Thanks, SergeantTim, for delivering the message!
Posted on 07/26/2007 10:46:34 AM PDT by Sergeant Tim
I visited John Murtha's Congressional district office in Johnstown yesterday and delivered these emails, as promised, with Darryl Sharrett's on top of the stack.
For the benefit of anyone new to this thread:
On May 17, 2006, Congressman Murtha said Marines had, "killed innocent civilians in cold blood," in Haditha, Iraq.Darryl Sharratt lives in the district that Congressman Murtha represents.
Mr. Sharratt's son, Marine Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt, is under investigation for the November 19, 2005, deaths of civilians in Haditha.
The investigating officer has strong recommended that the charges against LCpl Sharratt be dismissed.
On July 10, 2007, Congressman Murtha's office stated that, “Congressman Murtha doesn’t have a statement because the investigation is still ongoing.”
I went to Congressman Murtha's office yesterday to inquire, not to protest.
While his greeting was professionally friendly, the eyes of man at the reception desk slightly narrowed as I stated my purpose. He could not comment, took the emails, and disappeared for ten minutes beyond a closed door.
The man he returned with was courteous and our 30-minute conversation was conducted in a civil tone throughout. He mostly listened and reinterated Congressman Murtha's position: the "killed innocent civilians in cold blood" comment was often taken out of context and the stress our troops were under contributed to the deaths of civilians.
If I had spoken with Congressman Murtha directly, I would have asked him to describe the honor he felt last year when he publicly prejudged United States Marines as cold blooded murderers, long before the investigation was complete, and in light of the investigating officer's recommendation to dismiss LCpl Sharratt's charges.
His senior aide never said it yet I left believing that Congressman Murtha's silence now, his refusal to comment this year about an ongoing investigation is a rock and a hard place, an untenable political position of his own choosing. He can never apologize.
We are beginning to learn that some or perhaps all of the Haditha Marines were engaged with the enemy or perceived threats. They could not cut and run. Their oath, training, and rules demanded that they engage and stay in the fight. (You can learn more here, at the War Chronicle.)
John Murtha, the civilian politician, is up for reelection next year. I believe that if he breaks political "cover," if he fails to act "bravely" and hold his position, he thinks he will be caught out in the open during a primary or the general election next year. The only "honorable" thing to do, in John Murtha's mind, is to dig in, fight and win, or die a politcal death in place.
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Related previous posts:
July 23, 2007: Haditha Marine Father has a Conversation with John MurthaJuly 22, 2007: Officer’s case dismissal recommendation for Haditha Marine: NY Times misleads
July 18, 2007: Father of slandered Marine emails Congressman Murtha
July 16, 2007: A presumption of innocence: I’ll deliver your email to suddenly silent John Murtha
July 13, 2007: Marine’s Parents Want Murtha Censured for Haditha Remarks
July 12, 2007: Congressman John Murtha should apologize or resign, or both
Great job Sarge.
Ping!
Ping
Murtha, himself an ex-Marine, should have a special place in the hearts of all Marines. Nothing hurts as bad as a former Marine lying about his fellow Marines. That’s lower than whale poop.
Maybe this time the voters in PA-12 District will vote this Jerk out of office!!!!!...
Thank you for your service...and the report!
BTTT for your thread.....
Check here for a letter to the editor today in the Washington Observer-Reporter.
Over here
That’s the nicest think anyone has said about him lately....
Thanks, SergeantTim, for delivering the message!
Thanks for the great support of our troops and for holding Murtha's feet to the fire.
A very logical way to read this is that someone has warned Murtha that there's a real possibility of command influence in this case if he doesn't shut up.
I would say that we're already there.
I believe this is all part of an effort by the Leftists to discourage military service. How many Marines will want to reenlist after seeing this betrayal. I know many will still choose to serve but who can blame those that leave?
Please show me a single "context" in which this could have any meaning other than the obvious import of the words used.
bump
Outstanding Sarge.
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