Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

MURTHA BREAKS (Dreher, The Corner)
The Corner ^ | Nov 17 05 | Rod Dreher

Posted on 11/17/2005 4:20:47 PM PST by churchillbuff

Don't know how many of you caught Rep. John Murtha's very angry, very moving speech just now in which he called on the White House to institute an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. CNN didn't air the entire thing, but as I listened to it, I could feel the ground shift. Murtha, as you know, is not a Pelosi-style Chardonnay Democrat; he's a crusty retired career Marine who reminds me of the kinds of beer-slugging Democrats we used to have before the cultural left took over the party. Murtha, a conservative Dem who voted for the war, talked in detail about the sacrifices being borne by our soldiers and their families, and about his visits out to Walter Reed to look after the maimed, and how we've had enough, it's time to come home. He was hell on the president too.

If tough, non-effete guys like Murtha are willing to go this far, and can make the case in ways that Red America can relate to -- and listening to him talk was like listening to my dad, who's about the same age, and his hunting buddies -- then the president is in big trouble. I'm sure there's going to be an anti-Murtha pile-on in the conservative blogosphere, but from where I sit, conservatives would be fools not to take this man seriously.

(Excerpt) Read more at corner.nationalreview.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: 109th; chamberlainbuff; churchillbuffoon; dreher; morerattreason; murtha; neville; wardchurchillbuff
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 301-320321-340341-360361-364 next last
To: RobbyS
By dealing with Mao, Nixon gave credence to the McGovernite claim that WE were responsible for the Cold War and that anti-communism was a bugbear

That's a new one. First of all, I don't see how one follows the other. Also, to the best of my knowledge, McGovern never said that we were responsible for the Cold War.

The last statement is the essence of Kerry's testimony. We had falsely held up communism as an evil, when our real purpose was imperial exploitation of the oil resources of the South China Sea etc.

If you are referring to Kerry's testimony before Congress on April 22, 1971, Kerry says this about the threat of Communism:

"...but I want to relate to you the feeling that many of the men who have returned to this country express because we are probably angriest about all that we were told about Vietnam and about the mystical war against communism."

"We found most people didn't even know the difference between communism and democracy. They only wanted to work in rice paddies without helicopters strafing them and bombs with napalm burning their villages and tearing their country apart. They wanted everything to do with the war, particularly with this foreign presence of the United States of America, to leave them alone in peace, and they practiced the art of survival by siding With whichever military force was present at a particular time, be it Vietcong, North Vietnamese, or American."

But the issue, gentlemen, the issue is communism, and the question is whether or not we will leave that country to the Communists or whether or not we will try to give it hope to be a free people. But the point is they are not a free people now under us. They are not a free people, and we cannot fight communism all over the World, and I think we should have learned that lesson by now."

"...And we may have to fight them somewhere based on legitimate threats, but we must learn, in this country, how to define those threats and that is what I would say to this question of world peace. I think it is bogus, totally artificial. There is no threat. The Communists are not about to take over our McDonald hamburger stands. [Laughter.]"

"I do agree with you that what happened in Vietnam was not the product of evil men seeking evil goals. It was misguided principles and judgments and other things."

Kerry dismisses the threat of communism, but I fail to find in his testimony where he talks about the exploitation of oil resources in the China Sea as the evil underpinning of the war.

Never mind that we now know that Castro was weilling to let Cuba be incinerated just so he could get nuclear revenge on the USA. Khrushchev, thank God, knew he was dealing with a raving fanatic. The Left in this country still arein denial of that fact.)

That's interesting. Could you please provide a primary source for that assertion about Castor's williness to "let Cuba be incinerated just so he could get nuclear revenge on the USA"?

341 posted on 11/18/2005 9:17:06 AM PST by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 330 | View Replies]

To: verity

I think he is an old man who has made too many visits to Walter Reed to visit the troops. He is letting his emotions rule his brain.


342 posted on 11/18/2005 9:18:33 AM PST by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 340 | View Replies]

To: kabar
That is a distinct possibility

As callous as it may seem, I am more affected by the sight of multiple amputees than I am of flagged draped coffins.

Before anyone criticizes my views, let me say I had two tours in RVN and my son is on his 2d tour in Iraq.

343 posted on 11/18/2005 9:32:30 AM PST by verity (Don't let your children grow up to be mainstream media maggots.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 342 | View Replies]

To: verity

I share your views and a similar experience, i.e., one year in RVN and 8 months off the coast. I have seen my share of war-related amputees. Good luck to your son. He has all of our prayers for a safe return.


344 posted on 11/18/2005 9:39:14 AM PST by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 343 | View Replies]

To: kabar

Thank you.


345 posted on 11/18/2005 9:45:58 AM PST by verity (Don't let your children grow up to be mainstream media maggots.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 344 | View Replies]

To: verity
Prayers for your son and all those currently serving our Country. May God Protect and Bless them. In prayer I also ask that he extend his grace to all their families.

Some have sacrificed far more then others; I do all I can to instill that very thought on my children.

Your's and your son's sacrifice will never be forgotten in my home.......
346 posted on 11/18/2005 10:25:12 AM PST by PigRigger (Send donations to http://www.AdoptAPlatoon.org)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 343 | View Replies]

To: kabar

Castro's remark has been found among papers in the Soviet archives.


