The squad leader of the Marine unit involved in the Haditha "incident" is suing John "they killed innocent civilians in cold blood" Murtha for Defamation. I truly hope that these soldiers are found to be innocent, though even if they are I doubt that will be the case. Regardless, one item this case has brought to the forefront is another congressional privilage that ordinary Americans do not share, this one penned in by the founding fathers themselves. Article 1, Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place. No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office. I'm certain they did not intend for it to be abused this way, however George Washington and Ben Franklin likely did not consider that political opportunity would trump national security and concern for the safety of our troops overseas. Up until the moral ambiguity of the 60s, Murtha's comments would have been considered treason (along with his treasonous acts of 20+ years ago, some marine this character is), thus obviously falling outside the realm of the afforementioned law. Today, we find ourselves in a quagmire of self-hating Americans willing to do anything for power, even if it provides aid and comfort to the enemy. Meanwhile, Jean Schmidt's reputation is destroyed by the media for calling Murtha a name. Update (Same Day): Heh... a great article here on exactly what Senatorial Privilage means.