Profiles in Cowardice

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation gives out annual "Profiles in Courage" awards; named after a pre-inaugeration speech given by JFK in 1961. This year's reciepients show the hateful bias of the Kennedy clan and their Democratic ilk, if these are men they deem courageous:

In the year marking the 50th anniversary of the publication of Profiles in Courage, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation today announced that U.S. Representative John P. Murtha (D-PA), and former U.S. Navy General Counsel Alberto Mora have been selected as the recipients of the 2006 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. Murtha and Mora will be presented the prestigious award for political courage by Caroline Kennedy and Senator Edward M. Kennedy at a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on Monday, May 22.

Congressman Murtha, a ranking member and former chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, a Vietnam combat veteran and a retired Marine Corps colonel with 37 years of service, was recognized for the difficult and courageous decision of conscience he made in November, 2005, when he reversed his support for the Iraq war and called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the conflict. Murtha’s distinguished service in the Marines and the Marine Corps Reserves, and his expertise on defense policy issues, had long made him an eminent voice on matters of military engagement. His unexpected call for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq generated protracted and substantive national debate on the progress, policies and objectives of the U.S. presence in Iraq. But his dissent also made him the target of withering political attacks and resulted in efforts by political opponents to discredit his Vietnam War decorations.

Alberto J. Mora, the former general counsel to the United States Navy, was recognized for the moral and political courage he demonstrated in waging a 2 1/2 –year behind-the-scenes battle with Pentagon brass and civilian leaders over U.S. military policy regarding the treatment of detainees held by the United States as part of the war on terror...

While Murtha might have shown some bravery back in 'Nam, his "unexpected call for withdrawal" was no act of courage, but of political expedience of the moment. Calling for immediate withdrawl was an act of military insanity, and in case the Kennedys forgot, was voted down 435-1 by Congress. The political firestorm that swirled around him was due not to his newfound embrace of pacifism, but his virulant anti-military comments during wartime and his attachment to leftist radicals like Code Pink and anti-Semite James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.). I guess to a Democrat, and a Kennedy, beating down our soldiers overseas fighting to protect us from an utterly ruthless enemy now constitutes "courage"...

And awarding "turn 'em loose" Mora an award for courage while ignoring the true nature of the detainees at places like Guantanamo is simply another way to beg for America's defeat at the hands of vicious insurgents or Islamic terrorists. But I guess that's the Kennedy way...

And when this war is finally won by the smart, tough and brave American soldiers fighting overseas (OK, I saw Gunner Palace last night!), how will we view the awards given to men like Murtha and Mora, and the Kennedy clan that granted them?

A once-great family, tarnished and decimated, awarding borderline traitors while wallowing in indulgence and avarice...an award from this family has become a badge of shame.