Dingell Slams Limbaugh As "Dishonest And Misleading"

TPM Cafe ^ | 8/2/06 | Rep. John Dingell

[M. Thatcher]

MI-15: Dingell Slams Limbaugh As "Dishonest And Misleading"

By Greg Sargent | bio

Dem Rep. John Dingell, who's been under fire from right wingers who are grossly distorting his remarks about Hezbollah, has just struck back, writing a blistering letter to Rush Limbaugh which slams the radio host as "dishonest and misleading." Dingell is demanding that Limbaugh stop distorting his record. Read Dingell's full letter after the jump.

Here's the full letter:

Mr. Rush Limbaugh
1270 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

Dear Rush:

Your comments about me and my position on the terrorist organization Hezbollah during your program on August 1 and 2 were dishonest and misleading.

I am consistently on the record saying that I believe Hezbollah to be a terrorist organization dedicated to the elimination of Israel. The world community must come together to work to eradicate Hezbollah and their power. They unilaterally provoked this conflict, they use civilians as human shields, and they generally have no regard for the loss of either Israeli or Lebanese civilian lives. The sad and unfortunate events of the past few weeks have reinforced this belief.

Here are the facts:

* In March 2005, I voted for a resolution calling on the European Union to list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
* In June 2006, I voted for a resolution urging the Organization of American States countries to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
* On July 28 of this year, I signed onto a letter again reiterating the request for the EU to regard Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

You also disregarded my continued support of the State of Israel including:

* A July 19, 2006 statement in which I said on the House floor "Israel's right to defend itself is absolute."
* A statement two days earlier on July 17 on the House floor in which I said: "The actions of Hezbollah have been wrong and counterproductive. They violated Israel's borders, they have continually targeted civilians, and they have endangered Lebanon's promising future."
* And, the fact that during my 50 years in Congress, I have proudly supported more than $300 billion dollars in aid for the State of Israel.

For your own political agenda, you ignored the facts and relied on an edited soundbite which does not stand up to the scrutiny of unbiased reporters.

Let me make it clear: I will continue to call for a cease-fire and to advocate for peace in the Middle East. I want an end to the deadly attacks for many reasons, including my belief that this conflict has cost Israel dearly in the international community. I also believe Israel faces a long-term threat if the government of Lebanon is controlled by extremists. This could happen if the violence brings down Lebanon's democratically elected government - which has received strong support from the Bush Administration. I believe Israel has both the right to exist and the right to protect its borders. I am doing what I believe will help our friends in Israel today, tomorrow and for years to come.

You and I disagree on many things, but we do share a love of this country and its people. I ask you to use your influence to stoke the fires for peace in the Middle East - a peace that will advance America's standing in all corners of the world - instead of furthering the bloodshed and pain for the sake of partisan politics.

Sincerely yours,

John D. Dingell
Member of Congress
15th Congressional District, Michigan

###

[AmishDude]

GROSSLY DISTORTING HIS REMARKS?!?!?

[longtermmemmory]

I hope rush adds a laugh track.

[sionnsar]

Hmmmm... That ought to fire up his Arabic Muslim base.

MI 15th CG -- that includes Detroit and Dearborn, right? This letter should be spread widely in those areas...

[somemoreequalthanothers]

12 years is more than enough for anybody to be in congress. That would solve so many of our problems.

[CharlesWayneCT]

With democrats, running audio clips of what they actually say is unfair. They never really MEAN what they say, after all.

[j_tull]

When are the voters of Michigan going to wake up?

About the same time those in Massachusetts do.

[Prost1]

Two words: Pete Stark!

[ut1992]

It isn't the first time the honorable Congressman from Michigan has confirmed his failure to grasp reality. This speaks volumes about the district he represents and who keeps electing him to office.

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515-2215
July 9, 2003

Mr. Ward Connerly
American Civil Rights Coalition
P.O. Box 188350
Sacramento, CA 95818

Mr. Connerly:


The people of Michigan have a simple message to you: go home and stay there. We do not need you stirring up trouble where none exists.

Michiganders do not take kindly to your ignorant meddling in our affairs. We have no need for itinerant publicity seekers, non-resident troublemakers or self-aggrandizing out-of-state agitators. You have created enough mischief in your own state to last a lifetime.

We reject your “black vs. white” politics that were long ago discarded to the ash heap of history. Your brand of divisive racial politics has no place in Michigan, or in our society. So Mr. Connerly, take your message of hate and fear, division and destruction and leave. Go home and stay there, you’re not welcome here.

With every good wish,


Sincerely yours,


S/signature

John D. Dingell
Member of Congress

see Ward Connerly's response here: http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=9003

[MiHeat]

Never in his district or Conyers. Conyers district is peopled by ignorant fools ala McKinney!!

