Posted on 01/15/2006 4:00:20 PM PST by armydawg1
Jack Murtha's 'Fake' Purple Hearts - An Open Letter
May 5, 2002
Dear Jack,
I’m writing on matters of joint concern. A number of weeks ago I was talking with someone who is a mutual acquaintance and your name came up. It was an unusually frank discussion and I considered it private. I did relate some opinions about you and shared some recollections about experiences with you in Congress. I was, to be honest, critical about how you misled me about ABSCAM where you convinced me you had voluntarily told federal agents about the offer of money to you and I learned later, after I had successfully defeated the ethics charges against you, that you had merely manipulated the system to cooperate with federal agents to avoid prosecution.
I also shared my recollection of when you admitted, back in our corner, that you didn’t earn your purple hearts (you indicated you had small scratch on your cheek that wasn’t even directly related to an APC that ran over a small anti personnel mine that was behind you). The other purple heart you even declined to explain.
At the time you were feeling particularly vulnerable, because it wasn’t too long after you had called me crying and sobbing, thanking me for “saving your life” before the ethics committee. There was no doubt in my mind that you were expressing to me that you did not believe you did anything sufficient to earn the purple heart, and that you didn’t want to be active in my efforts to laud Vietnam Veterans that served with us.
Given what I know about the brave men who served in the Marine Corp., I did not criticize you, but to be honest, I was shocked and disappointed in you personally. We both knew what was at issue, and we both know what happened and that you wanted to avoid the limelight. Later, we ended up having to run for the same seat. It was a good clean race and I admit I knew I couldn’t win, simply on the basis of voter turn out alone. During that time some people came to me with documents indicating you had used influence, after the fact, or had embellished your purple heart awards. I did not respond, and I said nothing. In doing so I may have betrayed my comrades in arms because I knew then what you had told me in the corner of the house - but I had told no one about that and I stood mute. But a few weeks ago my conversation was private and I was not seeking to do you any harm, though it would be ridiculous for me to infer that I have any respect for what you’ve done.
Regardless, shortly thereafter a reporter called me and I was put in a very different position. I could either deny what I said in private conversation, and thus lie, or I could fess up to the truth, or, I could take the cowards way out and stand mute. If I say something, I should either have the courage to back it up, or I shouldn’t open my mouth. Regardless it was too late, and I did not choose to lie. So I admitted to what I had said. However, I later received two calls from two different aides of yours, and later I was called a liar in the press. I am not a liar and I want an apology for the remarks you authorized that I didn’t tell the truth about our conversation. I don’t know how you got yourself awarded the purple hearts, but I know you indicated you didn’t earn them.
By the way. I’m not an ingrate. I deeply appreciate the help you gave me for the last governor’s primary. In fact, out of respect for you, when I realized that the race was going no where, I didn’t even cash the check you sent, (which I kept). Being grateful for your help, I have not sought to hurt you - but I will not betray or exploit the young men who died while fighting, with me, for this country. Never coming forward is one thing - I never have. Lying is another. Coincidentally I just settled an 11-year old law suit with Barbara Hafer where she apologized in writing for campaign defamation and admitted that federal agents (Thornburgh’s political friends) lied to her. I will not accept your falsehoods now. Enough is enough.
You clearly indicated to me in a moment of weakness, that you hadn’t deserved the purple hearts and there was no confusion on that. You may deny that all you wish - but you and I know that that conversation took place. Please apologize now. You may fool a few reporters into believing that merely because you got some perfunctory paperwork made out by a friend, that that means you earned the purple hearts. But even if you were awarded the medals later, there should be affidavits from witnesses. These things should be easy to get - where are they? I bet they don’t exist Jack because you are the one who’s lying. Luckily there’s one easy way to settle all this. Call a press conference. Explain where you were and what you were doing when you got the purple hearts. Explain who was with you and treated your wounds, but most important Jack describe your wounds or the lack thereof, as you did for me, years ago. I am absolutely certain that you won’t do that - because, though you may have manipulated some paperwork that says you were awarded the medals (for political purposes) you can’t produce the witnesses or documents to show any wounds or circumstances under which they occurred.Unless the Marine Corps gives out medals for unsubstantiated non -combat related telltale scratches, procured for use in political campaign - then show me the money Jack - because there should at least be evidence by affidavit, or record of the scratches, that’s what getting a purple heart requires - show me.
You may be able to take advantage of a few Washington reporters who don’t have sufficient experience to understand - but you can’t fool combat veterans of the Vietnam war by hiding behind “Unit” losses - we’re used to those stories. I have my orders describing my combat awards Jack - to back up my DD-214. Where’s your’s? And Jack - don’t ever call me a liar.
Sincerely,
Don Bailey
Submitted by Kelly Anne
Your #362 is the point I have been making on this thread and others. Prepare to be attacked for having that position.
You got that right. And thank you.
I'll put you in the column as a freeper who thinks it's perfectly acceptably that this freeper has lied about my posts and positions.
Save the victim card.
I have been on this thread saying what several other dozen freepers have said. I do not want the Republican party dragged into this medals issue. Go after Murtha for his allegiance with Code Pink.
