
Washington County, Pennsylvania Commissioner, Diana Irey is challenging long-time Congressman John Murtha for the 12th Pennsylvania District Congressional Seat.
She released the following statement in response to the Murtha press conference.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2006
Irey Responds to Murtha’s Comments that
U.S. Troops Killed Iraqi Civilians in Cold BloodMonongahela, PA – Today, Washington County Commissioner and Republican Congressional nominee Diana Irey responded to her opponent’s recent comments claiming that U.S. Troops were responsible for the death of innocent Iraqi civilians.
“I was shocked and dismayed by my opponent’s charge that U.S. Marines are responsible for murdering Iraqi civilians in cold blood. Why John Murtha would say such a thing in the wake of an ongoing investigation and accuse our troops of such horrific actions is beyond comprehension,†Irey said.
Murtha made these comments at a press conference yesterday. “Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood,†Murtha said. He made these comments to reporters regarding an incident that occurred November 19th in Haditha, Iraq.
“There is no doubt that my opponent’s disregard for the presumption of innocence and Due Process will have an adverse effect on troop morale. Unfortunately, instead of showing support for our military personnel, his partisan rhetoric will only harm our country at this fragile time. His continued comments are a devastating blow to millions of men, women and children in the Middle East who are just getting their first taste of Democracy.†Irey said.
Diana Irey has spent the last decade in public service as a Washington County Commissioner, and she is now running to bring her vision of government responsibility, lower taxes, and family values to the United States Congress as the Representative of Pennsylvania’s 12th District.
Get more information about Diana Irey’s run for Congress here.
More say Send Murtha Packing! My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and The Cotillion.
Previous Posts: Stop Murtha from Killing our Troops, Diana Irey for Congress

May 18th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
I offered her a sidebar link if that’s allowed under FEC rules (I have no idea if it is or not).
She sounds a lot more level headed then Murtha.
May 18th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Yes, she does. I’ve been reading a lot of her stuff since yesterday. She will have an uphill battle. He has a lot of big money behind his campaign.
May 18th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
No More lies! The truth must be told. Demand Congressional hearings at once!
http://bluecrabboulevard.com/2006/05/18/putting-down-some-gravel/
May 18th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
Oh, Gaius! That’s awful! You shouldn’t post things like that! I’m so ashamed…..
May 18th, 2006 at 10:47 pm
Folks, this IS an ongoing NCIS investigation and Murtha was WAY outta line for speaking up like he did, but, my really BIG hope is that he’s WRONG…
Be careful of jumping to conclusions, there IS a chance the old fool is right… No matter, NOTHING excuses him for running his mouth tho…
May 18th, 2006 at 10:58 pm
I agree completely Texas Fred. I really hope the soldiers didn’t do what they are being investigated for. But they are being tried in the media now and that’s not right.
Murtha’s actions are inexcusable. He should hold his tongue till the investigation is completed.
Did you go to the link?
May 19th, 2006 at 9:52 am
Yeah, and my fear is that IF it comes out that the Corps messed up, Murtha will look like some kind of vindicated EXPERT on war and Corps, which he is NOT…
He’s shooting in the dark and at the worst, if he’s wrong, and I pray he is, he looks like a fool, someplace he’s already familiar with…
May 19th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
My Beloved Curmudgeon looked up his war record today Texas Fred. He is no ‘expert’ …… not that he didn’t do his part - but he ASKED the Navy for the 2 Purple Hearts he received. He has held those Purple Hearts up as his proof of bravery for his career.
There’s no record of him having to receive medical treatment for either injury… no stitches, no nothing. They may have had to give him a bandaid, but they didn’t document it.
I really hope those guys didn’t do what he’s accused of. If they did anything near it - you are right, he’ll be held up as a martyr for all the flake he’s gotten for betraying the trust of the nation and the Marines….
May 23rd, 2006 at 1:06 am
My fear is that Murtha’s been made into a recognizable “somebody” to the masses. He enjoys name recognition, thanks to the media. In contrast, most Americans have not heard of Diana Irey. One can only hope that this works against him, rather than for.
June 9th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
This is a man who has thrust himself into the limelight and in doing so is now the deer in the headlights. If you take the time to read his statements or read the transcripts from his TV interviews you will see the lack of cogent thought or logic. He has spent 2 years telling the world that General Shinseki was fired or forced to resign, depending who he is talking to, when in fact neither is true. Look at the statement he issued when Zarkawi was killed and you can see 3 sentences that totally refute his own words. I do not live in the district. I live in New Jersey. My son, Specialist Kyle Andrew Griffin was killed along with 2 of his buddies who were from Pennsylvania in Iraq in 2003. To me Congressman Murtha has dishonered himself and all those in the military. He is the posterboy for why the insurgents contine.
Ron Griffin