Dingy Harry knows what a Bill of Attainder is...
Posted on 10/01/2007 12:07:22 PM PDT by mojito
Harry Reid's not dropping it. (Will he condemn ABC next for reporting on actual phony soldiers??)
For Immediate Release Date: Monday, October 1, 2007
REID CALLS ON SENATORS TO JOIN IN CONDEMNING LIMBAUGH’S ATTACK ON OUR TROOPS
Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today on the floor of the U.S. Senate, urging Senators to sign a letter that calls on Mark P. Mays, CEO of Clear Channel Communications, to publicly repudiate Rush Limbaugh’s characterization of troops who speak out against the Iraq war as “phony soldiers.”
Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Freedom of speech is one of our country’s most cherished values. Nothing sets us further apart than the countries and regimes we oppose than our belief that everyone’s opinion matters, and everyone has the right to express it. That is why, when we hear things on the radio that are offensive, by and large, we tolerate them.
“But last week, Rush Limbaugh went way over the line – and while we respect his right to say anything he likes, his unpatriotic comments cannot be ignored.
“During his show last Wednesday, Rush Limbaugh was engaged in one of his typical rants. This rant was unremarkable and indistinguishable from his usual drivel, which has been steadily losing listeners for years – until he crossed that line by calling our men and women in uniform who oppose the war in Iraq ‘phony soldiers.’ This comment was so beyond the pale of decency that it cannot be left alone. And yet, he followed it up with denials and an attack on Congressman Jack Murtha, a 37-year active member of the Marine Corps.
“We have been debating the Iraq war here in the Senate and throughout the country for not months, but years. There are good, patriotic Americans who favor the war – and good, patriotic Americans who oppose President Bush’s handling of it. Neither party holds a patent on patriotism. I know all my Republican colleagues would agree with that.
“Yet Rush Limbaugh took it upon himself to attack the courage and character of those fighting and dying for him and for all of us. Rush Limbaugh got himself a deferment from serving when he was a young man. He never served in uniform. He never saw in person the extreme difficulty of maintaining peace in a foreign country engaged in civil war. Ye he thinks that his opinion on the war is worth more than those who are on the front lines.
“And what’s worse – Limbaugh’s show is broadcast on Armed Forces Radio, which means that thousands of troops overseas and veterans here at home were forced to hear this attack on their patriotism. Rush Limbaugh owes the men and women of our Armed Forces an apology.
“On Friday, many Democrats joined me in drafting a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel, Mark Mays that we will send out this week. Here is what we wrote:
‘Dear Mr. Mays,
‘At the time we sign this letter, 3,801 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq, and another 27,936 have been wounded. 160,000 others awoke this morning on foreign sand, far from home, to face the danger and uncertainty of another day at war.
‘Although Americans of goodwill debate the merits of this war, we can all agree that those who serve with such great courage deserve our deepest respect and gratitude. That is why Rush Limbaugh’s recent characterization of troops who oppose the war as “phony soldiers” is such an outrage.
‘Our troops are fighting and dying to bring to others the freedoms that many take for granted. It is unconscionable that Mr. Limbaugh would criticize them for exercising the fundamentally American right to free speech. Mr. Limbaugh has made outrageous remarks before, but this affront to our soldiers is beyond the pale.
‘The military, like any community within the United States, includes members both for and against the war. Senior generals, such as General John Batiste and Paul Eaton, have come out against the war while others have publicly supported it. A December 2006 poll conducted by the Military Times found just 35 percent of service members approved of President Bush’s handling of the war in Iraq, compared to 42 percent who disapproved. From this figure alone, it is clear that Mr. Limbaugh’s insult is directed at thousands of American service members.
‘Active and retired members of our armed forces have a unique perspective on the war and offer a valuable contribution to our national debate. In August, seven soldiers wrote an op-ed expressing their concern with the current strategy in Iraq. Tragically, since then, two of those seven soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.
‘Thousands of active troops and veterans were subjected to Mr. Limbaugh’s unpatriotic and indefensible comments on your broadcast. We trust you will agree that not a single one of our sons, daughters, neighbors and friends serving overseas is a “phony soldier.” We call on you to publicly repudiate these comments that call into question their service and sacrifice and to ask Mr. Limbaugh to apologize for his comments.’
