I'm terribly saddened to report that Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) passed away today from complications after surgery.
Congressman Murtha is a hero for courageously and forcefully speaking out in 2005 against the Iraq War, then a very unpopular move, especially for decorated, 37-year Marine veteran and longtime war hawk.
Mr. Murtha was a Vietnam War combat veteran who was awarded two purple hearts, a bronze star, the Navy Distinguished Service Award, and an American Spirit Honor Medal.
When I named Mr. Murtha one of Five Liberals Who Made a Difference in 2005, I wrote:
"Almost immediately after his impassioned and powerful speech, Rep. Murtha was humiliated and and his reputation tarnished for his differing viewpoint by several members of the Bush Administration, who branded him unpatriotic..."Rep. John Murtha is an extremely close confidant to top brass in the US armed forces... Many in public life assumed that Murtha was speaking for top generals, and all acknowledge that Rep. Murtha would never speak out without their private permissions.
"Because of his extraordinary courage to speak out about his change of heart on the War in Iraq, Rep. John Murtha singlehandedly changed the national conversation regarding the need for an exit plan for US troops from Iraq."
Liberals were delighted when blunt-talking John Murtha scolded Bush guru Karl Rove over the Iraq War on the June 16, 2006 Meet the Press :
"... he's in New Hampshire. He's making a political speech. He's sitting in his air conditioned office with his big, fat backside, saying, 'Stay the course.' That's not a plan."I mean, this guy--I don't know what his military experience is, but that's a political statement. This is a policy difference between me and the White House. I disagree completely with what he's saying."
In memoriam for a grand American patriot, and a great Democrat, please reread the text of John Murtha's impassioned November 17, 2005 plea for the U.S. to leave Iraq, at Full Text of Rep. John Murtha's Plan to Exit Iraq Now.
Mr. Murtha was 77 years old, and had suffered from ill health in recent years. Rep. Murtha most recently served as Chair of the House Defense Appropriations committee. His leadership will be greatly missed in Congress.
Comments
“Grand American Patriot and Great Democrat” indeed. From the Wikipedia article:
“Murtha has been targeted by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington as one of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress.
In September 2006 the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) listed Murtha under Five Members to Watch in its Second Annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress Report. The report cited Murtha’s steering of defense appropriations to clients of KSA Consulting, which employed his brother Robert, and the PMA Group, founded by Paul Magliocchetti, a former senior staffer on the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense.
In 2008, Esquire Magazine named him one of the 10 worst members of Congress because of his opposition to ethics reform and the $100 million a year he brings in earmarks to his district. The Wall Street Journal has called him “one of Congress’s most unapologetic earmarkers.” According to the Pennsylvania Report, Murtha was one of “Pennsylvania’s most powerful congressman” and a “master of crossing the aisle and bringing pork into his district.”
In February 2009, CQ Politics reported that Murtha was one of 104 U.S. representatives to earmark funds in the 2008 Defense appropriations spending bill for a lobbying group that had contributed to his past election campaigns. The spending bill, which was managed by Murtha in his capacity as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, secured $38.1 million for clients of the PMA Group in the single fiscal law. The PMA Group is currently under investigation by the FBI.
In March 2009, the Washington Post reported that a Pennsylvania defense research center regularly consulted with two “handlers” close to Murtha while it received nearly $250 million in federal funding via Murtha’s earmarks. The center then channeled a significant portion of the funding to companies that were among Murtha’s campaign supporters.”
That this is your idea of a “Great Democrat” speaks volumes as to the disconnect between Liberals like yourself and American voters. The bloodbath incumbents (from both parties, but particularly those Democrat leaders of Murtha’s ilk) are going to face at the Congressional midterms will make their current woes seem like a walk in the park.
Deborah, this first comment may be the most inexcusably inappropriate comment I have seen on this site. Offensive language like that may appear elsewhere on the Web but it need not remain in print here.
John, just what “inexcusably inappropriate comment” was posted in item 1? The problem with liberals when they debate or discuss any news issue is the attitude that the discussion is inappropriate.
It has long been know that Murtha’s ethics were in question. That the press has chosen to gloss over the ethics issues is an issue. Murtha’s problems problems predate the Iraq war. If the press had looked into said problems, his congressional career probably would have been much shorter.
An informed electorate is important to a healthy democratic process. The press used to have a proud place in the political process in the United States. I’m not so sure that is the case any longer.
Deborah’s obituary is appropriate today. But, failure to acknowledge the shortcomings of those in power only dooms the country to more of the same. Failure to address Representative Murtha’s ethics questions would be like writing an Obit for Clinton and not mentioning Lewinski, or an Obit for Ted Kennedy and not mentioning Chapaquidick. All humans are flawed, and many in power are more flawed than most.
My condolences to the congressman’s family. Their loss is real.
Teresa, the comment now listed as first will stay there, as the writer cited facts and sources for his viewpoint.
I already removed another, much briefer comment which merely resorted to nasty name-calling without reference to facts.
I stand by my assertion that John Murtha was an American patriot. I never said perfect leader, whatever that might be…
The Murtha obit that will run in the NY Times, and probably dozens of other newspapers, balances his ethics violations with the story of his service to the nation.
Murtha was one of the few congressional targets to withstand ABSCAM and his association with PMA are important parts of the man’s story.
I hope the country is turning a corner and learning that decades long tenures for elected officials is not in the country’s best interest. The voters voices are being heard. And for those readers who see this post, term limits are available at the ballot box every 2, 4, or 6 years.
Deborah, Oliver North also served with distinction as a Marine Corps officer, but later disgraced himself in political life.
No one can or should attempt to impugn the patriotism of either man, but neither should we attempt to gloss over each man’s ethical shortcomings.
Some would see John Murtha’s later life as a career Washington politician characterized by increasing disconnection from his homestate constituency, driven instead by the political greed, favor and power machines, and finally reaching his dotage with the unfortunate “redneck” gaffe during the 2008 Presidential election.
I join Teresa in offering condolences to the Congressman’s family; may they remember and revere him and his life for their own good.
For the good of the Republic, however, the press (including About.com guides of whatever political stripe) owes a more reasoned perspective.
Teresa, The comment to which I was referring has been removed. Comment #1 now in the thread is excellent by comparison. The other was vile.