Sam Johnson: The anti-Murtha

Mulhollanddose · 08:35 PM

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas: "Thank you, Mr. Hunter. You are a great man yourself. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the American men and women in uniform and their families. I did spend 29 years in the Air Force, and I served in Korea and Vietnam and spent 7 years as a POW in Vietnam and more than half of that in solitary confinement. I know what it is like to be far from home, serving your country, risking your life, hearing that America doesn't care about you as happened in Vietnam.

Your Congress does not care about you. Your Congress just cut off all the funding for your war. They are packing up, going home, and leaving you here.

When I was a POW, I was scared to death when our Congress talked about pulling the plug that I would be left there forever. I know what it does to morale, I know what it does to the mission, and so help me God, I will never, ever let our Nation make that mistake again.

Our men and women in uniform need our full support. They need to know that when they are in Iraq driving from Camp Blue Diamond to Camp Victory that the Congress is behind them, to give them the best armored trucks they can drive, the best weapons they can fire, and the best ammunition they can use. They need to have full faith that a few nay-sayers in Washington will not cut and run and leave them high and dry. They need to know these things because that is mandatory for mission success and troop morale.

America, and the Congress, must stand behind our men and women in uniform because they stand up for us every minute of every day.

Any talk, even so much as a murmur, of leaving now just emboldens the enemy and weakens the resolve of our troops in the field. That is dangerous. If you do not believe me, check out al Jazeera. The withdrawal story is on the front page. We cannot do that to our fellow Americans over there.

Mr. Speaker, we are making great progress in Iraq. Remember in January how we saw pictures from Iraq of that first election. For weeks, the media predicted gloom and doom. Remember that? What did we see? We watched people as they waited in line for hours, defying death threats just to cast their vote for democracy.

Remember the picture of the woman in the black hair cover flashing her purple finger in the ``V'' after voting in the first Iraqi elections? It was a breakthrough for democracy, and it was just the beginning.

Remember the recent vote on the referendum when people came out in droves to make their voices heard? You would not have known about it because there was so little mention of it in our press, but the people got out there and they voted and they showed their support for democracy, a new government, hope, and a future.

These people are thirsting for something more. They are risking their lives in the name of a new government, and we must stay the course if we want to foster a stable Iraq and create hope for millions in the Middle East.

Our work is paying off, not just at the ballot box. Remember when we were waking up that Sunday morning in shock as we caught Saddam Hussein cowering in a rathole? He is gone. And you know what? At least 46 of Hussein's 55 most-wanted regime members are either dead or incarcerated. Nationwide, thousands and thousands of police officers have been hired, and nearly 200,000 Iraqi soldiers are trained and serving their country. It is going to take time, but our guys on the ground are working with other nations to make inroads to create leadership and inspire democracy in a country that has only known hate, fear, and death from a ruler.

However, sadly, some here want to embolden the enemy by saying we just cut and run. That is just irresponsible and unconscionable.

I have to ask, what would Iraq be like if the United States pulled out, allowing dangerous people like the head of al Qaeda, Zarqawi, to run the country? What would that mean for the region, the world? Al Qaeda rules with death, fear, terror, and blood. Al Qaeda takes innocent people hostage, and then beheads them, and then brags about it on the Internet. Al Qaeda has no respect for human life. They prey on innocent people to do their dirty work, because they know we do not target schools and hospitals and mosques; yet those are the exact places they run for cover.

Al Qaeda will kidnap loved ones, especially very young children, of people trying to build democracy, to scare them out of helping the country. They are taking kids hostage because parents want a new life and a better life for their children.

**snip**

Mr. Speaker, I ask, What part of al Qaeda do you want operating here in America? Al Qaeda is a worldwide organization and a worldwide threat. I do not want any part of this. Americans do not want, need, or deserve al Qaeda. Our troops are over in Iraq fighting not just for our freedom and protection, but the freedom of the world.

We must fight the bad guys over there, not over here. We must support our troops to the hilt so they do not go to bed at night covered in talcum-powder-thin white sand wondering, Does America really support me?

In case people have forgotten, this is the same thing that happened in Vietnam. Peaceniks and people in Congress, and America, started saying bad things about what was going on in Vietnam, and it did a terrible thing to troop morale.

I just pray that our troops and their families can block this noise out and know that we will all fight like mad to make sure our troops have everything they need for as long as they need it to win the global war on terrorism.

Withdrawal is not an option. To our men and women in uniform, I simply say, God bless you. I salute you. All of America salutes our troops.

Mulhollanddose · 06-20-2006, 08:34 PM

Interestingly Sam Johnson hasn't gotten the star treatment Murtha the traitor has. Sam Johnson was a POW and TRUE Hero....Yet Sam Johnson has not seen one invite to the Sunday Talk Shows, no red carpet treatment by George "Clinton crony" Steponallofus, no Meet the dePressed, no 60 Minutes, no nada...the silence from the media betrays who they are and what their agenda is.

914GT · 06-20-2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
the silence from the media betrays who they are and what their agenda is.

Business as usual.

Mulhollanddose · 06-20-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
Any talk, even so much as a murmur, of leaving now just emboldens the enemy and weakens the resolve of our troops in the field. That is dangerous. If you do not believe me, check out al Jazeera. The withdrawal story is on the front page. We cannot do that to our fellow Americans over there.

Listen to a real war hero.

Joeaksa · 06-20-2006, 09:26 PM

There are very few men like Sam Johnson. I had the pleasure to have dinner with him a few years ago. What he went through in North Vietnam, both in and before he was interned in the "Hanoi Hilton" was unbelieveable, yet he did not give in.

A man among men and a living legend.... we can all learn from him and his life.

Bill Douglas · 06-20-2006, 09:28 PM

Yes it's a shame you silly c***s went to Iraq, Sadam was doing a good job of keeping al Qaeda out. Too late now.

Mulhollanddose · 06-20-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Douglas
Yes it's a shame you silly c***s went to Iraq, Sadam was doing a good job of keeping al Qaeda out. Too late now.

Al Qaeda and Saddam had a partnership, which makes al qaeda's control of Iraq irrelevant to the reason for invasion.

Mulhollanddose · 06-20-2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
There are very few men like Sam Johnson. I had the pleasure to have dinner with him a few years ago. What he went through in North Vietnam, both in and before he was interned in the "Hanoi Hilton" was unbelieveable, yet he did not give in.

A man among men and a living legend.... we can all learn from him and his life.

Surely less of a hero than John McCain...Why else would Sam Johnson get ignored by the press, yet John McCain and Murtha get red carpet treatment and treated as heros by the leftist press?

Mulhollanddose · 06-20-2006, 11:14 PM

Joeaksa · 06-21-2006, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
Surely less of a hero than John McCain...Why else would Sam Johnson get ignored by the press, yet John McCain and Murtha get red carpet treatment and treated as heros by the leftist press?

Sam does not look for the publicity nor is he running for Prez in 2008, both of which RINO McCain is doing.

RoninLB · 06-21-2006, 07:38 AM

If the NY Times paid him any attention it would be to try to convict him of something.

Many newspapers follow the NYT's lead countrywide. Their readership has declined locally and they're trying to stay afloat by infecting the whole country as should be noted by their TV advertising this past year. They've not got over everybody not agreeing with them politically. Black Rep politicians and judge nominees get trashed big time around here.

Rodeo · 06-21-2006, 07:42 AM

"Mr. Speaker, we are making great progress in Iraq."

If you accept that insane premise, the rest of what he says makes sense. You gotta drink the Kool Aid to go along with the premise, though.

JSDSKI · 06-21-2006, 08:02 AM

It is unpatriotic and unAmerican to castigate and name call any of these men - and I include ALL of them McCain, Mutha, Kerry, Johnson - for their service to the country and the world -just because some of them hold views different than yours. It's plain unAmerican. Disagree with their point of view all you want - but call them traitors ?! Shame on you.

By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jun 21, 7:58 AM ET

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - While Staff Sgt. Randy Myers was dodging roadside bombs in Iraq,
his congressman was calling the war a lost cause.

