Case dropped against Haditha defendant Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum
The Marine Corps is dropping all charges against a lance corporal who was accused of involuntary manslaughter in a squad’s killing of 24 Iraqis in Haditha in 2005.
The Marines dropped the case against 26-year-old Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum on Friday as jury selection was about to begin for his court-martial at Camp Pendleton. He had also been charged with reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.
John Murtha was, as they say, unavailable for comment.
But we won’t let him rest.
More via Reuters:
The charges of involuntary manslaughter against Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum were dismissed “in order to continue to pursue the truth seeking process into the Haditha incident,” the Marines said in a written statement.
Allahpundit: “Exit question: If the charges against [Frank] Wuterich end up being dismissed too, is it time to revisit a House censure for Murtha?
***
Flashback: September 2007…Jason Mattera corners cut-and-run Murtha on his Haditha smears…
***
Everything you need to know is at Defend Our Marines.
Let Freedom Ring reviews the Murtha Marine-smearing timeline.
Previous:
*Charges dropped against Capt. Lucas McConnell
*Charges recommended dropped against Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum
*Charges dropped against Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt
*Charges dropped against Sergeant Sanick Dela Cruz
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Trackbacks
- Charges Dropped Against Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum : The American Pundit
- Bloodthirsty Liberal » Haditha Up to Here
- Locomotive Breath 1901
- Another One of Murtha’s “Cold-Blooded Killers” Gets off Scot-Free » Pursuing Holiness
- D=S
- United Conservatives of Virginia
- Brass Knuckles › Railroading of Haditha Marine Derailed
- Michelle Malkin » An indictment against John Murtha
- Saturday Win! - About freakin time! Case finally dropped against Haditha defendant Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum. « A World of Epic Fail
- Time to boot Murtha | BitsBlog
- Michelle Malkin » Haditha Watch: Charges dismissed against Lt. Col. Chessani
- March, 2008 Archive « Right Minded Online
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Categories: Haditha, John Murtha
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Score one for the good guys!
SEMPER FI
Great Friday news!
L
Murtha could not be located. Was in bunker with Hillary dodging sniper fire.
I think you have a way Michelle of having the best news of the day on Fridays….and I thank you for it!
Time for Materra to follow up.
“in the process” of being dismissed was a conveninet cop out for him.
See what he says when all charges WERE dismissed.
And I’m soooo sure the MSM will pick up this story….
Ahhhhh, my Marine Corps blood is flowing proudly today. I know it’s but a small victory in the war wqith the anti Marine factions…. but a battle at a time and the war will be won. Remember that, leftists! As far as Murtha is concerned, don’t waste any energy expecting mea culpas, he’s too busy counting the money he’s raked in from “earmarks”.
Doesn’t matter. You know W would have just pardoned one of his private death pimps anyway.
Sin,
Moonbats
Although I’m happy to hear that charges have been dropped for yet another Marine in this case, I still have a lot of simmering anger that these charges were ever brought forth in the first place.
This whole thing about a “massacre” in Haditha failed to pass the smell test from the very beginning, yet these Marines for whom we have asked, literally, to risk everything for us have been dragged through the mud and had had this hanging over their head for years.
And it’s not only them either. There’s no way a witch hunt like this (or the one that was conducted against Ilario Pantano) can not have a profoundly negative affect on our troops in the field. I wonder how many died because they hesitated in combat, fearing prosecution more than they feared the enemy who was trying to kill them.
The real atrocity in this case is what has been done to our soldiers and Marines, both those that were subject to these charges, as well as those still in the field who can never engage the enemy without the fear of overzealous prosecutors and their enablers in both the media and the political class. It’s f—ing disgraceful.
Blood.
Still.
Boiling.
Semper Fidelis!
Andy Hefty
Former Sergeant
USMC, 1982 - 1990
Here’s a question for Hot Air TV to ask the congressman:
Mr. Murtha, now that charges have been dropped against the Haditha Marines you accused of murdering civilians, will you resign from office, today?
Murtha may have served honorably once but today he is a complete disgrace to the Marines and his country. Only a coward makes such disgusting claims against our members in the armed forces (especially before any verdicts have even been handed down) and then is too chicken-***t to apologize when the charges are dropped. Maybe he should go spend some more time at Walter Reed visiting our wounded–only this time WITHOUT Code
PStink.I served in Haditha from Sep06 to Mar07 with 2/3, the Bn that actually turned HD around. I lost friends in battle and even had my Humvee RPG’d. I knew the players in HD and walked the ground. I believe in the nobelity of OIF and the warriors over there fighting for our freedom. It’s why I volunteered to return with another grunt Bn in Spring 09.
