Once again, John Murtha demonstrates his infinite capacity for hypocrisy and cynicism by being, to absolutely no one’s surprise, the king of the war profiteers:

“…the Wall Street Journal reported that Murtha, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, has directed more taxpayers dollars from the 2008 military-spending bill to his congressional district than any member of Congress.” (source)

Of course, the most benign interpretation of this news is that Murtha, who is quickly filling Robert Byrd’s shoes in Congress as the “King of Pork” is merely a cynical, crass opportunist with an attitude of, “Oh, yeah, I’m against the war but what the hell, if we’re going to be there, my district may as well profit from it.” By extension, it is Murtha himself who ultimately profits, as his grateful constituents return him to office where he consolidates his power while circulating his alms plate past all those grateful military contractors, who for some mysterious reason, seem to find Murtha’s congressional district the Silicon Valley of federal contracts.

Please note that I have made no mention of cash-stuffed envelopes or briefcases. Not yet.

However, as a cynic myself, and a former warrior, I’m  all too aware that those who exploit war most crassly for personal gain tend to be a pathetic, minuscule minority, like Murtha and John Kerry, who yes, have themselves served, but apparently with a winking eye and a viciously backstabbing hand, to further their future political careers. Shaming the Bard, I refer to this very small group of war opportunists as The Band of Mothers.

Having been born on the eve of one Great War and having lived through several others, one of which I fought in, on the ground, down in the mud and the blood, I’m just jaundiced enough by life and politics to consider that perhaps Murtha’s motives are more self-serving than concerned with merely serving his constituents. As the old joke about the offended hooker goes, “Please, my dear, we’ve established what you are, now we’re simply haggling about price.” From the Abscam investigation the Feds have Murtha on tape acknowledging his willingness to be bribed by Middle Eastern power brokers, but only when it was most convenient for him.

OK, we’ve established what John Murtha is. Perhaps we need to learn more about his going price.

Russ Vaughn
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66

Contributed by Russ Vaughn on November 8, 2007 at 10:35 PM in Mad Jack Murtha, Russ Vaughn | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: Delta

Scumbag, wonder what he did this Veterans Day? Did he have cake with that clown John Kerry? Two big war heroes that turned their back on this country without a blink of an eye. They don't hold a candle to every other Veteran in this country, and they're in office!! There goes a saying that what goes around, comes around. These clowns should share an office together, and neither one of them should be called Veterans, they should be called traitors....just my point, I can't stand either one of them..

Posted by: Delta | Nov 12, 2007 8:55:36 PM