Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani is the latest Marine to turn out not to be a "cold-blooded killer" that the media and Democratic politicians painted Marines charged with the Haditha "massacre" to be. This two weeks after another Marine was acquitted in a Haditha court martial.
FoxNews.com has the AP story about the dismissal of charges against him here.:
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - A military judge dismissed charges Tuesday against a Marine officer accused of failing to investigate the killings of 24 Iraqis.
Col. Steven Folsom dismissed charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani after finding that a four-star general overseeing the case was improperly influenced by an investigator probing the November 2005 shootings by a Marine squad in Haditha.
As you might have guessed, this story is not exactly commanding the airwaves of the cable news networks this afternoon, although the media obsessed about the "massacre" in 2005.
From my colleague Scott Whitlock's June 5 post about the media's similar lack of interest in the acquittal of Marine Lt. Andrew Grayson:
The same network newscasts that hyped the 2005 "alleged massacre" by U.S. soldiers in Haditha are so far ignoring the acquittal on all charges of Lieutenant Andrew Grayson on Thursday. Grayson was accused of attempting to cover up details of the events surrounding a raid that lead to the death of 15 Iraqis. However, Grayson's acquittal was skipped by ABC's "Good Morning America," CBS's "Early Show" and NBC's "Today" show. (CNN's "American Morning" covered the story only as a news brief.)
In contrast, the morning shows seemed much more interested in the subject back when dark allegations were made about the actions of U.S. solders in Haditha. On Memorial Day 2006, then-GMA host Charles Gibson intoned, "America honors its fallen war heroes, but troubling new information about Marine misconduct in Iraq. A new eyewitness on what could be a mass murder of civilians. Was there a cover-up?" On the March 20, 2006, "Nightly News," host Brian Williams touted the "disturbing new allegations" made by Congressman John Murtha about Haditha. (It should be noted that, so far, five of the eight originally charged with murder or cover-up have been acquitted.) On May 25, 2006, referencing the massacre of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians in 1968, "Nightline" host Terry Moran speculated, "Will Haditha be the My Lai of the Middle East?" On June 7 of that year, reporter Andrea Mitchell opined on "Today" that Haditha was a "black eye for American policy."
A 2006 MRC study of how CNN, MSNBC and Fox News covered Iraq found that CNN and MSNBC were much more likely to focus on the negative, such as incidents like Haditha.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
We await Congressman
June 17, 2008 - 17:54 ET by jdhawkWe await Congressman Murtha's apology to the Marines in question, the United States Marines, the Armed Forces, and the American people . . .
The Camp Pendleton Press was Off Watching Tiger at the US Open
June 17, 2008 - 18:03 ET by allanfTo be fair to the media, the original charges came out of Washingtion and ex-Marine Murtha. That was easy to publicize. There are lots of anit-military pro-defeat reporters in Washington.
On the other hand there are not many reporters in Camp Pendleton If there were any, they were off watching Tiger at the US Open.
If I could lay my hands on him
June 18, 2008 - 11:40 ET by demobaterIf I could lay my hands on fatboy murtha, I would beat the dog poop out of him. Where are all the repubs, to rebuke him? Where are all the demos, that said they are patriots too? They are all a bunch of self serving losers that couldn't legistlate their way outa a bananna republic. They are not fit to carry these soldier's field packs.
They suck, short and simple, on gas/oil/coal production, on protecting the borders, on supporting our troops, you name the issue and they are failing in every capacity except giving homo's the right to marry, enemy combatants habeus corpus & protecting those poor polar bears. We need to vote every single one out and start over with term limits just like the President has...
Haditha is a black eye alright,
June 17, 2008 - 18:02 ET by DEVILDOCMOMbut it is a black eye for the failing media. Their conduct has been truly despicable, but, unfortunately, it has become what those of us on this site have come to expect. Seriously, how do these people look themselves in the mirror? Isn't there ever any introspection in their lives?
A big HOORAH to the Marines!
Apologize now Murtha
June 17, 2008 - 18:03 ET by ChiefE9You had them guilty before the trial.
He never will apologize.
He is just another lose the Iraq war Democrat.
No Chief,
June 17, 2008 - 18:21 ET by JAB"He is just another lose the Iraq war Democrat"
He's also a traitor to the country he served, the same as Kerry is to this day. I love and respect our military members, they are the best there is but these two do not deserve my nor the nations respect due to their recent past & current actions.
I know this may not be popular but it's how I judge people and will continue to do so.
"Too bad Ignorance isn't painful..."
I have been furious with
June 17, 2008 - 18:11 ET by bigtimerI have been furious with the silence from the msm about this...all of them.
Where are the repubs calling out Murtha for an apology?
All of this is beyond deplorable.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Where are the repubs
June 17, 2008 - 18:24 ET by R D HelmWhere are the repubs calling out Murtha for an apology?
They are still looking for their stones.
What they really should be doing is calling for Murtha's resignation. He just might be the most reprehensible congress critter currently serving.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
Rep. Murtha, call your
June 17, 2008 - 22:24 ET by motherbeltRep. Murtha, call your office.......
