When asked about Rush’s comments at today’s press briefing, Barbie, I mean Dana Perino had this to say:

Q “And then I have another question, unrelated to this. Apparently this week Rush Limbaugh used the phrase “phony soldiers” to describe American troops who oppose the Iraq war. Given that the President has commented last week on the MoveOn ad of General Petraeus, and called it disgusting, is this something that the President would feel compelled to comment on?”

MS. PERINO: It’s the first I’ve heard of that comment. I’m taking that it is accurate; I have not heard it myself. The President believes that if you are serving in the military that you have the right that every American has, which is you are free to express yourself in any way that you want to. (RUSH ISN’T SERVING DANA) And there are some that oppose the war, and that’s okay.

Q And the use of the phrase “phony soldiers” to describe these –

MS. PERINO: It’s not one that the President would have used, no.

So MoveOn can't express itself, but Rush can. Nice

As long as the asshats in Congress called Mr. Oxycontin out by name I will be glad. If they don't, they are smarmy jerks that should be drawn and quartered. Some jackass is on Tweety's show supporting Limbaughs comment.

I get the retaliation for the stupid anti-MoveOn bill, but Congress should not be in the business of censuring (or censoring) free speech.

I really wish I wasn't so jaded. I really wish something would actually happen regarding this.

While I appreciate this, I really wish these fucking tax-salary-paid people would get to real work.

Get something done!!!

[...] their friends across the aisle), demanding a retraction, and then the obligitory Senate and House resolutions condemning this man and his traitorous [...]

I do not agree with this: it's the same sickening militarism that produced the previous dreck. Let Rush the Gasbag immolate himself on his own. Oh, the humanity! This is a waste of time - the proper thing to do would be to reintroduce the Fair Use doctrine.

And what is all this bullshit talk of 'patriotism'? It's nationalism, and that's what every other nation calls it. We should work to rid the media of complicity in rampant nationalism, not more BS to reinforce it. It's their game anyway.

Following the lead of the right after the attempted smear of MoveOn for the "Betray-Us" ad is petty and weak. This is about free speech and should be discussed by Americans but not in the Congress. The First Amendment supports both what the MoveOn ad suggested and what Rush Limbaugh said. If we keep goading Congress into going after these issues then we are allowing them to think for us. I don't want to go in that direction. If you want action, get off of your fanny and do something yourself. As my moniker suggests, I am a retired vet and couldn't care less what that fake, pompous SOB Rush Limbaugh thinks about me. He has shown his true colors and I'm sure he will lose lots of listeners who now understand that he is and always has been scamming them. Maybe, as a side benefit, they will start to take a harder look at the rest of the right in the process. This could turn out to be a good thing but if they are attacked, they will surely turn the battle into something else to avoid the issue. This is their favorite tactic and we have to stop falling into these traps.

Playing tit-for-tat with morons is alot like fighting the retarded kid in grade school. It doesn't matter how it starts. You are better off just walking away. Because as soon as it starts, you've lost.

Good! Enough is enough.

The best tactic with a bully is to fight back. Hard.

Udon Nomee @ 17:

Playing tit-for-tat with morons is alot like fighting the retarded kid in grade school. It doesn't matter how it starts. You are better off just walking away. Because as soon as it starts, you've lost.

I agree with this.

This is a distraction to see who can be the most patriotic.

I can't help but feel that we're being played for the suckers we are: something else is going on and it's better that we don't pay attention to that, whatever it is.

Lets see how many Rethugs vote for this compared to the Dems who voted for the betray us ad. We should do this, the Republicans filibuster every meaningful legislation anyway.
Pillboy and O'dildo need to be taken down a notch or two. These are the people who are slimming Dems everyday and getting away with it, we need to confront EVERY dirty Lie they tell or we will continue to lose elections.

navyswan @ 18:

I think that we should use this to force the Congress to RETRACT the first attack on free speech, not issue another one. We should be calling for that.

Retract the MoveOn amendment

I like your solution, but Congress would have to make it very clear that it violated the free speech of MoveOn and not issue some generalized statement.

