Diana Irey....You Don't Know Jack....BootMurtha....Vets4Irey
Posted on 10/16/2006 3:22:55 PM PDT by smoothsailing
10/16/2006
Murtha Still Spinning His Wheels
By: Jim Panyard , Special To The Evening Bulletin
Receiving little media notice last week was the fact that Navy Corpsman Petty Officer Third Class Melson J. Bacos apparently "rolled" on seven Marines, accused of murdering an Iraqi civilian, and with whom he has been imprisoned at Camp Pendleton, Calif. since May. "Rolling" is when a suspect in a crime gives information on others to government prosecutors in return for leniency. And leniency was what Bacos received.
After pleading guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy and agreeing to testify against the seven marines, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the military court. That sentence was then reduced to one year and then reduced by time already served. So he will serve about seven months.
A reduction in rank and a dishonorable discharge were also suspended and other counts of murder, kidnapping and conspiracy were dropped.
The seven marines currently have not been tried, and they still may not be. That decision is up to Marine Lt. Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis, Commanding General, Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command.
Mattis is the career marine who, speaking at a forum in San Diego in February of last year, was quoted as saying, "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them. Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right upfront with you, I like brawling." Perhaps, he feels differently about Iraq.
Terry Pennington, father of Lance Corporal Robert Pennington, one of the seven imprisoned marines, says his son and the others have been in individual solitary confinement at Camp Pendleton since May 23, allowed out of their cells only to eat and for one hour of exercise each day. He also said the U.S. government has never, to this day, notified the families of their sons' imprisonments.
Bacos testified last week the younger Pennington, on his third tour in Iraq, placed the dead Iraqi's fingerprints on a AK-47 and a shovel to indicate the Marines had been attacked and simply returned fire.
The senior Pennington spoke on Oct. 1 in Johnstown at a "Boot (U.S. Congressman Jack) Murtha" rally. The 74-year-old Murtha, a Democrat, is running for his 17th term in Congress, and is a combat veteran who was decorated for valor in both Korea and Vietnam.
Murtha, within a few days of the reported incident in Hamdania, Iraq, which led to the arrest of the marines and Bacos, labeled the accused "cold blooded killers." After a public outcry, Murtha recanted and accused higher-ups of covering up the incident, while offering no proof. The marines lingering in the Pendleton brig facing possible murder charges probably don't believe anyone is "covering up."
The elder Pennington told the Johnstown audience the imprisoned marines and the navy corpsman were being grilled separately every day by military investigators hoping for confessions or deals.
Murtha, in the last year, has become somewhat of a darling of the anti-war left and continues to call for a withdrawal or redeployment of U.S. Forces from Iraq. He suggested they withdraw to Okinawa, Japan - 5,000 miles away.
Murtha is being challenged in his re-election bid by Republican Diana Irey, a Washington County commisioner. She wants to stay and win in Iraq.
She has fought a credible campaign and raised about $500,000 with little or no help from the Republican Party establishment. State GOP Chairman Rob Gleason, who lives in the congressional district and is friends with Murtha, has begged off from an Irey fundraiser, he said, because the party has to direct its resources to the struggle of incumbent U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and the sagging efforts of Lynn Swann for governor.
The increased national publicity for Murtha has also enhanced his efforts to become House Majority Leader, should the Democrats reclaim the chamber on Nov. 7. U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California) would become Speaker of the House under that scenario, and Murtha was instrumental in getting her installed in the Minority Leader position she currently holds.
But popping into the national media spotlight can have its downsides too, if you are a "wheeler-dealer" with a speckled past, as is Murtha.
On Oct. 2, The New York Times did a Sunday magazine profile on Murtha, entitled "Trading Votes for Pork Across the House Aisle." The article portrayed Murtha as "operating a political trading post in a back corner of the House of Representatives" for more than 10 years. Republicans and Democrats alike come to barter with Murtha, who has turned the "earmarking" of bills into something resembling a political protection racket.
Earmarked items in bloated congressional spending bills are ones highly desired by various congressmen. If they play ball with the powers-that-be, such as Murtha, they will likely get the "pork" they want for their districts and to bolster their campaign boasts. If they don't go along to get along ... well ...
"Whether they get what they want in the bill or they get the votes they are looking for, nobody ever leaves completely disappointed," Pennsylvania Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-11th District) said approvingly. Kanjorski himself is seeking his 12th term from the Wilkes-Barre area, and is under scrutiny for allegedly funneling taxpayer dollars to a now-bankrupt enterprise staffed by Kanjorski relatives.
