Iraq Toll Hits a Nerve With Murtha; Veteran Hawk Says Some Bush Strategists Have to Go

The Washington Post ^ | 092603 | David Broder

[Archangelsk]

Iraq Toll Hits a Nerve With Murtha
Veteran Hawk Says Some Bush Strategists Have to Go

By David S. Broder Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, September 27, 2003; Page A07

John P. Murtha, who came to the House of Representatives in a 1974 special election, was the first Vietnam War veteran to enter Congress. A Bronze Star holder, the old Marine has been one of the Pentagon's best friends, looking out for the military budget as ranking Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee on defense.

It was, therefore, anything but a routine moment when the normally publicity-shy Pennsylvanian joined dovish House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at a Sept. 16 news conference criticizing the administration's handling of the war in Iraq and its aftermath.

[Archangelsk]

This is staggering. Although a Democrat, Murtha can be described as a "DINO" and represents a district in PA that is pro-military, pro-2nd Amendment, and pro-life. I know the usual lemon-sucking FReepers will slam him for being pro-union also, but what do you expect from this steel mill area of PA?

[thoughtomator]

It is pretty scandalous for our soldiers not to be provided with equipment appropriate for their new task. On the other hand, I don't think even the most optimistic hawks anticipated we'd win the inside 3 weeks - we got caught unprepared for such swift victory.

[Archangelsk]

for such swift victory

Declaring victory, as we've seen, is a little premature.

[Thunder 6]

Murtha has brought so much military construction and dollars to the ARNG and Reserve units in Johnstown that they refer to it as "Ft. Murtha". Mot your typical democrat to be sure.
regards,

[Thunder 6]

Yikes! Mot = Not.

[thoughtomator]

I'm not so sure about that. We declared victory in Europe in 1945, and the war was indeed over at that point.

We didn't finish putting Germany back together until 1949.

We did indeed secure a victory over the Ba'athist dictatorship - what we're fighting there now is a continuation of our war against Islamic totalitarianism. One place, but two different enemies.

[Archangelsk]

Yup, just check out the state of the art aviation facility at the airport.

[samtheman]

A successful rebuilding of Iraq is just as important to the security of the USA as is anything in our military budget.

An Iraq left to twist in the wind will become a breeding ground for the next attack on the USA.

A successful, prosperous, western-oriented Iraq will be the seed of a New World Order that will include Arabs and moderate Moslems and make the world safer for us all.

[Leroy S. Mort]

All part of the DNC plan: Spread as much F.U.D. as you can about Iraq in case "The Econonomy is Falling!" fails to gain traction. I'm sorry - does that make me a "lemon-sucker"?

[Archangelsk]

A successful rebuilding of Iraq

The problem, as I see it, is we have the wrong people in charge of reconstruction. There should be brigades of engineers, project managers and program directors - all in uniform - leading the effort. At this point, I'd consider a draft akin to the draft of scientists during the race to the moon in order to staff this complex project with the best we have.

[Archangelsk]

does that make me a "lemon-sucker"?

No, it makes you an opinion giver.

[facedown]

"Every single wounded person I met at Bethesda or Walter Reed [hospital] after Afghanistan and Iraq said, 'If I had had Kevlar, this wouldn't have happened to me,' " Murtha said.

Manure. Many of the casulties were from vehicular accidents, bombs, etc. Vests wouldn't have made a difference even if one imagines that our troops didn't have them, which I don't for a second.

A (D) is a (D). This guy is just sucking up to Pelosi for some favor, i.e. more pork for his district.

[Malsua]

>>dovish House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) <<

I realize the real meaning of this(she's anti war), but calling her dovish is makes her sound pretty and graceful of which she is neither.

The doves should sue.

[Archangelsk]

Two places I suggest you go to verify your claim: Ward 7 at Walter Reed and, I think, the 9th floor at Bethesda Naval.

[putupon]

It is pretty scandalous for our soldiers not to be provided with equipment appropriate

I was talking with a co-worker just yesterday whose brother was one of that small contingent of Marines sent in to Liberia a few weeks back.

This guy is one tough career Marine. He has been in Afghanistan, Iraq, seen lots of combat.

Those guys were sent into Liberia without weapons!

According to his brother, he said he didn't know what real fear was untill they put him in the middle of a bunch of savages on a rampage without a weapon.

[Archangelsk]

Pigeons are graceful?

[facedown]

Two places I suggest you go to verify your claim: Ward 7 at Walter Reed and, I think, the 9th floor at Bethesda Naval.

What, they have the wards organized now by "wounded-for-lack-of-a-vest" and "other". Puuulllleeeeeezze.

[verity]

Murtha has brought so much military construction and dollars to the ARNG and Reserve units in Johnstown that they refer to it as "Ft. Murtha".

Activate the units for their one year tour.

[Archangelsk]

In other words, you wish to make an uncorroborated statement without doing some "boots-on-the-ground" fact finding. Puhhhhleeeeze.

[Archangelsk]

They will be.