November 24, 2005

Congressman John Murtha

It took a crusty, former* Marine colonel from Pennsylvania to lay down the marker that most other Democrats keep running away from.

Democratic Congressman John Murtha, who served in combat in Vietnam, called for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq last week. He dared to speak the truth and call the Bush war a "flawed policy wrapped in illusion."

Murtha spent 37 years in the Marine Corps, earned the Bronze Star, two purple hearts, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. He is known, according to Capitol Hill conventional wisdom, as a hawk because of his generally pro-military stances.

And so, it was no surprise to BuzzFlash that he once again stood behind the soldiers on the front lines by publicly denouncing the Bush Administration charade that the Iraq War is winnable. Murtha understands that the best way to support our troops is to bring them home alive. Why should they continue to die for Bush's folly?

As a result of standing on principle, Murtha found himself up against the entire band of Bush Chickenhawks, including Cheney, who received five military deferments as he "cut and ran" from serving in Vietnam; just like Bush did. The Bush/Cheney cabal launched the same Swift Boat slander attack against Marine hero Murtha as they did against combat medal winner Kerry.

But Murtha fought back against the cravenly crew steering the Bush ship of fools. He stood by our troops by telling Bush and Cheney to stand down.

For that courage and conviction, Representative John Murtha merits this week's BuzzFlash "Wings of Justice Award."

* * *

The winning nominator is: Vish Jha of Worcester, MA

*Note that the recorded version of this week's WOJ calls Rep. Murtha an "ex-Marine." BuzzFlash's Managing Editor knows there are no "ex-" Marines, only former Marines. He apologizes for not catching it before the recording.

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