Interesting video with Jack Murtha

[GaryC 7]

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I guess the war hawks are going to make Murtha pay for his betrayal when he came out against the war. The man who was once considered a friend of Cheney. Gary, had he kept in step with his hawkish ways, people like you wouldn't even be questioning his integrity or that he would say anything that is against the troops. This is old hat...he's just being made an example of. It's sad really...leave him alone.

[GaryC 7]

I guess the war hawks are going to make Murtha pay for his betrayal when he came out against the war. The man who was once considered a friend of Cheney. Gary, had he kept in step with his hawkish ways, people like you wouldn't even be questioning his integrity or that he would say anything that is against the troops. This is old hat...he's just being made an example of. It's sad really...leave him alone.

He is entitled to his opinion. But he jumped to call the solders "murder's" before any evidence was out. Now it's time he was called to task for that. It's one thing to be opposed to the war, it's something else to call the ones that are laying their lives on the line murder's without any proof.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I guess the war hawks are going to make Murtha pay for his betrayal when he came out against the war. The man who was once considered a friend of Cheney. Gary, had he kept in step with his hawkish ways, people like you wouldn't even be questioning his integrity or that he would say anything that is against the troops. This is old hat...he's just being made an example of. It's sad really...leave him alone.

He is entitled to his opinion. But he jumped to call the solders "murder's" before any evidence was out. Now it's time he was called to task for that. It's one thing to be opposed to the war, it's something else to call the ones that are laying their lives on the line murder's without any proof.

He's being made an example of simply because he broke from the hawkish ranks....they consider him a traitor and they're going to make him pay now. It's really a sad commentary on the war hawks in Washington. Murtha is no liberal. I don't know what he's said or hasn't said about those soldiers, but unless he's changed his personality in the last few years, why the witch hunt now? What a pointless attack.

Edited September 20, 2007 by Mister Fancypants

[GaryC 7]

I guess the war hawks are going to make Murtha pay for his betrayal when he came out against the war. The man who was once considered a friend of Cheney. Gary, had he kept in step with his hawkish ways, people like you wouldn't even be questioning his integrity or that he would say anything that is against the troops. This is old hat...he's just being made an example of. It's sad really...leave him alone.

He is entitled to his opinion. But he jumped to call the solders "murder's" before any evidence was out. Now it's time he was called to task for that. It's one thing to be opposed to the war, it's something else to call the ones that are laying their lives on the line murder's without any proof.

He's being made an example of simply because he broke from the hawkish ranks....they consider him a traitor and they're going to make him pay now. It's really a sad commentary on the war hawks in Washington. Murtha is no liberal. I don't know what he's said or hasn't said about those soldiers, but unless he's changed his personality in the last few years, why the witch hunt now? What a pointless attack.

Tell that to the solders that he called murder's on the floor of congress. They deserve an apology.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I guess the war hawks are going to make Murtha pay for his betrayal when he came out against the war. The man who was once considered a friend of Cheney. Gary, had he kept in step with his hawkish ways, people like you wouldn't even be questioning his integrity or that he would say anything that is against the troops. This is old hat...he's just being made an example of. It's sad really...leave him alone.

He is entitled to his opinion. But he jumped to call the solders "murder's" before any evidence was out. Now it's time he was called to task for that. It's one thing to be opposed to the war, it's something else to call the ones that are laying their lives on the line murder's without any proof.

He's being made an example of simply because he broke from the hawkish ranks....they consider him a traitor and they're going to make him pay now. It's really a sad commentary on the war hawks in Washington. Murtha is no liberal. I don't know what he's said or hasn't said about those soldiers, but unless he's changed his personality in the last few years, why the witch hunt now? What a pointless attack.

Tell that to the solders that he called murder's on the floor of congress. They deserve an apology.

Bah, it's pure political motivations behind going after him and you know it. Selective outrage is getting boring.

....

Free Republic ran with GOP Lawmakers Float Ethics Probe of Murtha on November 18, 2005, not wasting a moment's time, which was taken from Roll Call, both of which ran the day after Murtha announced his Iraq withdrawal plan. The ethics probe dealt with matters going back to 2004 and 2005. Why now?

If Rep. Murtha didn't have real military clout, being the first Vietnam veteran elected to the House, the Republican Party wouldn't have bothered with him. But he does, so they did. It has now escalated into a conservative campaign to swiftboat a decorated Marine veteran.

Once called one of the most hawkish members of Congress, Rep. John Murtha is now being presented as some anti war coward. His remarks about Haditha have unleashed just the latest salvo in the swiftboating strategy invented by conservatives, which they are now being forced to defend and explain.

Prior to 2005, The Cybercast News Service (CNS), purveyor of all things conservative and run by L. Brent Bozell III, had only one article about Rep. John Murtha. The headline was laudatory: Congressional Bill Would Establish Memorial for Victims of 9/11 (March 8, 2002). But on November 18, 2005, Bozell's team shot into action and hasn't stopped attacking Rep. Murtha since.

