Please consider that a sitting Justice of the Supreme Court, one Clarence Thomas presided at the latest Rush Limbaugh wedding. Rush must be a person of great integrity or the Justice must have the same radical agenda.

It's funny to watch the right have to put up with the same garbage they usually deal out.

It would have been illuminating if Mr. Silva had reported that Votevets is a leftist organization that has all Democrats on its board of advisers. Calling this a "leading" veterans organization is an exaggeration. It claims 20,000 members. By contrast, the American Legion has over 3 MILLION members. Mr. Limbaugh needs no additional defenders; he has 20 million of them, a factor which puts the Democrats and their surrogates once again in the position of playing Don Quixote flailing away at windmills.

What a shock! The Tribune and Mark Silva actually distorting the facts to meet their political agenda. Who would have thought such a thing could happen? Why doesn't Silva talk about Dick Durbin comparing our soldiers to Nazis, or Harry Reid saying we have lost the war and there is no way America can win in Iraq, or Jack Murtha, who accused our Marines of slaughtering innocents, or Barak Obama, who accused our military of bombing civilians..the list can go on and on. Quite pathetic, but not in the least surprising!

"Please consider that a sitting Justice of the Supreme Court, one Clarence Thomas presided at the latest Rush Limbaugh wedding."

1.) Before the "phony soldiers" comment
2.) Clarence Thomas' integrity is in doubt

And this story is still alive ,

This is almost as important as the - oh my gosh!- K Fed gets the kids story.

"Mr. Limbaugh needs no additional defenders; he has 20 million of them"

Adolf Hitler had more than that. Might does not make right. Note: I did not EQUATE Rush with Hitler.

Rush Limbaugh is a draft dodging coward. Let all those who are in favor of the war go over there and fight it. Let them get THEIR faces, legs, arms, and more get shot off or mutilated by bombs and land mines. Those who love the war can go fight it. Support the troops by bringing them home now and put those who started this war in prison where they belong!

Justice Clarence Thomas is easily led, has no mind of his own. Also, like Limbaugh, he does have a radical right agenda, led by the nose by the court's right wingers and is a Bush lackey.
That he should preside over Limbaugh;s wedding is sad, but I wouldn't expect anything intelligent from either of them anyhow.
By the way, is this Rush's third or fourth wife? How is it that a man like him, who hasn't the capabilities even to keep a wife, can advise a nation? A Farce!
Incidentally, I am a veteran of the U.S. Army. Never saw Rush in uniform!

I'll take a handful of thinkers over 20 million ditto heads anyday.

So, anything new here? Nasty democrat politicions spreading hatred in America, and even between the troops. Its all about more demo-rat power folks. Harry could care less about the troops, in fact he hates them. What Harry cares about is more communist power. I wouldn't believe that creep if he promised the sun will come up in the morning.

Is it really? Or is it the extreme left, and particularly reporter Mark Silva, who "won't let up?"

This is the first post about the remark that Silva's made that even mentions Jesse MacBeth who Limbaugh referred to by name so at least context has finally entered the fray. ABC News did a whole report on people like MacBeth who have been trying to con the VA and other agencies for the past three years. But you won't hear that from Silva. Nope.

The failed administration of George Bush is distroying the Republican Party. People like Limbaugh are just helping him distroy their party with their hateful comments. Ms. Clinton and Mr. Obama are no day at the beach, but Bush and Limbaugh are poor excuses for public figures.

I am a little confused. It would seem that the Rush comment was about one particular "solider" who claimed he served in Iraq when in facvt he was tossed out of boot camp!

But somehow Rush calling this person a Phoney soldier insults the troops?

It would seem to me that anyone who considers that man a "soldier" is insulting the troops! He was tossed out of boot camp and then lied! That does not sound like someone to hold up as your poster child!

Looks like Bruce has trotted out another alter-ego. Bring out Damen, Sierra, Former Leftist, BOB, or JFK Democrat while your at it, buddy. It won't make you look any less pathetic, I promise.

PS Will someone tell Limbaugh and his lemmings that "soldiers" is plural and plural means more than one. This is 1st grade English. Even an illegal immigrant knows this stuff.

When will the media ask every Republican throwing a hissy fit over the Democrats' anger at Limbaugh, how it is different than the newspaper ad the Republicans recently threw a hissy fit over?

it's easy to understand why 1/2 the world hates us. reading the bile in these posts, it seems we hate each other. people killing and dying for politics is wrong in africa, america, myanmar, china, russia, EARTH. GET IT?

From Bruce

"Mr. Limbaugh needs no additional defenders; he has 20 million of them"

Adolf Hitler had more than that. Might does not make right. Note: I did not EQUATE Rush with Hitler."

Yes you did equate Rush with Hitler. Just because you deny it on your last sentence does not make it not.

Dick Durbin compared the soldiers who took part in the shameful torture episodes at Abu Ghraib and other places to Nazis. He did not compare all U.S. soldiers to Nazis. That is simply another Limbaugh lie.

It's amazing that the pathetic, drug addled, gas bag and others like him-- O'Reilly, Halsted, Bruce, Smith etc, can even function with all the lies and hate they spew.

I can't wait to see how they'll react to President Hillary. Of course, since their screws are already a little loose, maybe the Secret Service should provide her some added protection.

"There is an attempt, I think, as they have done throughout my career, to discredit me.''

Discredit him? How can one discredit a buffoon without a shred of credibility in the first place.

PS Will someone tell Limbaugh and his lemmings that "soldiers" is plural and plural means more than one. This is 1st grade English. Even an illegal immigrant knows this stuff.

Posted by: jethro | October 2, 2007 11:11 AM

Good point. Much like "childrens", it is clearly plural.

Rush should come over to Iraq and do his show from the zone for about 3 months.

It seems a bit weak claiming that the comment "phony soldiers" was referring to one person only. Unless Rush's command of the English language is as poor as our President's, he must know that the word soldiers is plural, and unless she has a mouse in her pocket, or has some royalty I'm not aware of, Jesse MacBeth was one soldier (singular).

So it goes- the DEM semantic game.. arguing over whether or not the plural tense here makes a difference, ignoring context, and more witch- hunting. aren't you folks the same team whose top guy once struggled with the meaning of the word 'is' how did you suddenly get so darn grammatically correct?

This is nuts- lets try this- lets assume Rush really does hate the military, and he really meant to accuse the anti war veterans of being Phony Soldiers.

Are you guys really OK with the Senate of the US going after a private citizen like this?

When will the media ask every Republican throwing a hissy fit over the Democrats' anger at Limbaugh, how it is different than the newspaper ad the Republicans recently threw a hissy fit over?

Posted by: Paul | October 2, 2007 11:15 AM

Paul- the difference is that Rushs coment for one is at best vaque in its condemning any soldier, the move on ad you are referring to was attacking a specific person, by name that being the General who was the next day providing testimony to the Senate. This by design or default was intended to have a direct impact on the senates view of that testimony.. but you knew that, right? Or are you only acting ignorant?

Are you guys really OK with the Senate of the US going after a private citizen like this?

Posted by: heartburn | October 2, 2007 11:30 AM

Are you OK with the Senate going after the private citizens that comprise Move-On?

Jethro, would you like "soldiers"??? Here is a press release that notes soldierS:

September 21, 2007
NORTHWEST CRACKDOWN ON FAKE VETERANS IN “OPERATION STOLEN VALOR”
Phony Vets Scam more than $1.4 Million and Damage Image of Honorable Veterans

U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan today announced some of the results of “Operation Stolen Valor,” a year long effort to investigate and prosecute those who lie about their military service for financial gain or other reasons. Sullivan and Doug Carver, Special Agent in Charge of the Veteran’s Affairs Office of Inspector General detailed eight prosecutions in the Veteran’s Affairs Northwest Region in 2007.

“As a Vietnam Veteran, and the father of a decorated Army officer currently serving, I feel very keenly the damage done by Jesse Macbeth and these other fakes,” said Jeff Sullivan, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. “Macbeth’s lies fueled hostility to our servicemen in Iraq and here at home. Those who falsely claim medals for heroism, cheapen the recognition of our true war heroes.”

“The ‘phony war hero phenomenon’ plagues the American landscape and tarnishes the service of thousands of veterans who have served honorably. It strangles VA resources from providing critical care and benefits to deserving veterans returning from war,” said Douglas J. Carver, Special Agent in Charge of the VA Office of Inspector General, Western Field Office. “It all boils downs to this: these phonies submit claims to the VA for compensation and medical benefits they are not entitled to, and it takes away valuable resources from those who are entitled.”

In a dozen cases under investigation in the northwest, the fraud totals more than $1.4 million. Eight of the cases have been publicly filed and are in various stages of being adjudicated:

*Jesse Macbeth, 23, Tacoma, Washington, sentenced today in connection with his fraudulent claims of military service. Macbeth sought medical benefits claiming to suffer from PTSD related to service in Iraq and Afghanistan, in fact, Macbeth was discharged from the Army about a month after he joined. Macbeth never traveled outside the U.S. with the Army. Macbeth duped reporters, claiming to be a decorated Army Ranger who had witnessed war crimes.

*Reggie Buddle, 60, Puyallup, Washington, sentenced July 30, 2007, for Unlawful Wearing of United States Military Medals and Decorations. Buddle posed as a decorated Marine Corps Chaplin presiding over weddings, funerals and baptisms. Buddle was sentenced to 500 hours of community service and two years of probation.

*Larry Lewis Porter, 52, Seattle, Washington, sentenced April 19, 2007, for Mail Fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain disability benefits from Veterans Affairs. Porter was sentenced to 37 months in prison. Porter claimed he suffered PTSD from experiences in the Navy, however investigation revealed the events were fabricated. Loss Amount: $134,000

*Roy J. Scott, 71, of Port Angeles, Washington pleaded guilty August 31, 2007, to Use of an Altered Military Discharge Certificate to obtain VA Compensation and Medical Benefits, and Unlawful Wearing of United States Military Medals and Decorations. Scott claimed he had served in the Marine Corps in Korea, that he was wounded in combat in Korea, and that he had been awarded the Korea Defense Medal, Korea Star Medal, and a Purple Heart (due to alleged gun shot wounds sustained during combat in Korea). Scott claimed to be honorably discharged, when in fact, he never earned those medals, never served in Korea or any foreign country and was Court-Martialed out of the Marine Corps. Loss Amount: $21,960.

