Murtha's Irresponsible Remarks(Armed Forces Day)

The Washington Times ^ | May 20, 2006 | staff

[kellynla]

Rep. John Murtha, who last year called for the immediate pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq, this week accused an entire Marine company of murdering 15 Iraqis "in cold blood." Mr. Murtha claims he received his information from sources inside the Pentagon, which is conducting an investigation into the Nov. 15 incident in the town of Haditha. That investigation is not yet completed, which makes Mr. Murtha's accusation not only irresponsible, but an egregious violation of ethical conduct by a sitting congressman.

Mr. Murtha concedes that he has not read any part of the Pentagon's unfinished report. All he has are his "sources." But if Mr. Murtha thinks he can hide behind them, he has severely underestimated the seriousness of his accusation. By turning the presumption of innocence standard on its head, Mr. Murtha is duty-bound to name his sources or provide evidence. Otherwise, he must immediately apologize to the Marines he so recklessly labeled as cold-blooded murderers.

The incident in question occurred when a roadside bomb struck a Humvee carrying Marines from Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, killing Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas. What happened next is the subject of the Pentagon investigation, but 15 Iraqis were in fact killed. The Marine Corps, meanwhile, has responded to the investigation by suspending three Marine officers involved in the incident. What's important to remember is that if the Marines did act outside the rules of combat, they will be tried by a military court martial -- not by Jack Murtha, a former Marine who should know better.

[kellynla]

I hope everyone remembered today is Armed Forces Day.

As far as Murtha is concerned; what he said was DESPICABLE!

[golfisnr1]

Support his opponent:

www.Irey.com

[kellynla]

Better yet

I hope everyone will not only support the Marine Corps

but on this Armed Forces Day...SUPPORT THE ARMED FORCES!

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[midwyf]

Murtha is one more reason that congressmen should be retired at a certain age. Senility is becoming more and more obvious.

[golfisnr1]

Thats a given.

[capt. norm]

Just when I think Murtha has metamorphosed into a yet lower life form, he goes another notch lower.

There are amoeba and paramecia that I respect more then I do Murtha.

[Racehorse]

I hope everyone remembered today is Armed Forces Day.

I'm embarrassed to admit . . . I forgot.

Worse still, there's no mention of the day's events in our local newspaper.  I just looked through both the national and regional sections.

Maybe the newspaper is waiting to honor our Armed Forces with a Sunday feature.  Hope so

[jazusamo]

Bill O'Reilly has been hitting on this and last night he announced he had recieved an email from a Lt Col at the Pentagon involved in this investigation and he stated it was ongoing and no conclusions have been drawn.

Murtha has jumped the gun and done the Marines a terrible blow to morale. Murtha is a disgrace.

[FairOpinion]

Murtha is aspiring to top Kerry.

[Bubba M. Aurelius]

Another Democratic cretin who has sold his soul on the cheap.

[Patriot from Philly]

My understanding is that Murtha asked for a confidential briefing from the Marines and the Marines agreed. And then he went out and shot off his stupid mouth.

What I expect happened here is that the Marines used excessive force and then covered it up, bad, but not what Murtha said.

Now the Pentagon might have used Murtha to get the story out so when the actual report comes out it won't seem that bad.

Now with this stupid media we have every tiny scandal is Watergate and every civilian killing is My Lai.

What we have to do is when they say...isn't this Watergate. Say no, it reminds me of the scandal in Ike's administration in 1958 or no, this reminds me more of the Bobby Baker case during LBJ's administration.

When they try to compare it to My Lai start saying isn't it more like Hiroshima, or it reminds me of Sherman's march to the sea.

Just confuse them.

[usmcobra]

According to Muthra

No Marines were killed in this incident and a whole Marine unit just snapped and killed 24 civilians execution style while they knelt down to pray in cold blood.

[jazusamo]

My understanding is that Murtha asked for a confidential briefing from the Marines and the Marines agreed.

I've been trying to keep on top of this and I haven't heard that yet, thanks for letting us know.

That could be true but even if the worst of what Murtha blabbed is true, which I don't believe, it would not even come close to being another My Lai.

Every time I read or hear more about this I get even more pi$$ed at that POS Murtha.

[jazusamo]

What is your source in understanding Murtha requested this confidential briefing with the Marines?

[Patriot from Philly]

American Spectator BLog.

[jazusamo]

Thanks, I'm going to do some checking.

[Patriot from Philly]

It's the top posting. I'm not that good at linking or I'd link it for you.

[Ben Hecks]

My comments from another thread:

No American who has ever served in or is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces should ever talk to or recognize the existence of Murtha for the rest of his natural life. Any attempt that he makes to communicate with an honorable citizen of this country should be totally ignored.

Murtha is a sick, demented old man that has discarded any honor and sense of decency that he once might have had. He should be stricken from the rolls of the United States Marine Corps and shunned as the leper that he is.

[Shimmer128]

Murtha. (spit!)

BOO HISSSS!

[purpleland]

The tone of Murtha was almost desperate in making his (false or at least unsubstantiated) assertions. Why is Murtha so desperate to broadcast accusations (aka propaganda) on critical matters which are alleged and not proven and still yet under investigation? Murtha is beyond irresponsible...