[crazyhorse691]

Jim Rassman was the gentleman who stood up for Kerry way back in 2004 and followed him all over the US proclaiming Kerry's greatness. Typical moonbat rant except for the reference to a new generation since 2004.

[popdonnelly]

I wouldn't care if Murtha was the greatest military hero of our time. He is a fool who wants us to lose in Iraq.

[dubyawhoiluv]

multiple skeletons in his close,t kicked off the police force for inappropriate behaviors not a good character reference

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Murtha didn't prove his patriotism at all. He is siding with the insurgents and hoping that America's finest soldiers lose in Iraq. Stability in Iraq threatens Murtha, because this would be a victory for Bush... and for the entire Middle East. Murtha does NOT represent Middle America.

[samtheman]

Sanity in your 20's doesn't prove sanity in your 60's. Murtha is currently insane.

[tumblindice]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Arnold

American war `hero'

[Lakeshark]

Murtha, who, like Kerry, dared to speak his mind

Speaking your mind is fine, not being able to handle criticism of what you said is the constant for Demorats these days....."How dare we question their patriotism", too.......

[G.Mason]

"John Kerry and John Murtha both love their country [exactly what country is that?] and proved their patriotism in the crucible of war and on the battlefield of public service. [you mean the battlefield to feed at the public trough?] But far more is at stake than the reputations of two good men. They have the honor of their service, as do the hundreds of thousands of Americans in uniform in harm's way today, and that's enough."

No, perpetual apologizer, Jim Rassmann, that is not enough!

Both Kerry and Murtha are traitors to their country, a disgrace to any and all who wore the uniform, and should, in the very least, be shunned by every American who loves their country.

[sgtbono2002]

I dont knock the mans war record whatever it was.

I do knock his stupidity in thinking we can leave Iraq tomorrow.

[atomicpossum]

The radical right Web site Cybercast News Service -- formerly the Conservative News Service -- has attacked Murtha, claiming he was fraudulently awarded Purple Hearts for wounds received during two tours in Vietnam.

Nope, sorry, Jim...he was attacked by a fellow Democrat.

[saveliberty]

LOL! Is this the man that Kerry knocked into the water only to have to pull him out later?

[Doogle]

murtha like kerry won't release his military records...enough said


Doogle

[LZ_Bayonet]

" Watching the assault on his military record by partisan operatives armed with falsehoods was a shock."

Partisan operatives, baloney! The leadership was Vietnam Vets and a lot of funding came from small donations from Vietnam Vets like me, and others who trusted the judgement of the vast majority of vets on this issue. We've been there and we know "medal garbage" when we smell it (and this one reeked). If this guy can't accept the fact that various forms of support by Vietnam Vets drove the success of the effort then he shouldn't even try to go on the attack.

[sauropod]

But the health of our democracy, the integrity of our debate, the voice of our free press and the true meaning of patriotism are under assault if a new generation of Swift Boat-style smears is allowed into the public sphere unchallenged.

You mean like unfounded cocaine usage allegations and claims that the Administration "knew" that 9-11 was going to happen and LIHOP, Mr. Rassman?

[geezerwheezer]

Memo to John Rassman: I too, served in Viet Nam (68-69-70) and I disagree with Mr. Murtha's stance on Iraq. I also disagree with most everything John Kerry says, as well as Messers: Kennedy, Leahy, Reid and Biden. I also disagree with Madames: Boxer, Pelosi, Feinstein, and Clinton. I'm not "swift-boating" anyone, I'm stating the fact that I think they are flatout wrong, and that I think they are anti-American and anti-military. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you tell it to someone who might give a damn because Sir, I do not. So get over it.

[jveritas]

I have always warned that this foolish reporting by CNS is a life saver for the Left who will try now to move the debate from Murtha treasonous statements about the Iraq war, statements that are very damaging to the democrats, to this meaningless issue of Murtha war record. I just hope that the prominent radio talk shows host will not pick up on this subject so the subject will remain focused on Mrutha “cut and run” policy from Iraq.

[Condor51]

With all due respect to Green Beret Jim Rassman (I mean that), he's dead wrong regarding the 'attack' on Murtha.

It didn't originate with any 'right wing' group or Cybercast News Service. It originated by a Democrat opponent in his first Congressional Campaign. As to the questions regarding the validity of his Purple Hearts, those 'questions' originated by - MURTHA himself.

The facts are:

• Murtha has given three different versions of how he was wounded.
  
• Murtha has given three different versions as to where he was even wounded.
  
• During the House investigation of ABSCAM - Murtha was involved but not indicted - he admitted to a Dem colleague that "he did not deserve the two Purple Hearts". This was on the floor of the US House.
  
• Murtha admitted that he did not miss one day of duty from his 'war wounds'.
  
• Murtha has said on occasions that one wound required a "Band Aid".
  
• There are NO records, hospital or from doctors in his unit, of any treatment for any wounds, at any time.
  
• It was not until 1980 (IIRC) that Murtha put in a request for his 2nd Purple Heart - with no supporting documents, only his own account of events.

Like another 'semi famous' Dem politician and Vietnam veteran, Murtha refuses to release his military records.

All this could be cleared up PDQ - just sign that SF 180 Rep Murtha.

[muawiyah]

He's also saying that if you didn't serve in combat you don't have a right to criticize.

Recalling how the draft was operated, and how enlistments in the more civilianized of the armed services were thereby encouraged, I'd suggest that if you didn't serve in the Infantry or the Marines, you don't have a moral standing to criticize those who did.

There are some who undertake to evaluate military service in terms of risk, i.e. flying dangerous machine built by the lowest bidder at high speed, etc.

It all turns out to be a moveable bar. For the most part most of us who served had little choice about where we served and whether or not somebody would shoot at us. Just showing up somewhere during the period of national crisis is morally sufficient.

[Criminal Number 18F]

Vietnam is ancient history --

But Murtha got into Congress and voted to cut and run from our responsibility to our former allies (our men were already out, and he urinated on their memory by supporting their enemies).

Murtha was the voice of cut and run in Lebanon, Somalia, Afghanistan and now Iraq.

I'm a combat vet, too. And I know a coward when I see one.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Mr.Atos]

I see Rassman and Raise him one local Major...

Releasing War Records (Excerpt Major Mike, Portland Blogger)

I am a combat veteran. I joined the VFW my first day back in the States, and am a life member. I flew forty missions in the Gulf War, and have received many citations for my combat service, and my non-combat service.

There is a flare up underway about John Murtha's combat/decoration history here, here, and on this page is a Brit Hume video on the subject. Based on what I have read in the opening paragraphs of Forgotten Soldier and the entirety of Stolen Valor some people have a habit of exaggerating their combat records...if they have one at all.

So, as a combat vet, I have an opinion on this subject. I think Murtha's record should be fully explored. I think fakers and exaggerators count on the politeness and deference of others in allowing, either spoken or implied, exaggeration of their military records to become "fact" over time, and discussion of their "record" to then become "off limits" for discussion. This is how dozens of people have been "awarded" our nations highest honors, taken advantage of these exaggerations for their personal gain, and as Burkett points out in Stolen Valor, stolen the honor of real combat heroes who have legitimately earned their combat and non-combat decorations.

More...

[yoe]

I am sure that Jim Rassmann and John Murtha think they are doing the right thing, however, John Kerry did his country a great disservice by telling out right lies about his service in Vietnam.

Mr. Rassmann is wrong about the Swift Boat men, no one could ever doubt the veracity of their reports as to how Lt. jg. Kerry conducted himself in that theater of war.