Haditha Marine Dad Speaks Out

Darryl Sharratt, father of former Marine L/Cpl Justin Sharratt, speaks out in this exclusive web video to defend his son’s honor, and the sacrifice of America’s fighting men and women. He responds to Congressman John Murtha regarding comments about his son and the other Haditha Marines. Sharratt also comments on the vote on the Hoekstra Amendment.

Comment by Peg Luskick, Russell Brigade: In August of 2007, the U.S. Marines acquitted Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt of charges that he joined in the killing of innocent civilians while responding to a terrorist roadside bomb attack in Haditha, Iraq. Sharratt was one of eight Marines accused by Congressman Jack Murtha of committing “cold blooded murder” against innocent civilians.

To date, seven of the eight have been cleared of all charges. Despite mounting public pressure, Congressman Murtha has refused to apologize or retract statements made during a widely publicized media tour against the so-called “Haditha Marines.”

Speaking for the Marines, Lt. General James Mattis told Justin, “With the dismissal of these charges, you may fairly conclude that you did your best to live up to the standards … In the face of life or death decisions made by you in a matter of seconds in combat.”

Fitness to Serve: Running With Russell!

RUSSELL BRIGADE: Join Bill Russell at the next “Running With Russell” fun run in your 12th District neighborhood. You don’t have to be an athlete or highly trained member of the military to participate!

Here are the details:
Each runner will receive a FREE “RUSSELL BRIGADE” t-shirt
Please show up 15 minutes before start time to get your shirt, instructions, route information and group photo.
Runners of all ages and physical ability are welcome to participate.
Please drop us an email with your NAME and shirt size if you plan to participate at info@RussellBrigade.com.
Next “Running With Russell” Event:

Friday, August 1st, 2008, 7:30AM Rotary Walk Main Street (located across from Marshall Plaza) Uniontown, PA

Grassroots Contributions Challenge Murtha War chest in PA’s 12th

Russell Brigade: The campaign of Johnstown resident and Republican nominee for Congress Lt. Colonel Bill Russell outpaced incumbent Congressman John Murtha in the second fundraising quarter of 2008. According to campaign manager, Peg Luksik, William Russell for Congress reported raising $637,137 to Murtha’s $113,155 to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). The combined totals from the first and second quarters of 2008 exceed $900,000.

“The incredible story about Bill’s campaign is that the $15 and $25 contributions are coming in from all over Pennsylvania and every corner of the country,” said Luksik. “This is K-Street versus Main Street. These are patriotic families expressing support for soldiers, sailors and Marines, and people saying they’ve had enough of the old ‘pay-to-play’ culture in the Capitol. That’s what’s fueling this campaign.” . . . [More at the Russell Brigade]

July Russell Brigade Front Porch Update

H/T The Russell Brigade - Email Peg Luksik at peg "at" russellbrigade.com to get involved!

Dr Bill Smith Special Press Credentials Covering the 2008 Republican National Convention

Dr. Bill Smith (Ozark Guru), Editor of the ARRA News Service & Veterans For Bill Russell, National Political Director of Let's Get This Right and contributor to The NextRight, , and many other blogs has been issued Special Press Credentials covering the 2008 Republican National Convention (Sept 1-4, 2008)

Please keep an eye out for him at the Convention, and pass this along! If you are able, stop by and meet Dr. Bill at the convention . . . otherwise keep an eye out for live coverage online!

William Russell Endorsed by Let's Get This Right

ARRA News Service - Let’s Get This Right (LGTR) is a coalition with 25 websites, 165+ affiliated blogs, and roughly 15,000 volunteers/supporters all dedicated to Republican political activism. LGTR has announced its support for 15 candidates. One of the candidates was William "Bill" Russell for Congress in Pennsylvania 12th Congressional District.

The goal of LGTR is to provide financial, online and “boots on the ground” volunteer support to this initial slate of candidates. LGTR is neither a PAC nor a 527 organization. It is not affiliated with any candidate, candidate committee, the RNC, NRSC or NRCC. It accepts no donations directly but rather fundraises for candidate campaigns through Slatecard.com, a utility to support and enhance Republican activism."Slatecard" is Slatecard.com PAC. Slatecard.com PAC is an independent, federally registered political action committee (PAC) which acts as a "conduit" to raise money online to help Republican candidates for federal office in compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). To aid the William Russell with fund raising, Let’s Get This Right has established its LGTR Slatecard. Readers are encouraged to donate to Bill Russell via the LGTR "Slatecard." Doing so will help support William Russell and will aid LGTR in making a difference supporting candidates nationally.

The LGTR Political Review Team selected the 15 initial candidates after a national review of US House and Senate Republican Candidates. The team considered many factors including the following:
1) The candidate had no further primary competition.
2) The candidate is opposed in the general elections in November.
3) NRCC financial support and Campaign fundraising to date is such that additional national support may prove beneficial.
4) Special criteria: Some candidates have peeked national interests based on specific causes or service to country and merited support from outside of their districts. Some candidates face increased opposition by left wing bloggers and organizations. Some candidates are in races with National significance in that a Republican win would remove liberal democrats from the House and Senate.

Lt Col William Russell caught the attention of LGTR because he proved that he is more than a "dark horse" candidate against the incumbent, Rep John Murtha. With little money but a lot of heart and support by local residents, Russell obtained enough signature to be on the primary ballot as the only Republican candidate. However, RINOs owing allegiance to John Murtha challenged the signatures in court and just enough signatures were removed to assure that Russell would not be on the primary ballot. But Russell doesn't quit; he endures and does what is considered impossible in Murtha's district. Russell asks voters to write-in his name on the primary ballot to be the Republican candidate in general election. He was successful and received around 4000 write-in votes in the GOP Primary and another 1000 in the Democrat Primary. Meaning that even Democrats were willing to back him as a candidate.

With Russell now on the ballot, Murtha has to spend millions and to try to defeat a someone they saw as a "dark horse." Supporters of Russell have shared that Russell's principles and past experiences would be good for their congressional district and for the United States. The defeat of Murtha, the "King of Pork" who has besmirched American Iraq veterans, would be major victory. LGTR is supporting Russell and pulling for the PA 12th District voters to elect William "Bill" Russell, a man of proven honor. Let's Get This Right!

Rep. Murtha steps in it again

Sister Toldjah reports about Rep. John Murtha stepping in it again!

First, there was the without-merit accusation that “… it looks like it’s the policy of our troops to do something like this” he made in response to the allegations that several Marines deliberately shot and killed 24 innocent civilians in Haditha in November 2005. This is a position he hasn’t backed down on, even though the charges against all seven of the eight Marines charged have been dismissed (Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich is expected to be court martialed in the fall).

Now, Murtha is at it again, this time in a recent interview with KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. The article, I should note, doesn’t include the full quote (strangely enough) but Gateway Pundit has the video and transcript of the full interview, which includes the disparaging comment he made about our troops in context of being asked about whether or not the surge was working:

Murtha: I think the short term it has reduced incidents. I’m not sure if it’s because the Iraqis are just worn out but certainly the way they are
doing it today it makes a big difference. It used to be we broke down doors. We went in and we killed people inadvertantly. Now they’re much more careful about it.

. . . Disgraceful. Wanna help try and drum Murtha out of office this fall? His Republican challenger is Lt. Col. Bill Russell, and he could use your help. [Read Source]