Another Casualty of War? (Barf alert)

DFW Star-Telegram ^ | 8/20/06 | Jim Wright, former Speaker of the House

[Coop]

[Poetry and flowery garbage edited out]

...My point in reminding us of these lingering wounds of war that refuse to be healed is to ask that we take reasoned care to protect ourselves from the ultimate affliction of war -- that we should let it make us so insensitive to verbal venom that Americans begin, self-destructively, to hate and mistrust one another.

That happened to us, tragically, in the bitterly prolonged Vietnam conflict. Americans mistrusted, protested, hated and insulted other Americans for simply disagreeing with them. [Coop note: Who did that, Jimmy?]

Today, our self-appointed jihadist enemies could do the United States no graver injury than setting Americans against one another, imploding our essential unity.

Aggressive partisanship and negative political ads in the 2002 and 2004 elections give us cause to ponder. [Coop note: Who did that, Jimmy?]

Each of our two most recent presidents, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, has been accused by political opponents of lacking patriotism for avoiding service in the Vietnam War. [Coop note: Dubya served, Jimmy. Why are you trying to put him on equal turf with the Impeached Rapist?]

After 9-11, the levels of political bitterness escalated. In 2002, demands for verbal if not actual patriotism grew so great that Sen. Max Cleland, who lost three limbs to combat in Vietnam, was considered insufficiently patriotic by his Georgia constituency and was defeated.

In the 2004 presidential contest, Democratic contender and Vietnam veteran John Kerry -- the holder of three Purple Heart medals for wounds endured in that war -- was slanderously painted as an unpatriotic wimp by a little group of "Swift Boat Veterans." They spent millions of somebody's dollars on TV ads impugning Kerry's courage and honor. Many believe that the damage they wrought to Kerry's public persona was decisive in that close election. [Coop note: Little group, Jimmy? ROTFLMAO!!! They're "decorated Vietnam veterans, Jimmy, over 250 of 'em.]

What irony! While Republicans blamed Cleland and Kerry for not supporting the Iraq war with sufficient enthusiasm, Sen. Joe Lieberman, Kerry's 2004 running mate, was denied renomination Aug. 8 by fellow Democrats in Connecticut. Lieberman was dumped for having voted for the war!

Now the same clique of self-styled "Swift Boat vets," with a new bag of money, announce an expensive television and Internet campaign to discredit and dislodge Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha, another decorated and wounded-in-action Vietnam vet. The same old weary charge: not patriotic enough about Iraq. [Coop note: Why are you lying, Jimmy? VFTT has made it quite clear why we're going after Murtha.]

Let me say just this: I know Jack Murtha. I've observed his voting record since he went to Congress in 1974. No person in either party, in the House or the Senate, has worked harder for American service personnel or done more for our national defense. If Jack Murtha is not a patriot, there is no such thing.

Let's remember, Democrats and Republicans, that this country belongs to us all...

[Coop]

Ironically, a former Speaker of the House who resigned under charges of unethical conduct pens a puff piece defending his unindicted co-conspirator buddy who wants to be Majority Leader.

Learn about VFTT for yourself, if you so desire, right here.

[Coop]

The attacks on VFTT are only going to increase, but we're ready for 'em. You've gotta admire Larry Bailey for stepping up to the front, knowing he'll be catching spears. That's called leadership. I penned the below response to this same paper that ran Wright's puff piece and sent it in this morning. Let's see if they give equal time.

---

I'm writing in response to Jim Wright's rather emotional article in your August 20th edition.

Mr. Wright and other Democrats have been bemoaning a potential “swiftboating” of Rep. Murtha. Beautiful poetry aside, let’s set the record straight. In 2004 Swift Boat Veterans for the Truth provided a tremendous service by exposing John Kerry’s disgraceful Vietnam War conduct. I happily donated to their cause, and would proudly join them again in defense of our nation’s military.

But that stellar organization is not involved with Johnstown PA’s October 1st rally, where our group - Vets for the Truth (VFTT) - intends to call out Jack Murtha for his horrendous pronouncement of guilt regarding the “Haditha Marines”. Additionally, there are many “hawkish, decorated combat veterans” who vehemently disagree with the supposed authoritative voice of Rep. Murtha, who incessantly belittles our military’s mission, accomplishments and vital presence in our war on terror. ["Swiftie" John O'Neill has been invited to speak at our rally, but has not yet accepted.]

