Rep. John Murtha of Pa. dies at 77

[darrels joy]

Rep. John Murtha of Pa. dies at 77
Feb 8 02:46 PM US/Eastern




WASHINGTON (AP) - A spokesman says Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a retired Marine Corps officer who became an outspoken critic of the Iraq war, has died. He was 77.

He had been suffering complications from gallbladder surgery.

In 1974, Murtha became the first combat veteran of the Vietnam War elected to Congress. He wielded considerable clout for two decades as a leader of the House subcommittee that oversees Pentagon spending. But frustration over the Iraq war led him to call for an immediate pullout of U.S. troops in 2005.
Murtha's congressional career was clouded by questions about his ethics—from the Abscam corruption probe in 1980 to more recent investigations into the special-interest spending known as earmarks and the raising of cash for election campaigns.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

[jriley1349]

YO...what's with the tacky ads?

[BLUEHAWK]

Sympathy today is more rightfully reserved for the many victims of John Murtha’s misdeeds, which include but are not limited to:

1. ABSCAM Scandal participants:

Early in his spotted career, Congressman John Murtha was videotaped by federal investigators dressed as “sheikhs” talking about $50,000 bribes in return for “doing business” in Pennsylvania. Six congressman and one senator were eventually convicted in the scandal, but not Murtha. He cut his deal, sang like a birdie on the witness stand, and sent his co-legislators to jail.

2. Congress and the American public:

Murtha was a perennial member of Congress’ Most Corrupt Politicians List by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). See HERE.

3. American taxpayers:

Millions and millions of tax dollars were stuffed into Murtha’s Pennsylvania district for outrageous pork projects. Just one of these boondoggles amounted to $300 million in earmark projects, funneled to a consulting firm with ties to Murtha. An investigation is ongoing. See HERE.

At least $800,000 in 2009 stimulus funds went to the “John Murtha airport” in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The tiny airport is barely used. SeeHERE.

4. American military:

Murtha, who was elected to office on his pro-military, pro-defense stance, confounded many in Congress and demoralized troops when the ex-Marine suddenly announced in 2005 that all the troops should be brought home from Iraq immediately.

5. American war veterans:

Murtha steadfastly refused to produce his military records over the years. There were serious questions whether he merited receiving two Purple Hearts due to his service in Vietnam and allegations that his “war hero” claims were suspect.

6. The “Haditha” Marines:

Rep. Murtha maliciously and intentionally threw a dozen Marines under the political bus, and created worldwide headlines which served to further “gin up” opposition to the war in Iraq. The Congressman held a news conference claiming a unit doing dangerous house-to-house recon in Iraq had “intentionally” murdered Iraqi civilians in November, 2005. Murtha asserted his assessment of the “facts” even though he was nowhere near Iraq and the Marines had not completed their investigation of the incident. SeeHERE.

Of course, it took years for 7 Marines to go to trial and all 7 of them to be found not guilty, but those legal exonerations have gone largely “uncovered” by the liberal media who are anxious to criticize the Iraq war.
Only one Marine has yet to be tried on this witch hunt begun five years ago by the late Congressman Murtha. Sgt. Frank Wuterich actually tried to sue Murtha in federal court for defamation. The suit wasdismissed April of 2009 when the judge ruled the Congressman as a public official had a right to flap his mouth and say whatever, wherever he damn pleases, truth be damned. These soldiers’ names were besmirched and their lives made hell by John Murtha, who was himself a Vietnam veteran.

The comments of the family of Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt, who was one of the Marines exonerated years after Murtha’s slanderous grand-standing, are a better reason to shed tears today, not the death of Rep. Murtha:
Time magazine reported Haditha as a “massacre.” Congressman John Murtha drew worldwide attention when he appeared on national television on 17 May 2006 and branded these Marines “cold blooded murderers.” In this and subsequent television appearances, Mr. Murtha denied these Marines the rights afforded them by the United States Constitution. Mr. Murtha played judge and jury before an investigation was ever completed on the events of Haditha.

After an extensive investigation and judicial process, six Marines were exonerated of any wrongdoing in Haditha. One Marine officer had his charges dropped and his case is now in the appeals stage. One enlisted Marine is currently awaiting his day in court. My son, Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt, was exonerated of three counts of unpremeditated murder and was declared INNOCENT of all charges…Our family has asked the Congress of the United States to investigate the actions of Mr. John Murtha regarding his conduct in the Haditha affair. Statements and allegations made by Mr. Murtha, which violated the Constitutional rights of Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt. We are looking for the answers Mr. Murtha refuses to provide. Mr. Murtha has shown no remorse, has shown no embarrassment in calling these Marines “cold blooded murderers.” So far, all we have received is silence.”
Sympathies are extended to the Murtha immediate family, but not to anyone else who dares defend him. You can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends.

[darrels joy]

jriley1349

They copied with the article and I can't edit it.

Joy