Ever since Moveon.org made its clumsy and irresponsible attack on General David Petraeus, describing him in ads as "General Betray Us," the cultural left has been looking to paint the right as equally irresponsible. Media Matters, which monitors right-wing talk radio, believes it has found the evidence right out of the horse's mouth. The horse, in this case, is Rush Limbaugh. Apparently some in Congress are even considering a resolution to condemn Limbaugh.
I've carefully reviewed the transcript of Limbaugh's September 26 program, as provided by Media Matters. I invite you to read it for yourself. What it shows is that Limbaugh is indeed guilty of simplistic argument and dismissive bravado. But he's not guilty of smearing troops who happen to oppose the Iraq war as unpatriotic. This is the heart of the Media Matters accusation, and it implodes upon scrutiny.
I'd like to say, in the manner of sports broadcasters, "Let's go to the videotape." Here let's examine the transcript. First a caller named "Mike in Chicago" says, "Well, I'm a Republican, and I've listened to you for a long time, and you're right on a lot of things, but I do believe that we should pull out of Iraq. I don't think it's winnable. And I'm not a Democrat, but I just--well, sometimes you've got to cut the losses." To which Rush should have said, "But you're not in Iraq, Mike, so how do you know it's not winnable? Can you possibly make that decision from your front porch in Chicago?" Instead Rush said, "Mike, you can't possibly be a Republican," and then followed that up with, "Cause you sound just like a Democrat." The caller persists, "I used to be military, okay? And I'm a Republican." Still, Rush refuses to believe the guy. Here Rush's skepticism is entirely pigheaded. Clearly there are Republicans who don't agree with Bush's Iraq policy, just s there are Democrats who do.
The next caller, another Mike but this time from Olympia, Washington, informs Rush that as a 14 year active duty army officer he supports Bush. Then he says of the left, "What's really funny is, they never talk to real soldiers. They like to pull these soldiers out that come up out of the blue and talk to the media." Rush responds, "The phony soldiers." The caller adds, "If you talk to a real soldier, they are proud to serve." Now clearly the caller thinks that all real soldiers support the war, and this is clearly untrue. Surveys show high degrees of military support for Bush, especially among those who have served in Iraq, but even if 75 percent of the troops supports Bush, that still means 25 percent do not.
Who was Rush referring to when he made the reference to "phony soldiers"? Did he mean all soldiers who oppose the Iraq war? The context leaves this ambiguous. But later in the show Rush clarified. He gave an example of a phony soldier who reported atrocities in Iraq until it emerged that the fellow was never in Iraq. There have been several other cases of phony information attributed to military sources. The New Republic printed horror stories from Iraq penned by a pseudonymous writer identified as "Scott Thomas." Turns out his full name is "Scott Thomas Beauchamp" and that much of what he said is either exaggerated or fabricated. When Beauchamp's fellow soldiers protested that the events he described simply could not have happened, the New Republic launched its own investigation, still ongoing.
Media Matters writes that "Limbaugh boldly stated that any troops who call for a withdrawal of troops in Iraq are 'phony soldiers.'" Actually, this is flatly untrue. Rush did not say this, boldly or otherwise. It is Media Matters that is stretching the facts with the obvious goal of smearing Limbaugh and covering up for Moveon.org. I'm not sure why Congressmen get involved in this kind of thing, but if Congress passes a resolution condemning anyone, it should be Media Matters and not Rush Limbaugh.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 13)
16. Roberto, you might want to take English instead of Political Science. If you are an example of what passes for a college student we are truly in trouble.
