Take Rush Limbaugh Off Armed Forces Radio

Click here to email Congress to take Rush Limbaugh off Armed Forces Radio.

Last week, Rush Limbaugh labeled any American soldier who supports an end to the war in Iraq as "phony." We challenged Limbaugh through an email campaign to invite VoteVets.org's Jon Soltz to his show and repeat these same insults to an Iraq war veteran's face. Over 10,000 people responded and emailed Rush -- but to our disappointment, he has refused to respond to our request.

It's time to put real pressure on Rush Limbaugh. His show is broadcast on Armed Forces Radio, and this time we are going to go straight to the lifeblood of Rush's show -- Congress. Congress has the power to remove Rush Limbaugh from Armed Forces Radio, and it won't be as easy for elected officials to ignore our call.

Tax dollars are used to fund Armed Forces Radio, and that money is not intended for radio show hosts to spout insults at our soldiers. These "phony soldiers" have simply exercised their right to free speech, as Rush Limbaugh does on a daily basis. Simply because a majority of our troops who return from Iraq disagree with Rush on Bush's failed war policy does not give him the right to dishonor their service.

Unlike Rush Limbaugh, members of Congress cannot casually brush off the concerns of citizens. Since Rush won't listen to us, we're going directly to Congress, who can prevent him from disrespecting and censoring the voices of our soldiers.

How have Republicans in Congress chosen to respond so far? Congressional Republicans have actually drafted a resolution supporting Rush Limbaugh, "commending [his] relentless efforts to build and maintain troop morale through worldwide radio broadcasts and personal visits to conflict regions."

That's outrageous. Rush Limbaugh's "phony soldiers" comment should not be commended -- it should be condemned. And it's time to tell Congress to act swiftly to hold Rush Limbaugh accountable.

Click here to hold Rush Limbaugh accountable for his offensive and outrageous comments -- tell your members of Congress to take Rush off Armed Forces Radio today!

Our armed forces have served us honorably in Iraq, and the least we can do is respectfully listen to what they have to say about their experiences and perspectives on the war. To question the sincerity of our "phony" troops is disgraceful and must end.

Thank you for speaking out.

Comments

[DonRoberto]

Please don't tell us that Rush has once again been taken "out of context". The worst insult to Americans from Limbaugh is his show itself, and no extract or soundbyte can possibly do it justice.
Greed, avarice, hatred, pride, ambition, and other traits past generations viewed as sins, bad manners, or worse, are paraded before listeners as virtues by Limbaugh and his guests.
Continuing schoolyard diatribes against figures in the political center and left are maintained and fueled by the latest quotes or events, many of them fictitious, all of them "out-of-context".
Limbaugh has arguably done more than anyone else in the last 25 years to make "hatred" an American value. For this accomplishment alone, he deserves his own entry in the history books, alphabetically somewhere between "Goebbels" and "Quisling".
As far as the "phony soldiers" comment goes, who would believe such an accusation from a phony American, anyway? Only the hardcore Kool-Aid drinkers and dittobots can be fooled so easily.

[pa104inf]

Let's get this straight, when Rush was speaking about phoney soldiers he was speaking of those who fake a service record such as Jessie MacBeth and Senator Tom Harkin and then are held up by the left as heroes. Some of you may have forgotten but Tom Harkin orginally claimed that he served in Vietnam and then when confronted with the fact that he didn't serve in Vietnam "corrected" his mistake. I listend to the whole exchange and the morning update from the day before and he was in no way calling anti-war veterans "phoney soldiers". It is media-matters, Senator Harry Reid, and Senator Tom Harkin who owe Rush an apology. Media-matters edited the recording to get the false results they wanted. Give me a break.

Steorn the solution to Global Warming can be found at http://www.steorn.com

[maddog2112]

Rush Thinks your a complete idiot and you are proving him right! The "version" you refer to that Rush posted on his sight and has referred back to on his show is an edited version that he cut and paisted together to make the argument you are now defending.
What aired on the radio and what Rush now uses to explain it are 2 completely different things. It is clear and unarguable that he referred to all solders that disagree with him as phony soldiers. This has always been Standard Operating Procedure for Rush on every topic; you have seen it hundreds of times before. His own defense is taken out of context, edited and simply a lie. The fact that Rush would flat out lie to his supporters should make you open your eyes a little and at the very least maybe, just maybe think for yourself just enough to see through the typical Rush tactics. He is betting on the fact that you are to stupid to do this and will believe what your told, after all that is how he got where he is in the first place. Preaching to the lowest common denominator.

[BreadandRoses]

Media Matters most certain did NOT edit the audio, and they have psoted the full written transcript to go with it.

It was Rush who editedc the tape to support his lies. But since you approve of Rush's lies, you won't ever admit the truth.

No wonder you're a Republican.

BTW, that Steorn hoax has been debunked do many times that only those of severely limited intellect still promote it.

[Slimsmom]

Gen. Clark,
While I certainly admire your righteous indignation I must respectfully remind you that in our nation, we have freedom of speech. Trying to stifle it, no matter if one is speaking from a liberal or conservative viewpoint, is anathema to most Americans. Do I agree with the lies and distortions Mr. Limbaugh spews? No. Does it sicken me to listen to him and his ilk? Yes. Do I turn the radio or television dial when they are on the air? Yes.
Sir, a great man such as yourself should not be on the side of censorship. I also respectfully suggest that perhaps your anger could be put to better use trying to influence members of Congress to stop the insanity of the Iraq War. I think perhaps in this instance you are fighting windmills. Any thinking patriot of our great nation knows Mr.Limbaugh for the arrogant windbag that he is.
So, Gen.Clark, while I completely agree with you that what Mr. Limbaugh spews is nothing more than hate-filled, closed-minded tirades against our dissenting soldiers, please use your voice to counter the lies without trying to shut down free speech. I know it is a long uphill slog for those on the front lines of the propaganda wars, but I also know you are more than up to the task.

[DoctorDoctor]

at one level, you're right. Censorship at any level is to be avoided at all costs. In this case, however, you're dead wrong. LimpBugger, by electing to lie on a daily basis exercises censorship of the worst sort; he distorts the truth to mislead the public. He's a propagandist, nothing more. To enlist him as an official propagandist for this alarmingly fascist regime is a crime. It is totally appropriate to take any means possible to keep his distortions from becoming policy. Free speech refers to the discussion of issues. No one can say that providing a propagandist a protected podium to spread half-truths and lies at government expense is "free speech". We need to make sure he's answered, in a public forum, with the truth. So far, this administration (and the prior republican administrations that empowered him) has refused to make him accountable for anything as long as he sticks to their talking points. Goebbels followed the same path. That's not free speech. It's yelling "fire" in a crowded theater when there is none.

[living history]

You obviously did not to listen to the show, but believe the same talking points of the left. If this issue was examined by a judge or arbitrator, your Media Matters group would be held liable for a lie, which your side has bought into hook, line and sinker. Why do you think the MSM has dropped the story like a hot potato? No one covered the Harry Reid blatant statement of lies on Monday.

I might add, just try to take Rush off Armed Forces Radio and you will hear a roar of dissent so loud it will make your ears hurt. The soldiers know who supports them more than anyone else in the USA......Rush Limbaugh.....his words, actions and actual help for them and their families. He outshines any democrat in the Congress and his words are not empty. Anyone who is thrown out of the military after 44 days and then claims to be an Army Ranger and in Iraq where he supposedly did all these terrible things, deserves to called a phony soldier and not the hero the democrats rallied around.

[tlcutter]

In this case? Says who you? And in the future will you also be so kind to tell us what speech is up to your standards to be used as free speech.

[Lane]

Dear Slimsmom;
There is positive free speech and there is negative free speech. Why on earth should we allow those brave soldiers who are putting their lives on the line for us and a free country to have to hear ANYTHING negative?????
We should bolster their spirits with love and gratitude and keep as much as we can positive to support them! Rushs' comments are like having a preacher get up in front of his congregation and defame them for being there.
Rush Limbaugh is a pariah.

[living history]

Being a member of a military family, I can tell that you have never seen the polls where the soldiers express who they want to hear on their radio........they want more of Rush and less of the other drivel that is served up. They hear the negative democratic statements all the time and they know who really supports them........and it ain't the likes of the Huffington Post, who wants to take Rush off the air.

[TankerRat]

Lane!! Now will you cut this out. We keep ending up in agreement. God Bless you. Your old buddy the Tanker Rat.

[Sunflower1]

Rush can have his free speech, but he shouldn't make a dime off of our tax dollars. I'm not sure how I feel about ANY political talk show being paid for by our tax dollars. Should our men and women be listening to anyone telling them that what they are doing is wrong? I just see the political machine working on our young men and women while they are at a very vulnerable state. Instead of congress voting on this ridiculous item, can't we just pressure Armed Forces Radio?

[USMC1980]

Not only should this happen, but if anyone should be humiliated, slapped around, and drummed out of radio it's Rush Limbaugh.

If they are going to keep the great Howard Stern from Armed Forces radio (god forbid our boys might get some actual entertainment), and if Imus is going to get fired for his comments...then this fat load of a coward should be out on his ass too. And when they finally get some guts, maybe NBC, CBS or ABC, could try reporting this story on their nightly news broadcasts, Apparently Willaims, Couric and Gibson are too scared to report on this douche.

[Lane]

Well said USMC1980!!!!!!

[TankerRat]

Why Lane. Here we are in agreement AGAIN. God Bless my friend.

The old The Tanker Rat.

[TankerRat]

Semper Fi USMC 1980. From one Marine to another. On target and fire for effect.

11th Marines
The Cannon Cockers
VietNam 68-69-70

[tlcutter]

USMC1980. Yea lets start dictating to those who risk their lives who they should and should not be allowed to listen to. Hell most Libs think of the military as uneducated poor folks trying to get ahead. So why worry about what they listen to, they are apparently too dumb to ingest any info.

[TankerRat]

tlcutter, When Limbaugh called those who do not agree with his and evidently your agenda "phony" soldiers he slapped EVERY one of them who has served this great nation and in ANY conflict or non-conflict at anytime. Especialy those in the words of Abraham Lincoln, " who have given the last full measure of devotion." That includes my uncle (KIA aboard USS Arizona) and my brother-in-law (KIA VietNam-Jan 1969) You are entitled to your opinion no matter how asinine it may be. But HOW DARE you support someone who DID SAY these things about our boys and girls. Stick it where the sun don't shine buster.

[Junius]

That a fat, decadent douche-bag like Rush Libough is allowed to insult our soldiers that have been doing the dirty fighting under dire circumstances says a lot about the blindness, stupidity, and hate that is desiminated by the right wing in the U. S.
But shurely one day Nemesis will pay a visit on the likes of Rush Bimbo and render justice on them all.

[rijomi]

It's time to get rid of the waterboy for the Bush agenda. None of them care for the soldiers, except for PR opportunities and hanging on to their coat tails while espousing patriotism. Everyone knows that the grunts from the volunteer army comes from the poor and lower middle class. It is not enough that they are econimically exploited as jobs and needed services disappear for them. Now they have their dignity exploited when they don't toe the line even after they risk all in a feeble attempt to reconstitute cold war mentality so the military industrial complex can fleece the public again and our elected officials fear the public out of their rights and entitlements.

[pa104inf]

I have an idea General, how about if the soldier's vote whether to keep or remove every show on AFR? They can also vote on the shows they want on AFR. I bet you in the end NPR will be gone and Hannity, O'Reilly, and Scarbourgh will be in. Be careful what you wish for.

Steorn the solution to global warming can be found at http://www.steorn.com

[Vurz]

General Clark, I must respectfully disagree. We do a grave disservice to the members of our military when we treat them like they are not U.S. Citizens.

While I find Rush Limbaugh to be a revolting, pathetic lump of protoplasm, I do understand that some people wish to listen to him and I must stand up for their right to do so.

My recommendation is to allow other viewpoints (intelligent, liberal, scholarly would be a few choices) to appear on AFR, preferably in the better timeslots. Let Rush spew his anti-military diatribes in the timeslots that once held "underwater yodeling classics" or "musical saw hour". People who are interested in hearing him will be able to find him, and he will have received the respect he deserves.

[Technician]

Rush is in his present time slots because he has a lot of market share. That's how things work in a free country. If someone could be relegated to time slots with a small audience at the whim of those in power, then when the administration changes,those who were popular under one administration would be banished to the hinterlands and those out of favor would take their places. No party stays in power forever and the chickens always come home to roost.

[BanditTheCat]

Actually, Technician, that's not how it's working. Rightwing companies own many of the stations (or do business with this right-wing adminstration and want to continue to do so) and when they take progressive talk off the air, the replacements are doing FAR worse wrt market share. (I think places in Ohio are the most prominent). Some owners are keeping Rush and others propped up in certain markets, i.e. they're losing money but they underwrite him. It's ideological, pure and simple, not business.

[BanditTheCat]

Your recommendation would be my choice, too. But when some tried to get Ed Schultz on AFR the Republicans wouldn't let it happen, citing fuzzy, madeup "criteria". Schultz is as moderate a "lefty" as they come, but even he couldn't get on AFR. So if he can't be there, neither should Rush, the liar and "water-carrier"(his own term) for the Bush administration.

[dailyrev]

I'm getting tired of repeating this but it must be repeated: Rush, moveon.org, you, and I all have the same, equal, and precious right to speak out--especially about the military. When people aren't allowed to critically examine the military in a culture, you get everything from Blackwater to Burma. The problem with Rush is that people fall for his P.T. Barnum act and hand him this publicity. By the way, go ask moveon how being attacked by Bush worked out for them: quarter of a million new members and around two million in a week.

Now, do I agree with Rush? Never, and not here either (hell, I don't even like his choice of recreational drugs). But as I said at the blog www.dailyrevolution.nett], the real condemnation here needs to come from the people against their vapid, mulish, decadent Congress that chooses to debate what is said in the media. How about using their petulant energies on ending this insane war and overturning that SCHIP veto? Or have we reached the point where image is more important than the Constitution?

[tlcutter]

Excellent Post. Too many let their emotions override their brains. Just because you yell the loudest does not make you right.

[pk1919]

If Rush knows so much about war, then why don't we tell him to put his money where his mouth is: "Why doesn't Rush volunteer his mouthy ass to join the troops in Iraq and help win this oil for dollars war?" I really would like to know how many Repugs have children, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and so on, serving in Iraq?! Guarantee you the % is in the single digits! They should all have to go and serve in Iraq!!! Put their money where their mouth is (while spewing "terrorism." They created this mess, so let's see them get us out like they should. Problem is, they had no plan to get out; would come up with one so fast if they or theirs had to fight they'd end it tomorrow. If Jenna or Barbara dear had to go, W would end it before they ever left the country. HYPOCRITES to the end!!!

[mikelartist]

Rush is like a fat, spoiled, stubborn child that got caught stealing brownies; insisting he didn't take any while his bejowled faces is smeared with chocolate from ear to deaf ear.

[BritPatJax]

This biased orchestrated type lefty hate warmongering radio show has to go, only as it is so biased and makes the world believe the worst of America. The world is not to know that many hate the diatribe and 'nuke them' mentality is NOT a reflection of the Great Nation of America. They listen on the Internet and despair of the future for a nation so prepared to spew this hate. Then Talk Radio derides other nations leaders for their hateful words. Were they even able to present a level playing field it would be different but playing 'get off the air you big dope' to every alternative viewpoint is quite simply not 'free speech'?

[mikelartist]

Bravo. Well put.

