|
"Hawkish" Dem: Time To Cut And Run (Updated 2005-11-18)
Hawkish Democrat Calls for Iraq Pullout
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.
"It is time for a change in direction," said Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., one of Congress' most hawkish Democrats. ...
[Read on.]
Words escape me. I've run through my entire list of epitaphs, printable and unprintable, and can't find one that comes close to describing my feelings toward this despicable little worm. The kindest theory I can come up with is that this fool's suffering from delayed-onset PTSD and is no longer capable of understanding that some wars really are necessary and we're in the middle of one of those now. What seems much more likely, though, is that he's simply joined the growing list of sleaze-ball politicians who consider short-term political expediency more important than doing what's right for the country. Does this scum-bag even care that by encouraging the jihadis to hope we'll eventually give up and go home he's prolonging the war in Iraq and costing American lives? Hell's too good for the son of a bitch but I hope he gets there soon.
More here :
... "Congressman Murtha is a respected veteran and politician who has a record of supporting a strong America," said White House press secretary Scott McClellan. "So it is baffling that he is endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic Party."
"The eve of an historic democratic election in Iraq is not the time to surrender to the terrorists," McClellan said. "After seeing his statement, we remain baffled — nowhere does he explain how retreating from Iraq makes America safer."
[...]
Murtha estimated that all U.S. troops could be pulled out within six months. He introduced a resolution Thursday that would force the president to call back the military, but it was unclear when, or if, either GOP-run chamber of Congress would vote on it. ...
Captain Ed's just as impressed as I am:
... Cutting and running is surrender, no matter who proposes it. I don't care if Murtha has a chest full of medals -- telling the national media that American troops can't handle Islamofascist terrorists and must be withdrawn from their range of action is cowardice. As I recall, Marshal Petain managed to prostrate himself right quickly before the Nazis despite his status as a WWI hero, too. Besides, where exactly will Murtha draw that line -- New York City? Logan Airport? ...
More blogosphere reaction here, here, here and here.
Dafydd ab Hugh's the only one I know of who sees anything positive coming out of this:
I suspect the Democratic leadership was choking back rage and fury: here they are, desperately trying to convince the American people that the Democrats can be trusted with national-security policy, that we don't have to worry that they'll cut and run from Iraq if they get into power... and along comes "an influential House Democrat," "one of Congress' most hawkish Democrats," and "a decorated Vietnam veteran" who nakedly says exactly that!
[...]
This is about the greatest present that the Democrats could give Bush and the Republicans, and coming at such a critical moment, too! Every Democrat in the House and Senate will once again have to go on record as advocating either an immediate, John-Kerryesque surrender in the global war on terrorism -- thus infuriating the American people -- or else advocating that we follow Bush's strategy of staying the course...
I think Dafydd may very well be right about this. Let's bring the Murtha resolution up for a vote and get a list of which Dems are in favor of surrendering to this nation's enemies and which ones, when pressed, will have to admit that President Bush is doing the right thing without their prodding. Then let's take the ones who vote for surrender out back and horsewhip every last one of them.
***
http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2005/11/abraham-lincoln-bush_17.html:
The Democratic Party crossed a line today for which there is no turning back. They have gone from being the Loyal Opposition to the Party of Appeasement. The Surrender Iraq movement propped up the alleged hawk John Murtha and had him deliver the tearful call for retreat on behalf of the GIs.
They would throw away the lives of 2,000 men and women who fought to remove a bloodthirsty tyrant and replace him with a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
[...] Hat tip: Antimedia; read his post here.
Joe Gandelman has a long thoughtful post you won't want to miss here.
************************************ 2005-11-18 ************************************
(This post will grow as the day goes on.)
I gotta get me one of those crystal balls like Dafydd's:
House GOP Seeks Quick Vote on Iraq Pullout
WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans, sensing an opportunity for political advantage, maneuvered for a quick vote and swift rejection Friday of a Democratic lawmaker's call for an immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq.
"We want to make sure that we support our troops that are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. "We will not retreat."
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi had no immediate reaction to the planned vote.
[Read on.]
Congressman Murtha, sir, you done stepped in it big time. In Dafydd's words:
This is about the greatest present that the Democrats could give Bush and the Republicans, ... Every Democrat in the House and Senate will once again have to go on record as advocating either an immediate, John-Kerryesque surrender in the global war on terrorism -- thus infuriating the American people -- or else advocating that we follow Bush's strategy of staying the course...
To put it in simpler terms, tonight we separate the patriots for the political hacks.
DO NOT MISS Blackfive's Sheepdogs, Rise Up! post. Read it twice, then get on the phone.
Dafydd ab Hugh:
Who Is John Murtha?
The fact that a man steps up, joins the Marines, and does his duty in Korea (one year) and Vietnam (one year) makes him a brave, resourceful, and responsible citizen.
It doesn't necessarily make him bright.
[Read on.]
***
I don't know how I forgot to link to Senator McCain's Aiding and Abetting editorial earlier. Go read it.
I'm finding good related posts on this faster than I can even think about excerpting them. Just click as many of these links as you have time for: Stop the ACLU, The Jawa Report, The Strata-Sphere, Media Lies, Argghhh!!!, No End But Victory, Q and O, Pejman Yousefzadeh, Brian Maloney.
I'll be back with more later. I've continued this post here.
***
Don't miss Mudville's latest Open Post.
|
