Say It To His Face, Rush

Today, VoteVets.org is releasing this ad, which will air on FOX News and CNN, starting tomorrow. A similar version will be on Rush Limbaugh's radio show in Washington, D.C. and his home market of West Palm Beach. And, at the same time, Senator Harry Reid is leading the charge on the Hill, challenging Rush host Clear Channel to do something about his disgraceful comments.

I don't think I need to say anything more than that. This ad speaks for itself. Please help VoteVets.org keep up the fight. And chime in with what you think in the comments below.

Follow Jon Soltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonsoltz

Comments

[swift goat pet for truth]

Jon:
To my way of thinking, in addition to the ad, a physical protest, that is, picket lines, around the building in which Rush works, as well as any syndicated station would be much better theater, and would give the MSM a better idea of how many vets take offence to RL's statements.

In performing such a protest, Iraq vets SHOULD carry: 1) Documents of their service, 2) Complete transcripts and tape of RL comments; 3) Statements signed by Iraq vets ONLY. Placards like "Rush: Tell it to my Face" should be carried by ONLY vets, while signs such as "Rush never served" could be more generically carried; 4) At least 3 Iraq combat vets on protests at all times would be beneficial.

I believe simultaneous (across the country at each station that syndicates RL) physical protests are the better way to go. The medium is the message, and a TV ad is just too detached. If you are serious, do it in person.

Thank you for your service, past and present.

[not one of the sheep]

Rush who? Who cares! He has first amendment rights(It's in the constitution stupid!). Has congress, repubs and dems, figured out why their approval ratings are only 11%? NO. They think the public is too stupid to grasp their genius (et al: money funneling, hate sprewing, diversionary tactics). After reading all the hubbub from the press and this post I'm beginning to see that maybe congress has a point. Why don't all you haters meet me at Moe's for a Duffo beer, D'oh!!

[sinnerjizm]

Rush knows all too well how stupid the american public is. He's making millions off of your stupidity.And gullability

[not one of the sheep]

first rounds on me, genius!

[not one of the sheep]

Right on Comrade, free speech ain't all its cracked up to be. Interpretation of the Constitution is up to the ear of the beholder as long as you agree to what is said, right comrade?

[jackstraw005]

al franken said it all what 10,12 years ago. and he said it in the title of his book for goodness sake. dont give rush the attention he craves. are there not real issues that should be dealt with? health care, the enviroment, the erosion of the constitution, aids, corporate greed gutting the middle class, the WAR, drugs, immigration, religious hysteria, c,mon you are going to draw a line in the sand over a fat, drug addict obnoxious chickenhawk like rush? please, canada looks better every day

[dadw5boys]

Rush can only get golf partners if he pays them to play now.

[jeff]

Jesse mcbeth is a true war hero!

[woodro]

and the Clinton's tell the truth

[jezuzhchryst]

Yes they do.

In an effort to do the most good for the most people in this messy and conflicted world .... the Clintons can always be depended on to make the choices clear for those who want to help. Example: The Clinton Global Initiative.

Hate Radio on the other hand is in the very profitable business of formenting lies and halftruths to gin up the bigotry of the uniformed and insecure. Selling them back their own prejudice with guns and boner pills to seal the deal. Example: The Iraq War.

[Doug]

Now I'm not defending LImbaugh. He's a loud mouth jackass. But he didn't say the things everyone is saying he said. And what's funny is that the main stream media have picked up on it. Using similar tactics as what Limbaugh uses does not make you look better unless your audience is already brainwashed enough to buy anything you sell.

[Twopennygal]

I actually don't know exactly what Limbaugh said, and I'm also not defending him, I think he's incredibly obnoxious and poisonous to say the least. But all this rhetoric sounds a lot like the comments on the MoveOn.org ad. They all reacted to the headline and never paid attention to the very real, accurate substance of the rest of the ad. Again, I'm not saying that Limbaugh said anything real or accurate....

[maggiemay]

When Rush had his radio program in new york.
Well...The man would cry after his broadcast (I mean real tears) How was my show, was it good. the man would go to pieces if you tell didn't tell him what he want to hear. cry baby
The staff would do "things" like you would do to a geek

after a while he moved his show to florida where he belongs.

That BIG BaBy couldn't fight in any war.

[wry]

That crying was probably a side effect of the hillbilly heroin Rush was chowing down.
This is a great message but the screen going white every few seconds is difficult for my elder eyes to watch.

[nellyol'son]

republicans have been using virtually every sound bite a democrat has ever uttered that can even remotely be construed as not supporting the troops, spinning, manipulating and fabricating until they've created the straw man they can then tear down. much of the public has bought it.

it's about time we take a page from their play book and use it against them.

[sdskelton03]

It's about time we and them become us.

[transendentilist]

I for one, refuse to wallow in the same pig sty as karl rove, rush and the neo-cons.

[key2hwy]

Everone reading this thread needs to go the the Cusack blog on the home page and watch the 17 minute video with Naomi Klein immediately.

