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Condemn Limbaugh, Too
by: Foiled Goil
AP misrepresented context of Limbaugh "phony soldiers" commentFrom Media Matters:
A September 28 Associated Press article about comments made by Rush Limbaugh on his September 26 radio show -- in which, as documented" by Media Matters for America, he called service members who advocate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq "phony soldiers" -- reported: "In a transcript of Thursday's show posted on his Web site, Limbaugh said the comment followed a discussion of Jesse Macbeth, who was sentenced to five months in prison earlier this month for collecting more than $10,00 [sic] in benefits to which he was not entitled." In fact, the "phony soldiers" comment did not "follow a discussion of Jesse Macbeth"; Limbaugh did not mention MacBeth on the September 26 radio show until 1 minute and 50 seconds after his "phony soldiers" comment, as Media Matters noted.Democrats Denounce Rush Comments
Full article here.
Dems unite to slam Limbaugh, GOP silent
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) asked whether those who condemned MoveOn would now "hold Rush Limbaugh to the same standard":
Soldiers may question the war, but it does not mean that they’re any less committed to their mission, and now I wonder if Republicans who showed so much outrage towards MoveOn.org yesterday will hold Rush Limbaugh to the same standard — and I wouldn’t hold your breath.On Monday, Congressman Mark Udall will be introducing a resolution to condemn Rush:
On Monday I will introduce a resolution honoring all Americans serving in the Armed Forces and condemning this unwarranted attack on the integrity and professionalism of those in the Armed Forces who choose to exercise their constitutional right to express their opinions regarding U.S. military action in Iraq.Kerry blasts Limbaugh over 'phony soldiers' remark:
Draft of resolution here,
and here.
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on Thursday demanded an apology from conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, who called soldiers who oppose the Iraq war "phony. "Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), HuffPo:
"This disgusting attack from Rush Limbaugh, cheerleader for the chicken-hawk wing of the far right, is an insult to American troops", Kerry said. "Mr. Limbaugh owes an apology to everyone who has ever worn the uniform of our country, and an apology to the families of every soldier buried in Arlington National Cemetery."
Someone should tell chicken-hawk Rush Limbaugh that the only phonies are those who choose not to serve and then criticize those who do.Limbaugh's 'Phony Soldiers' Quote Draws Fire:
Campaigning in New Hampshire, John Edwards called on Republicans to denounce Limbaugh in the same way they came down on Democrats after MoveOn ran its ad.Democratic leaders call Limbaugh comments 'beyond the pale':
"All these Republicans went running to the mic and the TV cameras when MoveOn ran their ad about General Petraeus. Now let's see if they really mean it," Edwards said. "Let's see if they'll speak out against Rush Limbaugh. Let's see if they'll challenge him about men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States."
Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., an Iraq veteran critical of the war, scolded Limbaugh in a Thursday column on the HuffingtonPost.com Web site.
"When someone like Rush Limbaugh says that soldiers who disagree with the failed strategies of President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld are 'phony soldiers,' you have to consider the source," he wrote.
In a letter prepared Friday by Senate leaders, Democrats continued to blast conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh's description of antiwar troops as "phony soldiers", setting up a parallel to Republican outrage over MoveOn.org's recent Iraq ad.
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), both veterans, condemned Limbaugh on Thursday. The Senate's Democratic leadership followed up with a letter to Clear Channel Chief Executive Mark Mays, calling on Limbaugh's broadcaster to disavow his comment.Senate Democratic Leaders Demand Apology:
"Our troops are fighting and dying to bring to others the freedoms that many take for granted," the Democratic leaders wrote to Mays. "It is unconscionable that Mr. Limbaugh would criticize them for exercising the fundamentally American right to free speech. Mr. Limbaugh has made outrageous remarks before, but this affront to our soldiers is beyond the pale. "
The letter will be sent early next week by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Caucus Vice Chairman Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Caucus Secretary Patty Murray (D-Wash.). An accompanying statement noted that the letter would not be sent Friday so that other senators, "including those who have recently spoken up against attacks on our troops' patriotism," still have time to sign on.
That strategy mirrors a growing call in the liberal blogosphere to push Republicans to repudiate Limbaugh’s comments. If GOP lawmakers who excoriated MoveOn.org for its "General Betray Us" ad fail to create distance from Limbaugh, the reasoning goes, they would be exposed to charges of hypocrisy.
ThinkProgress has obtained a letter being circulated on Capitol Hill today by the Senate Democratic Leadership that calls on Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays to repudiate its employee Rush Limbaugh's "phony troops" remark."VoteVets.org internet ad telling Rush Limbaugh that he's a vile windbag."
(Tip o' the hat to Minstrel Boy, from the Dark Wraith's The Tragedy of Asymmetric Umbrage post.)
The Real Phony is Rush Limbaugh
Limbaugh Outrage Amplified! Limbaugh’s response is to name Jack Murtha!
A Challenge For Lawmakers Who Voted To Attack MoveOn Ad: Will They Now Condemn Limbaugh?
Yahoo search.The moon gives you light,
And the bugles and the drums give you music,
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans,
My heart gives you love.
~ Walt Whitman (1819–1892)
Google search.
