Murtha speech gets cheers and jeers (Cut & Run Tour Fizzles on Home Turf)

The Pitssburgh Tribune-Review ^ | 5-14-06 | Richard Robbins

[smoothsailing]

 

Murtha speech gets cheers and jeers

By Richard Robbins

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Sunday, May 14, 2006

U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha -- one of the most vocal critics of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq -- drew cheers and boos during his commencement speech at Seton Hill University on Saturday when he once again called for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops.

"We don't care. This isn't about graduation," Leonard Pierce, of North Huntingdon, the parent of a graduate, called out several times from the audience.

The catcalls prompted shouts from other audience members that Murtha should be allowed to speak. The back-and-forth was clearly audible inside the Katherine Mabis McKenna Center on the Greensburg campus. The small, liberal arts Catholic university is in the heart of Murtha's 12th Congressional District, which he has represented since 1974.

Murtha ignored the brief disruption. Later, he dismissed the heckling as of no great consequence. One student, on his way to get his diploma, told the congressman that graduation was not the place to air the war issue, Murtha said.

"I told him, 'This is America, not Russia,' " Murtha said.

[smoothsailing]

My Marine buddies tell me you call him an EX-Marine. IIRC, j, you're a Marine. I'm told EX-Marine is the most insulting thing you can say to a man like Murtha.

[JohnnyZ]

Considering the vapid comments and platitudes that often make up commencement speeches, I wholeheartedly support speeches directed toward an Important and Enduring Issue, such as War and Peace.

Murtha's liberal claptrap was likely a poor attempt at addressing an important issue, but the subject matter wasn't the problem.

[God luvs America]

way to go Geoff....way to go!

[smoothsailing]

Here's a cartoon from the Seton Hill student newspaper:

[jazusamo]

Hah! Ironic and very true.

[Criminal Number 18F]

Boy, that is a classic picture for our times.

Geoff Monsour is my new hero. Get some, jarhead!

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Stultis]

Geoff Monsour, of Latrobe, makes a point to U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha following his graduation ceremony at Seton Hill University in Greensburg on Saturday. Murtha knows that Monsour, a Marine, disagrees agrees completely with Murtha's stance on the war in Iraq and his decision to speak about political issues during his graduation ceremony but, like most marines Murtha has talked to, and like all general officers, can't admit to this publicly. Monsour graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business.;</DELUSIONAL MURTHA MINDREADING MODE;>

[smoothsailing]

DELUSIONAL MURTHA MINDREADING MODE

Good one! ;)

[MaineVoter2002]

Is Murtha a democrat or a republican? How shameful that it has come to the point where I must ask.

[sinkspur]

Is Murtha a democrat or a republican? How shameful that it has come to the point where I must ask.

Are you really this stupid?

I think you know, and are trying to make some kind of doltish point, as you are wont to do.

[MaineVoter2002]

I see you're back with your DU-like name-calling

[sinkspur]

And you're just as disingenuous as ever, with your phony "question" above.

[sinkspur]

Grow up. You dish out bile all day, then whine like a baby when somebody throws it back at you.

[smoothsailing]

Is Murtha a democrat or a republican?

LOL! You're from Maine, I can see where it might be confusing for you. Murtha's a democrat. :)

[operation clinton cleanup]

"I told him, 'This is America, not Russia,' " Murtha said.

No thanks to the Democrats.

[MaineVoter2002]

You dish out bile all day

I challenge you to post the "bile" I've ever dished out. I post facts and logic and have always avoided name-calling in Freerepublic.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Congressman Murtha (P.O.S.-PA) meets true American Hero.

That is an awesome picture... Murtha looks stunned.

[Jacquerie]

"Are you really this stupid?"

Comments like this have become common on FR. They are unnecessary, make no point, contribute nothing to the discussion, and are DU-like.

[JohnnyZ]

What happened to the pic?

Let's try it again.

[george76]

Thanks for the link.

I had only saved part of the report.

"But it still exists in cyberspace in it's entirety..."

The nasty old media playing games, again !