*Merrick K. Hersey, 64, of Vancouver, Washington, Hersey was indicted August 1, 2007, for Use and Possession of Forged or Altered Military Discharge Certificate and False Statements. Hersey is a fugitive and is being sought by law enforcement. Hersey applied for benefits claiming he served in 1967-68, was awarded two Purple Hearts (for wounds sustained in active combat) and the Bronze Star (awarded for heroism). Hersey claimed he suffered from PTSD and sought benefits. In fact, Hersey never served in the Marine Corps at all. Loss Amount: $2,688.

*Michael D. Heit, 58, of Harrington, Washington, pleaded guilty yesterday (September 20, 2007) in U.S. District Court in Spokane, Washington to Use and Possession of a Forged or Altered Military Discharge Certificate and False Claims of Military Medals. Heit claimed he was a Vietnam vet who was held as a prisoner of war. He claimed to have been awarded three Purple Heart medals and the Silver Star. None of that is true. Loss Amount: $3,500

*Elvin J. Swisher, 70, of Idaho, is charged with Wearing Unauthorized Military Medals, False Statements, and Theft of Government Funds. Swisher falsely claimed he was wounded in Korea and that he had been awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and other medals for valor. Loss Amount: $95,000.

*Carlos Riosvalle, 83, of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced April 9, 2007, in Multnomah County for multiple counts of Theft by Deception. Riosvalle collected benefits claiming to have been “shot down while a pilot in World War II.” In fact Riosvalle never served in the armed forces. Loss Amount: $22,818.

These cases were all investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General VA-OIG. The VA Office of the Inspector General operates a HOTLINE for the public to confidentially and safely report crimes like “Stolen Valor” involving VA or its programs. Call 800-488-8244, or fax to 202-565-7936, or e-mail to vaoighotline@va.gov, or write to VA OIG HOTLINE, PO Box 50410, Washington, DC 20091-0410.

The cases filed in the Western District of Washington are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman. For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.

I'm also wondering why this veteran group didn't take issue with the Gen. Betrayus ad, John Murtha calling Marines murderers and rapers, etc?

Every war has a group of veterans who are against the war. That is their right.

But it would be interesting why Mark Silva hasn't contacted any veteran's groups on this issue. Mark, any answers?

Since he said "phony soldiers" with an "s" he certainly was not talking about one, right? In the context it is clear -- he equates it with what the caller had just said, "those who criticise the war."

IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES IN LIFE; THEREFORE, I QUESTION THE LEFTIES GOING FULL FORCE AFTER LIMBAUGH THIS WEEK AND NOTING THAT GLENN BECK IS NO LONGER A STAR ON WIOD RADIO IN FLORIDA. THE BORE THAT HAS REPLACED BECK IS ABOUT AS INTERESTING AS A FROG'S MATING CALL.

"John D.", you ask why reporter Mark Silva won't contact any veterans' groups on this issue.

Simple answer: Mark Silva, in common with other Swamp reporters, doesn't want to talk to legitimate veterans' groups about ANY issue. Because in doing so he'd be doing something other than passing along the latest left-wing attack ad.

Once again we have to put up with the whining of the right wing apologists!

Ohmigod! That group is a "leftist" group, we shouldn't listen to a word they say because of that! BS! If it were a right wing group, you would be sitting there, nodding your collective heads and drooling!

The fact is, Rush Limbaugh is a turd! He ducked military service because of an "ingrown hair" on his ass!

Fact is this pile of manure has NO RIGHT to question the service of ANY citizen, since he himself, in a most cowardly way, ducked service at a time when we were at war.

But the little brain fart will continue to criticize others who had the courage to serve and paid the price, whereas he was too cowardly to put the uniform on.

I am a Vet. I am not a democrat. I am one of those independent voters you schmucks depend upon for election.

All I have to say is you right-wing morons put your foot in your mouths every time you speak, and show yourselves for the slime you are.

No wonder the likes of Limbaugh are your standard bearers! He is truly representative of the kind of lowbrow thinking and right wing whining that others with more sense have to put up with.

Shut up and sit down, idiots. This war was ill-conceived, ill-planned, ill-executed and illegal.

The stability of the entire middle east is in jeopardy because of a bunch of arrogant, smarmy, self-righteous chickenhawks!

And you fools that defend them are clueless!

http://www.snopes.com/military/limbaugh.asp

And here is a bigger list of wussies who love to send others to war, while never having got 'round to it themselves:

Elliott Abrams - Sought deferment for bad back.
Richard Armey - Sought college deferment, too smart to die.
Bill Bennett - Sought graduate school deferment, too smart to die.
Pat Buchanan - Sought deferment for bad knee.
George W. Bush Daddy got him in the National Guard
Dick Cheney - Sought graduate school deferment, too smart to die.
Tom DeLay - - Sought college deferment, too smart to die.
Newt Gingrich - Sought graduate school deferment, too smart to die.
Phil Gramm - Sought marriage deferment, too loved to die.
Jack Kemp - Sought medical deferment while in the NFL.
Rush Limbaugh - Sought deferment for ingrown hair follicle on his ass.
Trent Lott - Sought deferment, didn't want to muss his hair.
P.J. O'Rourke - Sought deferment, too stoned.
Dan Quayle - Family got him into the Reserves.
Pat Robertson - Father pulled him out of Korea as soon as the shooting began.
Kenneth Starr Sought deferment for psoriasis.
John Wayne - Sought deferment to further acting career.
Vin Weber - Sought deferment for asthma.
George Will - Sought deferment, too much of a wussy.
Former MI governor John Engler - deferred, too fat!