WordPress keeps eating my comments (watch this one get through)

Great. Now we get to have Democrat politicians posturing as well instead of doing what the fuck they were voted into Congress to do, just like the Republicans before them. Ask Limbaugh for his goddamned DD-214. He's a draft-dodging drug addict. Why the hell does anyone give a damn about what he says?

Rush will say he was taken out of context and it will blow over. It's a shame, but he's not going to lose any listeners over this. The Dittiots eat this stuff up!

AndyZ @ 23:

I understand the free speech concerns, but I'm sick and tired of playing by Marquis Of Queensbury rules. Kerry turned the other cheek in 04 and look what happened to him. Yes it's tit for tat, but unfortunately this is the only way to break through the glass ceiling with the main stream media.

That's fine for bloggers and the "MSM" (if one really exists)-- go nuts even. But Congress had better get down to business. War, impending new wars, an over-stretched military, care for injured soldiers, health care, debt, immigration, social security... (and I'm not even American). If you implode the rest of the world implodes with you.

Web Geek and Fiver, you both are absolutely right.

But you're thinking reasonably, not politically. The Move On censure had - and has - everything to do with the 2008 campaign. The GOP had spun their wheels for years attempting to swiftboat Move On. Congressional democrats stupidly, inexplicably, stabbed their ally in the back. They should ALL have abstained, and thrown Chuck Hagel's words back into republican teeth.

The damage has been done, of course, and can't be undone. Still, idiotic (even sinister) as these resolutions are, some semblance of balance can be restored with the passage of Udall's resolution. It's the very least the fools can do to make amends to a formidable ally they chose to betray. It's all about 2008.

trank @ 30:

limbaugh's hilariously hypocritical defense is that he was taken out of context.

Don't take me out of context, but what does that lard-assed, drug-addled-brain, asswipe mean?

I found that press release through the C&L link. It seemed pretty on topic.

I totally agree with the tit for tat argument, But did you see the phony outrage of Senators Cronin and McConnell?

Lets watch them be outraged at Dems even bringing this up and "Wasting Time"

Just this one time will I agree with Dems wasting time on a dickhead like fat ass Pillboy.

Here's the link to the Limbough phony edit.

In fact, the clip he aired omitted a full 1 minute and 35 seconds of discussion that occurred between Limbaugh's original "phony soldiers" comment and his subsequent reference to MacBeth.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200709280009?f=h_latest

> it is time for us to fight back using the same ammo that the repugs are

Nah...their ammo backfires too much. Let's just be right and be willing stand by it.

As for this bill:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JN99jshaQbY

If you agree with the President and are for the war you are an American Hero. If you disagree with the President are against the war, secret prisons, torture, spying on Americans, wiping your ass with the Constitution then you are either a traitor, an Islomofascist, a phoney and/or a left wing liberal Democrat.

It is as simple as that and that is as complicated as the right and the Corporate Media wants the argument to get.

If Kerry would fought back in 04 we would not be in this complete mess in Iraq and America right now. Stand up to a bully and they back down.

I'm sorry it's just time to stand up and Fight and Win the damn fight (The White House and if possible a filibuster proof majority).

w condemned Rush:

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/09/breaking_white_house_faults_rush_o...

Kind of.

I hate to admit it ...

But after Ari "I think I just ODed on steroids" Fleischer; Scott McClellan, the star of "The Scottie Show"; and Tony Snow, host of "Fox News Sunday: the Daily White House Mouthpiece Edition", Dana despite her spacey "Colorado ski bunny" act is a breath of fresh air. I admit it's all relative.

But you must concede, after Steroid Boy/Defective Robot Prototype/Superobot (TM), a bit of even feigned Midwestern sincerity is compelling.

Off topic I'll admit.

So...

Rush, who accused Iraq military vets of being PHONEY SOLDIERS for not licking his butt on every issue...

Now proves himself to be a PHONEY LIAR for editing his original air-check, mis-representing the FACTS, and and generally being a COMPLETE HORSE'S ASS.

That's about what I expect from him EVERY DAY.

Just this morning The Young Turks aired several minutes of this original Rush program. I don't understand how ANYBODY can listen to that gas-bag on a regular basis.

Edwin @ 37:

trank @ 30:

limbaugh's hilariously hypocritical defense is that he was taken out of context.

