Washington Times gets Wise to Murtha...

Eric Pfeiffer published some damning information from the recently available 53-minute ABSCAM tape (linked on our sidebar), which has again made John Murtha into a reluctant, re-born movie star:

The video was released last week on the American Spectator Web site (www.spectator.org), a conservative publication. The magazine says it received the video from a source close to the Abscam investigation.

"It was widely reported that he provided testimony against others," Mrs. Irey said, when asked why Mr. Murtha was not prosecuted for his ties to the Abscam investigation.

Mr. Murtha cooperated with officials in the prosecution of former Democratic Reps. Frank Thompson of New Jersey and John Murphy of New York. In July 1981, the House ethics committee ruled there was no evidence Mr. Murtha acted improperly, although E. Barrett Prettyman Jr., the special counsel assigned to the committee, resigned in protest. The FBI listed Mr. Murtha as an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the scandal.

Near the end of the 54-minute video of the meeting, Mr. Murtha and Philadelphia lawyer Howard Criden return to the room after a brief absence. Mr. Criden then begins speaking to undercover FBI agent Anthony Amoroso, who posed as "Tony DeVito," the purported sheik's representative.

"John says it's OK for you to give me what's in the drawer," Mr. Criden says, according to the Spectator's transcript of the video.

"Is that all right, Tony?" Mr. Murtha asks Mr. Amoroso. Then, referring to Thompson and Murphy, Mr. Murtha says: "Let me make it very clear. The other two guys do expect to be taken care of. ... And you're gonna have to deal through [Mr. Criden]. Me, you've got my deal."

Ironic, isn't it--coming from a guy who to this day continues to brag about being a "dealmaker" in Washington? More reminiscent of a Sopranos episode than what should be coming from the Halls of Congress.

Kinda makes one take pause to wonder whether the John Murtha style of "dealmaking" in the ABSCAM situation continues to be a telling indicator of John Murtha's style of "dealmaking" today.

At this point it doesn't seem like much of a stretch, does it?

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Technorati: Murtha ABSCAM

"Trader Murtha" playing fast and loose with your money?

When it comes to "earmarks," Jack Murtha practically invented them...

It looks like a scene out of an old movie: one about shady politicians and back-room deals. You can almost smell the cigar smoke and see the dirty money changing hands.

But unfortunately, it’s not an old film. It’s a real-life picture of the United States Congress. The cigars are gone, but the dirty deal-making is thoroughly up-to-date. And at the head of it is Rep. John Murtha (D) of Pennsylvania.

As the New York Times put it this week, Murtha has operated a “political trading post in a back corner of the House of Representatives.” Earmarks are expenditures that bypass the budgeting process and earn approval without debate. Many are infamous—like Alaska’s “bridge to nowhere.”

Murtha's "business as usual" way of doing things resembles more of a two-bit bookie parlor than it does a place where the best interests of the electorate are supposed to be decided:

On a typical day, according to the Times, “a gang of about two dozen Democrats mill around [Murtha’s] seat. A procession of others walk back to request pet spending projects.” Republicans come by, too, hoping to convince Murtha to enlist Democrats “to join them on close votes.”

As the Times puts it, “As the top Democrat on the House military spending subcommittee, [Murtha] often delivers Democratic votes to Republican leaders in a tacit exchange for earmarks for himself and his allies.” Whether lawmakers are looking for votes or a piece of pork, “Nobody ever leaves completely disappointed,” says one member.

Earmarks waste a whopping $64 billion a year, and they corrupt lawmakers, bribing them “to vote for a piece of legislation they wouldn’t ordinarily give two minutes to,” according to another member.

They also allow special-interest groups to put a stranglehold on our political system. But Murtha is unapologetic about what he does. “Deal making is what Congress is all about,” he says.

Mr. Murtha, treating earmarks like the Hokey Pokey. Come to think of it, if you or I did business with other people's money like Jack Murtha and his buddies in Congress, we'd be in the pokey.

Citizens of PA-12--you have the power to end this "hokey pokey" playing around with your hard-earned tax dollars.

You deserve better.

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Technorati: Murtha Irey Earmarks Corruption Congress

A parent of one of our first soldiers killed in our WOT speaks out...

The father of Todd Beamer, one of the heroes who gave his life on Flight 93 on 9/11/2001, Had this to say regarding Murtha's shameless rhetoric:

From the Altoona Mirror:

His father attended a three-hour, “Boot Murtha” rally at the War Memorial Arena Sunday and received a standing ovation when he said he agrees with Murtha on the need for a memorial “but on the most important matters of our day, I could not disagree more with John P. Murtha.”

Beamer lashed out at Murtha’s criticism of American troops, his release on his Web site of vital information that revealed some of the weaknesses of the American military and his suggestion several months ago that America “redeploy” its troops from Iraq.

“The enemy will see this for what it is. ... Redeployment means defeat,” Beamer said.

“Does it require another battle in Shanksville?” Beamer asked as he wondered aloud what it will take for America to become united in the war on terrorism.

