So Rep. Murtha Accused American Marines of Cold-Blooded Murder... So What?

FR/Various news outlets ^ | 5/17/06 | Me

[Coop]

MATTHEWS: Draw us a picture of what happened in Haditha.

MURTHA: Well I'll tell you exactly what happened. One Marine was killed and the Marines just said we're gonna take care...we don't know who the enemy is, the pressure was too much on them, so they went into houses and actually killed civilians and...I...

MATTHEWS: Was this My Lai? When you say cold blood Congressman, a lot of people think you're basically saying you've got some civilians sitting in a room or out in a field and they're executed on purpose...

MURTHA: That's exactly what happened.

MATTHEWS: ...not because any of the Marines are scared or anybody is scared...

MURTHA: ...this was not an action...this was not...first they tried to say it was an IED, there was no IED involved in this. This was troops, they were so stressed out, they went into houses and killed children, women and children. 24 people they killed. Now this is the kind of stress they are under. Listen, I don't excuse it, but I understand what's happening and the responsibility goes right to the top. This is something that should not have happened, that should have been investigated, they've already relieved three commanding officers...but this is the kind of stuff...stress is going to cause these kind of things. That's why I'm so upset about it.

MATTHEWS: Congressman, I just want to read something from the Marine Corps and then you can continue. The Marine Corps told us today that they're not going to comment today because the investigation is still ongoing. So they're investigating...

[Coop]

Yeah, I know a lot of people are upset about this treasonous comment. And it'll be good for more than a few threads. But so what?

If it really upsets you, what are you going to do about it? Post a few angry remarks on a thread (status quo), or do something meaningful?

What's my definition of meaningful?

• Speak the only language most of these politicians understand - support Murtha's opponent Diana Irey
  Support can mean money, signing up for her campaign E-mails, volunteering your time, forwarding her URL to all your friends in or near PA, etc.
• Write a letter to the editor supporting your troops and publicly chastising Murtha and calling for his resignation.
• Double your efforts to thank servicemembers you know, letting them see Murtha is NOT speaking for most Americans.
• Send a care package and/or letter to troops deployed overseas
• Stop by a recruiter's office with a handshake, a kind word, and/or a nice food item... to show you care and recognize their difficult environment

[bnelson44]

already talking about it here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1634049/posts

[saganite]

I like your first idea best.

[Coop]

I'll be interested to see if this thread gets any real traction.

[Coop]

I know. I've been on both threads. This thread isn't about "talk" though.

[Williams]

Murtha is a real scum. He wasn't there, but he knows exactly what happened and why.

[Rummyfan]

BFR.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

murtha : Pay attention

You have been hanging around to long with cut and run hanoi kerry

The Brothers and Sisters on The Wall know what you have done.

And before you complain about me, I was there also.

DISMISSED!

Marine NOT afraid to not be "PC" Ping!

Young Marine Blasts Rep. Murtha at Town Hall Meeting
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1558047/posts

"Yes sir my name is Mark Seavey and I just want to thank you for coming up here. Until about a month ago I was Sergeant Mark Seavey infantry squad leader, I returned from Afghanistan. My question to you, (applause)

"Like yourself I dropped out of college two years ago to volunteer to go to Afghanistan, and I went and I came back. If I didn't have a herniated disk now I would volunteer to go to Iraq in a second with my troops, three of which have already volunteered to go to Iraq. I keep hearing you say how you talk to the troops and the troops are demoralized, and I really resent that characterization. (applause) The morale of the troops that I talk to is phenomenal, which is why my troops are volunteering to go back, despite the hardships they had to endure in Afghanistan."

[tobyhill]

I'll make the check out first thing in the morning. I don't live in the district but I'll do whatever I can to get Murtha out of office.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the thread Coop. All your suggestions are good one, the best is supporting Diana Irey to get Murtha's sorry rear out of office.

[freema]

CLICK THE PIC

[Tarheel]

Re: your first suggestion , I went to her home page and found this as the first paragraph. For some time many of us have thought that Murtha has 'lost it'. I thought the use of 'drifted' in the first paragraph was very telling.

Thirty two years is a long time to spend in Washington. For decades, western Pennsylvania looked to John Murtha to stand up for our values. But as the years have drifted by, John Murtha has drifted further and further from the ideals that made this country great. He has become part of the problem in Washington.

I am originally from PA so have always had an interest in the politics of the state.

[freema]

CLICK THE PIC

[freema]

or just go to www.irey.com : )

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Ping.

[SE Mom]

I read about this on the other thread.

The man makes my blood run cold.

Excellent suggestions, Coop.

[Das Outsider]

Post a few angry remarks on a thread (status quo), or do something meaningful?

Or I could just do this:

[umgud]

The Pentagon has confirmed today that Osama bin Laden, Mullah Omar and al Zawahri have been captured and are being held at an undisclosed location.

NOAA scientist have issued a press release today claiming they have found a simple low cost solution to global warming (rumored to have been assisted by algore).

Greek officials report that Natalie Holloway has been found living on a local oil magnate’s yacht.

A UFO has crashed near Ft Wayne Utah, the alien occupants are alive and being cared for by Air Force personnel.

We’ll have these and other stories, but first, out top story; New evidence has come to light that strongly suggests that Bush did in fact lie about WMD’s!

I’m Chris Matthews, let’s play Hardball.

[Supernatural]

We have a chance to get rid of Murtha this November.

Trouble is, he is firmly entrenched and brings a lot of pork to the area. He will be hard to beat.

[Coop]

Respectful request for action, not words.

[Coop]

Let's end the "hard to beat" talk.

John Kerry carried Murtha's district 51-49%.