What happened to release the cascade of conservative vitriol now directed at Democratic Congressman and respected war veteran Jack Murtha?

''You can't fire the president unless you're in California,'' Mr. Murtha said. ''But somebody recommended this policy to him, and he took the recommendation. Somebody has to be held responsible, and he's got to make the decision who it was.'' ... Mr. Murtha is regarded by both parties as a respected voice on military matters. Citing poor supplies and support for the troops, he said he favored quick approval of the $87 billion Mr. Bush requested for Iraq but said the leaders needed to be replaced. He did not specify which. ...

THE STRUGGLE FOR IRAQ: CONGRESS; Democratic Hawk Urges Firing of Bush Aides (Times Select, September 17, 2003)

http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=24234

[GaryC 7]

I guess the war hawks are going to make Murtha pay for his betrayal when he came out against the war. The man who was once considered a friend of Cheney. Gary, had he kept in step with his hawkish ways, people like you wouldn't even be questioning his integrity or that he would say anything that is against the troops. This is old hat...he's just being made an example of. It's sad really...leave him alone.

He is entitled to his opinion. But he jumped to call the solders "murder's" before any evidence was out. Now it's time he was called to task for that. It's one thing to be opposed to the war, it's something else to call the ones that are laying their lives on the line murder's without any proof.

He's being made an example of simply because he broke from the hawkish ranks....they consider him a traitor and they're going to make him pay now. It's really a sad commentary on the war hawks in Washington. Murtha is no liberal. I don't know what he's said or hasn't said about those soldiers, but unless he's changed his personality in the last few years, why the witch hunt now? What a pointless attack.

Tell that to the solders that he called murder's on the floor of congress. They deserve an apology.

Bah, it's pure political motivations behind going after him and you know it. Selective outrage is getting boring.

....

Free Republic ran with GOP Lawmakers Float Ethics Probe of Murtha on November 18, 2005, not wasting a moment's time, which was taken from Roll Call, both of which ran the day after Murtha announced his Iraq withdrawal plan. The ethics probe dealt with matters going back to 2004 and 2005. Why now?

If Rep. Murtha didn't have real military clout, being the first Vietnam veteran elected to the House, the Republican Party wouldn't have bothered with him. But he does, so they did. It has now escalated into a conservative campaign to swift boat a decorated Marine veteran.

Once called one of the most hawkish members of Congress, Rep. John Murtha is now being presented as some anti war coward. His remarks about Haditha have unleashed just the latest salvo in the swiftboating strategy invented by conservatives, which they are now being forced to defend and explain.

Prior to 2005, The Cybercast News Service (CNS), purveyor of all things conservative and run by L. Brent Bozell III, had only one article about Rep. John Murtha. The headline was laudatory: Congressional Bill Would Establish Memorial for Victims of 9/11 (March 8, 2002). But on November 18, 2005, Bozell's team shot into action and hasn't stopped attacking Rep. Murtha since.

What happened to release the cascade of conservative vitriol now directed at Democratic Congressman and respected war veteran Jack Murtha?

''You can't fire the president unless you're in California,'' Mr. Murtha said. ''But somebody recommended this policy to him, and he took the recommendation. Somebody has to be held responsible, and he's got to make the decision who it was.'' ... Mr. Murtha is regarded by both parties as a respected voice on military matters. Citing poor supplies and support for the troops, he said he favored quick approval of the $87 billion Mr. Bush requested for Iraq but said the leaders needed to be replaced. He did not specify which. ...

THE STRUGGLE FOR IRAQ: CONGRESS; Democratic Hawk Urges Firing of Bush Aides (Times Select, September 17, 2003)

http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=24234

Your lack of outrage and willingness to allow Murtha to get away with this is disturbing. Because he is anti-Iraq war you are willing to give him a pass. That is truly disgusting. This man has called our solders murder's on the floor of the house. Now that it has been shown that they did not murder he isn't able to acknowledge that he was wrong. And for you to sit there and back him up shows how far gone you are in your hatred for anything associated with the war. Regardless of how you feel about the war you should support the men and women that are risking their lives over there. This smacks of the Vietnam war "baby killer" labels that so wrongly hurt our troops. Shame on you Steven.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I guess the war hawks are going to make Murtha pay for his betrayal when he came out against the war. The man who was once considered a friend of Cheney. Gary, had he kept in step with his hawkish ways, people like you wouldn't even be questioning his integrity or that he would say anything that is against the troops. This is old hat...he's just being made an example of. It's sad really...leave him alone.

He is entitled to his opinion. But he jumped to call the solders "murder's" before any evidence was out. Now it's time he was called to task for that. It's one thing to be opposed to the war, it's something else to call the ones that are laying their lives on the line murder's without any proof.

