A new navy warship is soon to be named after the late Congressman John Murtha (D-PA), who died last spring after routine laproscopic surgery went wrong in a government hospital.
The usual suspects think it’s a great idea — Murtha was a central figure in the Pentagon trough, and often flirted with corruption. Apparently, however, some veterans oppose the move, complaining that, in May 2006, Murtha had blown the cover off a cover-up regarding the death of 24 innocent civilians in Haditha, Iraq in 2005. Murtha alleged that U.S. troops “killed innocent civilians in cold blood.”
The argument against Murtha is simply, “They were just following orders.” Apparently, conservatives have made this assertion a keynote in their efforts to American foreign policy (along with, “In war, truth is the first casualty.”).
What a fine motto for the self-appointed heirs of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan!
There is a simple solution to this very complicated issue: Scrap the ship, tell the truth, and end the wars.
3:02 pm on January 11, 2011
