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| Rep Sam Johnson's (R-TX) Speech Opposing Non-Binding Reso |
| 2007-02-17 |
| The Anti-Murtha, caught via Capt Ed and Gary Gross "You know, I flew 62 combat missions in the Korean War and 25 missions in the Vietnam War before being shot down. I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 29 years, attending the prestigious National War College, and commanding two air bases, among other things. I mention these stories because I view the debate on the floor not just as a U.S. Congressman elected to serve the good people of the Third District in Texas, but also through the lens of a life-long fighter pilot, student of war, a combat warrior, a leader of men, and a Prisoner of War. Ironically, this week marks the anniversary that I started a new life - and my freedom from prison in Hanoi. I spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. I flew out of Hanoi on February 12, 1973 with other long-held Prisoners of War, weighing just 140 pounds. And tomorrow, 34 years ago, I had my homecoming to Texas, a truly unspeakable blessing of freedom. While in solitary confinement, my captors kept me in leg stocks, like the pilgrims… for 72 days…. As you can imagine, they had to carry me out of the stocks because I couldn’t walk. The following day, they put me in leg irons… for 2 œ years. That’s when you have a tight metal cuff around each ankle, with a foot-long bar connecting the legs. I still have little feeling in my right arm and my right hand… and my body has never been the same since my nearly 2,500 days of captivity. But I will never let my physical wounds hold me back. Instead, I try to see the silver lining. I say that because in some way…I’m living a dream…a hope I had for the future. “From April 16, 1966 to February 12, 1973, I prayed that I would return home to the loving embrace of my wife, Shirley, and my three kids, Bob, Gini, and Beverly… And my fellow POWs and I clung to the hope of when, not if, we returned home. We would spend hours tapping on the adjoining cement walls about what we would do when we got home to America. We pledged to quit griping about the way the government was running the war in Vietnam and do something about it…We decided that we would run for office and try to make America a better place for all. So, little did I know back in my rat-infested 3 x 8 dark and filthy cell that 34 years after my departure from Hell on Earth…I would spend the anniversary of my release pleading for a House panel to back my measure to support and fully fund the troops in harm’s way….and that just days later I would be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives surrounded by distinguished veterans urging Congress to support our troops to the hilt. We POWs were still in Vietnam when Washington cut the funding for Vietnam. I know what it does to morale and mission success. Words can not fully describe the horrendous damage of the anti-American efforts against the war back home to the guys on the ground. Our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home…tales of Americans spitting on Vietnam veterans when they came home… and worse. We must never, ever let that happen again. The pain inflicted by your country’s indifference is tenfold that inflicted by your ruthless captors. Our troops, and their families, want, need and deserve the full support of the country, and the Congress. Moms and dads watching the news need to know that the Congress will not leave their sons and daughters in harm’s way without support. Since the President announced his new plan for Iraq last month, there has been steady progress. He changed the rules of engagement and removed political protections. There are reports we wounded the number two of Al Qaeda and killed his deputy. Yes, Al Qaeda operates in Iraq. It’s alleged that top radical jihadist Al-Sadr has fled Iraq, maybe to Iran. And Iraq’s closed its borders with Iran and Syria. The President changed course and offered a new plan…we are making progress. We must seize the opportunity to move forward, not stifle future success. Debating non-binding resolutions aimed at earning political points only destroys morale, stymies success, and emboldens the enemy. The grim reality is that this House measure is the first step to cutting funding of the troops…Just ask John Murtha about his ’slow-bleed’ plan that hamstrings our troops in harm’s way. Now it’s time to stand up for my friends who did not make it home, and those who fought and died in Iraq, so I can keep my promise that when we got home we would quit griping about the war and do something positive about it…and we must not allow this Congress to leave these troops like the Congress left us. Today, let my body serve as a brutal reminder that we must not repeat the mistakes of the past…instead learn from them. We must not cut funding for our troops. We must stick by them. We must support them all the way…To our troops we must remain…always faithful. God bless you and I salute you all. Thank you." thank you, sir |
| Posted by:Frank G |
| #19 Professionalism and attainment of high office are no bar to truly being a fool and/or an idiot. Some of the most foolish & idiotic people on earth are highly qualified. Some emperors have no clothes. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2007-02-17 21:34 |
| #18 Good for the Victory Caucus. I hope those names are plastered all over the internet forever. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2007-02-17 21:29 |