Limbaugh, everyone has the right to free speech, but that means you are also accountable for your words. And all you have to say is that you are being "smeared"? Well, it seems you know ALL about smearing chum.

I listened to the Limbaugh rant and I didn't think it was all that big of a deal. It's just what Limbaugh does.

The only part I found offensive was when he claimed that the only people Dems talked to were "Phony Soldiers." Now, I understand that Rush was talking about one specific soldier, or at least that is what he claims.

But Dems talk to Generals and enlisted men/women just like the Republicans do. To say that the only soldiers Dems talk to are phony soldiers is to say that if a soldier talks to a Dem, then that soldier is phony.

The Republican Party is not the party to which all military people belong. It just isn't. Nor is it the party to which all Christian people belong. No party has a monopoly on any subset of the American population.

The bigger question is should Dems or Reps use soldiers for political purposes. My answer is no, they shouldn't. Soldiers follow the chain of command, this war wasn't their choice, nor was the surge. The policy makers need to answer for the policies they've put in place, not those that have the unfortunate duty of carrying those policies out.

Are you OK with the Senate going after the private citizens that comprise Move-On?

Posted by: Anonymous | October 2, 2007 11:38 AM

Anonymous

Really?- the condemnation of the moveon ad was directd at private citizens- how?

"how it is different than the newspaper ad the Republicans recently threw a hissy fit over?"

Posted by: Paul | October 2, 2007 11:15 AM

It’s different because the same Senators and Congressmen that refused to denounce the slam on Gen Petraeus and the troops are now racing to twist the words of a radio talk show host to make themselves look tough. It’s sleazy and hypocritical to support ‘troops’ like MacBeth and others that have lied about atrocities.

The Republicans kept the MoveOn story in the news to show how the left doesn’t support the troops. The Dems are now keeping the Rush story in the news to show how they support ‘phony’ troops.

The Chickenhawk argument goes something like this: anyone who favors military action should not be taken seriously unless they themselves are willing to go and do the actual fighting. Using the internal reasoning behind the Chickenhawk argument means you cannot comment on, speak about or even hold an opinion on any subject that is not part of your paying day job. It is simple-minded and profoundly anti-democratic, which is why it so deeply appeals to those who sling it around the most.

We could ad Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa to the list of phony soldiers. He first claimed to have flown combat air patrol missions in VietNam. When it turned out he was a ferry pilot nowhere near VN, he amended his statements to say that he meant "VietNam era". That's quite the fudge, but I guess it's ok with the democrats as he's still in office.

Norm

Like all bullies, Limbaugh is at heart a coward. He's a professional prevaricating gasbag. Next, we'll probably get a polemic on what the 'definition of phony' is. That guy calling *anybody* else a phony is just too funny for words.

Equating Limpbaugh with hitler would be wrong. Baby bush with hitler, yes. Limpbaugh is gobbels, the propaganda minister.

Rush is a fool. The people who listen to the diatribe he spews are not very sound if they believe him. The best way to silence a fool is to leave a fool alone and the fool will cease the remarks he/she makes. Anne and Rush fools of the century. Do not forget the rest of Fox fools.

Are you guys really OK with the Senate of the US going after a private citizen like this?

Posted by: heartburn | October 2, 2007 11:30 AM

Not really but what should lawmakers do when a private citizen violates an act of Congress that was codified not one week prior to this matter?

I wonder what the outcome would be if we checked the number of stories in the media about a newspaper ad and a radio host, and compared it to the number of stories in the media after 9/11 about the bin Laden family and its ties to George W Bush?

Posted by: John D | October 2, 2007 11:44 AM

NOT ONE of the soldiers mentioned in the story are quoted as being against the Iraq war. So what does this post have to do with the current topic?

I doubt that anyone posting here in the Swamp are for people getting benefits from the government via fraud.

Oh, BTW - you forgot to provide the link for your source. You know, something a COMPETENT journalist would have done.

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

I wish all the pro-war people out there would just shut up and join the army. If you haven't served you shouldn't be able to tell someone else they have to. I don't care if you're 18 or 80, or if you've already served your time - if you believe this war is the right war to fight then shut up, join the army, and fight the war!

Interesting quote from the Houston Chronicle about another piece of republican slime:

"DeLay explained to the assembled media in New Orleans, (that he and Dan Quayle) were victims of an unusual phenomenon back in the days of the undeclared Southeast Asian war. So many minority youths had volunteered for the well-paying military positions to escape poverty and the ghetto that there was literally no room for patriotic folks like himself. Satisfied with the pronouncement, which dumbfounded more than a few of his listeners who had lived the sixties, DeLay marched off to the convention.

