MIAMI — "American presence in Iraq is more dangerous to world peace than nuclear threats from North Korea or Iran, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., said to an audience of more than 200 in North Miami Saturday afternoon."
Here's the rest of the story.
Shout out to Matthew.
Here's the rest of the story.
Shout out to Matthew.
59 comments:
Since Murtha is up for reelection in Pennsylvania this fall, he really ought to keep his big mouth shut. He is proving himself to be more anti-American than the ACLU, and that is saying something.
In my opinion, he is a disgrace to the House of Representatives, the Marine Corps, and Pennsylvania.
Murtha's opponent, Diana Irey, is garnering support of Veterans all across the country. We hope she will successfully unseat Murtha and he can just fade away.
Diana Irey 4 Congress
Murtha is a disgrace to the uniform he once wore. To oppose the war is one thing. To call Marines who are being investigated and haven't been charged with anything "cold blooded murderers," is quite another.
Denigrating the troops and the country will not keep him in Congress.
The "Cut & Run wing of the Democratic Party is in charge of that Party now. Anti-American Murtha is a part of that wing.
Ps when ever you hear some Democrat say we need "An Exit Strategy" he, she, ment to say
we need to Cut & Run.
"American presence in Iraq is more dangerous to world peace than nuclear threats from North Korea or Iran, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., said to an audience of more than 200 in North Miami Saturday afternoon."
This goofy story is being investigated as I write. Murtha never said any such thing, not in Miami, not anywhere else, not ever. Look for Arizona Star and Sun-Sentinel to publish the appropriate corrections in their papers. Knight Rider picked up this story over the weekend. They'll drop it like a hot potato in the next couple hours. Elizabeth Baier, the author of this story, will be wondering what the big deal is about making up stuff and reporting it as news. If anyone here has contacts at The National Enquirer, perhaps now would be a good time to email her. I suspect she's going to need a new job soon. Write condolences and "buck up!" note to her at: ebaier@sun-sentinel.com
Why an "investigation, Chancuff? Either he said it, or he didn't.
Still, can you deny he said that Marines had murdered Iraqis in Cold Blood?
The Whitehouse has confirmed that General George Casey has drafted Iraq troop reduction plan. Hmmmm.
A disgrace? Cut and run?
Do you suppose they have contingency plans for when to bring the troops home? Do you remember when they talked about bringing some of the troops home in spring '06 and right after that the D's said, hey we know, let's bring them home now? Just as I predicted! Love it! How about we do this: let the guys who know bring the troops home when the guys who know say so?
Breathe.
And then...let the guys who know decide when to bring the troops home.
The contingency plan is to announce troop drawdowns before the November elections. The elections are a little more than 4 months away, so rightwingnuts should get ready for a course reversal. Also expect a ratcheting up of terror alerts between now and the elections.
John Murtha is focused on helping the country, and especially the troops.
No wonder the Republicans and the trolls are so afraid of him. Just watch them bash him again and again, despite everything that Murtha has done for this country.
He will help Democrats. Now, if the votes will actually be counted, he will help Democrats win.
Just checked, there's no correction. Not even a hint. I don't doubt he DID say it.
"Contingency" plan, huh?
con·tin·gen·cy n., pl. con·tin·gen·cies. 1.a. An event that may occur but that is not likely or intended; a possibility. b. A possibility that must be prepared for; a future emergency. 2. The condition of being dependent on chance; uncertainty. 3. Something incidental to something else. --con·tin“gen·cy adj.
Okay, so there is a plan that may be used one day in the future. hate to tell you, but the Military has "contingency" plans for nearly everything.
Fizzi, only in your dreams is anyone afraid of Murtha. He is a disgrace and should be an embarrassment to your party. That he isn't shows the left has no shame. Murtha isn't on any track, save a short track to senility.
There are currently 713 Veterans from all across the fruited plain signed on against Murtha. For an election in another state, that's not too shabby. Oh yes, that list grows every day.
Copy & Paste and see for yourself;
http://vets4irey.com/vetlist.shtml
Followup to my Murtha in Miami post yesterday:
I've written the Florida International University Public Relations folks asking them to preserve their audio/video recording of this event they sponsored for Murtha to speak at.
