Underscoring the rising emotions of the war debate, Murtha rebuked Bush and Cheney for their aggressive new campaign to denounce war critics. Murtha compared his own combat experience with Bush's stateside service in the Texas Air National Guard and Cheney's draft avoidance during the Vietnam War.

"I like guys who've never been there that criticize us who've been there," Murtha said. "I like that. I like guys who got five deferments [Cheney] and [have] never been there and send people to war, and then don't like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done. I resent the fact, on Veterans Day, he [Bush] criticized Democrats for criticizing them.

Questioning your government is the highest form of patriotism. Its nice to see someone hitting back.