[balch3]

Webb continues to betray the trust of Ronald Reagan, who made him Navy Secretary. He's quick to jump to the defense of Murtha here. Webb is a decorated veteran of Vietnam himself--but what do we really know about the circumstances of HIS medals?

[balch3]

This is an excerpt. Here's the link to the full article

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/18/opinion/18webb.html

[A.A. Cunningham]

but what do we really know about the circumstances of HIS medals?

Webb was medically retired from the Marine Corps due to the injuries he received in Viet Nam. There's no question about the validity of his awards.

Having said that, he's all wet in his latest op-ed.

[freema]

What are these people reading my mind? LOL

Just earlier I proposed starting a Purple BrokenHearts Club Band..........

[jveritas]

I said before that these two moron journalists from CNS news have the political IQ of a chicken because they are throwing a life saver to the Left by moving the debate from Murtha treasonous statements about the Iraq war that have been killing the democrats on the national security issue to this meaningless issue about Murtha war record that will generate sympathy for him.

[Thorin]

James Webb is an authentic American hero, and he is exactly right here.

[Sonny M]

James Webb is one of those guys I could never figure out.

He constantly goes back and forth.

During the Reagan years, he was hard right, after that, he flip flopped so many times, for no reason what so ever that I lost count.

I'm not sure who he backed in 2004, since he ripped the living hell out of both Bush and Kerry.

Part of me thinks he sees himself as some kind of underdog referee who has a need to be on the outside.

Either that, or after years and years, he is starting to figure out how to be media savvy (hint, bashing republicans works and gets attention, bashing dems does not).

[freema]

I'm real tired of people operating under the assumpting that operatives are 'behind' this campaign.

It insinuates that none of us could possibly have a brain to ask if this is another Kerryesque re-do.

Which, precisely, I did, BEFORE CNS brought it up.

If the Democratic party had any integrity, questions wouldn't need to be asked.

[R. Scott]

… extremist Republican operatives have inverted a longstanding principle: that our combat veterans be accorded a place of honor in political circles.

This vet would rather have it read: “…our combat veterans be accorded a place of honor if the honor is deserved, not bought, stolen or just bogus”.

[paddles]

Disagree with the man if you wish, but his decorations were earned the hard way.

[colorcountry]

Break out the tinfoil hats...but can't you see the advantage of the Dems "breaking" this purple-heart story here on FR or on similar sites, with the intent we "talk about" it.

That's all we have to do is discuss it...we've fallen for their trap. Tthen they can slime us as the party of accusations. I don't remember anyone actually accusing him do you?

[kimosabe31]

Interesting article.

[Billthedrill]

I don't think any of us who were in the military consider that it makes us immune from criticism for political remarks. That seems to be the shorthand of the left at the moment, but as usual, applies only to those who agree with them.

Murtha doesn't deserve a free ride on this and he isn't getting one. One wonders what the difference is between questioning the circumstances of his service and the cottage industry in the MSM that grew up around questioning the circumstances of Bush's.

[FlipWilson]

To me the real issue isn't whether Murtha's medals earned in Vietnam are legitimate. He served his country honorably as far as I am concerned.

The real issue is whether past service automatically insulates one from critisim for current acts? Murtha wants to raise the "war hero/ purple heart" shield whenever anyone questions his judgement or actions. Are we to believe that Murtha can say anything he wants, however outrageous, and not be subject to criticism or questioning for those statements simply because he is a war hero or was wounded!?!? By that standard, Duke Cunningham should be cleared of all charges and released immediately as he is a "war hero." But that is not the way our system works, unless of course, one is a democrat and can do no wrong or face no criticism.

While not justified in my opinion, I think Mr. Murtha opened himself up to the same treatment John Kerry received by hiding behind the "war hero/purple heart" shield rather than truly standing up and defending his statements.

[Blzbba]

"but what do we really know about the circumstances of HIS medals?"


Yes, we do. Don't slander a real American patriot, please. Just because he's not in step with Bushbots doesn't mean his wartime past is in question.

[pawdoggie]

While I believe that conservatives may overkill "swiftboating" as a tactic to discredit the guys like Murtha, I am also bothered by Mr. Webb's attempt to link "Republicans" (as opposed to a few conservative Web sites) with the questions about Murtha's Purple Hearts. Neither the MSM nor Mr. Webb would ever insinuate that the DNC was behind the George W. Bush MIA from the Air National Guard story (even though Mary Mapes gave her Democrat buddy a heads up on that story), but Mr. Webb will tar all "Republicans" with the same brush, even if the President, Mr. Cheney and the RNC Chairman all have nothing but (undeserved) praise for Murtha.

[Iris7]

Webb has impeccable combat credentials.

Like many old men badly injured on war's sharp end he does not believe that he and others like him can morally be criticized about their wartime experiences by those who have not been there themselves. It is certainly true that attacks on Murtha's Viet Nam record by people who have not even seen war are out of order.

Myself I think Murtha is plagued by his memories. The dreams can get much worse with age. I suspect that he drinks too much. Drinking to escape the dreams is a terrible mistake.

Certainly McCain is totally personally familiar with war's desolation. Admiral Stockdale, Medal of Honor and McCain's commanding officer at the Hanoi Hilton has said that McCain was gallant under torture. If you haven't been there you have absolutely no idea of what that means.

The Swift Boat people's criticism of John Kerry is another thing entirely. The Swifties have earned the right to judge John Kerry. I am a Viet Nam boy myself, and strongly suspected Kerry was what he later proved to be. I held my peace until those men who had to serve with this proven arrogant social climbing coward had had their say.

[Reactionary]

I think I get it: Questioning Kerry's questionable "service" is bad; questioning Bush's stint in the National Guard isn't.

We know the routine.

[Jaxter]

"Military people past and present have good reason to wonder if the current administration truly values their service beyond its immediate effect on its battlefield of choice."

Hmmm. Kinda makes you wonder why they don't. /s

[IronJack]

John Murtha has made his military service part and parcel of his credibility. His commentary on the Iraq war is relevant only because he can claim "war hero" status. It is entirely proper to examine that claim thoroughly. If it withstands the scrutiny, then he deserves the accolades. If not, then we've done the world a service by exposing a fraud.

[kimosabe31]

I believe a war vets military service record and his political positions are separate issues in the sense that a man can serve honorably and heroically in the military at one point in his life and turn into a traitor at another point in his life. Example: Benedict Arnold served in the continental army for a number of years...wounded, decorated for bravery (I think) and became a turncoat. No one knows for sure what turned him, but he sold out.

So what's this have to do with Murtha, Kerry, etc? Giving aid and comfort to the enemy of you country in time of war is treason. You can not claim that you're entitled to shoot off your big mouth as some have done because you're a "war hero". To do so places a guy in the same catagory as Benedict Arnold...sellout...not directly for money but in the hopes of undermining the countries war effort and the presidency enough to regain control of government.