Is Murtha Lying Or Is Murtha Incompetent?

That's the point blank question that Diana Irey is asking via this statement.

"Once again, Jack Murtha is putting out 'facts' that just aren't facts. Earlier this week, Mr. Murtha used the announcement of a recall of Marines as an excuse to once again criticize the war effort. 'Bringing these Marines back to active duty after their tour of service was complete shows we are unable recruit [sic] the necessary volunteers to maintain troop levels in our armed forces,' he said.

"Nothing could be further from the truth. The sad fact is, even Mr. Murtha, a decorated veteran with 37 years in the military, as we are constantly reminded, would have known that, had he bothered to check his vaunted connections at the Department of Defense.

"According to Defense Department statistics released 13 days before he made his statement (available online at: DoD Announces Recruiting and Retention Numbers for July), the Marines have met and in fact surpassed their recruiting and retention goals: for the month of July, the Marine Corps' recruiting goal was 2,865, but they actually recruited 3,197 volunteers, 112 percent of their goal. For the Fiscal Year that began on October 1, 2005, the Marine Corps recruiting goal through the end of July 2006 was 23,968; during that time period, the Marine Corps actually recruited 24,300, 101 percent of their goal.

"The other services are having similar recruitment successes:

"For the month of July, the Army's goal was to recruit 10,450; they actually recruited 10,890, 104 percent of their goal. For the Fiscal Year that began on October 1, 2005, the Army recruiting goal through the end of July 2006 was 60,150; during that time period, the Army actually recruited 62,505, 104 percent of their goal.

"For the month of July, the Navy's goal was to recruit 4,043; they actually recruited 4,043, 100 percent of their goal. For the Fiscal Year that began on October 1, 2005, the Navy recruiting goal through the end of July 2006 was 28,499; during that time period, the Navy actually recruited 28,499, 100 percent of their goal.

"For the month of July, the Air Force's goal was to recruit 2,121; they actually recruited 2,130, 100 percent of their goal. For the Fiscal Year that began on October 1, 2005, the Air Force recruiting goal through the end of July 2006 was 24,968; during that time period, the Air Force actually recruited 25,089, 100 percent of their goal.

"Now, one of two things is true: Either Jack Murtha knew he was not telling the truth when he misstated the facts, or he did not. If he knew he was not telling the truth, and said it anyway, he does not have the integrity necessary to be a Member of Congress. If he did not know he was not telling the truth, then he is not competent to be a Member of Congress.

"Which is it, Mr. Murtha?"

It seems like Mr. Murtha isn't being very honest with America. I can't imagine him serving on the House Armed Services Subcommittee for Appropriations and not knowing this type of thing. It also seems to me that his sole purpose for lying is to score momentary political points. Those points are temporary gains because they're being refuted almost immediately. In the end, he's opening himself up to ridicule while dramatically reducing his already shrinking credibility.

As my blogging partner Leo says of Murtha: "You sir, support our troops like an arsonist supports firemen."

I wouldn't trust Murtha as far as I could throw him if I had two broken arms and a broken back. That's why Murtha Must Go.

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Posted Saturday, August 26, 2006 10:32 AM

July 2006 Posts

Comment 1 by HeloTom at 27-Aug-06 06:11 AM

The fact that Ms. Irey is runring against the Congressman may be coloring her comments a bit.

I for one, am more interested in the overall picture of our national defense, than in playing "gotcha" with some factoid about Iraq.

Based upon my own career of several decades dealing with the military, let me offer a few "clarifications":

-military has been making its recruiting goals lately

-the recruiting goals are too low to sustain the current force. levels in Iraq & Afghanistan.

-due to insufficient enlistees, increased attrition rates among current enlisted and junior officers, coupled with budget constraints, our forces NOT overseas in combat role are nowhere near their required readiness levels

-we have no short-term capability to fight another war right now

-all of the above "problems" are solvable, but not without recognizing them as problems and taking firm measures



Thank you for this opportunity to put in my 2 cents.