Hot Air TV: Rep. Jack Murtha confronted about Haditha accusations Updated
posted at 2:40 pm on September 18, 2007 by Bryan
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We’ve just obtained video of Rep. Jack Murtha being directly confronted over repeatedly accusing the Haditha Marines of murdering Iraqis “in cold blood.” I’m editing and processing it now, so we should have it online before too long. Stand by.
Update: Here it is. The man confronting Murtha is Jason Mattera, of the Young America’s Foundation. You may remember Jason for his eloquent statement regarding CAIR’s attempt to silence Robert Spencer.
Update (AP): No member of the mainstream press was willing to put the question directly to Murtha at his National Press Club press conference so a blast from the blogosphere’s past had to do it for them. Via Gateway Pundit, Jeff Gannon endears himself to the left anew:
JEFF GANNON: In May 2006, you said that Marines killed innocent Iraqis citizens in cold blood at Hatitha. A year later, some of them have been exonerated. At some point are you going to apologize to these men?
REP. MURTHA: The trial’s not over yet.
JEFF GANNON: You’ve spoken out before. You went on national television and called these men “cold blooded killers.”
REP. MURTHA: The trial’s not over yet.
The Hill adds the irresistible detail that his face was “reddening” as he said it. Gannon did succeed in getting Murtha to make an uncomfortable admission on another subject but he deserves some traffic for this, so follow the link to find out what.
Comment of the day:
It looked to me as though Mr. Murtha, under heavy questioning, redeployed to the elevator.
Blaise on September 18, 2007 at 4:23 PM
Update (AP): Don’t look now but the charges against another Marine just got dropped.
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Wade on September 18, 2007 at 4:25 PM
He cut and run. That’s what Democrats do. They know one maneuver all too well…. RETREAT !!!!!
Maxx on September 18, 2007 at 4:31 PM
Be very carefull. One of the Marine generals involved has been transferred. If they end up with a PC general they could still get screwed.
davod on September 18, 2007 at 4:38 PM
I only hope my kids grow-up like him. Lord knows I’m trying.
JoeAvg on September 18, 2007 at 4:39 PM
Patru shoots……he scores! Nice smackdown. I hope it leaves a mark.
Meaning, the money spent on the war is less money for Murtha to earmark for his own political machine. There are hundreds of phantom companies he needs to fund if he expects to retain his seat.
Mallard T. Drake on September 18, 2007 at 4:42 PM
Sen. Murtha’s official web site requires a person be a resident of his district, so I went ahead and sent him a message using the following address:
326 Napoleon St
Johnstown, PA 15901
(814) 536-5156
Which is a War Memorial in that city.
My message was:
“Dear Sir,
You are a disgrace to the uniform of the United States Marine Corps. You may have served in past wars, but you are certainly no patriot. Your slander of those soldiers who were involved in the tragic Haditha incident requires an immediant and remorseful apology on your part as they are now being exonerated after lengthy investigative proceedings. You spoke out of turn so many months ago when you reviled them on public television as “cold blooded killers”.
If you have even a shred of honor or dignity remaining in your soulless bones, you will do the right thing.
Ever a patriot,
”
I really, really detest that a-hole.
Mindcrime on September 18, 2007 at 4:49 PM
Murtha is the poster boy for liberal genetic derangement syndrome.
Speakup on September 18, 2007 at 4:57 PM
Not to sound like Bill O’Reilly, but Murtha’s body language shows he is not comfortable talking to the young man. The hand over the mouth shows he is trying to “hide” and is a defensive posture. The grabbing of his tie (other than conveying that he’d rather hang himself than continue talking to this man) also shows he is uncomfortable and is trying to keep his hands busy. Running into the elevator is a little harder to discern. I think it means he likes to make grand statements besmirching our troops and then doesn’t want to take responsibility for them. I’ll have to talk to Bill O. about that one.
Mallard T. Drake on September 18, 2007 at 5:01 PM
Wow, exactly what I was going to say. I actually can’t stand those O’Reilly segments, because the “expert” seems to only state what seems obvious to even the non-”body language experts” among us. But I too immediately noticed the covered Murtha mouth. And while he wasn’t saying anything at that point, the face touch/mouth cover are “tells” that you’re lying… so since he wasn’t talking at that moment, perhaps it was just his dishonesty showing through in body language?
Anyway, excellent work to everyone mentioned in the post and the HotAir crew.
RightWinged on September 18, 2007 at 5:17 PM
“The trials not over yet” he,
This old fool is going to run out of Marines on trial pretty soon. Then what? you fat piece of excrement!!!!!!!!
conservnut on September 18, 2007 at 5:27 PM
Murtha is dirt!
TheSitRep on September 18, 2007 at 5:40 PM
Criminal, coward, traitor scum. I think that about covers it.
oakpack on September 18, 2007 at 5:40 PM
You forgot “lier.”
Maxx on September 18, 2007 at 5:44 PM
Murtha’s a hypocrite. It’s OK for him to publicly decree that they are guilty before any trials are convened, and then can not make a statement because they’re “still in trial”.
