http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/murtha/ en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:07:24 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418485/posts U.S. intelligence chief Dennis C. Blair faced tough questions about his future Wednesday as the Obama administration fended off criticism over the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day. Publicly, the White House was standing by Mr. Blair, the United States' top spymaster, who is responsible for coordinating intelligence gathering among 16 agencies, saying the four-star admiral had the full confidence of the president. "This is not about one person or one agency," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. Also Wednesday, it was revealed that a similar effort, starting in Somalia, to down a jetliner was thwarted... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2418485/posts#comment Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:07:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417825/posts Ford City, Pa. -- Rep. John P. Murtha's record of bringing home money from Washington -- at a current rate of $100 million a year -- has become the envy of Capitol Hill colleagues and a subject of grateful awe in a stretch of Pennsylvania desperate for new jobs. In Congress, Murtha beats everybody in loading legislation with earmarks, federal funds steered to chosen contractors without the usual reviews. But after two decades of Murtha-directed federal investment here, a look at the results shows the congressman's promises of jobs often fall short. In some cases, the federal government has spent... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417825/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:30:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2417108/posts 1. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT): This marks two years in a row for Senator Dodd, who made the 2008 “Ten Most Corrupt” list for his corrupt relationship with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and for accepting preferential treatment and loan terms from Countrywide Financial, a scandal which still dogs him. 2. Senator John Ensign (R-NV): A number of scandals popped up in 2009 involving public officials who conducted illicit affairs, and then attempted to cover them up with hush payments and favors, an obvious abuse of power. Communists 4 Obama http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2417108/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:24:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416459/posts Washington, DCJudicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its 2009 list of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians.”  The list, in alphabetical order, includes: 1. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT):  This marks two years in a row for Senator Dodd, who made the 2008 “Ten Most Corrupt” list for his corrupt relationship with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and for accepting preferential treatment and loan terms from Countrywide Financial, a scandal which still dogs him.  In 2009, the scandals kept coming for the Connecticut Democrat.  In 2009, Judicial Watch filed a Senate ethics complaint against... judicialwatch.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416459/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:50:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413843/posts A retired Florida couple would appear an unlikely source to have given $83,000 in campaign donations over a five-year period to members of Congress from all over the country. Both in their 80s, they lived in a $118,000 Daytona Beach house they didn't own; they each voted only twice since 1992; and they seemed to lack the financial means to make the contributions. Yet, both were listed as having given dozens of donations to lawmakers, nearly half of which went to members of the House Appropriations Committee - legislators who were especially important to their then-son-in-law, superlobbyist Paul Magliocchetti, who... Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413843/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:17:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410715/posts The Office of Congressional Ethics has closed its investigation into Reps. John Murtha (D-Pa.), Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) and Jim Moran (D-Va.) and their relationships to the lobbying firm PMA Group, and the OCE advised against a formal House ethics investigation, the lawmakers’ offices said Friday. George Behan, Dicks’ chief of staff, said the OCE, which reviews potential rules violations and refers investigations to the House ethics committee, informed the Washington lawmaker on Dec. 2 that it had recommended the inquiry be dismissed. “In his case, there was never anything there,” Behan said. Murtha spokesman Matt Mazonkey and Moran spokeswoman Emily... Roll Call http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410715/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:12:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409723/posts Rep. John Murtha’s (D-Pa.) campaign has asked the Democrats’ reelection arm to write a memo detailing how he can use funds in his campaign account if he retires. The request from an assistant to Murtha’s Chief of Staff John Hugya was made in late October, after the Appropriations subcommittee Murtha chairs passed the defense-spending bill. Word of the request has made its way around Democratic circles in recent weeks and is spurring talk that Murtha is planning to leave at the end of this Congress. A House ethics investigation of Murtha and the longtime lawmaker’s recent health problems have only... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409723/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:53:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409046/posts U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, was released from a Washington, D.C.