VFTT members have not served in swift boats, but all have proudly worn our country’s uniforms. And we have earned the right to speak out, with or without the approval of Jack Murtha's groupies.

[Coop]
VFTT
http://www.bootmurtha.com

[StarCMC]

VFTT members have not served in swift boats, but all have proudly worn our country’s uniforms. And we have earned the right to speak out, with or without the approval of Jack Murtha's groupies.

BUMP TO THE TOP!!

Pinging a few friends!

[Coop]

Once again, only "elite" veterans (aka Democrat politicians) are actually entitled to freedom of speech.

[goldstategop]

Forth Worthless Jim Wright, huh? He was forced to resign as House Speaker under an ethical cloud. I'd didn't know he was still alive.

( No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)

[IPWGOP]

Wow, is THIS guy the BEST Murtha has to throw blunt spears at Vets for the Truth?

From wikipedia: Wright became the target of an inquiry by the House Ethics Committee. Their report in early 1989 implied that he had used bulk purchases of his vanity book Reflections of a Public Man to earn speaking fees in excess of the allowed maximum, and that his wife, Betty, was given a job and perks to avoid the limit on gifts. Faced with an increasing loss of effectiveness, he resigned as Speaker on May 31, 1989, effective upon the selection of a successor. On June 6th, the Democratic caucus brought his speakership to an end by selecting his replacement, Tom Foley, and on June 30th he resigned from Congress.

[IPWGOP]

Jim Wright was born in 1922. That makes him 84 years old now...

[Coop]

Don't you love how we have a new "bag of money"? Or that we're talking about running television ads? These idiots just say whatever they want.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Excellent reply to this writers puff piece.

Give'm hell.

[Coop]

Thanks, but it remains to be seen if they've got the integrity to run it.

[MNJohnnie]

This is absurd. The Party of hysteria, demagoguery and hyper partisan hate speech wants to lecture the rest of American about "Americans mistrusted, protested, hated and insulted other Americans for simply disagreeing with them"?

The hypocrisy here is so rank so over whelming, so completely divorced from current political reality one has to wonder JUST what planet he has be living on since 1980?

The Democrats HAVE no agenda other THEN hysteria and rabid demagoguery. For them to lecture everyone around them about speech is the equivalent of the sewer pipe accusing the garden hose of being dirty!

[Coop]

I especially enjoyed being lectured on the insults and mistrust during Vietnam.

[jazusamo]

It is astounding to me how the Dems can get these people to come forward and make fools of themselves by writing such garbage.

Members of the Democratic Party are the first to come out and support the right of free speech for anyone with a cause that's contrary to family values but as soon as anyone criticizes their Party, their platform or one of them, they belittle the effort and make personal attacks.

Like John Murtha, Jim Wright has no shame. For him of all people to criticize military veterans is pathetic and goes to show the trouble they believe Murtha to be in in this election.

Excellent letter Coop, it reminds me of the releases that Tony Snow initiated upon becoming White House Press Secretary, "Setting the record straight."

[CFC__VRWC]

There's been a veritable avalanche of gooey puff pieces about Murtha all over the DBM recently, as well as all kinds of assurances that Murtha will win in a walk. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the Dims are looking at the Murtha-Irey polling data and not liking what they're seeing at all, and are calling in some DBM markers.

[Coop]

I can't imagine what else it could be. Why expend all this energy if Irey and VFTT aren't a threat to Jackie boy?

[IPWGOP]

Don't you love how we have a new "bag of money"? Or that we're talking about running television ads? These idiots just say whatever they want.

Yes, they do.

[IPWGOP]

Here is a true casualty of Murtha's little war against the military he claims to help: it's an email Vets for the Truth received from a Marine recruiter, detailing the damage Murtha is doing to the military:

"I am a Marine on Recruiting duty. John Murtha needs to understand that he only speaks for the constituents within his district. I keep an eye on our elected officials at all times via the news, yet I had never heard of Murtha, until his propaganda. I sometimes wonder if he has even experienced the horrors that I have before I came to this duty. It is no secret that recruiting the best of today's men and women for our Armed Forces is tougher than ever. I have had people ask me about Murtha and Semper Fi, when I describe to them the pride of belonging they receive should they join the Marines. I simply reply by telling them that he is no longer a Marine and is a disgrace to the Marines of my former battalion the very one from which the Marines are from that he judged, tried, and convicted before they were even home. I have also removed the page with all the famous and successful former marines, which included John Murtha on that list, out of my Marine Corps Opportunity Book, which I use to show people about opportunities in the Marines."