| #17 A resolution like this can only have the effect on demoralizing our soldiers and giving hope to the enemy. That is exactly what the Democrats and those Republicans want. Someone called them idiots and fools. Bullshit - these are professional politicians who have attained a high office - I do not think one of them is that kind of a fool or idiot. They know exactly what they are doing and what effect it will have on the troops and on the enemy. They are deliberately and with full knowledge giving aid and comfort to those who murdered - in cold blood - the 3,000 innocent civilians in the Towers. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2007-02-17 21:28 |
| #16 I haven't looked, but very likely the Victory Caucus has that info somewhere-- or will soon: the Caucus was formed this last week specifically to defeat anyone supporting the resolution. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2007-02-17 21:16 |
| #15 Someone want to post the names & districts of every *&%^$!! Representative who voted FOR the resolution? Also those 56 senators who voted to advance the resolution. I've got a feeling a few years from now these names will be very hard to find. Time for naming & shaming. |
| Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 2007-02-17 21:00 |
| #14 I was being a smartass, GK; sorry. All kidding aside, I'm having a REALLY difficult time coming to terms with this. The socialist bastards are certainly wasting no time digging in and fucking things up, are they? And we've got AT LEAST another 23 months of this shit to put up with. But with the events of yesterday and today, a line has been crossed: these people are no longer political opponents, they are now enemies. One cherished notion we'd better get rid of, and quick: that "we're all in this together". Because it's obvious that we're not. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2007-02-17 20:01 |
| #13 #8,#10 Thanks for trying, Dave, but somehow that doesn't buck me up. It just reminded that Queen Nancy thinks she still has time left on her 100 hour clock. These A$$holes can't even tell time. |
| Posted by: GK 2007-02-17 19:50 |
| #12 Anybody else got that tingling feeling that this is going to blow up in the donks' faces? Yes, it will blow up in their faces, eventually. But the cost in the long run is going to be horrible. Someday I hope we get the opportunity to hold trials and hangings. After we pull the fat out the fire that is. What really surprises me, is that none of these traitors have had an accident yet. I've half expected it by now, guess the pain still isn't bad enough. |
| Posted by: Omolurt Elmeaper6990 2007-02-17 18:34 |
| #11 A resolution like this can only have the effect on demoralizing our soldiers and giving hope to the enemy. Not many things things in this world are more inspiring than hope. I'm having a difficult time figuring out more than one reason for wanting to inspire our enemies. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2007-02-17 18:14 |
| #10 "RE: the non binding resolution: I don't believe I've felt this disheartened since Jimmy Carter got elected." These assholes have only been in session a month. Just thought I'd cheer ya up a little... |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2007-02-17 16:25 |
| #9 The matching Senate bill did not pass when put to a vote. So we're safe for now. link |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-02-17 15:56 |
| #8 RE: the non binding resolution: I don't believe I've felt this disheartened since Jimmy Carter got elected. |
| Posted by: GK 2007-02-17 14:23 |
| #7 I hold every one of these traitors, Republican or Democrat personally responsible for the consequences of their voting for this resolution. They are giving aid and comfort to the enemy, which is treason. And I do not use these words lightly. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2007-02-17 13:41 |
| #6 Anybody else got that tingling feeling that this is going to blow up in the donks' faces? |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2007-02-17 12:59 |
| #5 Capt Ed characterizes it as: Unfortunately, the House just sent a huge signal to the terrorists that waiting us out is a winning strategy, one they will not have to endure for very long. I don't believe that the politicians who voted for this resolution are traitors or Quislings, and in fact I strenuously reject that characterization. I think they're idiots and fools, though, and idiots and fools can be almost as dangerous. I think he's being too generous |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-02-17 11:55 |
| #4 The recent vote to approve a non-binding resolution in the House shows just what cowards those who voted for it are. This is all about posturing. We didn't vote for these people to issue resolutions, but to make descisions. Thesse bugwits are wasting their time and our money avoiding making a descision. They know if they cut the funding there will be a reckoning for it so they don't decide. We need people who WILL make descisions! They don't want to piss off the far left but they also don't want to piis off their main voter base so they sit on the fence and make pronouncements. Gutless wankers all. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2007-02-17 11:47 |
| #3 Can't swell, No balls in the first place. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2007-02-17 11:45 |
| #2 Just ask John Murtha about his Â’slow-bleedÂ’ plan that hamstrings our troops in harmÂ’s way. Woah! Somebody get John some ice, because that kick in the balls is gonna swell up... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-02-17 09:54 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: doc 2007-02-17 09:38 |