Were I in Sun-Sentinel's shoes, I'd sit still as a mouse, hoping this will all blow over without much more fuss. Elizabeth Baier quotes Murtha several times in her Breaking World News (Brit Hume of Fox News as well as the Wall Street Joural have taken Baier's ball and run with it) claims of what Murtha, as well as others, said. When direct quotes are used, it's often the case the reporter has recorded the event, in order to make certain their quotes are accurate. What initially drew my attention was her lack of quotes for what she claims Murtha said in her first paragraph.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-ctownhall25jun25,0,7119684.story
Shortly after reading the Sun Sentinel story, I googlenews'ed "Murtha Miami Iran Nuclear"
Among the dozens of hits quoting Ms. Baier indexed within a few hours of the Sun Sentinel's earth shaking expose' of Murtha's talk, I found another article published by the Miami Herald.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/14896189.htm
You will notice, this writer totally missed Murtha's "shot heard around the world" (technorati now has 400+ hits for what Ms. Baier claims Murtha said.)
On the unlikely chance Ms. Baier did *not* quote Murtha from a recording she made at the event ... reread my first paragraph.
I've sent inquiries to the entire editorial boards of the Sun Sentinel, Wall Street Journal, Arizona Sun Star and Miami Herald, as well as Knight Ridder, asking them to persue any copy of any recording of this event, in persuit of the real news story, Elizabeth Baier.
It shouldn't take more than a day, or three, for Ms Baier to experience personally, what she felt entitled to foist on John Murtha's head. Whether you like or despise John Murtha is no longer the story. The real story is ... just how far has mainstream media sunk? Is Jerry Springer Journalism the new standard for reporters? I spent a few hours on the phone with a friend of mine who is editor for a news site. I'm letting him run with this ball. You can follow how this story develops at:
http://theinfozone.net/
chancuff
Perhaps you don't realize just how left leaning South Florida is?
It isn't uncommon for one reporter to report differently than another. Still, if they reaslly feel the need to delete portions of what he said, I'm sure all transcripts will delete.
Regardless, it still won't change the fact that he called our Marines "cold blooded murderers" when no charges had been filed or investigations finished. Now will it change anything towards his being an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the 1980s ABSCAM scandal.
It will be interesting to see how far the left will go to protect Murtha and is mouth.
Just watch out for those Kinkos. ;)
I've double checked for any corrections on this story. Day three and there's none yet. It's possible they have it wrong and won't admit it. No proof of that at the moment. What's interesting is that nobody, not for one second, has a problem believing this guy said exactly what he's quoted as saying. You lefties don't have to love this guy, you know.
It looks as though the Republicans will have to claim that they voted against withdrawl before they voted for it.
I completely agree with Mr. Murtha. America IS the greatest threat to "peace" - to the left's idea of peace, anyhow. To them, peace is absence of conflict. Can't we all just get along? If someone wants to kill you, why not lay down your arms and blow him a kiss, and hope it changes his mind?
Some, myself included, disagree. We know that conflict is a constant in the world of men, and that so long as we are ALL DIFFERENT PEOPLE, CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSITY (choke on that one, libs, please), that conflicts will occur. Some are dangerous, others merely annoying. Conflict is natural and healthy, and does not have much bearing on real peace. Peace, for us, is not absence of conflict, but absence of THREAT.
So is the US a danger to "peace"? I certainly hope so. The leftists' peace is the 'peace in our time' of Neville Chamberlain, in which you can sign treaties with madmen and supposedly sleep soundly at night. Me, I prefer peace through whupping the bad guys. Thank God someone in Washington agrees with me.
As for troop reduction, that is a part of our "exit strategy," otherwise known as "victory." After you win and accomplish your objectives, you get to send some soldiers home. Funny how that works.
I have been unsuccesful in getting and answer from rightwingers to this simple question: What is the definition of victory in Iraq?
Is it when Iraqis stop killing our soldiers? When the Sunnis and Shiites stop killing each other? For that matter what are our objectives? How do we know when victory is achieved?
Mongo, the reason to are "unsuccessful" in getting your answer is because you don't read and don't accept what is said when you do.
That tactic doesn't wash with us. If you don't accept an answer, just say so, or disagree. Don't keep claiming you can't get one because it isn't the one you have been told to accept.
As for Murtha's comment, oddly missing from his own website is a denial that he said it, too. I would think he would be vehemently denying such an inflammatory remark. But, what with all the rest of his rhetoric, saying something like that is easily accepted.
So Lew unsurprisingly does not have an answer. Anyone else??
See a doctor, Mongo, your "denial" is showing.
I posted an answer to westsidedavid last week as to how I define victory.
Like I said, your "I never get an answer" tactic just don't wash!
You are right, nice footwork, I still did not get one.
CHANCUFF, YOU WERE RIGHT. LOOKS LIKE VICTORIA, LEW, KLATU AND THE REST GOT SUCKERED. EITHER THAT OR THEY FORGOT TO CHECK THE FACTS BEFORE SMEARING. WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
"Though the Sun-Sentinel never provided a direct quote of Murtha, the story was featured on the Drudge Report and Murtha immediately came under attack from conservative pundits:
One problem: Murtha apparently never said anything of the sort. What he did was cite a Pew poll released two weeks ago showing that people around the world, including in closely-allied countries like Great Britain, believe the U.S. is the greatest threat to peace.
A statement released by Murtha’s office today quotes an email from Melissa Sanchez of the Miami Herald, who also attended the speech, saying of the purported Murtha “quote”: “That was in reference to international polls. It was not so much his own conjecture, but a conclusion drawn from polls in various countries.” ThinkProgress confirmed with Murtha’s office that the email accurately reflects the views of reporters at the Miami Herald."
Stories like this give the right wing an opportunity to slime a real patriot like Congressman Murtha. Shame on the South Florida Sun-Sentinental and shame on Victoria for repeating this trash. This is lousy reporting. Doesn't it know the difference between citing statistics and citing one's own opinion. Congressman Murtha was very clear that he was citing the Pew Poll. He even took out the article and read it to the audience. Unlike the Bush administration, Congressman Murtha showed real concern that the U.S.'s actions in Iraq is causing other countries to consider It a threat.
This is precisely how the Neo-Con/Conservative/Republican noise machine works. All it takes is for one source, usually an extreme conservative source, to print or report something, and the rest are off and running. You know full well that now this has been said, it will be repeated as fact for years to come.
These people have no shame, and no truth is too pure for them to allow it to stand unsullied.
What have we allowed ourselves to become, folks??
Being honorable men and women, I'm sure when all the right wing pundits realize their mistake, they'll spend as much time apologizing and telling their audiences they were wrong as they did sliming Mr. Murtha. Right? That would be the honorable thing to do.
So, you are all saying Murtha defintely does not feel America is a danger by being in Iraq? His quoting some poll stating such is not a reflection of his view?
Was he disputing the findings?
Talk about footwork, Mongo.
Just watch as Diana Irey unseats this senile old curmudgeon. Funny that she gets the Veterans support and Murtha, an ex-Marine, doesn't.
Lew, what we are saying is that the postings of you and your ilk on this topic were dead wrong. You won't admit that will you? You would rather continue with the attempted smear without foundation.
With the “cut and run” mantra spouted automaton-like by every card-carrying conservative Republican, and now this scripted (and inaccurate) attack on Jack Murtha, Republicans prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are incapable of original thought. Or any thought, for that matter, only slavish repetition of sound bites dictated by their craven leadership.
Mongo, unless Murtha were disputing the quote he included in his speech, which is highly doubtful given his misstatements of late, my "ilk" and I, as well as the reporter from the Sun Sentinel, a notoriously left leaning paper, by the way, are right. One includes quotes from polls and others to support their views.
Threlfeld, Kerry's "cut and run" is so last week. It's now "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."
John Kerry: Somewhere Over The Rainbow
My apologies to the lefty's. Murth is now saying, as expected, he was taken out of context (isn't that an original statemnent from a politician?).
