John Murtha calls for immediate withdrawl, DCCC lists some quotes....

[RSchewe]

The Stakeholder:: Murtha

"The war in Iraq is not going as advertised..."

"The American and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq..."

"It is evident that continued military presence in Iraq is not in the best interests of the United States, Iraq, or the MIddle East..."

"The main reason given for war has been discredited..."

"Let me personalize this for you. I go to the hospitals every week... two women... they wanted to say they were happy to be alive... I had a kid in my district, was blinded and lost his foot... getting bills from a collection agency..."

"These soldiers are marvelous people..."

"It was a US intelligence failure, and it was a failure in how the intelligence was used..."

"What demoralizes is not the criticism" but the lack of a plan to win the peace.

"We must be prepared, the war in Iraq has caused huge shortfalls in our bases at home..."

"George Washington said that being prepared for war is one of the best ways to preserve the peace... we better make sure we prepare enough to preserve the peace..."

more...


http://www.dccc.org/stakeholder/archives/003911.html

[RSchewe]

1. Is there any video of it up yet? I missed the very beginning. n/t

[skooooo]

2. I'm sure it will be up soon...

You've got to see this! I've never seen anything like it in my life.

[TahitiNut]

3. That's a strong indication that the uniformed military is itself against

... the Bushoilini Regime. Murtha is "Mr. DoD" and the strongest advocate for the military in the House.

[RSchewe]

4. AP: House Democrat Wants Immediate Iraq Pullout

By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An influential House Democrat who voted for the Iraq war called Thursday for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, another sign of growing unease in Congress about the conflict.

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., called for the United States "to immediately redeploy U.S. troops consistent with the safety of U.S. forces."

"With a U.S. troop redeployment, the Iraqi security forces will be incentified to take control," Murtha said in remarks prepared for delivery.

The decorated Vietnam War veteran is a close adviser to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. For months, Pelosi has pushed for the Bush administration to outline an exit strategy, although she has stopped short of calling for a pullout troops.

Some Senate Democrats have called for immediate or phased withdrawal.

Murtha's comments came just two days after the Senate voted to approve a statement that 2006 "should be a period of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty" to create the conditions for the phased withdrawal of U.S. forces.

more...


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONGRESS_IRAQ?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-11-17-10-55-28

[KansDem]

22. Wait...wait...WAIT a minute!!!

The decorated Vietnam War veteran...

OK...ooohhhkay. It has to be asked, "Did Rep. Murtha REALLY earn those decorations? Hmmmm?? I mean, really, the GOP has shown that just because a veteran received medals doesn't mean he EARNED them. It doesn't matter that eyewitness accounts substantiates and the military verifies such accounts; the GOP has the last say whether or not the decorations were earned! I'll await their assessment!

:sarcasm: x 2,080

[IronLionZion]

24. Just because they are cowardly draft-dodging chickenhawks

doesn't mean Republicans don't understand the war in Iraq. I'm sure they care...

:sarcasm: :grr:

[long_green]

33. good work. time to sick a real hero on him

paging Michelle Malkin...

[countryjake]

5. He also said...

That the Coalition soldiers were considered the common enemy of the Sunnis, Saddamists and foreign Jihadists, alike...our men were the catalyst of violence in Iraq.

That our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency.

That only about 7% of the insurgency consists of foreign fighters.

That 80% of the Iraqis are against the presence of our Coalition being there and want us out of their country!

That 45% of the Iraqis think that attacks against our soldiers are justified.!

That we need to turn Iraq over to the Iraqis!

That criticism isn't what is demoralizing our troops...what is demoralizing them are the IEDs (roadside bombs)!

That before the Iraqi elections, scheduled for mid December, the Iraqi people and the emerging government must be put on notice that the United States will immediately redeploy!

[countryjake]

20. Here's more of his speech...

"This is the immediate redeployment of American forces because they have become the target," said Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, one of Congress' most hawkish Democrats. At times during his remarks to reporters, the decorated Vietnam War veteran and former Marine was choking back tears.