Don't take me out of context, but what does that lard-assed, drug-addled-brain, asswipe mean?

he wouldn't replay the converasation for his absorbers but told them he was refering to the one soldier who called- but the transcript is clear.

90% of his 1/3BIL$ contract was for using out of context quotes, distorting, and lying, and repeating it all over the country 3 hours a day to tens of millions until the lazy MSM talking heads who ride his bandwagon ass like ticks could use the same talking point on TV without fear of being challenged or laughed off stage. with the help of the GOP talk radio monopoly he and his wannabes have been the greatest single threat to democracy since reagan killed the Fairness Doctrine, so even if this once he was telling the truth, i wouldn't feel bad.

I questioned Senator Spector last week and received a non specfic response so and am now blocked from his site so may I publicly ask: In the us supreme court decision in the Bates case 361 us 516 @ page 528 The first amendment rights are beyond abridgement either by legislation that directly restrains their exercise or by suppression or impairment through harrassment humiiation or exposure by goverment.Would not this include blocking access to the senators web page for commenting?Inquiring minds would like to know.

Congress censoring free speech:
Congress Betray us?

in the constitution specifically states that freedom of the press shall not be restricted!

All those that voted to censure moveon.org just violated the Constitution.

What is it about this generation of politician that seems to fail understanding our rights that they swore to protect?????????????

Rush Limbaugh And Media Matters Exchange New Charges

Rush Limbaugh has responded to the furor surrounding his comment suggesting that those in the military who don’t support Iraq policy are “phony soldiers” charging that his comments were and are twisted out of shape by Media Matters an...

Good. It's a damned shame that so many Dems. were willing to condemn MoveOn and to vote for the Lie-berman amendment, that was directed at Iran.

By the way, since this topic is about Harry Reid and his grand plans, I hope everyone here realizes what a snake he is: he said that he would not bring the Kyl bill to a vote in the foreseeable future (he would hold on it indefinitely), and then the very next day brings it to a vote.

Rush like his buddy Bill O'reilly are very good at saying things then suddenly come back with the same old line. "I didn't say that or I've been misquoted". I wonder how long it will be before Rush follows his buddie Billo in making threats to look up those who condemn them for being liars and assholes.

If they ever served in the military instead of avoiding the draft years ago they might have some credibility. Rush and Billo will someday fall on their sword and put an end to the lies and fraud that they bring forth on our airways.

It's funny, because Bush was a phony soldier. His Daddy got him into flight school to avoid being drafted, where he was then transferred to a unit he never drilled with, his superiors pencil whipping his training status. He wouldnt even show for a piss test, and had his flying status revoked. What kind of aviator would allow that to happen?

And while the media went apeshit over every accusation of Kerry's service (three Purple Hearts and Silver Star) nary a peep was said about George out partying away and never getting any stick time behind a jet like he was trained to.

Very likely never knew how to fly one.

Something tells me that unlike the measure to condemn Moveon, this won't get to a vote. Oh the Republicans will have a "good reason to not do it" and the spineless Dem's will agree. Nothing has changed and I want my 2006 campaign contributions back!! They promised change and I don't see enough to have given even a dime of what little I could afford. Bush is still in office, the war is still being funded and Democrats are still rolling over (and speading it for all of us) each time the Repugs scream. Each time the DSCC and DCCC have called, I give them an earful. Not one more dime!

she is a fucking flippant whore for the gop

The "phony soldiers" (not phony troops) comment on Rush's radio program (transcript of 9-28-07) is regarding the story about the anti-war movement poster boy, Jesse MacBeth. He claimed that he and fellow soldiers commited atrocities against the Iraqi people and his story, unfortunately, went over the Internet in Arabic. He has now said that he LIED about the whole thing. He washed out of boot camp after 44 days. He is facing jail time for making a false claim with the VA. This was the ONE individual Rush was referring to with the "phony soldiers" statement because his lies were used by the anti-war crowd to bolster their agenda..........but now that he has admitted to lying, I haven't seen any retractions from the movement!! But lets condemn Rush before all the facts!!!!!!!