It’s sad actually. John Murtha is a clown, no doubt about it. But the Marines of 3/1 behaved horribly and should have been punishied, serverly. Combat is no excuse. The one who deserves the worst is LtCol Chessani, who did run an ill-disciplined unit by all accounts.
Sometimes as conservatives, we need to be dispassionate about interperating our facts:
1) The enemy in HD was predominately AAS & JTJ, not AQIZ. Their TTPs do not reflect those alleged by 3/1.
2) The layout of the 4 taxi deaths NOT consistent with running away.
3) Houses 3 and 4 were entered in 3 hours later. Local enemy were cowards that never stayed in AO that long.
4) 24 deaths, no weapons.
I am sad today. My heart aches. This shouldn’t be the example of acceptable conduct in my Marine Corps.
If you only understood, my brothers in this struggle against Islamofascism would not be cheering.
Screw Murtha.
God bless the Marines!
Screw Murtha? I say SUE Murtha!
Too bad they’re constrained from giving you a visit a$$hat.
Semper Fi Marines!
chuck in st paul
SSgt USAF ‘62-’70
I’m w/#9 - they should never have been accused in the first place. Proud of all our military (especially Sgt. Dan!) men, women and their loved ones.
Now, two border patrol agents to go. Still, every little victory counts. It is just sad that these Marines have to battle just as much … if not more right here at home as they do during deployment. This nation of politicians is really bothersome at best.
There is a God,right is right.They have been looking for a My Lai since day one.It was worldwide news when they were charged.You won’t see much press now except sites like this.Murtha is a pig and not worth the price of the bullit to take him out.That aside, this is a good day for all.
SLANDER:
Whom do the “charges dismissed” four (4) sue for slander?
HOW IS WILLIAM RUSSEL doing?
I donated money to his campaign OCT.2007. I want Murtha defeated.
Just donated more money to the cause as these guys need all the help and support anyone can give them. They are always so greatful. Let us hope that the LTC and the LT have better news next month. I pray that they will.
The Marines I know deplore the fact that Murtha used to wear the uniform. They have some words that aren’t fit to print but I’m sure you all can imagine what they are. Murtha is a pig, doc. I guess he brings home all the pork and his pig a$$ keeps going back. We gave to the woman who was running against him two years ago but I guess the bacon old piggy brought back meant more than the honor of the military with whom he wanted to redeploy to Japan.
Yes, let’s not forget our border agents. I have sent letters to my congress people and to the white house for what it was worth-but if enough people continue to do this maybe goofball will get the message.
Thank God.
Yet will the Marine Corps make this right by paying all of LCpl Tatum’s legal bills, retroactively promoting him as if all his service to date was (as it was) honorable, and end this charade by also dropping all charges against the three remaining before the bar of Murtha’s justice?
This is the Duke University lacrosse fiasco with a uniform on.
Three more to go. They should all be issued a formal public apology, compensated for time spent in the brig, and reinstated at present pay grades if they desire to remain in. Semper Fi brothers.
I hope so.
I also wish that a former Marine would run in Murtha’s district and be voted in, so that they would kick Murtha’s *ss out out of congress and on the street.
I hope Murtha likes lots of maggots with his crow.
Come on, folks - we’re all adults here - we all know that the Armed Services screw up - and they really screwed up big time when they accepted Murtha for enlistment.
From this old salt’s perspective, there are really only two kinds of people who go into the Marines - REAL Marines, and wanna-be-Marines - those are the ones who aren’t really part of the brotherhood, but just want the glory of having been a Marine. I’m sorry to say my brother was a wanna-be.
REAL Marines are simply Marines - always have been, and always will be. They are proud of their service, their brothers-in-arms, and always have each other’s back covered at all times.
I can’t think of anyone I’d want to back me up more than a Marine. I salute the Marine Corps - Bravo Zulu, and Semper Fi.
zorro said.
Perhaps he should be the first Marine to resign for that great service. He has shamed them, himself and our judicial system. He reminds me of the Duke University prosecutor.
Great news. GOD Bless our troops!
