EDITORIAL: Sink the Murtha--The Navy can do better than honoring this hack

The Washington Times ^ | April 15, 2010 | Editorial

[jazusamo]

The late Rep. John Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat, has achieved his highest undeserved honor. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has decided to name the Navy's newest San Antonio Class amphibious transport-dock LPD 26 the USS John P. Murtha. This is a slap in the face to every service member who bridled when Murtha publicly accused Marines in Iraq of intentionally killing women and children in cold blood.

Murtha made his views known after details emerged about a firefight in Haditha in November 2005 in which 24 Iraqis were killed. Murtha accused the Marines of engaging in premeditated murder and agreed with MSNBC's Chris Matthews that this was "exactly" like the 1968 My Lai massacre in Vietnam. Charges later were brought against eight Marines but have since been dropped against all but one. However, Murtha's theatrical rush to judgment still rankles Americans in uniform, whose views on the congressman range from disappointment to the belief that he gave aid and comfort to the enemy.

"This dishonors every Marine who will serve aboard that ship," a Navy officer told The Washington Times. "And it sends a poor message to the acquisition community that politicians can have ships named after them just for sending pork back to their districts."...

[jazusamo]

Unbelievable!

[Red in Blue PA]

The USS John P. Murtha, the first battle ship which actually fires missiles AT the United States.

[jazusamo]

Ping!!!

[rlmorel]

"... San Antonio Class amphibious transport-dock LPD 26 the USS John P. Murtha..."

I am appalled. This vessel will actually transport MARINES. It makes me embarrassed to have even been in the Navy.

[mylife]

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus Obama has decided to name the Navy's newest San Antonio Class amphibious transport-dock LPD 26 the USS John P. Murtha.

[ExTexasRedhead]

The noise you hear in Arlington will be American patriots rolling in their graves at the disgrace that is this government. Anyone want to vomit?

[ConorMacNessa]

An absolute outrage - but with the current regime it may well come to pass. Soon to come - the USS Clinton - assuming this regime doesn't kosh any new ships.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[SkyDancer]

Well we do have the USS Peanut (Jimmah Carter) submarine ....

[rlmorel]

Yes. Me.

[Darkwolf377]

Next up, The Richard Durbin FBI Building

[jmcenanly]

Why would they name a ship of this class after a politician? The San Antonio class vessels were all named after American cities. How about the Johnstown,after the major city in his district?
However, why would you have a vessel built mainly for Marines named after a person who condemned Marines for a crime they did not commit? You may as well name the ship the 'Tokyo Rose'.

[rlmorel]

LOL...had to look that up...great motto!

[jazusamo]

Ping!!!

[plinyelder]

I was awarded the purple heart and the silver star in the Nam era.

Never, (at least in my right mind) Never did I think to use my awards to make a career in politics!

I thought that politicians were liars and thieves then and Nothing has changed my mind since!

I have NO Respect and .. No use for these types of ‘Former Military’!

They are Nothing More than “Political Whores”!

(Just My Opinion)

[Darkwolf377]

Next up, The Richard Durbin FBI Building

[pissant]

He needs a AQ suicide vest named after him, not a US ship

[jazusamo]

Why would they name a ship of this class after a politician? The San Antonio class vessels were all named after American cities.

Exactly! Mabus broke tradition.

[ExTexasRedhead]

We were in Arlington last September looking out over the graves of American patriots dating back over a hundred years and then the new graves of our Iraq and Afganistan patriots. From Arlington we went to sit in the Gallery at the House of Representatives. After five minutes, the six of us left in revulsion. The human waste that we witnessed in action at the House made us keenly aware that they weren’t worthy of licking the boots of our brave troops. Please God, help us vote them all out in November and may we vote the rest out in 2012. Never in the history of the United States have we had such corrupt, anti-American feces in office.

[Lurker]

Where exactly is this treasonous POS buried. I feel a road trip coming on.

My bowels have a special gift for his final resting place.

[hstacey]

This man is an insult to all thinking people...How dare they name a ship after him...