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
I'll just throw out that he said tonight, on 60 minutes, he quit college to volunteer for 'Nam and he made exemplary mention of how his mother cried....
>>>> John O'Neil is a lawyer in Houston.
Then how can we go about issuing citizen complaints for these crimes?
Is John O'Neil pingable? Can we file charges? How? Then what happens next?
"Concurrently, his Purple Hearts coming into focus seems like simple copy cat political attacks left over from sKerry."
Conversely, it seems to me anyone who didn't question a posturing Democrat with Purple Hearts would be slack, given the crap with sKerry.
"Is John O'Neil pingable? Can we file charges? How? Then what happens next?"
I'd bet he follows FR
I can't answer your questions, I'm not a lawyer.
I think the right is giving the MSM too much credit.
at least, as much as this site abhors and detracts from the MSM, we certainly seem to give them respect in this case....
This should be the answer. Not even a Semper Fi.
The documentary evidence and corroboration aren't going to just fall out of the sky, like manna from heaven, they will have to be sought. And they should be, without making any further public accusations, but relentlessly pursued they should be.
If you watched 60 minutes tonight, you know why they do matter.
Quite refreshing to know that there should be zero congressional oversight. That would be like expecting manna from heaven /HEAVY SARC
Many here, 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub, Aloha Ronnie, RVNAirplaneDriver, and many others, *are* his service comrades. Many others have worn the uniform, and hate to see it used to collect political brownie points from Code Pink and the Dancing Dims.
Are you saying America is ok with old senile guys in Congress disparaging our military while actively engaged in armed conflict?
Mike Wallace, SeeBS and 60 minutes care, and lots of people still watch them. And neither you nor I know how many of them still believe every scrap of fake but accurate BS they put out.
Then give the son of a bitch over. Or do not. The games are old.
Showing the entire Nation that one of the most vocal critics of the present policy in Irag....has lied about something as simple as the receiving of Purple Hearts ...would help our effort there.
...and help to drive the stake into the heart of the Democrats/Liberals that still exist.
...and I am a Vietnam Vet who also has two Purple Hearts. 1st one sent me to a 'local' hospital to recover. The 2nd sent me stateside to Walter Reed for surgery and recovery.
You will find that most honest Vietnam Vets do NOT use their Purple Hearts (or any other medals for that matter) to further their careers.
You WILL find the liars do.
redrock
Isn't that the truth.
Sadly, you're delusional. I said, for the last time in a post to you, if you vets want to go after Murtha, have at it.
"Sadly, you're delusional. I said, for the last time in a post to you, if you vets want to go after Murtha, have at it."
OK "Move On FReeper" !
You have exposed your real self!
lET'S NOT GIVE THE OLD COOT ANY OXYGEN. HIS CRAP FIZZLED OUT. LET'S LET LYING TREASONOUS DOGS LIE.
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