Veterans for Bill Russell for Congress

Roll Call of Vets & Friends Against Murtha!

2008-07-23T22:00:00.000-05:00

Roll Call of Vets & Friends Against Murtha
[Add Your Name]
(To locate someone by name, use the FIND menu under EDIT on your web browser)

Gregory Anderson, 1SG, US Army - Ret.(1968-1980) SD
Carl Andrews, Plymouth, PA
Kevin Beacon, NY
Joseph J. Boyce, Capt, ARMY (1966-1969), PA
Franklin K. Brumfield, SSgt, USAF (1964-1968), CA
J Burkholder, SSgt, USAF (1971-1977), TX
William, E., Cheek Jr., USAF (1992-1996), SC
Robert Conrow, Civilian, CA
David B. Cormier, E6, US Navy, (2001-Current), VA
Patrick S. Corning, CPL, US Army (1984-1991), IL
Darryl Currie, Navy (1979-1999), FL
Edward J. D'Alessandro, LT, USN (1987-1993), NY
Jeffrey W. Dean, Col., US Army (ret), (1967-1996) WI
Andy S Dlinn, LCDR, USNR(Ret) (1974 - 1995), PA
Richard Disney, Capt, US ARMY (1989-1999), NV
Oliver P. Ditch, Col, USAF (1959-1983), VA
John R Dobson, Jr, CPL, USMC (1964-1968), WI
Dwight Doolan, Capt, USMC (1951-1959), NY
Carl D. Duda, CPL, US Army (1988-Current), PA
Frank E. Duffy, CPL, USMC, (1963-1967) FL
Ryan Evans, AT2, US Navy (1999-1904), WI
Joshua R. Findney, AFROTC Cadet (2007-2011), MI
John Foresman, US Army (1942-1971), CA
Linda J Fraioli, Father Army WWII; Brother USAF Ret;
Others Family members active USAF NJ
Vincent Franco, Major, USAF (1981-2003) FL
Danny R Garner, SFC, US Army Ret. (1977-1999), GA
Douglas V. Gibbs, PO3, US Navy (1984-1988), CA
John Gilham, Lance Cpl, USMC (1988-1992), CA
Barry A. Goldsmith, Major, USAR (1962-1970), CO
Doy D. Gorton, Capt, USMC (1994-1997 & (2000-2004), MO
John G. Gomila, Jr., E5 US Army (1969-1971), LA
Stephen J Goniea, US Navy, (1987-1995), PA
Dan Harnett, LCPL, USMC, (1982-1985), NY
Robert P. Harper, SSgt, USAF (1967-1970), MD
Mark L Harvey, A1C, USAF (1980-1984), TX
Daniel A. Herrera, BTFA, US NAVY (1991-1993), CA
Gary Hill, E-5, USMC (1967-1970), NC
Gordon J. Johnson, Col, USAF (1951-1973), CO
Johnny L. Johnson, CWO4, USN (1969-1990), TX
Norman D. Kemmerer, SSgt, USMC (1955-1064), MD
Andrew B. Kletzing, Capt, US Army (2003-2008), IL
Joseph Leblanc, LCDR, USN (1944-1950) USNR (1951-1960), AR
Deborah B Leonard, Proud Army Mom, VA
Jerry Lubeck, civilian, WA
Dr. Stephen Maloney, PA
Marc G Miller, LTC, USA (1978-1998) IL
Rick Miller, Civilian, VA
Warren G. Nash, LCDR, USN (ret), (1973-1993), FL & NH
Reynier Negron II, SPC, USA FL
Novis E. North, SFC (Korea & Vietnam) US Army (1948-1968), & SGM/E9, USAR, NC
Sharon C. North, HM3, USN (Korean: 1952-1954) & SFC, USAR (1972-1981), NC
James L. Olin, PFC, USMC (1967), IN
Ron Oliver, CPT, US Army Ret., (1977-2000) KY
Frederick R. Olsson, U.S. Navy (1961-1963), FL
Louis G. Papp, MI
Steve Lee Parsons, SP-4, USA (1964-1970), PA
Malcolm R. Powell, Col USAR Ret., USN (1956-1964) USAR (1982-1993), CA
George E Pratchett, Sgt, USA (1952-1954), CO
Leo Pusateri, MN
Wayne A. Price, SP5, US Army (1967-1969) IL
Paul A Redburn, LCPL, USMC (1975-1976), WA
Christopher D. Renner, CPL, USMCR, (1999-2006) PA
Donald R. Sessoms, CMSgt, USAF (Ret) 1963-1990, MT
James Edward Sistrunk, E-4, US Army (1996-2002), TN
Douglas F. Nichols, E-6 USN (1974-1994) VA
Jeff Smith, Nescopeck, PA
John S. Smith, US Navy (1960-1966), IL
Steven M. Smith, MSgt, USAF (1979-2005), WA
Dr. William (Bill) Smith, Major, USAF (Ret)(1966-1988); 2 Fathers WWII Europe & Asia;
Son Capt, USAF-Inactive, AR
Roberta (Bobbi) Spillane, Captain, USN(ret), (1978-2001), NH & FL
Karen T. Swanson, Daughter of WWII Marine PFC James Elmer (1942-1945), AZ
T.R. Thompson, US Navy (1967-1969), PA
James L Tippins, Major, USAF (1971-1991), FL
Tom Wannamaker, EM2(SS), US Navy (1966-1971), CO
Lewis A. Waters, E-5, US Army (1969-1977), WA
Doug Welch, Father Army & Grandfather Army, WWII & Vietnam, IL
Daniel Wells, NC
David P Wetter, SFC, US Army Retired, (1982-2006) MI

