Vets group defends Murtha's right to speak against war (VETPAC)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06214/710515-100.stm

A veterans group that opposes the war in Iraq is defending U.S. Rep. John Murtha for taking a stand against the war.

VETPAC issued a statement today criticizing a group called Veterans for Truth, which yesterday announced it is planning a rally against the congressman. Mr. Murtha has called for a quick withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

VETPAC noted that Mr. Murtha has been a zealous supporter of military, veterans and defense programs throughout his career.

"To now call for his ouster due to his Iraq redeployment plan is equivalent to telling him to abdicate his responsibility as a congressman and American citizen. The architects of this travesty claim to have served their country so that American liberty would be ensured; we contend that part of that liberty is the freedom to speak out when one disagrees with the government and to provide alternative actions," the group said in a statement.

"This smear tactic is not new -- it was first used successfully in the 2000 presidential campaign against Sen. John McCain and again in the campaign against Sen. Max Cleland during his 2002 re-election bid. In 2004 though, the tactic was perfected against Sen. John Kerry during his presidential bid," the statement continued.

[Joe for Clark]

1. That is great!!!!

Joe

Got my vote for greatest.

[Monkeyman]

2. There a all call for a push back

[hughee99]

3. Is this really a "rights" issue?

First of all, I do support Murtha, but it sound like the "Veterans for Truth" are holding a rally to support his opponent in hopes of getting him defeated. It sounds like their trying to get the people in his district to vote him out of office, just like we try to do with all the repukes in office. Is this really a free speech issue, though?

[Monkeyman]

4. We have to end this now Its veterans for thuth John O,Niel himself

[hughee99]

5. I agree,

and I absolutely support Murtha, but VETPAC is making this out to be a free speech issue, and I don't think it really is.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. As I read it, they're making it more than that .....

http://vetpac.org/

[hughee99]

10. good info...

I was going off the title and article from the OP,

"To now call for his ouster due to his Iraq redeployment plan is equivalent to telling him to abdicate his responsibility as a congressman and American citizen. The architects of this travesty claim to have served their country so that American liberty would be ensured; we contend that part of that liberty is the freedom to speak out when one disagrees with the government and to provide alternative actions. While ordinary citizens have that responsibility, as an elected official Congressman Murtha has twice the responsibility – citizen and official."

This makes it sound very much like they're making it a free speech issue.

[Bandit]

30. They are trying to suppress speech through intimidation

Not an official act as in making law but still the intimidation used to suppress his right to express his opinion is abominable.

[hughee99]

32. Their "threat" seems to be that they're going to get him defeated

in the election. Yes, their tactics are reprehensible, and whether it is slander or libel is a matter for the courts, but the threat is that if you take a position they don't like, they're going to do everything we can to make sure you don't get elected again? Isn't this how democracy works? Isn't this how all political groups get their power?

Look I don't think this is going to work, and I absolutely agree that we need to fight back, I just don't see this as a free speech issue.

[Monkeyman]

6. Sorry Brother but it has to stop now. That's what beat Kerry

not pushing back.

[StClone]

18. Is systematic full-bore fabrication (slander/libel?)

Protected speech?

[The Wizard]

20. Veterans for Truth?

Truth is, they're the Klan. Saw their rally in DC in 04. They are the Klan without the burning crosses and sheets, none the less, Klan.

[NVMojo]

7. K & R!!!

[Cha]

8. KNR! Thank

Glory! Some Good Vets are speaking up for Jack Murtha!

[Joe for Clark]

11. Almost all our vets are good people.

There aren't so many O'Neils out there as they'd have you believe.

I think there really is an opportunity here.

Joe

[Cha]

17. I know...it's the corporate

media who would have us believe all vets are swiftboat Liars and hand out purple bandaids.

[Joe for Clark]

19. Purple bandaids - that is good.

I always thought that was strange - the concept that most vets agreed with the swiftboat "liars". Of course they don't.

My parents were WWII vets - you know, where republican was synonymous with traitor??

It was.

Purple bandaids - I like that.

thanks,

Joe

[YankeyMCC]

12. I'd like to ask

all the people with "support the troops" magnets and stickers if they support these vets too.

[me b zola]

21. Their magnets should read

"I support some of the troops"---and only until it comes to funding their needs or thinking through a rational foreign policy that does not take lightly their sacrifice.

[Just Me]

13. I hope VETPAC also reveals the falsities behind "vft".

"Veterans for Truth" are a handful of disgruntled, yet very well funded by right-wingers, vets. The truth behind that organization should be revealed. While "vft" relies on twisting facts to attack others, the truth about them, their organization and their profiteering would wipe out the reputation of the vile group.

That is just my opinion.

