Murtha Ordered To Testify In Defamtion Suit Brought By Marine
This is welcome news, to be sure!
A federal judge refused Friday to dismiss a defamation case against Rep. John P. Murtha and ordered the Pennsylvania Democrat to give a sworn deposition in the case.
A Marine Corps sergeant is suing the 16-term congressman for alleging “cold-blooded murder and war crimes” by unnamed soldiers in connection with the deaths of Iraqi civilians in the town of Haditha.
The deaths became known in May 2006 when Murtha, who opposes the Iraq war, said at a Capitol Hill news conference that a Pentagon war crimes investigation will show Marines killed dozens of innocent Iraqi civilians in the town in 2005.
Murtha’s office declined to comment on the ruling. He has said his intention was to draw attention to the pressure put on troops in Iraq and to cover-up the incident.
The Justice Department wanted the case dismissed because Murtha was acting in his official role as a lawmaker. Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Henault said the comments were made as part of the debate over the war in Iraq.
I agree with Bryan, this is music to my ears:
“You’re writing a very wide road for members of Congress to go to their home districts and say anything they choose about private persons and be able to do so without any liability. Are you sure you want to do that?” Collyer said, adding later, “How far can a congressman go and still be protected?”
Collyer said she was troubled by the idea the lawmakers are immune from lawsuits regardless of what they say to advance their political careers.
I will be covering this case as it goes forth! I promise you that!
Pirate’s Cove has more
From the halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We will fight our country’s battles
In the air, on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom,
And to keep our honor clean.
We are proud to claim the title of,
United States Marine.
Our flag’s unfurled to ev’ry breeze
From dawn to setting sun.
We have fought in ev’ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In snow of far off Northern lands,
And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job.
The United States Marines.
Here’s to health to you and to our corps
Which we are proud to serve.
In many a strife we’ve fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever looked on Heaven’s scene,
They would find the streets are guarded by
The United States Marines.
September 28, 2007 - 04:26 PM on September 28th, 2007
Time for the jackass to get skinned
September 28, 2007 - 05:49 PM on September 28th, 2007
[...] Right Voices [...]
September 28, 2007 - 06:35 PM on September 28th, 2007
I hope this Marine wins this suit and wins such a big judgement that Murtha has to resign from Congress and be a lobbyist/shyster to pay it off.
September 28, 2007 - 07:01 PM on September 28th, 2007
You can hope that all you want, PCD, but it won’t matter much when the case is thrown out and the soldiers have to pay Murtha’s fees. It’s a patently stupid suit (it falls within the “public interest” exception. It’s the same doctrine that protects you when you say Bill Clinton conspired with the Freemasons to kill Vince Foster.)
September 28, 2007 - 07:04 PM on September 28th, 2007
The only drawback to this PCD is that if it sets a precedent it could be dangerous waters. Look at how much the left accuses Bush of war crimes. I don’t disagree this man is crap but I worry about subsequent consequences for others.
Murtha can take a long walk off a short pier for all I care. Thanks for keeping us posted Pam.
September 28, 2007 - 07:23 PM on September 28th, 2007
jpe- who is going to throw the case out? The judge said it goes forward and Murtha must give a deposition.
September 28, 2007 - 07:34 PM on September 28th, 2007
It is just so tempting to want to see Murtha be hyeld responsible.
Murtha has neither the integrity nor the guts to admit he was wrong and apologize, and the MSM, the same jackals who trumpeted his lies and the story in the first place sure as hell won’t have anything to do with it now.
Murtha is a degenerate, disgraceful, treasonous piece of shit. I couldn’t say I would wish any harm upon him, but if it happened, I would shed no tears for him.
September 29, 2007 - 10:13 AM on September 29th, 2007
jpe, Murtha violated not only the trust of his office, but the trust of the troops. He deserves to be sued, and the troops in question have been damaged by Murtha’s baseless remarks.
jpe, you are a liberal idiot.