Received some interesting e-mails in last couple days; here's the first. I don't personally know any of this to be true, but................
Bob
Subject: Here's the real Jack Murtha
>What is a War Hero?
>I've been listening to Congressmen Jack Murtha's
>negative comments about the war in Iraq for some
>months now. I've heard him repeatedly described as a
>"war hero".
>Thirty-seven years in the Marine Corps.
>Wow!
>I visualize a burly ex-Marine, his chest bedazzled
>with medals, the survivor of countless combats in
>Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. A man who knows war
>and combat from the inside out. A man with the
>experience that allows him to see that the war in Iraq
>is hopeless, and we should all quit and go home.
>Although I've been turned off by Murtha's remarks, I
>never questioned his war hero status.
>Nor has our liberal press which is why Murtha has been
>getting away with his charade&
>Then the other day, bingo! I suddenly knew something
>was rotten in Denmark about Jack Murtha's war hero
>status. I've been bothered by his comments in the past
>but his latest remarks about Marines killing civilians
>in cold blood caught my attention. Whether this turns
>out to be true or not, something just didn't compute.
>No real Marine who's "been there" would prejudge
>combat troops prior to the release of a military
>inquiry&
>That was the moment when I woke up and said, "Hey, I'm
>going to check this guy out."
>And what did I find? Did I find a man of vast
>operational experience with an extensive combat
>record? No. I found a man whom fellow congressman Don
>Bailey of Pennsylvania, Silver Star and three Bronze
>Stars, calls a liar and a phony. A man who came to
>Bailey crying and sobbing, thanking him for saving
>Murtha from the ethics committee (on ABSCAM-related
>charges) at which time he admitted to Bailey that his
>Purple Hearts weren't earned.
>I found a man with a couple of years of active duty,
>and the rest of his 37-year career spent in the Marine
>Corps Reserve.
>I found a man who served in the Marines during Korean
>War, yes, but somehow never actually made it to Korea.
>I found a man with one year in Vietnam, not up front
>but in the rear area, as a staff intelligence offer.
>I found a man who's no more been in combat, or is a
>war hero, than I am.
>Even John Kerry has more combat experience than Jack
>Murtha.
>I know flight attendants who have spent more time in
>Danang than him.
>So what is a War Hero? Well at the bare minimum, a war
>hero would have to be somebody who's actually been in
>combat, somebody who's been in direct contact with the
>enemy over some extended period of time, somebody
>who's been shot at and/or had their life repeatedly
>threatened like the Infantry or the Army, Navy, Marine
>Corps, and Air Force pilots who flew over Vietnam;
>somebody who has performed his or her duties in a
>heroic manner.
>So, what is Jack Murtha?
>Just one more scheming politician, a Democrat, sensing
>a change in the direction of the political winds. A
>man who volunteered for a year's duty in Vietnam as a
>staff intelligence officer, so he could come home and
>run for Congress in 1968 as a war hero.
>Barf.
>Sound familiar? A man who's thinking about the next
>election, and hoping he's on the right side when it
>comes.
>As a citizen and as a Congressman, Murtha has every
>right to express his opinion on the Iraq War - but not
>cloaked in the mantle of a Marine Corps war hero with
>vast experience in such matters. His comments are very
>destructive to the morale of our troops and have only
>one objective - to get re-elected.
>Bob
>*****************************************************************************
>Now read Congressman Don Baileys comments, and his
>letter to Jack Murtha, which follows below.
>As youll see from his record, Bailey ought to know
>what hes talking about. And falsifying his combat
>record, it appears, isnt all Congressman Murtha may
>have done.
>We hope there will be a full explanation of this.
>After all, Murtha has recently smeared the men of his
>own Marine Corps before theyve been given the benefit
>of due process.
>The least we should ask for is that Murtha complies
>with Baileys requests for proof.
>More to follow.