Sixteen-term Rep. John Murtha (news, bio, voting record), a decorated Vietnam veteran and military hawk, has become the face of the Democrats' anti-war movement since he called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops last fall. His oft-repeated criticism of the Bush administration's war policies also has earned him the wrath of Republicans.

In Murtha's southwest Pennsylvania district, however, many share the war critic's views.

At a welcome home ceremony this week for Myers and other troops from the Johnstown, Pa.-based 876th Engineer Battalion, the crowd cheered when a Murtha aide welcomed the troops on the congressman's behalf.

Myers said he backs Murtha, an opinion echoed by a number of other troops and their families. Several share his frustration with the conflict.

"I'm not sure we're doing a whole lot of good," Myers, 46, said of the U.S. presence in Iraq. "Everybody thinks we are. We're trying to, but we're not going to change what they want to do, and if they don't want to change, they're not gonna."

Said Sgt. 1st Class George Wozniak, 36, of Murtha: "He's definitely for a strong military and he definitely supports the troops."

Mulhollanddose · 06-21-2006, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JSDSKI
It is unpatriotic and unAmerican to castigate and name call any of these men - and I include ALL of them McCain, Mutha, Kerry, Johnson - for their service to the country and the world -just because some of them hold views different than yours. It's plain unAmerican. Disagree with their point of view all you want - but call them traitors ?! Shame on you.

They are no better than Benedict Arnold, albeit in differing degrees...They are working against the nation, the people and thereby for the enemy. What then do you call this type of treason?...What do you call Benedict Arnold, as you have changed the goal post does he become a hero?

Don't even put McCain, Murtha or Kerry in the same league as Sam Johnson...Sam Johnson is a real hero.

Mulhollanddose · 06-21-2006, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rodeo
"Mr. Speaker, we are making great progress in Iraq."

If you accept that insane premise, the rest of what he says makes sense. You gotta drink the Kool Aid to go along with the premise, though.

The truth discomforts you, doesn't it?...It irritates your desired belief system and false constructs.

RoninLB · 06-21-2006, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JSDSKI
"I'm not sure we're doing a whole lot of good," Myers, 46, said of the U.S. presence in Iraq. "Everybody thinks we are. We're trying to, but we're not going to change what they want to do, and if they don't want to change, they're not gonna."

I wonder what the Iraq reaction will be to Saddam's conviction and death. I believe the sentence has to be carried out in 30 days by law. Any progress is better than regression.

There were big talks recently about economic development although not big enough for me to take much notice. Better to give these kids jobs instead of them working for planting IEDs. I read there is still about 1,000,000 displaced nationals.

JSDSKI · 06-21-2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
They are working against the nation, the people and thereby for the enemy.

Just because you disagree with their views doesn't automatically make them "traitors" or "the enemy".

They are citizen/soldiers. They are - each in their way - heros. Your spiteful ignorance cannot belittle their accomplishments or their service.

Moneyguy1 · 06-21-2006, 09:44 AM

And yet you guys continue to feed the little troll......

Rodeo · 06-21-2006, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
*** Don't even put McCain, Murtha or Kerry in the same league as Sam Johnson...Sam Johnson is a real hero.

Until he disagrees with anything you believe. At which point he too will join the ranks of the traitors and scum.

That the Bush administration has given voice to people like you makes me despair for our great country.

We seem to be finally waking up from this Rove-induced maliciousness. Can't happen soon enough.

Mulhollanddose · 06-21-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JSDSKI
Just because you disagree with their views doesn't automatically make them "traitors" or "the enemy".

They are citizen/soldiers. They are - each in their way - heros. Your spiteful ignorance cannot belittle their accomplishments or their service.

You paint with a broader brush than I...Murtha/Kerry (most especially Kerry)/McCain do not fall into a true definition of "hero."...Their lying to the American public (excepting McCain) puts them on the side of the enemy and decidedly in opposition to America.

Kerry was a traitor to the country (he did more for the enemy than his own country).
Murtha is a traitor to the country and is stabbing his brothers in the back with his lying rhetoric (He is Iraq's John Kerry).
McCain gave troop positions to the Vietcong and got treated very well and with great exception by the Vietcong.

Sam Johnson is a cut above the rest, to put it lightly.