dennis40x
US Veteran
I believe his Bronze Star was with out the 'V" device denoting valor and the Purple Heart awards were questionable.
Congressman Murtha died
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I'm not going to say anything bad, I'm just gonna tell the way is is (was).
Being a resident of PA, but not his district, I can honestly say that Murtha was for Murtha and his constituents were along for the ride at his convenience.
As chair of the House Appropriations Cmte, Murtha was a talented and experienced "Porkmeister Extraordiaire" for economically hard-hit Johnstown and Cambria County when the steel mills shut down 25-30 years ago after the 1977 flood and the early 80s recession which killed the domestic steel industry.
Murtha was responsible for hundreds of MILLIONS of tax $$$ being pumped into Cambria County for pork barrel make-work projects. There's a couple industrial parks with new businesses attracted by promises of tax-free status for 10-15 years. There's also a quasi-governmental R&D facility called "Concurrent Technologies" that employs a lot of Johnstown/Windber locals that don't get much done. CT is a black hole sucking up large amounts of federally-funded annually repeating grant money. The Cambria County windmill energy farms? Murtha's stamp of approval is all over them.
"Big John" Murtha was first, foremost, and always for John Murtha, and if that meant doling out the pork by the truckload for employment of constituents so that Murtha was ensured of lifetime reelections, so be it. If the locals considered him a saint walking, so be it. Whatever worked.
An old time deal making, deal brokering politician -- pure and simple.
Noah
Being a resident of PA, but not his district, I can honestly say that Murtha was for Murtha and his constituents were along for the ride at his convenience.
As chair of the House Appropriations Cmte, Murtha was a talented and experienced "Porkmeister Extraordiaire" for economically hard-hit Johnstown and Cambria County when the steel mills shut down 25-30 years ago after the 1977 flood and the early 80s recession which killed the domestic steel industry.
Murtha was responsible for hundreds of MILLIONS of tax $$$ being pumped into Cambria County for pork barrel make-work projects. There's a couple industrial parks with new businesses attracted by promises of tax-free status for 10-15 years. There's also a quasi-governmental R&D facility called "Concurrent Technologies" that employs a lot of Johnstown/Windber locals that don't get much done. CT is a black hole sucking up large amounts of federally-funded annually repeating grant money. The Cambria County windmill energy farms? Murtha's stamp of approval is all over them.
"Big John" Murtha was first, foremost, and always for John Murtha, and if that meant doling out the pork by the truckload for employment of constituents so that Murtha was ensured of lifetime reelections, so be it. If the locals considered him a saint walking, so be it. Whatever worked.
An old time deal making, deal brokering politician -- pure and simple.
Noah
truckemup97
Member
Y'all done good. I have nothing to add.
I'll go with what Sebago Son said.
The man did more damage than good for America.
The man did more damage than good for America.
De mortuis nil nisi verum.
TennTony
US Veteran
One less incumbent to throw out next election. The USA is a better place by his departure.
Sebago Son
Member
The man himself had conflicting stories about his wounds. In 1994 it was shrpanel to his arm and a "banged up knee". In 2002 it was a cheek and forehead laceration.
Until his death, Murtha would not release his military service records.
In a Joe Biden like gaff, in 2002 Murtha admitted to fellow Democrat Congressman Don Bailey, that he did not do anything sufficient to earn his Purple Hearts.
The Marine Corps casualty records show that Murtha was injured in 'hostile' actions near Danang, Vietnam, on March 22, 1967, and May 7, 1967. It was not until 1968 after much pressure applied and he returned to PA Politics that these awards were given Murtha.
Walter Rego
Member
I'd sure enjoy it if the winner in the election to replace him was a Republican. The effect on the Democrats would be more fun to watch than the Superbowl commercials.
From the Wash.Post: Special election, probably May 18.
The Fix - John Murtha dies, special election looms .
The Fix - John Murtha dies, special election looms .
tom turner
US Veteran
In remembrance what what it did, and as a former Army trumpeter . . . I hope he has taps played at his funeral . . . by the electronic "bugle."
whitecoyote
Member
Good Riddance!!!
Traitor
This is how he used his power. You must watch this. It speaks volumes about Murtha's character ahem I mean lack of.
YouTube - An Insult To Our Democracy
This is how he used his power. You must watch this. It speaks volumes about Murtha's character ahem I mean lack of.
YouTube - An Insult To Our Democracy
BruceHMX
Member
Tom unfortunately that's only done for vet's such as us. I see it all the time at Quantico. I'll bet big bucks they will go all out for him.
Markcuda
Member
Post count only
I heard that this am on Quinn and Rose. Like I said I am sorry for his faimily but politicaly I won't miss him at all. He only won re-election in the Johnstown area, those of us out here in the fringes voted for Diane Irey or William Russell (who would be running against Murtha in the current election).Murtha was all about Murtha and nothng else
Sebago Son
Member
It is the height of amoral duplicity to honor a man in death who would not honor himself in life....
all5x
US Veteran
Adios..
I think Murtha must have actually been from California..he was under investigation, again, in the House Ethics Committee for various things and the charges were not going away..it looks like he died on "death row" awaiting his final rewards..guess they waited long enough for the charges to be forgotten and he did not embarasss the Democrat's..if the stupid people of PA elected him, then they deserve him..same can be said of those in CA..all5x
I think Murtha must have actually been from California..he was under investigation, again, in the House Ethics Committee for various things and the charges were not going away..it looks like he died on "death row" awaiting his final rewards..guess they waited long enough for the charges to be forgotten and he did not embarasss the Democrat's..if the stupid people of PA elected him, then they deserve him..same can be said of those in CA..all5x
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