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Murtha admits positives in Iraq, will others?
The Grand Island Independent ^ | December 8, 2007 | Brian Bresnahan

Posted on 12/08/2007 6:35:27 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

I had to look up the word "conniption." I wasn't sure how to spell it, but I'm sure that the likes of Code Pink, MoveOn, and other far left anti-war groups had a collective conniption fit last week. One of their poster boys, John Murtha, quit toeing their line.

Surely what followed were the same fits of rage I've seen them have before.

In September at a Washington D.C. rally as Senator Joe Lieberman began to address a group of pro-mission vets and Gold Star Families, several members of the anti-war groups charged toward the stage with seemingly unrestricted fury, screaming with hatred, red faces, and flying spittle. Even as the police hauled them away, their venom did not subside.

Last week gave them another reason to become completely unhinged when Congressman Murtha visited Iraq and came back with a new view.

After a long run as one of the war's most vocal critic he now says the surge strategy is working. He joined a growing list of previously critical lawmakers who see the undeniable positive developments in Iraq.

That can't sit well with Code Pink or MoveOn who have counted on John Murtha to carry their Kool-Aid in Congress.

This summer and even into the fall when all metrics indicated growing and huge successes with the surge, Congressman Murtha remained absolutely adamant that it was not working.

At times he would fly off into tirades against those who saw and declared success in any aspect of the war. At one point he even let his emotions about the war override his senses when he publicly accused fellow Marines of cold-blooded murder at Haditha before an investigation was completed or charges leveled.

Now he says the surge is working.

We should welcome him back to reality with open arms.

Because the reality is that we are winning in Iraq and hope for the future has never been brighter with regards to the defeat of Al Qaeda there.

Congressman Murtha finally sees the truth of what's happening. The surge is working, there is tremendous success in Iraq, but the national leaders still need to get their act together.

He should take heart with regard to the national leaders. As reconciliation continues at the lower levels, as has now been well documented by multiple parties, it will increasingly pressure Iraq's national leaders to do the same and get their act together.

Needed pressure for reconciliation increased on the national level last week when, according to the Kuwait News Agency, a fatwa was issued by the leading Shiite cleric in Iraq, Ali Sistani, who "banned the killing of Iraqis, particularly the Sunnis, and urged the Shiites to protect their brother Sunnis." During the meeting in which the fatwa was issued, Ali Sistani was quoted as saying, "I am a servant of all Iraqis, there is no difference between a Sunni, a Shiite or a Kurd or a Christian."

If national religious leaders can take that strong of a stand for all Iraqis, surely the political leaders are capable of doing so as well.

The counter-insurgency strategy of General Petraeus, the professionalism of our troops, their hard work, and the difficult risky stand taken by many Iraqis against the various terrorist and insurgent groups have all meshed to create the environment for success.

And John Murtha finally sees it.

The flip-flop bashers now need to leave him alone. He's changed his mind based on the facts of the situation. Isn't that how and why we want our lawmakers to change their positions? Too many times politicians change views for purely political reasons. Leave well enough alone on those occasions when politics takes a back seat to the truth.

Now, two very visible questions remain on the political front here at home.

First, will Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi (whom reports say was furious with Murtha) quit playing politics with the war, finally concede that the surge is working, and reinforce success, or will they continue to play games, seeking our defeat for their own political victories?

Second, will the other Vietnam veteran to whom the left has often turned for quotes, sound bites, and solace, Senator Chuck Hagel, also concede that things are going well and finally support victory in Iraq, or will he continue to be the favored endorsee of Cindy Sheehan? If he were to finally admit success in Iraq and start voting for victory, he too would be welcomed back.

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Brian Bresnahan is a former major in the Marine Corps and served in Iraq in 2004. He now lives near Benedict and can be reached at brian.bresnahan @yahoo.com


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: California; US: Nebraska; US: Nevada; US: Pennsylvania; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 110; 110th; answer; armedforces; army; chuckhagel; cindysheehan; codepink; congress; defeatocrats; democratparty; democrats; dhimmicrats; gatheringofeagles; generalpetraeus; georgebush; goe; gop; harryreid; hippies; iraq; islam; johnmurtha; marines; middleeast; military; moonbats; moveon; muslims; nancypelosi; peacecreeps; presidentbush; republicans; senate; shiites; sunnis; talkradio; usmc; veterans; vlwc
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Thank you, Major, for your service.
1 posted on 12/08/2007 6:35:29 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I stepped in some dog Murtha today


2 posted on 12/08/2007 6:37:15 PM PST by al baby (Hi mom)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I still think he needs to be punished for making unsubstantiated charges against innocent Marines.


3 posted on 12/08/2007 6:42:39 PM PST by Ken522
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Another early Christmas present!!

Murthas very existence defames my Marine bretheren.

Semper Fi from an old Army guy!!


4 posted on 12/08/2007 6:44:56 PM PST by PROCON (Merry CHRISTmas!!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Who am I... and WHY AM I HERE???

ohh, yeah... THE PORK!!!