-area hospital this morning. Murtha had been admitted to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Sunday evening for treatment of abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with a gallbladder problem, a spokesman has said. Murtha, 77, appeared on the House floor this afternoon during discussion of defense spending for fiscal year 2010. Johnstown Tribune Democrat http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409046/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:37:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407298/posts With Afghanistan hearings Tuesday and the annual Pentagon budget bill due on the House floor this week, a familiar face may be missing. Rep. John Murtha, chairman of the House Appropriations defense panel, was hospitalized Sunday night because of abdominal pains. The 77-year old Pennsylvania Democrat had been feeling ill with what he thought last week was swine flu but the hospitalization appears related to his gall bladder. “He’s currently resting and doing well,” his office said. Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407298/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:14:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405587/posts "Rep. Jack Murtha presides, ignores reality to push through his preferences without a vote." YouTube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405587/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:57:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399846/posts Insults against West Point by MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews are part of a pattern of left-wing denigrations against Americans serving in uniform. It's a motif indicative of an anti-military mind-set that is as dangerous as it is rude. Discussing the West Point audience's response to President Obama's speech about Afghanistan, Mr. Matthews quipped on Tuesday: "I saw a lot of, if not resentment, skepticism. I didn't see a lot of warmth in that crowd out there that the president chose to address tonight. And I thought that was interesting: He went to maybe the enemy camp tonight to make his... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399846/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 01:48:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393781/posts On Politics Cleaning House By Charlie Cook National Journal November 24, 2009 As House Democrats try to avert political disaster by limiting their 2010 losses to about 16 seats, the norm for post-World War II presidents' first midterm elections, dealing with their members' ethics problems may be one of their toughest tasks.With health care reform off their plate for now, House Democrats are showing that they understand the tightrope they must walk -- address unemployment without exacerbating worries about the size of government and the federal deficit.Meanwhile, though, the ethical clouds over House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles... GovernmentExecutive.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393781/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:23:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398763/posts Northrop Grumman’s potential withdrawal from a competition to build Air Force refueling aircraft would be a “blow” to the program, according to the House’s top defense appropriator. “I can’t imagine they can do it without competition,” said Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), the chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee. Murtha said he is scheduled to meet with Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter on Thursday to discuss several issues, including Northrop’s threat to pull out of the tanker competition. If Northrop pulls out, Boeing would be the only company bidding for the contract. That would run afoul of congressional preferences for... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398763/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 21:56:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397997/posts Who is going to pay for the $30 billion or more to be added to the cost of the Afghan war based on what President Obama discusses tonight? Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) of the House Appropriations Committee has an answer: "If we have to pay for the health-care bill, we should pay for the war, as well," he told ABC News last week. Obey did more than talk. On Nov. 19, with little fanfare and 10 Democratic co-sponsors, he introduced a bill, the Share the Sacrifice Act of 2010, which adds a chapter to the Internal Revenue Code titled "Temporary... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397997/posts#comment Tue, 1 Dec 2009 23:33:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397355/posts Democratic Rep. John Murtha — just back from a fact-finding trip to Afghanistan — said Monday that he never got a clear definition of what constitutes an “achievable victory” for the United States and fears that American commanders are assuming more time for the war effort than voters at home will allow. “I am still very nervous about this whole thing,” Murtha told POLITICO. “If you had 10 years, it might work; if you had five, you could make a difference. But you don’t have that long.” A top Democrat on military matters, the Pennsylvania lawmaker captures the skepticism facing... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2397355/posts#comment Tue, 1 Dec 2009 03:13:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396961/posts Political analyst Charlie Cook says that the scandals enveloping Reps. Charles Rangel (D-NY) and John Murtha (D-PA) threaten to increase losses for their party in next year’s election. He writes: As House Democrats try to avert political disaster by limiting their 2010 losses to about 16 seats, the norm for post-World War II presidents' first midterm elections, dealing with their members' ethics problems may be one of their toughest tasks. The task is tough because of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s reluctance to move against either one, notwithstanding her promise to “drain the swamp” of Congressional corruption and to  “create the most... NLPC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396961/posts#comment Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:35:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396247/posts Murtha disregarding all decorum and democracy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFqN2Kdib3w Video from CSPAN. this should go viral. sorry, too dumb to get the video embedded. CSPAN posted on YouTube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396247/posts#comment Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:14:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395650/posts War On Terror: As Khalid Sheikh Mohammed receives the benefits of U.S. justice, three Navy SEALs face court-martial for allegedly punching a captured terrorist who hanged Americans from a bridge in Fallujah. Apparently our efforts to impress the world about the marvels of our criminal justice system require us to give foreign terrorists such as Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the man who invented the manned cruise missiles that flew into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and plowed into a Pennsylvania field on its way to the Capitol Building, the full rights and protections of the American citizens he conspired... Investor's Business Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2395650/posts#comment Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:09:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1985365/posts War Trial: Rep. John Murtha has been granted an exemption from testifying in the case of a Marine accused of crimes in the Iraqi town of Haditha. Isn't confronting your accuser one of the basic rights we're fighting for?As our success in Iraq has caused it to fade as a campaign issue, so has the terrorist ambush of a Marine patrol in Haditha in November 2005 faded from public memory. But for the Marines charged with crimes in Haditha, it's an ongoing nightmare. After one of their comrades was killed by an IED, the Marines of Kilo Co., 3rd Battalion,... IBD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1985365/posts#comment Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:38:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393637/posts This is a sick video of abuse of power. You Tube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2393637/posts#comment Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:01:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389078/posts November 17, 2009 MURTHA CONTINUES TO UNDERMINE TROOPS By William RussellIn recent interviews defending President Obama’s slow decision making on Afghanistan, Congressman John Murtha continues to undermine our troops, embolden our enemies, and place our country in greater danger. He does this by drawing on the wrong lessons from his own experience in Vietnam, and endorsing the enemy’s propaganda.  By continually questioning the request for more troops, Mr. Obama and Mr. Murtha are signaling the possibility that America might withdraw as we did in Vietnam. But unlike Vietnam, we do not have the choice of leaving and withdrawing to our... Russell for Congress http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389078/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:38:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390342/posts November 19, 2009 Politics as Usual? A Glenn Beck case study Today's Show Segment Video-6:15 Fox News-Glenn Beck Show http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2390342/posts#comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:58:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2379387/posts The Senate approved Tara O’Toole’s nomination as Under Secretary for the Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security via voice vote last night. As we pointed out the day before, this should be of concern to anyone interested in making sure that billions in taxpayer dollars do not get funneled to a bio-security boondoggle brought to you by O’Toole and her close and corrupt ally John Murtha, who is currently under investigation for ethics violations. Under O’Toole’s jurisdiction now falls the decision concerning the Murtha-supported effort to make the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) “the... The Weekly Standard Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2379387/posts#comment Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:55:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2376817/posts Published on CREW's Most Corrupt Members of Congress (http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org) Murtha Acknowledges He Is Subject of Ethics Inquiry By Paul Singer, Roll CallNovember 1, 2009After years of allegations that he improperly lavishes federal dollars on local supporters and campaign donors, Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Chairman John Murtha (D-Pa.) acknowledged for the first time last week that ethics investigators are looking into his earmarks.After the Washington Post disclosed a leaked list of Members being investigated by the House ethics committee, formally known as the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, and the Office of Congressional Ethics — including seven members of... CREW http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2376817/posts#comment Mon, 2 Nov 2009 20:51:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2376101/posts Before taking control of the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "Democrats intend to lead the most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history." However, with dozens of mostly Democratic lawmakers and various staff under investigation by the House's twin ethics bodies, the majority clearly values political power over clean government. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Charles B. Rangel, 20-term New York Democrat, and Defense Appropriations subcommittee Chairman Rep. John P. Murtha, 19-term Pennsylvania Democrat, are the poster children for how failed ethics cops protect old-guard lawmakers. While under investigation by the ethics committee, they continue to... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2376101/posts#comment Sun, 1 Nov 2009 22:53:00 GMT