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
My opinion of him being slime is reinforced.
I don't think we should pursue this. Murtha is not running for higher office, he is elderly and he is doing more damage every time he opens his mouth than anything we can do to him.
Also, there was evidence on another thread that the conservatives are being set up in this matter.
Murtha, like Cindy Sheehan, doesn't need his old friends. He's got new ones:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1555707/posts
See post #4.
Oh what atangled web we weave....!
I know all that. My post stands.
Which makes it a 'he said/he said' situation. Without documentary evidence or further corroboration to cast doubt on Murtha's situation, it doesn't appear there is anything further to pursue in this matter at the present time.
Obviously, no one is pursuing it...the letter was written in 2002.
Jack Murtha's "Fake" Purple Hearts, An Open Letter
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1558666/posts
Murtha's War Hero Status Called Into Question
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1557630/posts
PX warriors are frauds at best. Liars.
To allow a liar to hold a position of public trust in the Congress of the United States is a travesty.
Kerry and Murtha. Birds of a feather using embellished military awards to gain political advantage.
Throw the bums out!
But Peach, the man is causing more Purple Hearts to be awarded. I wish it was as simple as "just politics".
There have been a minimum of 3-5 threads per day for the last week about this matter; a lot of people ARE pursuing it.
I'll give you those 16 seconds.
; )
Run away! Run away!
I agree - there is no profit in pursuing this. Just let it fester like the bitter gangrenous sore that it is. No reason for us to jump into the poop-pile.
I didn't see the other thread, but that was my first thought--setup, like the old wife-beating setup from a past election we all remember. We should just let this one go. He may well have served bravely once, but he's a complete disgrace now. Every time he opens his mouth lately, he proves it. The Purple Hearts? They don't matter at this point.
Obviously Murtha went to the gigilo school of faking it!
"Also, there was evidence on another thread that the conservatives are being set up in this matter."
Proof? The Source of this evidence?
I guess you must have missed the overwhelming support that FR Viet Nam Vets had to say about going ahead with this
AND demanding murtha release ALL his military records.
Here's the thread
Murtha's War Hero Status Called Into Question
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1557630/posts
Remember this can not hurt Presoident Bush
he's not up for re-election
AND it's good for the troops to see
what this pink code murtha is really up to.
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