RUSH LIMBAUGH AND A CONGRESSIONAL RESOULTUION ?
Conservative Radio Talk Show Host Rush Limbaugh is under attack by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Rep. Mark Udall in the House. The controversy is over remarks made by Limbaugh last Thursday when, taken out of context, he referred to , "phony soldiers." Limbaugh states that his reference was to an actually phony soldier by the name of Jesse Macbeth who served for a total of six weeks never leaving the country while claiming in anti -war protests to have served in Iraq in battle, receiving a Purple Heart and has since been convicted for fraud in gaining $10,000 dollars in VA benefits.
Harry Reid went on the Senate floor claiming that Limbaugh was insulting every soldier who was against the war and calling every soldier with that stance a , "phony soldier." Reid also made the false statement that Limbaugh's ratings and audience have been consistently falling which is just the opposite of the truth in both matters.
What is so exasperating about the entire Limbaugh flack is that not only is time being needlessly used in both the Senate and the House to attack Rush buy liberals in both Chambers are actually submitting resolutions to denounce Rush for his statements which will call for a floor vote in both the House and the Senate.
Rush is not a politician nor a working member of any political party. He is a private citizen and an entertainer yet the Congress is seeking official Congressional record Resolutions against him based on twisted out of context views of a statement made during a conversation on a radio talk show with a listener. UNBELIEVABLE !
This of course is a liberal attack in retaliation for the flak that hit Democrats concerning the Moveon.org add against General Patraeus. Republican coffers have been bursting with donations since the add because of GOP advertisements that have show that add and the out rage over the insulting attack against the General.
Now Democrats are going after a GOP icon in Rush Limbaugh to try and take the heat off Moveon. Media Matters which is closely associated with Moveon has take the Rush attack on and is pushing for the Resolution.
Reid, while not admitting as such, has acted as a puppet for Moveon in both his legislative agenda and in the rhetoric that he continually spews. It is well known that Moveon claims to have purchased the Democrat Party and their agenda and the agenda of Moveon are mirror images.
For the Senate and the House to take up time voting on a Resolution against a private citizen regardless of their popularity and political beliefs is not only wrong but a ridiculous abuse of the Constitutional powers of the Congress and a waste of tax payers time and money!
Ken Taylor
Note: since writing this post I have become aware of a Resolution to support Rush. While as a listener of Rush I support him and stand by him in knowing that he is being attacked and slandered by Reid, Udal and company, Rush is a private citizen and what he does either on the airways or in his home are not the business of the people of The United States therefore voting for any resolution concerning Rush has no business taking the time of the Congress.
If a resolution for Rush or any citizen is debated and voted on in order to recognize an accomplishment or a service to the American people, then by all means that IS the business of the people. The resolution by Udal and the move by Reid is nothing more than a political attack against a citizen and in retaliation for the flak against the Moveon add against General Patraeus. This IS NOT the business of the people in which Congress is hired by voters to do.
I understand fully the reason behind the GOP resolution in support of Rush as a means of countering the false attack by Reid and Udal but again neither is the business of the people. The resolution in support of General Patraeus against the Moveon attack is a completely different matter since what he does IS the people's business and he is in service to the people as a member of the military, since the people are the nation.
Any comparisons claiming that conservatives stood by the resolution for Patraeus and are against the resolution for Rush are not a valid argument since Patraeus serves the people and Rush does not. Rush's program provides a service that many take part in which is conservative political entertainment and information which IS NOT an official service of the People of The United States and therefore this ridiculous move by Reid and Udal and the understandable defense by the GOP have no business on the floors of Congress!
Harry Reid went on the Senate floor claiming that Limbaugh was insulting every soldier who was against the war and calling every soldier with that stance a , "phony soldier." Reid also made the false statement that Limbaugh's ratings and audience have been consistently falling which is just the opposite of the truth in both matters.
What is so exasperating about the entire Limbaugh flack is that not only is time being needlessly used in both the Senate and the House to attack Rush buy liberals in both Chambers are actually submitting resolutions to denounce Rush for his statements which will call for a floor vote in both the House and the Senate.
Rush is not a politician nor a working member of any political party. He is a private citizen and an entertainer yet the Congress is seeking official Congressional record Resolutions against him based on twisted out of context views of a statement made during a conversation on a radio talk show with a listener. UNBELIEVABLE !
This of course is a liberal attack in retaliation for the flak that hit Democrats concerning the Moveon.org add against General Patraeus. Republican coffers have been bursting with donations since the add because of GOP advertisements that have show that add and the out rage over the insulting attack against the General.
Now Democrats are going after a GOP icon in Rush Limbaugh to try and take the heat off Moveon. Media Matters which is closely associated with Moveon has take the Rush attack on and is pushing for the Resolution.
Reid, while not admitting as such, has acted as a puppet for Moveon in both his legislative agenda and in the rhetoric that he continually spews. It is well known that Moveon claims to have purchased the Democrat Party and their agenda and the agenda of Moveon are mirror images.
For the Senate and the House to take up time voting on a Resolution against a private citizen regardless of their popularity and political beliefs is not only wrong but a ridiculous abuse of the Constitutional powers of the Congress and a waste of tax payers time and money!
Ken Taylor
Note: since writing this post I have become aware of a Resolution to support Rush. While as a listener of Rush I support him and stand by him in knowing that he is being attacked and slandered by Reid, Udal and company, Rush is a private citizen and what he does either on the airways or in his home are not the business of the people of The United States therefore voting for any resolution concerning Rush has no business taking the time of the Congress.
If a resolution for Rush or any citizen is debated and voted on in order to recognize an accomplishment or a service to the American people, then by all means that IS the business of the people. The resolution by Udal and the move by Reid is nothing more than a political attack against a citizen and in retaliation for the flak against the Moveon add against General Patraeus. This IS NOT the business of the people in which Congress is hired by voters to do.
I understand fully the reason behind the GOP resolution in support of Rush as a means of countering the false attack by Reid and Udal but again neither is the business of the people. The resolution in support of General Patraeus against the Moveon attack is a completely different matter since what he does IS the people's business and he is in service to the people as a member of the military, since the people are the nation.
Any comparisons claiming that conservatives stood by the resolution for Patraeus and are against the resolution for Rush are not a valid argument since Patraeus serves the people and Rush does not. Rush's program provides a service that many take part in which is conservative political entertainment and information which IS NOT an official service of the People of The United States and therefore this ridiculous move by Reid and Udal and the understandable defense by the GOP have no business on the floors of Congress!
posted by The Liberal Lie The Conservative Truth | 11:26 AM
25 Comments:
This is sick and perverse. Rush Limbaugh is documented to be one of the most avid supporters of the troops.
See my blog for details:
http://millerkevd.wordpress.com/
Were you for the time wasted on the non-binding Senate resolution regarding Moveon? I don't remember a post on the subject.
That was just a group of private citizens that expressed their constitutionally protected viewpoint.
It is so hypocritical to be professing the merits of democracy and freedom around the world, but then having the President and Congress criticizing private citizens for their viewpoints.
The whole point of Cornyn's Senate resolution against Moveon was to make a political statement. The Dems are just responding in kind. It is all very silly.
This is insane!
Rush Limbaugh is a "Private Citizen", not a Military Commander, a 4 star General in combat, in Iraq.
Rob, there IS a difference in attacking a private citizen and attacking a highly decorated and respected military leader. Patraeus is a member of the military and as such what he does for a living IS the people's business and if he is attacked it is also the people's business.
Though Rush is very popular what he does as a private citizen whether on the airways or in his living room is of no concern or business of the US Congress unless what he does breaks the law. Then it becomes the business of the people and the courts but still not the Congress.
Rush neither broke no law nor infringed on anyones rights. Patraeus was attacked BECAUSE he is serving this country. That to makes it the people's business because he is serving the people.
That my friend is the difference and that is why a resolution against the Patraeus attack was right and a resolution attacking Rush is wrong. There is also a resolution to support Rush, though I understand the reason behind it and why it has happened in answer to the Reid and Udal move, again because it is NOT the business of the people neither has any business taking time on the House or Senate floor for a vote or even debate!
Ken, did you hear/read what Rush actually said? He called any service member who disagrees with the Iraq policy a "phony soldier." That means that he believes that all of the countless generals and all of the soldiers who do not believe in our Iraq policy are "phonies."
Moveon criticized one general who has been made a political water carrier for the President.
Both Senate resolutions are silly in my opinion. They also run counter to the notion of free speech in America. But your arguments that they are somehow different are unconvincing.
I could take your arguments and just replace "Rush" with "Moveon." Rush attacked many generals and he specifically attacked soldiers who disagree with our Iraq policy (and there are many of them). Those generals and soldiers have done, and are doing, the people's work. Moveon is very popular and it is no business of the Senate what private citizens who join the group think. Moveon did not do anything illegal.
There is no difference. If anything, Rush was far more condescending and offensive because he questioned the patriotism of literally thousands of soldiers.
Good grief! Rush questioned the patriotism of a soldier who claimed he was a Corporal and in combat when the PHONY SOLDIER didn't even make it through Boot Camp! Rush was on the phone with someone who called in. Because he put an "s" on "Phony Soldiers" while describing fools like this absolute nutcase, doesn't mean he was calling everybody in the Military who disagrees with the war a phony. Rob, you and others only believe that because it's what you want to believe.
Rush Limbaugh has stood by our Military always. He's far more patriotic than that fool asshat Harry Reid.
Ken, you know what's really great about this entire thing? Reid truly looks like the hypocrite he is, and Rush Limbaugh will be more popular than ever, thank to Reid's hypocritical rant. The left attacks unfairly and people like Ann Coulter are busy running to the bank! So, let them rant on. Rush isn't really minding this one little bit.
Gayle, you are just flat out wrong in your characterization of what Rush said. Is that his latest cover story for his criticism of American troops?
Go to Media Matters website and read the full transcript. You can also listen to an unedited recording of Rush's own words. It is clear that the guy called ALL soldiers who disagree with the Iraq war policy "phony soldiers."
Media Matters!!
Media Matters is in lockstep with MoveOn.org and are the ones who started this smear to begin with.
I am a regular listener of Rush and I heard exactly what he said and he was reffering to one Soldier who was kicked out of Boot Camp after 44 days for "Conduct Unbecoming", lied about atrocities that NEVER OCCURED in Iraq, he NEVER even went to Iraq, and he has admitted he lied about all of it. Jesse MacBeth!
I wouldt visit George Soros funded Media Matters if you paid me to now.
George Soros doesn't fund Media Matters. Another nonsensical lie put out by Rush.
No problem, if you want to put your head in the sand, that is fine. But, please don't argue about what Rush said without actually listening to it. He most certainly was not talking about Jesse MacBeth in his original comments. It is very clear that he is speaking specifically about soldiers who do not believe in the Iraq war policy - the thousands of soldiers who sacrificed and are sacrificing are the "phony soldiers" Rush was referring to. There is no question about it if you actually listen to the audio.
Rush may be backtracking and making up a cover story, but he is just plain silly for not just apologizing or leaving it alone. To make up this Jesse MacBeth cover story is just plain ridiculous. Doesn't he understand that he was recorded and the recording is out across the web?
I am quite sure you can go to YouTube, NBC, or numerous other websites and just listen to Rush's comments. There is no question they are inflammatory and derogatory to tens of thousands of American soldiers as well as generals such as General Eaton, General Batiste, and others who have now come out against the war.
Rob,
I listened to it the day Rush said it and I got it! Geez!
I knew who he was talking about right when it was going on, not just Jesse MacBeth, but all the "Fake Soldiers" the left props up that are continuously making false allegations against those "Real Soldiers" who have actually been in combat in Iraq.
He never called Those that serve and oppose Bush's mideast policy's Fake, only the ones that have lied about thier service.
He and another "Real Soldier" were discussing this at the time.
And yes Media Matters, MoveOn.org are all funded by George Soros.
They have even claimed they "Own" the Democrat party now.
I guess they really do!
You are just plain wrong. I'll attribute it to an honest mistake in your memory, rather than a deliberate effort to mislead.
The audio and the transcript are widely available - there is no mention of MacBeth. It is clear exactly what Rush said, there is no point in arguing about it because anyone can check for themselves.
As for Media Matters - they have NEVER been funded by George Soros. You are again just flat out wrong about that.
Moveon criticized one general who has been made a political water carrier for the President.
Rob, I take exception to the notion that General Petraeus acted as a "political water carrier" for the President. Are you saying that his report was not of his own making?
As for Media Matters - they have NEVER been funded by George Soros. You are again just flat out wrong about that.
It looks like indirectly, they are. Soros and Hillary Clinton set up the Hillary think tank, The Center for American Progress, which then helped to launch Media Matters.
I have seen the transcript. It is an excuse to deflect criticism of the dems. (I also think it is laying the foundation for the Fairness Doctrine. Rush is the entire reason that the dems want to eliminate freedom of speech.
If you represent yourself as a person who has served in combat and then it is discovered that you are a liar, "phony soldier" is the nicest thing that could be said about you.
Rush has an outstanding record of supporting the troops. There are miles and miles (actually probably just a couple of CDs...lol) of tape that would prove that he has done nothing but honor them.
Watch 10 years down the road. The soldiers who are so outspoken about their take on the war(like an 20 year old kid knows anything about foregn policy and strategic goals) will be democrat candidates for office.
John Kerry is their tutor.
Robert, Rush said what he said. It is on tape and is widely available. If he made a mistake, then he should just take some responsibilty and apologize. But instead, he is clearly lying.
The thing I find odd about your retort is that you want to denigrate soldiers who serve their country and choose to become Dems. Essentially, you believe in the basic premise that Rush has in his definition of phony soldiers.
I will also point out that there are many generals, colonels, and captains who are much older than the "20 year old kid" you want to believe is the only critic of Bush's war policy.
Wordsmith - Bush has hung General Petraeus out as his political water carrier.
That is why the American Conservative's current cover mockingly calls Petraeus the "Syncophant Savior." The whole article talks about how Petraeus has essentially broken faith with the military and become Bush's political water carrier.
http://www.amconmag.com/2007/2007_09_24/article2.html
I hold the principled position that all of these Senate resolutions are anti-American and a waste of time. For those of you somehow think the the Senate resolution denouncing the Moveon ad was a good thing, are you now for a new Senate resolution to denouce the American Conservative magazine?
I'm also curious, since CENTCOM Commander, Admiral William Fallon, has told Petraeus that he considers the good general to be "an ass-kissing little chickensh*t." Should Fallon be fired? How about calling for another Senate resolution for criticizing the general?
Wordsmith, how do you put in hyperlink in the text of your comment?
I'd like to not cut and paste in the website address and just have it linked to my text, but I am not familiar with the process. Thanks.
Thanks for the link to the Andrew J. Bacevich article. It's an interesting read.
My view on Petraeus, strictly in regards to whether he is just a political mouthpiece for the White House, is in part shaped by the opinion of Robert Kaplan.
Rob,
To embed a hyperlink, you have to type [a href="link"]clickable text[/a]
Just replace the brackets with "<" and ">". There is a single space between the "a" and "href".
Btw, I'm not of the same mind as Pat Buchanan, Scott McConnell and The American Conservative when it comes to American foreign policy, and the current "war" issue.
Thanks. For anyone who wants to listen to Rush in his own words CLICK HERE.
I have no problem with your difference of opinion on American foreign policy, but I think there is widespread belief - across the political spectrum - that Petraeus has been made into a political figure by Bush, and that he has willingly allowed himself to become the political tool of the White House.
There is a reason that Admiral Fallon (head of CENTCOM) did not testify with Petraeus. This is a major departure from years past when Casey and Abizaid would jointly testify.
Fallon's dislike for Petraeus is evident and it has been reported that both Fallon and General Casey (who is now at the Pentagon) do not share Petraeus' assessment of Iraq and are actively working to bring troops home.
Rob,
I never thought you of all people would be defending the attacks on Patraeus and Limbaugh.
This is true insanity.
And I was hoping you wouldnt jump the Reality Ship but you are nearing the edge my friend.
Marie,
I don't think Rob's defending the attacks, insofar as he thinks it a waste of time for Congress to occupy themselves with addressing those attacks by either side.
Wordsmith gets it. The idea that the Senate or the House should spend their time discussing what Moveon, Swift Boat Vets, Keith Olbermann, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, or whoever is simply a waste of time. People have a right to express their opinion in this country and when Congress spends its time - and I mean both parties in Congress - debating other people's free speech it is a waste of time.
My principled position is that Congress shouldn't be wasting their time on any of this - whether it be an attack on the right or the left.
My point w/respect to discussing Rush is that Rush did exactly the same thing as Moveon - it happens. I think it is hypocritical for people to say that it is OK for Congress to criticize Moveon, but it is then not OK to criticize Rush. Either you should say Congress should criticize folks for expressing their free speech rights or not. I have been clear about what I believe.
Rob,
I mistook what you were saying I suppose.
And for once I totally agree with you lol
Rob, I appreciate your intellectual honesty and the logic behind your posts.
I never said anything about berating troops who are democrats. I berate anyone in uniform who irresponsibly and without anything more than an emotional argument publicly disagrees with their chain of command. But I am from the old school, I guess, where we just did our job and kept our opinions to ourselves.
The Marine Corps actually encourages differing opinions. Enlisted Marines and junior officers alike are encouraged to dissent and offer counter-ideas, WHEN APPROPRIATE. The NBC/ABC/CBS/CNN nightly news is not an appropriate venue for a serviceperson to speak out againt their command.
i think the difference between Moveon.org and Rush is that Moveon is a political entity, and funds every left wing candidate. They do not jsut speak for themselves, and it was not a private citizens's opinion. It was the opinion of every democrat who refused to condemn them.
If the dems want to bash Rush, they should go for it! Rush seeks to speak in the public eye, he knows the repercussions. However, spending this much time on this issue in Congress against a private citizen and no further action can be taken against him is just a circus.
To all the sane voices around here I wanna tell you that I found a chick who is as nutty as a Christmas fruitcake! I've been trying to talk some sense into her ultra-liberal skull and seeing as you two and I are of like minds in so many ways I was wondering whether you would like to join me here at the forum on this very frightening place.
http://non-violentplanetnewspage.blogspot.com/
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