From the Uniontown Herald Standard article dated 6/28/06;
Murtha said, "I was recently misquoted following a speech I gave at a Veterans forum at the Florida International University Biscayne Campus on June 24, 2006. During the speech, I made a point that our international credibility was suffering, particularly due to our continued military presence in Iraq and that we were perceived as an occupying force. For illustrative purposes, I provided the example of a recent Pew Poll which indicates a greater percentage of people in 10 of 14 foreign countries consider the U.S. in Iraq a danger to world peace than consider Iran or North Korea a danger to world peace.
You see, he was only fanning the flames a little and was "misquoted." LOL, typical CYA when caught with your pants down.
Like I said, you quote others when they support your view or you wish to show their view wrong.
Odd it took him 4 days to issue his whine.
Thanks for the apology. Let's be more careful next time.
Bwhahaha, Mongo.
Thank for once again, showing us all the leftwing double standard and hypocrisy.
Ya'll keep saying this from Murtha was no big deal. He was just quoting. Yet, 3 years ago, a Republican made a speech and quoted 16 words from British Intelligence and your side has been raising caine about those words ever since.
BTW, British Intelligence still stands by their claim.
But, once again, a Democrat weasels out of his words because they are just quoting. Bush didn't weasel out his choice of 16 words in the 2003 State of the Union Speech.
Always a double standard with you people.
Lew,
I realize that crow is distasteful but try mixing it with the egg on your face.
You would know, Mongo. Your pitiful exercise at defending Murtha, while slamming Bush for quotes, just reeks of the normal hypocrisy from the left.
Spin all you wish, it just won't add up or make your side seem honest.
LOL, there's an oxymoron if I ever heard one. Honest and liberal? Bwahahahaha!!!!!!!
More salt Lew?
Not on me, son. The hypocrisy of the left is in full view now.
Hey, check it out!
The newspaper that quoted Murtha is now issuing a correction, stating the following:
"Correction: An article in Sunday's editions misinterpreted a comment from U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., at a town hall meeting in North Miami on Saturday. In his speech, Murtha said U.S. credibility was suffering because of continued U.S. military presence in Iraq ,and the perception that the U.S. is an occupying force. Murtha was citing a recent poll, by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, that indicates a greater percentage of people in 10 of 14 foreign countries consider the U.S. in Iraq a greater danger to world peace than any threats posed by Iran or North Korea."
Who wants to be the first to apologize to Sen. Murtha? Anyone? Who wants to step up and be a man?
Warning to Righties: Look before your smear to avoid colliding with the truth.
So let me get this straight: he was misquoted but was citing a poll with which he did not disagree? This is an apology, correction, clarification--what?
It's ok for you guys to throw Murtha under the bus.
Victoria, you're not this dumb. As much as I disagree, I can tell when you're just playing to your audience. You should try to make them smarter, not play down to their level.
Here's an example, for those who don't fully grasp what is going on here.
If Victoria reads a message from a neo-Nazi and says:
"So this clown is at a pro-white rally and told the other attendees that 'all niggers should die', which is outrageous, offensive, and horrible ..."
I cannot turn around and say, "Victoria taft said that all niggers should die" -- despite the fact that those were literally the words that came out of her mouth. She said them, context be damned!
She was simply stating what someone else had said, and I cannot hold her accountable for those words, because her intent was not to attribute those words to herself.
Same thing here, guys. Murtha quoted a poll; he didn't claim those beliefs were his own.
Get it?
Victoria, to answer your specific question:
It's somewhere between a correction and a clarification.
It is not an apology, as he has done nothing for which he should apologize.
NO, it's typical nuancing, plain and simple.
It's what the left is most well known for. When caught making an anti-American, offending, or wrongful comment, just start crying you were "misquoted," "misinterpreted," or "taken out of context." It's what we see time after time afer time from the left.
The malignant narcissitic libbie left just can be man enough to ever stand by their words.
Although Victoria and Lew have taken a licking on this Murtha thing, they do keep on ticking. My hat is off to Victoria for not pulling the topic although she was so thorougly discredited. Every timeLew posts on this topic his credibility sinks even lower. Know when to pick your fights Lew. What you are doing is damaging our conservative cause as well as yourself.