Grassroots Contributions Challenge Murtha War chest in PA’s 12th

2008-07-20T21:00:00.000-05:00

Russell Brigade: The campaign of Johnstown resident and Republican nominee for Congress Lt. Colonel Bill Russell outpaced incumbent Congressman John Murtha in the second fundraising quarter of 2008. According to campaign manager, Peg Luksik, William Russell for Congress reported raising $637,137 to Murtha’s $113,155 to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). The combined totals from the first and second quarters of 2008 exceed $900,000.

“The incredible story about Bill’s campaign is that the $15 and $25 contributions are coming in from all over Pennsylvania and every corner of the country,” said Luksik. “This is K-Street versus Main Street. These are patriotic families expressing support for soldiers, sailors and Marines, and people saying they’ve had enough of the old ‘pay-to-play’ culture in the Capitol. That’s what’s fueling this campaign.” . . . [More at the Russell Brigade]

July Russell Brigade Front Porch Update

2008-07-10T16:00:00.001-05:00

H/T The Russell Brigade - Email Peg Luksik at peg "at" russellbrigade.com to get involved!

Dr Bill Smith Special Press Credentials Covering the 2008 Republican National Convention

2008-07-09T00:45:00.002-05:00

Dr. Bill Smith (Ozark Guru), Editor of the ARRA News Service & Veterans For Bill Russell, National Political Director of Let's Get This Right and contributor to The NextRight, , and many other blogs has been issued Special Press Credentials covering the 2008 Republican National Convention (Sept 1-4, 2008)

Please keep an eye out for him at the Convention, and pass this along! If you are able, stop by and meet Dr. Bill at the convention . . . otherwise keep an eye out for live coverage online!

William Russell Endorsed by Let's Get This Right

2008-07-05T13:00:00.006-05:00

ARRA News Service - Let’s Get This Right (LGTR) is a coalition with 25 websites, 165+ affiliated blogs, and roughly 15,000 volunteers/supporters all dedicated to Republican political activism. LGTR has announced its support for 15 candidates. One of the candidates was William "Bill" Russell for Congress in Pennsylvania 12th Congressional District.

The goal of LGTR is to provide financial, online and “boots on the ground” volunteer support to this initial slate of candidates. LGTR is neither a PAC nor a 527 organization. It is not affiliated with any candidate, candidate committee, the RNC, NRSC or NRCC. It accepts no donations directly but rather fundraises for candidate campaigns through Slatecard.com, a utility to support and enhance Republican activism."Slatecard" is Slatecard.com PAC. Slatecard.com PAC is an independent, federally registered political action committee (PAC) which acts as a "conduit" to raise money online to help Republican candidates for federal office in compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). To aid the William Russell with fund raising, Let’s Get This Right has established its LGTR Slatecard. Readers are encouraged to donate to Bill Russell via the LGTR "Slatecard." Doing so will help support William Russell and will aid LGTR in making a difference supporting candidates nationally.

The LGTR Political Review Team selected the 15 initial candidates after a national review of US House and Senate Republican Candidates. The team considered many factors including the following:
1) The candidate had no further primary competition.
2) The candidate is opposed in the general elections in November.
3) NRCC financial support and Campaign fundraising to date is such that additional national support may prove beneficial.
4) Special criteria: Some candidates have peeked national interests based on specific causes or service to country and merited support from outside of their districts. Some candidates face increased opposition by left wing bloggers and organizations. Some candidates are in races with National significance in that a Republican win would remove liberal democrats from the House and Senate.

Lt Col William Russell caught the attention of LGTR because he proved that he is more than a "dark horse" candidate against the incumbent, Rep John Murtha. With little money but a lot of heart and support by local residents, Russell obtained enough signature to be on the primary ballot as the only Republican candidate. However, RINOs owing allegiance to John Murtha challenged the signatures in court and just enough signatures were removed to assure that Russell would not be on the primary ballot. But Russell doesn't quit; he endures and does what is considered impossible in Murtha's district. Russell asks voters to write-in his name on the primary ballot to be the Republican candidate in general election. He was successful and received around 4000 write-in votes in the GOP Primary and another 1000 in the Democrat Primary. Meaning that even Democrats were willing to back him as a candidate.

With Russell now on the ballot, Murtha has to spend millions and to try to defeat a someone they saw as a "dark horse." Supporters of Russell have shared that Russell's principles and past experiences would be good for their congressional district and for the United States. The defeat of Murtha, the "King of Pork" who has besmirched American Iraq veterans, would be major victory. LGTR is supporting Russell and pulling for the PA 12th District voters to elect William "Bill" Russell, a man of proven honor. Let's Get This Right!

Rep. Murtha steps in it again

2008-07-05T00:01:00.003-05:00

Sister Toldjah reports about Rep. John Murtha stepping in it again!

First, there was the without-merit accusation that “… it looks like it’s the policy of our troops to do something like this” he made in response to the allegations that several Marines deliberately shot and killed 24 innocent civilians in Haditha in November 2005. This is a position he hasn’t backed down on, even though the charges against all seven of the eight Marines charged have been dismissed (Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich is expected to be court martialed in the fall).

Now, Murtha is at it again, this time in a recent interview with KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. The article, I should note, doesn’t include the full quote (strangely enough) but Gateway Pundit has the video and transcript of the full interview, which includes the disparaging comment he made about our troops in context of being asked about whether or not the surge was working:
Murtha: I think the short term it has reduced incidents. I’m not sure if it’s because the Iraqis are just worn out but certainly the way they are
doing it today it makes a big difference. It used to be we broke down doors. We went in and we killed people inadvertantly. Now they’re much more careful about it.
. . . Disgraceful. Wanna help try and drum Murtha out of office this fall? His Republican challenger is Lt. Col. Bill Russell, and he could use your help. [Read Source]

What's the Story with High Gas Prices?

2008-06-30T00:19:00.000-05:00

ARRA News Service - IER hit the streets to ask why people thought gas prices were so high, who was to blame, and what could be done to lower them. Additional commentary by Mary Hutzler, a former Energy Department official and Senior Fellow at IER.

Lt Col William Russell Back On Duty

2008-06-22T01:19:00.001-05:00

Bill Smith, ARRA Editorial: Two local papers in Pennsylvania's 12 District besmirched William (Bill) Russell (Republican for Congress) after their primary. The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown PA said in a spurious editorial: "William Russell - Missing in Action. 12th district candidate strangely silent. . . . And what we see now is a candidate who has been all-but-invisible . . . But we suspect Russell has done more damage to his election chances through his own lack of action . . . " The Herald, Sharon, PA carried the same story (word for word). Who ever wrote the story wrote without getting the facts or failed to reveal the facts. The facts show the papers owe William Russell an apology.

After winning a write-in primary effort to place him back on the November ballot, Lt Col William Russell, a member of the US Army Reserves, returned to "active duty" for the period April 30, 2008 to July 26, 2008. He has been working at the Pentagon. During this period William Russell is not permitted to campaign. Russell has been in the process of relocating his family from Virginia after his prior long term period on active duty. While he returned to PA and campaigned prior to the Primary, he allowed his children to finish school at his former duty location and for his wife to prepare for their permanent return home to PA. Now that the family is relocating, Russell makes the trip home on weekends to work on their home.

Today, I caught up with Russell today in his home in Johnstown, PA. He was back for the weekend and was working on their home. He made it clear he could not talk about his campaign until after July 26 and referred me to his campaign manager Peg Luksik.

Being a retired Air Force officer, I enjoyed swapping some old war stories with Lt Col Russell and sharing about our concerns for the security of our country. Russell never complained about the false comments made in the above reference articles. He said while others outside the district may not have know where he was, many of his future constituents knew he had returned to active duty during the lull after the primary. As a responsible person, he has to earn a living to care of his family. And as an Iraq veteran, he provides unique experience in addressing military contingency operations. However, Russell looks forward to being back full-time in the 12th District on July 27.

Peg Luksik, campaign manager for the William Russell for Congress, says she is preparing for Russell's return and for a "front porch" campaign as they meet with voters through out the district. She realized that voters attention wanes after a primary, but said Russell is ready to address voters concerns on the economy, energy, and the many other needs of the district. Although their opponent has a larger war chest, she believes the voters of District 12 have even larger hearts and are concerned about change including electing Russell to Congress.

It is disheartening that the local press could easily have learned of William Russell's return to "active duty." They used his absence from the area to promote sensationalism. But even worse, what if they actually knew Lt Col Russell was back on temporary active duty? In either situation, they insulted both their readers and Russell and they assaulted Russell's character by using military terminology like "Missing in Action" and "strangely silent." There is no excuse for not reporting Russell's return to active duty to "serve his country and the residents of the District 12." While an apology would be appropriate from the papers, I expect that none will be forth coming. It is hoped that voters of District 12 know well Murtha cronyism when the see it.

In closing, I have been asked why should I care about the Lt Col Bill Russell and the voters of the PA District 12. It is because literally millions of military and veterans like myself feel dishonored by Rep. John Murtha. He is such a disgrace, we cannot fathom that the voters in his district are not ready for a change. And this week again brought Murtha to our attention, when for the seventh time, charges against one of the eight Marines accused in the incident were dismissed, leaving just one case left. It was Rep. John Murtha who proclaimed without evidence that our Marines “killed innocent civilians in cold blood,” and now Murtha remains "strangely silent" with no comment on the dismissals. In addition, Murtha greed in controlling pork in Congress has led to his being called the "King of Pork." Not just for representing his district but for his internal hand in manipulating wasteful pork barrel spending across the United States. We hope that the voters of the 12th District will elect an honorable man like Lt Col Russell over the failed character and bad performance of "Jack" Murtha. It is Time for a Change!

Haditha investigation - More charges dropped

2008-06-20T17:36:00.001-05:00

ARRA News Service - The Patriot Post: Seven down, one to go. The case of the “Iraq My Lai Massacre,” in which U.S. Marines were accused of illegally gunning down Iraqi civilians in Haditha, continued unraveling this week. For the seventh time, charges against one of the eight Marines accused in the incident were dismissed, leaving just one case left. Military judge Colonel Steven Folsom dismissed charges without prejudice against Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Chessani after finding that a general who was overseeing the Haditha investigation was improperly influenced by one of his investigators. “Unlawful command influence is the mortal enemy of military justice. In order to restore the public confidence, we need to take it back. We need to turn the clock back,” Colonel Folsom said in a not-too-subtle rebuke of the Haditha investigation. Colonel Folsom also barred the Marine Forces Central Command from future involvement in the case, another indication of his obvious displeasure with how the case was handled. This leaves only Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich to face charges of voluntary manslaughter. Given the prosecution’s 0-for-seven record thus far, chances are probably good that these charges will be dismissed as well.

Here we would point out once again that Rep. John Murtha (D-Haditha), who said at the time that our Marines “killed innocent civilians in cold blood,” has had no comment on the dismissals. And the Leftmedia, which wanted another My Lai so badly that they rushed to condemn our Marines before the facts were known, have been shamelessly silent about how the case has turned out. Apparently, being treasonous means never having to say you’re sorry.

Never Mind!!

2008-06-05T21:00:00.000-05:00

by Leo Pusateri at Murtha Must Go and on Grizzly Groundswell:

Never Mind! Is that what John Murtha will say upon hearing this news?

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — A court martial has acquitted a US Marine for his role in the deaths of 24 civilians in Haditha in Iraq in 2005, the sixth man to be exonerated in the affair.
Lieutenant Andrew Grayson, 27, was declared "not guilty on all charges" by a jury, said a spokesman for the Camp Pendleton military base in southern California where the hearing started on May 28.
Grayson had been charged with making false statements and attempting to fraudulently separate from the Marine Corps. He was also charged with obstruction of justice, but the military judge dismissed this charge Tuesday.

I phoned Jack Murtha's office this morning promptly at 8am (EDT) to ask if there would be a forthcoming retraction or apology, but the staffer who answered the phone call appeared clueless about Haditha, much less whether Jihad Jack would issue an apology.