SomeSay on September 18, 2007 at 5:46 PM
Yeah, and I loved the way he held his hand up to prevent Mattera from entering. There’s not room for more than one passenger on an elevator, is there?
When Murtha pulled out that ‘I was in, were you ‘ stuff, he was just about a cat’s whisker from pulling out the chickenhawk label. Methinks he’s about ready to.
bikermailman on September 18, 2007 at 5:55 PM
From the Reuters link…
Grrrr…anger over US treatment of Iraqis? How about anger over Iraqis and AQ’s treatment of US soldiers?
Sue on September 18, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Just like the Democrats are committed to defeat in Iraq to show that they were right about the war–after most of them voted to authorize military force, of course. Spineless bunch of chickensh*ts.
ReubenJCogburn on September 18, 2007 at 6:03 PM
Jeff Gannon is demonized by the Left and the Right but I read his column on a regular basis and he has some great insights. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves. Granted, his past is a bit askew of what the Right is usually comfortable with but I’m glad he’s on our side. If I weren’t a poor college student I’d buy a copy of his book. “The Great Media War”
http://www.thegreatmediawar.com/
GoodBoy on September 18, 2007 at 6:21 PM
Where do we donate to have this clip run during prime time tv every night during the election cycle?
I love how literally backed into the corner he was in that elevator. Maybe he once served bravely, but he’s a coward now.
And my third grader stalls for time more artfully than you do, Murtha.
TexasDan on September 18, 2007 at 6:38 PM
Murtha needs to also explain how having been in the military qualifies him to judge people as cold blooded killers with no evidence at all.
Kowboy on September 18, 2007 at 6:41 PM
Yea “I served in the blah blah blah” yeah,, what’s that suppose to mean!? What,, you were in Korea so there for you have the right to falsely accuse soldiers of murder!?
JellyToast on September 18, 2007 at 6:45 PM
The best thing about this? It happened today, and it’s on the internet today.
Can’t beat that.
Bob's Kid on September 18, 2007 at 6:49 PM
Having lived in the District of Columbia, and now in western PA, I’d say Murtha is Johnstown’s Marion Barry.
petefrt on September 18, 2007 at 7:51 PM
Did anybody else notice how Congressman Abscam had to tell the elevator operator TWICE to close the door? Maybe the elevator man was curious to see the scene play out a little longer?
Lurking Vet on September 18, 2007 at 7:54 PM
Gannon’s involved? Quick, someone alert Jeff Goldstein.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on September 18, 2007 at 8:11 PM
Yeah, you POS, and the trial hadn’t even started yet, when you declared those men guilty.
Resign, Jack.
JannyMae on September 18, 2007 at 8:36 PM
Yes, I did serve in the military. Six years, United States Army.
And, I think Murtha is a complete Dirtbag.
And as I stated above, I have absolute moral authority.
JayHaw Phrenzie on September 18, 2007 at 8:46 PM
That is the Absolute Moral Authority card being tossed down.
How dare you question him.
F15Mech on September 18, 2007 at 9:09 PM
Another issue, slightly off topic but about the video. Why do tax payers have to pay for some guy to run an elevator? Is Congress too stupid to push an elevator button? Millions of Americans do it every day. So they want to make sure no one else uses it? They never heard of an id card to swipe at the door ? Geez, how stupid!
StuLongIsland on September 18, 2007 at 9:16 PM
Sorry to reply to my own post.
Here is a history on the Absolute Moral Authority card.
F15Mech on September 18, 2007 at 9:19 PM
Congressmen can’t give a card reader attitude and bully past it when they forget their ID…
Kensington on September 18, 2007 at 9:29 PM
Guess Elevator Operators are the only people who look up to Congressmen besides their Mistresses.
StuLongIsland on September 18, 2007 at 10:03 PM
I urge everyone to contact “Benedict” Murtha. Demand his resignation IMMEDIATELY. He is a disgrace and frankly unfit to hold any office.
Gatordoug on September 18, 2007 at 10:19 PM
Murtha needs bed rest.
saved on September 18, 2007 at 10:57 PM
Mmmm sweet, sweet tears of unfathomable sadness. I will accept no less.
“Chili cook-off” anyone?
TBinSTL on September 18, 2007 at 11:03 PM
LOL
That caused me to spew stuff out me nose.
F15Mech on September 18, 2007 at 11:15 PM
That’d be the Murtha flap in a nutshell. Just substitute the word “accusations,” for “comparisons.”
“That’s something we’d expect from Al Jazeera, not from a congressman.”
My entry for parting shot of the year.
smellthecoffee on September 18, 2007 at 11:17 PM
Along with the shot of his S**t eating grin as he walked away.
Helloyawl on September 19, 2007 at 1:26 AM
When someone like mothra says that he “served in Viet Nam” the proper comeback is – on which side?