He said Murtha wants to “chat up” the enemy, go hat-in-hand to Osama bin Laden, but he said if you go hat-in-hand, “you better be prepared to leave with your head in your hat in your hand.”

Beamer supported the continuing war against terrorism and said, “It’s been 1,481 days since Sept. 11 and there have been no more homeland attacks, no more homeland battle grounds, no more homeland burial grounds, and that is just one more thing that is George Bush’s fault.”

Todd Beamer, who made the ultimate sacrifice in thwarting a terrorist attack on our nation's Capitol, would most likely be rolling in his grave nowadays, given Murtha's shameless rhetoric.

Voters of PA-12--you have it within you the power to thwart a certain congressman from making constant attacks on America's steadfastness and morale during this time of war, or to at least render those attacks meaningless.

We at MMG are confident that given their options, PA-12 voters will make the right choice.

The Tribune Democrat throws down the gauntlet--calls for Murtha-Irey

The Johnstown, PA-based Tribune Democrat has made a fair and balanced assessment of the PA-12 Congressional Race, and states the following

Irey, Murtha need to debate the issues
The Tribune-Democrat

It is time for a debate in the 12th Congressional District race.

Voters deserve more than the constant Iraq-war rhetoric they have been getting from incumbent John Murtha and the steady attacks on Murtha’s character from challenger Diana Irey.

While this race has not lacked for drama, it has lacked for substance.

Irey has called three press conferences in the past week – each time reacting to published information about Murtha.

n First, she responded to stories about Murtha’s fundraising efforts by calling for an investigation of the congressman’s tactics.

n Then, she called for Murtha to respond to a newly released video tied to his involvement in the Abscam scandal in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

n Finally, she reacted Tuesday to a weekend New York Times article that described Murtha’s penchant for wheeling and dealing in the House, and his willingness to partner with representatives of both parties – none of which was news to people who know Murtha.

For Murtha’s part, he has hardly recognized that there is a race. He has spent much more time defending his Iraq war statements and helping other Democrats raise campaign money than actually talking about the issues in his home district.

Even a Saturday rally in Johnstown’s Central Park was all about Murtha’s support for the military in the face of criticism from “Veterans for the Truth” and other organizations, without acknowledging that the stated mission of the “Boot Murtha” effort is to keep the longtime congressman from getting re-elected.

It all makes for interesting theater. But voters deserve more.

Let’s get these candidates together to talk about the issues:

n Immigration and national security;

n Government spending;

n Fuel costs and dependence upon foreign oil;

n Health care;

n Abortion and family values.

These are all topics Irey has said are important to her. They are among the platforms for her campaign highlighted on her Web site – www.irey.com.

Let’s talk about them.

Murtha likes to point to the number of jobs he’s brought to the district, to his ability to steer defense contracts back to his home region. He likes to tout his impact on health care in the region. (His Web site: www.house.gov/murtha/)

Let’s talk about that, too.

The Tribune-Democrat has offered to help schedule and sponsor a congressional debate. Local electronic media have made similar offers.

Voters deserve a chance to see these candidates debate the issues face to face.

I wholeheartedly agree.
PA-12's voters deserve nothing less than the opportunity to make an informed choice.

The Tribune Democrat Exposes "Boss Murtha"

The Tribune Democrat, in the heart of PA-12, is admirably performing the Constitutional duty of The Fourth Estate, which is to expose corruption and abuses of power by elected officials (all emphases mine):

Report prompts Murtha opponent to raise issues

By MIKE FAHER
U.S. Rep. John Murtha is “abusing taxpayer dollars for his own personal political benefit” by trading congressional votes for money, Republican challenger Diana Irey said Tuesday.

Irey was responding to a Sunday New York Times article that says the veteran Johnstown Democrat operates a “political trading post” from his House seat.

Murtha, the top Democrat on a House defense-spending subcommittee, often persuades members of his own party to vote for Republican initiatives “in a tacit exchange for earmarks for himself and his allies,” the Times reported.

Irey, a Washington County commissioner, used the opportunity to fire another salvo at Murtha’s camp.

“Serving in Congress is not about making deals,” she said. “It is about representing your district – with honor.”

Murtha, it appears, has other ideas...

Murtha’s campaign did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment.

But in the Times story, Murtha – a consistent provider of federal funding for projects in his 12th district – said his actions simply are representative of the status quo in Washington.

And therein lies the problem. John Murtha, IMO, is a dinosaur politician, involved in power-brokering and backroom deals that often have little to do with the best interests of the people he's supposed to serve, and oftentimes everything to do with spending the money his constituents pay in taxes to enhance his own personal and political power.

To wit:

The Times article also raises other issues regarding Murtha’s voting record:

• The congressman has helped Republicans garner just enough Democratic votes to defeat some Democratic proposals, including an effort to probe federal contracting fraud in Iraq, reform lobbying laws and add $150 million for veterans’ health care and job training.

• Those who follow Murtha’s lead are rewarded with funding for their “pet spending projects,” otherwise known as earmarks.

• Murtha has sided with Republicans 169 times on close votes during the past 12 years, “more often than all but three of the most conservative Democrats.”

