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Washington Post: Limbaugh eBay Auction Was 'Petty Bickering'
NewsBuster.com ^ | October 20, 2007 | Tim Graham

Posted on 10/20/2007 9:31:05 AM PDT by Kaslin

Newspapers are supposed to be so much better at television at providing hard facts and context to today’s news. That’s not what the Washington Post did on Saturday in a snarky Style section article on Rush Limbaugh raising $2.1 million on eBay (and donating the same amount) to a worthy charity auctioning off Senator Harry Reid’s snotty letter to Clear Channel Communications denouncing Rush Limbaugh’s remarks about phony soldiers like Jesse Macbeth.

Neely Tucker’s short piece failed to explain the context of (a) what Rush originally said on the air about phony soldiers and (b) what Reid’s letter to Clear Channel said about they should "publicly repudiate" Limbaugh for his comments. The Post tried to discount the whole affair as "petty bickering about patriotism" and "grandstanding." Here’s the whole (brief, context-challenged) article, that came with a "Limbaugh Spins Reid's Letter Into Charity Gold" headline

Petty bickering about patriotism and Who Loves Our Troops More has never been seen as a financial growth industry, but there's no stopping American capitalism. This is why a perfunctory bit of political grandstanding, committed to U.S. Senate letterhead this month, became worth a reported $4.2 million yesterday, instantly becoming one of the most valuable printed documents of the modern era.

The letter in question is an Oct. 2 two-pager from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to Clear Channel Communications CEO Mark Mays lambasting the syndicate's Rush Limbaugh, who had recently criticized U.S. troops who were against the war in Iraq.

"Phony soldiers," blasted Limbaugh.

"Beyond the pale," Reid blasted back. "Unpatriotic," he added.

Forty-one Democratic senators signed the thing, put it in the mail and, really, that should have been the end.

But Limbaugh decided he had been "smeared" by left-wing evildoers. He put the letter up for auction on eBay, with the benefits going to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, a New Jersey-based charity that primarily gives scholarship money to the children of service members either killed in war or in the course of public duty. Limbaugh sits on the board of directors.

The letter drew bids from more than 60 people and was bought yesterday for $2.1 million by reclusive D.C. philanthropist Betty Brown Casey, who has heretofore shown more of an interest in the Washington National Opera than Washington mudslinging. Limbaugh said yesterday on his radio show that Casey was a longtime fan, that he would match her bid (bringing the total raised by the letter to $4.2 million) and, on his show, he graciously poked Reid in the eye:

"It got this kind of money because it represents one of the most outrageous abuses of federal power in modern American history, and that is what makes it a collector's item. This letter that Senator Reid wrote will forever memorialize him as a demagogue."

We have only a few hours, but you get the idea.

Brendan Sullivan, Casey's attorney, did not return calls yesterday.

Yesterday on the Senate floor, Reid said Limbaugh had "very, very constructively" raised more than $2 million with a letter "signed by this senator and my friends." Limbaugh, not to be out-grandstanded, took to the airwaves to blast Reid for trying to "horn in" on the publicity coup.

"We've gotten donations in the million-dollar range before, but this is by far the biggest," James Kallstrom, chairman and co-founder of the 12-year-old charity, said yesterday in a telephone interview.

The foundation has awarded more than $27 million in scholarships to children of slain troops and law enforcement officers, Kallstrom said, as well as support money for disabled veterans and their families.

"But we're not political at all," he said.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 110th; ebay; harryreid; phonysoldiers; rushlimbaugh; whiningliberals; wp
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To: Kaslin
I guess it's petty of me then to take such delight in the way Rush spiked that letter on that vile SOB's nose.

I haven't heard anything yet on any of the signers of that letter meeting Rush's challenge to them to match the amount themselves. Perhaps they're a little petty themselves.

61 posted on 10/20/2007 11:45:16 AM PDT by VR-21
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To: BenLurkin
"It got this kind of money because it represents one of the most outrageous abuses of federal power in modern American history, and that is what makes it a collector's item. This letter that Senator Reid wrote will forever memorialize him as a demagogue."

Constitutional Republic "Rule of Law" versus Stalinist Socialism is considered "petty bickering" to the Democrats.