Mutha's seat for dealing is reserved and revered, according to Congressman Mike Doyle of Pittsburgh, (D-14th District). "No one else dares sit there," the six-term congressman told The Times. Doyle said, of himself and others, "He is sort of like the general and we are the lieutenants." Murtha has "earmarked" millions for Doyle's district, particularly for the Doyle Manufacturing Technology Center.
Whether the Godfather role Murtha seems to be playing in the U.S. House is attractive or becoming to the nation's center of law, justice, war and taxes, and to those who elect purportedly independent congressmen from across the nation, is a matter of perception and conjecture. "Deal[-]making is what Congress is all about," Murtha said in the Times article.
Times also recounted how Murtha convinced three of his congressional sidekicks to vote against a Louisiana Democrat's bill to divert money intended for military base closings to research for prosthetic limbs for veterans. The measure fell by one vote.
For their help to Murtha, the three claimed credit for $250 million in "earmarks" in the following weeks. Murtha's main rival for the House Majority Leader spot in the event of a Democrat takeover is U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland. Hoyer has not attacked Murtha personally in the leadership contest, but many House Democrats are semi-publicly voicing concerns that Mutha's frequent deals with Republicans may make him unqualified for the post.
Still, backstabbing is a norm in power struggles in American politics, and probably the tiniest of the marks mounting against Murtha are being dredged up from his past.
Murtha missed being indicted in the ABSCAM (Arab scam) scandal 25 years ago, because of a party line vote in the House ethics committee controlled by Democrats at the time. Recently, extended footage of the FBI sting operation offering bribes, shows Murtha saying to the agent posing as an Arab sheikh, "You know, we do business for a while, maybe I'll be interested, maybe I won't."
Former Pennsylvania Congressman Don Bailey, a Democrat, claims he saved Murtha's "ass" with the ethics committee. Murtha later beat Bailey out of his seat after congressional redistricting. Bailey also called Murtha a "coward" and a "liar" in a Washington Post article after Murtha denied a conversation with Bailey about his (Murtha's) Vietnam service.
When it was decided not to prosecute Murtha in ABSCAM, the government's lead prosecutor quit on the spot. The ABSCAM record shows Murtha also likely "rolled" and went from a near indictment to becoming a "cooperating witness."
urtha's dealings with defense contractors and lobbyists is also coming under more scrutiny. Murtha's brother, Kit, and a former Murtha staffer of 27 years, Carmen Scialabba, both worked for KSA Consulting, a defense contractor lobbying firm for many years. Kit Murtha recently retired.
In 2005 alone, 10 firms represented by KSA received $20.8 million from the defense appropriations bill. The Murtha brothers have repeatedly denied they talked shop or made deals that would benefit KSA clients. Many of those clients, however, praised the congressman in press releases after receiving the grants.
Murtha has also helped frequently grease the wheels for arguably the largest defense contractor lobby in Washington, the PMA Group. Since 1999, the PMA Group and its clients have poured more than $1.2 million in Murtha's election coffers.
Oddly, despite being the top Democrat on the House Military Spending Committee and linked to every defense contractor in Washington, one of Murtha's reasons for withdrawal from Iraq is that U.S. troops are stretched too thin and "underequipped."
Murtha also denies bouncing 10 checks in the House banking scandal of 1992 that saw Majority Leader Dan Rostenkowski (D-Illinois) go to prison and fueled the Republican House takeover in 1994.
Jack Murtha has probably dodged as many metaphorical bullets in Washington, as he did in Korea and Vietnam.
Irey hopes to end his luck.
With about three weeks to go, most political pros say he is on the way to his 17th term and back to his corner cutting deals, particularly for defense spending. But Irey has not given up the struggle and this could be a year of upsets in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the young marines languishing in their cells on possible murder charges, probably still have no idea what they were fighting for.
©The Evening Bulletin 2006
Murtha is just one of the many reasons the Congress needs to be cleaned out, term limits installed, and the corrupt, criminal anti-Americans replaced with American patriots committed to the job of working FOR the United States and its REAL citizens.
The most corruptable body of people in America, needs a complete makeover.
Excellent summary of where we are. I know many Freepers have dug in their pockets to help the Irey campaign. I hope more will be lead to do likewise. Diana Irey is fighting for all Americans.
Panyard is in error, Murtha was referring to the Haditha Marines.
He is on the mark in referring to Murtha in his Godfather role in Congress though, the Godfather was the head of a criminal organization just as Murtha is with his backslapping cronies, IMO.
Spot on!
