Everybody's A Disappointment
Heeeere's Murrrrtha! (By Evan Thomas and Richard Wolffe in Newsweek):
Jack Murtha still can't figure out why the father and son treated him so differently. Every week or so before the '91 gulf war, President George H.W. Bush would invite Congressman Murtha, along with other Hill leaders, to the White House. "He would listen to all the bitching from everybody, Republicans and Democrats, and then he would do what he thought was right." A decorated Vietnam veteran, ex-Marine Murtha was a critical supporter for the elder Bush on Capitol Hill. "I led the fight for the '91 war," he says. "I led the fight, for Christ's sake."
Yet 13 years later, when Murtha tried to write George W. Bush with some suggestions for fighting the Iraq war, the congressman's letter was ignored by the White House (after waiting for seven months, Murtha received a polite kiss-off from a deputy under secretary of Defense). Murtha, who has always preferred to operate behind the scenes, finally went public, calling for an orderly withdrawal from Iraq. In the furor that followed, a White House spokesman compared the Vietnam War hero to "Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic Party." When that approach backfired, President Bush called Murtha a "fine man ... who served our country with honor." The White House has made no attempt to reach out to Murtha since then. "None. None. Zero. Not one call," a baffled Murtha told NEWSWEEK. "I don't know who the hell they're talking to. If they talked to people, they wouldn't get these outbursts. If they'd talked to me, it wouldn't have happened."
Kaus has an interesting question about this...
Jim Treacher at December 14, 2005 12:49 PM
Actually, that was my point exactly...the guy seems most concerned that nobody treated him like he was important...hence the photo of my trash can - a gift from Lena.
Amy Alkon at December 14, 2005 4:17 PM
~except Murtha IS important. He is a Marine Corp Colonel and a Senator. He has qualifications beyond politics. 108 Pennsylvania soldiers have died in Iraq. For him to accept less would be a breach of his responsibilities.
eric at December 14, 2005 9:44 PM
Yeah, but it sounds like his main concern was his treatment, not really the soldiers.
Amy Alkon at December 15, 2005 12:12 AM
Neal Boortz has been calling him John Al-Murtha.
Pirate Jo at December 15, 2005 9:25 AM
Then Neal Boortz is an ignoramus.
It's a Pee-Wee Hermanesque argument that any criticism of the Bush administration and how they are conducting this was is equivalent to "rooting for the terrorists" and anyone over the age of 5 should know better.
deja pseu at December 15, 2005 10:46 AM
I tend to enjoy Neal's commentary, but I agree that just because you don't approve of our involvement in Iraq it must mean you are rooting for the terrorists. Murtha said we "can't" win the war, which probably gives terrorists encouragement they don't need, but if that's his opinion he has a right to express it. (And besides, I doubt the terrorist head honchos pay any more attention to him than anyone else does.)
Neal identifies himself as a libertarian, even though most libertarians come down on the side of being against the war. He doesn't usually tend to be a kneejerk supporter of Bush, however, and will generously criticize many of his other policies.
Pirate Jo at December 15, 2005 12:53 PM
I have been rather disappointed to find out that no one has challenged Jihad John Murtha in the upcoming 2006 elections. I emplore each and every one of you (except traitors and liberals - that position is currently being held by Murtha) to find someone to run against this modern day Benedict Arnold.
Yes, it’s true John Murtha is a traitor. There are many parallels between both Benedict Arnold and John Murtha. They both began their careers as American Patriot’s; they both were highly decorated war hero’s; and they both communicated with the enemy in which they thought would spark the collapse of the American Cause of their times.
Benedict Arnold promised to surrender West Point to the British while Jihad Johnny promised an unconditional surrender to the War on Terror.
Murtha is a disgrace to the great people of Pennsylvania and an even further embarrassment to our country.
Politics has to stop at the waters edge when we have our great men an woman wearing the United States Military Uniforms that are in harms way.
When you start telling the enemy that "we cannot win" in Iraq and that the “Army is broken, worn out" and "living hand to mouth." , as well as saying “I would not serve in our military today” to purposely influence and decrease military recruitment; it sends a deeper message to the terrorists. The message given to the terrorists is that the war is lost because the troops have failed. Jihad John al -Murtha is really saying to the terrorist, i.e. the insurgents i.e. Al Qaeda i.e. the world; that our American troops are worn out; worn out by roadside bombs. They're living hand-to-mouth, all because of this incredibly effective insurgency campaign! It tells the terrorists in Iraq to strap more explosives on the suicide bomber's; plant more I.E.D’s, kill more American’s!! There resolve is weakening. They are now operating on a time table! Blow up more mosques so that the Iraqi people will start to have doubt’s about the effectiveness of the new government.
Such a nice vote of confidence Jihad Johnny Murtha!
This great Country was founded by every day Americans who rose up to the challenges of their times to help their country and the world. Who will be the next Pennsylvanian to represent district 12?
I wonder how many members of the United States Military have died from the comments made from Jihad Murtha’s mouth. This man is Guilty of Aiding and Comforting the enemy. I realize he has served this country; however this does not make him immune from criticism. He can not hide on his great white horse because he serviced our country and wore the Uniform. Jihad John Al-Murtha has jeopardized and placed the safety and well being of our fellow citizens in the United States Millitary in harms way.
Please, someone, stop this so-called Pro-American congressman from being responsible for emboldening the enemy to Killi more United States Soldiers and innocent Iraqi Citizens in the name of radical Islam!!
Take him out of office Now!!!!
Bob S at January 8, 2006 9:27 PM
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