He's being made an example of simply because he broke from the hawkish ranks....they consider him a traitor and they're going to make him pay now. It's really a sad commentary on the war hawks in Washington. Murtha is no liberal. I don't know what he's said or hasn't said about those soldiers, but unless he's changed his personality in the last few years, why the witch hunt now? What a pointless attack.

Tell that to the solders that he called murder's on the floor of congress. They deserve an apology.

Bah, it's pure political motivations behind going after him and you know it. Selective outrage is getting boring.

....

Free Republic ran with GOP Lawmakers Float Ethics Probe of Murtha on November 18, 2005, not wasting a moment's time, which was taken from Roll Call, both of which ran the day after Murtha announced his Iraq withdrawal plan. The ethics probe dealt with matters going back to 2004 and 2005. Why now?

If Rep. Murtha didn't have real military clout, being the first Vietnam veteran elected to the House, the Republican Party wouldn't have bothered with him. But he does, so they did. It has now escalated into a conservative campaign to swift boat a decorated Marine veteran.

Once called one of the most hawkish members of Congress, Rep. John Murtha is now being presented as some anti war coward. His remarks about Haditha have unleashed just the latest salvo in the swiftboating strategy invented by conservatives, which they are now being forced to defend and explain.

Prior to 2005, The Cybercast News Service (CNS), purveyor of all things conservative and run by L. Brent Bozell III, had only one article about Rep. John Murtha. The headline was laudatory: Congressional Bill Would Establish Memorial for Victims of 9/11 (March 8, 2002). But on November 18, 2005, Bozell's team shot into action and hasn't stopped attacking Rep. Murtha since.

What happened to release the cascade of conservative vitriol now directed at Democratic Congressman and respected war veteran Jack Murtha?

''You can't fire the president unless you're in California,'' Mr. Murtha said. ''But somebody recommended this policy to him, and he took the recommendation. Somebody has to be held responsible, and he's got to make the decision who it was.'' ... Mr. Murtha is regarded by both parties as a respected voice on military matters. Citing poor supplies and support for the troops, he said he favored quick approval of the $87 billion Mr. Bush requested for Iraq but said the leaders needed to be replaced. He did not specify which. ...

THE STRUGGLE FOR IRAQ: CONGRESS; Democratic Hawk Urges Firing of Bush Aides (Times Select, September 17, 2003)

http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=24234

Your lack of outrage and willingness to allow Murtha to get away with this is disturbing. Because he is anti-Iraq war you are willing to give him a pass. That is truly disgusting. This man has called our solders murder's on the floor of the house. Now that it has been shown that they did not murder he isn't able to acknowledge that he was wrong. And for you to sit there and back him up shows how far gone you are in your hatred for anything associated with the war. Regardless of how you feel about the war you should support the men and women that are risking their lives over there. This smacks of the Vietnam war "baby killer" labels that so wrongly hurt our troops. Shame on you Steven.

Gary, set aside your selective outrage for a moment...first of all, I don't know exactly what the man said, do you? Secondly, based on the man's reputation as a hawk (remember?), and his military record, common sense tells me that he wouldn't deliberately dishonor the military per se. Like I said, had he not broken rank from the hawks and spoke out against the war, we wouldn't be having this conversation. There is a concerted effort to dishonor Murtha simply because he stepped out of line...end of story. Much ado about nothing.

[GaryC 7]

Gary, set aside your selective outrage for a moment...first of all, I don't know exactly what the man said, do you? Secondly, based on the man's reputation as a hawk (remember?), and his military record, common sense tells me that he wouldn't deliberately dishonor the military per se. Like I said, had he not broken rank from the hawks and spoke out against the war, we wouldn't be having this conversation. There is a concerted effort to dishonor Murtha simply because he stepped out of line...end of story. Much ado about nothing.

You think this is some sort of a partisan gotcha. It isn't. I don't care if he was a hawk or dove. I don't care if is is pro or anti war. To disrespect our troops is a terrible thing to do. It isn't selective outrage at all. I know exactly what he said. You obviously don't.

Lawmaker says Marines killed Iraqis 'in cold blood'

Citing ongoing investigation, Marines mum

From Jamie McIntyre

CNN

Friday, May 19, 2006; Posted: 3:26 a.m. EDT (07:26 GMT)

Rep. John Murtha says Marines went into homes and killed innocent Iraqi women and children.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A decorated Marine colonel turned anti-war congressman has said Marines killed at least 30 innocent Iraqi civilians "in cold blood" in Haditha in November, suggesting the death toll may be twice as high as originally reported.

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, told reporters Wednesday that he got his information from U.S. commanders, who said the investigation will show that the Marines deliberately killed the civilians.

The U.S. Marine Corps has declined to comment on the report, which initially stated that 15 were killed.

"There was no firefight. There was no IED that killed these innocent people. Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood," Murtha said. (Watch Murtha level accusations against the Marines -- 1:58)

Murtha, who was decorated for his service in Vietnam, said the death toll may be more than twice as high as originally reported.

"They actually went into the houses and killed women and children," the congressman said.

Citing an ongoing investigation, the Marine Corps said, "Any comment at this time would be inappropriate and could undermine the investigatory and possible legal process."

The Iraqi civilians were killed while troops from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines were looking for insurgents who planted a roadside bomb that killed a member of their unit.

At first, the Marines said the civilians were killed by a roadside bomb. Later, they suggested the victims may have been caught in a firefight.

An Iraqi human rights group, Hammurabi Human Rights Association, caught the scene on video, which was obtained by Time magazine. A criminal investigation ensued.

Time Warner is the parent company of Time magazine and CNN.

Last month, the battalion commander and two company commanders were relieved of their commands and reassigned to staff jobs at Camp Pendleton in California.

Sources close to the investigation said it is too soon to say whether anyone will face criminal charges, but key aspects of the original Marine account have not checked out.

Murtha supported the invasion of Iraq in 2003, but last November, he distanced himself from the Bush administration and called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops because of what he called "a flawed policy wrapped in illusion."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/05/18/murtha.marines/

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So what? He was basing his opinion on what he'd read and if you read the facts, they're pretty damning. Regardless of whether anyone will face jail time for what happened, the fact remains that 24 innocent Iraqis were killed. He formed an opinion of their guilt based on that, just like many of us have done with such cases as OJ Simpson.

[GaryC 7]

So what? He was basing his opinion on what he'd read and if you read the facts, they're pretty damning. Regardless of whether anyone will face jail time for what happened, the fact remains that 24 innocent Iraqis were killed. He formed an opinion of their guilt based on that, just like many of us have done with such cases as OJ Simpson.

You just don't get it do you? The solders were found NOT GUILTY!!!!! There was no crime, there was no murder. But Murtha will not say he was wrong. Your to much to believe Steven.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Gary, I think you owe Murtha an apology...

Here's what he actually said:

Full transcript below:

GIBSON: I heard you tell George Stephanopoulos on Sunday that you believe this is murder, followed by a cover-up and I’ve heard you also say that what happened is well-known in Marine circles. Why are you so sure it was murder?

MURTHA: Charles, I started hearing about this probably right before the Time Magazine article and then I heard officially about it about two months ago. And there’s no question in my mind, when they pay people, as they did right after the incident - a team went into to investigate this immediately afterward. I mean it breaks my heart to think that Marines would do this. Hopefully, this is an isolated incident. But, you know, we’re supposed to be selling ideas of America, ideals of America, and we’re losing that war.

The reason we’ve lost the hearts and mind is these troops are under tremendous stress. Day after day these explosive devices go off, and if they don’t kill them that day, they hurt somebody, they wound somebody. And I see them at the hospitals. I see - they don’t know who the enemy is, they don’t know who they’re fighting, Iraq – and then they kill innocent people. There’s no question in my mind about what happened here. There was no gunfire. They killed four people in a taxi and then in addition to that, they went into the rooms and killed them. And I don’t know how many were involved in it, but it’s something that we cannot excuse. I can understand it, but it can’t be excused.

GIBSON: Jonathan just mentioned, there’s no charges yet filed against any of the Marines that were in this outfit, but Jonathan mentioned a moment ago, defense lawyers are already saying, well, there’s drone video and there is actual radio traffic to higher-ups that will give a different picture than you have been talking about of this incident. What do you know about that?

MURTHA: I can only tell you this, Charles. This is what the Marine Corps told me at the highest level. The Commandant of the Marine Corps was in my office just last week, so you know, I know there was a cover-up someplace. They knew about this a few days afterwards and there’s no question the chain of command tried to stifle the story. I can understand why, but that doesn’t excuse it. Something like this has to be brought out to the public, and the people have to be punished.

GIBSON: The commandant told you that this was a case of murder?

MURTHA: Charlie, don’t mince words here. The commandant said it was a very serious incident. He was not going to tell me it was murder, but everything looked to him just like it looks to me. He didn’t say that in so many words, but he told me exactly what happened.

[…]

GIBSON: In terms of a cover-up, do you think this ever would have come to light if Time Magazine hadn’t pursued this so relentlessly using the video form this human rights organization?

MURTHA: No, I do not think it would have come out, and it’s unfortunate because this is how you lose the Iraqi people. If you’re going to win a war like this, you got to promote the ideals and ideas of American democracy, and there’s no question in my mind that we’re losing it.

Watch video here.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200605310004

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Just play the vid with the sound off. The guilt in Murtha's body language tells alot.