347 posted on 11/18/2005 11:18:18 AM PST by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 341 | View Replies]

To: kabar

The remark about oil in the China Sea was often cited and not just by liberals Interestingly enough It remains a matter of disputres between China and Vietnam, although neither has had the resources to explore for what is there. I also heard it from the lips of priest who an old fan of Father Coughlan There was and is an isolationanist element in conservatism. You may recall that Bob Taft was not fond of NATO, and one reason Eisenhower ran for president was to keep Taft from becoming president. (His view of McArthur was also a factor). But this was a minor part of the argument that the domino theory was simply a ploy to maintain capitalist control over Southeast Asia.


348 posted on 11/18/2005 11:32:02 AM PST by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 341 | View Replies]

To: DarthVader

I'm hoping you're merely old and out-of-touch with what is considered appropriate language, but calling people Japs is no more appropriate than referring to black people by the N-word. If that makes me a PC thug, so be it.


349 posted on 11/18/2005 1:33:49 PM PST by youthgonewild
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 271 | View Replies]

To: RobbyS

It's new to me. There is definitely oil there, but the war in Vietnam was not fought over oil. Father Coughlin is not a good source. I'm glad Ike ran rather than MacArthur. Sounds like a lot to tin foil conspiracy nut theories to me.


350 posted on 11/18/2005 3:19:35 PM PST by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 348 | View Replies]

To: Lakeshark
Sorry....Benedict Arnold did not earn "the right" to be a traitor, and this man did not earn "the right" to de-moralize our troops, the loved ones who died for this just cause, and the country that allows him to have the privileged position he holds.

Speaking ones mind is not treason, regardless of how you would like to think. Wasn't it the day before yesterday that Bush said that opposition to his policies were not an issue, so long as the opponent didn't try to rewrite history? Well that lasted all of 24 hours.

351 posted on 11/18/2005 3:36:46 PM PST by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 282 | View Replies]

To: PhiKapMom
PhiKap:
Nope, these young people of today that are fighting for us are AWESOME. Back then we just did our duty, came home and raised kids, grandkids, and yes even are now help raising two greatgrandkids. (not much help though.) By the way, I always read your posts and replies. You my fair lady are AWESOME. Keep up the good work.

Good evening and the very best to you and yours.

Semper Fi
Tommie

352 posted on 11/18/2005 4:03:02 PM PST by Texican (An)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 238 | View Replies]

To: Non-Sequitur
So you liked that he demoralized our troops and called for the slaughter of Iraqis as we leave? Congratulations. I love that kind of free speech too. Worked for Viet Nam and Cambodia right?

You're pretty pathetic as a human, but your type has always been that way.....good luck, I always hope that folks like you get to meet one of the Islamists without our troops around.

353 posted on 11/18/2005 6:12:53 PM PST by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 351 | View Replies]

To: youthgonewild

I was using Japs because I was typing fast and trying to be brief. You're a nitpicking PC thug. Now go Pi$$ off and don't bother me ever again.


354 posted on 11/18/2005 8:55:10 PM PST by DarthVader (Do something positive for your country today: Punch an America hating leftie in the mouth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 349 | View Replies]

To: churchillbuff
Murtha, as you know, is not a Pelosi-style Chardonnay Democrat

A big fat lie.

But nobody's surprised you'd post inaccurate remarks.

I guess tonight's vote makes you feel sad, doesn't it?

355 posted on 11/18/2005 8:57:24 PM PST by Howlin ("Victory is not an exit strategy." ``Jack Murtha 11/18/05)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Howlin

Your out for blood tonight ;^)

Step away from the potatoe chips!


356 posted on 11/18/2005 9:02:37 PM PST by I got the rope
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 355 | View Replies]

To: I got the rope

And miss the chance to show churchillbluff's erroneous ways? No way!


357 posted on 11/18/2005 9:04:48 PM PST by Howlin ("Victory is not an exit strategy." ``Jack Murtha 11/18/05)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 356 | View Replies]

To: churchillbuff; DarthVader
John Murtha's very angry, very moving speech

"moving" -- He ought to move to France.

358 posted on 11/19/2005 1:51:10 AM PST by beyond the sea (Gloria Borger is Andrea Mitchell on Peyote)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Non-Sequitur
John Murtha has two wars as a Marine under his belt - Korea and Vietnam. He can say whatever he damn well pleases.


Agreed...after 20 years in the military, now retired, I can say what I damn well please. Murtha should of learned the lessons of cut and run in Nam. Now he is just another senile, sellout, sob who places his political life ahead of the lives of the soldiers in the field. His ill advised words give aid and comfort to the enemy. He should have known better. His motives are called into question, and I suggest he not wait for the phone call from any pro-military group to speak at any function in the future. Mission ALWAYS comes first, then the men, then yourself. If you screw the mission, and screw the men, then you screw yourself. Senile old bastard.
359 posted on 11/19/2005 2:18:47 AM PST by JohnD9207 (Lead...follow...or get the HELL out of the way!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 98 | View Replies]

To: Lakeshark
So you liked that he demoralized our troops and called for the slaughter of Iraqis as we leave? Congratulations. I love that kind of free speech too. Worked for Viet Nam and Cambodia right?

You must have listened to a different speech than I did.

You're pretty pathetic as a human, but your type has always been that way.....good luck, I always hope that folks like you get to meet one of the Islamists without our troops around.

Oh golly gee whiz, you don't like me. How will I ever learn to live with the disappointment? </sarcasm>

360 posted on 11/19/2005 3:18:11 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 353 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 301-320321-340341-360361-364 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson