Cut and Run?
Retired Marine Corps Colonel John Murtha is a Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania. Murtha spent 37 years in Marine Corps, earned the Bronze Star and two purple hearts. For the last thirty years he's been one of the most respected voices in Congress on military issues.
Recently, Murtha declared; "the war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It's a flawed policy wrapped in illusion... Our military is suffering. The future of our country is at risk... The American public is way ahead of the members of Congress. The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq. But it's time for a change in direction...It is evident that continued military action is not in the best interests of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region."
The newest member of Congress, Ohio Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt took the floor of the House and claimed she had received a phone call from a Marine colonel in Iraq, who asked her to send Congress a message -- stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message -- "that "cowards cut and run; Marines never do."
In 1983, Ronald Reagan pulled our troops out of Lebanon after a suicide bomber killed 241 Marines in their Marine barrack. Did Reagan cut and run?
Bush and his supporters in Congress have given us a false choice of cut and run or stay the course. Historian James Chase has pointed out that staying the course makes as much sense as a sailor having been blown off course, continuing to blunder aimlessly across the ocean.
John Murtha didn't suggest, that we cut and run. In fact, his plan was one of redeployment. He called for immediate redeployment of our troops consistent with their safety. He suggests the creation of a quick reaction force in the region, and an over-the-horizon presence of Marines. Murtha recommends that we diplomatically pursue security and stability in Iraq.
Recently, Murtha declared; "the war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It's a flawed policy wrapped in illusion... Our military is suffering. The future of our country is at risk... The American public is way ahead of the members of Congress. The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq. But it's time for a change in direction...It is evident that continued military action is not in the best interests of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region."
The newest member of Congress, Ohio Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt took the floor of the House and claimed she had received a phone call from a Marine colonel in Iraq, who asked her to send Congress a message -- stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message -- "that "cowards cut and run; Marines never do."
In 1983, Ronald Reagan pulled our troops out of Lebanon after a suicide bomber killed 241 Marines in their Marine barrack. Did Reagan cut and run?
Bush and his supporters in Congress have given us a false choice of cut and run or stay the course. Historian James Chase has pointed out that staying the course makes as much sense as a sailor having been blown off course, continuing to blunder aimlessly across the ocean.
John Murtha didn't suggest, that we cut and run. In fact, his plan was one of redeployment. He called for immediate redeployment of our troops consistent with their safety. He suggests the creation of a quick reaction force in the region, and an over-the-horizon presence of Marines. Murtha recommends that we diplomatically pursue security and stability in Iraq.
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