JOHN MURTHA'S WAR RECORD(Kerry defender springs to the defense)

The Oregonian ^ | January 23, 2006 | Jim Rassmann

[crazyhorse691]

Standing up against yet another smear

Before 2004, I'd never been involved in politics and considered my duty done at the ballot box. My memory of a man I served with in combat in Vietnam -- Lt. John Kerry -- became my sole reason for leaving the sidelines in the last presidential election. Watching the assault on his military record by partisan operatives armed with falsehoods was a shock. Perhaps I was naive. Watching those same tactics now being used against another decorated Vietnam veteran, Rep. John Murtha, who, like Kerry, dared to speak his mind, has been a reminder of not just why I felt compelled to get involved, but why I must remain involved.

As a veteran of Vietnam, I can't in good conscience remain silent in the face of the "Swift Boating" of John Murtha. Today, the very same smear tactics the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" used against Kerry are being unleashed against Murtha, a retired Marine colonel and Democratic representative from Pennsylvania. The radical right Web site Cybercast News Service -- formerly the Conservative News Service -- has attacked Murtha, claiming he was fraudulently awarded Purple Hearts for wounds received during two tours in Vietnam.

Since it is unseemly for a leadership that never served its country in combat to attack the patriotism and veracity of decorated soldiers and sailors who did, this administration has returned to its tactic of finding surrogates to do its dirty work.

Administration supporters are hoping that by muddying the waters of Murtha's military record they can neuter another of their most passionate and sincere critics. It's an all-too-familiar pattern. Initially, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan described Murtha's stance on the war as "endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic party." Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt quickly followed in lockstep by saying on the floor of the House of Representatives, "Cowards cut and run, Marines never do."

The White House followed with perfunctory praise from President Bush, who described Murtha as "a good man who served our country with honor and distinction as a Marine in Vietnam and as a United States congressman." Vice President Cheney referred to Murtha as "a good man, a Marine, a patriot." How laudable.

The rapid reversal by the White House appears remarkable at first glance, given its penchant for uniformity of message. But it isn't at all remarkable. As with the Swift Boat assault on Kerry during the 2004 election campaign, attacks are made, the public's attention is captured, the White House offers platitudes and the surrogates press on with the administration's covert support.

John Kerry and John Murtha both love their country and proved their patriotism in the crucible of war and on the battlefield of public service. But far more is at stake than the reputations of two good men. They have the honor of their service, as do the hundreds of thousands of Americans in uniform in harm's way today, and that's enough.

But the health of our democracy, the integrity of our debate, the voice of our free press and the true meaning of patriotism are under assault if a new generation of Swift Boat-style smears is allowed into the public sphere unchallenged.

For my country's sake, I hope brave Americans of good conscience will speak up and make it clear that we will not tolerate such smears today, just as we shouldn't have tolerated them in 2004.

Jim Rassmann, a retired lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, lives in Florence. He served with the Army's 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1968-69.

[geezerwheezer]

Memo to John Rassman: I too, served in Viet Nam (68-69-70) and I disagree with Mr. Murtha's stance on Iraq. I also disagree with most everything John Kerry says, as well as Messers: Kennedy, Leahy, Reid and Biden. I also disagree with Madames: Boxer, Pelosi, Feinstein, and Clinton. I'm not "swift-boating" anyone, I'm stating the fact that I think they are flatout wrong, and that I think they are anti-American and anti-military. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you tell it to someone who might give a damn because Sir, I do not. So get over it.

[jveritas]

I have always warned that this foolish reporting by CNS is a life saver for the Left who will try now to move the debate from Murtha treasonous statements about the Iraq war, statements that are very damaging to the democrats, to this meaningless issue of Murtha war record. I just hope that the prominent radio talk shows host will not pick up on this subject so the subject will remain focused on Mrutha “cut and run” policy from Iraq.

[saveliberty]

LOL! Or there could be a beacon from the mother ship :-)

[griswold3]

Knowledge is the key.
Here in the Ohio 2nd district the dems had a bulletin board with the words,
Shame on you, Jean Schmidt. Stop attacking Veterans.
And no one thinks that warrants a who, what, where, when ??

[Condor51]

With all due respect to Green Beret Jim Rassman (I mean that), he's dead wrong regarding the 'attack' on Murtha.

It didn't originate with any 'right wing' group or Cybercast News Service. It originated by a Democrat opponent in his first Congressional Campaign. As to the questions regarding the validity of his Purple Hearts, those 'questions' originated by - MURTHA himself.

The facts are:

• Murtha has given three different versions of how he was wounded.
  