To follow up on one other point that Victoria raised: It does not matter whether or not Murtha agrees or disagrees with the poll. It's the results of the poll that he's using as an example that are important.
It's like taking a poll of ten friends. Six say they're Mariners fans, three say they're Red Sox fans, and one says he's a Phillies fan. Just because you're reporting the results of that poll doesn't mean that one of those teams has to be YOUR favorite.
It's just a sampling of opinions, nothing more, nothing less.
Odd that a "conservative" cannot see the hypocrisy of this all.
Feel free to show your credibility as more than the rest of us. I bet all the libbies will flock to your credibility and instantly become conservative as well. [insert eye rolling]
I just moved to this area and enjoy listening to Victoria's program every night. I am also pleased to see that she has her own blog. I have only one question.
Is this Lew guy just a dumb ass or is he a shill for the liberals
Fortunately or unfortunately, he is what he is.
Fortunately or unfortunately, he is what he is.
Once again it must be stated for all those disillusioned non-believers out there that the 'truth' is of no consequence to tangible results in this country. What gets results in this country is playing to voter's emotions and this story accomplished just that.
Rep. John Murtha has been and will continue to be labeled in the most negative light possible in that he dares speak out against policies supported by the President. Therefore it is the job if not sworn duty of his supporters to say and do whatever they have to do to besmirch the reputation of John Murtha. Whether or not these stories are true does not matter at all. They don't even have to be plausible. Those with an audience would be completely justified to proclaim that John Murtha has commited crimes that would make Osama blush. He is the worst human being on the face of the earth. They should say whatever it takes to get the voters to act in the proper manner.
Whatever gets the desired results of the most power and most money is always the best policy regardless of the 'truth'.
It's really disgusting the way rightwingers talk about how much they love the military and support our troops, then get the greatest pleasure out of lying about and smearing soldiers and vets who don't agree with them.
Why is it libs always have to show up and lie about who they are?
It's really disgusting the way rightwingers talk about how much they love the military and support our troops, then get the greatest pleasure out of lying about and smearing soldiers and vets who don't agree with them.
Moderate, do you mean the way the left has been and still is harrassing and denigrating every member of the Swiftboat Veterans and POWs for Truth? Do Democrats not realize that each and every one of them are highly decorated combat veterans as well? Sure doesn't stop the calls against them, does it?
As for Veterans, I am a Veteran. By your reasoning, does that mean you, Mongo, leftiedave, cramdown, iknowhowtospell and the rest of the loonie left here will be shortly apologizing to me for your words?
NO? I didn't think so. Imagine that.
This story has taken so many twists and turns, if you blink, you'll miss the next turn.
New developments are being being tracked at this news site:
http://theinfozone.net/JohnMurtha.html
A notable development: The original Sun-Sentinel's article written by Elizabeth Baier, has been removed from their site and replaced with Ms. Baier's revised story.
If any of you bookmarked Sun-Sentinel's original article that has made them famous for their "the shot heard around the world", check your bookmarked page now. The significance of this is rather overwhelming. This weeks' hysteria, and subsequent retractions and corrections is over something that "never happened".
Interesting to note, it retains the original publication date June 25, 2006, and The Sun-Sentinel did not note this story is a revision.
Cliff Hancuff
The World of Journalism is Flat, Too
There are a whole lot more things going on behind the scenes with this story than have yet been reported, anywhere. Quite a few people far beyond Ms. Baier and her editor Ms. Rosenhause have shot themselves in the foot.
Write Diana Irey, John Murtha's Republican oponent, asking her about the letter I sent her today.
email: Diana@Irey.com
Cliff Hancuff
The World Of Journalism Is Flat, Too
chancuff, if what you wrote is of any import, she will post it.
All of this defense of Murtha's quote still doesn't change the fact that openly condemned US Marines as Cold Blooded Murderers, even before any investigations were finished or released.
Trust me, that alone doesn't set well with Veterans.
Why do think he apparently feels they are not worthy of the due process the left wishes to afford detainees in Gitmo?