This is now a separate thread and article: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1687362/posts

[blackie]

Jack Murtha is committing treason in the time of war!

[Mo1]

Today, our self-appointed jihadist enemies could do the United States no graver injury than setting Americans against one another, imploding our essential unity

This guy needs to buy a clue

Though ... if he did .. I doubt he would understand since he's been living under a rock for the last 30+ years

[Coop]

Yeah, I remember that essential U.S. unity! From 11 Sep 01 to mid Oct 01.

[Bahbah]

Thanks for the ping, Star. What a load of tripe from the crooked Jim Wright. Nice response by Coop.

[Mo1]

It lasted that long?

[Coop]

Hard to even remember back that far, isn't it?

[Mo1]

I remember the singing God Bless America on the Capital steps

And I remember that unity going down hill ever since

[4yearlurker]

Ahhh.. Go peddle your books Mr. Speaker.

[Coop]

Yep, it's sad.

[Coop]

Hey all. Just received a call from the Star-Telegram confirming my letter to the editor. It's not a guarantee, but every time I've ever had a paper call to confirm, the staff has ended up publishing my letter.

If they do go forward with it, I give them credit for giving both sides of the story (caveat: unless they chop it to bits!). :-)

[onyx]

WOO-HOO!

[Mo1]

That's great !

[jazusamo]

Good news. It sounds promising and my experience has been legimate papers don't chop up letters.

[RichInOC]

"We only want to help screw the President...."

--Fort Worthless Jim, as revised by Rush Limbaugh

[StarCMC]

COOL!!

[Coop]

Let's hope that's the case.

[Coop]

Bump

[BigSkyFreeper]

Forth Worthless Jim Wright, huh? He was forced to resign as House Speaker under an ethical cloud. I'd didn't know he was still alive.

Me neither. I thought maybe he ended up in the same disgraceful politician's rest home with Lloyd Bentsen.

[BigSkyFreeper]

A rambling screed laced with senility and revisionist history, it appears Fort Worthless Jim is still a disgrace.

[Coop]

But he did get published!

[BigSkyFreeper]

But he did get published!

It is the Red Star-Telegram after all.

[Coop]

Hey now, they might be running my capitalist-pig response tomorrow! :-)

[BigSkyFreeper]

Alright, then I will go easy on them. They might be lurking about. :P

I wouldn't want to be guilty of ruining your 15 minutes of fame. LOL

[facedown]

Maybe he's getting ready to cut and paste another "book".

[freema]

Check out Coop's letter.

[NormsRevenge]

http://www.irey.com/



HELP

http://www.bootmurtha.com/

[Coop]

BTTT

[freema]

You know that "Eyes Wide Open" exhibit that the "Friends" and Cindy Sheehan put together? It might be an idea for everyone going to the rally to bring a pair of boots....

[Chieftain]

In 2002, demands for verbal if not actual patriotism grew so great that Sen. Max Cleland, who lost three limbs to combat in Vietnam, was considered insufficiently patriotic by his Georgia constituency and was defeated.

Wrong, Jimmy! Max Cleland lost three limbs to the fact that he dropped his own grenade after getting tanked.

[Marine_Uncle]

A big Semper Fi to you coop. As usual you stand firm and do not hesitate to say what must be said. And your words only reflect a fair appraisal of the situation. Hopefully enough screw balls that don't know a flies *ss about honor and integrity in our military shall over the course of time start to get it, after receiving enough of rebutals that direct their attention to their total lack of attention to historical details. To many pansy *ss liberal schools over the years have turned these nitwits into real "usefull idiots", but sometimes the right words can create a new awarness in such as these.
Of course this clown is to far gone. But never the less you provided him facts. Let him accept it our go on being an *ss.

[Coop]

Thanks, Unc. No sign of my letter in today's edition, though.