62 posted on 10/20/2007 11:59:59 AM PDT by Alex Murphy ("Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, for it is an evil time." - Amos 5:13)
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To: sageb1; All

I really don’t know why some people care so much about her political leanings. It does not matter.

But since some of you do, please be accurate. She did not contribute “big time” to Obama. she DID contribute “big time” to the RNC.

She also gave to lazio and Rudy. What do lazio, rudy and obama have in common? All three have run or are running against Hillary. It’s fair to assume she’s anti-Hillary.

If she gave money to leiberman, good for her! In case you hadn’t noticed leiberman was re-elected because most Republicans/conservatives in CT switched their votes to him and refused to back the Republican. Conservatives and Republicans actively worked on his behalf. Including many here. Myself included. Why? because he’s right on the war and it’s CT. Not like we’d get a conservative right on the war there or a conservative period.

lastly, according to Rush she’s been a big fan from the start of his show AND if you read the release from her organization it stated they supported free speech, Rush limbaugh, and supported his continued teachings.

the woman’s one of the good “guys”.

Again, i don’t think it would matter if SOROS himself bought it. So long as he paid up. but can we please stop fishing into her political contributions and worrying about her donations now?


63 posted on 10/20/2007 12:10:03 PM PDT by Soul Seeker
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To: Soul Seeker

“If she gave money to leiberman, good for her! “

I agree. Someone posted her contributions yesterday. She did give to Republicans, however her last 3 were to Obama, IIRC. The max allowed per. It really isn’t relevant to Rush’s cause, that is true. I don’t think it’s worth getting into any big todo over it.


64 posted on 10/20/2007 12:23:55 PM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: SIDENET

“The dude looks a little fruity.”

A little? He’ strikes me as a whole Carmen Miranda headpiece.


65 posted on 10/20/2007 12:37:59 PM PDT by Bogtrotter52 (Reading DU daily so you won't hafta)
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To: Kaslin

Hmmmmm..so the Post is telling flyover country to shut up and take it.....


66 posted on 10/20/2007 12:48:34 PM PDT by mo
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To: Waco
*****Sen. Reid,,,Wash. post, 2 sh-pots heading for oblivion, keep going boys, we need the space*****

NYT is close to going bankrupt. WaPo may well follow.

Good, paper is needed for birdcages and pupppy dog doo-doos.

67 posted on 10/20/2007 12:56:07 PM PDT by GOPologist (Btry. B, 228 FA Bn.-155mm Howitzer. WW 2 (Europe))
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To: Kaslin

The WaPo’s new mast-line:

“All the petty bickering fit to print.”

This sets the newest standard: Lies, Damn Lies, and anything printed in the WaPo.

Mark


68 posted on 10/20/2007 1:02:19 PM PDT by MarkL (Listen, Strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government)
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To: river rat
*****It would be funny, except this balmy bastard is a U.S. Senator.*****

More balmy bastards like him in Washington, we’ll be thankful that the 2nd Amendment is in the Constitution.

69 posted on 10/20/2007 1:05:46 PM PDT by GOPologist (Btry. B, 228 FA Bn.-155mm Howitzer. WW 2 (Europe))
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To: Kaslin

HAH, HAH, HAH! With a nice cigar and a beverage to go with it.


70 posted on 10/20/2007 1:09:40 PM PDT by BobS (I><P>)
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To: Kaslin

phony soldiers.
phony stories.
phony watchdog group.
phony backroom editing.
phony media coverage.
phony politicians.
phony speaches.
phony letter.
phony media coverage yet again.
add em all up and what da ya get?
purposeful obtuseness ....
oozing mendacity ....
vile defamation ....
intellectual turpitude ....
paid for by George Soros for purposefully obtuse liberals everywhere.

Do we really want a threepeat on shifty grifter Billy “Back of the Bus” Clinton and his ilk?


71 posted on 10/20/2007 4:51:44 PM PDT by jaaakemm (Wannabe hippie regurgitates media matters vomit)
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To: donna

My thoughts too.


72 posted on 10/20/2007 7:00:00 PM PDT by valkyry1
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To: khnyny; BenLurkin
You: It not only sheds light on Harry Reid, though, but on all of the 41 signers, including two people who are currently running for POTUS. It is a concrete example of how far off the path the “leaders” of our country have strayed.