Diana Irey....You Don't Know Jack....BootMurtha....Vets4Irey
Redeploy Murtha to Okinawa
America, Mark Twain once said, is a nation without a distinct criminal class "with the possible exception of Congress."
Did I read the first part of this story right?/
The guy that ratted out his buddies, pleaded out to charges of Conspiracy and Kidnapping and got time served? Can stay in the Marines and still has his rank?/ Such a deal, unbelieveable. Thats isnt a deal its a miracle of desperation from the Government who had their minds made up to hang the Pendleton 7 no matter what the cost.They are doing Murtha's job for him. Making his lie come true.
If that dosnt make anyone ashamed of the military Jag corps. nothing should.
If I were this so called Marine I wouldnt be too anxious to serve anywhere near a real Marine again. Accidents happen.
The increased national publicity for Murtha has also enhanced his efforts to become House Majority Leader, should the Democrats reclaim the chamber on Nov. 7. U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California) would become Speaker of the House under that scenario, and Murtha was instrumental in getting her installed in the Minority Leader position she currently holds... On Oct. 2, The New York Times did a Sunday magazine profile on Murtha, entitled "Trading Votes for Pork Across the House Aisle." The article portrayed Murtha as "operating a political trading post in a back corner of the House of Representatives" for more than 10 years. Republicans and Democrats alike come to barter with Murtha, who has turned the "earmarking" of bills into something resembling a political protection racket... Times also recounted how Murtha convinced three of his congressional sidekicks to vote against a Louisiana Democrat's bill to divert money intended for military base closings to research for prosthetic limbs for veterans. The measure fell by one vote. For their help to Murtha, the three claimed credit for $250 million in "earmarks" in the following weeks... Murtha missed being indicted in the ABSCAM (Arab scam) scandal 25 years ago, because of a party line vote in the House ethics committee controlled by Democrats at the time. Recently, extended footage of the FBI sting operation offering bribes, shows Murtha saying to the agent posing as an Arab sheikh, "You know, we do business for a while, maybe I'll be interested, maybe I won't."...When it was decided not to prosecute Murtha in ABSCAM, the government's lead prosecutor quit on the spot. The ABSCAM record shows Murtha also likely "rolled" and went from a near indictment to becoming a "cooperating witness."
America, Mark Twain once said, is a nation without a distinct criminal class "with the possible exception of Congress."
---
Robin Williams new movie has one classic line in it where he says:
"POLITICIANS ARE LIKE DIAPERS. THEY MUST BE CHANGED FREQUENTLY AND FOR THE SAME REASON".
So True.
John Murtha never served in Vietnam! Just sent the editor and publisher as below.
October 16, 2006
Dear Editor and Publisher
The Evening Bulletin
Re: Requested correction to your article on John Murtha dtd 10-16-06
http://www.theeveningbulletin.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2737&dept_id=576361&newsid=17333715
In your article dated 10-16-06 and titled "Murtha Still Spinning His Wheels" you make two incorrect assertions.
The first; "The 74-year-old Murtha, a Democrat, is running for his 17th term in Congress, and is a combat veteran who was decorated for valor in both Korea and Vietnam." and the second; "Jack Murtha has probably dodged as many metaphorical bullets in Washington, as he did in Korea and Vietnam. Irey hopes to end his luck" are incorrect. John Murtha never served in Korea.
You may find the errors trivial, but I certainly do not. Although John Murtha served in the active duty during the Korean War, he never served in Korea itself. Murtha's official biography is located here: http://www.house.gov/murtha/bio.shtml . The section titled "Military/defense service" is written a bit misleading as if he did serve in Korea. If you would like a copy of John Murtha's official Service record released from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) under the FOIA I will be glad to send you what I have received. There is absolutely no proof of service in Korea nor does he make that claim. Better yet, why don't you ask Congressman Murtha himself to sign a Form 180 and request his service records direct from the NPRC. Maybe you could ask him directly for a copy of his valor citations since you also state within your article; "Bailey also called Murtha a "coward" and a "liar" in a Washington Post article after Murtha denied a conversation with Bailey about his (Murtha's) Vietnam service." The mere links from his official website to "notices" are actually unsigned messages and do not detail any valor as would be written on the mention "enclosed citations."
In the name of truth and ethical conduct, I would ask that you run a retraction or correction to your article. I'm sure it was an oversight or incorrect interpretation from the misleading official biography.
Best Regards from a Vietnam combat veteran,
Meant to state; "John Murtha never served in KOREA"
Yes, sir. It is indeed of special interest. I wish I could put my thoughts down. There are some places, though, that I just can't go, right now.
I thank Diana for fighting for me and mine.
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