>Best,
>Phil
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>
>
>Murtha's War Hero Status Called Into Question
>By Marc Morano and Randy Hall
>CNSNews.com Staff
>January 13, 2006
>
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewSpecialReports.asp?Page=%5CSpecialReports%5Carchive%5C200601%5CSPE20060113a.html>A Cybercast News Service investigation reveals that
>one of Murtha's former Democratic congressional
>colleagues and a fellow decorated Vietnam veteran, Don
>Bailey of Pennsylvania, alleges that Murtha admitted
>during an emotional conversation on the floor of the
>U.S. House in the early 1980s that he did not deserve
>his Purple Hearts.
>
>"[Murtha] is putting himself forward as some combat
>veteran with serious wounds and he's using that and
>it's dishonest and it's wrong," Bailey told Cybercast
>News Service on Jan. 9. Murtha served in the Marines
>on active duty and in the reserves from 1952 until his
>retirement as a colonel in 1990. He volunteered for
>service in Vietnam and was a First Marine Regiment
>intelligence officer in 1966 and 1967.
>
>Murtha and Bailey, once allies, were forced to run
>against each other in a Democratic congressional
>primary in 1982 following redistricting. Murtha won
>the election.
>
>Murtha has, in the past, publicly dismissed any
>questions about whether he deserved his two Purple
>Hearts, noting during his 1994 congressional campaign
>that "I am proud of my service in Vietnam."
>'He's a phony and a liar'
>
>Bailey said during the time Murtha was being
>investigated for his role in the Abscam FBI sting in
>1980, Murtha made a confession on the House floor.
>
>... you admitted, back in our corner, that you didn't
>earn your purple hearts (sic) (you indicated you had
>small scratch on your cheek that wasn't even directly
>related to an APC [Armored Personnel Carrier] that ran
>over a small antipersonnel mine that was behind you).
>The other purple heart [sic] you even declined to
>explain," wrote Bailey in an open letter dated May 5,
>2002 (see full te xt below).
>
>Bailey is also a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. He
>served in the U.S. Army's 82nd and 101st Airborne
>Divisions and was awarded a Silver Star and three
>Bronze Stars.
>
>"At the time (of Murtha's alleged admission), you were
>feeling particularly vulnerable because it wasn't too
>long after you had called me crying and sobbing,
>thanking me for 'saving your life' before the ethics
>committee (on Abscam-related charges). There was no
>doubt in my mind that you were expressing to me that
>you did not believe you did anything sufficient to
>earn the purple heart [sic] and that you didn't want
>to be active in my efforts to laud Vietnam veterans
>that served with us," Bailey wrote in his May 2002
>letter.
>
>"You may deny that all you wish -- but you and I know
>that that conversation took place," he added.
>
>In the Jan. 9 interview with Cybercast News Serv ice
>Bailey affirmed the contents of his 2002 letter.
>
>"The issue here is this idea or pretense that [Murtha]
>knows combat and he's got two Purple Hearts. He's a
>phony and a liar," Bailey said.
>
>Bailey also questioned why Murtha has thus far
>declined to release his full military records in order
>to clear up the controversy.
>
>"The Marine Corps ought to be able to produce all the
>orders, the medical stuff, the citations and the
>orders granting [the Purple Hearts] and everything
>else. Where is that stuff?" he asked.
>
>According to a May 16, 2002, edition of the
>Washington, Pa., Observer-Reporter, Murtha "produced
>military paperwork indicating he was entitled to the
>awards," and a Murtha spokesperson was quoted as
>saying that "the media for years has investigated 'and
>found nothing.'"
>
>But Murtha's paperwork did nothing to sway Bailey's
>opinion. < BR>
>"You may fool a few reporters into believing that
>merely because you got some perfunctory paperwork made
>out by a friend, that that means you earned the purple
>hearts [sic]. But even if you were awarded the medals
>later, there should be affidavits from witnesses.
>These things should be easy to get," Bailey wrote in
>his letter while demanding an apology from Murtha for
>questioning his credibility.