Yes it is outrageous and it should make anyone with more than 2 synapses to cross to turn away from these America hating demagogues (Clinton-Obama, the rest of them) who reject a moral compass.

73 posted on 10/20/2007 7:26:33 PM PDT by valkyry1
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To: Kaslin; Admin Moderator

Just curious. If we are legally prevented from posting an entire Washington Post item, are we legally prevented from posting an article quoting an entire Washington Post item?


74 posted on 10/20/2007 7:32:40 PM PDT by Tall_Texan (No Third Term For Bill Clinton!)
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To: Nat Turner

75 posted on 10/20/2007 8:44:27 PM PDT by Kaslin (Peace is the aftermath of victory)
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To: Kaslin
Petty Wash Post rides again for the DNC!!! Yippee ya ya, what else is new coming from this old tired worn out leftist dribble propaganda machine?

Their jealousy is showing, Rush Limbaugh will not be defeated by these little sniveling petty stalinist twerps.

76 posted on 10/21/2007 7:53:11 AM PDT by harpo11
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To: Kaslin
 

Who Signed?
 

Harry Reid Hillary Rodham Clinton Blanche Lincoln
Richard Durbin Kent Conrad Bob Menendez
Charles Schumer Christopher Dodd Barbara Mikulski
Patty Murray Byron Dorgan Bill Nelson
Daniel Akaka Dianne Feinstein Barack Obama
Max Baucus Tom Harkin Jack Reed
Joseph Biden Daniel Inouye Jay Rockefeller
Barbara Boxer Edward M. Kennedy Ken Salazar
Sherrod Brown John Kerry Bernie Sanders
Robert Byrd Amy Klobuchar Debbie Stabenow
Benjamin Cardin Mary Landrieu Jon Tester
Tom Carper Frank Lautenberg Jim Webb
Bob Casey Patrick Leahy Sheldon Whitehouse
  Carl Levin Ron Wyden





List of the treasonous lying POS who deserve to be $hit canned immediately!!!



When you take my first amendment, stand-by, while I exercise my 2nd, the one that insures all others!
77 posted on 10/21/2007 12:51:28 PM PDT by Issaquahking (N.H. FNC Debate "What did you do for America today?" Duncan Hunter for President!)
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To: Issaquahking; AuntB; SierraWasp

Who Signed?
 

Harry Reid Communist from Nevada
Her Thighness Rodham Clinton
Communist from New York
Blanche Lincoln Communist from Arkansas
Turbin Durbin Communist from Illinois Kent Conrad Communist from North Dakota Bob Menendez Communist from New Jersey
Charles Schumer Communist from New York Christopher Dodd Communist from Connecticut Barbara Mikulski Communist from Maryland
Patty Murray Communist from Washington Byron Dorgan Communist from North Dakota Bill Nelson Communist from Florida
Daniel Akaka Communist from Hawaii Dianne Feinstein Communist from California Barack Obama Communist from Illinois
Max Baucus Communist from Montana Tom Harkin Communist from Iowa Jack Reed Communist from Rhode Island
Joseph Biden Communist from Delaware Daniel Inouye Communist from hawaii Jay Rockefeller Communist from West Virginia
Barbara Boxer Communist from California Edward "the swimmer" Kennedy Communist from Massachusetts Ken Salazar Communist from Colorado
Sherrod Brown Communist from Ohio John Kerry Communist from Massachusetts Bernie Sanders Communist from Vermont
Robert Byrd Communist from West Virginia Amy Klobuchar Communist from Minnesota Debbie Stabenow Communist from Michigan
Benjamin Cardin Communist from Maryland Mary Landrieu Communist from Loiusiana Jon Tester Communist from Montana
Tom Carper Communist from Delaware Frank Lautenberg Communist from New Jersey Jim Webb Communist from Virginia
Bob Casey Communist from Pennsylvania Patrick "leaky" Leahy Communist from Vermont Sheldon Whitehouse Communist from Rhode Island
  Carl Levin Communist from Michigan Ron Wyden Communist from Oregon







Clarification on those who would silence us! Yellow for the coward. For the the rest of the watermelons (useful idiots), green on the outside, red in the middle!


78 posted on 10/21/2007 2:45:47 PM PDT by Issaquahking (N.H. FNC Debate "What did you do for America today?" Duncan Hunter for President!)
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