[Purple Girl]

Sir-
This is the Classic Sacrific- the two admin whores (Rush & Bill O) are trying to through them selves on the gernade to save the agenda.The goal is to elinimate Freedom of Speech ( They want to silence MoveON and those of US who are supporting their efforts to end this war and make our gov't accountable for their high jacking the country. Our Democracy is already in shambles and they don't want US or the world to hear US bitch and demand a new course (nor our screams for Impeachment). they don't want th enatives stirred up any more than we are- counter productive to the mission (unfettered access to our resources to elimimnate the 'pesky' ideolgy of Democracy.
THEY'RE BAITING US !!!Nothing will meet their goal more quicky and effeciently then US doing it to ourselves.
Instead of taking Rush off AS Radio- put Keith olberman, or Jon steart or Bill Mahr on right next to Rush's show.See who the troops would be interested in listening to more- In fat ask the Troops if Rush should go- they too have freedom of speech (regardless what the militaries Doctrin says- they are american first & foremst)
This is High Scholl Psych class- reverse psychology in the hand of idiots and assholes.
Rush and Bill are sliding in the polls - do nothing and allow their descent into oblivion.The American people are jaded enough to know crap when we hear it and we can effectively handle them- We roast them back with Free Speech and the sponsors respond. It's all under control- get back to the real issues that need our immediate attention. IMPEACHMENT and ENDING THIS WAR and war mongering.
The Congress is in bed with this admin- Suprem courts on it's other side in a GHB stupor . Our only hope for real change would be for the UN to bring War Crimes charges against all involved with the Bushco agenda.Thats the kind of Fredom of Speech they are trying to avoid.

[aspen]

I would be OK with Limbaugh being on AFR, if he were followed by someone like Olberman
or John Stewart who could clean up after Rush's disinformation and distortion. Without someone keeping Limbaugh accountable, I am opposed to his being allowed to spew his Goebbel's style propaganda on taxpayer AFR. I hardly think this is stifling Rush, who covers the radio dial 24/7
from Maine to CA and with AFR across the world.

[tlcutter]

Olberman? When has Olberman EVER held a serious debate? Answer NEVER. He only invites those on that share his views. But hey if you depend on the Comedy Channel to keep you informed I can understand your misguided post.

[janellrcarter]

I think a patriot like Rush should put up or hold his water. He needs to enlist in the U.S. Army (I think the Armed Forces have raised the age limit high enough so that he's still eligible) and spend a year or two in Baghdad -- outside the green zone. Perhaps he can make up for having to miss out on the Vietnam war because of his 'pilonidal cyst'. (I can sympathize with that kind of agony. My pilonidal cyst required surgery in 1964. Kept me out of action for, oh, about a month -- without getting hooked on pain killers.

[tlcutter]

Hey Bozo we currently have a volunteer army.
Better yet everyone should go through 18 months of military training when they turn eighteen. EVERYONE.

[Hanzer0613]

As an open-minded individual, I have heard so
many comments regarding Limbaugh, so I decided
to give the "man" a chance. Guess what? After
several minutes of listening to lies, distortions, and half-truths, I felt sick and
turn him off.
That someone of his stripe can be granted carte-blanche to spew his distorted views to
our troops via Armed Forces Radio is the height
of irresponsibility. I can think of several ways that money could be spent instead of giving this jackass the opportunity and means to bray his version of events to our troops.
I remember the AAR from Vietnam, and it was
NOTHING like the current form. It was actually entertaining and interesting, within
the allowed "formula", of course.
It's high time Congress found it's collective
backbone and exercised their authority as outlined in the Constitution, that "GD piece of paper" so dispised by this current administration.

[andrushka]

You say "Congress's collective backbone" What backbone? They have a backbone, single or collective? That's really big news!

[tlcutter]

Hell they have to listen to Democratic members of Congress tell them a "war is lost "while they are still fighting in that war. Like it or not ,Rush is on due to popular demand by the troops that are currently serving. What do you suggest non-stop air of Bankrupt Air America. Yea great idea, then you guys can tell the soldiers the truth. We hate the uneducated military.

[soundoff]

Well, I'm for the first amendment. So Rush has the same right to speak and write whatever, just as Moveon.org does, as in the case of the Petraeus Ad. I'm glad my tv has a remote and a mute button; and that my radio has a channel switch and an off button. Rush Limbaugh is an idiot, playing to an audience, just like Bill O'Reilly. They are so slanted and biased that even my Right Wing Republican Sister gets fed up with them.

[notyourproblemYET]

true,first ammendment rights do mean we have to take the good with the bad.But it doesnt mean Limbaugh cant be taken off "armed forces" radio.Alls fair in love and war.;)