Rush Limbaugh is an Anal Cyst on America
www.ivaw.org

Rush Limbaugh hates American values. He criticizes active duty and veteran service members that want to take part in our core idea of a democratic society. As a combat soldier who has served as a Sniper in the First Infantry Division in Iraq, I support an immediate withdrawal of American troops. The concept of an all volunteer military composed of citizens that still retain their Rights, including maintaining the freedom of speech, is one of America’s proudest distinctions. To have the democratic foundation of the United States marginalized by some fascist that conveniently avoided service during the Vietnam War is delinquent. Limbaugh describes members of the armed services who support a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq as "phony soldiers."

I was honorably discharged, received numerous merits (including a good conduct medal) and passed Sniper School while in the United States Armed Forces. Like many of my fellow anti-war veterans and service members I excelled at my task as soldiers. Even while disagreeing with the conflict I served in. If I had half the conviction and courage some the Iraq Veterans Against the War members have I would have boycotted fighting this conflict and became a war resistor. At least they have the integrity to openly confront this illegal occupation and refuse to fight rather than find some absurd minute medical condition. A friend of mine was hit by seven Improvised Explosive Devices and a car bomb during our tour in Iraq and he remained in theater to complete his duty rather then get pulled out because of the multiple concussions and shrapnel wounds he received. He is against the occupation in Iraq, anyone that can tell his wife and kids that he is a phony soldiers is a Pilonidal disease.

I believe that every citizen of this country has the right to participate in their democracy, especially those that served in combat. Slandering veterans and military personal’s combat experience, because their opinion is different than yours, is despicable and goes against American values. I stand by my belief that the occupation of Iraq is destroying the US Military, undermining national defense and destructive to our countries integrity. I advocate for the safe and immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq. Anyone that thinks that is a reflection on the validity of my military service, and not the right of any member of our democratic society, is a jackass.

The troops are just there as a convenient cover for BushCo's insane actions. Doesn't Udall understand, you can't support the troops themselves, just use them to justify indefensible aggression?

fiver @ 5:

I get the retaliation for the stupid anti-MoveOn bill, but Congress should not be in the business of censuring (or censoring) free speech.

Agreed, but I'm getting sick and tired of Democrats always taking the high road.

As a Democratic supporter, I feel like the biggest kid in my class, but I'm always getting my lunch money taken, and my ass kicked! I'm getting tired of it, and I'm determined to fight back.

It's unfortunate that it's come to this, but if you don't play the game, you have no chance of winning.

GonzoD @ 31:

Rush will say he was taken out of context and it will blow over.

he's always out of context

If you ever pay attention to what the Congress actually does on a daily basis (e.g., watch them live on C-Span) you surely would know that a great amout of their time every day is spent making speeches about, and voting on, silly resolutions. Basically, they do nothing but talk about, write up, and vote on crap legislation that has no substance and no positive impact on the state of our nation or the world in which we live. They are only interested in maintaining their own positions and lifestyles, raking in the big bucks from lobbyists, and their pensions and speechmaking/book tours after they retire.

We need to change our election systems and processes: to allow other parties and candidates to be heard; to take the corporate money out of the election cycle (only public money {about 1 day's worth spent on Iraq would cover all candidates} and time on public TV and radio allowed); and, to ensure that the actual voting is as uncorruptable as possible (i.e., computerized voting?). We must first insist that Bush and Cheney be impeached for their crimes, before they insitgate an even broader conflagration, and then we must make the changes above to move toward taking back out political system and government. I only hope it's not too late.

[Deleted. Flamebait-Sitemonitor]

this woman is on "Ice" big time

Too bad they're voting on censoring rush and not bush.

Damn Consanance!

Republicans will view this as "a partisan political game by Democrats." I'd bet a thousand bucks on it.

Oh yeah, they'll condemn MoveOn.org (who I am NOT a fan of, by the way) for a stupid advertisement about General Petraeus. But when a conservative radio host bashes our BRAVE soldiers who are fighting so he can say that kinda shit, I'd be very surprised if they don't ignore the fact that he said that. Remember, only Conservatives have freedoms now. Nobody else does, sadly.

The Champ is out.

Cheap Political Tactics Backfire RE: Petraeus

Posted by The Crux | Irony can be beautiful -- or it can take a big chunk out of your butt. Last week, Senate Republicans put their Democratic colleagues between a waist-high rock and a hard place by sponsoring a substance-free resolution that condemne...