Democrat Congressman John Murtha has horribly defamed U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich and his fellow soldiers. Of that, there is no argument. Indeed, Murtha has tried to make political hay out of his slander, irresponsibly telling reporters that Wuterich's squad killed Iraqi civilians in cold blood in 2005.Murtha's accusations infuriated Marines and many, many other Americans across the country. And, as expected, the war crimes Murtha had accused the soldiers of didn't hold up in court. The only soldier brought to trial on the charges has been cleared. Charges against 6 others have been dropped. Wuterich himself still awaits his day.
But because of his confidence in his own case and because Murtha's slanders against the others had already been rejected as baseless, Wuterich decided to sue Murtha.
But, it turns out, Murtha is beyond reproach -- not because he's right. But because he's a Congressman.
That's correct. Murtha didn't bother to try and prove his charges. He didn't even attempt to explain them. Instead, he merely hid behind his office.
It didn't matter how outlandish or damaging Murtha's slander was -- that wasn't even relevant -- what mattered was that Murtha was untouchable because he has congressional immunity. And since, as he claimed, his statements were made in his official capacity as a member of Congress, he doesn't need bother about mere incidentals like whether or not what he says is true.
Incredible pomposity, you say? A dangerous display of arrogance and autocracy?
Sure, it is.
But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Tuesday ruled for Murtha and held that Wuterich can't sue him.
With our courts becoming the very workers of iniquity and injustice, the nation cannot stand.
