If you’re just joining us, Media Matters reported yesterday that far-right radio host Rush Limbaugh dismissed U.S. troops who support a withdrawal policy in Iraq as “phony soldiers.” Veterans’ groups and sevearl leading Democrats, including the DNC and the DCCC, blasted Limbaugh for the comment, and urged Republicans to repudiate it.Hum....
A variety of conservatives have apparently come up with a defense — Limbaugh shouldn’t have said those exact words, but it doesn’t matter because he was taken out of context.
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So, is there anything to this? I don’t think so. Let’s go to the tape and consider the context in more detail.
Limbaugh had just finished arguing with a caller from Chicago who said he is an anti-war Republican who served in the military. Limbaugh said that was impossible — Republicans aren’t genuine unless they support Bush’s Iraq policy. As for the caller’s claim about military service, Limbaugh said, “Right. Right. Right, I know. And I, by the way, used to walk on the moon!” Limbaugh’s argument wasn’t subtle — the caller couldn’t have worn the uniform because he supports withdrawal.
[ cf Right starts pushing back against Limbaugh’s ‘phony soldiers’ flap ]
Clearly we should not pick on Rush, et al, they want to be patriotic, but, uh, the government keeps giving all of the good combat billets to the minorities....
Besides Rush is a personal friend of Jesus, and a true christianist who would be more Christian than any other, were it not for all of the liberals who prevent him from bathing in the blood.....