Jack Murtha's "Fake" Purple Hearts, An Open Letter

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.

For the ZOT I am about to receive, may I be truly thankful...

Now that that is out the way and before I put on my Troll hat for the first time on the Free Republic, if I am ZOTTED Tonk please give my best to Kathy in Alaska, Race Bannon, Pookie18, all the Marines here, and Dewey Johnson's daughter (Race knows her)

I have truly enjoyed my time here.

Your basic DU troll is a monument to adage that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Such rank amateurs deserve every Zot they get. A real Troll™ thrives upon exposing hypocrisy where ever it exist on the Internet. This is done a couple of different ways, by being a target of all that read their posts or by targeting directly the hypocrisy of all the posts around them.

As an example I will put on my troll hat and make myself the practice target by illustrating logic carried out to an illogical extreme to expose hypocrisy, like so.

"If it is disgraceful for the republican party to attack Muthra on his award records, it is even more disgraceful for Vets to attack those same records."

(Standard disclaimer:That last sentence was written as a troll and is not how I feel, in fact it is the complete opposite of what I believe.

As any liberal will tell you if you can get them to shut up about Bush long enough to get a word in edgewise, Muthra supports the troops SO Vets must support Muthra.

Does anyone here need that small bit Sarcasm explained to them? )

"Vets cannot attack Col. Muthra's records because frankly they did not serve with him in Viet Nam."

(Standard disclaimer:That last sentence was written as a troll and is not how I feel, in fact it is the complete opposite of what I believe.

We've heard this one before, its the old "you did not serve under me ergo you cannot judge my actions or words" defence.)

"If they do, then they risk bring shame upon all other members of the military by their actions."

(Standard disclaimer: That last sentence was written as a troll and is not how I feel, in fact it is the complete opposite of what I believe.

Never mind that the actions and words of Muthra are shameful to the point of being treasonous, if you attack him or the basis upon which he claims credibility you are even more shameful than anything that he says or does.

Quite frankly that concept has always escaped any logic I've tried to assign to it.

And I have really tried to do so.)

"Congressman Muthra must be allowed to say whatever he wants because that is the American way."

(Standard disclaimer: That last sentence was written as a troll and is not how I feel, in fact it is the complete opposite of what I believe.

Well maybe not the complete opposite, I do know that we have laws that prevent slander, and libel as well as laws that cover sedition and treasonous statements.

Basically as a public figure you can't say what ever you want, and there are lines that cannot be crossed, and laws that can be broken

and I also believe that The Democrats will continue to cross those lines of slander libel and treason until such time as someone in the government decides they have said and done enough.

I eagerly await that day,

but believe we should do more to bring it about.)

"With our young men and women engaged in Combat operations it would be a disgraceful crime for Veterans to attack Congressman Muthra."

(Standard disclaimer: That last sentence was written as a troll and is not how I feel, in fact it is the complete opposite of what I believe.

When I was a Young Marine one of my former units HMH-461 was tasked with being part of the attempted rescue of our hostages in Iran. Marines I knew and flew with died in the attempt, needless to say the finger pointing and political rhetoric that followed was enough to make me say " I wish someone would shut these @#$%^&'s up."

I suspect that Muthra isn't the only one our troops in Iraq want to shut up, so what if anything does that have to do with Vets, Republicans and Muthra.

Well the collective sigh of relief that would come from our troops when someone does shut up Muthra is worth a ZOT for me, which is why I'm writing this to urge Vets and republicans alike to do this for them, because the longer he continues the more they are going to be hurt.)

Funny, while I was driving home I thought I had a few more. It's a long drive and I have no radio so I think things out.

Let's review a few things:

Logically if it is wrong for republicans to say anything about Muthra's statements, record or awards, then it follows that it is equally wrong for Veterans to do the same.

Or anyone else for that matter.

This same logic does not apply to Democrats since they are immune to logic and devoid of it as well

They are creatures of pure emotions,

(and to think I just wrote that without a red star fleet ensign shirt on.)

These are the basic principles that allows Muthra to say whatever he wants and to do things like cozy up to Code Pink and perform unnatural acts.

The democrats know this and count on it and use it to protect themselves while making all their outrageous statements these days.

and those of you that want to do something about it need to decide what is worth more, your dignity, your pride, your honor, "the party" or the lives of our men and women serving in uniform.

For me at least it is a no brainer.

I'd crawl through a river of crap for my fellow Marines,

I did so in Boot Camp a long long time ago.

It can be washed off.

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