Congressman Jack Murtha and the Haditha Marines

At long last, the U.S. Marines involved in the MSM-called "Haditha massacre" are one step closer to being vindicated. The investigating officer has requested that all charges against Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt be dismissed.

The government's theory that Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharratt had executed the three men was "incredible" and relied on contradictory statements by Iraqis, Lt. Col. Paul Ware said in the report, released Tuesday by Sharratt's defense attorneys.

"To believe the government version of facts is to disregard clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, and sets a dangerous precedent that, in my opinion, may encourage others to bear false witness against Marines as a tactic to erode public support of the Marine Corps and mission in Iraq," Ware wrote. Source.

The final decision is now up to LtGen. Mattis, CO of the 1st MEF at Camp Pendleton, Ca. Gen. Mattis may either accept the recommendation to dismiss the charges, modify it or reject it completely.

Now Sharratt's parents are going to ask Congress to censure Congressman Jack Murtha (D), Pennsylvania, who, without the slightest shred of evidence, called these men "murderers" who "killed in cold blood". He also accused the entire U.S. Marine Corps of trying to cover up the "massacre". This is the same Murtha, mind you, whose combat service with the Marines has repeatedly been questioned.

Sharratt said that he, his wife Theresa and other supporters of their 22-year-old son were planning to visit Martha's office, and "we're going to ask for more than an apology."

"We need this man censured by our Congress," he said, because "he denied my son -- and the other Marines involved -- their constitutional rights to a fair trial and a presumption of innocence."

"This is what we've been fighting for in Iraq," Sharratt added. "This is what we've been fighting for -- what soldiers and Marines have been dying for -- for the past 200 years." Source.

Too right.

In my opinion, Murtha's actions were nothing less than treason.

• First, there is a basic presumption of innocence in this country. People generally stand trial and are convicted of something before they are termed "murderer" or "cold-blooded killer". America is funny that way. Just ask Mike Nifong.
• Secondly, to openly criticize these Marines in the MSM, without knowing the full details or waiting for a formal investigation, undermined not only the war effort of the United States and our blessed allies, but had a diminsihing effect on the morale of every servicemember overseas. Who would want to risk their lives knowing that the government that sent them to Iraq to fight would openly and falsely brand them murderers? Not I.
• Third, his comments were replayed endlessly on al Jazeera and like-minded networks. What effect do you think that had on the hearts and minds of the Iraqi populace? Sounds like giving aid and comfort to the enemy to me.

Now, we all know that Murtha doesn't give a crap about America, or the U.S. Marines, or abstract concepts like truth, honor or justice. He has his pockets to line, his ego to inflate and his voters to manipulate. Jack Murtha has always been about Jack Murtha.

But will the Democrat-lead, cut-and-run, let's be friends with the terrorists, Congress act to censure this man? Doubtful. Not with Pelosi running things. He'll get the obligatory tut-tut, perhaps, but then he'll be back to the same old loud-mouthed PoS he always was.

In my opinion, sir, you are a disgrace to the nation in which you serve and to the uniform of the United States Marines. You were willing to label and use these men to further your own political goals and you were wrong. I doubt that you are man enough to apologize, not that an apology would be enough or welcomed.

And sadly, I think you are the perfect example of too many of our elected public officials serving in Congress today.

Required reading:

• Murtha Must Go!!: Jack Murtha and the Concept of Apology?
• Michelle Malkin: JOHN MURTHA HANGS THE MARINES
• Woman Honor Thyself: Courtmartial Murtha
• Michelle Malkin: Marine’s parents want Murtha censured
• Right Truth: Democrats fear success in Iraq
• BLACKFIVE: Will Murtha Be Censured?
• Hot Air » Will the most ethical Congress evah censure Murtha for his Haditha comments?
• Flopping Aces: Charges Soon To Be Dropped For Haditha Marine