Craig A. Minnick

P.O. Box 844

Johnstown, PA 15905 

October 12, 2006

 

Honorable John P. Murtha

P.O. Box 780
Johnstown, PA 15907-0780

 

Dear Congressman Murtha,

 

This letter is to challenge you, Representative John Murtha, to a debate on the issue of whether you support our troops.  When I returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom, you failed to respond to me and have refused to meet with me and other returning veterans.  Furthermore, you have taken actions that draw into question your support for our troops who stand in harm’s way.  Now it is time that you give the voters of Pennsylvania’s 12^th Congressional District some answers and stop avoiding its veterans.

 

Before going into a “Bill of Particulars,” let me say that an adequate room at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown can be reserved for Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 for the purpose of a debate between you and me.  I can assure you the sound system will be much better than yours was in Johnstown’s Central Park during your recent counter-rally.

 

If the date of October 22, 2006 is unacceptable, then I will meet you anywhere in the district at a place and time of your choosing.  I request you answer my challenge to a debate by 5 p.m. on October 18, 2006.  Your failure to answer will be considered a refusal to debate.

 

This debate is necessary because:

 

• You have refused to meet with returning veterans for many months and veterans want to know why.

• You charged, tried and convicted Marines in the so-called Haditha incident before the investigation was even completed. You said of those Marines that they “…killed innocent civilians in cold blood.” Why?

• You lied about being briefed by Marine Corps General Michael Hagee as the source of your information on the Haditha Marines before the investigation was complete and veterans want to know why.

• You were heavily involved in the awarding of the Stryker vehicle contract. That vehicle was not properly field-tested and American soldiers were killed because of this failure.  Veterans want to know what part you played in this matter and why.

• You have consistently earmarked military budget items for things that are not remotely related to supporting our defense and our troops.  Why have you not done a better job of supporting our military budget?  Why did your brother’s lobbying firm receive more than $20 million for influencing military spending in one year while you were the Ranking Member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee?

• Why did you seek and willingly receive high praise and recognition from a self-avowed socialist group, Code Pink, that claims to have raised more than $600,000 for the Fallujah insurgents.  Code Pink is a group that harasses our wounded soldiers and their families at our military hospitals. Veterans really want to hear the reason why you accepted one of this organization’s highest awards.

 

Congressman Murtha, you have a long history of avoiding the people of your district. You are currently avoiding our hometown newspaper’s call for a debate with your opponent.  This is not new.  It is time you faced up to the veterans and voters who want answers to these important questions before the November election.

 

I await your reply in whatever fashion it comes.

 

     Sincerely, 

 

     Craig Minnick

     Citizen of Johnstown

     Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom

P R E S S   R E L E A S E

 

For Immediate Release

For further information, Contact: Roger Hughes sixstrategies@wmtel.net

URL: http://www.bootmurtha.com/

 

 

Craig A. Minnick

P.O. Box 844

Johnstown, PA 15905

 

October 12, 2006

 

Honorable John P. Murtha

P.O. Box 780
Johnstown, PA 15907-0780

 

Dear Congressman Murtha,

 

This letter is to challenge you, Representative John Murtha, to a debate on the issue of whether you support our troops.  When I returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom, you failed to respond to me and have refused to meet with me and other returning veterans.  Furthermore, you have taken actions that draw into question your support for our troops who stand in harm’s way.  Now it is time that you give the voters of Pennsylvania’s 12^th Congressional District some answers and stop avoiding its veterans.

 

Before going into a “Bill of Particulars,” let me say that an adequate room at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown can be reserved for Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 for the purpose of a debate between you and me.  I can assure you the sound system will be much better than yours was in Johnstown’s Central Park during your recent counter-rally.

 

If the date of October 22, 2006 is unacceptable, then I will meet you anywhere in the district at a place and time of your choosing.  I request you answer my challenge to a debate by 5 p.m. on October 18, 2006.  Your failure to answer will be considered a refusal to debate.

 

This debate is necessary because:

 

• You have refused to meet with returning veterans for many months and veterans want to know why.

• You charged, tried and convicted Marines in the so-called Haditha incident before the investigation was even completed. You said of those Marines that they “…killed innocent civilians in cold blood.” Why?

• You lied about being briefed by Marine Corps General Michael Hagee as the source of your information on the Haditha Marines before the investigation was complete and veterans want to know why.

• You were heavily involved in the awarding of the Stryker vehicle contract. That vehicle was not properly field-tested and American soldiers were killed because of this failure.  Veterans want to know what part you played in this matter and why.

• You have consistently earmarked military budget items for things that are not remotely related to supporting our defense and our troops.  Why have you not done a better job of supporting our military budget?  Why did your brother’s lobbying firm receive more than $20 million for influencing military spending in one year while you were the Ranking Member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee?

• Why did you seek and willingly receive high praise and recognition from a self-avowed socialist group, Code Pink, that claims to have raised more than $600,000 for the Fallujah insurgents.  Code Pink is a group that harasses our wounded soldiers and their families at our military hospitals. Veterans really want to hear the reason why you accepted one of this organization’s highest awards.

 

Congressman Murtha, you have a long history of avoiding the people of your district. You are currently avoiding our hometown newspaper’s call for a debate with your opponent.  This is not new.  It is time you faced up to the veterans and voters who want answers to these important questions before the November election.

 

I await your reply in whatever fashion it comes. 

 

     Sincerely, 

 

     Craig Minnick

     Citizen of Johnstown

     Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom