Eddie Konczal, Published in Daily Journal - Vineland on Dec 12, 2005

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., sharply criticized the war in Iraq. He stated that our troops have nothing more to accomplish in Iraq and demanded that American troops be brought home within six months.

For his courage and honesty, Republicans assailed Rep. Murtha's character. Vice president Dick Cheney even accused Rep. Murtha of losing his "backbone."

Dick Cheney's attacks on Rep. Murtha are particularly egregious. Rep. Murtha is a former Marine who served in Vietnam, while Cheney received five Vietnam-era draft deferments because of "other priorities." Cheney has absolutely no business questioning Rep. Murtha's "backbone."

Cheney and the Republicans enjoy defaming anyone who questions their policies, but they seem to have a hard time looking in the mirror and admitting their own mistakes.