The stunning call from a Pennsylvania congressman, pro-military Representative John Murtha, for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq sent shockwaves through the White House, which rippled throughout the nation and undoubtedly had international implications as well. Murtha, a retired Marine colonel from Western Pennsylvania, is a confirmed military hawk who has spent a lifetime in the military and a reliable House vote for military affairs.
In an emotional, touching press conference where he seemed to fight back tears, Representative Murtha, described the Iraq War as a “flawed policy wrapped in illusion” and described Iraq as a nation where 80% of the people want America to leave. Almost immediately, the White House and Republican spokesman went on the attack, calling the suggestions “surrender to the terrorists,” and suggesting that the twice-decorated Vietnam vet was little more than a political clone of liberal movie-maker and anti-war activist Michael Moore. Murtha is many things, but anti-war ain’t one of them.
When Vice President Dick Cheney leveled criticism at him, Representative Murtha responded with thinly-veiled sarcasm, saying, “I like guys who got five deferments and never been there and send people to war and then don’t like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done.” Murtha’s position arose as he visited the wounded veterans from his district and talked to families who pleaded with him to intercede. Not surprisingly, several days after Murtha’s option arose, an Iraqi military withdrawal bill was defeated overwhelmingly.
Murtha’s seeming change of heart coming as it does from one who was a hawk’s hawk, suggests that the country is reaching a turning point on the increasingly unpopular Iraq War. Recent polls have shown that the levels of disenchantment with the war hasn’t been seen since Vietnam. Indeed, according to a USA Today poll, some 60% of those polled feel the war isn’t worth it. That poll showed one in four Republicans shared that view. Among African Americans, that number swells to 95%. Clearly, the bloom is off the Iraqi War.
What is happening? If anti-war protest is any measure, is that popular opinions are finally catching up with the views of millions of protesters, in America and around the world, that called this thing a disaster in Spring 2003. Does this mean that the war is over? No, not by a long shot. Again, if history is any guide, the U.S. will resort to extreme tactics to try to rescue what is clearly a failing imperial policy. The war in Vietnam was extended for several years longer than necessary to protect the political options of several U.S. presidents who promised a light at the end of the tunnel that was never glimpsed. Yet wars, like every other human endeavor, have a rhythm. They begin, they accelerate, they decelerate, and they end. During the Vietnam Anti-War Movement, there were many who believed that it would never end.
When voices like John Murtha join the fray, for whatever reason, they’re not to be ignored. They are signs of things to come, markers on the road telling us what is around the bend. Truth be told, Murtha, like any politician, reads the polls and knows that the handwriting is on the wall. He knew Vietnam, not as a distant congressional observer, but as an armed combatant. He’s seen popular support wane for military action before, and he knows that none of the lies of presidents, vice presidents, generals, or even other congressmen can put Humpty Dumpty together again. He knows it’s time to split. From death row, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.
These commentaries are produced by Noelle Hanrahan for Prison Radio.
