Murtha's hometown paper: refuses to put anti-Murtha editorial online (written by locals!)

BootMurtha.com ^ | 9/12/2006 | IPWGOP

[IPWGOP]

Johnstown Tribune-Democrat:
Murtha's hometown paper prints but refuses
to include online a 3rd anti-Murtha editorial!

All 3 letters have been written by Johnstown residents!

NOTE: the editorial letter below appeared in the Sept. 11, 2006 print edition of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat newspaper's "Readers Forum" editorial section. It is the the 3rd anti-Murtha editorial letter to be excluded from the paper's online website. There seems to be a pattern of discrimination.

Here are the 3 editorial letters, now online at BootMurtha.com:

 "No medals needed to criticize lawmaker"
Aug. 23, 2006... written by Johnstown resident Mrs. Harry Beam

"Long time supporters no longer cheering"
Sept. 3, 2006... written by Johnstown resident and retired Army captain Owen R. Hofecker, Jr.

"Anti-Murtha sentiment personal, not political"
Sept. 11, 2006... written by Johnstown resident and Iraq War veteran Craig Minnick

You can contact the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat here:

Publisher, Chris Voccio, 814-532-5111
Editor, Chip Minemyer, 814-532-5091
Assistant Regional Editor, Arlene Johns, 814-532-5065
Editorial Page Editor, Bruce Wissinger, 814-532-5076

 

 "Anti-Murtha sentiment personal, not political"

U.S. Rep. John Murtha must be held accountable in the same manner he demands of other public officials. He has harmed our service members at war, for political and personal gain.

He claims to be the military's biggest supporter, but the evidence is indisputable that Murtha:

·       Was untruthful about the accomplishments in Iraq and publicly questioned the military's competence and morale.

·       Called military officers liars.

·       Pushed for premature deployment of the Stryker vehicle without proper testing, resulting in the needless deaths of soldiers.

·       Called Marines "cold blooded" murderers prior to completion of an investigation.

·       Said it "doesn't matter" whether Pennsylvania's deployed service members have the opportunity to vote in the 2006 general election, and declined to help.

·       Refused to meet or speak with Iraq veterans and failed to respond to their phone calls and letters, but met with and accepted an award from Code Pink, an organization that raised money for Iraq insurgents and harassed wounded veterans and their families at military hospitals.

Is it any wonder so many Iraq veterans despise Murtha?

As an Iraq veteran, this is personal, not political, and I consider it my duty to defend those who defend America against a politician who cares more about political and personal gain than the welfare of Americans on the battlefield.

 

Craig Minnick

Upper Yoder Township

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve

 

BootMurtha.com

[IPWGOP]

Like it or not, Congressman John Murtha's impact is not limited to his PA district, or hometown. His outrageous statements impact all Americans -- and most importantly our troops currently overseas.

For Murtha's hometown newspaper to deny our troops overseas and Americans here stateside online access to these editorial letters is very disturbing. Their absence falsely implies an 'all is well' atmosphere in Murtha's hometown and district. Such deception on the part of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat is disturbing.

Fortunately, BootMurtha.com has received scanned copies of all three editorial letters from the print editions of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat and placed them online for all to read.

We encourage those who can to contact the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat and 'voice' your opinion of their coverage online... and lack thereof.

[IPWGOP]

Murtha's hometown newspaper ping...

[upchuck]

Irey BUMP!

[DustyMoment]

For Murtha's hometown newspaper to deny our troops overseas and Americans here stateside online access to these editorial letters is very disturbing. Their absence falsely implies an 'all is well' atmosphere in Murtha's hometown and district. Such deception on the part of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat is disturbing.

Unfortunately, this is McCain's Campaign Finance Reform kicking in that prohibits ads that mention any candidate by name less than 90 days before a federal election. Since this is the period that we are in, the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat had no choice but comply with the law and refuse the ad.

[Just A Nobody]

What are they afraid of ping!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Common Tator]

Unfortunately, this is McCain's Campaign Finance Reform kicking in that prohibits ads that mention any candidate by name less than 90 days before a federal election. Since this is the period that we are in, the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat had no choice but comply with the law and refuse the ad.

Letters to the editor are not advertising. They are guest editorials and they are not covered by the advertising law.

[RobFromGa]

They are afraid that Surrender Jack is going to get beat by Ms. Irey, that is what they are afraid of.

Our troops have spoken:

“Ma’am, you don’t need to thank us. You just go beat him for us.”

[sarasota]

No fear, just politics as usual.

[Just A Nobody]

Letters to the editor are NOT campaign ads.

[jazusamo]

Since this is the period that we are in, the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat had no choice but comply with the law and refuse the ad.

Are you serious or just being sarcastic?

If serious, how is printing it in their paper different from putting it in their Web edition?

[Just A Nobody]

Jihad Jack actually visited the third floor of Walter Reed last Friday.

To say that our wounded warriors were "unhappy" with his appearance there, would be a gross understatement.

They, of course, cannot say anything. They were all waiting for me to arrive Friday so they could tell someone just exactly what they thought. Most of their thoughts cannot be posted on FR. ;*)

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the post and ping.

Excellent point about our troops overseas not getting the true picture about what's happening stateside. If anyone deserves that info, they do.

[IPWGOP]

Unfortunately, this is McCain's Campaign Finance Reform kicking in that prohibits ads that mention any candidate by name less than 90 days before a federal election. Since this is the period that we are in, the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat had no choice but comply with the law and refuse the ad.

Wrong. You did not read this post very well... These are not ads. They are simple letters to the editor that have been published by the newspaper in PRINT and then NOT PUT ONLINE

[Just A Nobody]

You are welcome Jaz! Our troops deserve fair and honest reporting, as do we all. Sad commentary on the ENEMEDIA that we have none of it.

[Buck W.]

Is this race still poll-less?

[IPWGOP]

Is this race still poll-less?

Yep...

[jazusamo]

Thanks for your report about Murthawi going to Walter Reed and for what you do for the wounded warriors there. Sounds like he wasn't too well received and I understand the word about him spread like wildfire months ago among the troops there.

[tcrlaf]

This just the beginning...

Murtha realizes he's in trouble, and the Machine will start using it's "Influence" now..