The practice has spurred gripes from some Democrats, especially after Murtha earlier this year announced his intentions to seek a leadership position if his party wins control of the House, the Times reported.

• Murtha has resisted attempts at implementing ethics reform or instituting new disclosure requirements in Congress.

Voters of PA-12--isn't it time you had leadership that fought for your interests instead of one who "brokers deals" for political gain?

It's time to end "politics as usual" and the freewheeling spending of other people's money.

It's time to put "Boss Murtha" out to pasture.

Some good wrap-ups

...of the Boot Murtha Rally held this past Sunday can be found here and here.

Just whose money is it, Jack Murtha?

If it's pork, chances are that it has Murtha's fingerprints all over it...Like Diana Irey was alluding to earlier today, an article excerpt from Monday's New York Times

...states:

“Mr. Kanjorski, the Pennsylvania Democrat, said he had help on ‘8 to 10’ projects, including a $9.5 million deal four years ago for research by a firm partly owned by his nephews. In an interview, Mr. Kanjorski said his relatives ‘just happened to be the only people who would take responsibility’ for developing the technology, which involved using water jets to pulverize materials. He said he recently gave Mr. Murtha a pair of high-tech disease-resistant socks made with silver fibers by a company in his district. After padding around in them, Mr. Kanjorski said, Mr. Murtha was so pleased that he agreed to an earmark to buy them for soldiers.”

Sweetheart deals? Conflicts of interest? If you're John Murtha, it's all in a day's work--on our dime, that is.

While I'm sure the recipients of Murtha's generosity with taxpayer monies are quite happy, at the same time I'm also sure that millions of taxpayers, stuck with tax bills that force them to downgrade their own standard of living, have differing sentiments.

Jack Murtha has created a veritable political machine, reminiscent of "big city bosses" by being more than generous--

With YOUR money.

PA-12-- isn't it time for someone new to take the helm, and to finally send Jack Murtha off to a well-deserved retirement?

Murtha Irey Poll--Irey closes the gap--gains momentum!

Red State has the details:

Ms. Irey rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She has gained some recognition on her own as a staunch supporter of the armed forces, the mission in Iraq, an advocate for rigorous immigration policies and a fiscal conservative. She has also been drawing attention to Mr. Murtha's many failings. And she's producing results. The campaign has just commissioned another poll by Public Opinion Strategies and Ms. Irey has closed the gap to ten points as the race now stands at 55%-45%. She gained ten points and brought Mr. Murtha down ten--and the momentum is all in her favor.

To wit:

Commissioner Irey's mission over the next five weeks is to keep shining a bright light on Mr. Murtha's disgraceful record while articulating her own platform. The POS poll included some interesting numbers on eleven issues that make voters less likely to vote for Mr. Murtha by as much as 57% (a list is appended below)--and when voters read about these issues, Mr. Murtha's numbers drop into the low 40s. It's incumbant on all of us who want to see Ms. Irey in Mr. Murtha's chair come January to help her spread the word that Mr. Murtha is self-interested and venal, and willingly steps on the backs of his former fellow service members to hoist his substantial bulk up the political ladder.

Read the rest--a great synopsis on what we've been reporting on Murtha Must Go!! all along.

Murtha will indeed have his "big fat backside" handed to him in November!

(h/t Residual Forces)

Gary adds: It looks like Redstate isn't the only big blog catching on to this year's 'upset special'. Here's what John at Powerline said about Murtha vs. Irey:

Come to think of it, Pennsylvania has never been a hotbed of anti-Americanism and defeatism. Go here to donate to candidate Diana Irey. Who knows, she just might win!

John, It isn't just that she might win. She will win!!! Welcome to the turning tide.

Irey Criticizes Murtha For Selling Vote, Selling Out Veterans

Diana Irey held a press conference today to call attention to the corruption in Washington and to John Murtha's selling of votes. First, here's what she said about teh various Washington scandals involving politicians:

"It seems you cannot pick up a newspaper today and read about what's going on in Washington without being disgusted at the corruption. Whether it's Duke Cunningham taking $2 million under the table from defense contractors seeking earmarked appropriations, or William Jefferson getting caught in an FBI sting with $90,000 cash in his freezer, or Bob Ney posing for photographs on a golf trip to St. Andrews paid for illegally by a corrupt lobbyist, or Alan Mollohan under federal investigation for directing millions of dollars in earmarked taxpayer funds to charitable organizations run by former staffers who then turn around and cut him in on business deals, the news is disappointing, disturbing, and disgusting.
"This is not a problem confined to Republicans or to Democrats, nor to conservatives or to liberals. It is a problem where the dividing line is far simpler and easier to understand, on the one hand are those found inside the Washington Beltway, and on the other hand are…the rest of us.
"This weekend's revelations regarding Mark Foley and his unconscionable behavior toward teenage children under the care of the U.S. House of Representatives is only the latest in a long line of cases of corruption in Congress, moral corruption in this case, but corruption nonetheless.

