Posted on 04/18/2008 9:11:16 AM PDT by RedRover
Back in November 2005, the mainstream media and much of the Democratic Congress, spurred on by the anti-war, military-bashing, hate-America crowd, went into hysterics over the so-called "Haditha massacre."
The claim, made by Iraqi witnesses, was that a squad of Marines in the village of Haditha -- angry after comrade-in-arms Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas was ripped in half by a roadside bomb -- retaliated by wantonly slaughtering unarmed women and children.
Big-city newspapers, network and cable TV ran with the firestorm for days. Time and Newsweek had cover stories on it. Congressional members denounced Marines' so-called brutality, highlighted by U.S. Rep. John Murtha's scurrilous accusation that the Marines had engaged in a "cold blooded" killing of innocent civilians.
The anti-war left was delighted that they'd finally found the Iraq War's My Lai, and the Pentagon, reeling under the negative publicity, quickly put together a crack prosecution team, including 65 investigators, to bring to justice eight Haditha Marines charged with murder.
Well, the Marines are getting justice all right, but not the kind Murtha and fellow anti-war fanatics expected. The five Marines so far slated to go on trial have had their murder charges reduced to manslaughter, then reduced again and again until finally the prosecutors gave up and simply dropped all charges.
So what happened?
According to court observers, the real evidence -- as opposed to the far left's hysterical non- evidence -- just hasn't been there for a serious prosecution. An eight-hour taped deposition by a battalion intelligence officer, and supported by photographic evidence, confirmed Marines' account that they were under hostile fire from buildings in the area, and that they had every right to do what Marines are trained to do under those circumstances -- respond with overwhelming force.
Yes, innocent women and children were killed, but not because the young Marines were angry or out of control. It was because cowardly enemy snipers were using the innocents as shields.
There are still three Marines left to be tried for murder, but court observers believe those charges will also be dropped. Don't expect to hear much about this from Congress or the mainstream media -- or to see any cover stories in Time or Newsweek . It's only news if they're supposedly guilty.
When our courageous troops are not guilty, it's an embarrassment to even bring the issue up in polite far-left company-- much less get an apology from them.
But the editorial is dead-right about the big picture. And it's great to see it in print.
The looney part of the anti-war crowd will just cry it’s all a Pentagon coverup.
"Atrocoties committed bu Iraq are the biggest issue in this years election! What? Oh, that didn't happen? and it no longer reflects badly on the Republicans? Never mind, we don't need to talk about that. No one cares."
"Hey! Have you seen the economy? It's the Great Depression all over again! This certainly reflects badly on the Republicans!"
The one thing I can never forget or forgive President Bush about is how he let the MSM control the enemy propaganda without declaring them a part of the enemy. The MSM, while moving on with this topic, is still propagandizing for the enemies and still not getting challenged by the administration.
In a perfect world, every time ex-Marine Murtha opens his fat mouth, someone should tell him he will be listened to when he makes restitution to these Marines and all who have worn the uniform.
Ah, but in a perfect world, there would be no Liberals to be angry with.
Kudos to the Chronicle for speaking out with this editorial. Other than what you pointed out they’re right on!
That about sums it up....
So why are the cowardly military and civilian commanders allowing this excruciating travesty of a kangaroo court to continue? Ahhh... Because they are cowards, of course.
Yes, unfortunately some of that is already in the air. But it’s just a kneejerk autoresponse. So far, the “Pentagon cover-up” theorists are not gaining any traction. Even al Qaeda has stopped using Haditha for propanganda purposes. There have been too many actual civilian massacres, committed by Iraqi and foreign insurgents, for Haditha to resonate anymore.
You got it. Democrats think that putting enviro concerns ahead of drilling for oil reflects well on them, and that resulting high prices reflects badly on Republicans.
Leaving "lurk mode" for reasons you know. This point is critical to understand.
Kind of a tough thing to pull off, though. After 9-11, Ari Fleischer gave the mildest of rebukes to Bill Mahrer. He got the boot from ABC but re-surfaced on HBO as the most vicious, bitter, anti-American sniveler in the media. Maybe the problem was the mild rebuke.
That's been Lardass' cover-up...
Mattera:"Now that charges have been dropped against two of the four Marines accused of murder, would you like to issue an apology for saying they killed innocent civilians in cold blood?"
Lardass:"Is the trial still going on?"
Mattera:"Do you like besmirching our troops, sir?"
Lardass:"Have you been in the service?"
I do understand (and wish I didn’t). Great to see you, jude. I miss you. And I thank you again for your service.
Judging from his TV appearances, I think Murtha lives in a Absolut world where the hard stuff flows freely.
Hey, jaz! If a person wanted to contribute to the defense of the three remaining defendants, is there a way they could help?
The Bush Administration's cowardice in dealing with political enemies has been a problem form the beginning. This administration just sits there like a punching bag, unwilling to stand up and defend itself. It's embarrassing, and a slap in the face to those of us who supported Dubya's election and re-election.
This Haditha mess and Bush's handling of the war (essentially leaving the prosecution of the war in the hands of lawyers) has been a truly sad eye-opener.
Today Augusta, tomorrow Johnstown!
Scaife is Murtha’s butt-pat buddy, so don’t expect anything in the Trib-Review.
LOL! I think there is probably a way, I’ll have to look around and find it being that I’m so slow on the draw. :-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
