Oops, did I say sunny? OK, so the sun didn't make an appearance in Johnstown today but several thousand supports of Congressman John P. Murtha did. They included former Senator and triple war amputee Max Cleland, Medal of Honor recipient Bob Kerrey, Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Hugh Shelton, and former NATO Commander General Wesley Clark. Oh, and another veteran named Ed Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania.
The steady light rain did nothing to dampen the crowd or its enthusiasm. Buses drove up depositing large crowds into Johnstown's Central Park. Wearing ponchos and holding umbrellas the thousands stood up for their Congressman and defended them again the swift boat attacks on his character. They refused to allow the politics of personal destruction to take hold in southwestern Pennsylvania. I'm not sure I've ever seen so many veterand in one place as were here today. Red white and blue was everywhere. Signs of support were held up proudly in spite of the rain. Parents brought their children and held them on their shoulders to see the American patriots on the stage.
The rain ceased for a bit just as the Congressman arrived but, even when it resumed I saw no one leave. If anything the crowd grew as more supporters arrived. The distinguished speakers came to tell the people of the 12th Congressional District how their Congressman has steadfastly supported soldiers and veterans and how now, because he dares speak truth to power, he is being targeted for Swiftboating by veterans who care not that his opponent supports the torturing of prisoners.
Instead of supporting the torture of prisoners as Diana Irey states on her Project Vote Smart response, Jack Murtha supports our troops so such treatment isn't meted out to them in return.
A couple weeks ago I posted a video on the old blog of an old song called "Abraham, Martin and John" by Dion. The song salutes th elegacy of four great heroes o fthis nation who fell before their times. I asked a question: where are the leaders today who we desperately need to step forward and tell the truth. Leaders with the courage to speak truth to power and refuse to back down. Leaders unafraid to put everything they are and everything they have, at risk for the country.
Jack Murtha is just such a leader.
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