"Who was that idiot?" asked a TV reporter who arrived at the end of the media show. When he was told the name, it drew a blank. DeLay at that time was a national nobody, and his claim that blacks and browns crowded him and other good conservatives out of Vietnam seemed so outlandish and self-serving that no one bothered to file a news report on the congressman's remarks. "

Here is the link:

http://www.houston-press.com/issues/1999-01-07/columns2.html

Yeah, all of us poor folk and trailer trash and minorities kept the likes of Tom DeLay from being able to do their patriotic duty in serving their country in the military. What hogwash!

It allowed him instead to embark upon a career of deception, dishonesty and self-enrichment!

Hey whats up,

Iraqi vet, USMC attached to 1st Mar Div in the beginning and pretty happy to be out of that shithole. No beer, no chicks, sandstorms, and freakin camel spiders, No thanks.

Btw, anyone seeing any cheaper gas prices? Why else are we wasting tons of money (and more importantly) people's lives?

20 million people listen to Rush? Big deal. Britney probably has a bigger audience everyday.

Just another example of the wrong mindset that's invaded some people in this country.

The ranging right.

There are some on the conservative end of the political spectrum who really are crafters of words. They are a pleasure to read or to listen to.

George Will, William F. Buckley come to mind. I might disagree with their opinion on an issue, but I would never question their sincerity.

Then we get the ranting right. O'Reilly, Rush and Anne. Debate an issue? Sure turn off the opposition's mike, or scream them into submission.

Has anyone with just 1/2 a brain ever wondered if they really believe most of the hatred that they spew, or do they say it just to get attention and increase their ratings?

How can you tell the difference between one and another? It's easy. If someone is there from the opposition do they sit there and let their opponent make a point before they respond.

I am only upset that ANY of this is being discussed in the halls of Congress. There are many, more important things that they should be working on than introducing bills commending Rush.

It’s different because the same Senators and Congressmen that refused to denounce the slam on Gen Petraeus and the troops are now racing to twist the words of a radio talk show host to make themselves look tough. It’s sleazy and hypocritical to support ‘troops’ like MacBeth and others that have lied about atrocities.

The Republicans kept the MoveOn story in the news to show how the left doesn’t support the troops. The Dems are now keeping the Rush story in the news to show how they support ‘phony’ troops.

"Or is it the extreme left.."

HA! hear this talk all of the time. there is barely a pulse of REAL leftist politics in america. you spend too much time listening to 'far left..' spouted out on fax news.

incidentally... you know that the countries that have a leftist democratic government have way WAY higher standards of living than you in the States do... right? I just wish people knew what they were talking about before they shoot their mouths off: they convince people as misinformed as they are not to bother reading or thinking for themselves either.

>Mr. Limbaugh needs >no additional >defenders; he has 20 >million of them"

>Adolf Hitler had >more than that. >Might does not make >right.

>Note: I did not >EQUATE Rush with >Hitler.

I suppose that we COULD equate Rush Limbaugh with a Corporatist - Fascist Stooge, if any of us were inclined to do so...

Some view Rush as a cartoon character mix of Joseph Goebells and Porky Pig, but then we run into problems because others see that Karl Rove seems to fit that cartoonish characterization too.

At times, this confusion, as all of life in a society propped up by mass consumption of items not necessary to human survival tends to be challenging.

My strength however, has come from hanging on to mottos and jingos, quickly remembered in times of Stress.

Phrases like... God Bless America,.. Go RUSH! and identity statements like, "I am a Ditto Head," stuff like that..

Y'know?

Ned

Rush is a true political master of deception and misdirection. He will continue to use these weapons in an effort to support whatever cause he chooses. Its about time he gets a taste of his own poison. It is through the likes of Limbaugh and Rove that this country has been brought closer to civil war than in most likely over a 100 years and why? Extreme self interest at some of the highest levels of american society.

BC, I know you're dense, but you are denser than imagineable.

The bottom of my paste says this:
The cases filed in the Western District of Washington are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman. For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.

It came DIRECTLY from the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

And, BC, if you had a brain you would know that Jesse Macbeth, which is cited by the U.S. Attorney has been the "soldier" that Limbaugh has been referring to as the "phony soldier," and the one who made false accusations and spoke out against the war.

If you could read, understand, comprehend and digest, perhaps you wouldn't be so darn ridiculous.

By the way, BC, you might want to find out how much those guys pay for the suits and where they buy them!!

>>

That is an incomplete definition at best and an oversimplification of the term.

You have the right to your opinion, you have the right to free speech, but you also are responsible for your words as much as your actions (or in Rush's case, non-action).

One can criticize or support anything they want to, but I will tell you this much; advocates for War, especially the type of war we have instigated in Iraq, who have never served, but feel comfy about slamming those who have, have no credibility in my book!

Military service isn't for everybody; this I have always told people when discussing the service. But I will be damned if I would actively talk war or support the destabilization of the middle east, the invasion of a sovereign state that had not attacked our country, or occupy a country for nothing more than political or financial gain.

You have the right to spew all sorts of ill-informed garbage if you want. Doesn't lend it one whit of credibility or credence.

There are those who open their eyes and see and those who let others make their decisions and opinions for them.

I find that the listeners to Rush Limbaugh are all too willing to let someone else form their opinion for them, rather than check a silly little thing called "fact".

Fact is that Limbaugh has a big mouth and very little else.

I have no respect for wannabe's who claim service falsely. I have less than no respect for the likes of Rush Limbaugh, who feels justified in demonizing others while insisting he not be held accountable for his own actions/inactions.

If you accept the Chickenhawk argument – that only those actually willing to go and fight have a legitimate opinion on the subject of war – then that means that any decision to go to war must rest exclusively in the hands of the military. Is that what this person really wants? To abandon civilian control of the military? That’s the box they have trapped themselves in with this argument. I think civilian control of the military has been one of the pillars of our nation’s success, and it has withstood the test of both World Wars and Civil ones. But that is the world you are stuck in when you toss that little Chickenhawk grenade.

Finally, if the only legitimate opinion on Iraq, say, is that held by the troops themselves, then they are overwhelmingly in favor of being there and finishing what they started. I recently received an e-mail from an Army major who is heading back for his fourth tour. The Chickenhawk argument, coming from an anti-war commentator, legitimizes only those voices that overwhelmingly contradict the anti-war argument.

"It’s different because the same Senators and Congressmen that refused to denounce the slam on Gen Petraeus and the troops are now racing to twist the words of a radio talk show host to make themselves look tough."

The vote was 72-25 in favor of condemning Moveon.org. Nearly half of the Democrats in the Senate voted for this meaningless, time-wasting resolution. A resolution against Limbaugh, though equally fatuous and pathetic, at least allows for the justice of "what's good for the goose is good for the gander."

Both of these "issues" are garbage and a phenomenal waste of time. But don't forget, Republicans, the Dems gave you the floor on this one to make your obnoxious grandstanding possible. Who knows what other self-defeating GOP smokescreens the Dems will fall for.

Pathetic on both sides. MOVE ON!

> Why doesn't Silva talk about Dick Durbin comparing our soldiers to Nazis, or Harry Reid saying
> we have lost the war and there is no way America can win in Iraq, or Jack Murtha, who accused
> our Marines of slaughtering innocents, or Barak Obama, who accused our military of bombing
> civilians..the list can go on and on.

All true, so what's your point?

Turnabout is fair play. And one more thing, LIBERALISM IS LIBERTY!

>>

You know what? Yeah, you could add Harkins.

Screw Tom Harkins and all others who falsely claim service that is not theirs to claim.

So, in your lopsided opinion, the fact that he is a democrat means that he should be overlooked? You are implying that he is to be thrown out of office for it? That is idiotic.

So, he should be used as a justification for morons like Limbaugh? That is just ludicrous and infantile.

Your argument is a stupid one! It runs along the line of "Well, Johnny did it too, and he didn't get punished, so why am I getting in trouble for it?"

How ignorant is that, fool?

This many posts? Rush must be the Paris Hilton of the republicans.

Hey Ned! Quit insulting Porky Pig!!!!

The saddest part of all of this is our soldiers have agreed to be in harms way to protect our country. "In harms way" should be referring to enemies of our country, not members of any political party trying to make a point.

I don't even vaguely buy Rush's 'I was referring to one soldier in particular' bit. But at the same time, I don't think active soldiers should be having to speak out against the war either. That's the responsibility of civilian citizens who disagree with the war. That's the whole idea behind free speech - the power of it.

When it becomes obvious to the majority of citizens that the government has made a mistake, it's their responsibility to say so, whether it's a Democrat, Republican or Whig in office. That swell of public opinion can gradually change the direction of the government, even if the current office holders refuse to pay heed to it. No term lasts forever (it just feels that way sometimes).

The problem here is that when citizens have spoken out against the war - that is spoken out against the path taken by elected officials - pro-war people (elected and otherwise) have twisted that to mean that we are speaking out against the soldiers . . . even that we are unpatriotic. I have to believe, given the words they penned, that the framers of our Constitution would have been nauseated to see things so twisted.

So if citizens can't speak out against the war without speaking against the soldiers, soldiers themselves began to speak out. After all, how can a soldier be 'anti-soldier'? Well, good old Limbaugh figured out the answer to that - call them "phony soldiers".

Please consider that a sitting Justice
> of the Supreme Court, one Clarence Thomas presided at
> the latest Rush Limbaugh wedding.

Please consider that Donald Rumsfeld once embraced and praised Saddam Hussein in the White House. So?

RUSH LIMPDONG - dodged the Vietnam draft because he had an infected pimple on his arse and got his doctor to write him note.

PREZ 29% - dodged the Vietnam draft by getting his daddies pals to put him in the National Guard, where he proceeded to serve his country by getting high on nose candy and getting drunk as a skunk.

DARTH CHENEY - dodged the Vietnam draft by getting 5-6 deferments because he had "better things to do" at the time.

Frequent Fox "News" guest -TED NUGENT - dodged the Vietnam draft by crapping in his own pants before he went in for his draft physical, he says he did this on purpose so they would think that he was crazy and not fit for duty...it worked.

Posted by: Tatum | October 2, 2007 12:25 PM

I hope it was a mistake that you posted my comments as your own.

No Tatum the Republicans DIDN'T keep the story going because of support of the troops, it was purely a political move. As this one is from the Democrats.

The Republicans DON'T support the troops and their actions prove it.

Voting down a law that would have given the troops equal time at home to the time spent in a combat zone is NOT supporting the troops.

Voting down an additional pay raise to the troops because it isn't needed, while voting for a military aircraft that no one wants is NOT supporting the troops.

Having "contractors" doing the military jobs that the military can't handle because you are afraid the country will realize you don't have enough troops is not supporting the troops.

Walter Reed is NOT supporting the troops. Putting the moron who caused the problems at Walter Reed back in charge is NOT supporting the troops.

Falsely implying that the safety of the US is jeopardized by Iraq is NOT supporting the troops. Leaving them in Iraq, when all of your reasons for attacking Iraq have been proven to be false is NOT supporting the troops.

Forget the serial wives, forget the drug addiction, forget that he who never served feels free to criticize those who have risked their lives,why there would be one supporter of someone who would pantomime Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's illness is beyond me.

I only listen to the soldiers comments that come back from Iraq.When I hear Rush use the phrase femme nazi I could vomit.I'd love to hear what his 3 wives have to say about him they lived in his swamp for a short time,I guess they got tird carrying his drugs.

It would be helpful if Silva got it right. Mr. Limbaugh did not call any service member who ACTUALLY served a "phony soldier." He called a single individual and others claiming to have served but actually hadn't a fake soldier. Jesse MacBeth was simply the latest example.

"COLLEGE REPUBLICAN CHICKENHAWKS ARE ALL ON RUSH"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxRj5uWyngI

When they're out with their friends
In their new Mercedes Benz and they're
On Rush

And they show up late for school cause
They think they're really cool when they're
On Rush

And they put on their pro-war mega-phones
They wish they could step into the real war zone but they're
On Rush

But Rush doesn't care that the college Republicans won't fight them over there (Iraq) because they're
On Rush
And these young chickenhawks Republicans don't care because
They're on Rush

Give it to me
The Neocons are all on Rush yeah
Never getting enough of sending other people over there (Iraq)
(Never get enough)
They are all on Rush yeah
Give me some of that stuff (Wooooh)

And they twitch in their seat
Cause their afraid to hit the street
In Iraq

And they cause such a fuss cause
There's no one but Rush they can trust

And the best of their days
Will all vanish into haze because they're
On Rush

And they wish they could quit cause
They're really sick of being scared but they're
On Rush

Give it to me
They are all on Rush yeah
Never getting enough (Never get enough)
They are all on Rush yeah
Give me some of that stuff (Wooooh)

Never getting enough
They are all on Rush yeah
Give me some of that stuff (Wooooh)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3inspkrGVbw

Flowery Insult to Mr. Limbaugh, (Continued)

My Dear Kind Sir,

.....and further, you are a nasty brown skid mark on the good linens, unmentionables, and delicates of our otherwise fine and fair nation. I have in my three score years of existence seen many a nasty gash, running ulcers, draining pustules, and gangrenous boils.
But never have I seen anything as sickening, demoralizing, or gut wrenchingly painful as those sour syllables shooting out of your mouth like bits of unflossed rotten meat left over from last Sundays roast beef!

Good wishes to you, Sir. Have a profitable day.

Sincerely Yours,

C.Morris

Stop bashing Jeff Christie! he's been saying democrats make for phony soldiers for years now and suddenly it's a problem for you? Leave Mr. Christie alone!

Here's a photo of a Rush Limpbag lockstep dittohead at a "more war" rally:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rapture/241044580/

As one who just retired in June after 26 years of service ( two campaign stars for ODS and OPC) and who wife (still active duty, 16 years) has deployed 3 times, one for Bosnia (Operation Joint Guard) and twice of OUF. We know exactly who Rush was talking about. The same ones ABC's Charles Gibson reported on THREE DAYS BEFORE RUSH! Some of us actually watch more than the extreme left OR right.

Troy K. Schleben, MSgt Ret. USAF

DAF

It is YOU who doesn't know what you're talking about.

Countries with leftist governments have way, way higher standards of living???

You mean like Cuba, Venezuela, etc.?

Get a clue pal. Norway does good because they have oil and a small population. The criteria used and the dynamics of different countries are too complicated for your leftist brain to grasp (after all, leftists can't take care of themselves, which is why they want the Government to take care of them.

Glad to see a little truth smacking the bloviating drug-addict and draft-dodger, Rush Limbaugh, in his fat face.

How 'bout a commentary from another "phony soldier":

http://armyofdude.blogspot.com/2007/09/real-deal.html

The team at Media Matters has documented the way Limbaugh has manipulated the transcript of his show on the day in question to make it appear he was only talking about the one actual phony soldier who was making anti-war videos.

And, even if you don't want to believe Media Matters, Limbaugh's use of the words "phony soldiers" instead of "phony soldier" proves that he was smearing anti-war troops and vets in general, anyway.

BTW, John D. You list phony soldiers up there, but only one was talking about the war.

The rest were just scammers and could have been Rush Limbaugh fans for all we know. I'm sorry to see such a deceptive tactic being introduced into this debate.

Did Mr. Silva listen to recordings of Mr. Limbaugh's rant in context?

Does anyone have a link to the original Limbaugh Rant?

It should be fairly easy for Mr. Silva to determine if Mr. Limbaugh's version of the events is correct.

This article appears to be no more than lazy reportage.

Not dissimilar to the Jessica Lynch debacle where the WaPost was reporting unknowable events as fact, the Baltimore Sun seems to be feigning ignorance on easily obtainable information.