It isn't possible for people of conscience to rationalize, much less justify, the actions of Mssrs. Foley, Jefferson or Mollahan. Their actions are reprehensible and then some. It's important that Republicans not attempt to justify Mr. Foley's actions. It's apparent that Ms. Irey made no such attempt. Her outrage is palpable.

Ms. Irey next directs her focus to 'Trader Jack' Murtha:

"Let us look at two examples in particular: As reported in yesterday's New York Times, Jack Murtha voted against a proposal to research prosthetic limbs for veterans, and also against $150 million for veterans' health care and job training. In exchange for his votes, he was rewarded with earmarks."
"So our Congressman, who styles himself the champion of the military, deliberately voted against providing funds to research prosthetic limbs for veterans, and against providing $150 million for veterans' health care and job training benefits…in exchange for money. I guess helping veterans, even those who had lost limbs in the service of their country, isn't quite as important as Jack Murtha wants us to think he thinks it is.

I'd compare 'Trader Jack' with a used car salesman but I don't want to bring all used car salesmen down to Murtha's level. The public image that 'Trader Jack' has built simply doesn't square with his voting habits. It's disgraceful to hold yourself up as a champion of the military while you're voting to not provide funding for research needed to make our injured veterans and while not providing the needed funding of vets' health care and job training.

Frankly, the thought of 'Trader Jack' holding himself up as the champion of the military while (a) not providing health care funding; (b) not providing for prosthetic research that veterans need so badly and (c) after accusing the Haditha Marines of killing innocent Iraqis "in cold blood" should infuriate every veteran across the nation. Scratch that. It should infuriate every American. PERIOD.

We don't need liars like that roaming the halls of Congress. That's why Murtha Must Go.

Technorati: Election 2006, Diana Irey, Murtha, NY Times, Earmarks

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

Our own "Bones" slam dunks the NYT...

From the Lincoln Tribune:

Reader's Views : Mr. Murtha and the New York Times

Posted by Editor on 2006/6/27 7:19:35 (371 reads) News by the same author

Dear Editor: Many people are not considering the extended impact of Mr. Murtha's statements over the last few months. Muslim militant propagandists around the world are posting and sharing his words verbatim - unedited - and using Murtha's words to encourage one another to greater exertion on behalf of "The Prophet." The murder and desecration of the bodies of two of America's finest could be ascribed to Murtha's words over the last few months. Almost every death in Iraq since at least last September could be placed squarely upon Mr. Murtha's shoulders. As well, Mr. Murtha's words were surely a consideration by the managers and editors of the New York Times before they revealed yet another classified operation to the enemies of us all. After reading Mr. Keller's "Letter to the Public" about the incident, I could not help but compose a short note to the managing and executive editor's of the once proud and noble Grey Lady. ----- "The next time that you wonder why your readership is dropping...remember this entire hullabaloo. Of course, the readership of your newspaper will now spike for a few days or even weeks, but in the long term it will continue to drop. That will, of course, further affect ad revenues. I found Bill Keller's letter to the public to be disingenuous and intellectually dishonest, at best. It is only the other side of the coin, however. It is a side of the coin that reveals the underlying philosophy behind your newspaper's difficulties with truth and integrity in recent years. It is not a problem with the public's perception of your newspaper's work, gentlemen. The problem is not external to your publication. The public's perception of your product begins with an internal problem within your company that reveals a much deeper problem with honor and integrity. This problem begins with you and the masthead of your once respected and esteemed organization. As for freedom of speech, among twenty-six million others in this nation, I paid a price for your exercise of free speech. So, yes, say and report what you will, however detrimental to the safety of your own loved ones and to the three hundred million citizens of this nation. But be aware. With freedom comes personal responsibility. You have compromised the security of this nation and of its citizens during a time of war and of conflict. You have compromised the safety and military operations of men on the battlefield during a time of war. You have compromised the lives of your own friends and loved ones by revealing the information that you have in recent days. This goes quite beyond the encouragement of a "Jayson Blair" reporting of falsehoods and subsequent attempts at a cover-up on your parts. You have treasonously exposed your own lives and the lives of your families, friends - and the lives of every citizen in this nation - to extreme danger. You have endangered the lives of the men and women who now serve that you might be free to say and do what you will. The reporting in your newspaper, particularly of late, is poor repayment for their sacrifice. By publishing such "news," you have proven to all that you do not in fact support the troops in any substantive way whatever. Those who agree with your revelation of a classified program in a time of war also prove that they do not support the troops in any fashion. To endanger another's life is not defined as "support" unless you have taken complete leave of your senses. Gentlemen, you have endangered the lives of us all. As free men, and therefore responsible for your own words and deeds, it can only be assumed that you have done so purposely and with malice aforethought. Such "letters to the public" as Mr. Keller ! has composed and released reveals the purpose and forethought behind why you have endangered this nation and the men and women who protect it. When your readership and revenues continue to fall, remember the day that you decided to reveal what you knew about our nation's attempts to starve the enemy of financial support. When the next Muslim attack succeeds in this nation, remember your own decision to reveal classified information to the enemy of us all. ...and then take responsibility for what you have done. signed, Warren "Bones" Bonesteel Sgt USMC 1976-1983 Rapid City, SD http://www.murthamustgo.blogspot.com/ "One should never rouse the wrath of mild and conservative men. They are slow to anger, but once aroused, they are notoriously difficult to placate." Go here to send a message to the Arizona Republic about Bensons' cartoon: http://www.soft-vision.com/sf/

Amen, Bones... Good piece!