Today's news harkens back to the gasbag's pronouncement of guilt that fateful day of May, 2006, without any official briefing, all to advance his own sorry political career:

Notice when Murtha proclaimed, "I know there was a coverup someplace."

Notice that Murtha said, "The commandant didn't say it was murder, but what was it?"

(It was called following Rules of Engagement (ROE), Congressman).

Notice when Murtha said to Charlie Gibson, "Don't make excuses for the military!"

But also notice that when Murtha is called to task and is called to account, he always has excuses for himself:

Although a dunce, at least Emily Litella had the humility to admit she was wrong. Murtha, it seems, needs a refresher course of what it means to be a Marine. The list of Marines waiting to be exonerated in the Haditha case grows slimmer and slimmer.

Will Jihad Jack Murtha, a veteran Marine, have the honor to admit he was wrong, apologize, resign, and/or make reparations to the Marines whose lives were ruined as a result of his political ambitions run amok? It would be advisable not to hold one's breath in anticipation of the answer to that question.

Murtha rival wins GOP nod as write-in

2008-05-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

SANDRA K. REABUCK, The Tribune-Democrat: (extract of article) U.S. Rep. John Murtha will have a Republican challenger on the November ballot after all. William Russell of Johnstown received enough votes in Cambria County alone to win the GOP nomination for the 12th Congressional District, an official tally shows. In Cambria’s official tabulation, Russell’s write-ins totaled 1,489 under various spellings of his name, including 1,256 with the correct spelling. A person staging a write-in campaign for Congress needs at least 1,000 votes to win a party’s nomination, said Fred Smith, Cambria election supervisor. Results in the other counties in the district still are being tabulated.

On Tuesday, Russell said he believes he’ll end up with 3,500 to 5,000 write-ins from all of the counties. Under state law, counties are to have their official tallies in to the state by May 12 – 20 days after the primary. “I want to thank all the people who worked to make this happen and to those who voted for me,” he said. To get the 1,489 votes in Cambria alone was a good omen for his campaign in the fall, Russell said. “People tell me that it was quite significant to get that many write-ins,” he said. The Murtha campaign did not return an e-mail request for comment.

King of Pork John Murtha Squealing

2008-04-29T14:35:00.000-05:00

Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: The Pennsylvania (PA) Secretary of State has not official certified last Tuesday's primary elections. However, Republican candidate William "Bill" Russell is reporting a victory in his efforts to get on the ballot as the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania 12th Congressional District.

Russell, a Lt. Colonel and decorated Desert Storm and Iraq War combat veteran and who was at the Pentagon on 9/11, returned home to run against Congressman John "Jack" Murtha. However during the filing period in PA, a candidate must submit a petition signed by enough voters to show that he is a viable candidate. Although Russell submitted enough signatures to be on the ballot, a legal challenge by two republicans allegedly beholden to Murtha resulted in Russell being denied the right to be on the primary ballot. Without a contender, Murtha, known as the "king of congressional pork," would have returned to Congress again without competition.

But fortunately in Pennsylvania, there is a big difference between signing a petition subject to review and criticism by "King" Murtha and the sanctity of the secrecy in the voting booths. Russell an experienced combat veteran did not give up. He launched a campaign for voters to write-in his name during the primary as the Republican candidate for 12th District US Representative. In PA, Russell needed at lease 1000 write-in votes from his fellow voters to be certified as the Republican candidate for the November elections.

The Russell campaign reports that unofficially over 4000 voters in the Republican primary wanted a choice in November and wrote -in William Russell's name as their candidate of choice. In addition, almost 1000 Democrats displeased with "King" Murtha also wrote in William Russell's name in the Democrat primary. With several National races on their primary ballot. PA County officials cannot certify the election results until 10 days have past to comply with the Federal law permitting additional time for absentee military ballots to be received and counted. Do you suppose those military absentee voters preferred Murtha who called them murders or Russell who served with them in honor?

Even with this outpouring for a write-in candidate, the Pennsylvania Secretary of State media relations office could not confirm today the current estimated number of write-in ballots in the 12th Congressional District. Until release of the official results, one can only wonder what devious plots are underway by Porker Jack Murtha and his squealing cronies to protect his bacon.