"It is time for a change in direction. Our military is suffering, the future of our country is at risk. We cannot continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interests of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf region," Murtha said.

Murtha, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, has earned bipartisan respect for his grasp of military issues over three decades in Congress.

[countryjake]

23. His best line...

"The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion," Murtha said.

[IronLionZion]

6. THAT'S MY CONGRESSMAN!!!!

WOOT! Score one for the good guys!

The honorable Jack Murtha is not some liberal peacenik. This Democrat is very tough on defense. I was pleasantly surprised when he endorsed the good doctor Dean, and I'm even more pleasantly surprised that he's doing this now.

Who says they don't make Democrats like they used to? Coal, Steel, and TRUTH, that's what Pennsylvania does!


Fine, so he's not my congressman anymore. But he was until the the 2000 gerrymandering.

:patriot:

[azmouse]

9. Hoorah for PA

I was born and raised in PA (now living in AZ) and I'm so happy that when someone finally spoke up about this immoral war it was a Pennsylvanian!

[newyawker99]

14. Hi azmouse!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[IronLionZion]

17. Hoorah! Welcome to DU!

:hi: :toast:

[hwmnbn]

18. Hi azmouse, welcome to DU....

:hi:

[azmouse]

30. Thank you all!

I've been reading DU for awhile and it's good to be among people who think and feel as I do!
And you all seem so smart and really up on politics. I hope to learn from you all.

[adubadee]

19. This great man lives within 5 minutes of where I'm sitting right now.

It's going to be hard to discredit the words of Rep. Murtha.
I haven't understood all of his moves politically, but I can surely say he has done a hell of a lot for the flood city. Are you from J-town ILZ?

[IronLionZion]

21. Close, I'm from Somerset

Murtha's district included us until 2000, when the dirty whores gerymandered us to drop some Democratic seats. Now, I'm in that asshole Bill Shuster's district. :grr: I appreciate what Murtha did with health care and other socially responsible initiatives, but you can understand why he's a hawk on defense.

The chickenhawks will try to smear this great American patriot and Marine Colonel, but not without a fight from us.

Hoorah! Semper Fi!

[Demoiselle]

34. I think you can make the case that Murtha is actually pretty conservative.

Which is why I think we dems should stop sniping at each other from left and right and get together to oust the Repukes. There'll be plenty of time for bickering after we've taken back the agenda in congress. Hurray for Murtha!

[IronLionZion]

41. John Murtha on the issues

http://www.ontheissues.org/PA/John_Murtha.htm

Yes, he is an old school Catholic "conservative Democrat". I think it's safe to call him "pro-life" instead of "anti-choice" since he has done so much for healthcare and social programs like adoption. You'd be surprised how many wingnuts are against adoption. He supports gay adoption and feels that civil rights laws should protect gays too. And has an A+ rating from the NRA, similar to my man Dean.

If all that makes him conservative than I would love to have more political leaders from either party just like him.

[Demoiselle]

44. I agree with you. I like him. I didn't mean conservative in a bad way....

I just get irked with some of my fellow "Liberal/Progressive friends who dismiss a good man like Murtha out of hand. We've got a lot more to bind us than divide us imo.

[democrank]

7. Let`s see what the White House

smear machine does with Murtha. Didn`t Murths spend umpteen years as a Marine? I believe he`s a hawkish Vietnam War vet. His speech was excellent.

[RSchewe]

8. You just tossed me a softball, underhand. That's easy: "Irresponsible"

Repeat that word, in an echo chamber.

[countryjake]

10. 37 yrs. in the Marines...retired as a colonel in the Corps.

Also is the former chairman of the Defense Appropriations Committee. This man was brought to tears during his speech!

[RSchewe]

11. I was pretty moved. Hopefully there will be some video of it up somewhere

soon.

[countryjake]

12. Damned CNN cut his speech off right when he was getting weepy!

Frantic scanning ALL the other news channels and C-SPAN...he wasn't even on, at all, anywhere else. I watched him from the beginning, but I want to hear how he ended such a fine statement! Chaps my hide the media thinks this isn't as important as the utter garbage all the other channels were showing!

