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GOP Rep. Introduces Resolution Commending Rush For Support Of Troops
Here's a fun little twist in the Rush Limbaugh "phony soldiers" brouhaha -- a GOP member of the House has introduced a resolution praising Rush for his "relentless efforts to build and maintain troop morale."
What are those efforts? Well, they're largely his radio broadcasts, according to the resolution, which was submitted by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), though there's a reference to a bit of pro-troop charity Limbaush's said to have engaged in. You can read the full resolution after the jump.
Commending Rush Hudson Limbaugh III for his ongoing public support of American troops serving both here and abroad. Recognizing Mr. Limbaugh for his relentless efforts to build and maintain troop morale through worldwide radio broadcasts and personal visits to conflict regions.Whereas the need to show support for American troops serving and fighting both here and abroad during a time of global conflict has never been greater, with the need to communicate an uplifting message of encouragement to American soldiers eternally important, in addition to the morale-boosting value of personal visits to region by highly-regarded individuals;
Whereas daily radio broadcasts reaching tens of millions of civilians and soldiers both in America and abroad by way of the Armed Forces Radio Network are conducted five days a week by Rush Hudson Limbaugh III;
Whereas Mr. Limbaugh has consistently used his broadcast time to praise American troops and support them during their ongoing efforts to secure peace in a troubled world;
Whereas Mr. Limbaugh made a week-long visit to meet with troops based in Afghanistan in 2004;
Whereas Mr. Limbaugh has raised and donated millions of dollars to the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, which provides college scholarships to the children of Marines and veterans of other branches killed in action;
Whereas Mr. Limbaugh’s website features an “Adopt a Soldier” program which provides them with free subscription access to his online program features;
Whereas during the original invasion in 2003, pilots of five different aircraft flew an American flag in Mr. Limbaugh’s honor during their bombing and refueling runs; and
Whereas Mr. Limbaugh’s commitment to American troops serving both here and abroad remains as strong as ever: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) recognizes Rush Hudson Limbaugh III for his support of the Marine Corp Law Enforcement Foundation and for providing free subscriptions for active-duty servicemembers;
(2) recognizes Mr Limbaugh’s desire to see American troops achieve a successful outcome in Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever soldiers are stationed; and
(3) commends Mr. Limbaugh’s tireless public support for American troops and their families through radio broadcasts, fundraising and other public support.
Are you sure that is the final version of the resolution? I suspect after White House approval we'll see Bush's name inserted a few times.
October 1, 2007 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
These people need to be put down with zeal. Then the Democrats need to keep up their righteous indignation just long enough to pass a resolution condemning that wretched excuse for a human being.
If they do that, they can even go back to being pathetic for a day...just as long as they wake up the day after and remember how good it felt to hand the Republicans their asses.
October 1, 2007 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hilarious! And once again, the Republicans demonstrate that they know how to play nasty far better than the Democrats do.
October 1, 2007 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
dismayed liberal: this kind of tit-for-tat would be kind of funny, if, you know, our congress hadn't suddenly morphed into some partisan circus devoted to excoriating prominent advocacy groups and media personalities. let the american people see that while our troops were dying in iraq for a war that not even their general can say is making america safer, republicans were busy condemning liberal groups that few have ever heard of and passing resolutions to praise a washed-up talk show host. we're smart enough to figure out what's wrong about that, and we'll see the score come next november
October 1, 2007 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
In commemoration of the above, be it further resolved that a facsimile of the pilonidal cyst that kept Mr. Limbaugh out of the army be added to the face of Mount Rushmore.
October 1, 2007 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will someone please take the five minutes to actually listen to Rush's full comments?? I promise, once you do, that out of context, closed mindedness, may be able, just once, to admit he was smeared shamefully.....it's never too late to listen! and it's never too late to hear!!
October 1, 2007 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Smeared shamefully"?
Thanks for the laugh, dr. watson.
