Limbaugh Compares Wounded Veteran to Suicide Bomber
Where are the VSO's???
Rush Limbaugh, an expert at hate speech and half truths, is now comparing veterans who oppose him to suicide bombers. First, Rush called soldiers who oppose his view "phony soldiers" and now lies about it. Now he is comparing our combat wounded to suicide bombers. A soldier dared challenge Rush in an advertisement and Rush counters by comparing the soldier to the bomber. To quote Bob Dole: "Where were the VSO's?" Senator Dole was talking about the American Legion's and other veteran service organizations' failure to identify the problems at Walter Reed. But his quote serves just as well to ask why the American Legion and the rest are silent while Rush calls troops phonies and now compares them to suicide bombers.
The soldier, Brian McGough, said: "Rush, the shrapnel I took to my head was real. My traumatic brain injury was real. And, my belief that we are on the wrong course in Iraq is real. Until you have the guts to call me a "phony soldier" to my face, stop telling lies about my service." This was in response to Limbaugh's "phony soldier" comment.
Rush's response? Horrendously, Rush compared this soldier, Brian McGough, who was seriously wounded by shrapnel, to a suicide bomber and then insulted the intelligence of that soldier. Limbaugh actually said:
"He discusses his service in Iraq, the wounds he suffered there, and he says to me in this ad, "Until you have the guts to call me a 'phony soldier' to my face, stop telling lies about my service." You know, this is such a blatant use of a valiant combat veteran, lying to him about what I said, then strapping those lies to his belt, sending him out via the media in a TV ad to walk into as many people as he can walk into."
Rush made a career of insulting military service from Max Cleland to Jack Murtha to Brian McGough. Limbaugh reached the point where he thinks nothing of insulting any military person who opposes him. He went too far with his "phony soldier" remark and he went WAY over the top when he compared a combat wounded soldier to a suicide bomber. As I write this, I hear Rush demanding Senator Reid come on his show and defend Senator Reid's remarks concerning Rush on the Senate floor. Well Rush Limbaugh, let Brian McGough come on your show and other similar veterans and talk with them first. Implying someone is a suicide bomber is not funny or humorous. To compare a wounded veteran in a war with suicide bombers is simply cruel.
To the American Legion and the other veteran service organizations where are you and why are you not speaking out and condemning Rush? Could it be because Rush is a mouthpiece for the failed Bush Regime?
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Look,
I know the rightist hypocrisy is annoying as hell; but are we really sure we want to go along with the framing that makes military men above criticism?
The left has long been anti-militaristic, and anti-war. This inevitably means that we will end up in conflict with colonels and generals. By focusing on the fact that the right criticizes military men, and criticizing them fr that; we implicitly promote the idea that military men should be above political criticism. In the long run, this will bite us in the ass.
Military men should not be above reproach nor are they. Just look at the rightwing heat Murtha is taking. But the right's mantle of being pro soldier should be removed. The rightwingers have never supported the troops. From the start, no armor and few attempts to get some. In war time, they are closing bases whose main mission is to support the troops' families. They are dismantling military healthcare while our wounded come home to substandard treatment, but not care, thanks to absolutely heroic military medical personnel.
No folks we need to speak out very loudly that the rightwing hypocrits use and abuse the troops. The troops now know that simple fact but not yet the American people.
Limbaugh NEVER called Brian McGough a "phony soldier." I fact, he called him a HERO.
I listened to the audio of Rush Limbaugh's radio show that you are referring to and can not hear ANY WHERE HE INSULTED this man. He called him a Hero. I read the the written transcript and can not see any reason for you to create the scenario you have, Limbaugh never referred to him as a "suicide bomber."
There is no reason for Brian McGough to be offended, other than "some snake oil salesmen" are using him to spread their hate agenda
Those who believe what you have written, are suffering with serious comprehension issues.
You purposely left out some important information.
The lengths some, Moveon.org apologist will go just to spread the hate lies, is astounding. Those who are so gullible to believe it and not think for themselves, I could probably say boo to and they would start screaming "right wing nut." Now that is BRAIN WASHING, taken to it's highest degree.
I listened to this young Hero myself today, and he has a right to feel the way he wants, but it is shameful, the way he is being used.
