Posted on 01/03/2006 1:39:13 PM PST by jmaroneps37
WASHINGTON Rep. John Murtha, a key Democratic voice who favors pulling U.S. troops from Iraq, said in remarks airing on Monday that he would not join the U.S. military today.
A decorated Vietnam combat veteran who retired as a colonel after 37 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Murtha told ABC News' "Nightline" program that Iraq "absolutely" was a wrong war for President George W. Bush to have launched.
"Would you join (the military) today?," he was asked in an interview taped on Friday.
"No," replied Murtha of Pennsylvania, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives subcommittee that oversees defense spending and one of his party's leading spokesmen on military issues.
"And I think you're saying the average guy out there who's considering recruitment is justified in saying 'I don't want to serve'," the interviewer continued.
"Exactly right," said Murtha, who drew White House ire in November after becoming the first ranking Democrat to push for a pullout of U.S. forces from Iraq as soon as it could be done safely.
At the time, White House spokesman Scott McClellan equated Murtha's position with surrendering to terrorists.
Since then, Bush has decried the "defeatism" of some of his political rivals. In an unusually direct appeal, he urged Americans on December 18 not to give in to despair over Iraq, insisting that "we are winning" despite a tougher-than-expected fight.
Murtha did not respond directly when asked whether a lack of combat experience might have affected the decision-making of Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and their former top deputies.
"Let me tell you, war is a nasty business. It sears the soul," he said, choking up. "And it made a difference. The shadow of those killings stay with you the rest of your life."
(Excerpt) Read more at drudgereport.com ...
"Would you join (the military) today?," he was asked in an interview taped on Friday.
"No," replied Murtha . . . "
Excellent news. Today's military does not need people like him in it.
A colonel, after 37 years. Not exactly on the fast track, was he.
First I saw this article. I'm glad it was posted again.
That's what Benedict Arnold said...
Isn't he too old and out-of-shape anyway? I don't think he would pass the physical.
Its a pretty sorry state when a US congressman goes on record telling America's youth to not join the military.
Just who does this POS think will protect the country if no one joins the military?
The military doesnt belong to the Republicans or Democrats , it belongs to the nation and telling the youth of America not to join is inexcusable.
I totally agree, they twisted them as if they were her words. Not that I think them any worse if they are, he is an old, fat, coward now regardless of his past service.
He betrays the troops now, that's all that matters.
"No," replied Murtha.....
"And I think you're saying the average guy out there who's considering recruitment is justified in saying 'I don't want to serve'," the interviewer continued.
"Exactly right," said Murtha,...
I would never be found in this mans company. Any senator found in this mans company should resign. He should be censured and removed from office immediately. I will have a very hard time voting for any incumbent or newcomer who gives this man a word or the time of day.........alas, it looks like I won't make it to the polls this upcoming election...So be it. They can ALL KMA.
FMCDH(BITS)
I don't hink he would be very welcome right about now.
Who cares? I didn't see it. Go away post policeman.
FMCDH(BITS)
Obviously you are not logging into FR frequently enough. Lets get with the program! < /sarcasm>
All seriousness aside, FR asks that people do a search before posting an article because multiple threads of the same article take up a lot of space. Normally a duplicate thread is simply deleted by Admin.
My thoughts exactly when I first saw this. Bet he could never get that star because those in the know saw his cowardly tendancies even back then.
As much as I might have had a dislike for a superior or two, this is the only POS I would have risked discipline over for not saluting. He is not worthy of respect.
I would love to hang a microphone around his neck for a whole day.
Obviously he is deranged.
I bet he has conversations with his shoes, about shoe stuff.
I certainly can understand Murtha's sentiment. With people like him (the enemy within) in the Congress who would want to join the military? God Bless our military! He has lost it as he will find out if he decides to run again for office!
"Party over country!"
And if Murtha was running the show the party would be over for our country...goodbye freedom hello sharia law...
What a pathetic sad old fart...
I agree. Very disappointed and I would love for it to have stayed in the record.
After all the defeatist crap he's been spewing, he wouldn't make it out of Boot Camp.
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