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
river rat : Your words of wisdom reposted on this thread
320 posted on 01/14/2006 9:03:55 AM PST by river rat
(You may turn the other cheek,
but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1557630/posts?page=320#320
The "Move On" folks -- aren't still carrying the memories and obligations to fallen brothers that many of us are still dealing with......
The "Move On" folks -- don't have brother's names on that cold stone Wall on the Mall....
The "Move On" folks -- don't have any vested interest in exposing and destroying the lying traitorous bastards of OUR era....
Yes, I'll "Move On" just as soon at the battle is over, and the bastards are dead or dishonored and we're pissing on their graves...
The country STILL owes the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth - an unpayable debt....
THEY were singularly responsible for preventing Kerry from becoming President....
Thank GOD, they were not ready to "Move On"..
Folks - there are STILL a lot of enemies out there that DESERVE our attention -- and we OWE it to the dead that can not speak for themselves or salvage their reputations which these traitorous cowards besmirched..
Semper Fi
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1557630/posts?page=320#320
320 posted on 01/14/2006 9:03:55 AM PST by river rat
"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."
You seem to forget without the Viet Nam Vets
you'd be saying president hanoi kerry
I'll listen to Karl Rove, thanks
Rove Credits Swiftvets With 'Energizing' Bush Vote (Thank You Karl Rove!)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1345603/posts
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)
River Rat's words rank among the best every posted on FR.
Many would be well served to remember that the traitors of "Our Era" are todays leaders, shakers, movers, and funders of the first seditious major political party in the history of this great republic - The Democrat Party
I, for one, will never forget what they did to this country during the sixties and seventies. Unfortunately, their conduct then, pales in comparison to what they are doing now.
And who would those service comrades be...One weekend a month marine reservists that might never have seen Muthra because he was performing an alternate duty while in Washington DC as a congressman?
Or a bunch of grunts that never would have known that he was their intelligence officer or who he was while he was in Viet Nam.
Unlike Kerry who was actually in command of a small unit, Muthra would have been almost invisible to anyone that would be believed if they came forward.
Here he is being challenged by a comrade, a fellow congressman from his state that served with him in the halls of congress, and that former Congressman is also a decorated Viet Nam Veteran.
As long as his bonifides are not challenged, his words that hurt our troops and aid our enemies have weight, and nothing anyone can say on the issue of Iraq will trump his words.
Murtha sure cries a lot, doesn't he?
I said, you vets go after him. Have at it. Which part of that didn't you understand?
The damage he is doing is to our military and to our country. Cut him a break because he is elderly? Not a chance. He knows exactly what he is doing. This is not some dottery old man running off at the mouth. This is a traitor using his position in high office and his military "honors" to bolster his credibility. Let's see how brave he is hiding behind Code Pinko.
Believe me, there's method in my madness. However, I'd still rather see him investigated and arraigned for all the other stuff. There's probably a lot more jail time involved. What would that do to Pelosi's corruption argument?
"I said, you vets go after him. Have at it. Which part of that didn't you understand?"
And what did you not get from Karl Rove?
Are you claiming to be the "new Karl Rove"?
Rove Credits Swiftvets With 'Energizing' Bush Vote (Thank You Karl Rove!)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1345603/posts
Don't' get me wrong; I'm all for going after Murtha if it can be proven beyond a doubt. However, I think he's more vulnerable on his ethics/corruption problems since being in office, would have a lot more jail time thereby, and what would such an investigation do to Pelosi's Republican corruption allegations?
Think about this long and hard. What would be the best way to both 1) Get at Murtha and 2) Bring the corruption home to roost with the Dimocrats?
Whether Murtha goes down for service fraud or corruption makes no difference to me. It just seems there's more than one way to skin this rat.
>>>>I'm all for going after him tooth & nail. I simply believe the accusation against his military service ought to come from his service group; not Freepers, or anyone else for that matter.
Why not anyone else? It was his service record that got him the position he holds. And, while in this position, his support and funding of the Afghan incident created funding for WTC'93.
Sheik Rahman was also instrumental in WTC'01 (see Lynne Stewart).
That makes it all of our concern.
>>> Believe me, there's method in my madness.
I'm listening. Share and maybe I'll agree.
Damn..another REMF with a GW he didn't deserve.
Whats the chance of someone having built a political career on that...LOL.../wise-a**
>>>>Don't' get me wrong; I'm all for going after Murtha if it can be proven beyond a doubt. However, I think he's more vulnerable on his ethics/corruption problems since being in office, would have a lot more jail time thereby, and what would such an investigation do to Pelosi's Republican corruption allegations?
Why do these statements, which I'm seeing on these threads by others also, give me the impression that the service record is off limits to hide more? Who is being protected here?
No one would be going after Murtha if he wasnt going after our troops and aiding our enemies.
Unfortunately, when we let the little things go, they have a way of coming back as bigger things.
The only reason that Murtha is becoming a media darling now is that the Democrats are desperate for a war hero to counter the argument that they are weak on national defense.
When you consider that Jimmy Carter was their last war "hero" as a Navy submariner, followed by Dukakis in the tank, Clinton the draft dodger, Gore the protected "war correspondent", Kerry's quick service and anti-war protests, and then fired NATO commander Wesley Clark, the Democrats are foisting Murtha on the public as their next greatest war hero.
I think it's more damaging to let them let Murtha speak from the cloak of authority as a war hero, than for Republicans to be seen going after an old guy who's not running for higher office. You just can't let these things go by anymore, not in today's tough political world. They made the rules, we have to play by them.
-PJ
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