Posted on 05/17/2006 5:58:24 PM PDT by 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...
(Excerpt) Read more at freerepublic.com ...
By the way, I forgot to say thank you very much.
Did you see this?
http://www.lauraingraham.com/pg/jsp/general/murthaletter.jsp
Letter to Congressman Murtha from Dave Rockwell
Dear Congressman Murtha,
Although it is difficult to keep up with politics from over here, your comments on immediate withdrawal have been noted by all of us. I cannot tell you the overall sense of discouragement, sense of betrayal and the feeling that few appreciate our efforts your comments have created. 1BCT has been frequently deployed in support of the War on Terrorism and we believe it is the correct fight and we believe we are winning. We have seen a significant improvement on the ground since we began combat operations in Baghdad three months ago.
I started in the US Army in 1968 and retired in 1992, with most of my time in Special Forces or Airborne Infantry units. I came out of retirement to come to Iraq with the 1BCT and I enjoy service with these outstanding officers and men. They are better than we were and they carry the terrific burden of frequent deployments and a high operational-tempo. There are few complaints as they feel the mission is extremely important to the nation's security, their families and to most Iraqis. They are dedicated to winning and I believe they are winning. It is obvious to this 'old paratrooper' that your comments have hurt their morale and will eventually impact negatively on their efforts here.
"It is not enough to fight. It is the spirit which we bring to the fight that decides the issue. It is morale that wins the victory."
"Morale is a state of mind. It is steadfastness, and courage, and hope. It is confidence and zeal and loyalty. It is élan, esprit de corps, determination."
"It is staying power, the spirit which endures in the end…the will to win."
"With it all things are possible; without it everything else, planning, preparation, and production, count for naught."
General George C. Marshall
I sincerely believe General Marshall as deeply as I believe your statements have undermined the morale of these young soldiers. I have watched intently as your political party has attempted to use this war for political advantage and find it to be repugnant in the extreme. That your name is now inextricably linked to Senators Kennedy, Biden and Durbin-politicians who we believe do not support us-must be of great concern to your constituents.
How can you ask us to leave? Must we forget all the sacrifices, the deaths, lost limbs, lost marriages and the daily struggle to win? What do I say to my 22 year old nephew, a Staff Sergeant with the 1/75th Rangers seriously wounded in Mosul last month or his brother, a Sergeant in Germany just back from Afghanistan or my niece in ROTC, or my brother-in-law, a Lieutenant Colonel getting ready for his second deployment? Would you have me tell them that all we have done thus far is for naught? It means nothing? How about, "Don't worry; it happened to us coming out of Vietnam." Don't you remember?
Make no mistake, we are winning here. It ain't easy and it may be difficult for you to see from your elevated position. But day in and day out, 24/7 we are pushing out combat patrols, taking the initiative away from the beheaders, limiting their ability to move, resupply and detaining and killing them. We are going to win here. We are going to leave this country far better off than when we started and America is going to be more secure for it. We will make the sacrifice, will you, will America?
Remember 9/11.
Dave Rockwell, US Army Paratrooper, Ret
I find Murtha totally repulsive. I don't wonder he's a hero to the DU.
I think it's a disgrace that Curt Weldon faces united opposition from the Clinton flunkies, while Murtha is looking at smooth sailing to re-election. Shows how fatuous politics in this country really are.
Looks like common sense is caught up with a troll. LOL
Thanks for the ping. It's time for Murtha to enjoy his military retirement.
Pinz
Whoa! Not so quick on the trigger, pop! Way too soon to coronate Murtha.
Murtha has a serious challenge on his hands, I can assure you. He's not used to it. He has no clue what's coming his way. Help us out, pop, I can tell by your post your hearts in the right place.
Mu'tha is not a sInator! ;*)
Coop: Durbin and Kerry were uncalled.
You were both wrong! So I get the dollar!! ;*)
No Coop, I called Dirtbin's office and told them he needed to do the honorable thing and resign! Now!!
The 2 excuses for humans from mAssachusetts are the 2 I did not call last summer. ;*)
I was out and missed everything. I did hear some guy on the radio that was supposedly from the Pentagon say that things good be bad. I turned it off.
Keep us posted. I don't think I could sit through BOR and his sanctimonious attitude. You must have a stomach of cast iron. ;*)
You go Sisku!
Smooth.....wanted to make sure you did not miss this!
I don't usually watch BOR...
BUT, since Rummy is on (and I adore him)..and they talk about this Murtha thing...I will take some Pepto!!
LOL
But, but ..... it's PINK!!! Eeeeeewwwwwwwwwwww ;*)
Okay...here goes.
During the Rummy interview (which is a two parter, tomorrow night is the other part)...Bill asked him about this..and since it is still under investigation, Rummy couldn't answer questions...but, whenever he was trying to say something, Bill overtalked him like Chrissy Matthews does...
So..basically we learned nothing from Rummy...
Then Bill had on Ollie North...and North said it is under investigation and NOBODY knows what is in the report...and any reports are just speculation...however, Ollie said that what Murtha and Pelosi are doing is really despicable.
Also..he said that My Lai was a cover up and ever since then, the military is very quick to do investigations and reveal what they can...and when Bill asked Ollie what would happen if it turned out to be true...
Bill said the "Iraq conflict" would lose what little support it has left in the USA...Ollie said he hoped not..but that it could possibly hurt recruitment.
Anyway..that is about it...we don't know any more...but we do know what we all already knew...that Murtha using this incident whether it is true or not, for a political reason is the lowest of the low.
Yes....I better stick with Alka-Seltzer I really HATE PINK>
BTW...are you still going to Walter Reed on Fridays??
Bill said the "Iraq conflict" would lose what little support it has left in the USA...
Just one of the reasons I don't watch him. These a-holes need to come down out of their ivory towers and get out in the real world occasionally.
LOL!
Yes, every Friday. Last week I think I became the first member of the "5fer Club" ... 5 FReeps in 4 days. That is one reason I missed the one today. Did you see I pinged you to it?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1634781/posts
Murtha: Semper when I feel like it. Fie on Fi.
lose what little support it has left
That is just factually incorrect! Friday night I was at WR and at the WH Saturday night and again Sunday afternoon countering the pinkos.
Saturday afternoon was spent in Olney, MD countering some other moonbat commies. If BOR and his ilk would get out and look around they would realize that the vast majority support our troops AND their mission!
I was shopping for the troops today, some to Iraq and some to WR. I received a phone call and said something about shopping for the heroes at WR. A guy was walking by, but I didn't pay any attention...I was shopping afterall, and talking.
A few minutes later I saw a man walking towards me from halfway across the store. He said, "Excuse me, I didn't mean to listen to your conversation, but did I hear you say this was for WR. (gesturing at my cart) I said yes, and he got a big grin on his face and said, "I am a vet and I want to thank you for what you are doing for our troops." I, of course, thanked him for his service to our great country.
bttt
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