During a conversation with an animated caller about the Iraq war, Limbaugh used the expression “phony soldiers” and then went on to describe in-depth a high profile case involving Jesse MacBeth. MacBeth has been charged with lying about his status as an Army Ranger, lying about his “tour” in Iraq and lying about “atrocities” committed by him and American soldiers in Iraq. The most graphic of which involved Americans allegedly burning Iraqis to death and then hanging their charred corpses from rafters in mosques. MacBeth’s lies were translated into Arabic and widely disseminated in the Arab world. In addition to MacBeth, there have been several instances of individuals fabricating stories about war atrocities in Iraq. In fact, ABC News aired a story (before Rush’s comments) entitled “Phony Heroes” that touched on the same issue. To describe such individuals merely as “phony” is to treat them better than they deserve. Given the Muslim world’s predilection to believe every negative rumor about America, it may prove impossible to do damage control on the consequences of these pernicious lies.
The poltroons at the liberal media watchdog group Media Matters.org alleged astonishingly that Rush trashed soldiers who disagree with Bush on the war as “phony soldiers.” Taking their marching orders from Media Matters, congressional Democrats have taken to the floor of the House and Senate to demand that Rush apologize for his “slander.” Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is passing a scathing letter around the Senate to demand that action be taken by Clear Channel, the parent company that airs Limbaugh’s show. The attacks on Limbaugh for this concocted controversy have been vicious and personal. Said the somnolent Senator Reid:
“Last week, Rush Limbaugh went way over the line, way over the line. While I respect his right to say anything he likes, his unpatriotic comments I cannot ignore. During his show last Wednesday, Limbaugh was engaged in one of his typical rants. This one was unremarkable, indistinguishable from his usual drivel, which has been steadily losing listeners for years, [sic] until he crossed that line by calling our men and women in uniform who oppose the war in Iraq, and I quote, "phony soldiers." [sic] This comment was so beyond the pale of decency, and we can't leave it alone. And yet he followed it up with denials and an attack on Congressman Jack Murtha, who was a 37-year active member of the Marine Corps, combat veteran.”
Sen. ReidCalling to mind Limbaugh’s past dependency on pain killer medication, Senator Tom Harkin said the following:
"Maybe he was just high on his drugs. I don't know."
These are the depths to which the Democrats and their 11% approval rating Congress have sunk.
Since the controversy erupted, Limbaugh has gone out of his way to point out exactly what transpired on his show. He has made the complete transcript of the conversation available on his website and anyone who cares to learn the truth can easily discern that the “phony soldier” remark was (like the ABC report) about specific individuals who have been charged with lying about their service. This scandal is perhaps unique in that it is so easy to see it for what it is and refute it.
But what does all this mean? I think several important conclusions can be made with regard to the shameless deeds of Media Matters and the congressional Democrats. First, this is clearly an attempt to create a conservative scandal on par with the audacious Moveon.org attack on General Petraeus several weeks back. Realizing how damaging the Moveon ad was to their image, Democrats are trying to create a similar embarrassment for Republicans with the Limbaugh comment. The difference here is that Limbaugh’s remarks have been purposefully misconstrued to say something he obviously didn’t intend to say whereas the Moveon ad in The New York Times was clear as day. Another conclusion is that Democrats are petrified by and deeply envious of Limbaugh’s power. They have tried repeatedly over the years to take him out by similar tactics and smear campaigns, and every time they have failed miserably. Virtually no one watches the pathetic Senator Reid on C-Span, while millions tune in to Rush every day. The lengths to which Democrats will go to cut Rush down only underscores their utter fear of him. Another conclusion is that Democrats recognize that most Americans distrust them when it comes to national security and genuine support for the troops. They know that the Republicans have a significant advantage over them in this area. By creating a false scandal involving such a high-profile conservative as Rush Limbaugh and the military, Democrats are attempting to chip away at the Republican position as the Party of national security. But worse than all of this is way in which Democrats utilize character assassination tactics to deal with fierce opposition. Rather than a mature debate on the issues, Democrats set out to destroy anyone in their way via public humiliation schemes rooted in poisonous lies and calumny.
This issue is not about principled disagreement over the Iraq war. This is about morally bankrupt special interest groups and scheming politicians attempting to deceive Americans about Limbaugh’s words. That this scandal is so blatantly false and easy to refute only shows how depraved and deranged those who are fueling it have become. People like Reid and Harkin are part of a corrupt squadron of politicians who are blinded by their unprecedented, seething hatred for President Bush. They embarrass themselves and their nation.
Link to ABC story: "Scam artists posing as Military Heroes"
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3645227
A United States Attorney's Office report: NORTHWEST CRACKDOWN ON FAKE VETERANS IN “OPERATION STOLEN VALOR”
Phony Vets Scam more than $1.4 Million and Damage Image of Honorable Veterans
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/waw/press/2007/sep/operationstolenvalor.html
Transcript of what Rush really said:
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_092807/content/01125106.guest.html
does anyone even care about what Reid thinks?
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