BDavis on September 19, 2007 at 2:05 AM
We can take hope that when the Angel comes for Murtha, he’ll end up impaled on a rotating spit, roasting for eternity over the fires of hell, with an “honor guard” of his allies, Al Qaeda jihadists, on the spits next to him.
georgej on September 19, 2007 at 2:12 AM
Jason Mattera… the anti-Kos.
…and my new hero.
SilverStar830 on September 19, 2007 at 2:15 AM
Sizzle…keep sticking it to him. Way to go!
ricelchew on September 19, 2007 at 3:14 AM
We need a little mature perspective on this….Mr.Murtha is a Big Fat PoopyHead.
Regney on September 19, 2007 at 6:17 AM
Where’s Rosie’s bat! Whack him!
sabbott on September 19, 2007 at 7:32 AM
Murha went back to his desk, got on his knees, and prayed that our soldiers did wrong.
Pathetic.
right2bright on September 19, 2007 at 8:27 AM
Why isnt there a concerted and real effort by the RNC to find,promote,fund and RUN Iraqi war vets in upcoming elections,against the Dems in the House and Senate?
lizzee on September 19, 2007 at 8:30 AM
He brings a front loader with him.
highhopes on September 19, 2007 at 8:41 AM
Remeber even Benidict Arnold was once an American hero.
GREENTURTLE on September 19, 2007 at 9:10 AM
I have never heard of Jason Mattera before this post but I want to send him money after seeing that.
EXCELLENT WORK!!
And how pedestrian and moonbattish of Murtha to deply the chickenhawk argument. I guess he thinks because he served, that gives him the right to slander our troops. And how dare anyone call him on it.
Again, well done Jason Mattera.
Rosetta on September 19, 2007 at 9:26 AM
The body language and reaction I got from Murtha was stunning. He covered his mouth as the questions were being fired. That’s a sing of self guilt or self doubt. He is holding his tong from speaking because he knows he’s a hot head and has a tendency to speak from feelings rather than forethought.
Shockingly, the first words out of his mouth were. “Is the Trial still going on?” I other words, he’s telling Stark not to pass judgment on his judgment of ‘guilt’ because the “Trial is still going on”. Unbelievable!!!. In other words he and only he has the right to accuse and convict people because he served. What an extremely lonely man man he must be.
When he was trapped in the elevator he went into fight or flight mode and pulled out what he knows best, rhetoric defense of his war credentials.
Egfrow on September 19, 2007 at 9:49 AM
Another Quote of the
dayENTIRE SITUATION…Mazztek on September 19, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Last night I was looking at Murtha’s Wiki bio, because I didn’t think he was old enough to have “enlisted in Korea”, as he said in this clip. Turns out he actually is (assuming Wiki is reliable), and did enlist in 1952 at the age of 20. What shocked me, though, was that according to his bio he was a Drill Instructor, and only became an officer because he was recommended to go to OCS. Which to me makes it even harder to understand how he ended up being the corrupt Bravo Foxtrot he is today, because you’d expect a former D.I. of all people to understand that you don’t backstab fellow Marines.
ReubenJCogburn on September 19, 2007 at 11:49 AM
He shoots, he SCORES!!! and the only thing mumblin’ Meathead can do is site his ’service’ in the military.
There ought to be a medal we could give Mattera.
This is the best thing I’ve heard/seen all year, thanks for posting it.
Christine on September 19, 2007 at 12:38 PM
The verdict was in on Murtha back in the ’80’s. Since when is he splitting hairs.
Hening on September 19, 2007 at 1:05 PM
This vid just got played on Rush and Hot Air got namechecked.
Cool.
saint kansas on September 19, 2007 at 2:35 PM
RUSH LIMBAUGH JUST MENTIONED THIS ON HIS SHOW AND IS PLAYING AUDIO!!!
Brat on September 19, 2007 at 2:35 PM
Rush checks out Hot Air. Great. AP, he is a Mac fan, maybe a plea for iPhone from Rush? Still your best bet, wait until Christmas and v2 comes out.
Wade on September 19, 2007 at 2:39 PM
He picked his nose and saved it for the elevator, but he served in Korea and Vietnam.
Is that a pass for being a traitor?
Benedict Arnold lived out his life in London. Maybe Murtha should get an apartment in Tehran.
Hening on September 19, 2007 at 2:43 PM
I like the smirk on Mattera’s face as he’s walking away.
Mattera we’ll probably be gang audited by the IRS for this confrontation, but it was worth it.
Mike Honcho on September 19, 2007 at 9:36 PM
for someone who always plays the “I served in Korea” template, he sure cowered in a big hurry.
Excellent work that the so called press refuses to apply to their chosen profession.
jdsmith0021 on September 19, 2007 at 10:37 PM
The White House should replace Helen Thomas with Jeff Gannon at press conferences. It would be a bold conservative stroke that even the social conservatives will love and would reassure the conservative gay voter, but most of all it would so annoy the mainstream media that it would be hilarious.
Unfortuantely, I’m not really sure how control the White House has over who is at the press conferences.
thuja on September 20, 2007 at 4:43 AM
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