American Specatator's David Holman on Hannity & Colmes last night...

...regarding the 53 minute Murtha Abscam video tape (permanently linked on our sidebar). You can view the entire transcript of the show here.

Here's an interesting portion of the transcript.

HOLMAN: Well, the tape wasn't publicly available. You know, I FOIA'd this tape, filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the FBI in July, really haven't heard anything back from them. But I was able to obtain it from a source close to the Abscam investigation.

So you know, it took a little digging, of a researcher who contacted us. But he found it and ultimately we brought it to light.

But this is something that's not just hanging out there. But it is something you'd think the media would find with just a few more calls.

HANNITY: It's very clear, you know, he wasn't going to take the money now. But boy, I'm pretty interested in maybe talking to you down the road about this. By the way, if you can help these businesses in my district, that's going to be extremely helpful to me.

But the fact is the whole purpose of this was — they wanted favors, correct?

HOLMAN: Well, they didn't just want favors. They actually wanted private asylum bills for these sheiks in the Congress. And they were willing to pay $50,000, at least, apiece for that.

Although what was specifically being discussed right there was that Murtha would get a cut of the $50,000 being offered not only to him but to other congressmen.

Of course, the lovable ferret-faced Alan Colmes was not about to take this sitting down...

HANNITY: Do you think this is going to have an impact on his race for re-election? I've got to imagine it would.

HOLMAN: You would think it would. Although, Sean, not many folks on the national level have been that interested in looking at this tape since we published this story Friday. It's been...

ALAN COLMES, CO-HOST: This comes up, just as we were talking about with the Foley issue, just before Election Day. Just as we head into a mid-term election.

You know, Mr. Holman, this is nothing more than a smear campaign. You are swift boating John Murtha, because he had the temerity to speak out against the president's policies on war, against the war, because he wants the leadership position. You would not be doing this if he were not outspoken, would you, Mr. Holman?

HOLMAN: Alan, there's not that much of a conspiracy theory here. I published this as soon as I could get it to press and confirm the tape is authentic.

COLMES: Would you even be doing this if Murtha were not as outspoken as he is and seeking a leadership position?

HOLMAN: Alan, you're missing the point here.

COLMES: That is the point.

HOLMAN: No, Alan, the point is that this man has never been asked and has never really answered...

COLMES: Would you be doing this if he were not seeking a leadership position and if he were not as outspoken about the war? Yes or no?

HOLMAN: Alan, there's no doubt that he's attracted a lot of attention to himself and he wants to exert great leadership in this country and we ought to ask him whether his office was for sale.

Of course, to a good liberal like Alan Colmes (if there really is such a thing as a good liberal), swiftboating is any criticism of any left-wing idealogue who happened to don a uniform. Even if that criticism is justified. After all, to the moonbat anyone that had ever donned a uniform and agrees with them is a sacred commodity, not to be assailed. Not that liberals really have any respect for those in uniform. Many of them would just as soon spit on a soldier as salute one. But the left does see military vets, past and present, as the currency and cover they need to avoid just scrutiny over their whacked-out, unworkable agenda.

Enter Jack Murtha.

Boot Murtha Rally Exposes Murtha's Weaknesses

With the Boot Murtha rally now behind us, it's time that people admit that Murtha has some serious weaknesses to overcome. Let's start with this quote:

As 22 anti-war protesters held up signs across the street from the War Memorial, Democrat Bob Fiffick, a retired steelworker, was wearing a button on behalf of Murtha’s Republican opponent this fall, Diana Irey, a Washington County commissioner, as he waited for the "Boot Murtha" rally to start. "I’ve been a Democrat for 35 years. I was a big union man. This past year they [Democrats] lost touch with me."

There's alot of that going around lately. In fact, Diana Irey's focus has been on how Murtha's lost touch with PA-12 values. Can voters picture John Murtha tolerating Code Pink's endorsement in 1990? He not only tolerates it now; he revels in it.

Albion Wilde of Takoma Park, MD, who works with the wounded as a volunteer at Walter Reed Hospital and who was wearing an Army windbreaker given to her by a veteran, said of Murtha, "I think he has been disloyal to the United States, the military." She said the nation has been under attack by terrorists for the past 20 years, a fact that Murtha ignores.

It'll be difficult for Murtha to defend a number his statements, starting with his accusations of the Haditha Marines. Here's a quote from the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat:

Terry Pennington’s son, Rob, is being housed in a Marines Corps brig in Camp Pendleton, Calif., for alleged war crimes. Rob Pennington is among those being investigated in the deaths of Iraqi civilians in Haditha in the spring. "I got a phone call," Pennington said. "My son was calling from the brig, telling me he was being charged with war crimes. My son and others are in jail because of the comments of John Murtha, and the overreaction by the U.S. government."

John Murtha's purely political ploy will backfire because it's touched a nerve with people because they know it's unfair to convict a soldier without evidence, without first having been briefed on the subject, without a hint of due process rights. That's what Murtha is about.

Michael L. Young, a retired public affairs professor from Penn State University, Harrisburg, who now runs an opinion research firm, has said there is no indication Murtha will lose his seat.

Mr. Young should consider how Murtha's accusations are playing with military families. Mr. Young should consider that Murtha's voting against reauthorization of the Patriot Act won't fly in military communities. If he considered those things, he'd realize that issues matter and that Mr. Murtha is on the wrong side of every big issue.

Technorati: Election 2006, Murtha, Patriot Act

Murtha's Dirty Politics?

If Mr. Murtha isn't involved in political dirty tricks, then he'd better issue Rob Simmons a public apology for this dispute.

U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat who is the ranking minority-party member on the powerful House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee, has accused U.S. Rep. Robert R. Simmons, R-2nd District, of making false claims about securing funds for construction of two new nuclear attack submarines. But Simmons' chief of staff, Todd Mitchell, says his boss has done no such thing, adding that Murtha has backed away from the assertions contained in an e-mail sent out under Murtha's name last week to Connecticut newspapers. Mitchell today called the dust-up "one of the most bizarre incidents I've ever had to deal with."

Here's what's causing this dispute to linger:

"It has come to my attention that Mr. Simmons has publicly stated that he has, or is in the process of, securing funds to guarantee the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines during the coming fiscal year," [Murtha] wrote. "Regrettably, these claims are untrue."
Murtha said that the fiscal 2007 Department of Defense Appropriations Act covering the federal fiscal year that will begin next Oct. 1 contains no funding for such a program. As such the Pentagon "will not spend any money on such a program over the next 12 months," added Murtha, whose criticism of the U.S. occupation of Iraq has become a rallying point for many Democratic congressional candidates this fall.
"I understand how important the submarine industry is to southeastern Connecticut," the e-mail continued. "I hope that in future years the Congress will be able to provide funding for the construction of multiple Virginia-class submarines. However, any claims that this will occur in the coming fiscal year are simply false."
Mitchell said that when Simmons confronted Murtha about the e-mail Friday on the floor of the House, the Democrat "said he never saw the letter and never OK'd it and that he didn't agree with the letter." But Mitchell also said that when Murtha's spokeswoman was later asked about the matter by a reporter, she said the Pennsylvania lawmaker was standing by the letter. Simmons then confronted Murtha again, he added, with Murtha repeating that he "didn't agree with the letter." "It became clear as the day went on that somebody had got their foot stuck in their mouth here," he said.

It's widely known that Rob Simmons is one of three Connecticut politicians involved in a tight reelection race. It's also widely known that John Murtha desparately wants to be House Majority Leader. Putting those factors together, it isn't unreasonable to conclude that John Murtha is telling Mr. Simmons one thing face-to-face while not retracting the public accusation.

Isn't it time that John Murtha set the record straight both in Pennsylvania and Connecticut? Isn't it time that Pennsylvanians elected someone whose integrity isn't an issue?

Technorati: Election 2006, Murtha, Rob Simmons, Department of Defense

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

A good wrap up of yesterday's proceedings...

...can be found at Free PA.org. Photos as well. Among the speakers were a gold star father, a WTC survivor, a father of a Camp Pendleton Marine, and Todd Beamer's father, One comment of the writer that I found interesting was.

...compare the caliber of men at this rally to those at the Murtha rally. These are men who have sacriced and been personally affected by this war. Murtha’s speaker(s) were professional politicians. This should tell you all that you need to know about Murtha and this effort to oust him. One side is right, and one is wrong. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out which is which.

Murtha Admits ABSCAM Guilt...

Go to Boot Murtha! for all the details...

Repeat a lie often enough...

And who does it better than CBS? CBS reports today:

KDKA/AP) JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Critics of U.S. Representative John Murtha were expected to hold a rally in Johnstown today, a day after thousands of people gathered in the city to show support for the 16-term congressman.

Regular readers of this blog know that it just ain't so! And yes, CBS claimed the story as their own:

(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

But never let the truth get in the way of a MSM Murtha puff piece.

Pittsburh Post-Gazette Weighs In

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has weighed in on the 'Back Jack' rally with this article.

Ms. Irey's name wasn't spoken once over the course of the 90-minute rally, which police officials say drew a crowd of 2,000, but the incendiary issues have put this race, and Ms. Irey's face and candidacy, into a national spotlight. The Washington County commissioner says she believes the military voting bloc is more divided than Mr. Murtha realizes. She hopes to capitalize on the split in Cambria County and the rest of the 12th District, which historically had been impenetrable to Republicans, but in recent presidential elections has been voting more conservatively.

At least we know that the crowd estimate of 2,000 came from "police officials." That still doesn't mean that they aren't FOJ's (Friends of Jack) but it's reasonable to believe that this wasn't just the rally's organizers' figure.

The 'split' amongst military voters didn't become pronounced until Murtha rendered the guilty verdict on the Haditha Marines without so much as getting briefed on the subject. That split is real and it's growing. Don't expect it to stop growing until it's a day after Election Day.

Mr. Rendell, who flew in from Harrisburg yesterday afternoon, said Mr. Murtha has done more for American fighting men and women than "any American alive today...How dare these outsiders come here to Pennsylvania and impugn the patriotism of one of the greatest sons in this commonwealth's history."

Mr. Rendell is a sleazy politician. The reason I know is because only a sleazy politician could say that criticizing someone that throws the Constitution out the window by convicting the Haditha Marines without due process, without evidence, without due process and without the military investigation even having been completed is "one of the greatest sons in this commonwealth's history." I'd seriously doubt that that's Americans' picture of patriotism.

Murtha said:

"I don't appreciate these people sitting on their fat backsides in the White House, sending our young people to war, when they don't understand the circumstances."

Mr. Murtha, I don't appreciate corrupt politicians discarding the Constitution, the greatest document of freedom in the history of mankind, for political expediency. I don't appreciate corrupt politicians ignoring the Constitution's foundational guarantees of due process and a jury of a man's peers, not to mention ignoring the rules of evidence.

It's long past time for the people of PA-12 to put us out of our misery by retiring John Murtha this November.

Technorati: Murtha, Ed Rendell, The Constitution, Due Process

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

Murtha's Army Occupies Johnstown

Southwestern Pennsylvania's Murtha-supporting, Republican-leaning newspaper, the Trib, begins its coverage with a human interest angle:

Diane Santoriello, of Penn Hills stood in the bone-chilling drizzle Saturday in Johnstown's Central Park to show her support for U.S. Rep. John Murtha, the focus of a "dump Murtha" movement.

Her 24-year-old son, Brian, was killed in combat in Iraq in 2004. She turned out to support Murtha and his demand for an end to the Iraq war.

"I've been called unpatriotic because of my opposition to the war," she said. "Murtha is one of my heroes."

Santoriello stood with two other parents, Celeste Zappala, of Philadelphia, and Derek Davey, of Lowville, N.Y., who both lost sons in Iraq, and in support of Murtha, who is calling for a withdrawal or redeployment of U.S. forces.

I personally do not question their patriotism. I have had Gold Star mothers in my family, and their losses affected them for the rest of their lives. These parents may be airing their grief as well as their grievances in public, but at least they haven't allowed themselves to become psychotic tools like Cindy Sheehan.

There, don't you feel all warm and cozy about John Murtha? Let's keep going.

Zappala, whose son, Sherwood Baker, 30, was the first Pennsylvania National Guardsman to die in Iraq, said Murtha telephoned her after her son's death in 2004.

"He was very kind when Sherwood was killed," she said. "He was very comforting to me."

Sure, it was a nice thing to do, but Murtha is a veteran politician. Everything he does is calculated.

So who else showed up?

Murtha brought out the brass for the rally.

He was backed by retired Gen. Hugh Shelton, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; retired Gen. Wesley Clark, former commander of NATO forces; former senator and Navy SEAL Bob Kerrey, who won the Medal of Honor in Vietnam; Cleland, who lost both legs and an arm in Vietnam; and Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat.

Actually, that's kind of impressive. Murtha has support from decorated veterans and -- wait. Who was that last guy again?

and Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat.

Just in case anyone forgot that this is all about politics, that would be the same Ed Rendell who, as DNC Chairman in 2000, did his damndest to disqualify US Military votes coming from overseas (and tried to do so again in 2004). His presence alone is proof that this isn't exactly a military friendly situation. It's a Democrat friendly situation.

The speeches were mostly boilerplate.

Murtha said the attacks against him are being orchestrated by administration officials "sitting on their fat backsides in the White House sending our young people to war when they don't understand the circumstances."

DNC talking point: Bush administration folks have plump posteriors!

Shelton said "they just don't get any better than Jack Murtha."

DNC talking point: Murtha is a great guy!

Kerrey said Murtha "had the courage to stand up and say the leadership was not telling the truth about the war in Iraq. What does Jack Murtha get for standing up? They slime him."

DNC talking point: Criticism of Murtha is SLIME!

Clark, who made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, called Bush's leadership "incompetent" and "inept."

DNC talking point: Bush is stupid!

Cleland likened the criticism of Murtha "to a mackerel shining in the moonlight. It shines and stinks at the same time."

I'm not sure about that bizarre analogy, but Cleland's presence is a DNC talking point in and of itself.

Finally, from the great arse who presides over this Commonwealth:

Rendell criticized Murtha's opponents for interfering in the congressional race in the 12th District where Murtha faces Republican challenger Diana Irey, of Washington County, in November.

"How dare these outsiders come here to Pennsylvania and impugn the patriotism of one of our greatest sons ... Pennsylvania has ever had," Rendell said.