[bronxiteforever]

14. Fight on VetPAC

Fight the smear-the sleaze dirty tricks of Nixons'past, incarnate in his minion -John O'Neil, Attorney of Texas

[grannylib]

15. "Veterans for Truth" my ass...truth has NOTHING to do with it.

It's a bunch of smear merchants - and that's all the rePiglicans have any more. Smear, lies and fear-mongering...they have no other way to go about trying to retain power, since they have no accomplishments to stand on.
Stand firm, Mr. Murtha! Don't back down and don't EVER apologize for telling the REAL truth.

[lonestarnot]

26. speak it grannylib!

[VP505]

16. Smearing

Congressman Murtha because he offers what he believes might be a better and safer operational plan for our military occupation of Iraq definitely requires a "push back". We can't allow this group of known character assassin liars to attack Rep Murtha without knowing that they and their elected Republican supporters WILL pay a price for their scurrility. It's no secret that the Bu$h/Cheney/Rumsfeld plan or more accurately lack of a plan keeps our soldiers and Marines squarely in the cross hairs of those opposed to the Bu$h occupation, there are at least 2700+ reasons why the Murtha redeployment plan is a "better idea". He damm sure doesn't deserve to be criticized and smeared for offering it.

[DallasNE]

22. Too Many American's Are Still Drinking The Kool-Aid

Served by the morally bankrupt KKKhristian ministers like Bob Jones, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson.

There seems to be no limit to how often they can go to the well with swift boat smears. But the solution is in the hands of American voters and a fairly small swing can make all of the difference in the world.

[PinkyisBlue]

23. Oh my God! No wonder the Bushies want to get rid of Murtha!

Rep. John Murtha not only calls for withdrawal of troops from Iraq, but he has been an outspoken critic of Herr Bush's entire stance on Iraq! He has exposed the war lies and even dared to compare Bush's presidency with Reagan's! The nerve of him. So what if John Murtha is a war hero who has consistently supported military, veterans and defense programs throughout his career? He has no right to state the truth or to voice his thoughts on our foreign policy.

:sarcasm:

Look at his website: http://www.house.gov/murtha/iraq_stance.shtml

In particular, refer to:

March 14, 2006: Administration Facts vs. Facts in Iraq

December 14, 2006: Murtha Contrasts Presidents Reagan and Bush

[madrchsod]

24. they are going after murtha? really? no joke?

i think that guy could kick all those cowards asses and have enough left over to buy everyone a few rounds. more than i could be wrong but these guys are some of the dumbist mortherfuckers on the planet.

[cyclezealot]

25. Free speech in America.?

Good thing We have the first Amendment. If not , with the right wingers cowering our right to speak out; Free Speech would be hopeless. We travel overseas a lot. In much of the world, free speech seems freer. Debate far more civil without name calling. And certainly the variety of media is broader.
I think it all stems from the evangical nature of America. I am right and everyone else is a traitor. We need more respect.
I'd be more than happy to respect everyone else's right to be crazy, if they respected our Free Speech.

[cgrindley]

27. The first amendment is almost worthless today

If you feel that you have the freedom to speak out against the sorts of abuses and crimes that the Bush administration are responsible for and still keep your jobs, hands up. I certainly don't.

[cyclezealot]

31. Americans think its in the Constitution it means something

You are right American history is full of abuses to the First Amendment, starting early on with the Alien and Sedition Act and numerous abuses ever since. Leading all the way to the Dixie Chicks.

[JohnstownDEM]

28. I come to you from the front lines

Ladies and Gentlemen, Johnstown has officially become the newest GOP battlefront. Murtha and Rendell had a conference last night here in town and the turn out was great. My dad was there and personally spoke to Murtha. He is unfazed, but is taking this, like all challenges seriously. I expect this will soon garner national attention, especially with word breaking that the Pentagon will be issuing a report that will end up supporting Murtha's claims:

snip

"Evidence collected on the deaths of 24 Iraqis in Haditha supports accusations that U.S. Marines deliberately shot the civilians, including unarmed women and children, a Pentagon official said Wednesday."

snip

Source: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060802/D8J8ARSG2.html

[Hulk]

29. PUSH them into the sea!!

We were burned and made to look like gullible buffoons once....PLEASE, fight back and push these lying sob's into the Atlantic!!

I firmly believe they gave dubya the grasp of the election in '04 by smearing Kerry with their fabricated lies and bullshit. Now, they are going to try the same successful tactics against Murtha.

It's time to demonstrate in their face. Show them for the dogs and disgraceful klan they are. I hope there is an anti-demonstration rallied together to take the hoods off their heads and expose them for the sacks of shit they really are under those sheets.