So Rep. Murtha, a Democratic congressman from my state has started calling for an immediate pullout from Iraq. It's notable for him to say this because he is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the Marine Corp and is viewed as a hawk on defense issues.
The President and Vice-President and the rest of Republican leaders did not wait long to criticize him personally.
Personally, I wish just once that one of these democrats that did serve honorably in Vietnam would stand up and say "I find it laughable that the President would criticize my stand on defense issues when I served honorably, and he couldn't be bothered to finish his tour of duty because he was too busy snorting cocaine out of the ass crack of an Alabama hooker."
Just once...then I'd be happy.
Actually, I must beg to differ. I found this article on CNN today, and I was rather shocked that this network, which is notoriously liberal-leaning, had an article posted that said anything resembling kinds words about Dick Cheney:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/21/cheney/index.html
I agree with what Mr. Cheney states, and quite frankly, despite my usally conservative to moderate views, I believe it is time for us to pack our bags, and begin an organized withdrawal from Iraq. I know that as a Air National Guard member, I have absolutely ZERO, nil, zilch desire to go over to that country, and fight this war of attrition. I know a lot of people who are in the military, that don't necessarily take quite as strong of a stand as I do, but that also don't seem too enamored with the idea of getting blown to shreds by some insurgent's IED on the side of a road. I think that Mr. Murtha makes a valid point, and that the barrage of criticism that was volleyed at him, from many different angles, is unjust and unfair. This is, after all, a retired, decorated colonel in the Marine Corps, one who has most certainly earned his right to speak his mind, as well as his exemplary reputation. One who knows what war is all about, from first-hand experience. He knows a helluva lot more about it than I do, more than I ever want to know, and by God, if he says enough is enough, well that's good enough for me. Hurrah for Cheney for acknowledging his respect and friendship for the man, and for acknowledging that while he may disagree with his viewpoint, that the war is, in fact, a hotly debated item in this country, and one that is a legitimately controversial topic. I am by no means a big fan of Dick Cheney, but I think that this time, he actually did the right thing.