• Murtha has given three different versions as to where he was even wounded.
  
• During the House investigation of ABSCAM - Murtha was involved but not indicted - he admitted to a Dem colleague that "he did not deserve the two Purple Hearts". This was on the floor of the US House.
  
• Murtha admitted that he did not miss one day of duty from his 'war wounds'.
  
• Murtha has said on occasions that one wound required a "Band Aid".
  
• There are NO records, hospital or from doctors in his unit, of any treatment for any wounds, at any time.
  
• It was not until 1980 (IIRC) that Murtha put in a request for his 2nd Purple Heart - with no supporting documents, only his own account of events.

Like another 'semi famous' Dem politician and Vietnam veteran, Murtha refuses to release his military records.

All this could be cleared up PDQ - just sign that SF 180 Rep Murtha.

[AlphaOneAlpha]

Let's all not forget that both Murtha and Kerry's thinking and utterances, which match the on-going defeatist Democrat message by people such as Howard Dean, are directly reflected in UBL's latest tape. In that tape, UBL says his minions are working hard attack and kill Americans on American soil.

I refuse to accept the cheap defense by the politically rabid Dems that speaking one's mind is patriotic. Big picture thinking and personal responsibility have not been a hallmark qualities of this collection clowns. This terrorism business is far too serious for these circus clowns to participate in.

[tumblindice]

Atty: "I object! I object to that question!"

Judge: "And what is the basis of your objection, counselor?"

Atty: "Because it calls for an answer that is incredibly damaging to our claim!"

From the movie 'Liar, Liar' starring Jim Carrey

[GW and Twins Pawpaw]

Stability in Iraq means GWB won and the dims lose yet again.

[muawiyah]

He's also saying that if you didn't serve in combat you don't have a right to criticize.

Recalling how the draft was operated, and how enlistments in the more civilianized of the armed services were thereby encouraged, I'd suggest that if you didn't serve in the Infantry or the Marines, you don't have a moral standing to criticize those who did.

There are some who undertake to evaluate military service in terms of risk, i.e. flying dangerous machine built by the lowest bidder at high speed, etc.

It all turns out to be a moveable bar. For the most part most of us who served had little choice about where we served and whether or not somebody would shoot at us. Just showing up somewhere during the period of national crisis is morally sufficient.

[Criminal Number 18F]

Vietnam is ancient history --

But Murtha got into Congress and voted to cut and run from our responsibility to our former allies (our men were already out, and he urinated on their memory by supporting their enemies).

Murtha was the voice of cut and run in Lebanon, Somalia, Afghanistan and now Iraq.

I'm a combat vet, too. And I know a coward when I see one.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Mr.Atos]

I see Rassman and Raise him one local Major...

Releasing War Records (Excerpt Major Mike, Portland Blogger)

I am a combat veteran. I joined the VFW my first day back in the States, and am a life member. I flew forty missions in the Gulf War, and have received many citations for my combat service, and my non-combat service.

There is a flare up underway about John Murtha's combat/decoration history here, here, and on this page is a Brit Hume video on the subject. Based on what I have read in the opening paragraphs of Forgotten Soldier and the entirety of Stolen Valor some people have a habit of exaggerating their combat records...if they have one at all.

So, as a combat vet, I have an opinion on this subject. I think Murtha's record should be fully explored. I think fakers and exaggerators count on the politeness and deference of others in allowing, either spoken or implied, exaggeration of their military records to become "fact" over time, and discussion of their "record" to then become "off limits" for discussion. This is how dozens of people have been "awarded" our nations highest honors, taken advantage of these exaggerations for their personal gain, and as Burkett points out in Stolen Valor, stolen the honor of real combat heroes who have legitimately earned their combat and non-combat decorations.

More...

[yoe]

I am sure that Jim Rassmann and John Murtha think they are doing the right thing, however, John Kerry did his country a great disservice by telling out right lies about his service in Vietnam.

Mr. Rassmann is wrong about the Swift Boat men, no one could ever doubt the veracity of their reports as to how Lt. jg. Kerry conducted himself in that theater of war.

[fightu4it]

"Since it is unseemly for a leadership that never served its country in combat to attack the patriotism and veracity of decorated soldiers and sailors who did, this administration has returned to its tactic of finding surrogates to do its dirty work."

What is "unseemly" is the democratic party using Murtha. That party doesn't give a damn about his military record. Their singular interest in him revolves around the sad fact that Congressman Murtha doesn't remember the events that took place on 11 September 2001. No true "military man" could/would ever forget the day his Country was attacked by foreign terrorists.

