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Dingell Slams Limbaugh As "Dishonest And Misleading"
TPM Cafe ^
| 8/2/06
| Rep. John Dingell
Posted on 08/02/2006 5:29:01 PM PDT by M. Thatcher
MI-15: Dingell Slams Limbaugh As "Dishonest And Misleading"
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
###
TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: 109th; dingeldhimmi; dingell; limbaugh; nra; talkradio
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To: M. Thatcher
Arab-Americans upset by U.S. handling of Lebanon evacuation
Published: July 31, 2006
"Even if the government claims that they didn't deliberately evacuate American citizens at a slower rate," said Dawud Walid, executive director of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, "then the best construct that can be placed on it is that the process for evacuating Americans from a foreign land is a broken system."
"Ridiculous" was how Samar Saad of Dearborn, Michigan, reacted to the government's original plan to charge people for their passage to Cyprus while other governments were bringing their nationals home without fees. "Our taxes are going to pay for bombs getting dropped on us," Saad said, "and now we have to pay for our own way out?"
snip
Amid widespread outrage over the law requiring people to pay for evacuation, Representative John Dingell of Michigan introduced legislation to overturn it,
ames Zogby said that his nephew managed to leave Lebanon on the third day of hostilities. But Lebanese-Americans, said Zogby, executive director of the Arab American Institute, are feeling that "because they are of Arab descent that they're kind of second-class citizens."
61
posted on
08/02/2006 7:17:01 PM PDT
by
kcvl
To: M. Thatcher
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Michigan Congressman John Dingell declared on Tuesday night to Larry King that "I think Israel has overreacted."
62
posted on
08/02/2006 7:22:00 PM PDT
by
kcvl
To: M. Thatcher
From the leftist site
thinkprogress:
DINGELL: Well, we dont, first of all, I dont take sides for or against Hezbollah or for or against Israel. ANCHOR: Youre not against Hezbollah?
DINGELL: No, I happen to beI happen to be against violence, I think the United States has to bring resolution to this matter. Now, I condemn Hezbollah as does everybody else, for the violence, but I think if weve got to talk to them and if we dont if we dont get ourselves in a position where we can talk to both sides and bring both sides together, the killing and the blood let is going to continue.
He said what he said, but it was just probably just sloppy English. He does not appear to actively support Hezbollah, and he seems quite conflicted about supporting Israel.
63
posted on
08/02/2006 7:23:58 PM PDT
by
TChad
To: M. Thatcher
Well I guess he should have reviewed his letter before announcing he doesnt take sides.
Maybe he should spend a little less time holding mock impeachment hearings at left wing universities, and more time reviewing his voting record.
To: M. Thatcher
When you are on tape not taking sides and saying "No!" when asked if you oppose Hezbollah, it makes a letter to Rush saying you have always opposed Hezbollah a little less credible.
65
posted on
08/02/2006 7:27:59 PM PDT
by
mak5
To: Fatalist
I heard somebody today, most likely Rush Limbaugh, play the whole clip, in response to a Dingell complaint about
not playing the whole clip.
To: M. Thatcher
Wow! I guess Rushberry has really inflamed the Dingleberry????
67
posted on
08/02/2006 7:39:24 PM PDT
by
ErieGeno
To: Doc Hunter
What an idiot. When are the voters of Michigan going to wake up? They won't. Thats why I moved to Texas!
68
posted on
08/02/2006 7:50:20 PM PDT
by
Bommer
To: TChad
He said what he said, but it was just probably just sloppy English. He does not appear to actively support Hezbollah, and he seems quite conflicted about supporting Israel. Then he should write a letter to the Michiganders within his district apologizing for his remarks that were 'taken out of context', instead of attacking Limbaugh. My guess is we wont ever see that letter. He remarks however did draw a moral equivalence between the Israelis and Hezbollha by stating that he is not 'choosing sides'. We probably wont ever see Dingleberry ask for forgiveness from the Israelis like Mel Gibson has asked for forgiveness from the Jews.
To: MichiganMan
Only a liberal Democrat would think FIFTY years in Congress was an accomplishment worth bragging about. Talk about modern day aristocracy.This is a legacy seat. Dingels father held this seat for a good number of years. Some of these political families think that they are the aristocracy.
70
posted on
08/02/2006 7:53:53 PM PDT
by
metalurgist
(Believe in my God or I will kill you! The cry of all religious extremists.)
To: M. Thatcher
When a politician feels so threatened by the truth that he has to go after a non-politician entertainer, it is the beginning of the end. Same with hillary vis-a-vis Ann Coulter. Loss of distance, degrades the authority of their office, lowers their status to that of a non-politician.
Bad idea-- but hey, who am I to do 'rat suckers any favors by pointing this out? Let them squeak.
To: justa-hairyape
Then he should write a letter to the Michiganders within his district apologizing for his remarks that were 'taken out of context', instead of attacking Limbaugh. I agree. He should accept responsibility for making a remark that was very likely to be misconstrued.
72
posted on
08/02/2006 9:43:01 PM PDT
by
TChad
To: M. Thatcher
Never, EVER, get into an argument with a guy who will pound you to dust.
DIngel continues to step in it.
73
posted on
08/02/2006 9:46:57 PM PDT
by
MonroeDNA
(Look for the Union label--on the tunnel ceiling as it smashes your car!)
To: daybreakcoming
EGADS! 50 years in Congress??? Michigan! Do something! Michigan has been a state long enough for that to be true?
Wait; I misread it; I thought he said 150 years in Congress.
Just because he's a blood sucking leech, I was beginning to believe he really was a vampire.
74
posted on
08/02/2006 10:07:45 PM PDT
by
ApplegateRanch
(Islam: a Satanically Transmitted Disease, spread by unprotected intimate contact with the Koranus.)
To: ApplegateRanch
50 years is too long for him not to get dirty. Someway. Somehow.
To: M. Thatcher
I don't know what Rush said. But Dingell sounds like your typical Democrat. He wants the violence to end yet helps it flourish by making the terrorist believe they're resilient, that they can endure over the long haul. What ought to be done is the innocents should learn to hate the terrorists more than they hate Israel. And that can only be accomplished by the swift and total destruction of the areas the terrorist work from regardless of the innocent lives they hide behind. Eventually the terrorist will be regarded as the true enemy. Which they are.
76
posted on
08/02/2006 10:32:42 PM PDT
by
firequarrel
(The Republican Party had been taken over by a "bunch of kooks" - Barry Goldwater.)
To: ut1992
What a blistering and proper response by Mr. Connerly. Expertly written.
77
posted on
08/02/2006 10:34:06 PM PDT
by
Christian4Bush
(To exercise your first amendment rights, go to college. To defend them, join the military.)
To: M. Thatcher
78
posted on
08/02/2006 10:34:42 PM PDT
by
facedown
(Armed in the Heartland)
To: kcvl
"Dearbornstan"? OMgoodness! ROFLMAO!!!
79
posted on
08/02/2006 10:36:16 PM PDT
by
Christian4Bush
(To exercise your first amendment rights, go to college. To defend them, join the military.)
To: facedown
50 years in Congress !!!!!!!!!!!!!! i guess the man never had a real job in his life.
What the hell will ANOTHER cease fire produce ? Anyone with any sense know that this has to be a winner take all settlement . get it over with once and for all .
Dingle should have left well enough alone..rush is gonna tear him a big wide one tomorrow .
Ill have to get the portable radio out and listen tomorrow while Im painting the garage floor..
80
posted on
08/02/2006 10:42:36 PM PDT
by
sonic109
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