Congratulate John Murtha for Profile in Courage Award [PETITION]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1249369&mesg_id=1249369

Tomorrow, Congressman John Murtha, the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress, will be honored with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. In an announcement made in early March, Caroline Kennedy, President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation described why this years recipients were chosen.

"Congressman John Murtha and Alberto Mora exemplify the kind of courage my father admired most. …When others were unwilling to do so, each man recognized a moral obligation to speak out against policies he believed were misguided and contrary to our national interest. Their courage has inspired others to follow their example, and our government is fortunate to have public servants with such integrity."

What the announcement doesn’t explain is that Congressman Murtha’s courage in public service also incited unconscionable and unfounded attacks from Republicans on his character and military service. During the 2004 presidential race, the Bush administration used their Swift-Vet flunkies to try to ruin the reputation of Senator John Kerry. Then last year, the republicans turned their attack dogs on John Murtha, a decorated veteran who represents Pennsylvania's 12th District.

Lets thank, and protect, all our elected war heroes by signing a petition that insists the RNC stop their baseless attacks on honorable veterans who run for office.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/681546983?ltl=1148068956#body

"premature withdrawal"?

I'm suggestin a swift kick in the ass. at minimum.

Although I personally believe it's time to start withdrawing troops and to force the Iraqis to reclaim their country, I'm most concerned with the practice that has become so common lately of turning any dissenter into a traitor, a terrorist, or worse.

The sad thing is, those who understand both the successes and failure of military action are those who have been there in the past. It’s a shame that the RNC is willing to demonize brave, strong and thoughtful men for their own political gain.

and it is time to let them have their country back. Now.

Those Iraqis who are truly brave should be leading their country to a stronger future, not a weaker future. But the real question is how can Iraq get to that stronger future now that the military damage is done, and that certainly isn't by the US troops doing it for them. US troops continued presence in Iraq is harmful to Middle East diplomacy and the overall stability of the region, and it is harmful to Iraq's sovereignty.

But, those who are fighting us right now are not really the people we WANT to run the country. Now that military action has been taken, the country should be governed those who can eventually turn the into a productive society, not into a terrorist state.

terrorist regime, is in no position to make any decisions regarding Iraq's future.
I think the Iraqis are quite capable to do this on their own.

THIS is part of the reason that centrists and right wingers hate the left wing. No matter what our challenges and diagreements with the Bush administration are, they are in no way terrorists. You should apologize for making such comments.

:kick: