Thoughts from John Murtha, from a MoveOn.org email I just received:
A year ago when I presented my plan for Iraq, I did it to provide leadership and protect our troops. The Republicans have spent their time name-calling while the situation for our troops in Iraq gets worse.
They've tried to smear me, other veterans, Democrats, you and anybody who stands up to them. Well, let me say one thing right now: screw them. Those gravestones at Arlington cemetery don't say Democrat or Republican on them.
We are all patriots.
But as long as Republicans are in charge, they're just going to keep playing politics instead of doing what needs to be done for the American people. And that's why we need to throw them out of power--as many of them as possible.
More below the fold.
My prayer is that Democrats between now and Election Day will take their lead from decorated veteran John Murtha, who calls out these chickenhawk a**holes. From McCain to Cleland to Kerry to Patrick Murphy (PA-08), the slander and libel just doesn't stop. And veterans and their supporters ignore it at their peril, as we have too often seen.
When someone who has never served provides a critique of the disasterous Republican-managed Iraq occupation, the average citizen can be expected to take their views with a grain of salt. When a veteran of a previous military campaign provides such a critique, it is more difficult to dismiss his or her analysis. But when someone who has honorably served this country in Iraq stands in front of us and tells us what a mess has been created in our names, and the names of all those who died on 9/11, Americans must listen.
Every Fightin Dem who is campaigning to change direction in Iraq should be given due respect, not the smearing we recently saw of Patrick Murphy. And, I've got to say, I am proud of his immediate response to his opponent's silence in the face of slander. And, while it would have been nice to see him defend himself more vociferously in 2004, Senator Kerry jumped into the fray in defense of a fellow veteran, thankfully.
Now, I've never met Patrick Murphy, nor have I ever served in the military of this great country. But when he and his brothers and sisters in arms tell us it is a sh*t show, Americans better sit up and pay attention. I made a modest donation to Patrick the other day through ActBlue, and I strongly encourage you to do the same, if possible.
Let's get out there are work for these Dems. Let's take the fight to the Neocons. Let's take our cue from John Murtha and tell the chickenhawks: "screw you."