>
>Murtha could end the controversy at any time, Bailey
>added, simply by calling a press conference and
>producing the evidence of his wounds.
>
>"Explain where you were and what you were doing when
>you got the purple hearts.[sic] Explain who was with
>you and treated your wounds, but most important, Jack,
>describe your wounds or the lack thereof, as you did
>for me, years ago," Bailey wrote.
>
>"Unless the Marine Corps gives out medals for
>unsubstantiated noncombat-related telltale scratches,
>procured for use in political campaign -- then show me
>the money, Jack," Bailey a dded.
>
>Murtha: 'I'm proud of m y service in Vietnam'
>
>During the 1994 congressional campaign against GOP
>opponent Dr. William Choby, Murtha's two Purple Hearts
>became a political issue.
>
>"Explain your Purple Hearts. He (Murtha) used them to
>get elected," Choby charged in 1994.
>
>In responding to the charges, Murtha claimed that he
>"didn't ask for the Purple Hearts.
>
>"I'm proud of my service in Vietnam. I don't know if
>he (Choby) served in the service at all. I left my
>family and my business to serve in Vietnam. My family
>made great sacrifice for me to make that service in
>Vietnam, so I'm very proud of that," he told the
>Uniontown Herald-Standard in the newspaper's Oct. 26,
>1994 edition.
>
>"I am disappointed that a guy (Choby) would say
>something like that when I volunteered in the reserves
>and I felt it was important that I go. What's the
>point in all this? It's irritating," Murtha added.
>
>Choby also challenged the validity of Murtha's Bronze
>Star with Combat 'V' during the 1996 congressional
>campaign.
>
>"I find it very curious that Combat 'V' doesn't even
>exist in any of the materials he had distributed,"
>Choby was quoted as saying in the Herald-Standard of
>Oct. 13, 1996. "His military record improves over the
>years," he added.
>
>The Murtha controversy is reminiscent of the flap
>surrounding the war record of 2004 Democratic
>presidential nominee John Kerry. But while critics
>like the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth attacked Kerry
>in 2004 because of his anti-war activism of the 1970s,
>Murtha's three chief accusers all made their al
>legations years and in some cases decades before
>Murtha emerged last Nov ember as a prominent anti-war
>activist.
>
>Choby told Cybercast News Service on Jan. 5 that
>Murtha's entire political career is based on his war
>record. "Without that credibility of those combat
>medals, he would have never been elected to office,"
>Choby said.
>***************************************************************
>Letter from Congressman Dan Bailey to Murtha:
>May 5, 2002
>See:
>
http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/baileylttomurtha.htm>Dear Jack,
>Im writing on matters of joint concern. A number of
>weeks ago I was talking with someone who is a mutual
>acquaintance and your name came up. It was an
>unusually frank discussion and I considered it
>private. I did relate some opinions about you and
>shared some recollections about experiences with you
>in Congress. I was, to be honest, critical about how
>you misled me about ABSCAM where you convinced me you
>had voluntarily told federal agents about the offer of
>money to you and I learned later, after I had
>successfully defeated the ethics charges against you,
>that you had merely manipulated the system to
>cooperate with federal agents to avoid prosecution.
>I also shared my recollection of when you admitted,
>back in our corner, that you didnt earn your Purple
>Hearts (you indicated you had a small scratch on your
>cheek that wasnt even directly related to an APC that
>ran over a small anti personnel mine that was behind
>you). The other Purple Heart you even declined to
>explain.
>At the time you were feeling particularly vulnerable,
>because it wasnt too long after you had called me
>crying and sobbing, thanking me for saving your life
>before the ethics committee. There was no doubt in my
>mind that you were expressing to me that you did not
>believe you did anything sufficient to earn the purple
>heart, and that you didnt want to be active in my
>efforts to laud Vietnam Veterans that served with us.
