Decorated Vietnam Veteran and outspoken supporter of ending the war in Iraq Congressman John Murtha has died today. There will be multiple diaries paying respect to him and his lifetime of achievement and fighting for the people.
I am not in his constituency, but I have a different reason for paying my respects.
I am from Ohio. But I vividly recall a congressman in 2005 being bold enough to stand up and challenge the Bush Administration's Iraq War decision. It was a move instantaneously heralded by all of us in Anti-War Movement. He was the first to boldly challenge the decisions of the sitting president, and gave new life and new hope to a then flailing Democratic Party.
But, being from Ohio, the state that practically returned George Bush to office, I was again deeply infuriated and ashamed to see what unfolded after he delivered his lament. He was called a coward. And he was called a coward by someone sorely lacking the credentials or experience to make such a statement. And, unfortunately, she came from my state.
Back in the day and age when it was fashionable for conservatives to cheerfully deride decorated war heroes, he may have taken the hardest hit. It had become clear that conservatives on Capitol Hill valued partisan rancor over respectable political speech or difference of opinion.
I salute you, Mr. Murtha, and even though I was not a constituent of yours, your actions were an inspiration to myself and a countless many others in times of severe frustration and apparent hopelessness. I thank you for your military service to our great nation, for your conviction and devotion to politics, for what you have done for the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and all that you have achieved for the United States of America.
May you rest in peace, and you will be missed.