How many more ways are there to say this? I've said it over and over and over.
If you think it's okay for a freeper to lie about someone's posts and demean them because they disagree about policy and how to proceed with a problem, then I am delighted to be off your ping list because anyone who support that kind of behavior disgusts me.
To: freema
I'll put you in the column as a freeper who thinks it's perfectly acceptably
that this freeper has lied about my posts and positions.
383 posted on 01/18/2006 1:14:59 PM PST by Peach
My stepson is in the military too, Tonk. He's been to Iraq and Jordan. He's briefing Rumsfeld next week on night vision technology.
That does not mean that I can't tell someone to back down for misrepresenting my posts or positions -- just because they are a military family. That's ridiculous.
By that standard, we couldn't attack Murtha because DID serve in Vietnam.
I've told you that I respect your service before, as well as your passion for what you bring to FR.
However, because you disagree with me on how to best handle Murtha is absolutely NO reason for you to call me a MoveOn.org freeper and misrepresent my posts.
There are other examples I could give, but let's give it a rest. You think Murtha should be handled one way. I think he should be handled another way. That doesn't mean he shouldn't be handled and exposed. And I am not the one who started attacking anyone on this thread. So let's agree to disagree.
Tell your stepson I said
Thank You for your service to our country.
You go right ahead a put me in your column.
You don't want to question his medals, you want to ignore it. Fine. But don't call Tonk a liar about calling you a traitor.
You don't care if medals are bogus or political or anyone is held to account for that possibility while making the front page of Aljazeera and communist outlets that emboldens the enemy against which American troops are engaged. You just want to move on, not ask any questions, about the medals and save the Republican Party. Fine. Go do it.
News flash: they're going to be blamed for it anyway.
"That does not mean that I can't tell someone to back down for misrepresenting my posts or positions -- just because they are a military family. That's ridiculous."
And if Murtha has misrepresented his MEDALS??
Hold on, freema. Hold on.
Did you read this thread? Did you see where I said that Murtha should be taken to account for his activities with Code Pink? Did you see where I said the veterans SHOULD go after Murtha for his medals if that's what they want to do?
Why are you now saying stuff that is NOT true? What the hell is the matter with you people? You're just making stuff up about my posts and positions and I'm supposed to sit here and take it? Dream on.
What in the Sam Hill did I say that was not true.
Do you not understand irony?
You think Murtha has misrepresented how he got his medals. I think my posts have been misrepresented (lied) about.
Murtha's lies are bad. Lies about my posts, because I think it's better to go after Murtha a different way, are good.
Ironic beyond belief.
Psst. Everyone is lying. It is a conspiracy.
Untrue. I've said over and over on this thread that the veterans should handle it if that's what they want to do.
But don't call Tonk a liar about calling you a traitor.
Now I'm a traitor if I think Murtha should be handled in a way that Tonk doesn't approve? OMG. Not worthy of a response.
You don't care if medals are bogus or political or anyone is held to account for that possibility while making the front page of Aljazeera and communist outlets that emboldens the enemy against which American troops are engaged. You just want to move on, not ask any questions, about the medals and save the Republican Party.
Untrue. Have you actually missed the part where I've thought that something that isn't 40 years old and hasn't been investigated from here to high heaven political opponents might be a better, more effective way to go? I.e., Code Pink.
Good golly. I'm not sure I've ever seen a single thread that has more misrepresented people's positions than this one.
I don't know whether or not Murtha has misrepresented his medals. No one does until he releases the paperwork, which probably won't happen in the next thirty years, while he continues to make the front page. But there is a question on the floor and discussion about it.
The irony is that you're smokin because you think you've been misrepresented. But you could care less whether Murtha has misrepresented his medals because it could hurt the Republican Party.
You want to move on to the Code Pink issues and ignore the possibility that Murtha's medals could be paper, not brass.
So move on...whatever floats your boat. Go after the Code Pink issues, and we'll float our own boat. Because in the meantime, there's no constructive discussion going on.
OMG. I have no idea how you reached any of those conclusions.
So you admit you don't know if Murtha misrepresented his medals. No one does, according to you. Which is correct. And his political opponents have tried to exploit this issue for nearly 40 years - to no avail, I might note.
So it seems to make sense to me, since there is less information available that he did lie than we had on Kerry, that we go after what we definitely DO have which is his Code Pink allegiance.
And for this I'm being attacked? Never has an argument over so little been made into so much.
What conclusions? That you and others have completely misrepresented my posts? You are too emotional right now to be posting, because you are not making sense.
Well, we know you lied. You misrepresented my posts several times last night and when you were called on it, you didn't have the good grace to apologize. Which says a heck of a lot about you and none of it honorable.
I never said that I or anyone else knew if Murtha represented his medals. Of course that is correct.
Opponents of Kerry have tried for 30 years.
Murtha's 40.
Connect the dots.
Oh, but you don't want to. You want vets to shoulder the burden because you're going to tackle Code Pink (to keep the Republican Party clean even though they're going to get the blame for it).
Please, go do that! Please remember to ping me as I will greatly appreciate an after action report.
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