(Silva's note: Yes, I listened to it. And it sure sounds like Limbaugh was talking about protesters in general, though he did later, a couple of minutes later, start talking about Jesse MacBeth. Nothing lazy here. The words speak for themselves, and Limbaugh has offered an explanation, and we've reported both.)

A few positives coming from this story are:

Most people know what Rush was talking about whether they like him or not. The deperation of the left has come out after the Moveon debacle. They know it hurt them bad.

Also, it brings light to the fact that the left has propped up multiple soldierS that trash the military.

Those are the troops they support.

No denying it.

Can we question your patriotism yet?

Limbaugh's role in life is to sell advertising, nothing more, nothing less. If he gets any attention at all, he's done his job. In the end, he'll be known for little more than that.

Can anyone really take this elitist pig seriously? He is too cowardly to even buy his own illegal drugs - he sends the "help" to do it and he managed to avoid any service to his country. Much like the rest of the Bushies - he is a rich man who pretends to speak for middle America

Let's not forget that Rush Limbaugh is a notorious draft dodger. He avoided Vietnam by claiming he had an ingrown hair follicle on his ass (that's what the record says, believe it or not).

This is much ado about nothing. I could care less what Rush Limbaugh thinks about anything, much less about my service to this nation. As a veteran who served in Bosnia (OIF), Kosovo (KFOR), and in Iraq (OIF) and voiced my concerns prior to the October 2002 vote to Senator Durbin, as well as joining as a volunteer to the Kerry campaign upon my return from Iraq, I find VoteVets anger and disgust a little more than just misguided.

Where were they to express their outrage at calling Gen. Petreus at traitor? Are they only going to defend those agree with their assessment of the war in Iraq, or do they truly honor the service of every veteran and will stand up to anyone who insults their service and sacrifice?

VoteVets (and I like many of them like Maj. Paul Hackett) need to direct their limited resources toward encouraging veterans to insist that elected officials address the pressing needs of Veterans and the sorry state of our military. They are being distracted by this buffoon.

I am a non-combat veteran who served during the Cuban Missile crisis. we maintained, armed and made sure our missiles carried by B-52s on airborne alert were ready. And we recovered them when they landed. Rush Limbaugh has never worn a uniform. He has, however, made a fortune from the sensational nonsense he spouts. By the way, I believe this president has mismanaged the war to the point we are discredited on a global basis.

Hey, Rush is making a fortune with his lies and distortions. Not a bad job if you can get it.

Really?- the condemnation of the moveon ad was directd at private citizens- how?

Posted by: heartburn | October 2, 2007 11:57 AM

How are the members of Move-on any less private citizens than Rush? In fact, a case could be made that Rush, who made his statement as a part of his official duties for which he is paid, is less a private citizen in this context.

hahahah...wait,wait...Rush Limbaugh...hahahahahaha...you mean the hophead... Bwaaahahahahahahahaha

Mark, there is more to it than you know. Earlier in that broadcast as well as the day before Limbaugh talked several times about "phony soldiers," partly because of the Brian Ross report on ABC News on Sept. 24. So, for two days Limbaugh had been discussing phony soldiers and the ABC report by Brian Ross.
So, this issue gets brought up again on Wednesday by a caller and Rush reponds to the caller by saying, "phony soldiers." And then a couple minutes later refers to Jesse Macbeth in particular.
So, you see the ABC report on phony soldiers had been a good chunk of Limbaugh's show for a couple of days.
Context, Mark, must know the context and the full story.

This is what I'd like to happen:

1) Congress should pass a law re-instituting the Draft, but ONLY for the top 5% of the income bracket. All military-age children of serving Congressmen would also be automatically drafted. Of course, any American would still be allowed to enlist voluntarily as well.

2) Congress should pass a law imposing an additional 20% War Tax to fund the military operations -- but only on the income of those who actually sign an affidavit proclaiming their support for the war.

3) Congress should pass a law making it a capital crime to knowingly misinform the electorate about matters of war.

If the above 3 laws were in effect this afternoon, the war in Iraq would be over this evening.

Tell me it ain't so!!

It never ceases to amaze me how long such a blatant lie can be perpetuated by the very people so many americans rely on as their source of facts.

I beg anybody who hasn't heard the full cut of what Rush said to please listen to it before jumping on this unbelievable bandwagon.

"The Swamp" eh? A good name for the pond scum that's printed here.

As a former Marine, I can vouch for the fact that I can recognize pond scum.

Also, it brings light to the fact that the left has propped up multiple soldierS that trash the military.

an we question your patriotism yet?

Posted by: JD | October 2, 2007 2:00 PM

JD- Is it patriotic to ignore and stifle the concerns of former members of the military who criticize current policies?

Or are you only patriotic if you mindlessly follow our military leaders without question?

In response to Halsted's comment, just be cause there are 20 million stupid people in America doesn't make what he said right.

Why does everyone think that supporting the troops means bringing them home?

Let's be crystal clear on Iraq. Iraq is not Vietnam. The majority of soldiers in Vietnam were drafted and had NO choice.

Every single servicemember serving in Iraq is a volunteer and knows exactly what is expected of them. It is 100% their choice to be in Iraq.

And before you ask, yes I was in the all volunteer military and had no illusions what our jobs were.