Free Republic

One of the largest defense firms in the region has been awarded a $100-million contract, Rep. John Murtha said Wednesday. Murtha said Kuchera Defense Systems in Somerset County was granted a 10-year air-to-air missile project by Raytheon Missile Systems. He said the contract does not necessarily mean the military is gearing up for 10 more years of fighting in Iraq. "This war is going to end in the next year or so. There's no question in my mind this war is going to build down," Murtha said. He said while the war continues, he is in favor of a draft....

Mr. Murtha, speaking yesterday at a Post-Gazette editorial board meeting, was asked if he favored a cease-fire in the campaign north of Israel's border. "I think so," he said. "I think it would be very difficult to justify continuing on." Referring to the Bush administration's position, he said: "You know, they say, 'Well, we want a long-term cease-fire.' It seems to me you start with a cease-fire, and then you try to work out the details long term. If you don't, and you continue to have heavy-handed military action -- and I support heavy-handed military action because it saves your...