UPDATE AT TOP: Via Gateway Pundit (who has a good post about this);
You can donate to Murtha's opponent Republican William Russell, who lost a son in Iraq, Here. I just made a contribution and you should do so as well. Now.
ORIGINAL POST:
Jack Murtha is defending his back stabbing remarks about U. S. Marines by saying his lies are the reason for our nearing victory in Iraq. Now, with Barack's help, Mugger wants to do the same for Afghanistan.
Murtha warns Obama on Afghanistan
U.S. Rep. John Murtha stands by a controversial remark he made previously that U.S. Marines killed women and children "in cold blood" in Haditha, Iraq, in November 2005.
The blunt description changed how American troops engaged Iraqis and improved overall conditions in the war, Murtha, an 18-term Democrat from Johnstown, said today during a wide-ranging interview with Tribune-Review reporters and editors.
"There are all kinds of things that have happened that have made a difference, but one of the big differences is that we are not bullying our way through like we used to," said Murtha, a former Marine and decorated Vietnam combat veteran. "The rules of engagement are clear -- and it's changed. One of the things that has made it better in Iraq is we are no longer just breaking down doors."
"It's my obligation to speak out. I try everything I can to get things done," Murtha said.
A former Marine involved in the Haditha incident has sued Murtha for slander, saying in a federal lawsuit that his reputation was damaged by the congressman's televised comments in May 2006.
Military prosecutors have said 24 Iraqis, including women and children, were killed in Haditha on Nov. 19, 2005, after one Marine died and two others were wounded by a roadside bomb.
Former Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, 24, of Canonsburg, who filed the lawsuit, initially was charged with three counts of premeditated murder but was exonerated after a full investigation and a hearing. He was honorably discharged last year.
Four enlisted Marines, including Sharratt, originally were charged for their roles in the killings, and four officers were charged in connection with the investigation. One officer was acquitted and charges have since been dropped against everyone else except Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, whose case is pending. Wuterich sued Murtha for defamation in 2006. That lawsuit is pending.
In his lawsuit, Sharratt accuses Murtha of saying Marines "overreacted because of the pressure on them and killed innocent civilians in cold blood."
Murtha told the Tribune-Review he doesn't consider that language overly strident, although all the accused but one have been cleared. Officials conducting the investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigation Service "came up with the same conclusion I did," Murtha said.
Murtha doesn't consider calling troops cold blooded murderers, thus criminals, "overly strident."
On the positive side, Murtha is only calling the people in Western Pennsylvania racists. That's real improvement for a loser like Murtha.