Is this what you are speaking of, Chancuff?
The Washington Times Editorial, Nobles and Knaves
Sounds to me that the Washington Times sees just who shot themselves in the foot a bit differently.
Lew, it's way better than that.
Looking at the large number of blog posts I've placed throughout the blogsphere in the last 2 weeks, I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking they look like spam.
My apologies to all.
Some interesting happened today. I received an email response from Bill Pasco(e) of Diana Irey's campaign against John Murtha for the 12th District of Pennsylvania seat in the House of Representatives.
In responding Mr. Pascoe's email, I found it useful to CC that response to him to Elizabeth Baier and her editor Ms. Rosenhause (Managing Editor Sun-Sentinel).
The topic of those emails was "Rovian Architecture Unplugged". If you are interested to learn more, feel free to write them.
Make "Rovian Architechure Unplugged" your subject heading so they know what your inquiry is about.
Their email addresses:
Bill Pascoe
bill@irey.com
Elizabeth Baier
ebaier@sun-sentinel.com
Sharon Rosenhause
srosenhause@sun-sentinel.com
Cliff Hancuff
The World of Journalism Is Flat, Too
Looking at the large number of blog posts I've placed throughout the blogsphere in the last 2 weeks, I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking they look like spam.
My apologies to all.
Some interesting things happened today. I received an email response from Bill Pasco(e) of Diana Irey's campaign against John Murtha for the 12th District of Pennsylvania seat in the House of Representatives.
In responding Mr. Pascoe's email, I found it useful to CC that response to him to Elizabeth Baier and her editor Ms. Rosenhause (Managing Editor Sun-Sentinel).
The topic of those emails was "Rovian Architecture Unplugged". If you are interested to learn more, feel free to write them.
Make "Rovian Architechure Unplugged" your subject heading so they know what your inquiry is about.
Their email addresses:
Bill Pascoe phone: (724) 258-2300
bill@irey.com
Elizabeth Baier
ebaier@sun-sentinel.com
Sharon Rosenhause
srosenhause@sun-sentinel.com
Cliff Hancuff
The World of Journalism Is Flat, Too
Rev. Moon's Washington Slimes as an authority? You have to be kidding.
Despite an email warning to Mr. Pasco to contact Sharon Rosenhause, Managing Editor at the Sun-Sentinel, irey.com continues to maintain this page.
"Is Murtha channeling Marty McFly? Congressman’s June 27 press release magically includes information from … June 28?"
http://www.irey.com/news/Read.aspx?Id=61
In my email exchange with Mr. Pasco yesterday he attempted to float this clever headline with me in an email. I responded to him with this:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you really want to follow this "rapid crash journalism" course of action of yours, let me assist you in doing so properly. This is John Murtha's original press release issued by Cindy Abram on June 27th.
http://theinfozone.net/PDFfiles/MurthaPressRelease.pdf
...
You can understand why Cindy Abram updated Mr. Murtha's press release from the 27th now, I presume. After all, most would conclude that the Sun-Sentinel, who created this mess to start with, was in a better position to fix what Elizabeth Baier broke than theinfozone.net.
Please note: Ms. Baier as well as her editor Ms. Rosenhause are recipients of this email.
Mr Pasco(sic), perhaps they will be gracious enough to assist you towards a more lucid understanding of your "Marty McFly" insight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apparently Mr. Bill Pascoe puts more faith in continuing his slander strategy than makes sense.
Ms Rosenhause has her own special part in this. The Sun-Sentinel has removed their retraction ... the correction that rewrote the "the shot heard around the world" first paragraph. The Sun-Sentinel has suddenly placed it in their paid archives, removing it from public domain. The only way you will find the unethical rewrite (still in public domain) is through google cache. You may wish to contact her as well.
For the sake of clarity, inquiries regarding THIS turn of events should include the Subject Line: Mr. Bill
Bill Pascoe
bill@irey.com
phone: (724) 258-2300
Sharon Rosenhause
srosenhause@sun-sentinel.com
phone: (954) 425-1200
Cliff Hancuff
The World of Journalism Is Flat, Too
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