eric at 1:33PM on Oct 3rd 2007
17. Even Rush said this (which he didnt- this was taken way out of context... you can not just hear one portion of something and ignore the rest and expect to know what youre talking about.) but even if he said this it's his right to say this just as it is our right to write these things,its like if i were to say "oh i didnt like what "Roberto" said... so lets ban together and condemn him!!! because his remarks hurt feelings." that is what the socialist left is trying to do & that my friends is ludicrous. and the only reason why i bet half of the people have even commented about this is because the almighty mind-controlling media tells you it's a big deal. and why the hell are we wasting time over this issue? are we raising awareness for something? like free speech should have limits? is that what we are aiming at? we all need to change up our perspectives somewhat and open our eyes to all sides of the spectrum, lets cut this bulls**t of this party is right and this party is wrong because overall that is what this is all about.SCN
scn21 at 1:34PM on Oct 3rd 2007
18. Rpelyh to Bush's Oil War:
Let our position be absolutely clear: An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.
From JIMMY CARTER'S 1980 State of the Union Address
aka: CARTER DOCTRINE
Robert A at 2:05PM on Oct 3rd 2007
19. Let our position be absolutely clear: An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force.
JIMMY CARTER, 1980 State of the Union
aka CARTER DOCTRINE
tahoerob at 2:05PM on Oct 3rd 2007
20. DD;
We need to take a look at the whole
picture here because a broader outlook
shows a real different picture.
When moveon made their add, it was to
be directed at the Republican Party and
trying to make it look bad. This was to
also take a shot at the war effort and
paint it as distorted.
Moveon was designed by the Political
left wing of the Party, Hillary, Reid,
Palosie and O Bama. These were all in
on aproving the add which the vote in
Congress showed. Except for O Bame who
showed us his hind quarters which is
not a good thing to do in political
world. Showing being chicken in a way
like this shows us how he would be as
a President. Hillary on the other hand
stood her ground but the problem with
her is all the waffling on the issues
and not standing firm. She was for the
war befroe she was against it. Then she
was for a troop surge before she was
against it. Then she said the troop
surge seemed to be working only to
recant because of her left wing friends.
She said get out now but admitted if she
were elcected would need to stay the
course and not bring the troops home.
a good idea for her, not a good idea for
Bush. Wishy Washy is all we see in her.
which shows us what she would be like
in office always bowing to the whims of
the extreme left.
Liberals are just grasping at straws to
detract from what they did.
William Ehlert at 2:23PM on Oct 3rd 2007
21. @ AzValu...comment 2
You say, "To defend a self-styled "entertainer", who never served due to an "anal cyst"..."
Surely you mean that Rush was classified by Army doctors AS an anal cyst!!
I have it on good authority(my imagination) that the doctor concerned is reported to be 'holed up' in the medical center and is diagnosed as having extreme obsessive compulsive behaviour... continuously laving his eyes and repeating, eerily, like Jodie Foster in 'Contact', "I never knew...I never knew... I never knew..."
pboyfloyd at 2:26PM on Oct 3rd 2007
22. The Democrats made themselves look infantile with this resolution. It was a childish attempt to blunt the Moveon.org fiasco. I think I will vote for the political party that doesn't require day care.
John Gleason at 2:30PM on Oct 3rd 2007
23. While all of you self opinionated people go around hating Mr. Bush, Rush Limbugh or any other person who has a republican back ground, ask yourself one question. If our present, and fully volunteer military come home who in the world would you people suggest that we have to protect us from this little ole' third world nation that is getting weapons of mass destruction, not to mention nuclear weapons from anyone of those nations over there who want one thing and one thing only. Israel pushed into the sea and all U.S. citizens (that be you) dead. What is it you don't get. You better remember one thing that there is real terror right around the corner if you bring our fighting troops home and I realize that war is HELL (my big brother went to Vietnam for his senior trip) but, trust me when I tell you we either succeed there or you better learn hand to hand combat and how to protect your family, cause your life and their's will depend on it or don't you remember 9/11.
Rita
rita at 2:53PM on Oct 3rd 2007
24. #1 tony messinger
I found your comment to be eloquent and balanced although I don't agree with the tweaking part for the sake of superventing the process. I hear your frustration as am I at the lack of co-operation especially on matters which are not political.
We know that we can't take the politics or the corruption out of the politicians but desiring to have them earn their pay and benefits, taking care and protecting the American people should never stand in their way for any reason!!
Peace be with you!
Manny at 3:01PM on Oct 3rd 2007
25. @ rita comment 21
I can understand you saying that we should support the president...
... but 'Sweet Jesus!', do we 'have to support Rush now? I'd rather die!!
pboyfloyd at 3:03PM on Oct 3rd 2007
26. #21 Rita
Thank You for that !! I hear you and I feel you, hopefully others will too, but don't bank on it this, other than the BBC blog is a very hateful blog.
People don't want to debate or exchange ideas just hate, rewrite history and attemt to shut people up.
I can tell you'll handle it young lady!
TAKE CARE!!
Be ready for it I know you can handle it
Manny at 3:11PM on Oct 3rd 2007
27. So, the soldiers that disagree with Bush are "phony" soldiers. This isn't a smear????
D'ouche you are a freakin ass kissing apologist for Rush Limbaugh now???
How low can you go????
Dennis at 3:17PM on Oct 3rd 2007
28. To: pboyfloyd#23, Yes support him, listen to what he is saying between the lines, not his outrageous and his attempt at trying to be funny. The man knows his politics and I'm afraid that more often than not he is right. You will notice that he often does not agree with Congress or Mr. Bush and that is all of our rights, that why we are Americans. Rush has only proved that he has flaws and is human like the rest of us so what, at least he is educated in the fact as they play out in Washington and you know as well as I do that you cannot trust very many people on Capitol Hill. You have to listen and then digest what he tells you and then go back and check his accuracy and I will tell you that checking on his knowledge and how things happen come about is the main reason, he usually, starts his show with and I quote, "I told you so, I told you so". He at least is not asleep at the wheel and whether you like him personnally or not he is usually right. Sometimes a bit overwhelming but, right and a person who doesn't lie just to make a headline.
Think about it.
Rita
Rita at 3:42PM on Oct 3rd 2007
29. I LISTEN TO RUSH EVERYDAY AND THIS WHOLE SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST HIM IS JUST THAT. I KNOW WHAT HE SAID ON TUESDAY AND THE CONVERSATION WAS BROUGHT UP AGAIN BY A CALLER ON WEDNESDAY. HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE PHONY SOLDIERS THAT PRETEND THEY WERE IN IRAQ AND SOLDIERS THAT CLAIMED TO BE RAPED BY OTHER SOLDIERS AND ...WE ALL KNOW THE ONES, THEY'VE BEEN COVERED IN THE NEWS SO AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THIS IS A MOOT POINT. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED WHEN HARRY REID CAN GO TO THE SENATE FLOOR AND GO AFTER A PRIVATE CITIZEN, SMEARING HIS REPUTATION, BASED ON A LIE. WHO'S NEXT? ITS STALINISTIC AND I BELIEVE MOVEON.ORG AND MEDIA MATTERS (HILLARYS BRAIN CHILD) ARE POLICING CONSERVATIVE TALK RADIO. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO THINK THIS COULD BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN IN AMERICA. I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL AT RISK OF LOOSING OUR FREESPEECH UNLESS WE THE PEOPLE STAND UP AND DENOUNCE THIS ABUSE OF POWER BY THE "RADICAL" LEFT.
MARY at 3:29PM on Oct 3rd 2007
30. I KNEW THE LEFT WING, NAME CALLERS WOULD BE OUT IN FULL FORCE! EVERYONE KNOWS WHEN YOU CANT WIN AN ARGUMENT YOU DUMB DOWN TO NAME CALLING. SEEMS SOME OF YOU HAVE A WANTON INABILITY TO FIND THE TRUTH. YOU PREFER TO BE HATEFUL AND FOUL MOUTHED.
MM at 3:32PM on Oct 3rd 2007