[AverageJoe]

13. Yes CNN did it again

Those whores. They cut the man off right in the middle of a very effective and honest emotional appeal.

If CNN were a news organization they would have shown this historic speech in its entirety. Since they are an arm of the RNC, they gave it minimal coverage and went to commercial. Those whores.

[IronLionZion]

15. If you want to contact the good congressman

Use the web form:

http://www.house.gov/murtha/contact.shtml

And he served 37 distinguished years in the US Marine Corps active and reserves rising to the rank of Colonel. He is a decorated veteran of Korea and Vietnam. And he joined John McCain in opposing torture (for obvious reasons).

Read his fascinating bio if you want: http://www.house.gov/murtha/bio.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Murtha

Jack Murtha is real American hero, and a good Democrat. :patriot:

[countryjake]

16. His story of the blinded soldier who lost his foot...

made me bawl like a baby. This kid was at Walter Reed for awhile but then he was released and sent home. His father was in jail. Murtha says, imagine, blind with one foot and sent home to nobody!

So then he was sent to John Hopkins for tests to certify that he was actually blind...sent home again...then the bills began coming in. Then the collection agencies started calling. Evidently, Murtha stepped in at that point, cause he said the collection stopped.

What of all the wounded boys who haven't got anyone like Murtha representing them? The battle fatigue that Murtha talked about has got to be the worst effect of this Occupation! Realizing that they were totally expendable is the sad truth of our country's foreign policy.


OUT OF IRAQ, NOW!

[kpete]

27. Official Transcript Now Available at:

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa12_murtha/pr051117iraq.html

[countryjake]

29. This guy's a HAWK and he never used the word ''SUCCESS" once!

Thanks for directing me to that transcript! I was trying to scribble everything he was saying... first thing out of bed, couldn't find my glasses, you should see my notes, LOL!

I was just waiting to hear him say what every other "withdrawal plan" has included, but he never uttered that word!

This guy is a real soldier at heart!

[Obamanaut]

50. I just read it, and it's OUTSTANDING. (forgive yelling) n/t

[tk2kewl]

25. liveoaktx has the video up on CanOfFun

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5382832

[Gregorian]

26. Bush lied. The war is illegal.

That's all anyone needs to say.

This war was started by the Bush administration. Not Saddam. And it's illegal in every sense except that Bush lied to Congress to coerce them into renigging the Constitution. It's illegal in every way.

Add to this, that they stole the election (which we have now proven), and you dig a much deeper hole.

LET'S START PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER. STOP PUSSYFOOTING AROUND.

Find the nearest lampost and hang them all.

[spanone]

28. The Rats are Jumping Ship.....this is fun to watch

:popcorn:

[understandinglife]

31. My, my, ... from the mouth of a major Dem hawk ... And CNN is on it:

Currently top of the stack on CNN online:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/17/murtha.iraq/index.html


Peace.

[ohio_liberal]

36. I think this is a very purposeful move

I think the Dems as a whole (minus that bastard Biden, and of course Jomentum) are going to make a huge shift towards immediate withdrawal.

[long_green]

38. I agree

and I think that Murtha will stand alone for a while to see if (and how) the GOP attack him.

[understandinglife]

39. I agree. As many of us have known since they started this illegal ...

... war of aggression, they didn't begin to consider the consequences of not having a several million troop commitment to the enterprise. They were warned by many that "on the cheap" imperialism would ensure massive cost of life and resources while accelerating the inevitable civil war that has now been raging in Iraq since the early summer of 2003.

We need to be out of there with as efficient a logistical withdrawal as we can possibly engineer.

At the same time, some responsible representative of our government must go before the UN General Assembly and:

1. Apologize;

2. State unequivocally that those who broke the law will be held accountable in an American Tribunal on the Iraq War;

3. Request logistical support for the removal of ALL Americans from Iraq;

4. Request international support for a stabilization group to work with the various Iraqi factions to fashion a geo-political framework that enables the various groups who live in that part of the world to stop killing one another and begin rebuilding their infrastructure and their society.