Shame on you and your less than truthful article.
Man, are you ever an idiot... I HEARD his desertation in that conversation implying and describing that a soldier who argued against the occupation was a "phony soldier"..
Sorry, but we're not going for your spin. we're not stupid as you'll have us believe.
No wonder Rethugs and rightwingers actually seem to do their best in bathroom stalls.
castlerider - glad to see that the Rethugs and rightwingers are not the only ones adept at using name-calling and loony outrage in defense of a defenseless position.
And who's "us?" You gotta get a grip man, on reality and on your anti-schizoid drugs.
Maybe the American Legion and other Veteran service organizations, such as the VFW do not agree with you and your hatemongers.
Jack Murtha, didn't he call some of our Marines fighting in Iraq, "COLD-BLOODED KILLERS?" Can't see any former or present Marines supporting him.
Harry Reid, didn't he announce to the World, we had lost the War? Yeah, he should talk about any one else. In fact, all who have been wounded after that announcement, should SUE him, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, for emboldening the enemy and creating a more dangerous environment in Iraq for them.
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Rash Limpbag implied that McGough was a suicide bomber..
that is despicable
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I'm sure the enemy in Iraq stays up nights listening to Rush Limbaugh reminding us of all the points Fairfloss describes. They, as we all know, follow the finer points of American politics and had a big cannibal dinner when the Democrats won in November. Still, they probably missed the part where Bush invited them to "bring it on" - although that would have discouraged them, I guess, really - and are most excited about facing an American army that is poorly equipped with armor --- gotta do this war on the cheap, tough nuts about those casualties, you go to war on false pretenses with the army you have, not the fantasy plastic army you used to play with on your daddy's floor, and anyway the most important thing is to make sure Blackwater and Halliburton get a lot of money out of this --- oops, I guess I'm one of them "hatemongers," I should be a "lovemonger" and insist that we keep these wars going as long as possible, they rock, totally, dude.
Agree that comparing a wounded soldier to a suicide bomber is a bad thing? Well that would say a lot about them would it not?
Jack Murtha has the support of MANY marines despite the rightwing's constant attacks. Don't do a Bush and believe your own propaganda like Bush did concerning Iraq
Actually he really was taken out of context LOL. The rest of the meaning was if we only use military means. Isn't that exactly what Rush says is being done to him about "phony soldiers"? Make up your mind which "reality" do you want?
Limbaugh is the WORST kind of COWARD. He is cunning SOB, and knows how to imply insults as close to stating an absolutely vile slur (ie the suicide bomber) without saying suicide bomber but EVERY PERSON with a head knows that's the implied imagry. Because Limbaugh's audience isn't exceptionally bright Limbaugh has to play down to the unwashed masses.Tho
This reminds me of an absolutely incredibly deceptive trick I heard a Hannity replacement Hate jock do last week. He was harping about the "fuss" Bill Clinton made when he talked on Anderson Cooper interview about the Georgia commercial which smeared Max Cleeland. The hate jock played the audio of the TV commercial, which was unremarkable, because the SMEAR WAS VISUAL. The photos of Bin Laden and Saddam , were linked in the audiences mind with Cleeland, a vet who lost 3 limbs serving his country.
Fairfloss I said he compared Brian to a suicide bomber so please do not attempt to change that. The words are there just read them. I was at Walter Reed this week. Want to see what happens in bombings? Go there. I said comparing Brian to a suicide bomber was cruel and another indication that Rush only uses the troops for political purposes which is true. Rush should invite Brian and Jon Soltz on his show and talk about it. Why won't he?
And yet Libs - Kerry blasted his fellow Vietnam soldiers with unfounded lies; but this is okay bacause he's a Democrat, right Libs?.
MoveOn.org shamelessly blasted General Patraeus as "General Betray Us" but that is okay because MoveOn.org is a LIBERAL, Democratic organization, right Libs?
Murtha shamelessly blasted hard working Marines, who have been cleared of any wrongdoing; but that is okay because he's a Democrat, right Libs? And Murtha is so small in that he has not retracted his vicious attack, but that's okay, right Libs?
Tom Harkin lied about his military service and yet that is okay because he's a Democrat, right Libs. What a hypocrite!!!
