Comments on: Court rules Murtha “immune” from Haditha defamation lawsuit

By: Hard Right

Hard Right — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:18:34 +0000

The question is whether or not it was truly part of his congressional duties. So far the legal system has said yes.
Hopefully there will be other challenges as it sure didn’t seem to be part of his “duty”.

By: JohnMcClane

JohnMcClane — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:10:07 +0000

MataHarley:

Murtha, however, flat out usurped the judicial system and pronounced the Haditha soldiers guilty without a trial.

I remember something like that from the Nixon era, either having to do with William Calley or Charles Manson. I think Nixon said Manson was guilty and Manson held the paper with the bold headline up in front of the jury.

RichardRomano

This is unbelievable — there are two sets of laws, one for us, one for the pols.

Actually, it is believable.
Go back to the Bible. There are many stories of the rulers who believed they were better than the common man.

And to use a line from the kid’s movie Aladdin:
Have you heard of the golden rule- he who has the gold, rules.

By: Richard Romano

Richard Romano — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:15:19 +0000

This is unbelievable — there are two sets of laws, one for us, one for the pols.

By: MataHarley

MataHarley — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:37:49 +0000

Thanks for the excerpts, JohnMcClane. Caught the breaking news last night, but had no heart to start digging in the later hours of the eve for the specifics of the decision.

Their grounds and use of precedents from the Bush admin/Plame, Cheney/energy and CAIR/arm of Hezbollah make me wonder about the arguments used by Wuterich’s attorney. In each of the cited cases, I can see a link to the realm of employment.

Murtha, however, flat out usurped the judicial system and pronounced the Haditha soldiers guilty without a trial. I fail to see how that is related to Congressional employment in anyway. But then, all depends upon what Wuterich’s attorney used as the argument.

I should very much like to see discipline via the UCMJ, followed rapidly by Murtha being booted unceremoniously out of office in the next election. Whether that happens remains to be seen.

By: eaglewingz08

eaglewingz08 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:33:06 +0000

This complaint may have made the Marines feel better but it was doomed from the start. There are very few slander/libel complaints against Congresscritters that would make it past the speech and debate clause of the US Constitution. Since most of us are constitutionalists here, while we find the acts of Murtha to be deplorable and reprehensible, the decision is proper and correct based upon the law and the constitution. As for waiting for Murtha to leave office, that wouldn’t solve the problem (even assuming he had left office within the Statute of Limitations period which probably has expired by now) because the acts were done while he was a Representative and his status at the time of the occurrence not the time of the litigation is the only relevant factor for immunity.

By: Patvann

Patvann — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:24:21 +0000

There are very few “former Marines” in the world. At least the article got that right.

By: JohnMcClane

JohnMcClane — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:38:32 +0000

Let’s see a left wing dirtbag lawyer in this world.
Speaking as a member of the congress in his legislative duties, indeed.
I need to dig out the Manual For Courts Martial of The United States.

Yes, but I bet Congress has written the rules such that Congress trumps military.

By: Jarhead68

Jarhead68 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:13:19 +0000

Well, perhaps a punch in the face will do Murtha some good. Not that I’m trying to incite anyone, you know. Far be it from me to promote violence against a traitor.

By: Steve Rowland

Steve Rowland — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:31:46 +0000

Glenn:

I’m was not a member of the armed services (deaf) but what you outline sounds like a start.

By: Glenn Cassel AMH1(AW) USN RET

Glenn Cassel AMH1(AW) USN RET — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:52:41 +0000

Punitive and general articles that may cover murtha. He is retired, isn’t he? And retirees are subject to the UCMJ. Convening Authority would be the Commandant of The Marine Corps.

917. ARTICLE 117. PROVOKING SPEECHES OR GESTURES
Any person subject to this chapter who uses provoking or reproachful words or gestures towards any other person subject to this chapter shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
934. ARTICLE 134. GENERAL ARTICLE
Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court.

Let’s see a left wing dirtbag lawyer in this world.
Speaking as a member of the congress in his legislative duties, indeed.
I need to dig out the Manual For Courts Martial of The United States.
Any others out there think the same?

By: Steve Rowland

Steve Rowland — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:07:25 +0000

Guess we confer ‘diplomatic’ immunity on so-called congressmen as soon as they leave the protection of the Capitol.

Murtha hates the war in Iraq and has done all he can to subvert it.

By: FedUp

FedUp — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:09:19 +0000

Murtha is the poster child POS!!! We had a good contender for his seat, but the dems pulled some of their tricks and William Russelllost the seat. I hope that the people in Johnstown wake up for the next elections and show Murtha just what they think of him!

By: Craig Mc

Craig Mc — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:19:06 +0000

We have similar laws in Australia, but protected comments must be made on the floor of parliament itself. If a politician went on the steps out front and said it to the press it’s no longer protected, but then we have stricter (many say too strict) libel laws than the USA.

By: sigmundringeck

sigmundringeck — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:03:56 +0000

Try again when he is no longer in congress.
And also when the dems are no longer in control.

By: Tom Jones

Tom Jones — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:31:03 +0000

Murtha’s such an asshole.