We, yes you and me and the next two or three generations of Americans are going to be paying for a big piece of that reconstruction. We broke it, while breaking all kinds of laws. We don't own it, but we have a long-term responsibility for the criminal behavior of our government and their corporate "contractors."


Peace.

[countryjake]

40. "The American People are way ahead of us!"

Murtha said that, right at the start of his speech. I assume by "us" he meant the elected officials of our government, both Dems and Reps, the House and Senate. All that our Congress is concerned with is making this effort to reshape the Middle East a "success"; turning an impossible mission into something "honorable" by not admitting defeat; huffing and puffing on all the "mistakes" that were made; and NEVER holding one warmonger accountable for such a Grievous Offense committed against the nation of Iraq!

They are all covering their asses and the average American knows it. Our government, both the prez's gang AND Congress, illegally invaded another country, killing thousands and thousands of innocent people in OUR name. This is no game, it is not a party, it is Death and Destruction in order to change the world for American interest!

I, as an American, have no interest in Death and Destruction!

[confludemocrat]

32. See how pitifully and damningly behind the curve Kerry, Edwards, Biden etc

still are? Not to mention Hillary and Bayh among those considered 2008-"viable" who haven't timidly crept (or slithered) up to the point even these three afforementioned terminally compromised weaklings have.

their apologies, such as they are, are not gonna cut it for 2008, when they will have been outflanked by a total withdrawal by bushites by then, who will still have plenty of progfiteering to ocupy themselves with counting up.

[ohio_liberal]

35. Democratic party as a whole shifting towards troop withdrawal?

What do you think folks?

The Clintons begin anti-war rhetoric, one of the Democratic Party's war veteran lawmakers calls a press conference calling for immediate withdrawal. The majority of the nation believes they've been lied to and Bush's poll numbers are in the toilet. It looks to me like the party is making a significant shift, growing some cajones even. Finally.

[dzika]

37. Video - War Hawk Rep. Murtha (D-PA) Calls for Immediate Withdrawal

November 17, 2005

Video - War Hawk Rep. Murtha (D-PA) Calls for Immediate Troop Withdrawal

Video in Windows Media format...
Audio in MP3 format...


more at BradBlog.com...

[Voltaire99]

42. Good: may all the hawks cry like Murtha

Sob for the lives you've ruined, foolish hawk.

To have come out of Vietnam learning nothing about the dire costs of adventurism--then, in fact, to impose them on a new generation--is the full rotten measure of a man's moral and intellectual failure.

The disgraced Murtha should help end the war he started, and then leave politics.

Democrat or Republican or Demopublican or Republicrat: it's all the same. Like Cindy Sheehan, I won't be casting any further votes for the war party.

[DaveColorado]

43. This moved me:

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20051117110009990002&ncid=NWS00010000000001

His voice cracked and tears filled his eyes as he related several stories of visiting wounded troops, including one who was blinded and lost both his hands but had been denied a Purple Heart because friendly fire caused his injuries.

"I met with the commandant. I said, 'If you don't give him a Purple Heart, I'll give him one of mine.' And they gave him a Purple Heart," said Murtha, who has two.

[lovuian]

48. Isn't this the saddest story it chokes me up Where is the

Bush Regimes brain!!! They have treated the military like crap!!!

[Callie]

46. I think you've got 2 choices.......

Last time I checked, Communist/Socialist wasn't an option ;)

[ClayZ]

45. Thank you John Murtha, you are a PATRIOT!

:patriot:

[Disturbed]

47. Iraq Reconstruction money tapped out.

$20 BILLION is missing. Congress should do their job and deny any more funding for the Iraqi debacle until that $20 BILLION is accounted for.

[0007]

49. Bring The Troops Home Now! n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

51. ***Threads with HISTORIC CNN VIDEO and info for THANKING Murtha***

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5385822
thread title (11/17 GD): Murtha on CNN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5383231
thread title (11/17 GD): Please contact Congressman John Murtha and thank him for his integrity.