October 1, 2007 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why in heaven's name would I want to take the time to listen to see if his words have been taken out of context? It is not like the wingnuts ever would afford the same courtesy. Spare me. You folks were the ones that decided to set the integrity and morals bar so low...live by the sword, die by the sword.
October 1, 2007 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
And thank you for proving my point CT!
October 1, 2007 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, Doc...
The exact segment in question from the broadcast (and if this is in error, feel free to correct):
Oh, yeah, there is a TON of context to this that us simple lib'ruls are missing....you betcha.
October 1, 2007 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Got a name for ya Steve. Jesse Macbeth. Again, please listen to the entire conversation. I appreciate the two sentences you CHOSE to paste here, but unfortunetly the "phony soldiers" Rush was referring to wre the Jesse Macbethsof the world. Google that name if you have the courage to admit to yourself that you were wrong. Don't shot the messenger!!
October 1, 2007 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Watson--your party showed its respect for the service of others with the purple heart band-aids handed out at the convention in 04. Your words are hollow.
Your party demonstrated its respect for the service of others when Chambliss equated Cleland to OBL and Saddam. Your words are hollow.
Your party demonstrated its respect for the service of others when it voted to extend deployments in Iraq to 15 months. Your words are hollow.
Limbaugh himself avoided service, like so many of your heroes. He eagerly encouraged the resolution against MoveOn, but squeals like a pig when he draws similar attention to himself. Like any other cult leader, he is clearly unused to criticism that he can't shout down, or mute with a button.
The transcript is clear, and so is your sycophancy.
October 1, 2007 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, that was an awe-inspiring, hate-filled tirade, that made NO sense what so ever. You sound like a career student being spoonfed liberal dogma. But yet, no one on here as actually attempted to seek out the truth on the "phony soldiers" misquote. Come on people!! Jesse Macbeth and ABC News. Check it out....if you dare...
October 1, 2007 7:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dr. Watson, give it a break. Most of us have heard the broadcast and have seen the transcripts (of the original broadcast, not the edited one that Limbaugh is currently passing out, in an attempt to act like a victim). Why don't you check them out yourself ... if you dare.
If there was nothing wrong with the broadcast, why has Limbaugh expunged parts of it?
He said what he said. And to chalk this thing up to ignorance of the facts or some sort of irrational hatred by liberals is ... well, pathetic.
If you are going to come into the comments and hyperventalate about how awful the "liberals" are ... expect a lot of pushback and laughter when you aren't dealing with an amen chorus of fellow dittoheads.
Now ... bye.
-- Bokonon
October 1, 2007 8:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just trying to have a rational exchange of ideas. Lets leave the attacks where they belong....with the Democrat Senators! Liberal or Conservative, Jesse Macbeth is a phony soldier. He claimed to be in serving in Iraq, yet never went there. I am not making this up. Why is that so hard to believe?
October 1, 2007 8:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
The actual transcript for Mr. Watson, not Rush's edited version, this refers to Jesse Macbeth how?
LIMBAUGH: Mike in Chicago, welcome to the EIB Network. Hello.
CALLER 1: Hi Rush, how you doing today?
LIMBAUGH: I'm fine sir, thank you.
CALLER 1: Good. Why is it that you always just accuse the Democrats of being against the war and suggest that there are absolutely no Republicans that could possibly be against the war?
LIMBAUGH: Well, who are these Republicans? I can think of Chuck Hagel, and I can think of Gordon Smith, two Republican senators, but they don't want to lose the war like the Democrats do. I can't think of -- who are the Republicans in the anti-war movement?
CALLER 1: I'm just -- I'm not talking about the senators. I'm talking about the general public -- like you accuse the public of all the Democrats of being, you know, wanting to lose, but --
LIMBAUGH: Oh, come on! Here we go again. I uttered a truth, and you can't handle it, so you gotta call here and change the subject. How come I'm not also hitting Republicans? I don't know a single Republican or conservative, Mike, who wants to pull out of Iraq in defeat. The Democrats have made the last four years about that specifically.
