Mamma T to the defense of Murtha

[Mass]

http://www.tribune-democrat.com/editorials/local_story_332153353.html

Assault on Murtha should alarm us all
The Tribune-Democrat


“Because we in Congress are charged with sending our sons and daughters into battle, it is our responsibility, our obligation, to speak out for them. That’s why I am speaking out.”

– U.S. Rep. John Murtha, Nov. 17, “War In Iraq.”

By TERESA HEINZ KERRY

U.S. Rep. John Murtha completely changed the public debate in our country by calling for an immediate redeployment of our troops in Iraq. Whether you agree or disagree with his specific proposal is not the point – but his critics’ words demand a response.

Murtha speaks with special authority.

...

They said he had given aid and comfort to the enemy. They accused him of abandoning the troops. And one rookie representative, the most junior member in the House, so lost any decency or sense of decorum that she called Murtha a coward.

...


We’ve seen this before. I know and love another Vietnam veteran who served our country with distinction and honor – who suffered the slings and arrows of distortions, half–truths and falsehoods.

...

This war is hard – hard to win, hard to support, and for most, hard to figure out. We all want the best for our troops, our country, the Iraqi people and what is best for the Middle East. Much is at stake.

But if we want the best outcome, the best minds we have must be free to express their strongest beliefs and best advice.

Murtha has earned our respect. His right to speak out is an intrinsic component of our democracy. It should be honored – we should hold that right sacred – even if his words deviate from the party line, the president’s talking points, or public opinion.

I think Murtha did our country an enormous public service for speaking out as he did, and I support for him for exercising his right.

A courageous person is always to be admired.

On edit: link corrected

[blm]

1. Teresa treats veterans with respect while BushInc treats them like crap on

the bottom of his golden shoes.

[ray of light]

15. swiftied is part of the lexocon now.

[rox63]

2. Go Teresa!!!

What a great First Lady she would have been. Instead, we're stuck with Pickles and *. :(

Edit: Link doesn't work.

[MH1]

3. Great words from Mamma T (correct link here)

Link in the op didn't work for me...here it is...

http://www.tribune-democrat.com/editorials/local_story_332153353.html

[Mass]

4. Thanks - corrected in OP as well

The joys of cut and paste.

[MH1]

19. Tee hee. I do that all the time too.

[Nimrod2005]

5. Well done!!!

[Punkingal]

6. Great editorial.

And look at what we missed out on...an intelligent, thoughtful, articulate first lady.;(

[second edition]

7. Good person and a good judge of character. And she loathes

Santorum. She is right up there in my book of decent, honest, caring people.

[karynnj]

13. She was against him from the begining

Obviously, she's a great judge of character.

[ray of light]

20. She really got swiftied herself.

And so did JK. Sadly, I still see swiftying going on--except now it's the "lefties" smearing their own.

[blm]

30. She was furious that Santorum got John Heinz' Senate seat. Heinz was

a fairly liberal Republican while Santorum is a neanderthal.

[SCDem]

8. How sweet!

"We’ve seen this before. I know and love another Vietnam veteran"

Wouldn't it have been nice to see an actual first couple. In love for genuine reasons and not a drug-induced Stepfordish relationship like * and Pickles has?

I was at the Convention in '04 and was more impressed with Theresa's speech than I was Kerry's. Makes me want to :cry:

[karynnj]

10. I loved her speech and the values she spoke of

I never understood the critisism that some gave it. It was very obvious that the values she spoke of were ones she shared with her husband.

I love that understated line you quote, especially as the whole last part could be said of Kerry's speaking up in the 70s as for Murtha now. They really would have made a great first couple.

I can't think of any couple who could between them restore our name in the world better. Bush was booed everywhere in South America. Kerry would have vetoed Cafta (which he voted against), and built good relations with Central and South America. Kerry could have met privately with every leader with only Teresa as an interpretor.

I think many Americans who voted against them would have reconsidered after actually seeing them.

[FreedomAngel82]

23. It does

:( Mrs. Kerry is one of my favorite politician wives next to Tipper Gore. You can see all the love and romance in their eyes. *sigh* So sweet and romantic!!!!

[SCDem]

26. I remember during the campaign

when the press made a stink about an argument she and John had at a hotel one night. And the media played it up kind of like it was a bad thing. I thought it made them look human and passionate about each other as well as their ideas.

[blm]

27. That's the face of a woman who knows she is loved.

And has the passion to show it.

[ginnyinWI]

9. ah, for what might have been!

A beautiful, heartfelt statement from Teresa.

[ray of light]

11. THK would like for anyone interested in this issue to contact her

at


[email protected]

[karynnj]

14. This is great

[blm]

18. Good - she wants to stay in the battle, and that sounds great to me.

.

[ProSense]

12. Beautiful! n/t

[LeftyLizzie]

16. Teresa's fantastic

I'm glad that she's continuing to speak out on issues that are important to her - she always expresses herself so eloquently.

[karynnj]

24. She really is eloquent

just like her husband. What a classy couple.

[Mass]

17. kicked

[LeftyLizzie]

21. Another kick

:kick:

[FreedomAngel82]

22. Yay Mama T!

She would've been such a fabulous first Lady. :cry: We were all robbed and I want my justice!

[jenndar]

25. That was amazing.

I always love her op-eds. She's so articulate and informed and passionate when she speaks up.

[dwahzon]

28. Mass

Thanks for posting Teresa's op-ed here...

and see you at DCP. Check out Karen's call to action.

[jenndar]

29. Here's the link to a Kos diary if anyone wants to rec. it

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/11/29/95547/157

[globalvillage]

31. "A courageous person is always to be admired."

She is that, isn't she?

Teresa,

:yourock: