Thursday, August 30, 2007

Marine Might Sue Murtha

Bryan Preston at Hot Air has the story of one Marine accused by Murtha of atrocities at Haditha who plays to sue Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) over comments accusing Marines of committing war crimes and various after the fact crimes. Now that the supposed killers have been exonerated, some a considering a libel suit against the Pennsylvania lawmaker.

Here is one problem though, Murtha will likely claim an immunity from suit under the Speech and Debate Clause. In order for the suit to go foward, the Marines and their lawyers will have to get television news appearances considered outside of official duties of lawmakers, thus rendering Murtha's statements as outside of speech and debate.

That is a very high hurdle to cross, but good luck. It would be good to start holding irresponsible lawmakers liable for shooting their mouth off without substantiation or facts.

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