Posted on 08/02/2006 9:20:40 AM PDT by xpertskir
Murtha issues statement on lawsuit
Johnstown, PA - Congressman John Murtha today released the following statement about a lawsuit filed by a Marine Corps staff sergeant charged in the incident at Haditha in November 2005. An Associated Press story filed earlier this morning said that evidence collected in Haditha supports accusations that U.S. Marines deliberately shot 24 civilians, including unarmed women and children.
I dont blame the staff sergeant for lashing out. When I spoke up about Haditha, my intention was to draw attention to the horrendous pressure put on our troops in Iraq and to the cover-up of the incident.
Our troops are caught in the middle of a tragic dilemma. The military trains them to fight a conventional war and use overwhelming force to protect U.S. lives. I agree with that policy, but when we use force, we often kill civilians. What are the consequences?
Three years ago, there were fewer than 500 foreign fighters in Iraq. They were called dead enders. Then there were 5,000, and they were called terrorists. Now there are 20,000, and the administration calls this sectarian violence.
All this time, weve had at least 130,000 U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq. In the last year, incidents have increased from 49 per day to 100 per day. About 14,000 Iraqis were killed in the last year, mostly in the last six months. Oil and electricity production are below pre-war level, and unemployment is 60 percent throughout most of the country. Our troops are in 120-degree temperatures with 70 pounds of equipment on their back, and they dont know who the enemy is.
This conflict cannot be won militarily. Our troops are caught in the middle of a civil war. Its well beyond the time to redeploy from Iraq.
" This buffoon put the story out before the investigation had even been completed. "
Sorta reminds me of Manson bringin' in a newspaper with the Headline "Nixon says manson Guilty." Or somethin' like that.
I hope so because in order to pound home to these congressional jerks who do nothing but feed on the public trough is to hit them where it hurts, i.e., in the billfold. I know the Marine won't get the $50,000,000 but it sure makes an impact. Plus, it's about time that these congressional jerks are held to some kind of standard when a war is ongoing. And I hope that the Marine sues personally and professionally so that the govt isn't on the hook totally in defending this POS. Sheesh!
Murtha gave up the title "Marine" a long time ago when he traded it (and his soul) for political fame.
Having served 13 years in the Marines myself, I know that the term "ex-Marine" does not apply to true Marines who still keep the faith, but it does apply to Murtha.
Everytime he is called a Marine, it is an embarrassment to the entire Corps.
I see he has not changed his rhetoric since his appearance on Meet the Press in March.
NBC News Transcripts - SHOW: Meet the Press 10:00 AM EST NBC
March 19, 2006 Sunday
John Murtha, Democrat, Pennsylvania, discusses war in Iraq with Tim Russert:
Murtha: unemployment's 60 percent; in Anbar Province, the province that I visited, unemployment is 90 percent. So I don't see the progress that they're portraying
FACT:
Unemployment rate: 25% to 30% (2005 est.)
Where are you getting your information?
Murtha: I, I see inadequate oil production.
FACT:
Oil - production: 2.093 million bbl/day;
note - prewar production (in 2002) was 2.03 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption: 351,500 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports: 1.42 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - proved reserves: 112.5 billion bbl (2005 est.)
They are exporting and have proved reserves.
Murtha: What I see is not enough electricity, only 10 hours a day.
FACT:
Electricity - production: 31.7 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - consumption: 33.3 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports: 2.02 billion kWh (2005)
With all the TVs, refrigerators, washing machines etc. that have been purchased lately, they are not doing too bad.
However, what has this to do with the lawsuit? Idiot!
air strike from Okinawa? LOL
WELL, I give FREE SMOKES to my new registrants! ;*)
LOL!
One of my favorites!
Right. Many states passed legislation or court ruls that forbade statement a hyped up amount, but inform the court the damages exceed, i.e. are in "excess of $XXX" (a certain level).
IIRC, the alleged coverup charge has already been dropped.
WOW! What a coincidence!
Correct. Saul Alinsky was Hil-Rod's mentor too.
Absolutely correct Jan! He not only accused them of "wrong doing" he made a statement of fact, not an alleged accusation, that they were "killing innocent civilians in cold blood!"
I'll bring the rope!
It seems Murtha's talk points are as out-dated as he is...
I love it when you are short and to the point! ;*)
I know it's a very rare occurrence! ;o)
WOW! Another HIT from BootMurtha! Thank you! I stole it! ;*)
LOL! Nawwwwwww......
I hope Murtha does not qualify for Arlington National Cemetery, although a Purple Heart may be a ticket. Surgeon General Koop didn't get in. I can't find the rules (right now) but this article talks about the "waivers" that Clintons seemed to sell for political contribs or whatever:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_n5_v14/ai_20204512
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