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 dont blame him for not going to see them now. He might not like the reception he would likely get.
So where does it say Moveon.org?
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1558666/posts?page=119#119
Please try and pay attention to detail.
I missed this post last night. It was awful to watch.
I'm sorry, the senile defense has now been put to rest. This is no different than when Vietnam did their broadcasts.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1558539/posts
“Vast majority of U.S. troops forced to leave Iraq” (Murtha gets his mug in Aljazeera)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1558539/posts
“Vast majority of U.S. troops forced to leave Iraq” (Murtha gets his mug in Aljazeera)
I honestly believe that we will never be able to make Kerry account for his actions during the Viet Nam war and we will never be able to have thrown out of the senate because he is there illegally.
That being said I still support any efforts towards those goals, I just believe that it will never happen because Kerry like Teddy Kennedy is democrat royalty and can't be punished for those illegal acts he has done.
So I'm willing to settle for Muthra because right now he is more dangerous to our war effort then anyone outside of Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan. And I do believe he knows exactly what he is doing and he is doing it with the full knowledge and support of The DNC.
Who knows they maybe even scripting his words and actions.
You can't read. Seek help. Immediately.
The whole DNC/media establishment is a danger right now, relentlessly driving down popular support. Murtha is their latest and best useful idiot. There will be more later in the form of new "whistleblowers", new war crime "confessions", etc. There may not be too many more vets like Murtha for them to use, but there are some scary RINOs that they might be able to flip. All I'm saying is look at the big picture of their anti-victory efforts and keep them in mind while you fight this one battle.
I agree, but I also think that McCain is damaged goods.
"The only thing necessary to insure the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
Dear Peach,
I'm sure you are aware of this quote since I borrowed it from your homepage. Could you tell me how you relate it to what you think we should do about Muthra?
Or Kerry?
Let me make something perfectly clear to anyone that cares,
Muthra is not senile,
He knows exactly what he is saying and he is following a template that worked very well for an organization once called Viet Nam Veterans Against the War.
Maybe you've heard of it Senator Kerry was one of it's founding members and Teddy Kennedy one of it's biggest supporters.
Their goals here are the defeat and humiliation of our forces engaged in a war against terrorism, just like They stopped our forces engaged in a war against communism during Viet Nam.
By all accounts Muthra is smart enough and savvy enough to know the negative effects his words are having, as well as being able to know that we are at war with an enemy that unlike the communists, aren't going to sit down and talk peace any time soon if at all.
Why he must be stopped by any means available is that he knows exactly what he is doing, doesn't care what the end results are to our troops and that he is doing it for pure political motives to appeal to the radical liberal base of the democratic party.
"You can't read. Seek help. Immediately."
Like I said, I make history, you live in the past.
>>>>I honestly believe that we will never be able to make Kerry account for his actions during the Viet Nam war and we will never be able to have thrown out of the senate because he is there illegally.
Why? This is where we need legal guidance. Why can't one of us, or all as a group, go to the court house and fill out the paperwork to file criminal charges?
It can be done. It is allowed. Our elects aren't doing it. We should.
An easy answer, treason charges can only be brought by the federal government, and believe it or not, Senators and Congressmen are some what immune from most ordinary civil cases directly related to their work in Congress.
In order to try them for crimes commited during their duties in Congress, I.E. treason, the congress itself would have to bring the charges, which is why so far Kerry has escaped any sort of federal case of treason, he has been cushioned by democratic and like minded supporters.
And I honestly don't like it one bit.
Dear Usmcobra: Have you read the thread? I've made my feelings perfectly known on how this is different than how Kerry was dealth with.
Reasoned people can disagree; it's the name calling that is intolerable when one disagrees with how to deal with Murtha.
And some people like to inflate their own importance on this thread.
An easy answer, treason charges can only be brought by the federal government, and believe it or not, Senators and Congressmen are some what immune from most ordinary civil cases directly related to their work in Congress.
In order to try them for crimes commited during their duties in Congress, I.E. treason, the congress itself would have to bring the charges, which is why so far Kerry has escaped any sort of federal case of treason, he has been cushioned by democratic and like minded supporters.
Sorry about my typo. Got Kerry on the brain? I guess I'm having trouble differentiating.
I've been looking at Murtha quite a bit this afternoon. Here are some tidbits...
He was an unindicted co-conspirator in Abscam...and on Nov 20 19980 testified against Reps. John Murphy and Frank Thompson.
Representative John P. 'Jack' Murtha (PA). Biographical · Issue Positions(NPAT) ...
www.vote-smart.org/extended_bio.php?can_id=H3460103
This is interesting. Look at all the awards. All dated 2000 and up. Nothing before that.
www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/13/183744/029
"According to some wingnut on HuffPo (none / 1)
They're supposedly going to open up the cannons in April. If you read the comments under the Huffington Post article, you'll notice a troll called "crestedbutte" who keeps saying to wait until April for news about Murtha and that he was 'denied something'."
All that aside. I found this:
JOHN KERRY TAKES ON THE SWIFT VETS RETROACTIVELY
http://corner.nationalreview.com/05_11_13_corner-archive.asp#082964
More info for review:
http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-news/1489385/posts
My Enemy's Enemy by George Crile
Did you read my whole post at 216? Or just skim?
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