Did you say that with a straight face, Fast Eddie? Did you look at the out-of-state Gold Star parents who support Murtha and ask how they dare come to the 12th district to express themselves? Did you criticize Murtha to his face for going to other states and campaigning on behalf of Democrats?

Do us a favor, jackass. Lose. Lose your re-election bid and go back where you came from. While you're at it, take Murtha, too. You'd better hurry, because the liberators are coming today.

Murtha's non-response to ABSCAM

The Tribune Democrat reports that Diana Irey held a press conference to highlight Murtha's 25-year old lies regarding ABSCAM

“(Friday) we learned that the overwhelming majority of Jack Murtha’s tenure in Congress has been the result of a fraud he perpetrated on his constituents more than a quarter-century ago,” Irey said.

Abscam was an undercover investigation conducted in 1979 and 1980 in which FBI agents disguised as representatives of an Arab sheik offered money to lawmakers in return for a promise to introduce private immigration bills, according to Tribune-Democrat archives.

A House Ethics Committee ruled in July of 1981 that there is no evidence that Murtha acted improperly in connection with the Abscam operation.

But Irey said the 54-minute tape, which had been missing except for a 13-minute clip (Actually, a 13-second clip--ed), indicates Murtha tried to accept the bribe. She read excerpts of the transcript at a press conference.

And...

The tape and story are featured as the top story in The American Spectator, which wikipedia.org lists as a conservative monthly magazine known for its attacks on former President Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

And just what does that have to do with Murtha's actions as shown on the videotape?

Irey acknowledged that she does not know who provided the tape and could not confirm its legitimacy, but instead said Murtha has not addressed the allegations since the story and tape surfaced Friday.

Could not confirm its legitimacy? We have the link to the video permanently placed on our sidebar right now, as well as the video in its entirety on this post.

Take a look at it.

If that's not Murtha, then it must be his evil twin.

The article goes on:

“Mr. Murtha had a day to deny this,” she said.

Murtha spokesman Brad Clemenson said Irey is dredging up an old controversy for a new angle on her campaign.

“That’s ancient news,” Clemenson said. “He’s the one that didn’t take the money.

(All indications from the tape, as well as his doing the "Sheik's" bidding, suggests that he would have, had the sting operation been allowed to continue).

Of course, Clemson tries to dismiss Murtha's culpability in the matter.

“They’re just trying to distract him from his message that we need to change course in Iraq."

Veterans for Murtha spokesman Michael Duga said the timing of the release is suspect.

He dubbed the effort part of “the Republican slime machine.”

Funny. Duga never uttered a word (to the best of my knowledge) when the "Murtha Political opportunity Machine" slimed the reputation of a platoon of Marines patrolling Haditha.

“Abscam is an issue investigated in 1980, more than 25 years ago,” Duga said. “The congressman was cleared of any wrongdoing whatsoever.”

Actually, Mr. Duga.. Murtha was "cleared" on a 3-3 vote on whether or not to continue his prosecution. Murtha, in effect, turned state's evidence.

Hardly a clean bill of health.

Irey, who earlier this week called for a state investigation into her opponent’s campaign finance practices, said Murtha was simply “not indicted.”

“A courtroom is not the only place a public official faces a verdict,” Irey said. “The voters get to pass judgment, too.”

PA-12--now's your chance to get this slimeball redeployed from Washington.
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Technorati: Murtha Boot Murtha Irey Murtha Must Go!

A Major Discrepancy

It appears as though there's a major discrepancy in how many people attended today's 'Back Jack' rally. Here's how the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review saw it:

An estimated 2,000 people assembled in the city's downtown to support Murtha, a Johnstown Democrat, who will be the focus of an opposition rally today at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena by the group BootMurtha.org, which orchestrated a similar campaign against Democrats U.S. Sen. John Kerry, of Massachusetts and former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, of Georgia.

Here's how the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat saw it:

Local supporters gathered Saturday by the hundreds with picket signs and ponchos, cheering on a congressman they believe has been unjustly attacked. And when U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, and his wife, Joyce, walked onto the stage at Central Park, the crowd closed in around the pair, supporters reaching out to shake Murtha’s hand.

Here's how WJAC-TV called it:

A couple of hundred veterans come out to "Back Jack" Saturday.
The "Back Jack Murtha Rally" was held in Johnstown’s Central Park aimed to give Congressman Murtha support with his stance on the war. Gov. Rendell, former Presidential Candidate Wesley Clark, and Former Senator Max Cleland were among those supporting Congressman Murtha.

WJAC has posted the video of the event here.

Please tell me how 2,000 people "close in around the pair." Based on KJAC's video, I'm hard pressed to see 2,000 people.

I've done some digging into the size of Central Park in Johnstown, PA. follow this link to view the map of the block where Central Park is located. Based on the map's table, the block that Central Park is located on is approximately 500 ft. X 250 ft., give or take 50 ft. I also found out that there's at least one cafe on the block so that shrinks the square footage available.

Based on the video, the size of Central Park, and the reporting, I'd say that those that say there was a large crowd in excess of 2,000 people are telling a whopper of Murtha-esque proportions.

Technorati: Murtha, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat