Rush Limbaugh is under fire for calling anti-war military "phony soldiers."
Harry Reid has asked Limbaugh's bosses at Clear Channel to discipline him for "hateful" and "unpatriotic" remarks. Limbaugh has upped the ante by calling one soldier who has attacked him a "suicide bomber." That soldier has told Limbaugh to stop "nursing the boils on his ass." Wesley Clark has said that Limbaugh's show should come off of Armed Forces Radio.
(Watch the video of Reid here and of Rush's response here.)
And so the wheel of idiocy keeps turning...
Let me clarify. When I say "wheel of idiocy," what I mean is a circular process, populated by one or more idiots on one or more sides of an issue. Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer more than he is a politician. I agree with him about almost nothing. But I do agree that he has the right -- and, more importantly, the compulsion, to make inflammatory statements. He has, for years, lobbed rhetorical grenades into every foxhole he could find. It's what he does. Is he for the troops, in general? Is he against them? There is more evidence to support the former than the latter, obviously, but there is even more evidence to support the "who cares?" thesis. Evidently Harry Reid cares, because he's wasting the the Senate's time asking for Limbaugh, a radio host -- an entertainer -- to be disciplined. This responds to idiocy with idiocy and is consequently a Wheel of Idiocy.
When the Republicans in the Congress went after the Moveon.org ad undermining General Petraeus, I thought it was a monumental bit of foolishness. This is, too. Just because one person's an idiot doesn't mean that others people should respond in kind. These kind of responses violate one of the fundamental rules of intelligent debate: don't get drawn down to their level. Instead, what's happening is that Democrats are attacking Limbaugh, and conservatives are defending Limbaugh by attacking Democrats -- by way of proving that Limbaugh is not anti-soldier, Sean Hannity has been playing his tiresome montage of Murtha/Kerry/Obama anti-military remarks. Your guys said unwise things, too, so our guys aren't wrong. Bad blood, bad thinking, bad business. Ecch. Idiots.
I am using the word "idiot" imprecisely here. I am lobbing a rhetorical grenade. In this post, this one right here, I am part of the problem. But that's the insidious nature of these kinds of slap fights. They reminds me of that scene in "Police Squad" where Leslie Nielsen and a crook are shooting at each other. The camera shows Nielsen, then the crook, then Nielsen, then the crook. Then it pans back to show that they're only a few feet away from each other. That's funny. Then their guns run out of bullets and so they start throwing their guns at each other. That's funnier. And that's what's happening. And we keep watching, because we like comedy. What gets lost, of course, is real debate. The most cynical part of me wonders if this isn't intentional -- if it isn't easier for politicians and commentators to keep the debate in the idiotic rhetorical realm instead of dealing with substance. It's easier for the politicians on both sides of the issue because it distracts us from the fact that they have gotten us into a mess (war supporters) or can't get us out of that mess (war opponents). And it's easier for commentators because it gives them ratings boosts, reader boosts, and cash in the pocket. Ann Coulter, appearing on Sean Hannity's radio show, said that she envies Limbaugh his condemnation by Harry Reid, because it's the equivalent of free advertising. She's right, of course.
In the end, it's worth wondering whether an idiotic controversy is good for anyone (it's not), and whether it should be thought of as a controversy at all (it's not). Frankly, it seems more like a conspiracy. I don't mean a conspiracy in the towers-can't-fall-from-a-plane-crashing-into-them-so-let's-look-for-a-bomb sense, but rather a conspiracy by message makers in the media and Congress to take everyone's eye off the ball. When the sun goes down on this dumb little "phony soldiers" hiccup, just like when the sun went down on the General Betray Us hiccup or the O'Reilly hiccup or the Imus hiccup or the a million other tempests in teapots, people in power will have stalled another day without solving anything -- or, for that matter, showing most Americans a clear difference between the right and the left, except that the right barks at the left and the left barks at the right. Let radio people say whatever they want. Stop pretending to be outraged and giving them so much attention. And force politicians to govern. No country, not even one this size, needs so many windbags.
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Phony Outrage at Phony Rush's 'Phony Soldiers' Comment
Posted Oct 3rd 2007 10:57AM by Ben Greenman
Filed under: Scandal, Media, Rush Limbaugh
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Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 7)
61. I am a first time reader of your blog. My question for you is: What comment did you make about John Kerry when he supposedly "insulted" the troops when he botched a joke aimed at George Bush?
How is the outrage from conservatives (which included Rush and went all the way to Tony Snow) against Kerry different from the outrage against Limbaugh?
cbmro at 12:29PM on Oct 5th 2007
62. Seems to me that Reid is attacking Rush
not because of what he said but because
The phony soldier mentioned is a left
wing poster boy. A man who did not do
what he said, yet the left hailed him a
hero and are again as usual found with
egge on their face. Seems they seem to
do that a lot. They should research any
of these stories they keep getting
caught out in left field with their
pants down. Not confirming them is to
their disgrace.
William Ehlert at 2:07PM on Oct 5th 2007
63. CMBRO - The difference is that even though Kerry served, he excoriated his colleagues, and accused them of being baby killers. His fellow sailors - the swift boat veterans - understandably, did not like that. And he recently said, essentially, that our troops in Iraq were stupid.
Rush has done nothing but raise money for and visit the troops and support them in every possible way one can think of. Rush has also supported them by exposing fake soldiers with phoney credentials, who besmirch the US military and make everybody look bad.
The charges against Rush are a distortion and a lie and a complete and total fabrication, all for the purpose of discrediting him. That's the difference.
Dave at 2:58PM on Oct 5th 2007
64. #63 dave AMEN AND HALLELUJAH THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE DON"T BE AFRAID OF IT!!!
WELL WRITTEN DAVE
PEACE BE WITH YOU!!!
Manny at 4:24PM on Oct 5th 2007
65.
#62 William
GET them, bombard them with the truth and by the way why is it that though Bushs record are open to scrutiny Kerry refuses to open his. Is it because he has less than an Honorable discharge?
Why and I'm directing this at those who will try to ridicule you because your stating truth why wont Hillary open to scrutiny all the documentation from her time in the White house until after the elections, why are they afraid of Americans finding the truth?
Peace be with you William!!
Manny at 4:35PM on Oct 5th 2007
66. Despite all the Pros and cons comments about freedom of speech, does not erace the fact that Rush Limbaugh is a "Druggie" as well as a "Idiot". He should be on trial for "Treason" because he is one of the main reasons this country is soo divided. Too many pin heads listens to him religously and believe everything that he spills out over the air. His show should be pulled from AFN because not all military members serving and defending this county are conservative , right-wing Republicans. Some of us are Democrats and independents. We dont need to hear his BS. If he is allowed on AFN then the other views and commentators should get equal time. Especially when we are at war, our military do not need this type of gaff. The top echelon and the current admistration should have sesse to know that our troops come from all walks of life, so how does this guy (Rush) deserve a AFN slot? I speak for myself when I say that if I were in a fox hole with a Limbough pin head and and he started out on me with this with his BS I would probably FRAG him.
Gerald at 6:00PM on Oct 5th 2007
67. You liberal shitheads really are showing your true colors arent't you?
Moron.org puts out an ad that slanders one of our generals and you applaud it. Rush Limbaugh calls out someone who lied about serving and is actively working to discredit the U.S. military and you get all upset.
And don't try to give me this bullshit about how you support th troops cause anyone with a brain knows that isn't true.
The world would be a better place if you leftist cumwads all killed yourselves so please do so.
Eddie at 6:50PM on Oct 5th 2007
68. Oh, and you left-wing turds shouldn't be acting so suprised about phony soldiers. The amount of times you see some lefty assbandit online say they're a soldier to give legitimicacy to their idiotic talking points is ridiculous. It happens all the fucking time (dishonesty is one of the left's pillars). Not only should they be called out by Rush but should be prosecuted as well. It's illegal to impersonate a police officer and it should be illegal to flasley claim you're an American soldier as well. Think of all the liberals who would be in prison (which is ok for them since they're fags who like getting pounded in the ass).
Eddie at 6:50PM on Oct 5th 2007
69. Actually "fake soldiers" or the ones that he is speaking of are those like himself who use the system to dodge the draft. But he is not too good to keep making american money. What a cowardly hypocrite.
Cliff Sanders at 3:15AM on Oct 6th 2007
70. #68 Eddie
DITTO! DITTO! DITTO!
Furthermore the reason the pinko-commie dems got so upset is not because Rush did'nt say what they acusse him of but because every phony soldier is a DEMOCRAT and the liberals jump at the chance to bad mouth our warriors ! peace be with You!!
Manny at 12:05AM on Oct 6th 2007
71. #66 Gerald
You open with your talking points about freedom of speech and then without hesitation you jump on preventing Rush from being on the air. does the word HYPOCRITE mean anything to you Gerald.
You call him a druggie like the typical commie an idiot and according to you he's a traitor because he spoke truthfully about how you America hating liberal are phony soldier mongers who jump at any chance to defame our true warriors,president, consevatives,christians and now Indians! your hate has no shame or compassion.
For you ill wiited haters Rush has not been fat for quite a while and his drug use is for chronic pain,If you dissagree with his politics fine but why stoop to the low degenerate state of moronic,satanist state of non-compassion.
You state that dems are military members too will I'm not so full of myself as to bring them in to this posting and talk for them I thank them for their service and as the Americans that they are I believe their the worlds best warriors, but as for you and your fellow hating traitors and Gerald fragging someone because of their speech shows what an idiotic,brainless,imbecil pinko-commie you are!1 Keep on with your dribble so they will know you FOOL!!!!
Manny at 12:28AM on Oct 6th 2007
72. #66 Gerald you further talk about equal time on the radio, on tv whatever the heck you meant and in the same breath you bad mouth fox which is it? Only fox gives both sides.
I disagree with you the public should not finance pinko-commie America hating trash!!! If enough people are willing to support it thats something else I sure don't want to pay for hatefilled propaganda.
Your talking about the fairness doctrine but as the hypocrite you are why don't you allow the other side on CBS,NBC,MSNBC,ABC,CNN,and Hollywood!!
I thought not. Gerald open your eyes before you help destroy this country!!!
Manny at 12:41AM on Oct 6th 2007
73.
#72 Cliff Sanders
I don't know why Rush didn't serve but millions of Americans also haven't serve, that doesn't make them any less American. If you have served also then I thank you for your service! Though Rush hasn't served he has defended our warriors with a passion and with his pocket book, he has also gone to afghanistan even though his chronic ear problem makes it painful to travel. those are the facts that I look at before I comment on others where their hearts are!!!
Manny at 3:32PM on Oct 6th 2007
74. #60 BT
I never cease to be amazed by the idiot homos on this blog. BT (BITCH TRAMP) listen I don't want to look in the closet cause you fagget ass is there!!!!
Manny at 3:50AM on Oct 8th 2007
75. BT I would love to debate you if you have something of substance . You don't so like the typical liberal when out of your talking points you stoop to childish imbecilia!!!
Manny at 3:53AM on Oct 8th 2007