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]

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