Posted on 05/30/2006 4:50:16 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
US lawmaker John Murtha today renewed his explosive charge that US soldiers killed unarmed civilians in Haditha, Iraq and the US military tried to cover it up.
"This is what worries me. We're fighting a war about America's ideals and democracy's ideas and something like this happens, they try to cover it up," Pennsylvania Representative Murtha told CNN television.
"It is as bad as Abu Ghraib, if not worse," Mr Murtha said.
Two separate US military investigations are under way into the killings in November of some 24 unarmed civilians in Haditha.
"They knew the day after this happened that it was not as they portrayed it.
"They knew that they went into the rooms, they killed the people in the taxi. There was no firing at all. And this comes from the highest authority in the Marine Corps, so there's no question in my mind."
The lawmaker, a Democrat and a former Marine, said: "It breaks my heart to think Marines did something like this. And when you hear some of the stories now that are coming out, it just makes it worse than ever."
Yesterday, General Peter Pace, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it was too early to pass judgment on the allegations.
"It would be premature for me to judge the outcome" of the Pentagon investigation into the incident, Gen Pace, a marine, told CBS television.
While acknowledging the investigations, Gen Pace said that, if true, the Haditha case was in contrast to "the 99.9 per cent who are doing their job exactly the way the American people expect them to".
US officials said on Saturday that the probes into the November 19 killings were nearing an end and that Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had been briefed on the investigations.
Time magazine reported on Monday that lawmakers were told in briefings last week that some members of the Marine unit involved may soon face charges as serious as murder.
Mr Murtha told CNN that some Iraqi families had been compensated.
"The reason I've been speaking out is Iraqis know about this. This has been all through Iraq. There's no question about it. They paid people $US1500 to $US2500. This doesn't happen unless it comes at the highest authority," Mr Murtha said.
Asked if he meant victims' compensation Mr Murtha said "Yes. And that doesn't happen ... if it's an explosive device".
"For the Marines to do something like this has got to be punished as quickly as possible so the world understands that we don't condone something like this," Mr Murtha said.
Senator John Warner, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has said he would treat the matter like the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal and hold congressional hearings into the incident.
My view exactly. She's a bloody good sort!!!!
Diana Irey has a genuine chance of beating Murtha. George Bush got 49% of the vote in the 2004 election. She's pressing him hard on the WOT and his cut and run stance on Iraq.
LOL. And that compliment is coming from the land of great looking lasses (or birds).
Got 49% of the vote in that District.
What's she like on social issues? IOW, will the Christians come out to support her?
Good sorts, mate!!! :)
Please add me to the Haditha ping list.
I live on the West coast and am involved in helping get the word out for her and getting her funding. One of the three above can better tell about other issues.
Help Aussie Dasher. :-)
Murtha is asking for a snug straightjacket, and a liberal application of duct tape around his treasonous mouth. Why is this nutcase allowed any voice at all?
Jack Murtha, ex-Marine 'rat politician, and Linda S. Heard, Brit expat Arabist Jihadi mouthpiece, having abandoned the Tet template for Iraq, are now collaborating on a remake of My Lai, with the objective of demonizing the United States Marine Corps, horrifying the American people, inciting the Muslims to riot, and forcing premature withdrawal from Iraq.
Fat Jack wants them lynched. RIGHT NOW! Are we there yet?
Pretty good. She trails considerably in fundraising, but the anger at Murtha will definitely help to overcome that. And Kerry only took 51% in that district. The voters who pulled the lever for Bush and Murtha will not be amused by his verbal vomit.
You're added. It's an Irey/Murtha ping list, so just Freepmail me if that's not what you want. Cheers!
So the only real question is can we all channel our anger at Murtha into constructive action working toward his defeat? I'd like to think "Yes," but...
What an asshole!!!!!!!!
The glee with which Murtha highlights this case is astounding...it's hard to believe that Murtha was once a Marine! It's one thing to urge the Pentagon to investigate and punish (IF they are found guilty) the participants in this case, BUT absolutely TRAITOROUS to do what Murtha has done. He hates this president so much that he would tarnish ALL Marines and soldiers with his actions and words. I hope Pennsylvanis sends the traitor packing...he's a mouthpiece for Al Quada!
You have to wonder how much this guy is getting paid, and exactly who is paying him.
I believe she is very conservative and will bring out the votes.
Here are just a few of Diana’s accomplishments as a Washington County Commissioner Diana has voted for seven 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 thousands of 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.
Sounds great! Wish I could vote for her...
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