THERE WAS NEVER ANY INTENT TO WIN THIS WAR.

I wish I could say to you, Jon, that your injuries were in defense of me or America, but they weren't. You are collateral damage.

I am a veteran, and I am not proud of this.

[key2hwy]

Everone reading this thread needs to go the the Cusack blog on the home page and watch the 17 minute video with Naomi Klein immediately.

THERE WAS NEVER ANY INTENT TO WIN THIS WAR.

I wish I could say to you, Jon, that your injuries were in defense of me or America, but they weren't. You are collateral damage.

I am a veteran, and I am not proud of this.

[kujobu]

Why do we feel the need to acknowledge this drug addled propagandist. He is baghdad bob without the porn mustache. He knows his time is up and is desperate to say anything to keep himself relevant.

[bluestatehog]

It's of the utmost hilarity to me that the Republicans always want to play this game of "support the troops" when someone like Senator Reid tells the truth, but when someone like Rush Limbaugh actually does denigrate the troops, then they cry politics and don't want to play ball. Jon Soltz is one of the biggest assets that the Democratic Party has right now. Jon, you're a truly are a patriot.

[arethabaez]

Perfect ad.

[woodro]

Do any of you think for yourselves? Did you listen to all Rush said regarding his comments about the “Phony Soldiers” Are you all so blinded by your ideologically that you are unwilling to even look for the truth, wherever it may take you. Go ahead and read Rush’s transcripts of that day on air. Or does that not fit into your game plan? I realize that you fundamentally hate Rush Limbaugh. I have no problem with that. However anyone who would side with Harry Reid on any issue is a blithering fool. There is not one true active American Solider, who would listen/agree with a word that disgraceful American said. (Reid) “The war is lost” What a fool.

[Jinxykb]

Blather on all you want; you don't have a leg to stand on.

[Henk]

I didn't "Read" anything I HEARD Rush's nasty voice say it. So please don't let you BLIND faith cloud your vission.

Just for giggles let's say you are right and poor draft dodging Rush is being maligned. Shouldn't he, as a MAN take up, the challenge and defend his honor by facing this vet? Yeah, that's what I thought.

[TakeBackAmerica]

Oh Brother. Poor old drug addict Rush is being "taken out of context." Boohoo. You sound ridiculous.

[NYC07]

Even Dan Abrams last night ( hardly a liberal) said that Limbaugh said it about all the soldiers who speak out against the war and yes he listen to the whole diatribe by the bozo. Abrams then went on to wonder why don't the Democrats get steaming mad and pound away on this issue as the Repub's did with MoveOn.

[wry]

"true active American Soldier" hmmm, so if our military men and women disagree with you and Rush, are they FALSE active American Soldiers?

[PaleMail]

Oh brother! This ad will drive Bill Bennett bananas. He is just crazy for Rush.

[2lib4oh]

Its about time someone with credentials stood up to that fat windbag who parrots the White House's b.s.

[Photofarm]

The ad is a lie, because Rush Limbaugh didn't call him a phoney soldier. There have been 8 soldiers prosecuted for claiming to have been in the military and lying about their involvement in Iraq. Senator Reid should resign from the Senate, for persecuting a private citizen.

[andiammisterbones]

Go on, Jackass. Keep carrying the water for that blow hard. You people are just pathetic hyprocrits
who've attacked many a "private citizen" in your day.

[AnotherunhappyDemocrat]

Poor, poor, rightie. Rushie has been nailed for being a total phony, and all you people can do is deny, distort, and lie. You people are pathetic.

[transendentilist]

Name these soldiers. And yes, rush did say what he is accused of saying. Some right-wing blowhard told me yesterday that rush has 20 million listeners. (in an attempt to prove his veracity, or popularity, as if the two were the same) That means that 20 million people heard his comments, and several sites have published the transcipts from the show.
It is not against the law to lie about military service, it's sleazey as all hell, but not illegal. So what court prosecuted these guys? What was their crime?

[akoop]

Photofarm, about those eight soldiers, have all of them spoken against the current Iraq 'war on terrorism' policy or are they criminally fraudulent folks trying to enhance their economic condition on the backs of GIs and taxpaying Americans?

Why would Rush juxtapose these folks next to 'Mike's' complaint that the MSM doesn't interview 'real' soldiers who would wholeheartedly support our current policies?

Is there a dot connection problem here or is that where the unspoken reference serves as the cover for denying the intent?

[CheneysACoward]

Jon,
As a two(2)tour combat vet WITH a Pilonidal Cyst,I can tell you one thing.....LimpWrist will not face fact. I have attempted to corner Limp a fewe times on his lack of service because of his so called 4F status. When doing so The Limp network hangs up.
Cowards never change be it cobmat,scoring his dope or talking one on one to anyone who has facts and not a dotto head.

[USAisOK]

I am a vet as well, but because I do not share your perspective how does that mek you feel? I have read the FULL transcript NOT the dited versions from the left and now unfortunately Jon as well. These people are CLEARLY pushing forward an AGENDA regardless of the facts, and you support this?