John Murtha can be beaten. The question is, will we help defeat him, or just gripe around the cyberwatercooler?

[freakboy]

Even if this were hypothetically true (which I have no reason to believe), what would the purpose of making these comments be?

[Das Outsider]

John Murtha can be beaten. The question is, will we help defeat him, or just gripe around the cyberwatercooler?

And he will be beaten. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Gucho]

PING! Getting Murtha out of office.

[Supernatural]

I'll be voting against Murtha.

[Coop]

Go away.

[ardara]

What is the address of Diana Irey's campaign?

[Coop]

Her website is not responding. Hopefully that's because it's swamped with hits.

[ardara]

Although I am from NY,I would like to help defeat Murtha as we did last time with Daschle.We can use a national effort to help get the job done.

[Marine_Uncle]

"If it really upsets you, what are you going to do about it? Post a few angry remarks on a thread (status quo), or do something meaningful?"
Your list is meaningful. But ultimately the voters of PA are going to have to see this guy for what he is, and vote him out.
I cannot help but wonder what percentage of active Freepers represent PA voters. A lot of folks probably have their hands full in their own states with people they would like to see voted out.
But in no way do I in the sligthest disagree with what you wrote.
Those that can afford a campaign gift to be sent to Dianna surely should consider it. This guy is super bad for all America and especially in how he is depicting our brave warriors. His dishonesty is so wrong. But sadly writing letters containing facts on what this guy has done thus far to most city newspapers (unless they truely are conservative in nature) will go no where. Why would they want to go against their L/MSM brothers. He has outdone Turbin head tenfold at this point.
The battle is going to have to fought and won in PA, IMHO.

[ChinaThreat]

I wish I could have been Murtha's basic drill instructor at Paris Island.

[Indy Pendance]

Bumped, did most on your list.

[NImerc]

I am pleased to see people of Murtha's ilk say things like this. This particular brand of scum used to reason that they said the things they said, and did the things they did not because they despised our troops but because they loved and honored them. Murtha has used that reasoning throughout his "fight" to get troops pulled out of Iraq.

However, with a statement like this...a statement where he has condemned American troops in the midst of an investigation, there can be no misunderstanding. No amount of spin can justify his comments. This is the first step off the cliff for Murtha, and for those behind him following the piper.

[buckeyesrule]

It's my understanding the Murtha has never been to Iraq. Is that true?

I watched NBC news tonight when they talked about this and they said Murtha recently changed his mind on the war. But I understand that that is not true. In fact he was oppossing the war as early as the early parts of 2004.

[freakboy]

The purpose would be to go away?

[Coop]

Although I am from NY,I would like to help defeat Murtha as we did last time with Daschle.We can use a national effort to help get the job done.

I'm from VA, as is another Irey fan/Murtha critic. Murtha already made this a national race. Unfortunately, to this point, it's essentially only been his side that's national. He's getting a lot of out-of-state money, while Diana Irey's money has mostly been from within PA.

[Coop]

Thank you very much.

[Coop]

I am pleased to see people of Murtha's ilk say things like this. This particular brand of scum used to reason that they said the things they said, and did the things they did not because they despised our troops but because they loved and honored them. Murtha has used that reasoning throughout his "fight" to get troops pulled out of Iraq. However, with a statement like this...a statement where he has condemned American troops in the midst of an investigation, there can be no misunderstanding. No amount of spin can justify his comments. This is the first step off the cliff for Murtha, and for those behind him following the piper.

As a political junkie, I completely understand your perspective on this. However, I remember what it was like to be young and wearing the uniform. Most of my colleagues just didn't care about politics, as in who was gerrymandered where, who donated to whom, what party they're in, etc. I imagine things are still fairly similar.

But the troops will care that a U.S. Congressman has publicly accused their brethren of cold-blooded murder. And they will remember if he is re-elected or defeated, and understand the message that will send.

[Coop]

I do know Murtha's big announcement back last Thanksgiving, that supposedly was a change of heart -- he had expressed those same views 18 months earlier. He's scum.

[ErnBatavia]

Murtha and Mathews...the M & M's

[Indy Pendance]

My pleasure.

[ANGGAPO]

There is going to be an investigation of the charges he made I am told. Perhaps the smart thing to do, providing he is wrong, is to charge him with treason. As a congressmen, making a trumped up charge against these men is giving aid and comfort to the enemy. And from a member of congress it is unforgivable. That should get him back on the farm.

[votelife]

I was going to post this, thank you...and actually, posting on this thread does make a difference, when people see a high thread count, with many different people, people take notice, ie this story has traction

[Coop]

Thread's going about as I figured, even with some kind stranger bumping it to Breaking.

Going to bed. Good night.

[BIGLOOK]

He's getting a lot of out-of-state money, while Diana Irey's money has mostly been from within PA.

Not any more. Murtha's way out of bounds

[votelife]

the purpose of the comments is to demoralize public support for the war, lower troop morale, both of which have a beneficial effect to Murtha and liberals--->helping them regain power. Of course, you already knew that!

[GEC]

We may need some help, Coop, but we'll get it done now and in November.

Murtha's days in Congress are numbered.

[DakotaRed]

Whatever happened to confidence in one's fellow brothers? (okay, used to be, he withdrew himself from the botherhood).

As I read, an investigation is being performed as we address this. While it is very possible they could be guilty, Murtha announcing their guilt so fast betrays every aspect of our legal system.

Move over sKerry, you have a new brother whoc an't wait to defame the Troops you both claim to support.

[Supernatural]

Irey is the one I want to vote for.

[CT]

This jerk adds meaning to the differences, ex-Marine and Former Marine, with him being in the latter.

Worthless POS, he is.