I offer my condolences to the family, friends and supporters of Congressman John Murtha. I salute Mr. Murtha’s service to America.

Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), a Vietnam War veteran who staunchly supported military spending and became a master of pork-barrel politics, died Monday at Virginia Hospital Center. The 19-term lawmaker died from complications of gallbladder surgery. He was 77.

From a political standpoint however, Mr. Murtha’s passing almost guarantees his seat will go to a Republican in an upcoming special election. The Democrats know it too…

The Democratic party faces another election test after the death yesterday of John Murtha, a congressman dubbed by his colleagues the “king of pork”.

Murtha, aged 77, had been in the House of Representatives since being elected to his Pennsylvania district in 1974.

The fear in the party is that Republicans will notch up another victory when a special election is held, probably May.

The Democrats have been panicking since losing Ted Kennedy’s Massachusetts Senate seat to the Republicans last month.

Need further proof that America’s priorities are out of whack? Consider this: ACORN still receives tax payer funding but the City of Philadelphia is closing all of its free libraries on October 2, 2009.

All Free Library of Philadelphia Branch, Regional and Central Libraries Closed Effective Close of Business October 2, 2009

All Free Library of Philadelphia Customers,

We deeply regret to inform you that without the necessary budgetary legislation by the State Legislature in Harrisburg, the City of Philadelphia will not have the funds to operate our neighborhood branch libraries, regional libraries, or the Parkway Central Library after October 2, 2009.

Specifically, the following will take effect after the close of business, October 2, 2009:

• All branch and regional library programs, including programs for children and teens, after school programs, computer classes, and programs for adults, will be cancelled

• All Parkway Central Library programs, including children programs, programs to support small businesses and job seekers, computer classes and after school programs, will be cancelled. We are exploring the possibility of relocating the Philadelphia Author Series programs to other non-library facilities.

• All library visits to schools, day care centers, senior centers and other community centers will cease.

• All community meetings at our branch and regional libraries, and the Parkway Central Library, will be cancelled.

• All GED, ABE and ESL programs held at Free Library branches will be discontinued, students should contact their teacher to see if other arrangements are being made.

Where’s that TRILLION DOLLARS in “Stimulus” money the American people were forced to cough up a few months ago? Who would you rather bail out, Philadelphia libraries or AIG?

How do you think Ben Franklin would answer that question?

Hat tip to Free Republic.

If you listen towards the end, they also yell “Get a real job!” Priceless.

Comprehensive coverage of this event can be seen at Hot Air Pundit.