine I'm made of sterner stuff and their are no insults you could ever throw at me an make stick.
From here on out like at least a few others I'm putting you on Manual Ignore, you can say whatever you want but I'll ignore every last be of it.
Oh, so now you admit you DO know the rules. So you're a liar. Which I pretty much knew within your first few posts to me when you just started making stuff up and pretending I'd posted things I clearly hadn't posted.
You may be a former marine and made of stern stuff, but it's not honor.
Show me where I said there was no proof? Now you're making stuff up out of whole cloth.
It is fascinating that on a thread about whether Murtha lied to get his medals, you are lying about other people's posts and positions. It says a lot about you, and none of it is honorable.
When people think it is more relevant to go after Murtha for his current positions with regard to Code Pink, etc., instead of attacking him on medals that MAY have been earned under false circumstances, you attack those people and constantly mistate their positions. That puts you SQUARELY in the Murtha column.
Putting Tonk in the same boat with Murtha is anywhere close to reality.
That post made no sense -- I need more coffee. My point was that whatever you think, Tonk and Murtha are not cut from the same cloth.
I've no idea what the heck your issue has been on this thread. You have been on one of my ping lists for years and I was sad to remove you yesterday.
What ever disagreement you have about what focus should be put on Murtha is one thing. Saying usmcobra has no honor and comparing Tonk to Murtha is BEYOND out of line.
You disgust me.
You're calling Tonk a liar, saying he is squarely in Murtha's column (someone who would put our troops at increased risk), and calling usmcobra dishonorable.
"It's people like you who show disrespect AND endorse the disrespect of the men and women who really were/are heros." 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
"I don't think we should pursue this.
Murtha is not running for higher office, he is elderly and he is doing more damage every time he opens his mouth than anything we can do to him.
Also, there was evidence on another thread that the conservatives are being set up in this matter."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1558666/posts?page=3#3
"It's one thing for vets to go after Murtha; have at him. I don't want to see this connected to conservatives or Republicans."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1558666/posts?page=38#38
I guess that only leaves non-republican vets to go after him, huh?
Whatever else is going on, Peach is not a troll.
I agree, what is this mans problem?
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