Posted on 01/02/2008 8:31:09 PM PST by smoothsailing
Do survivors of Haditha get apology?
The O-R has joined critics of Congressman Murtha in demanding that he apologize to ex-Marine Michael Sharrat for saying that Marines killed innocent civilians at Haditha, Iraq, though Murtha did not name Sharrat or anyone else. Fine. And who will apologize to the families, friends and neighbors of the 15 or more civilians, including women and children, who were killed there? Or is that a concern here?
Sharrat feels that his good name will remain in question, in spite of his commanding general's decision to drop the murder charges against him. Actually, he could request a courtmartial for precisely the purpose of definitively clearing his name. He "declined to discuss all aspects of the events of Nov. 19, 2005," meaning apparently most of the deaths, because of pending investigations of other Marines. Fair enough, though you dismiss with contempt Murtha's declining to discuss the case due to pending litigation; but a court-martial would force a full and fair review of all facts affecting Sharrat, and if his case is as strong as it appears to be from articles in the O-R, he should do so.
Of course, Murtha's attackers will howl with outrage at the suggestion, and accuse anyone making it of not supporting the troops, not withstanding that recent events have shown good relations with the communities in which they operate is the best protection our troops can have - and the hatred that an incident like Haditha can create can be, perhaps has been, deadly to them. But the strategy is to present Murtha's statement, not the dead women and children, as the problem. It seems to be working.
Murtha's anguished statement was provoked by the discovery that the initial report about what happened - that the civilians had been killed by a roadside bomb - was a lie (another fact that needs to be explained). His concern was with America's good name, and the Marine Corps'. These, as well as Sharrat's, can only be vindicated by full disclosure, and by dealing with all aspects of the tragic incident.
Joe Farrell
Cambridge, Ohio
Did I miss something?
same guy ?
Cambridge Department of Economic and Community Development
Joe Farrell
1131 Steubenville Ave
Cambridge, OH 43725
(740) 439-5491
FAX (740) 439-2822
e-mail: e&cd@cambridgeoh.com
Uh, Mr. Farrell? Did OBL apologize for 9/11?
“There is nothing that I can possibly say to make up or make well the deaths of those women and children and I am absolutely sorry that that happened that day.”
Iraq's death toll reflects restraint on U.S. military
It seems to me that most people have forgotten what caused our difficulties during the Vietnam War. The problem was the politicians, the media bias and the lies regarding the situation. Our political bosses should have just shut up back then and allowed the military do what it was being paid to do: fight and win!
Once again the politicians should cork it and let our military do what it is trained to do. Win!
As was proved during Vietnam, practically every time a major politician spoke of withdrawal, more deaths occurred.
Over and over, the world looks at this country and laughs because we cannot stay the course. Why? Because of Jane Fonda types and Rep. John Murtha types and Hillary Clinton waffling types.
How about this? All of the media should start reporting all of the good things that have been accomplished, and all of the media and all of the mighty politicians should really support this country and our troops!
James M. Sleter
Sarasota
January 03, 2008 12:00AM
That’s AWESOME!!!! Thanks for posting it!
Not seeing the humor in this.
Maybe it’s ‘cause I can’t see the pic?
To Mr Farrell, I reply,,, Justin was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps.. He was. and always will be a United States Marine.. no ex-Marine.
Mr. Farrell.. Justin Sharratt was exonerated of all charges in an Article 32_(the civilian equivalent of a grand jury)The evidence exonerated my son, the General officially dropped the charges because the evidence proved him innocent.Full disclosure of this evidence appears on the Defend Our Marines website- the evidence and testimony the MSM refuses to print.
My son, LCpl Justin Sharratt owes no apology to these Iraqis. He honorably defended himself when four insurgents tried to take his life in House 4. When you point a weapon at a US Marine in a combat zone...bad things happen. In this case the bad guys died and my son is with me today.
My family and Justin feel an apology from John Murtha would be too little.. too late. Congressman Murtha needs to apologize to the American people. He denied these Haditha Marines their rights of due process and the presumption of innocence. Mr Murhta threw the Constitution of the United States “under the bus” to further his political agenda. How much more of the Constitution is he willing to trash to further his political agenda? Congressman John Murtha.... the American people are awaiting your answer.
God Bless Our Haditha Marines
Darryl Sharratt
Wonder if there’s a trial of pork grease between Cambridge and Johnstown?
See reply to Joe the Jerk from Darryl Sharratt above.
Is it going to be printed as well?
The Observer-Reporter had run a series of supportive articles about Justin and this was a clueless response. We’ll see if the paper is interested in continuing a debate.
Heh Heh Heh!! I'll bet they're identical twins.
Other than the local press, the same media who devoted so much of their time and energy when they had Murtha's "cold blooded killers" on their hands, have found precious few minutes to print retractions, and I haven't seen anyone on the tube discussing exonerations.
I wonder if Josh White/WAPO has found the time to return that 10,000 page NCIS report yet.
Murtha's anguished statement was provoked by the discovery that the initial report about what happened - that the civilians had been killed by a roadside bomb - was a lie (another fact that needs to be explained).
Ah, but of course, facts and lies are interchangeable -- to some. Or, is Farrell referring to the facts about the lies. Since he's probably a lib, it doesn't matter. It's his intentions that count, not what was actually scribbled in record. /s
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