Bob Shares His Feelings with an Honorary Member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, 1975.

Same chicken, couldn't find
the USPS Henson / Muppets 37c stamp.

Jim Olson said...

Can you guess the first Senator to criticise the comments of Rep. Murtha?

You Guessed It...Senator John Kerry.

Just remember folks, Lurch lost to The Worst President Ever. He LOST to Bush. Just keep that in mind. Stolen votes in Ohio aside, Kerry should have CRUSHED Bush so that there was no question...but no, with just a bit of vote tampering in one State, (let's say it again) Kerry LOST to the Worst President Ever.

Just for clarity.

============

Don't get me started about Kerry. I'm running out of Valium.

I've been having some Anger Management Issues lately. This one comes close on the heels of Veterans Day. Veterans Day does to my Anger Issues what the Terpsichorean Ecdysiasts of the Whately Ballet used to do to my Libido Issues before I entered the state of Marital Bliss with SWMBO.

During Times of Loopy Psycho American Wars against Asian Off-White Non-Christians, Veterans Day is Kerosene to my Anger Issues.

I didn't send the little e-mail at the top of the Murtha post. I didn't chicken out. It just turns out that, like so many other US Congress members, you can only use their website to e-mail the Congressschmuck if your Zip Code+4 is within the Congressschmuck's District. When I realized that, that was another Kerosene Moment.

I called Murtha's toll-free 800 number and spoke to a young staff woman and dialogued about this. She was enormously sympathetic with my difficulties in using e-mail to Share My Feelings with her Distinguished Boss, but essentially told me that all persons who are not Constituents of the Congressman are respectfully invited to shove it up their ass.

But she invited me to Share My Feelings via snail-mail. Congressman Murtha is always happy to hear from non-Constituents in the 49 other states of the USA whose children, until yesterday, he has been voting relentlessly to have processed in Iraq and returned in a flag-draped wooden box to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

I did learn something from the website. If you have no choice but to snailmail a Congressfoo,

DO NOT SEND YOUR LETTER
TO ITS OFFICE IN WASHINGTON DC

All letters received at the US Capitol are regarded as potential Terrorist Bombs or Anthrax-Laden Death Missives, and will be considerably delayed while Homeland Security examines them with their Secret Junk-Science Gizmos.

Use the Congressmumzer's local office address. Murtha's local office is in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. As a little boy, he first came to the community's attention by sticking his finger in the hole in the Johnstown Dam to try to prevent the Johnstown Flood -- yes, he's about that old -- but it burst anyway. I have appended his website's biography of this Fine Fine former career US Marine.

There, please note Murtha has received the

Silvio Conte Award
from the National Head Injury Foundation, 1992

apparently in recognition of his lifetime of achievements despite severe head injuries Murtha received in childhood and during his Marine Corps service.

Silvio Conte, a Republican, was MY Congressman for the first decade I lived in Massachusetts, and I quickly learned to love to put my

[X] SILVIO CONTE

on the ballot. (I normally lifelong tend to [X] the Democratic candidate, but our local Democrats used to run Silly People, and even one Authentically Dangerous Drug War Asshole, against Silvio.)

Silvio Conte was a World War II Veteran. In his last year in Congress,

he voted AGAINST Bush I's first Iraq War
(Desert Storm)

Before it started. Silvio Just Said No.

Silvio did not suffer from severe head injuries. He loved military men and women, and he loved military veterans.

Here is the actual Snailmail in which I Share My Feelings with Congressman Murtha. When I finish this post, I shall be off to the Post Office in downtown Florence to bid my letter adieu. The stamp is the Muppet Chicken shown above -- I don't think Murtha's a chicken, I think he's a turkey, and has the brain of poultry. Soon it will waft and wend and wander its way to Johnstown, to thank the Congressrectum for no longer murdering and maiming my neighbors' children and a shitload of off-white Asian non-Christian strangers.

Please note that I did not use (much) vulgar language, and did not in any way suggest that I want to take a one-way Greyhound bus to Washington DC to dialogue with him.

========================

Robert Merkin
Northampton Massachusetts
bobmerk@earthlink.net

17 November 2005

U.S. Rep. John Murtha
P.O. Box 780
Johnstown PA 15907-0780

Dear Rep. Murtha:

What took you so long? You're really a comatose moron. Were you waiting for the 2,000 American Military Dead mark? That was several weeks ago.

You and the entire Democratic Party have partnered with Bush and his psycho cronies to drag America into another Vietnam.

My neighbor's son-in-law is already an in-patient at the local VA Hospital being treated for PTSD. His marriage -- he has a kid -- will probably not survive his 15 months in Iraq (extended several times against his wishes) with the National Guard. He drove a water truck.

If you wanted to be a Marine lifer, if you love the smell of napalm in the morning, if defending America means killing Asian strangers to you, that's your weird personal choice.

But did you have to vote to kill and maim my neighbors who just wanted to serve their country, and who trusted their Congress not to duck its Constitutional responsibility to declare war and never to do Vietnam all over again?

Section 8. The Congress shall have power ...
To declare war ...

Go here and see what you have done:

http://www.thememoryhole.org/war/coffin_photos/dover/

What were you waiting for? Why are you so stupid and dangerous?

Bring The Boys Home Now!
Bring Them Back Alive!

Dedicate the rest of your pathetic career in Congress to bringing them home. You've killed and maimed enough of them so far. Now clean up the mess you've made. Then resign and stay out of public service forever.

Sincerely,

Robert Merkin

SP5 U.S. Army
1969 - 1971

P.S. Happy Veterans Day. I'll be cooking and taking care of our Vietnam and Desert Storm vets at my town's emergency winter homeless shelter. (One of our homeless vet guests had a Silver Star.) I'll let you know when we start getting homeless veterans from this new war you should have prevented.

======================

HOMELAND SECURITY
ADVISORY

Before reading the Inspiring Patriotic Biography of U.S. Congressman John P. Murtha, turn your computer speakers ON and LOUD, rightclick on

HERE

and select Open In Another Window.

Unless you hate America.

Or are a Terrorist.

If anyone's listening, and you wish to be a Patriotic American Citizen and sing along, here are the words:

(Author Unknown)

Be kind to your web-footed friends
For a duck may be somebody's mother
Be kind to your friends in the swamp
Where the weather is cold and damp

You may think that this is the end
Well it is
but to prove we're all liars
We're going to sing it again
Only this time
we'll sing a little higher

[Now repeat, but sing it a bit higher.]

You may think that this is the end
Well it is

=======================

Biography of John P. Murtha

U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha has dedicated his life to serving his country both in the military and in the halls of Congress. He had a long and distinguished 37-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring from the Marine Corps Reserve as a colonel in 1990; and he has been serving the people of the 12th Congressional District since 1974, one of only 131 people in the nation's history to have served more than 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and one of only 224 Members of Congress who have served 30 or more years.

Congressional Service

Congressman Murtha has worked hard to bring thousands of long-term, family-sustaining jobs to Western Pennsylvania. With the disappearance of the coal and steel jobs that for more than a century were the lifeblood of the area, he pushed the region in a new direction, intent on diversifying the economy to help insulate it from future shocks. In the early 1990s, new companies in an industry unfamiliar in Western Pennsylvania - defense - began to spring up, bringing more than 5,000 jobs to the district he represents. He founded the House Steel Caucus and has brought millions of dollars to the United Mine Workers to retrain displaced miners and train new miners.

He fights for policies that help people, including a patient's bill of rights, prescription-drug benefits, a better minimum wage, and protecting Medicare, Social Security and veterans' benefits. For example, when Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was about to be killed by federal regulations, he convinced the White House to be more flexible and saved the program. When EPA said the six-county Pittsburgh Air Basin would get no permits for industrial growth, he inserted language allowing time to finish a balanced, community-based plan. When Medicare refused to pay for preventive health care such as mammograms and flu shots, he included language in an appropriation that convinced the agency to provide coverage. He has twice saved the health care program of retired miners.

His crusade to improve the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians could benefit people across the nation. Determined to reverse the diabetes epidemic in Western Pennsylvania, he has directed funding to UPMC's Diabetes Institute for diabetes prevention, education and outreach, and to Children's Hospital for a project on Type 1 diabetes. He has forged partnerships between Western Pennsylvania hospitals and world-renowned institutions such as Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital, one of which has led to research that could revolutionize the early detection and treatment of breast cancer and significantly advance efforts to eradicate the disease.

He has played a major role in tourism development in the region, starting the National Heritage Area program, which includes two areas in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Rivers of Steel, dedicated to preserving the history of Big Steel, encompasses 3,000 square miles in Allegheny and six surrounding counties; and the Path of Progress winds through 500 miles in nine Southwestern Pennsylvania, linking heritage sites that pertain to the westward expansion of the early U.S.

His countless honors include the National Breast Cancer Coalition Leadership Award, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry's Government Leader of the Year, Pittsburgh's Riverperson of the Year and Pennsylvania's two highest honors, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Military/defense service

Congressman Murtha is so well-respected for his first-hand knowledge of military and defense issues that he has been a trusted adviser to presidents of both parties on military and defense issues and is one of the most effective advocates for the national defense in the country. He is ranking member and former chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, a Vietnam combat veteran and a retired Marine Corps colonel with 37 years of service, a rare combination of experience that enables him to understand defense and military operations from every perspective.

He learned about military service from the bottom up, beginning as a raw recruit when he left Washington and Jefferson College in 1952 to join the Marines out of a growing sense of obligation to his country during the Korean War. There he earned the American Spirit Honor Medal, awarded to fewer than one in 10,000 recruits. He rose through the ranks to become a drill instructor at Parris Island and was selected for Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia. He then was assigned to the Second Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In 1959, Captain Murtha took command of the 34th Special Infantry Company, Marine Corps Reserves, in Johnstown. He remained in the Reserves after his discharge from active duty until he volunteered for Vietnam in 1966-67, receiving the Bronze Star with Combat "V", two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He remained in the Reserves until his retirement. This first-hand knowledge of military and defense issues has made him a trusted adviser to presidents of both parties and one of the most effective advocates for the national defense in Washington. At the request of Presidents and Speakers of the House, he served as chairman of delegations monitoring elections in the Philippines, El Salvador, Panama and Bosnia.

He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal by the Marine Corps Commandant when he retired from the Marines.

=====================

Personal Story of John P. Murtha

Born June 17, 1932, John Patrick Murtha grew up in Westmoreland County where he delivered newspapers and worked in a gas station before graduating from Ramsay High School in Mount Pleasant. He volunteered to serve in Vietnam. After his discharge from the Marines, he ran a small business in Johnstown while starting a family and attending the University of Pittsburgh on the GI bill. He graduated from Pitt in 1962 with a degree in economics and did graduate work in economics and political science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1969 to 1974 and in 1974, he became the first combat Vietnam veteran elected to Congress.

He is the author of "From Vietnam to 9/11: On the Front Lines of National Security," the story of his involvement with international affairs and the lessons he learned from those experiences.

He and his wife Joyce celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 10, 2005. The Murthas reside in Johnstown, where they raised their three children - Donna and twins John and Patrick. There are three grandchildren - Jack, Anne and Clayton.

====================

Honors and Awards

Award Categories

General Service
Economic Development
Health Care
Veterans
Defense & National Security
Conservation, Recreation, Historic Preservation
Flood Relief
Honorary Degrees
Military Service
Other

The numerous awards and honors presented to Congressman John Murtha include the following:

General Service Awards

Jefferson Lincoln Award from the Panetta Institute for examplary bipartisan leadership, 2001.

Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Medal for Meritorious Service Beyond the Call of the Normal Dictates of Duty, the Commonwealth's highest honor, 1977.

Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal, the Commonwealth's second-highest honor, 1976.

Civic Award from the Johnstown Association of Life Underwriters, 1996.

Leaders in Service Award from the Traveler's Aid Society, for leadership in volunteerism, community service and philantrhopic work, 1992.

Top Hat Award from the Society of Saint Vincent DePaul for support of community volunteers, 1991.

Economic Development Awards

Champion of Technology Award from the Pittsburgh Technology Council, 2002.

Chairman's Award of the Economic Summit, Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce, 2002.

Government Leader of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, 1993.

Top 100 People of Central Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania Business Central, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

Eberly Economic Development Award for achievements in Fayette County, 2001.

Annual Award of the Westmoreland Economic Growth Connection, 2001.

Industrial Energy Efficiency Award from the American Iron and Steel Institute, 1997.

Riverperson of the Year Award of the Three Rivers Regatta Board of Directors, for support of river navigation and river restoration, 1994.

Award for Innovation in Coal Conversion from the University of Pittsburgh, 1994.

Mr. Coal Award from the Washington Coal Club, 1992.

Government Action Award of the Greater Johnstown-Cambria County Chamber of Commerce, 1991.

Man of Steel Award from the Cold Finished Steel Bar Institute, 1989.

Health Care

Annual Award of the Pennsylvania Cancer Alliance, 2004.

Pink Ribbon Award of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, 2003.

Leadership Award of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, several years, including 2002 and 2003.

Brain Injury Association of America, award for ongoing support, 2003.

Funding Hero Award from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 2002.

Legislative Recognition Award from the American Ambulance Association, 2002.

Legislative Award from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Development, 2002.

Leadership Award from Children's Hospice International, 2002.

Arthur F. McNulty Civic Leadership Award from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 2001.

"Thanks from the Children" Award from Children's Hospital of Western Pennsylvania for support and commitment to diabetes research, 2000.

Legislator of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Rural Health Conference, 1999.

Award of Appreciation from Neurofibromatosis, Inc., 1997.

Leadership Award of the National Marrow Doner Program, 1992.

Silvio Conte Award from the National Head Injury Foundation, 1992.

Award of Appreciation from Children's Hospital of Western Pennsylvania, for funding of the Rangos Research Center, 1990.

Defense and National Security

Distinguished Service Medal of the United States Marine Corps, upon his retirement from the Marine Corps Reserves for 37 years of distinguished service to his country, 1990.

Semper Fidelis Award of the Marine Corps Foundation, presented to former Marines who exemplify the traditions and values of the Marine Corps, 2002.

David Glick Award of the World Affairs Council, for distinguished contributions to the understanding of world affairs, 2001.

Outstanding Legislator Award of the Association of the United States Army, 2001.

Spirit of Hope Award of the United Service Organization (USO), named for Bob Hope and presented for dedication to military-service personnel, 2000. Murtha also received the USO's Service Award for support of troops and families during Operation Desert Storm, 1992.

Friend of Defense Science Award from the Association of American Universities, 2000.

Robert A. Thompson Award of the Navy League, for an outstanding citizen who is effectively mindful of the importance of sea power to the national defense, 2000.

Legion of Honor Gold Medallion of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, for service to all people regardless of race or faith, symbolizing the unity of nations, 2000.

Harry S. Truman Award of the National Guard Association of the United States, for advocating the National Guard's role in national defense, 1993.

Defense Industry Award of the American Defense Preparedness Association, 1993.

Minuteman of the Year Award of the Reserve Officers Association, 1992.

Semper Fidelis Award of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College Foundation, presented to former Marines who exemplify the traditions and values of the Marine Corps, 1991.

Patriot Award of the Pennsylvania American Legion, for his patriotism, 1991.

Grace Murray Hopper Award of the National Security Industrial Association for his support of computer software initiatives, 1991.

99th Army Reserve Command Award of the Army Reserve Association of Pennsylvania, 1991.

Distinguished American Award from the Air Force Association, 1989.

Iron Mike Award, the highest honor of the Marine Corps League, for his support of the Marine Corps and national defense, 1988.

Public Service Award of the National Security Industry Association, 1988.

Distinguished Service Award of the Marine Corps League, 1987.

National Security Leadership Award of the American Security Council, 1987.

Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Service Award, for his support of a strong national defense.

Leadership Award of the Coalition for Peace Through Strength.

Eagle Award of the National Guard Bureau.

Lt. Col. B.D. "Buzz" Wagner Meritorious Service Award of the B.D. "Buzz" Wagner Chapter of the Air Force Association.

CAP Leadership Award of the Civil Air Patrol, 1992.

Nathan Hale Award and the Appalachian Patriot Award from Pennsylvania military reserve organizations.

Veterans Awards

Catholic War Veterans HONOR ET VERITAS Award from the National Department, 2003.

American Legion National Distinguished Public Service Award, 2003.

Man of the Year Award of the Catholic War Veterans of America, 2003.

