That's not what I heard. I heard his Vietnam service was a fraud. I heard he was a pencil pusher who got a couple of minor wounds and because he was in the rear with the gear (close to the brass) he weaseled around and got a couple of Purple Hearts.
But that being said, for sake of argument let's say he was Sgt. Rock "Pride of 11 Bravo". He's still an asshole. He publicly accused our guys in Iraq of murder on hearsay. He was corrupt going way back to ABSCAM in 70's. He represented the worst of American politics and if somebody had to die today, I'm absolutely elated it was him.
I got an email from an out of town pal - a liberal's liberal who called Murtha a great guy and a patriot. I chalked his comments up to what he heard on Keith Ohlbermannnnn and said this:
"Congressman Jack Murtha: I don't want to speak ill of the dead but Murtha, whom I've known since 1988 in his capacity as a Defense appropriator, and Chairman of the Defense appropriations Subcommittee and have interacted with on numerous occasions, was pretty odd all in all.... Years ago he was a damn good Member of Congress. Supported troops, got stuff done, was responsive, not a pushover...honest broker....had a good staff. Over time he went the way of all politicians who've stayed too long. He got power hungry and arrogant. He was a professional politician . He had been in Politics since 1969... congress since 1974...36 years....and he was 77 . But what was unforgivable was his doling out earmarks and pet projects to his own district. His hometown of Johnstown is a repository of back room deals and cash giveaways that would make your head spin. There is a Murtha airport (big scandal several years ago because it cost us all millions but has a half dozen flights a day - pure pork), a Murtha Highway and God knows what else...Staffers who left his staff and started out their own lobbying business used his office for an ATM . Some have gone to jail. Others still being investigated... Murtha was under investigation several times for ethics violations. Never convicted. He called the Marines at war in Haditha 'murderers' - a charge that was proven false. He called the war in Iraq "Lost" ...he used to get up in front of audiences and talk about people (both parties) and decisions they made in the most profane, disrespectful way. Thats no way for a congressman to act. People 'liked' him because he was powerful. I am sorry to see him die, of course. The man has a family. But not sorry to see him go. That's the point. The only way to get rid of a 36 year incumbent is to have them die....think about it."
Well, then let me add my feelings about this man:
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Mudge
Is it wrong that it caused me to smile?
ReplyDeleteLet him cool a bit and I'll have plenty to say. Gotta go check Weasel's Dead Pool (Round 4) to see if anybody had him.
ReplyDeleteIf they keep piling up like this, the GOP won't have to wait till November to take back the House...Bush's fault...I give it a B+
ReplyDeleteAs much as I disagreed with this man, he did have an incredible record with the military and was awarded two purple hearts.
ReplyDeleteThat's not what I heard. I heard his Vietnam service was a fraud. I heard he was a pencil pusher who got a couple of minor wounds and because he was in the rear with the gear (close to the brass) he weaseled around and got a couple of Purple Hearts.
ReplyDeleteBut that being said, for sake of argument let's say he was Sgt. Rock "Pride of 11 Bravo". He's still an asshole. He publicly accused our guys in Iraq of murder on hearsay. He was corrupt going way back to ABSCAM in 70's. He represented the worst of American politics and if somebody had to die today, I'm absolutely elated it was him.
He was a bloviated pol suckling at the teat of special interests, but he did possess a tremendous singing voice.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Irish mother always said one should not speak ill of the dead.. Therefore all I have to say is that John Murtha is dead and that is good.
ReplyDeleteHe was a lying SOB who denigrated fellow members of the Corps. Er, sorry Mr. President CORPSE.
I got an email from an out of town pal - a liberal's liberal who called Murtha a great guy and a patriot. I chalked his comments up to what he heard on Keith Ohlbermannnnn and said this:
ReplyDelete"Congressman Jack Murtha: I don't want to speak ill of the dead but Murtha, whom I've known since 1988 in his capacity as a Defense appropriator, and Chairman of the Defense appropriations Subcommittee and have interacted with on numerous occasions, was pretty odd all in all.... Years ago he was a damn good Member of Congress. Supported troops, got stuff done, was responsive, not a pushover...honest broker....had a good staff. Over time he went the way of all politicians who've stayed too long. He got power hungry and arrogant. He was a professional politician . He had been in Politics since 1969... congress since 1974...36 years....and he was 77 . But what was unforgivable was his doling out earmarks and pet projects to his own district. His hometown of Johnstown is a repository of back room deals and cash giveaways that would make your head spin. There is a Murtha airport (big scandal several years ago because it cost us all millions but has a half dozen flights a day - pure pork), a Murtha Highway and God knows what else...Staffers who left his staff and started out their own lobbying business used his office for an ATM . Some have gone to jail. Others still being investigated... Murtha was under investigation several times for ethics violations. Never convicted. He called the Marines at war in Haditha 'murderers' - a charge that was proven false. He called the war in Iraq "Lost" ...he used to get up in front of audiences and talk about people (both parties) and decisions they made in the most profane, disrespectful way. Thats no way for a congressman to act. People 'liked' him because he was powerful. I am sorry to see him die, of course. The man has a family. But not sorry to see him go. That's the point. The only way to get rid of a 36 year incumbent is to have them die....think about it."
Well said Anonymous. Interesting that CW "will speak no ill of the dead," yet uses the original post to tee the ball up for the rest of his readers...
ReplyDeleteHow dare you use your blog to tee up comments from readers. What is wrong with you?
ReplyDeleteDoes that make this a tee party?
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the UPDATE, I thought you were going to say that he was still fighting to remain dead, ala Generalissmo Francisco Franco.
ReplyDeleteImagine my disappointment.