[Boiler Plate]

Dingell Slams Limbaugh As "Dishonest And Misleading"
Must be worried that the Dems may be losing their franchise. Don't worry Dingellberry you have just been lying so long that you can't tell the difference between Truth which is what Rush speaks and Lies which is franca lingua of yourself and your brethren. You still have a lock on Dishonesty and Misleading.

[Inge_CAV]

John D Dingleberry

As an Unborn Child your were a Parasite, a Tapeworm.

As an adult member of congress you have not shown any improvement.

[cjmae]

I guess he listens to the show

[bannie]

Dingell Slams Limbaugh As "Dishonest And Misleading"

THAT from a politician? ha.

[Brilliant]

Don't know about Detroit. I think Dearborn & Troy. That's what it covered when I was there, I think.

[editor-surveyor]

Dingell seems not to understand basic cause and effect.

[kcvl]

Interviewer: Someoene suggests that if - even though there are obviously a lot of issues with Lebanon and with Palestinian causes wrapped up in this - but this really boils down to Israel against Hezbollah and as Hezbollah is a group that the United States has named a terrorist organization that there's only one side for the Americans to come down on in this fight.

Dingell: Well we don't - first of all, Uh, I don't - I don't take sides for or against Hezbollah or for or against Israel

Interviewer: You're not against Hezbollah?

Dingell: Uh, no.





He was one of the eight democRATs who did not vote in favor of the Congressional resolution supporting Israel in its conflict with Hezbollah.

[Lancey Howard]

including my belief that this conflict has cost Israel dearly in the international community

Therein lies the disgusting mindset of every liberal - - they care what the French think.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

I am consistently on the record saying that I believe Hezbollah to be a terrorist organization dedicated to the elimination of Israel.

I didn't see in his letter that he's managed to get around to picking a side.

[kcvl]

8/2/2006

RUSH LIMBAUGH:



Now, as for Dingell, I am gathering here that people are saying this little clip that circulate around is being taken out of context. Is that right? Well, then help me out. If it is being taken out of context, did he condemn the Hezbos? Is he saying that he condemned the Hezbos and this thing is being doctored to make it look like he didn't? How is it taken out of context? (interruption) Yes. Oh, oh. The real context. Okay. We have the bite. That's right, I remember. We have the bite. It's on a local television station in Detroit. By the way, have you heard people are fleeing Baghdad for Fallujah because it is a safe Haven? (Laughing) At any rate, here's the bite and we'll explain the controversy.

DINGELL: First of all, I don't take sides for or against Hezbollah or for or against Israel.

DEVIN SCILLIAN: You're not against Hezbollah?

DINGELL: No.

RUSH: Okay. Nothing is out of context there. They are just saying the tape should be allowed to play longer. You're not against Hezbollah? No. The Dingell camp is trying to say, "You are misunderstanding. We need to be honest brokers there. We can't choose sides. We cannot have an alley in this. We won't have credibility in the region." That is his point. But let me tell you this, Howard Dean and a bunch of Democrats, Howard Dean accused the Iraqi prime minister of being anti-Semitic because he wouldn't condemn Hezbollah and a bunch of Democrats sent a letter to the speaker of the House saying, "You better not let this guy Maliki speak. He is anti-Semitic. He won't condemn Hezbollah. He's failing to tote the line with the U.S. foreign policy." The same Democrats who got on the previous prime minister Alawi for being a puppet, want this is guy to be a puppet.

I would say to Howard Dean, "Mr. Chairman, if you don't want the Iraqi prime minister to speak in Congress because he doesn't comport to U.S. policy and does not condemn Hezbollah, then neither should John Dingell be allowed to speak." The difference here is that John Dingell is the eldest, most senior Democrat in the House of Representatives. Now, he lives in Dearbornstan. It is one of his constituencies. I think it is in his district. There are a lot of Lebanese Americans in his district. So there is a political factor. You cannot take that out of it. That's just is the name of the game in politics. There are Lebanese Americans and they are constituents. So you just have to figure that's politics and the way politicians can be. I tell you, it has illustrated that the Democrats are not unified as they want you to believe. They have not taken a unified position on the whole Israeli Hezbo conflict. They are trying to get away with trying to make people believe otherwise.


http://tinyurl.com/nhwlg

[kcvl]

Tuesday, July 18, 2006


Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the longest-serving Democrat in the House, said that in order for a U.N.-led peacekeeping effort to occur, "Israel must immediately cease inflicting further damage on Lebanon's civilian infrastructure."

"Failure to do this will have appalling consequences," he said, adding that Israel's response to the killings and captures have been "disproportionate and counterproductive" and could lead to general war in the Middle East and possibly World War III.

Dingell also said that the United States must bring about a cease-fire.

"We must be a honest broker and reliable friend to all who want peace," he said.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,204076,00.html