Posted on 03/25/2006 3:31:51 AM PST by smoothsailing
03/25/2006
Murtha defends position on war in Iraq
By Amy Zalar , Herald-Standard
U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown), theorized Friday that President George W. Bush was trying to justify what didn't happen following the first Gulf War when he waged war on Iraq three years ago.
Murtha, 73, said he believes there was a miscalculation when troops didn't stay around to rehabilitate the Middle East after the conclusion of the first Gulf War, and it led to the current conflict.
Regarding the current Iraq war, Murtha said when initial threats that biological weapons would be used if troops crossed a certain line didn't come to fruition and weapons of mass destruction were not found, he felt something was wrong and started "sending signals to the White House."
Speaking during a taping of "Behind the Headlines" for HSTV, Murtha said although he supported the war initially, he began to lose confidence because of the way it has been handled. The Vietnam veteran said the three things that are needed to go to war were not there for the Iraq invasion, including a threat to national security, the use of overwhelming force and an exit strategy.
Murtha has been criticized for publicly taking the position that the United States needs to get out of Iraq, a stance that he unequivocally defended.
"It's time for us to redeploy to the periphery and let the Iraqis do this themselves," Murtha said. He said he is also concerned about the $450 billion cost of the war and the burden on the American people.
Murtha said he is perplexed as to why Bush will not admit he made a mistake by relying on flawed intelligence. He said when Bush's father, George Herbert Walker Bush, contemplated the first Gulf War, he established a real international coalition and Congress participated in the process, two things that did not occur this time. A long-time member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Murtha has had intimate involvement with major war decisions during his years in Congress. He was first elected in 1974.
Now, Murtha said the Iraq conflict has deteriorated into a civil war and the American troops are caught in the middle. "The Iraqis are fighting with each other and we're caught in between," Murtha said.
Murtha said Vice President Dick Cheney was a "damn good secretary of defense" in the elder Bush's administration, but many people said they don't know Cheney today. "You have to wonder if they're competent," Murtha said of the people making decisions regarding the war.
Calling this administration the most secretive he has ever seen, Murtha said when you are in public office, you must listen to the people and look at history. Murtha said some Republicans would have to speak out against the war for anything to change. "I feel it is an American problem and not a political problem. Because (Bush) didn't seek advice it has gotten to where it is now and that's a very dangerous situation," Murtha said.
In being asked to speak about comparisons between the Iraq War and Vietnam, Murtha said that big difference is we support the troops in the current war. Murtha said he has worked to ensure troops receive body armor and equipment that is needed. "We have separated the warrior from the war and in Vietnam we didn't do that," Murtha said.
A weekly visitor to military hospitals, Murtha said in addition to the 2,300 American soldiers that have been killed, there are between 16,000 and 17,000 that have been wounded, and the government must take care of them.
Murtha said he wasn't completely surprised that his military record was attacked when he spoke out against the current direction of the war, but he said he didn't think such vicious attacks were warranted. He said attacking someone who disagrees with you isn't the way it should be done. "To me what's important is the country," Murtha said.
Murtha said the White House tried to get military officials to attack him, which was largely unsuccessful. He predicted a Democratic-controlled Con-gress after the fall election, and possibly a Democratic-controlled Senate also.
Murtha is seeking re-election, but will not face a Democratic challenger. Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey has filed to run as a Republican. Murtha said he takes any opponent seriously. He said since Irey has taken a position in favor of the war, it will likely be a campaign issue.
Murtha said he has credibility in the House, as well as years of experience and an important position on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. He said it would be difficult for a new person to get things done for the district that he has achieved.
Murtha said he concentrates on a lot of projects that are important to the district, including diabetes, and works with county commissioners to get infrastructure projects, which he called the glue to put everything together. ©The Herald Standard 2006
The old man is senile.
Cowards cut and run, Marines never do.
I stopped counting the number of inaccuracies, falsehoods, and outright examples of willful journalistic propaganda in this article.
Okay, I read through it quickly. I would attempt to debunk it line for line, but I'm just too tired for that! I want to highlight this bit of info.
Murtha has had intimate involvement with major war decisions during his years in Congress. He was first elected in 1974.
What MAJOR WAR decisions have been made since 1974?
Did he support the abandonment and slaughter of the South Vietnamese?
Not if you people who aren't in his district help us help Diana Irey.This isn't just about the people in the district, this is about every red-blooded patriot in America who want's him finished and defeated.
You can help.Go up to post #1, click on the "Diana Irey US Congress" logo, then scroll down and click "contribute".Do what you can.
Bookmark.
I should know the answer about Vietnam,but I don't.I believe his tour ended in'67,IIRC.Most of the major combat was just beginning then. Arguably, '68 was the biggest year, and there was still plenty after that.In truth, his military service is irrelevent to me. I look at it much like the old Marine friends I know do, to them he never served, he's a non-person. They won't even speak his name. In their eyes, he's less than nothing.
I could not read further than the second paragraph. Murtha is full of it. I hope he is defeated in the next election.
That's why I stressed the word MAJOR.
I should know the answer about Vietnam,but I don't.
My question about VN was a mixed bag.
Murtha has had intimate involvement with major war decisions during his years in Congress. He was first elected in 1974.
IF he has had "intimate involvement" during his years in Congress, and he was elected in '74, and WE LEFT (read abandoned) VN in '75, and he was such a genius that the world was clamoring for his "expert" advice....then is he responsible for the slaughter of 3.5 million SE Asians?
Yep
I got as far as his saying Bush should "admit he made a mistake".
What is it with libs and their love for apologies and admitting mistakes?
Could it be one o' them "metrosexual" things?
LOL beats me. Definently metrosexual LOL.
Oh boy. I just ate some leftovers, and am stuffed all over again. I don't know why they won't let me have a lil' room in the barracks... with a stove.
Made some sugar cookies, it was wet and rainy, perfect for the warm smell that emanates from the over, ya know? And had managed to get Easter decorations up (extra special this year) so he was able to 'tuck them in his pocket'. I explained to daughter the 'cookie dance' is not unlike the 'mating dance', while she hollered at me to STOP!! LOL! Once the smells hit there's one trip thru the kitchen, ignoring what you're doing-very short time later a second trip thru the kitchen, asking what you're doing-and a very short time later a third trip thru the kitchen to snatch 'em.
My brother would go for the dough when we were younger and I got him everytime with the wooden spoon! LOL!
Ahhhhhhh, now to go read that article : (
I should have never read it after eating. Justa, you kept my dinner down. Thank you.
And the wooden spoon! My mother used to tap us on the head when we'd get in her way in th kitchen.She called it "bonking".With each tap she'd make a "bonk" noise by clucking her tongue to the roof of her mouth.She'd say;"three bonks for you, and a big bop if you don't shoo".LOL!
It must be like those juicy hot hamburger commercials at 11 pm?
There are only a few 'necessaries' in a woman's life:
An iron skillet
A big knife
A good raincoat
and
A wooden spoon.
A beautiful umbrella is the icing on the cake.
Ooops. I forgot a good scrub brush! LOL!
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.