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
I even that old woman. I only have 3. Wanted more :)
even = envy ;)
That looks to be some serious gerrymandering right there.
Murtha is now called Semper Lumbarless by most Marines now. He has totally lost their respect.
Same here.
But with the ones I have, I'd probably be dead by now if I'd had the 6 boys I wanted. LOL!
LOL! I understand that! :)
There are a few other names, as well.
FYI
Anyone who sweetly tells you it gets easier as they get older...
IS LYING! LOL!
The man is a freakin' worm and I'll compare the economic health of Wash. Co. to Fayette county any time. Irey has done a decent job in Washington PA as a commisioner and she's smart, attractive and conservative.
It would send a major signal if we can defeat this parasite.
I've not hear anyone in the msm point out Murtha's "strategy" shows he's incompetent.
This idea of deploying to the periphery and running in and out to "save" the Iraqi's, when they are pinned down or out gunned, is the same line of thinking that caused us to loose vietnam. Which, is what he claims he wants to avoid.
The comparison should be that by taking a hill then retreating to take it again a few days later is the true squandering of lives.
I would hope his opposition comes out screaming that Murtha has learned nothing and wants to repeat the sins of the fathers.
My two cents
I found this snippet in a longer article in today's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.:)
RUN FOR HER MONEY. Internal polling by Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey has shown that her efforts to defeat veteran Congressman John Murtha might hinge on his comments criticizing the Bush administration's position about troops in Iraq.
Irey, a Republican, said her polling indicates that residents of the 12th Congressional District, where Murtha has held sway for more than three decades, aren't thrilled with his calls for immediate withdrawal from Iraq.
Irey said that is an issue she expects could catapult her to the other Washington this fall.
You can have some of these, too! Calpernia will share, WON'T YOU!
lol!
Thanks for the ping, SS!
EXCELLENT!
Ex-Marine Murtha's district went for Kerry by about 51-49%. Yes, he can be beaten.
51 to 49 is for all intent and purposes a toss up.
Hell if the dead vorers alone were thrown out he'd have lost.
Good job and thanks for the info.
That you coop?
you old dog?
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.