Troops in Support Of the War

Washington Post ^ | April 13, 2006 | By Wade Zirkle

[aculeus]

Earlier this year there was a town hall meeting on the Iraq war, sponsored by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), with the participation of such antiwar organizations as CodePink and MoveOn.org. The event also featured Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), a former Marine who had become an outspoken critic of the war. To this Iraq war veteran, it was a good example of something that's become all too common: People from politics, the media and elsewhere purporting to represent "our" views. With all due respect, most often they don't.

The tenor of the town meeting was mostly what one might expect, but during the question-and-answer period, a veteran injured in Afghanistan stood up to offer his view. "If I didn't have a herniated disc, I would volunteer to go to Iraq in a second with my troops," said Mark Seavey, a former Army sergeant who had recently returned from Afghanistan. "I know you keep saying how you have talked to the troops and the troops are demoralized, and I really resent that characterization. The morale of the troops I talk to is phenomenal, which is why my troops are volunteering to go back despite the hardships. . . ."

"And, Congressman Moran, 200 of your constituents just arrived back from Afghanistan -- we never got a letter, we never got a visit from you, you didn't come to our homecoming. The only thing we got was a letter from the governor of this state thanking us for our service in Iraq, when we were in Afghanistan. That's reprehensible. I don't know who you two are talking to, but the morale of the troops is very high."

What was the response? Murtha said nothing, while Moran attempted to move on, no pun intended, stating: "That wasn't in the form of a question ..."

[NoStaplesPlease]

More evidence that the Washington Post is merely a center-left newspaper, instead of a far-left one (like the Old Gray Lady). Color me at least a little bit impressed.

[Lakeshark]

A great article. Can't imagine this was actually in the WaPost, but there it was.

Do you know where this was placed in the paper?

[mortal19440]

He has earned the right to speak.

Murtha did earn the right to speak on this matter, but that right also has some responsibility with it. If you abuse that right, which he has, you can lose it. The military folks that he is dishonoring will judge whether or not he has the right to speak on their war. My bet is that they would rather he would refrain from speaking for them, he doesn't have a clue.

[weegee]

Media Schadenfreude and Media Shenanigan PING

Lead sentence: Earlier this year there was a town hall meeting on the Iraq war, sponsored by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), with the participation of such antiwar organizations as CodePink and MoveOn.org.

The Whipping Post is LYING. MoveOn.org is not an "antiwar organization". While they may have a stance opposed to US war efforts, they are a partisan Political Action Committee. They are not at their core a "pro" or "anti" war organization. Socialism is their goal.

[JZelle]

I just picked my jaw up off the floor.

[ClaireSolt]

I like seeing these men speak out. Hubba hubba.

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

In loving support of our Hero Troop:

In words...
http://www.Freerepublic.com/~ALOHARONNIE

In pictures...
http://www.Freerepublic.com/~JLO

.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

"And, Congressman Moran, 200 of your constituents just arrived back from Afghanistan -- we never got a letter, we never got a visit from you, you didn't come to our homecoming. The only thing we got was a letter from the governor of this state thanking us for our service in Iraq, when we were in Afghanistan. That's reprehensible. I don't know who you two are talking to, but the morale of the troops is very high."

What was the response? Murtha said nothing, while Moran attempted to move on, no pun intended, stating: "That wasn't in the form of a question, it was a statement."

....

[Coop]

Murtha? Oh yeah, that ex-Marine who is going to run against and lose to this lovely lady:

Diana Irey for Congress

Here are just a few of Diana’s accomplishments as a Washington County Commissioner:

• Diana has voted for eight consecutive balanced budgets without a single tax increase for Washington County residents.
• Diana was instrumental in the Southpointe Development which led to the creation of over five thousand jobs in Washington County and surrounding areas.
• As Commissioner, Diana helped create the Washington County Economic Development Partnership – a one-stop-shop for job development to make it easier and more attractive for business owners and employers to locate in Washington County.
• Diana voted to require prison inmates to work without pay in the community to provide restitution for their crimes, and she has voted against giving cable TV to prison inmates.

[mtntop3]

I like seeing these men speak out. Hubba hubba

Affirmative on that! Let's give them some assistance in their mission: www.vetsforfreedom.com

[wildcatf4f3]

tears to my eyes

[freema]

TURN THE KEY

CLICK THE SELF DESTRUCT BUTTON FOR MURTHA

Irey Ping List USMC/Murtha Ping List FReepmail if you want on or off this list SUPPORT OUR TROOPS SUPPORT THEIR MISSION

http://www.vetsforfreedom.com/

[jazusamo]

[But when he subsequently stated that he would not join today's military, he made clear to the majority of us that he is out of touch with the troops.]

Telling our young people not to enlist in the military should be a recall offense. He took an oath to defend the Constitution and he can't do that without a military.

Thanks for the post and the ping.

[armymarinemom]

Nice to see that the post printed an Op Ed from one of the Vets for Freedom. The town hall meeting was a major joke. It was announced when the meeting opened to the floor that it was open for questions or statements. Moran did some double speak even commenting that Sgt. Seavey had made a comment instead of a question. The floor was open to both.

I heard both Moran and Murtha state that the reports from the DoD to the congress was all classified and not open to the public. That is not true. The reports on progress can be found at:
Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq
MFVOV also has the charts to the reports on it's web in order to use as a quick reference tool. MFVOV charts Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq

[W04Man]

Rush talked about this today. He has added to the audience of this great piece!

[Ligeia]

I think you'll like this candidate to unseat Moran:

About Tom O'Donoghue

[aculeus]

Do you know where this was placed in the paper?

Page A21 ... It was an op-ed column.

[aculeus]

Rush talked about this today.

We feed him goodies.