You Libs are hatemongering gullible sheep who are invested in the defeat of the USA. You, and you alone hate the men and women in uniform. God Bless Rush Limbaugh for his efforts in supporting those serving in the military.
Have a nice evening Libs! ;-)
Well, your coward in chief hid behind his daddy's trousers so he wouldn't have to face the enemy in Nam. That has to be the biggest example of cowardice that overshadows EVERYTHING YOU mentioned.
You rightwingers must have a real great time having to live with that.
No wonder rethugs do their best work in Public bathroom stalls.
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"God Bless Rush Limbaugh"
Scott
it is important that you be highlighted Scott..
everyone should know of your support for Rash Limpbag..
Rash Limpbag accused a soldier Brian McGough who served honorably in Kosovo, and Afghanistan and Iraq.. of wearing a suicide bombers belt..
that is a disgraceful cowardly whorish remark by a coward who ran from serving in the military..
as a 10 year veteran with service in Vietnam and as a Marine who watched men die.. i find your support of this disgraceful coward Limpbag shameful and spitting in the face of all soldiers who served honorably.
as to your remarks on Kerry.. it has been established as fact that some soldiers have committed atrocities in every war including Vietnam.. in Iraq we have those pictures which show our own soldiers torturing Iraqis.. i refer to Abu Ghraib.. it is sad that these things occurr but we are men who face extreme conditions and some are not well and respond poorly to those conditions
which others such as Rash Limpbag, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have never and will never face..
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Castlerider well said and thank you
How bad must it be for the right wingnuts. All they have left is hate speech and half truths aimed at veterans who have served with dignity and courage. That would seem to be neither a smart tactic nor a strong position.
Before allowing Limbaugh to insult all veterans, the station has a duty to drug test this oxycotin taking, ignorant fool.
To many of my family members have served in all wars, and died in some, to have this jerk insulting them. Don't fool yourself Limbaugh, all veterans are disgusted with you. My 83 year old father 'veteran' would like to look you in the eye as he inquired into your military record.
I am so tired of ignorance and attacks from the likes of Limbaugh and Coulter.
I'm not prejudiced over the fact Coulter had a sex change, just wish these two would shut up or put up.
Those who have been saying, oh just ignore Rush because he's an idiot - normally I could see your point, but not after that absurd official condemnation of the MoveOn ad. Now instead a failure to hold friggin' Rush Limbaugh to at least the standards they hold MoveOn to - and I think they WILL fail to try to hold Rush to any standards - will stand as yet another chickening out by Democrats. Which is something worth knowing. So to Democrats I issue the following mature challenge: bock, bck bck bck bck baaaa--cock. Your move, ya big wussoramas.
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i too immediately grasped the signifance of Rash Limpbag's statement.
yes Rash did indeed call the wounded soldier who served our country with honor.. a suicide bomber..
Rash's continual attacks of our military when they disagree with the republican agenda is despicable
as a veteran of 10 years and the Vietnam war.. i am struck by how little honor there is in these republicans as they spit upon our soldiers..
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ATLiberal, I agree with you. Out of morbid curiosity, I listened to the whole crew the day RL compared McGough to a suicide bomber and it all just got weirder from there. Ollie North, that paragon of virtue and manliness had his few cents to add and Hannity egged on Dick Morris for a while. Ann Coulter, their resident femme fatale, was to be on also, but it was all too much for me. My blood pressure was high enough.
I spent part of this evening tracking down real people at both the VFW and the American Legion and asked about their non-response to Limbaugh.
I've also written my congressman and senators to tell them that while I'll defend to the death Limbaugh's right to say anything he wants, I do NOT want my hard-earned tax dollars paying for it.
I would suggest that each of you who are digusted by this write to your congresspeople and tell them the same thing.
It doesn't do much to post comments to blogs, you have to take action.
AMEN! Action is needed and guess what folks? You have to use your name and get involved. Our troops do deserve that much even if shopping is more fun!
Limbaugh has been the main propagandist for the Conservative revolution since about 1990. Until Geo Bush,however, Conservative doctrine was never tested. We can see clearly now the results of a failed ideology. Limbaugh has been instumental in creating the polarization of the American Public. To demonize your opponents is a time tested propaganda technique. Hopefully the public will wake up to this.
It is. I ask you to look at my last blog. The whole mess is falling down because of results. The results are all bad and the people know it
I suggest that we purchase a round trip ticket to the Green Zone for Rush and have him work on a food line feeding Iraqi children who have become homeless due to, well, whatever the reason. If he were to do some type of good works for a people he states need our help he might just be able to supprot his position on Iraq and such. The odds of this happening are the same as when he could have served during Vietnam. I think the answer is zilch. What a hero he is. And who is it again that he is a hero to? He is a legend in his own mind. Support the troops and their families, bring them home.
It isn't just bring them home. What REALLY gets the right and Rush stuttering is just asking things like why is the Bush Regime not supporting military healthcare? Why do the plans for the "New" Bethesda/Walter Reed "lose" beds for families (over 250 last count)? Facts like that drive them crazy. The last Funding bill for the Iraq War? The one everyone said was Pork? Well Bush never said it was because it was because he knew it was mostly about military readiness. Please arm yourself with facts. There is nothing more lethal than the truth.
Really Please then explain what is what. Enlighten us please?
Rush hates our troops while Air America supports our military.
How are we supposed to reason with you?
No wonder why you would only discuss Mark Foley during the last election.
How could you debate subjects like Tax Cuts and Dead Terrorists
An observation. When you say that ”Rush hates our troops” it sounds just like Rush. Try being more dignified and don’t step down to the level of Hanity, Bill-o and Rush by making stupid childish statements like “Why does Michael More Hate America?”. A liberal should be better than this.
GWW
P.S. That goes for some other posters here too.
You are giving "liberals" too much credit. It seems the definition of liberal has come to mean 'liberal with innuendo, liberal with half-truths, and liberal with hatred and "outrage." Liberal in efforts to protect their own 'rights' while disregarding the 'rights' of conservatives. Liberal in everything but what it once meant - live and let live.
It's a shame Limbaugh never met a real suicide bomber. It might have informed his perspective, for that brief fraction of a second.
At the risk of taking him out of context...
Today Rush Limbaugh opened his program by lashing out at US Army Four Star General Wesley Clark(ret) by calling him "the mad bomber of Bosnia" and referring to him as a "dense liberal hack."
And only about an hour later he claimed, "This program has never impugned any soldier who served in our military."
OK Rush, we'll all remember that the next time you're heaping praise upon Max Cleland or John Kerry as you are so apt to do.
It is very hard to quote LimpBrain IN context because he never has a context. He contradicts himself every 5 minutes but doesn't get caught by Republitards because that is longer than their attention span.
Wesley Clark is now a politician and fair game. By your standards, since Bush was in the National Guard, he is above criticism.
I did see this afternoon on MSNBC with Nora O'Donnell an American Legion spokesman, Sweeny I believe his name was, actually back up Rush by saying he thought what Rush said was taken out of context. My God, who is speaking for the American Legion now days?
My husband is a Viet Nam vet with a disability. Let's not go down the road like we did back in the 60's where this country now starts to blame the enlisted boots on the ground for the war. My fear is this is indeed where we are headed. MoveOn's attack piece on Gen Petreaus was condemned on the floor of the Senate - one has to wonder if Rush had attacked Gen Petreaus with the "phoney soldier" comment if they would have gone after Rush in the same way they went after MoveOn.
The enlisted soldier is taking hits at this point and I agree with Wes Clark that Rush should be removed from the programming that our troops listen too. He's a national disgrace and if the GOP doesn't start to stand up for our troops they will lose every election next year.
I've had enough of the "phoney" GOP congress that simply will do very little to help our enlisted men and women and their families. Fund the war but don't fund the troops benefits and their families. God help us - to get a Democrat President and at least 60+ Senators in 2008.
Generals Clark and Petreaus are in the pay grade where attacks are expected. But I am sorry, to compare a severly wounded veteran to a suicide bomber in this war??? Too much. Rush has always been a major hypocrite I remember the time he said the real reason for the drug problem was the rich white guys. Well he should have known. No, to expect anything from his ilk is stupid. But I am so glad someone will jump on every word he says. I hope that someone is everyone of us
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