>Given what I know about the brave men who served in
>the Marine Corps, I did not criticize you, but to be
>honest, I was shocked and disappointed in you
>personally. We both knew what was at issue, and we
>both know what happened and that you wanted to avoid
>the limelight. Later, we ended up having to run for
>the same seat. It was a good clean race and I admit I
>knew I couldnt win, simply on the basis of voter turn
>out alone. During that time some people came to me
>with documents indicating you had used influence,
>after the fact, or had embellished your Purple Heart
>awards. I did not respond, and I said nothing. In
>doing so I may have betrayed my comrades in arms
>because I knew then what you had told me in the corner
>of the house - but I had told no one about that and I
>stood mute. But a few weeks ago my conversation was
>private and I was not seeking to do you a ny harm,
>though it would be ridiculous for me to infer that I
>have any respect for what youve done.
>Regardless, shortly thereafter a reporter called me
>and I was put in a very different position. I could
>either deny what I said in private conversation, and
>thus lie, or I could fess up to the truth, or, I could
>take the cowards way out and stand mute. If I say
>something, I should either have the courage to back it
>up, or I shouldnt open my mouth. Regardless it was
>too late, and I did not choose to lie. So I admitted
>to what I had said. However, I later received two
>calls from two different aides of yours, and later I
>was called a liar in the press. I am not a liar and I
>want an apology for the remarks you authorized that I
>didnt tell the truth about our conversation. I dont
>know how you got yourself awarded the Purple Hearts,
>but I know you indicated you didnt earn them.
>By the way, Im not an ingrate. I deeply appreciate
>the help you gave me for the last governors primary.
>In fact, out of respect for you, when I realized that
>the race was going no where, I didnt even cash the
>check you sent, (which I kept). Being grateful for
>your help, I have not sought to hurt you - but I will
>not betray or exploit the young men who died while
>fighting, with me, for this country. Never coming
>forward is one thing - I never have. Lying is another.
>Coincidentally I just settled an 11-year old law suit
>with Barbara Hafer where she apologized in writing for
>campaign defamation and admitted that federal agents
>(Thornburghs political friends) lied to her. I will
>not accept your falsehoods now. Enough is enough.
>You clearly indicated to me in a moment of weakness,
>that you hadnt deserved the Purple Hearts and there
>was no confusion on that. You may deny that all you
>wish - but you and I know that that conversation took
>place. Please apologize now. You may fool a few
>reporters into believing that merely because you got
>some perfunctory paperwork made out by a friend, that
>that means you earned the Purple Hearts. But even if
>you were awarded the medals later, there should be
>affidavits from witnesses. These things should be easy
>to get - where are they?
>I bet they dont exist, Jack, because you are the one
>whos lying. Luckily theres one easy way to settle
>all this. Call a press conference. Explain where you
>were and what you were doing when you got the Purple
>Hearts. Explain who was with you and treated your
>wounds, but most important, Jack, describe your wounds
>or the lack thereof, as you did for me, years ago.
>I am absolutely certain that you wont do that -
>because, though you may have manipulated some
>paperwork that says you were awarded the medals (for
>political purposes) you cant produce the witnesses or
>documents to show any wounds or circumstances under
>which they occurred.
>Unless the Marine Corps gives out medals for
>unsubstantiated non -combat related telltale
>scratches, procured for use in political campaign -
>then show me the money, Jack - because there should at
>least be evidence by affidavit, or record of the
>scratches, thats what getting a Purple Heart requires
>- show me.
>You may be able to take advantage of a few Washington
>reporters who dont have sufficient experience to
>understand - but you cant fool combat veterans of the
>Vietnam War by hiding behind unit losses - were
>used to those stories. I have my orders describing my
>combat awards, Jack - to back up my DD-214. Wheres
>yours?
>And Jack - dont you ever call me a liar.
>Sincerely,
>Don Bailey
>
>
>__________________________________________________
>Do You Yahoo!?