Man of the Year Award of the Catholic War Veterans of Pennsylvania, 2001.

Appreciation Award of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 2000.

George "Buck" Gillispie Congressional Award for Meritorious Service from the Blinded American Veterans Foundation, 1997.

Outstanding Veteran Award of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants, 1989.

James E. VanZandt Legislative Award of the Department of Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1985.

Plaque for Outstanding Service from the Disabled American Veterans, 1978.

Outstanding Service to the Community Award from the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania, 1978.

For Services to Veterans recognition from the Somerset County Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1977.

Conservation, Recreation & Historic Preservation

Friends of the National Parks Award, 2005.

History Makers Award of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, 2003.

Conservation Is Progress Award of Southern Alleghenies Conservancy, 2003.

Lifetime Achievement Award of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, 2002.

Otto Haas Historic Preservation Award of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, 1994.

Riverperson of the Year Award of the Three Rivers Regatta Board of Directors, for support of river navigation and river restoration, 1994.

Government Leadership Award of the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society Award, 1993.

The John "Bear Man" Kmetz Award for Environmental Excellence from the Committee to Preserve Rager Mountain, 1992.

Director's Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, for support of mine-reclamation initiatives, 1983.

Relief Efforts After the 1977 Johnstown Flood

Governor's Unit Citation from the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, 1979.

Plaque for Compassion and Dedication Service from the Salvation Army, 1978.

Distinguished Service recognition from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, 1977.

Honorary Degrees

Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, Pa., Doctor of Laws, 2002.

University of Scranton, Scranton, Pa., Doctor of Laws, 2002.

Seton Hill College, Greensburg, Pa., Doctor of Laws, 2000.

Suffolk University, Suffolk, Mass., Doctor of Laws, 1998.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pa., Doctor of Laws, 1996.

U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa., diploma, 1995.

Saint Francis College, Loretto, Pa., Doctor of Laws, 1993.

Northeastern University, Boston, Mass., Doctor of Political Science, 1991.

Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, Pa., Doctor of Humanities, 1978.

Military Service Awards
Distinguished Service Medal of the United States Marine Corps, upon his retirement from the Marine Corps Reserves for 37 years of distinguished service to his country, 1990.

Distinguished Service Medal, Pennsylvania's highest honor, 1977.

Meritorious Service Medal, Pennsylvania's second-highest honor, 1976.

Bronze Star with Combat V, 1966.

Purple Heart, 1966.

Purple Heart, second award, 1966.

Vietnamese Cross of Galantry, 1966.

American Spirit Honor Medal of the Marine Corps Recruit Department, 1952.

Other Awards Public Service Award from Fayette County Community Action Agency, 2001.

Friends of Education Award from the Greater Johnstown School District, 2001.

Commitment to Justice Award from the American Bar Association, presented for his sponsorship of the McDade-Murtha law that holds government attorneys to the same ethics standards as private lawyers, 2000.

Tough Choices Recognition from the Concord Coalition Citizens Council for support of fiscal responsibility in Washington, 1997.

Paul Harris Fellow award of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world, 1997.

Friend of the Farm Bureau Award from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, several years.

Outstanding Service to Victims of Sexual Assault award from the Alice Paul House, 1994.

Annual Award of the Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, 1994.

Crime Stoppers Award of the Cambria County Chapter of Crime Stoppers, 1994.

Recognition for Support from the National Farmers Union, several years.

Goodwill Industries Award from Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley, 1991.

Legislator of the Year Award from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, 1991.

Friend of Housing Award from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and the National Council of State Housing Agencies, 1990.

Appreciation Award of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, 1980.

Appreciation Award of the United Mine Workers of America, 1979.

Person of the Year Award from the Greater Johnstown Central Labor Council, 1978.

Human Rights Distinguished Service Award from the Cause of Human Rights, 1976.

Appreciation Award of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, 1976.

National Bicentennial Medal from the American Revolution Bicentennial administration, 1976.

Distinguished Aviation Citizen Award of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania, 1976.

Appreciation Award of the Pennsylvania State Police, 1978.

Honorary Member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, 1975.

In addition, Congressman Murtha has received numerous local and regional awards, especially for his support of job development, health care, scouting, shelters for battered women, and the arts.