5 posted on 12/08/2007 6:46:02 PM PST by Chode (American Hedonist)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
6 posted on 12/08/2007 6:49:36 PM PST by skimask (Support Terrorism......Vote Democratic)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

We need to keep pushing. Once the enemy starts to buckle, that’s the time to pour on the pressure.

Murtha and his filthy ilk should never be forgiven for their constant and consistent betrayals.

Ad Triarios Redisse!

Semper Fi


7 posted on 12/08/2007 6:50:04 PM PST by Grimmy (equivocation is but the first step along the road to capitulation)
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To: holdonnow; SandRat; HonestConservative; rodguy911; sono

ping


8 posted on 12/08/2007 6:51:13 PM PST by AliVeritas (If the rock's not standing after the smoke clears... then what?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Murtha is an older fella who just happened to get caught making the correct observation, before the Democrats could reel him into their distorted version. Democrats won’t concede when their wrong, even when they get caught.


9 posted on 12/08/2007 6:52:29 PM PST by Son House ($$Proud Member of Vast Right Wing, Out To Lower Your Tax Rates For More Opportunities.$$)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Nurtha’s bulb burns dimly.............


10 posted on 12/08/2007 6:57:36 PM PST by yldstrk (My heros have always been cowboys--Reagan and Bush)
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To: al baby

I woke up this morning desperately needing to take a Murtha, sat on the Murtha and did in fact drop several Murthas … wiped my Murtha with Murtha paper and flushed the Murtha, disposing much Murtha.


11 posted on 12/08/2007 7:04:37 PM PST by doc1019 (Fred Thompson '08)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"We should welcome him back to reality with open arms."

Not so fast there, Major. I'm not going to trust the sonuvabitch until I see him lying in his casket.

12 posted on 12/08/2007 7:05:43 PM PST by Past Your Eyes (You knew the job was dangerous when you took it.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Come-With-The-Cash Murtha hasn't done much based on facts for a good many years. He sold his soul long ago. He has already started the necessary back track on his Iraq wisdom.

Nothing interests him unless there is a sack full of money associated with it.

They say "Marine" is for life. Murtha has proved time and again that recruiters are human, after all.

13 posted on 12/08/2007 7:08:01 PM PST by stevem
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To: freema; jazusamo; smoothsailing; RedRover; GitmoSailor; Flora McDonald; jan in Colorado
Now he says the surge is working.
We should welcome him back to reality with open arms.

Pffffttt!!! Too little, too late. KMAM

14 posted on 12/08/2007 7:08:20 PM PST by Just A Nobody (PISSANT for President '08 - NEVER AGAIN...Support our Troops! Beware the ENEMEDIA)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Major Bresnahan, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to our country. I have no greater respect for anyone than I do the U.S. Military.

Having said that...

You think I should forgive and forget the lives of the 8 men this POMurtha ruined or the hundreds of troops that died because of his lies and accusations? You think I should open my arms and welcome this scum sucking snake into a sane world simply because he is worried about his own skin at this point?

NO...not a chance. I'm not that good of a person. Personally I hope he rots in hell and the sooner the better!

Also, I find it curious that you mention absolutely everyone, but the person that stayed the course, stood on what is right and good, remained firm in his convictions and principles and kept the promise to Iraq. Without whom, the rest would have been inconsequential...PRESIDENT BUSH.

The counter-insurgency strategy of General Petraeus, the professionalism of our troops, their hard work, and the difficult risky stand taken by many Iraqis against the various terrorist and insurgent groups have all meshed to create the environment for success.

15 posted on 12/08/2007 7:19:49 PM PST by Just A Nobody (PISSANT for President '08 - NEVER AGAIN...Support our Troops! Beware the ENEMEDIA)
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

To: Just A Nobody

The turkeys got a lot more changing of his mind to do and apologies to make before I give him any credit at all and I’m sure that’ll never happen.

He’s been taking a lot of flak lately over the Haditha Marines and his ridiculous statements on Iraq. The progress being made is making him look the fool he is. Maybe some of his constituents are starting to get his attention.

Hopefully the old fool will just hang it up and not run for reelection.


17 posted on 12/08/2007 7:26:18 PM PST by jazusamo (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: freema
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket - Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

18 posted on 12/08/2007 7:27:25 PM PST by Just A Nobody (PISSANT for President '08 - NEVER AGAIN...Support our Troops! Beware the ENEMEDIA)
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To: jazusamo
Maybe some of his constituents are starting to get his attention.

THAT was my initial thought. Is he still scheduled to testify during Sgt. Wuterich's case against him?

19 posted on 12/08/2007 7:30:04 PM PST by Just A Nobody (PISSANT for President '08 - NEVER AGAIN...Support our Troops! Beware the ENEMEDIA)
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To: doc1019

Hopefully you used some good sturdy Koran Toilet paper!!

Oh, my, hate speech?!


20 posted on 12/08/2007 7:31:04 PM PST by PROCON (Merry CHRISTmas!!)
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