Murtha, like Blumenthal, was a slime ball deserving of derision but that derision is deserved for behavior other than serving in the Marine Corps.
Conversely, a five-time deferral Marine Reservist who never served in a combat zone but claims otherwise is fair game, Reserve service notwithstanding.
Murtha was dishonorable scum. The fact that he wore the uniform of an honorable service did not cleanse him.
Like I said: dishonorable scum. You may defend him. I sure as hell won't.
One more thing: I have more than 20 years honorable service in two branches of the armed forces. I'm proud of it but I sure as hell don't embellish it or boast about it to buy votes. Unlike Murtha, I won't even tell you what medals I was awarded.
“Murtha served in Vietnam and was awarded a Bronze star and two Purple Hearts.”
The Bronze Star is an officers “show up” medal.....every officer in a war zone gets one. It only has signifance if it has a “V” for Combat Valor attached......
Only two Hearts? Heck, John Kerry got 3 in as many months and got to rotate out under the “3 heart” rule......(which was the whole point of all those scratches.)
How did Murtha get a heart, much less two, riding a S2 desk in VN?.....Bet you that every time a motar came close to either his office, or hootch, he was off to see the Corpsman to get his cut tended to, bandaged, and collect his “Heart.”
There is every indication that Murtha was in VN solely to get his political ticket punched......Honorable? Well...OK.....