Is there a bigger stain for the Marines than Murtha? What a disgrace.
The Marines should get a medal, advance to the next rank, an Honorable discharge if they want, 30 days paid leave, and 5 min. with fat boy Murtha in a room alone.
The Marine Corp General in charge of this FUBAR should step forward, and do the right thing.
Even tho I was Air Force and not a Marine, I echo the sentiments of the panel, with the addition that we should not rest until each and every innocent Marine is cleared. Personally I hope all of them are exonerated.
HDFOB #13,
Thanks for your post. It’s always good to read a bit of inside insight. Anything additional that you can provide would be appreciated. For example, I read somewhere that the existing ROE didn’t adequately address the situation they faced. It seemed that the point being made (correctly or incorrectly) was that the Marines would have been authorized (and maybe even justified) if they had decided to clear the house with an air-strike (or some other means) rather than the method they employed. The unfortunate result would have been the same (innocent deaths), but the ROE would have been to blame instead of the individual Marines.
I certainly understand that this issue might be a convenient defense on the part of their attorneys, but are you contending that these Marines were unjustified in targeting the houses at all? Or are you merely saying that the results were so bad that they must have handled the situation poorly (which seems like a reasonable opinion)? Or am I off the mark completely?
Now, unlike some on this thread, I have no intention of giving Marines an undeserved free pass just because they are Marines.
My beef has always been with Martha’s definitive declaration that they snapped into some sort of killing frenzy. There’s quite a difference between committing a punishable offense and going on a killing spree. I’ve witnessed the weaknesses of our military justice system, but I’m confident that charges wouldn’t be getting dropped it the Marines had been involved with anything which could be remotely considered a killing spree. It seems as if a Murtha apology is definitely appropriate.
Great news! I only worked a half day today then took the wife to Boise to hit our usual big time shopping trip. While a Cabela’s we took the time to walk to the Recruiter Station next door and thank them for all they do. We didn’t see one Code Pinko or evidence that any had ever been there. I guess they figured out they are not welcome here. Thanks Michelle for following up on this witch hunt and reporting the facts.
Four will be tried and four had the charges dropped. Does this mean that the incident didn’t happen or that Marines were not involved? To me it seems to mean that they don’t have evidence for some and do have evidence for others.
Marines have orders against brutality and deliberate killing of noncombatants. A marine who violates those orders should be treated like a deserter.
The PC police need to get the he!! out of our national security, and most particularly our military! It was inevitable that these brave fighters would be exonerated, but it is a damn shame that it has taken this long.
God bless you one and all!
#34 said:
It depends on what your definition of “brutality” and “deliberate” killing is.
Try fighting and defending yourself against an enemy who insists on using women, children and other noncombatants as human shields, and you’ll begin to understand how hollow your above statement is.
By the way, in October of 1944, the 1st Infantry Division invented modern “urban warfare” while on the fly in the town of Aachen, Germany. Rather than play footsie with a village which insisted upon sending children out to snipe and blow up US soldiers, the 1st decided to knock the entire city down…and saved plenty of US and German lives in the process.
To reiterate, if US “brutality” and the “deliberate” killing of some “noncombatants” saved numerous US and civilian lives during WW II, I don’t see why it wouldn’t today.
notaslickfan, Murtha is the only Marine I’ve ever met that I could qualify a bone fide EX Marine!
HDFOB, I’m going to check out your version with the wounded warriors I know here in San Antonio at BAMC. I want the truth to be told.
I stand by my comment that Murtha is the only EX Marine I’ve ever known.
Corkie #32,
Thanks for the reasoned response. I’ve learned from Marines over there at the time of the incident that 3/1 had early on developed quite the rogue reputation. Some said they had been reading too many of their own press clippings about Falluja and Nov 04. But the majority of those Falluja Marines had largely left, and LtCol Chessani (who was new to the Bn) kept a lot longer leash than most Grunt BnCOs that I’ve known.
Most of the Marines I’ve spoken to think that some sort of manslaughter charge is appropriate for the squad members. I think the Bn’s Command Climate shares blame. NOT THE ROEs.
Yes, the ROEs were a lot less restrictive in Nov 05, but not so lose that it would permit shooting without PID (positive identification of hostile act/hostile intent).
I am convinced the victims of House 1 and House 2 knew about the IED, because the AAS and JTJ trigger pullers always had local ties and would tell the neighborhood what was up. The victims in House 1 and House 2 were almost certaintly not particpants, though, and definitely had no weapons.
