Big John Controversy Continues in PA's 12th District!

In tough economic times, John Murtha has been fighting for us. He has one of the strongest records in Congress on job creation and retention, and his work has resulted in nearly 20,000 new jobs and billions of dollars in economic development for Western Pennslyvania --- statement from campaign literature sent to residents of the 12th Congressional District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on October 28, 2008 by Murtha for Congress Committee

Local news is saturated with political ads, including an overdose of John Murtha's bid to continue to hold his seat in the U.S. Congress. Letters to the editor of our local paper are bound to keep the editor moving at high speed in order to keep up -- all of us in the 12th District have determined by this time for which candidate we will cast our votes. Not one to stay out of the fray -- especially this one -- I sent an email message to the editor and staff of our local paper and a copy of that to our local TV station, WJAC TV in Johnstown. So here it is -- in case you are confused as to which candidate will get my vote, let me know -- I don't mind telling you on this one! By the way, the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat has endorsed Murtha for reelection -- for a lot of us who are residents in the 12th District, that did not come as an earth-shaking surprise!

Robin, Chip and Staff Members at the Tribune-Democrat:

The fact that John Murtha has stirred up bitter controversy in recent months is legitimate cause for questioning his reelection as congressional representative from the 12th District.

Two things involved here -- his growing arrogance over recent years and the very nature of what has sparked the controversies.

His careless and unfounded allegations about certain Marines being cold-blooded killers of innocent people and his references to constituents in his district and beyond as being "racists" and "rednecks" are more recent examples of that arrogance on display. He is a disgrace to the uniform he once wore, and I am not the only ex-Marine who feels that way.

He competes for the title of "#1 Porker" in the U.S. Congress and at last report is the most likely title holder in that department! Of course this is why he is so popular in one sense -- money talks and it provides guaranteed job security in Congress when you have a lot of power and clout -- Big John knows this very well.

But that leads to another question -- what will he and his fellow co-conspirator "porkers" do when the money is gone? They are doing absolutely nothing to reign in the mounting national debt. The "clock" I have on my blog at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com is moving toward 10 1/2 trillion dollars -- the few people with common sense (and that certainly doesn't include politicians) quickly conclude that this cannot continue much longer before disaster of unprecedented proportions strikes this republic!

Yes, John Murtha will likely be elected in spite of his arrogance, irresponsible statements made and irresponsible action on his part to further contribute to the mounting national debt.

John could walk in Central Park, step in doggy doo-doo, wipe it off with a paper towel and then wipe it across the faces of his constituents and they would still reelect him -- strange, strange world, is it not? Well, all of his constituents except for at least one. I have never voted for John Murtha from the time he first sought to fill the seat of his deceased predecessor back in the mid 70's until now and I never will.

Still contending at www.crrange.com, blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com and warning at www.crrange.com/USACoffin.html

Clayton D. Harriger, Pastor, Gipsy Christian Church at http://www.crrange.com/gipsy.html
Former Sgt. United States Marine Corps
Non-affiliated registered voter in Cambria County
and Guest Editor at the Tribune-Democrat in September 2008 -- an underserved privilege for which I am very grateful.

Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. --- Psalm 2:1-4

Big John Has Gone and Done It Again!

Murtha remark debated…Rep apologizes; reaction mixed --- Johnstown Tribune-Democrat front page headline – October 17, 2008

Big John Murtha, infamous congressman from south central Pennsylvania, just can’t control that mouth of his under just about any circumstance – it seems to be a major problem of getting the brain and mouth in sync at the same time. Perhaps that is a unique disease that is prevalent in the nation’s Capitol!

Some time back he went on public record lashing out at certain Marines, accusing them of killing innocent women and children and labeled them as “cold blooded killers.” At this point in time 7 of the 8 have been exonerated of all charges leveled against them. The case of the 8th Marine is on hold for the time being. Big John did not go out of his way in making apology for his loose cannon mouth in this matter.

Now that same mouth recently fired off a barrage again which involves us who reside in his district and beyond in western Pennsylvania. We are now “racists” and by implication, will show our prejudices by voting against Barack Obama on election day in November.

As an aside, I admit I will be voting against B. O. on election day, but not because his skin color is much darker than mine – but mainly due to the undisputed fact that he is dedicated to perpetuating the ongoing practice of mutilating and murdering thousands of unborn children each week of the year in a nation that makes the hypocritical claim that every person should have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! He has opposed efforts to preserve even the lives of those few late term infants who miraculously survive an abortion attempt – just let them lie there until they die is B. O.’s approach to these circumstances.

Big John attempted some kind of “apology” but as reported by the Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown, the reaction to what he said is mixed. WJAC-TV, the local television station, conducted a poll on this issue and that was “mixed” with a number of persons indicating they were not offended by what he said.

John Murtha holds a position in the Johnstown and Cambria County area which can be compared to that of deity – in fact, God is probably at best second in position and perhaps quite a few rungs lower than John on the ladder of prestige.

He has brought millions of dollars into his district from the coffers of the U. S Treasury Department. He is at the top of the list when it comes to earmarks and tapping into tax dollars for whatever reason which will somehow benefit the district which he represents. This will help guarantee that his job is rather secure. Since his election to the U. S. Congress in the mid 70’s there have been opponents who have tried to unseat him, but to no avail.

Murtha is at a place where he can do about anything he wants, say anything he wants, even if it is a bold-faced lie, and still hold his position without any serious challenge..

Dyed-in-the-wool Democratic loyalty in the Johnstown and Cambria County area is such that if the Devil himself were running on the Democratic ticket and the people knew for real that it was the Devil running on the ticket, they would vote for him anyway – if the Devil is a Democrat running for office, it’s OK and it’s right! But then, there are some Republicans that are of about the same mind when it comes to blind loyalty as well – if the Devil ran on the Republican ticket, he would get their vote without question.

But as I have said previously on my web site and blog, there is reason to be excited and hopeful – the day is coming when all politicians and government leaders all over the world will be out of a job – no desperate speculation, but fact! The evidence? Take a look at Good News! A Day Coming in Which All Politicians Will Be Removed from Office! -- use reverse feature on your web browser to return to this place.

Oh yes, a parting question – John Murtha is up for reelection in November – anybody want to guess what I will do when I see his name on the ballot – will he get the “X” or will it be somebody else?

And do not assume that because I said I would vote against B. O. that I will be voting for John McCain -- there will be other names on the ballot for the office of president -- you ARE aware of that, are you not? None of us is obligated to select one of two major party nominees in a presidential election!

This was written by a non-affiliated registered voter living in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to Me, ' 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'" --- Psalm 2:1-9

The Annual July Ritual in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!

According to recent figures from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 9,200 people were treated in emergency rooms across the country in 2006 as a result of the mishandling of fireworks. Children ages 15 and younger account for 36 percent of all fireworks injuries. --- from front page article, “Playing it safe on the Fourth,” of Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, July 3, 2008

It’s that time of year again in Pennsylvania. If you are not a resident, then you don’t know how our noble state seeks to save us from ourselves over the 4th of July holiday. The media people bend over backwards to give their “expert” assistance in this endeavor.

We are exposed to lengthy and graphic details about the dangers of fireworks. We are informed of the laws prohibiting private use of certain types of explosive fireworks – e.g. like little Ralphie shooting his eye out with a BB gun in “A Christmas Story,” so we’ll be losing an eye or both of them, losing fingers and/or getting burned with those deadly fireworks! We are strongly urged to leave fireworks alone and let the “professionals” do the pyrotechnics stuff.

See how simple it is and how our Commonwealth and mass media have our best interest at heart?

However, there is a major, major problem of the first magnitude in all this – dare I suggest there is really more than a tad of hypocrisy going on here?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is in the business of selling alcoholic beverages – you know, some really hard and powerful stuff such as Jack Daniels and other varieties having a high content of alcohol. In addition to its direct selling of such beverages, Pennsylvania also issues licenses to establishments to sell beverage alcohol to customers while collecting a lot of revenue in the process of such activity – but never enough revenue to cover all the cost of damage, destruction and death resulting from the ingestion of such liquids!

And the Commonwealth has greatly expanded its gambling operations in recent years with permitting the start up of casinos and all the trappings that are a part of such financial blood letting! In the matter of the casinos, the state does not own them – it simply “oversees” and supposedly “regulates” them while reaping a harvest of taxes. It continues to own and operate its lottery which has been touted as a great success. Anyone want to tally the widespread devastation in personal lives which has taken place due to this "activity?" That in addition to the corruption which takes place among officials and a criminal element wanting to get its fingers into this luscious pie!

Now then, just a simple question – to what extent does the Commonwealth give warnings and the mass media provide details about the mass destruction, ruined lives, grief and sorrow, and shattered families resulting from Pennsylvania’s “business” operations as it engages in sales of beverage alcohol and gambling? Do we get a daily report on all who have been victimized by such trafficking on the part of our state -- it always helps to have photos which seems to be a specialty of the mass media! Rest assured that there is more than an eye or two or a couple of fingers lost in this mass assault on citizens and their families in the Keystone state!

Will the governor and an obese legislature ever face reality in this matter? Not likely, as their only message (and warning) is, “Don’t you dare light that firecracker – we’ll fine you and possibly give you some jail time!”

All to which the mass media folks, such as the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, will say a hearty, “Amen! and Amen! We’ll do it again next year so that the good people of Pennsylvania will be reminded – watch out for fireworks – they’re very dangerous and you could get hurt!”

Let's see now -- what was that word to which we made reference earlier -- hypo... something or other?

"Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" --- Matthew 23:24

Another Letter to the Editor -- TV News People Are Like Piranah!

Among my many and varied activities has been that of writing letters over the years. My kids will have real adventures when they sort out their "inheritance" -- their old dad won't leave them much money, but they will have a ton or two of letters to read through -- what a joy time that will be!

Included in letter recipients over the years have been letters to the editors of newspapers. At present time there are 4 newspapers in our area to which letters have been sent: The Altoona Mirror, The Indiana Gazette, The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, and Mainline Newspapers, Inc. Mainline Newspapers is a weekly serving different communities in Cambria County. The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat quit publishing my letters some time ago. The issue about this is discussed at my web site, www.crrange.com, and all the letters which they did not publish are posted there. Whether they will publish this recent one remains yet to be seen.

So, below is the letter which deals with rampant hypocrisy in the TV news industry and their concentrated focus on the VA Tech tragedy to the neglect of a far more serious "massacre" which is a daily happening in our republic! If you find that you are a bit in agreement on this problem of the TV news media, I would welcome your comments. If you feel you should try to defend them, DON'T, because you CAN'T! And the pure reason is that these people are first and foremost concerned about money and ratings -- fair and accurate reporting of news events as well as respect for victims of tragedies such as the VA Tech incident are not a priority -- it's all about money! So here we go........

Monday, April 23, 2007>

Editor:

The TV media explicitly demonstrated a morphosis from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde as it relished the tragedy at Virginia Tech a week ago. Or to put it another way, these people resembled a school of piranha in bloody waters stripping its victim to a skeleton in a short period of time.

True to form in their inconsistency, members of the TV networks constantly threw the word “massacre” at us while intentionally avoiding the fact that on April 16, 2007 hundreds of unborn children were massacred in their mothers’ wombs! Further, these people will never give us the details with shocking photos for proof regarding the greatest massacre in United States history. The grand total is now approaching 48 million victims and a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol was not the murder weapon used. How about a ban on those instruments which destroy the unborn in the womb?

As could be expected an anti-gun campaign has been revived with able assistance from the media. Get rid of the guns and we will have a safe and peaceful society so we are told. Hypocrisy is rampant on this issue also. Compare how many people have died violently as a result of use of alcoholic beverages in a year’s time compared with death by firearms. We can start with number of victims of drunken drivers and then add on the other circumstances, including those who drank some booze and then in anger killed someone with a gun! But then, there hasn’t been a campaign to rid the country of alcoholic beverages because of destruction, pain, sorrow, and death which it has caused, has there? Just get rid of those horrible guns and our troubles will be over!

We have yet to witness a full response from the God Whom we profess to trust as inscribed on our coins and currency. In His revelation to us He has made it clear that hypocrisy is not a way of life in which He takes delight and the price to be paid is far greater than any of us can imagine.

Still contending at www.crrange.com and blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com

Clayton D. Harriger, Pastor