CBS Skewers Murtha's Earmarks Without Mentioning He's a Democrat

2008-04-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

by Noel Sheppard, NewsBusters: Can you imagine any major television news network doing a report on a Republican Congressman's history of exorbitant earmarks without mentioning his Party affiliation? The words "Republican," "GOP," "right-wing," or "conservative" would likely appear in almost every sentence, correct?

Well, as amazing as it might seem, the "CBS Evening News" on Friday did a fabulous segment about Congressman Jack Murtha (D-PA) and his free-spending ways when it comes to his own district, but never once informed viewers that he was a Democrat (video below, h/t Hot Air via NBer Blazer):

Murtha rival soldiers on, even off the ballot

2008-04-08T21:30:00.000-05:00

By Mike Faher, The Tribune-Democrat: Although his name has been struck from the April 22 primary ballot, William Russell isn’t giving up. Russell, the GOP candidate attempting to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. John Murtha of Johnstown, participated Monday in a Washington, D.C., press conference with other Iraq War veterans who are running for Congress.

They gathered to show their support for U.S. troops and for Gen. David Petraeus, the nation’s top commander in Iraq. Russell, who is trying to gain 1,000 write-in votes in the primary to become his party’s nominee, said the veterans’ message stands in contrast to Democratic congressional leaders’ calls for a troop withdrawal. “We’re all about supporting the troops,” Russell said. “. . .

Murtha has argued that the war has been mismanaged and cannot be won militarily. . . . Russell must vie for write-in votes because a judge ruled that he did not have enough valid petition signatures to appear on the ballot. . . . [Read More]

John "Jack" Murtha & Time: Wrong Again!

2008-04-01T11:09:00.004-05:00

by Phil Brennan, NewsMax: Last week's development in the Haditha case -- the dropping of all the charges leveled against Lance Cpl. Stephan Tatum for actions related to Haditha, Iraq -- drives another nail into the shameful accusations made by Time magazine and Rep. John Murtha. Time magazine, with an assist from the Pennsylvania Democrat, sparked a legal and media inquisition against eight courageous United States Marines. Both Time and Murtha claimed these Marines committed cold-blooded murder in Haditha during a 2005 engagement. They also alleged the Marines participated in covering up their alleged atrocities. But after years of litigation and estimated $40 million in taxpayer funds expended, none of the Marines have been found guilty of committing murder or war crimes. . . . [Read More] See also: Will Marine Show Trials End?

PigFoot barred from presenting Murtha with 2007 Porker of the Year Award

2008-03-11T23:02:00.001-05:00

H/T to ARRA News Service: Thomas A. Schatz, President, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW): Check out what happens when CAGW's mascot, PigFoot, tries to present Rep. John “Jack” Murtha (D-PA) with his 2007 Porker of the Year Award? After earning a whopping 63.4% of the vote in the CAGW online poll, Rep. Murtha, who serves as chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, received CAGW’s 2007 Porker of the Year title for inserting special-interest earmarks whenever and wherever he can to serve himself and his district. In fiscal year 2008, Rep. Murtha brought home 72 pork-barrel projects costing more than $149 million, many benefiting the defense contractors in attendance at last month’s fundraiser.

P.S. If you have not already done so, please tell your Senators to support the DeMint-McCain Amendment to the Fiscal 2009 Budget Resolution, which would place a year-long moratorium on earmarks that benefit “Porkers” like Rep. Murtha. A vote on this key earmark reform measure is expected this week!

Support William Russell; John Murtha is unopposed

2008-03-02T12:41:00.003-06:00

Posted at The Cassandra Page: I previously wrote about William Russell's campaign against John Murtha this year in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district. It appears as if John Murtha has found a technical defect in Russell's filing papers and is using fake Republicans to file a challenge to keep Russell off of the ballot. Atlas writes more. Russell can get back on the ballot if he receives 1000 or more write-in votes on April 22.

The larger issue is that of the existence of the "Republicans" who would agree to be Murtha's front men for the purpose of denying the voters a choice this fall. History is full of examples of individuals who pretend to be what they actually oppose so that they can destroy their enemy from within. . . .[Read More]

Defeat John Murtha!

2008-02-28T23:51:00.004-06:00

by JennSierra (VRWC-OK): The Republican challenger to John “The Marines killed innocent civilians in cold blood” Murtha is William Russell, and his name had conveniently been tossed off the ballot in his Pennsylvania district, the Johnstown, PA Tribune Democrat reports, because it was determined he only had 993 “valid” signatures on his petition, seven short of the 1,000 required. Without him on the ballot, Murtha will have no challengers, and he doesn’t have the funds for a legal battle to fight the petition decision.

He can still run as the Republican nominee if at least 1,000 people write him in, and he has the most votes of any write-ins, so it is imperative that Republican voters in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District (map) go to the polls and write in Bill Russell, if they want to see Murtha defeated. Pamela, of Atlas Shrugs has all the details, here. William Russell’s campain site is here, and if you would like to donate to his campaign via Slatecard, go here.

Murtha's Tentacles of Corruption run deep in PA-12

2008-02-24T00:02:00.006-06:00

“Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it” -William Pitt the Younger, The Earl of Chatham and British Prime Minister from 1766 to 1778

by Leo Pusateri, Grizzle Groundswell:Nowhere does this phrase ring with more clarity and truth than in PA-12, and in no heart more so than the soul-less Jack P. Murtha. After making this post, I took the liberty to telephone Lt. Col. (ret) William T. Russell and get his take on the slimy she-nanigans afoot to remove him from the ballot to challenge the perennial political boss of PA-12. What I found was nothing less than nauseating.

As the Johnstown Democrat stated, The challenge was filed by two local Republicans: F "Former Johnstown Mayor Don Zucco and attorney Jeanne McKelvey." In what was an ominous statement that could have otherwise been uttered by a Stepford wife, Zucco said only, “There are lots of ways to support the congressman.”

Aside from being totally non-sensical, what could drive a former Republican mayor, one who actually signed the petition to put Russell on the ballot, to initiate a petition to recall the ballot? Zucco reportedly lives across the street from Murtha. What kind of quid pro quo would make Zucco turn tail and not only run away from Russell, but attempt to derail the nomination of a viable candidate from his own party? The answer, my dear readers, is found in the climate of fear created over three decades of immoral, corrupt, political powerbroking in PA-12 that would make the likes of Don Vito Corleone seem like Albert Schweitzer in comparison.

The history of corruption that has been Murtha’s decades-long tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, time and time-again chronicled on the Murtha Must Go blog, has resulted not in a constituency representative of a free people, but rather a fiefdom of serfs afraid that any action against their liege would turn into certain repercussions by a nefarious network that could easily be labeled the Murtha Crime Syndicate. Rather than utilizing his office in a manner befitting a public servant, Jack Murtha has displayed a clear pattern of abuses that has allowed him to cleave onto power just as surely as the legendary hydra clung onto a sinking ship as its hapless captives drowned.

It just so happens that Murtha’s corruption has bought the allegiance of nearly half of the Republican party structure in PA-12, not to mention countless professionals who are afraid to sign a public petition, or be on a list of contributors to a contender, lest they face retribution at a workplace in which Murtha’s largesse has been a benefactor. William Russell recounted a number of occasions of talking to professionals who would like nothing more than to see Murtha go, but at the same time are afraid to be publicly seen supporting an opponent.

PA-12’s allegiance to Jack Murtha, while certainly bringing about a booty of baubles and beads, has at the same time left them captive to the whims and fancies of a bald-faced, ruthless tyrant. The venerable Thomas Jefferson once acutely observed, “A government afraid of it’s citizens is a Democracy. Citizens afraid of government is tyranny!”

It is time that the citizens of PA-12 renounce this travesty of government that has been the Murtha tenure in the U.S. Congress. It is time for men of character to stand up once and for all and declare that the emperor has no clothes, and once and for all break free of the fiefdom resultant of decades of greed and corruption. Good citizens of PA-12. It is time to cast off the golden-fleeced shackles of servitude and to once again restore honor to your seat in the House of Representatives. Good citizens of PA-12, Murtha Must Go!!

John Murtha Porker of the Year (2007)

2008-02-20T23:47:00.004-06:00

H/T ARRA News Service: Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today announced the final results of its online poll for the 2007 Porker of the Year. Rep. John “Jack” Murtha (D-PA) won in a landslide victory, receiving 63.4% of the vote. A distant second, Rep. Don Young (R-AK) received 10.6%, while Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) came in with 9.9%, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) had 6.7%, and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) both finished up with 4.1%. The finalists were chosen by CAGW staff from among the 12 Porker of the Month winners for 2007.

Rep. Jack Murtha has long been known inside the Beltway for using threats, power plays, and backroom deals to control spending decisions. There is an area of the House floor known as “Murtha’s Corner,” where the legendary appropriator dispenses earmarks. The overwhelming vote for Porker of the Year vote shows that his shameful behavior is attracting attention throughout the country. The congressman inserts pork whenever he can to serve himself and his district. In fiscal year 2008, he brought home 72 pork projects worth $149.2 million. . . . [Read More]

Murtha Still Demanding Defeat

2008-02-11T14:00:00.000-06:00

Hat Tip to Lew Waters, Right in a Left World: Aging Democrat Rep. John Murtha (D-PA 12th Dist), known for his anti-war stance towards the current Republican led war, still demands the Troops be withdrawn, even though he admits the ‘Surge’ has been working. Murtha said that he is preparing legislation that would give President Bush the war funding he wants this year, but on the condition that troops leave Iraq by the end of the year.

Murtha, chairman of the House defense appropriations subcommittee and feeling confident he has the necessary votes to pass his proposed spending bill, and who has no trouble packing bills with needless pork, said he will propose that the House vote this March for other conditions on the Troops funding besides a mandated withdrawal date. Other Democrats have indicated their desire to wait to hear from General David Petraeus, Commander of U.S. Forces in Iraq, before approving the funding. Murtha indicated he doesn’t want to wait for General Petraeus before starting his next round of anti-war legislation: "What I told General Petraeus is you can't continue to spend money like he's spending it over there. The public is fed up with it."

Murtha, once named in a lawsuit brought by U.S. Marines whom he had accused publicly of having "killed innocent civilians in cold blood," took an unusual step in clarifying his earlier comment that he felt the “surge was working,” after having said he felt “most encouraged by changes in the once-volatile Anbar province, where locals have started working closely with U.S. forces to isolate insurgents linked to Al Qaeda.” Informed that his earlier proposals of a Viet Nam style bloodbath likely would occur should he win his withdrawal demands, Murtha simply replied, "Many have threatened that there will be chaos, a bloodbath, when the United States redeploys from Iraq, and this in fact may be the case. If they continue to choose to spill blood, it will not be on the conscience of the United States." If America suffered another devastating terrorist attack after his proposed retreat, whose conscience he would consider that one?

Since the Democrats assumed power in Jan. 2007, Rep. Murtha as Chair of the House defense appropriations subcommittee, has toyed with funds for our Troops in harm’s way in order to force a withdrawal of Troops even though there were clear signs of their winning and that the Troop Reinforcement (troop surge) was achieving remarkable success. Failing in his attempt, Murtha proposed Troops funding be held in two month increments, with Congress caving in December and funding quarterly, leading to this latest round of funding votes.

Asked if they felt supported by the American public, a dozen or so Troops in Iraq replied “yes,” with helicopter pilot Chief Warrant Officer Mary Rone adding it was ‘superficial.’ "I think sometimes soldiers feel like possibly people back home are not thinking about it, and I think that's the biggest form of not supporting, is forgetting what's going on,” said CWO Rone.

In May 2007, a petition of nearly 3,000 signatures from American Troops was delivered to Congress begging them to support the Troops efforts in Iraq who desire to finish the job they started, believing they have made a difference and desiring to defend America from further attacks as we saw on Sept. 11, 2001. Apparently, Representative John Murtha has decided to ignore the very Troops he claims to support in their defense of America.

Vote MURTHA for Porker of the Year

2008-02-06T12:19:00.000-06:00

Hat Tip to ARRA News Service: The people at Citizens Against Government Waste have giving it to us to vote forthe Porker of the Year. Yes, we can vote fot the most bloated Porker of the year.

Help Decide the 2007 Porker of the Year!
And the Nominees are:
Rep. James Clyburn
Sen. Blanche Lincoln
Rep. John “Jack” Murtha
Rep. James Oberstar
Sen. Richard Shelby
Rep. Don Young

Vets4Russell Begins

2007-12-22T21:17:00.000-06:00

This initial post is to let readers know that the Vets4Russell blog is under-construction. This is a grassroots blog of American veterans and friends and family of veterans who are joining together to elect Lt. Col William Russell to Congress. With the result also being the defeat Rep. John Murtha, who have become a disgraced veteran by his failure to support comrades currently serving in harms way and his words and actions impugning on-duty veterans. Please give us a few days, and then join us in the grassroots effort.

Add Your Name to the Vets4Russell Roll Call

2007-12-22T15:00:00.000-06:00

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Linking to or Exchanging Links with Vets4Russell

2007-12-22T14:30:00.001-06:00

Anyone interested in supporting William Russell for Congress and/or in defeating Rep. John "Jack" Murtha, may link to this site without permission.

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