My theory, Wuterich’s squad knew that these Local Nationals knew who set the IED, and it was killing them inside. Their emotions took over their discipline and they saw the threat they wanted to see.
John Murtha was out of line because he put the blame in a much larger context then it deserved. “19 NOV” SHOULD NOT BE TREATED LIKE A PROXY FIGHT ON OIF!! And I’m talking to my fellow conservatives here. There is so much else in the sorry career of John Murtha to go after, I just wish we would “fire for effect” on much better targets.
You miscounted. 5 now have had charges dropped.
We don’t support Marines willfully killing noncombatants, either, lgm. The point is that the longer this goes, the less there seems to be a case overall. Bear in mind that the charges dropped are involuntary manslaughter. That places it far from the scope of violating orders and wanton brutality as you suggest.
With regard to:
It sounds to me as though you have already made up your mind as to what happened and will consider the 5 “guilty but without proof” rather than the more accurate “not charged”.
To those of us that have doubts, the fact that 5 charges have now been dropped seems telling. However, I will personally reserve judgment for the investigation to run its course.
To answer BrianNY #36,
Between Sep06 and Mar 07, 2d Bn, 3rd Marines had 24 deaths and the Haditha Triad AO had 38 deaths, as well as 150 permenant CASEVACs. On a person per attack basis, no AO was more dangerous.
Some of that blame lies at the feet at the incompetent deployment of 3/1 between Sep 05 and Mar 06.
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, YOU HAVE TO FIND ACTUAL ENEMY, AND KILL THEM!!!!
BELIEVE ME, 90% OF MARINE GRUNTS KNOW HOW. JUST NOT THE ABOVE AFFOREMENTIONED UNIT.
lgm, don’t panic, but I kinda agree with you (did you read my earlier post?), however, your statements are oversimplified.
Technically, Marines don’t have orders against brutality. Depending on the situation and the ROE, it’s possible that certain actions, which could very well be considered, brutality, are acceptable.
Also, Marines technically don’t have orders against “deliberate killing of noncombatants.” Think about it more as them having criteria which they are compelled to use to determine a noncombatant from a hostile combatant, etc.
I’m not nit-picking. I just want to make a point about the possible complexity of the situation.
Your point is correct - our warriors must follow rules. If those rules were violated, then they should be punished (as should those that desert). However, since the rule isn’t as simple as “you can’t kill a non-combatant” more evidence is needed to determine if a rule was broken regardless of how terrible and tragic it is that a non-combatant died.
You must admit, that Murtha’s statements were irresponsible at best. While he may have been right (that the Marines went on a killing spree) it’s certainly shaping up to appear that he’s at risk to losing a defamation suit.
HDFOB, let me get this stright. You are writing a BN, which is three companys plus support, is incompetent. Is that correct?
Then you use cabs to shout you have to find actual enemy. Where you there? Do you know these Marines?
Leatherneck,
In this war, Battalions make a difference. Google “Pamela Hess” and “Haditha”, and you’ll see what the warriors of 2/3 did in the winter 06-07.
Before there was the “Al Anbar Awakening”, there was Haditha’s dramatic transformation. Before Haditha, a single battalion turned Al Qaim from enemy hotbed to model city.
Unlike liberals, I don’t believe these good fortunes in Iraq happen by chance, but by discipline and force of will.
Unfortunately, making a difference works in both directions.
And again, I was in Haditha, I’ve been to the intersection of “Chestnut and Cobra”. I do not personally know any of the Marines involved in the incident. I do know Marines who were in the area in Nov 05.
#41 said:
Sounds good to me, but unless I’m mistaken, hasn’t our enemy been banking on an urban guerrilla strategy of blending in with the local populace to confuse the situation?
I suppose you can either subscribe to the strategy of fighting a conventional battle and suffer the negative effects of sustained casualties and indictments for spot decisions…
Or you can take the approach that our forefathers took in Aachen, Germany and be done with the insurgent games by knocking the place down and putting the onus on the enemy to reevaluate.
If I kept getting knocked down every time I made ill-advised alliances with terrorists, I’d stop making ill-advised alliances with terrorists.
How’s that for oversimplification!
Salt, lgm despises the military with every fiber of his being. He should have capped Marines but he has no respect for those who wear the uniform. In his mind they’re all “cold blooded killers”.
#44 said:
I know which one of these would be tougher for me to control. As a human being (as Hillary would say!) I don’t appreciate my discipline being tested when others around me are getting hurt. I tend to want to put a stop to it immediately. I always felt that the members of 3/1 probably felt the same way when circumstances called them to act.
If 3/1 had returned to an area after a bad incident merely to exact punishment on the locals, (as I am either correctly or mistakenly deriving from your perspective on the matter) that would be a much different situation than casualties exacted during the defense of a unit under fire.
BrianNY #41,
The 19 Nov caused an over-reaction in the other direction towards too many investigations. I saw during my tour several unjustified investigations (almost had one myself). Of course they all started once the shooting stopped and it was safe to travel down to our humble little downtown location.
I’ve got no love for CYA investigations initiated by hire-ups. I am a firm believer that good people must sometimes do dramatically ugly things for the greater good.
“19 Nov” does not fall into that category.
I disagree with the premise that “19 Nov” had anything with making “spot” decisions that were too close to call.
I’ve paid death benefits, to innocent Local National families, who were the victims of real too-close-to-call, so called “spot” decisions. No Marines prosecuted, and better, most of the LNs actually understood why.
Its funny how you accidently shoot an innocent person, you apoligize to the family and build a relationship. He understands the accident was in good faith, and unbelievably, becomes an alli providing assitance.
Hell yeah!!!!
Also the Marine Corps needs to censure him, because he still getting that retirement check.
corkie (#42) said:
I guess it had to happen sometime, and hopefully again soon (how do you make those smiley thingies?).
I guess my oversimplification is that a Marine might have to shoot first and ask questions later. I don’t think this is what is alleged to have happened at Haditha.
You mean like the people at Duke with the lacrosse team? You’re probably right. He says he was trying to get the military commanders to take reports of atrocities more seriously. But he could have found a way to do that without accusing specific marines.
terrig said (#46):
I never said so. You don’t know what’s in my mind. Still, I will do you a favor you don’t deserve — refrain from answering your slander with insult.
Assuming all that is true, you have the credentials no one else has on this topic. I read your posts (all of them) and I have no reason to dispute your statements. Therefore, I agree with others that Murtha was wrong because he jumped to conclusions, we also need to let all of the facts come out. I pray you are wrong (you are interpreting the facts as you currently know them) and that those Marines conducted themselves better than that.
No, Murtha was wrong because he dishonors Marines who have not been put on trial. As a retired Marine Officer he should know how the UCMJ works. A retired Marine Corps Officer has no business trying to convict these Marines in the court of public opinion, with help of the liberal, BDS infected MSM propagandist. Remember how CBS refused to give up those tapes?
HDFOB,
Thank you for your service to our country. I was an instructer in SOI during Desert Storm.
I have never seen an incompetent BN. I have never heard of an incompetent Victor Unit. I have seen sh@t birds, and the sick, lame, and lazy.
The fact charges are being dismissed on these Marines means to me something smells bad other than Murtha.
Leatherneck,
I will concede your point on tarring a whole Battalion’s worth of Marines and sailors. That might not be the right tact to take.
If we recognize excellence in a unit we must also recognize failure. I do believe that 3/3 who succeeded 3/1 in Mar 06, had a MIGHTY big whole to dig out of, and were still trying to do so when they turned the AO over to 2/3 in Sep 06. It might not be fair to tar an entire Bn for the actions of LtCol Chessani.
Many of the charges are being dismissed because you can’t get Haditha LNs to travel to Camp Pendleton, with the critical evidence of testimony. There was some talk in Spring 07 about holding legal hearings at the Haditha FOB, but that fizzled quickly.
I thank you for your service and time at SOI. The Marine Corps has got an incredible line-up of Gunnys, MSgts, and 1stSgts today, that no-doubt got their first lessons as PFCs under your instruction.
Keen observation.
True, however he makes the situation worse by running his mouth before the trial.
No Evidence is a hugetastic problem in any case.
True statement, however they will carry this burden for a very long time. Even if everybody is found innocent. It’s just the way it works with these things. “Your only as fast as your slowest man”.
Yes it is. Although there is a lot of evidence in this case. The problem becomes that definitive piece where the legal system can pronounce guilty.
However being “legally not guilty” or “legally dismissed” is a LONG way, away from: “Greatest-heroes-of-all-time-don’t-you-dare-say-a-single-bad-word-about-them.” A sentiment I dare say is presented by the majority in this string.
Although I’ve stated that manslaugter is appropriate, I’m not a lawyer making a legal opinion. I’m a Marine that looks at the facts that I know and attempts to make a moral judgement.
Everyone here knows cases of people that should have been found guilty, but weren’t. The legal system influences, but is NOT the final word, in my opinions.
HDFOB,
You are correct in you observation about not writing anything bad about these Marines on this string.
I can not write for anyone here, but it appears to me the MSM is so down on the Military and we see civilian pukes like Murtha so often lieing about the Military most of us charge to the defense of our men and women in uniform.
Your tone of writing now is different than your early statements, and most, if not all here have read your thoughts without attacking you. So, your points have been well made, and I have pondered them. I bet others have too.
Cheers,
Ot-I’m at the drive in with the 3 year old, watching Horten gives a hoo.
She loves this movie.
Back on—-
Everyman is innocent until proven guilty. Guilty meaning they were convicted by their peers beyond reasonable doubt. The action committed has occurred, regardless of criminal intent or incompetence. There are also a some people in the brig, who were wrongly convicted. If the glove does not fit you must aquit. This case has already changed the way things are done. We’ll never really know, however I always give my fellow Marines the benefit of the doubt.
the guerilla
I agree with this statement, however Murtha is a retired Marine collecting retirement. Marine Corps leadership past and present needs to hold him accountable in this respect. We should not let this go, and chalk it up to a “civilian” running his suk. If there are gray areas in this case that never get resolved, Murtha still needs to be taken to task for this betrayal.
well said.
Remember what the traitor John Murtha believes about Iraq:
1. OIF wasn’t worth it.
2. The U.S. Military commits atrocities routinely everywhere.
3. The “19 Nov” incident proves pts 1&2.
Current rules of evidence restrict what “19 Nov” reports are released to the public. The best stuff comes out in leak duals. But it’s still hard to evaluate. Once the legal process ends, the FOIA process will begain. It could take years.
All of you who want to take on Murtha on the specific “19 Nov” incident remember this. Any formal process where John Murtha has to defend himself on “19 Nov”, will allow him to put almost all of this raw evidence into the public arena quickly. And when it does, it will look ugly against 3/1. Trust me, there are some really nasty pictures and interviews that may not be legally adminisible for a trial, but will look and read bad to the average man. They look bad to me and I’ve seen dead “arhabi”.
He will argue, and convince some in middle America, that with his point 3 proven, so are his points 1 and 2.
Is that worth the risk to score a point on Murtha? The American public needs to focus on victory in OIF and over the Islamofascists, not a small, but horrible paragraph (not even chapter) in OIF history.
John Murtha surrounds himself with corrupt contractors like Elliot Spitzer with prostitutes. There are plenty of other good issues to take him on.
BTW, thanks for the fair hearing. It’s good to know I can still feel at home, even when I severely disagree.
Jack Murtha owes this man several million dollars in reparations, and it should all come out of Murtha’s fat hide!
AMEN! MAJOR MEGA DITTOS! YOU NAILED IT!
We have no enemies worse than CERTAIN backstabbing TREASONOUS “Americans”.
How will they look against 9/11 thp … thp … thp … thp … thp … thp …
Frankly, under the circumstances - ALL things considered, if I were sitting on a JURY of his peers, I’d say Murtha’s statements were TREASONOUS… at BEST! And NOTHING less.
At worst? ….hhhmmm…
And that is regardless of the facts of the Haditha case.
Just THAT WRONG for a sitting Congressman, former Marine to undermine the military in such an INTERNATIONAL forum, during WAR, for actions on an active battlefield.
PERIOD. AT THAT STAGE of an investigation.
There is no room for using our military for THAT kind of POLITICAL machinations, FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER!
IF he had been right about the information and his suppositions, he was still TREASONOUSLY WRONG to do what he did. There is NO EXCUSE for his ACTIONS, regarding that information.
Ombre Rose (#64)
First, it seems that someone has an anger management problem. Of course there’s Goldwater’s famous “extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice”. But DANG.
And the substance: Murtha felt that there was something seriously wrong with the way the military was operating in Iraq. He was elected to speak up in the name of his constituents at times like those.