Redstate

By pennconservative Comments (1) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

I attended the Boot Murtha rally against Congressman John P. Murtha in Johstown, PA today, and wanted to give a wrap-up for those of you that could not make it. If I had to guess, I would say that there were around 1,000 people there, although pictures may not reflect this because it was held at the War Memorial, which is a pretty large venue (it's where President Bush came when he visited Johnstown during the 2004 campaign, if that tells you anything).

First, let me say that I did not hear one person question Murtha's prior military service. In fact, Dave Beamer actually thanked the Congressman for his service, although he did follow that up by stating that prior service does not automatically forgive his statements and actions that he's making today. The calls from the left that people are trying to 'swift boat' Murtha are patently false. Murtha is being held accountable for the statements that he's making as a public servant regarding the war in Iraq and our soldiers that are fighting. Many find these statements particularly egregious given the fact that Murtha is a former Marine and should know better. However, noone has questioned Murtha's prior service, so the comparisons to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are false and a red herring designed to take the focus off of where it should be: what Murtha is saying and doing now.

As for the rally itself, most notable was the line-up of speakers. Murtha had professional politicians such as General Wesley Clark, Max Cleland and Bob Kerrey at his rally yesterday. These are individuals with no stake in this fight. The Veterans for Truth had men whose sons have died in Iraq, the father of one of the Pendleton 8 who Congressman Murtha has accused of killing innocent civilians in cold blood, a survivor of the attack on the World Trade Center, and the father of a hero that died on United Flight 93 on 9/11. Unlike Murtha's speakers, these are people who were deeply and personally affected by 9/11 and the War in Iraq, and they are united in their calls for Murtha to be ousted. The contrast could not be more clear.

These were regular guys like you and me who have been thrust into the world of politics by the loss of a loved one or some other circumstance beyond their control. They are driven to speak out against Murtha by a profound love of country and a desire to see justice done. They are offended and outraged by Murtha's attacks on our soldiers and the war effort in Iraq, and feel that they have no choice but to speak out. Murtha had to bus people in to his rally from Philadelphia, and recruited professional politicians for his efforts. Where are the mothers of the kids in Iraq at Murtha's rally? Where are the parents of slain soldiers in Iraq speaking out in Murtha's defense. Oh, that's right. They don't exist. Murtha's comments are beyond the pale, and his actions unbecoming those of a representative of the people. The Boot Murtha campaign is a patriotic effort to shed light on Murtha's statements and to remove him from public office. Murtha is responding to their efforts because he knows he's in trouble.

I'll be posting photos at my blog where this is cross-posted once I get them uploaded.