Good grief! Can't Republicans collectively strap on a pair and stand up to this shameful excuse of a "public servant"?
Stealing from Natalie Main....Just so you know, a lot of us are ashamed that Murtha comes from Pennsylvania. If he were my district representative I would be raising hell down at his local headquarters!
Maybe they should send Young America Foundation's Jason Mattera to ambush him again!
I like to see him end the interview this time by "frog-marching" Murtha up to the podium in the House of Representatives to publicly apologize!
motherbelt,
June 18, 2008 - 00:37 ET by R D HelmIf this was during the "Civil War" era, Murtha would have been thrown up against a wall and most unceremoniously shot, regardless of which side he was on. :-)
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
BT You Are Correct
June 17, 2008 - 18:30 ET by geoff.galeI think every American Patriot should send an email to John Murtha reminding him of his obligation to put forth an apology for smearing Chessani and all the others. The next election in his district, the voters better make right on their mistake of putting that fat #$$!%#$ in office in the first place.
And while we're at it, we all should send the same email to Tim McGirk who took the unedited word of insurgents rather than to investigate on his own. At best, he just had dollar signs in his eyes, at worst, he's an anti-American hanger-on who might be better off going to live elsewhere.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
- Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)
www.conservativeboot...
I called, I wrote.....
June 17, 2008 - 21:07 ET by richflanjI called Murtha's office, and the staffer hung up on me. The question: "When and where will the congressman hold his press conference to apologize to the Marines, their families, and the country?"
I e-mailed the same question to his office. "Surprise, surprise, surprise" - no response. (Gomer Pyle tribute, there. After all, he was a better Marine than Murtha was.)
richflanj, ROFLMAO!
June 17, 2008 - 21:11 ET by R D HelmGomer Pyle tribute, there. After all, he was a better Marine than Murtha was.
Dayem, I think you nailed it there. :-)
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
Write Fat Jack
June 17, 2008 - 21:51 ET by DingbatIt is your civic duty to let Fat Jack "Pork" Murtha know about this in case he missed the news and I'm sure he'll apologize.. His house.gov website that the slop has won't take emails from outside his district (it checks your address and zip) but all you have to do is list his district office as an address and it sails through. The address I used is: 647 Main St, Johnsown, PA 15901,
dingbat...now that's
June 17, 2008 - 22:27 ET by motherbeltdingbat...now that's sly!!
ROFL!
But we need the "link" in
June 17, 2008 - 22:44 ET by general companyBut we need the "link" in order to make this jam
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Murtha Link
June 17, 2008 - 22:47 ET by Free StinkerLINK
www.murtha.house.gov
June 17, 2008 - 22:48 ET by motherbeltwww.murtha.house.gov
Cool, thanks
June 17, 2008 - 22:59 ET by general companyWe will offer comment
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
All the time
June 18, 2008 - 07:58 ET by DingbatThe same technique works with Dingy Harry, Pelos, Kerry, well, you know, the usual suspects. Their web pages all list the offices in their District so just use that address. Most are happy with just the Zip, but Pork Jack's cross checks it with the zip+4 so you have to have a correct street address. I list my true address in the text and invite them to respond. Alas, they never do.
Dingbat, I got to give you
June 17, 2008 - 22:39 ET by Cureboy675Dingbat, I got to give you a shout out because I love that name "Dingbat".
My cat's name is "Dingbat" as a matter of fact.
"I don't want your 'us or them'..." -- The Cure
Haditha
June 17, 2008 - 22:50 ET by jaywlI see two salient points. First is Murtha. I can sum it up by saying that we have a saying, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." There are some people that forfeit that honor. It is extremely difficult to do. In my mind Murtha has. I don't care what he did when active, what medals he wears, or his excuses. He has discredited the Corps, has dishonored those who served for his freedoms, and played political games with the very lives of Marines who survived months of constant danger.
Secondly, the damage caused by the hype, false charges, and 24 hour drumbeat of the MSM cannot be undone. Marines will die because for a spilt second he will hesitate on the battlefield, will think about legality when looking at an enemy, will hesitate to pull the trigger. Good Marines will leave active duty because other Marines have lost these years, careers, their good name. People in this country and especially worldwide will only remember the charges. That is what the MSM howled loudest about, they whisper the exonerations. Old news, they'll say.
Read more >> Options >>
Our weak (sorry) CIC miserably failed the Haditha Marines.
June 17, 2008 - 23:34 ET by R D HelmOkay, this is where I am probably going to lose some friends here at NB:
1) Sixty-five NCIS people were put on this case.
2) There was exculpatory evidence witheld by the government that would have cleared nearly everyone involved long ago.
3) Many millions of taxpayer dollars were spent by the government in prosecuting these honorable men.
4) Most of the families of these falsely accused soldiers are facing total financial ruin.
Our CIC could have easily ended this lunacy long ago.
I have only one question:
Where the Hell was George W. Bush during all this?
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
Where the Hell was George W. Bush during all this?
June 17, 2008 - 23:37 ET by Free StinkerWhere the Hell was George W. Bush during all this?
He was too busy trying to be bi-partisan and reach across the aisle.
"Don't forget to vote this fall. Not for McCain, not ever, but there might be a Conservative Rep or Senator that Needs Your Vote" --Free Stinker
Free, I am glad you understood my point.
June 17, 2008 - 23:51 ET by R D HelmAfter seeing this entire sorry affair play itself out, and if I were a parent of a 17yo, I would strongly advise said child not to join the Military. Period.
In my humble (though not uninformed) opinion, this mess in Iraq should have been over with 2.5 years ago. PC is no way to fight a war.
What is worse, McCain would be even more PC than GWB.
I know many here found that Moveon ad about McCain to be offensive, but, honestly, I can see us being in Iraq long after McCain is dead and buried, if things continue as they have so far.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
You make a great point RD.
June 17, 2008 - 23:55 ET by RESTLESS 1You make a great point RD. The left wants the troops back home immediately, but if they didn't feel the need to fight with one arm behind their backs, (thanks to the PC left), they would have been home already.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
And Don't forget Obama who would be the worst of all RD
June 17, 2008 - 23:58 ET by Dee BunkObama wouldn't even let it play out. He'd be condemning them. I don't really know what roll the President has in court martials. Can he pardon there also? If so, does he have to wait for a conviction? Does anyone know?
Regardless of what the rules are, I know that McCain would handle it worse than Bush and Obama would handle it worse than McCain.
Dee, that is pretty scary....
June 18, 2008 - 00:14 ET by R D Helm...as GWB has handled it about as badly as possible.
Of course, CIC incompetence is nothing new to the Bush family.
GHWB up and quit in Iraq with Baghdad wide open for the taking. :-(
Where is Harry S. Truman when we really need him?
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
RD... Darn good
June 17, 2008 - 23:43 ET by Clear thinkerRD...
Darn good question.
To play devils advocate, I'm going to take a shot at this completely on the fly. One of the things I have seen Bush do over the years is.... he seems to let things take their legal or natural course. Come hell or high water, he just waits things out. I would hate to get into a staring contest with him because I'm sure he would never blink first. Also, even in the military, I believe there are those that have a political agenda, and it seems quite probable that some wanted this thing to drag out with the hopes of making the war and Bush look bad.
Are these credible, who knows?
"Abstain from McCain"
Ct,
June 18, 2008 - 00:32 ET by R D HelmAlso, even in the military, I believe there are those that have a
political agenda, and it seems quite probable that some wanted this
thing to drag out with the hopes of making the war and Bush look bad.
I agree.
But had Giv'em Hell Harry been faced with this, those gumming up the works would have been identified and removed, and that right quickly.
That is what real leaders do.
GWB lost control of this mere hours after it started.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
RD... Harry would have
June 18, 2008 - 00:35 ET by Clear thinkerRD...
Harry would have sent in a clone of Patton's to kill Bin Laden and it would have been accomplished in a week!
The war in Iraq would of course take a week and a half.
"Abstain from McCain"
Ct,
June 18, 2008 - 00:43 ET by R D HelmThe war in Iraq would of course take a week and a half.
LOL, that long?
Deep sh*t, we are in. Stands to get deeper yet, IYAM.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
Drone Footage?
June 18, 2008 - 12:04 ET by kufir77Is the evidence that would have cleared everyone that you speak of the drone footage that was taken in Haditah, shortly after the blast? I've heard them talk about this a lot on the radio, that the FULL footage clears them, as opposed to the cut and paste footage the media has.
I visited a link from Michael Savage's site a while back, but man, its hard to find any good info on this. Got any yourself?
kufir77, as yet I do not, as I haven't actually seen them myself
June 19, 2008 - 00:32 ET by R D HelmI am still looking, though, and will be sure to pass anyhing along I come up with.
-And Michael Savage (God bless the man, and then some) has done far more for these honorable Marines than Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity combined.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
Border Patrol
June 18, 2008 - 08:04 ET by DingbatL et us also remember that there are 2 Border Patrol agents in prison because of railroad job by a DA. W hasn't done anything about that either.
Dear Mr. Murtha...
June 18, 2008 - 09:53 ET by c5thenCan you please tell these fine marines where they can go to pick up their honor that you so hastily threw in the garbage can? For that matter, where can the entire Marine Corps go to retrieve the honor that you so easily and flippantly trashed?
Murtha should be impeached and at the very least, never ever refered to as a retired marine again. He has abdicated his membership in that fine and noble institution by his slander and liable against it's active duty members for purely political purposes.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Heard on NPR today a bland
June 18, 2008 - 10:00 ET by Dan The Man 2Heard on NPR today a bland account of 7 Marines being aquitted and one to go. They also said teh LT Col was aquitted and the General, his superior, was unduly influinced by an investigator. It was a matter of fact account with no dripping sarcasm I have to come to expect from NPR. But one would at least want jubilation for the aquittal's of innocent men.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
The key questionis where do
June 18, 2008 - 12:57 ET by BDThe key questionis where do the Marines go to get their reputations back?
They will always be known as those "Who were charged' but undoubtedly never be labled as those who were obviously innocent.