“Just as patriotism is the exclusive realm of neither party, taking a stand against those who spew hate and impugn the integrity of our troops is a job that belongs to all of us. I can’t help but wonder how my Republican colleagues would have reacted if the tables were turned – if a well-known Democratic radio personality had used the same insulting line of attack against troops who support the war.
“The letter I read will be available on the Senate floor for the entire day. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle will have every chance to add their names to it, and I encourage all of us to do so. If we take the Republican side at their word that last week’s vote on another controversial statement related to the war was truly about patriotism, not politics, then I have no doubt that they will stand with us against Limbaugh’s comments with equal fervor.
“I am confident we will see Republicans join with us in overwhelming numbers. Anything less would be a double standard that has no place in the United States Senate. I ask my colleagues, Democrat and Republican alike, to join together against this irresponsible, hateful, and unpatriotic attack by calling upon Rush Limbaugh to give our troops the apology they deserve.”
And a darned good politician. Once he's been bought, he STAYS bought.
What goobers! If they have so little to do that they can waste time on this stupidity, they should ALL go home.
I suspect that other Conservative leaning talk show hosts are in the sights of MoveOn and George Sorass.
It looks as though the way all of this casting of dispersions on conservatives is a well planned conspiracy by those on the left.
It is a frontal assault and a sorry one at that when politicians as lowlife as Dingy, Turdbin, Murdering Ted and Little Tommy Harking can be on the same Democrat talking points page at the same time.
This BREW HA HA just did not materialize out of thin air.
The comments made by Rush were distorted on purpose to create a row so as to cover up a misguided and vicious attack on our soldiers by the unpatriotic left.
Yes there I finally said what many should have said years ago, that the LEFT WING KOOK FRINGE MUCKDIVING DEMOCRATS are UNPATRIOTIC.
Rush and O’Really have been Dan Rather-ed and this is just the beginning of a FIFTH COLUMN MOVEMENT by those who proclaim to want nothing more than free speech.
It’s called divide and conquer and we as Conservatives have to get down next to the Democrat sewer and fight their lies.
Just the lowly opinion of a red state wannabe.
Where is the Republican with the Cajones to stand up and say enough is enough.
So far the Democrats have neutered our brave Republican senators.
That was my FAVORITE election ‘04 moment (well besides the obvious) The look on Chris Matthews’ face was priceless.
I laughed until I cried and everytime I thought about it I would start up again.
I would have put my money on Zell.
How about a Senate resolution to condemn all the democrat lying b*stards?
How about a Senate resolution to condemn all the democrat lying b*stards?
All I can say is.. ARE THESE LIBERALS JOKING!!?? They have been slandering the troops for years. Forget their web sites. The elected leaders spewing their lies to the world...they are shameless!!
Dingy Harry knows what a Bill of Attainder is...
huh??
What is it that used to be said about picking a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel — I bet it applies to someone who has 3 hours a day on the radio to reply to the lies. Rush must think this is going to be fun, train wrecks always are.
I’ve been trying to call Harry Reid’s office for a couple of hours. Placed two calls. His lines are busy as expected.
What a pathetic piece of humanity. Reid is living proof there is evolution.
The left loves rhyming jargon.
We should call those who need calling, and tell them that this is ONE LEFTIST LIE THAT WILL NOT FLY.
Did you mean if Rush really said it, or reid? Sorry if I got it bass-ackwards.
that’s a classic!
Yeah, I didn’t think of that. oops.
Gee. What part of “free speech” do these people not understand?
Please see my profile page
“Was he on the Welk Show?”
NO. He wasn’t hip enough.
Congress should implement higher ethics standards (with some teeth)for itself.
We should demand Reid and others follow the Federal Ethics laws (and eliminate their exemption):
U.S.C. § 1001. Statements or entries generally
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully—
(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both. If the matter relates to an offense under chapter 109A, 109B, 110, or 117, or section 1591, then the terms of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be not more than 8 years.
...
(c) With respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch, subsection (a) shall apply only to—
(1) administrative matters, ...
Congress exempts itself from the laws of the US.
The Congress should implement higher ethics standards for itself!!!
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