There can be no end to this story until all the people responsible for the attack have been brought to justice. As a war veteran, I can only view Murtha's actions as despicable. He needs to meet with some of the survivors and also some of the families of those who were murdered on 11 Sep. 2001. He has obviously lost his perspective on what actually happened on that day.

[Dilbert56]

Did I miss the new Amendment where Freedom of Speech applies only to people who don't criticize Democrat Vietnam Veterans?

[yldstrk]

There is a difference between "smears" and determining whether Murtha has puffed and bloated his war record.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

If it's true that neither will permit all their service records to be made public I personally have no idea why Mr. Kerry and Mr. Murtha would object to releasing their military records. They proudly and justifiably speak often of their combat service.

(Though there's the pesky matter of Mr. Kerry meeting with the enemy and, IMO, representing the enemy's "case" against the U.S. military before a Senate committee and frequently in public. Mr. B. Arnold was a hero to both sides during the same war also.)

Mr. Murtha seems to me to be a traditional Democrat and therefore more "American" than most RINOs.

Bill O'Reilly on his radio show confronted the CNS reporter with the Murtha medals story but did offer to investigate the controversy along with CNS.

Claiming disgust that Mr. Murtha's military record would be maligned in the same manner that Mr. Kerry was (O'Reilly said Kerry told the truth 75 percent of the time), Mr. O'Reilly stated that he did not want a he-said-he-said hubbub like the swift boaters and Kerry.

Having stated that Kerry told the truth 75 percent of the time it's clear which side of he-said-he-said Mr. O'Reilly clings to. After more than a year's absence I may have made a mistake returning to listening to O'Reilly's radio show (no TV).

It won't happen but I'd like to hear O'Reilly's no spin on Kerry's service records -- have all been released or not? If not, why not? And how about no spin on Mr. Murtha's records to support his side. Won't happen. I bet.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Nope, sorry, Jim...he was attacked by a fellow Democrat."

---

Who was the Democrat that criticized Murtha's war record?

[atomicpossum]

"Former representative Don Bailey (D-Pa.) has apparently broken ranks and attacked the war record of fellow Democrat John Murtha"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1558144/posts

[depressed in 06]

This is the guy, John Kerry dumped off his boat running from a fire fight. And, managed to fish out of the river when the gunfire was over.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

For those who "forgot" what Hanoi Kerry
did in the past read on and learn the truth.

Hanoi Kerry was still a USNR officer while he:
gave false hearsay testimony to Congress
negotiated with the enemy
helped the US lose a war
abetted in the deaths of millions
created a hostile environment for all servicemen

http://ice.he.net/~freepnet/kerry/index.php?topic=Documents

Call to action!
Please help get this bill passed
AND signed into law
BEFORE the '06 elections!

Stolen Valor Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)
HR 3352 IH
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:h.r.3352:

Call or write your media
http://congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/

Write every Senator and Representative.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt?command=congdir

Spread the word far and wide.

This is a no brainer, conservatives control Congress
and the White House

---

Stolen Valor Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)
HR 3352 IH

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3352

To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to protections for the Medal of Honor, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 19, 2005

Mr. SALAZAR introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to protections for the Medal of Honor, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Stolen Valor Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--

(1) fraudulent claims surrounding receipt of the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished-Service Cross, the Air Force Cross, the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart, or any other medal or decoration awarded by Congress or the armed forces damage the reputation and meaning of these medals;

(2) Federal law enforcement officers are currently limited in their ability to prosecute fraudulent claims of receipt of military medals; and

(3) changes to the current statute are necessary to allow law enforcement personnel to protect the reputation and meaning of these medals.

SEC. 3. MILITARY MEDAL PROTECTIONS.

Section 704 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) by inserting `purchases, attempts to purchase, solicits for purchase, mails, ships, imports, exports, produces blank certificates of receipt,' after `wears'; and

(B) by inserting `attempts to sell, advertises for sale, trades, barters or exchanges for anything of value' after `sells';

(2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting `or (b)' after `subsection (a)'

(3) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);

(4) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:

`(b) False Claims About Receipt of Military Medals- Whoever falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.'; and

(5) by adding at the end the following:

`(d) Other Medals- If a decoration or medal involved in an offense under subsection (a) or (b) is a Distinguished Service Cross awarded under Section 3742 of title 10, an Air Force Cross awarded under section 8742 of section 10, a Navy cross awarded under section 6242 of title 10, a silver star awarded under section 3746, 6244, or 8746 of title 10, or a Purple Heart awarded under section 1129 of title 10, or any replacement or duplicate medal as authorized by statute, in lieu of the punishment provided in that subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.'.

---

"From Ray Funderburk, MOPH

The greatest threat to the sanctity and significance of the Purple Heart comes from the medal's easy availability. Anyone can buy one at flea markets, pawnshops or on the Internet, where Web sites offer the decoration, no questions asked, for as little as $35. An accompanying certificate on onion skin parchment and personalized with your name and any rank you choose costs about $25.

Such commerce in the symbols of American courage and sacrifice would be outlawed by a measure spearheaded last July by Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo.

His "Stolen Valor Act" would make it a federal crime to falsely wear the Purple Heart and other top military decorations, or to even list them on a resume if they were not officially earned.

But the proposed bill now sits in the House Judiciary Committee, and its fate remains unclear.
"We're waiting for the committee to act," said Salazar

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1560750/posts?page=2#2

---

Any Republican or Democrat politicians who don't get this bill passed is
as guilty as the phonies that this bill targets.

The Swift Boat Vets already proved, beyond a doubt,
that hanoi kerry's 1st Purple Heart is fraudulent.

A US Attorney General can get ALL of hanoi kerry's
records and once and for all prove that the
Swift Boat Vets were accurate and true.

All that has to be done is to get this bill passed and signed into law now, before the '06 election.

Since hanoi kerry will be under indictment he'll
have to sit out the '06 election for his illegal seat
in the US Senate.

AND the best part is that it is a Democrat sponsored
bill that will his downfall.

COSPONSORS(60), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]: (Sort: by date)

Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] - 7/27/2005
Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3] - 7/28/2005
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] - 7/27/2005
Rep Beauprez, Bob [CO-7] - 9/6/2005
Rep Berry, Marion [AR-1] - 7/27/2005
Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] - 7/27/2005
Rep Boyd, Allen [FL-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] - 9/6/2005
Rep Cardoza, Dennis A. [CA-18] - 7/27/2005
Rep Case, Ed [HI-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Chandler, Ben [KY-6] - 7/27/2005
Rep Cooper, Jim [TN-5] - 7/27/2005
Rep Costa, Jim [CA-20] - 7/28/2005
Rep Cramer, Robert E. (Bud), Jr. [AL-5] - 7/27/2005
Rep Cuellar, Henry [TX-28] - 7/27/2005
Rep Davis, Geoff [KY-4] - 7/26/2005
Rep Davis, Lincoln [TN-4] - 7/27/2005
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 7/26/2005
Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20] - 7/29/2005
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] - 7/28/2005
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 7/26/2005
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 7/28/2005
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 7/26/2005
Rep Herseth, Stephanie [SD] - 7/27/2005
Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] - 7/28/2005
Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] - 7/27/2005
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 7/28/2005
Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Kline, John [MN-2] - 7/28/2005
Rep Lewis, Ron [KY-2] - 7/28/2005
Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-3] - 11/2/2005
Rep Matheson, Jim [UT-2] - 7/26/2005
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 9/7/2005
Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] - 9/14/2005
Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] - 7/26/2005
Rep Melancon, Charlie [LA-3] - 7/27/2005
Rep Menendez, Robert [NJ-13] - 10/6/2005
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 7/27/2005
Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] - 7/27/2005
Rep Musgrave, Marilyn N. [CO-4] - 10/17/2005
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] - 7/27/2005
Rep Northup, Anne M. [KY-3] - 9/15/2005
Rep Ortiz, Solomon P. [TX-27] - 7/28/2005
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] - 7/27/2005
Rep Pomeroy, Earl [ND] - 7/27/2005
Rep Reyes, Silvestre [TX-16] - 7/27/2005
Rep Rogers, Harold [KY-5] - 9/7/2005
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 7/27/2005
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] - 7/26/2005
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 7/27/2005
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] - 7/29/2005
Rep Strickland, Ted [OH-6] - 9/27/2005
Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] - 9/6/2005
Rep Tanner, John S. [TN-8] - 7/27/2005
Rep Taylor, Gene [MS-4] - 7/27/2005
Rep Thompson, Mike [CA-1] - 7/27/2005
Rep Udall, Mark [CO-2] - 7/22/2005
Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] - 7/28/2005
Rep Whitfield, Ed [KY-1] - 9/20/2005

There is no valid reason why this bill can't pass both Houses of Congress
and be signed by President Bush
BEFORE the '06 elections.

http://johnkerryads.websiteanimal.com/

http://www.frontsteps.com/movies/john_kerrys_bad_rap/