CALLER 1: Well, I am 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 -- sometimes you've got to cut the losses.
LIMBAUGH: Well, you -- you --
CALLER 1: I mean, sometimes you really gotta know when you're wrong.
LIMBAUGH: Well, yeah, you do. I'm not wrong on this. The worst thing that can happen is losing this, flying out of there, waving the white flag. Do you have --
CALLER 1: Oh, I'm not saying that. I'm not saying anything like that, but, you know --
LIMBAUGH: Well, of course you are.
CALLER 1: No, I'm not.
LIMBAUGH: Bill, the truth is -- the truth is the truth, Mike.
CALLER 1: We did what we were supposed to do, OK. We got rid of Saddam Hussein. We got rid of a lot of the terrorists. Let them run their country --
LIMBAUGH: Oh, good lord! Good lord.
[...]
CALLER 1: How long is it gonna -- how long do you think we're going to have to be there for them to take care of that?
LIMBAUGH: Mike --
CALLER 1: How long -- you know -- what is it?
LIMBAUGH: Mike --
CALLER 1: What is it?
LIMBAUGH: Mike, you can't possibly be a Republican.
CALLER 1: I am.
LIMBAUGH: You are -- you are --
CALLER 1: I am definitely a Republican.
LIMBAUGH: You can't be a Republican. You are --
CALLER 1: Oh, I am definitely a Republican.
LIMBAUGH: You are tarnishing the reputation, 'cause you sound just like a Democrat.
CALLER 1: No, but --
LIMBAUGH: The answer to your question --
CALLER 1: -- seriously, how long do we have to stay there --
LIMBAUGH: As long as it takes!
CALLER 1: -- to win it? How long?
LIMBAUGH: As long as it takes! It is very serious.
CALLER 1: And that is what?
LIMBAUGH: This is the United States of America at war with Islamofascists. We stay as long -- just like your job. You do everything you have to do, whatever it takes to get it done, if you take it seriously.
CALLER 1: So then you say we need to stay there forever --
LIMBAUGH: I -- it won't --
CALLER 1: -- because that's what it'll take.
LIMBAUGH: No, Bill, or Mike -- I'm sorry. I'm confusing you with the guy from Texas.
CALLER 1: See, I -- I've used to be military, OK? And I am a Republican.
LIMBAUGH: Yeah. Yeah.
CALLER 1: And I do live [inaudible] but --
LIMBAUGH: Right. Right. Right, I know.
CALLER 1: -- you know, really -- I want you to be saying how long it's gonna take.
LIMBAUGH: And I, by the way, used to walk on the moon!
CALLER 1: How long do we have to stay there?
LIMBAUGH: You're not listening to what I say. You can't possibly be a Republican. I'm answering every question. That's not what you want to hear, so it's not even penetrating your little wall of armor you've got built up.
[...]
LIMBAUGH: Another Mike, this one in Olympia, Washington. Welcome to the EIB Network. Hello.
CALLER 2: Hi Rush, thanks for taking my call.
LIMBAUGH: You bet.
CALLER 2: I have a retort to Mike in Chicago, because I am a serving American military, in the Army. I've been serving for 14 years, very proudly.
LIMBAUGH: Thank you, sir.
CALLER 2: And, you know, I'm one of the few that joined the Army to serve my country, I'm proud to say, not for the money or anything like that. What I would like to retort to is that, if we pull -- what these people don't understand is if we pull out of Iraq right now, which is about impossible because of all the stuff that's over there, it'd take us at least a year to pull everything back out of Iraq, then Iraq itself would collapse, and we'd have to go right back over there within a year or so. And --
LIMBAUGH: There's a lot more than that that they don't understand. They can't even -- if -- the next guy that calls here, I'm gonna ask him: Why should we pull -- what is the imperative for pulling out? What's in it for the United States to pull out? They can't -- I don't think they have an answer for that other than, "Well, we just gotta bring the troops home."
CALLER 2: Yeah, and, you know what --
LIMBAUGH: "Save the -- keep the troops safe" or whatever. I -- it's not possible, intellectually, to follow these people.
CALLER 2: No, it's not, and what's really funny is, they never talk to real soldiers. They like to pull these soldiers that come up out of the blue and talk to the media.
LIMBAUGH: The phony soldiers.
CALLER 2: The phony soldiers. If you talk to a real soldier, they are proud to serve. They want to be over in Iraq. They understand their sacrifice, and they're willing to sacrifice for their country.
LIMBAUGH: They joined to be in Iraq. They joined --
CALLER 2: A lot of them -- the new kids, yeah.
LIMBAUGH: Well, you know where you're going these days, the last four years, if you signed up. The odds are you're going there or Afghanistan or somewhere.
CALLER 2: Exactly, sir.
October 1, 2007 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
dan,
The electorate punished the Democrats for Impeachment, for refusing to fight as dirty as the Republicans in 2002, and again in 2004. Refusing to get down in the trenches and fight the Republicans will eventually give you a victory, as in 2006, but only at the expense of your country.
Has all the damage that's been wrought on America been worth feeling that the Democrats are pure of heart? If so, that's enough to demonstrate to everyone who's watching that they're far from it. That's where my utter disgust with the Democrats is coming from, even though I recognize that they're due for a big win in 2008. It's the depths of moral cowardice to duck from a necessary battle so as to win a broken nation by default. I can't think a more Pyrrhic victory than what the Democrats are going to acieve next November, what with the state of the nation.
October 1, 2007 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, Dave, for posting the entire phone call. And Doc...if that did not send you into an extended hiatus, is it not true that Mr. Macbeth did not come up on Rush's broadcast until several minutes later??
Also, the reference even in my truncated passage referenced "phony soldiers." That'd be plural, doc. Is Jesse Macbeth multiple people??
October 1, 2007 9:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you Dave!!! The full transcript. ABC news two nights earlier did a piece about "phony soldiers" Losers who lie about serving their country. Rush, like myself and ABC, felt that was a terrific name for these people. If you are going to attempt to hang Limbaugh on this, you better start with ABC!! The problem we are having is a failure to communicate. Phony soldiers means never being one and claiming you were, not serving with honour and having your own opinion.
October 1, 2007 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is a simple way for Limbaugh to clarify what he meant. Let him straightforwardly say that he believes that members of the military are free to either support the war when they return or oppose the war when they return. While he does not agree with a word the latter says, he defends to the death their right to say it because that is the American way. I think everyone would be satisfied to hear that.
October 1, 2007 9:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
So dr. watson,
Did ABC think that John Murtha was a good example of a "phony soldier"? Seems Rush does, even though Murtha's been decorated serveral times. Kinda blows a hole in your argument as big as Rush's fat ass, doesn't it?
October 1, 2007 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Personal attacks of the lowest common denominator. Why am I not surprised. John Murtha is a United States Senator who went on record calling our troops "murderers"! If you can defend that, I'm in the wrong place for intelligent ideas.
October 1, 2007 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, Doc, I know the Limbaugh fan club ABHORS personal attacks...like when their hero referred to a 13 year-old Chelsea Clinton as the "White House dog." They hate mean stuff like that...a milquetoast lot, they are.
October 1, 2007 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dr. Watson, you have truly spent many hours today ingesting all the right-wing counterpoints. And now you are here to share the fruits of your most excellent research.
You can't argue the facts, so you are twisting and squirming and squealing like a greased pig, and you are lashing out in all directions at side targets -- the liberal media, John Murtha, that MacBeth guy.
And hilariously, after all that, you are pretending to get the vapors about personal attacks. Ooooooooooh!
Great spin. Great distractions. Great attempts to muddy the waters. Too bad we aren't buying.
We heard the broadcast. We read the transcript. We know what it means. Spare us the propaganda.
-- Bokonon
October 1, 2007 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I'm in the wrong place for intelligent ideas..."
Physician, heal thyself.
October 1, 2007 10:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where is all the hate coming from? Why are you so mad Bokonon? I'm here to reach out. To build a bridge, if you will, between differing opinions. Everyone on here keeps dancing around the truth. Americas Got Talent could use some of your footwork. Look in the mirror, stare down reality, and know that it's OK to be wrong.
October 1, 2007 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Doc--
Dave posted the full transcript earlier, which despite your statement of gratitude, clearly contradicts your argument.
Why do you persist in pretending that you have the monopoly on truth here, all evidence to the contrary??
October 1, 2007 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
know that it's OK to be wrong.
Could there be a more appropriate mantra for anyone who worships at the feet of Rush Limbaugh?
It's amazing - the more they try to clarify what Rush meant, the more damning it becomes. Keep talking, Rush-toadies, you're making our case for us!
October 2, 2007 9:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hang on, Rush couldn't even answer the question about how long he wants the US Army to stay in Iraq! Watson, is he your hero or what? Rush doesn't have an answer for that question - because, guess what the real answer would be (which would give away the whole pretense), would be years. Yep. Years.
What is there to defend this guy about? Is he the best intellectual source point you can come up with? Do you know that Rush is actually paid to infuriate people, helps his rating & the advertisers.
Apparently, its fine to label people names in this world he is in. And he's the savvy one to what it takes to earn big bucks off people who don't question.
If you are going to 'argue' a point, and spread investigative questioning of a subject, why start with a fraud like Rush, or even Bill O'Reilly? What is it that limited your research to these guys? I am assuming you are a questioning-type of person.
I am not living in the USA but in Europe and Australia where we have a questioning media (still), yet when I see persons like yourself rushing to the aid of a right-wing talk host, yet speak about your impartiality, then I really think that you haven't learnt good debating and critical thinking skills.
We aren't missing out by you not having these skills, you are the one missing out yourself. Unless you are content to live in a country where you are challenged to think critically, which as it turns out, is the mainstream USA society.
It is like you have turned up to a composting workshop, thrown people dust and say "we are the same. Lets exchange ideas on how I can grow the same seeds".
Do I hate you? No I don't, because it is hard to hate someone who a) is a paid performer - as Rush is. It is hard to hate you because b) you haven't presented a credible argument, and shown why it is important that we listen to entertainers.
Sorry Dr, but a humanities department at university would find it hard to admit you on the basis of your argument.
Good luck with independent verification of facts to form well-thought out intellectual point of view.
October 2, 2007 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Doc, your desire to believe that Rush's "phony soldiers" was a reference to Jesse Macbeth says more about you than it does about either Rush or the truth.
The fact of the matter is that the pond scum liar known as JM was never mentioned in that conversation and didn't even come up until much later in the show.
So please, enough with your "bridge buliding" metaphor. You came here to promulgate your opinion, and you may as well put your fingers in your ears and sing la-la-la for all the interest you show in real dialogue.
October 2, 2007 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, reading all this discourages me. It makes me feel that anything I say is going to be turned against me--that any words I use will be shoved down my throat. Is it truly pointless to attempt calm, rational, friendly arguments here? There's a deeper problem here than Rush Limbaugh's words. This is about how each one of us as individuals acts and reacts to this kind of situation. We need to pop these balloons of hot air that have distorted the situation. I want to be able to read these comments and be stimulated to thought, not stressed in mind and heart.
October 2, 2007 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
For anyone that really wants to hear the truth, please click on this link:
http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NzQzZGJkM2E1NWI5NmNjMTAzNTQ4YTk1ZDRhZTMyNWY=
I already know you won't do it, because the truth is just too hard to swallow.
October 4, 2007 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink