by Taylor Marsh
This post originally appeared at The Patriot Project
We at the Patriot Project are committed to shedding light on the front groups whose participants operate out of the light of day.
However, the swiftboating of Americans for exercising his or her right to free speech is just as important. That's why the upcoming event to swiftboat Rep. John Murtha, which will be held on October 1, 2006, has drawn our attention. The participants are rumored to include the original swiftboating man himself, John O'Neill, though he's not been formally announced yet.
Vets for Truth is the front group sponsoring this little shindig, but not without some very powerful help.
Now it looks like XM radio hosts Quinn & Rose, Jim Quinn and Rose Somma Tennent, are joining in on the swiftboating fun, with the added plus of politicizing our national tragedy, 9/11, through the outreach of XM radio. I've got to ask why a decorated Vietnam veteran and senior member of Congress is being swiftboated just for speaking out and using his right of free speech? That XM radio is sponsoring such an event, through the publicized appearances of their hosts Quinn & Rose, is quite an endorsement. Vets for Truth really scored on this one.
By bringing XM radio into the mix, the "Boot Murtha" folks ratchet up the swiftboating audience quite a bit, because nothing reaches out like radio. After all, "Boot Murtha" will get a much bigger audience with XM's help, though they've only got satellite radio outreach. Not to worry, Vets for Truth has that covered too.
Quinn & Rose is also carried by Clear Channel, the biggest radio behemoth of them all, through station 104.7 FM in Pittsburgh. Other syndicated hosts on this station have included Glenn Beck, Neal Boortz, and Sean Hannity, as well as Rush Limbaugh. Got audience? I'll say. Vets for Truth really knows how to pick' em, don't they?
XM plus Clear Channel equals a huge local outreach. But it doesn't stop there. If you don't know the history of Clear Channel, you might find this little blast to the past very educational.
You have to wonder if the advertisers of the Quinn & Rose radio show know they're helping to host a swiftboating rally targeting a decorated veteran. Rep. John Murtha has a lot of support in the veteran community, as well as soldiers currently serving today, of both political parties. If you live in or near Pittsburgh you might want to call the Quinn & Rose sponsors and ask. It would be interesting to know how the affiliates feel, too.
Below is the Quinn & Rose promotional, as seen on their site. Oh, and catch the name of their show below. Then let us know what you think.
Our speaker line-up represents the spectrum of events of the War on Terror and of the harm caused to that War by John Murtha's inexcusable remarks about our troops in Iraq "[killing] innocent civilians in cold blood." Leading off will be Earl Johnson, a survivor of the World Trade Center attack, who represents those who cannot represent themselves--those whose sacrifice caused America to take notice of the danger facing them.
Earl will be followed by David Beamer, whose son Todd uttered the immortal words, "Let's roll!" as United Flight 93 passengers fought the terrorists who had taken over their aircraft.
Next will be Gregg Garvey, a Gold Star father whose son Justin died in Iraq. Gregg will lead a short memorial service dedicated to those who have died in defense of liberty.
Fourth will be Gold Star father John Wroblewski, whose Marine son died in Iraq. John has a heart-wrenching, yet inspirational, story to tell about his family's sacrifice in the War on Terror.
Our fifth speaker will be Terry Pennington, whose son Rob resides in the USMC brig in Camp Pendleton, CA, the victims of the hysteria contributed to by John Murtha's anti-military remarks. Terry puts a human face on the costs incurred by what John Murtha said and continues to do.
(snip)
Reservations ARE NOT NECESSARY
We have blocks of rooms set aside in SEVERAL HOTELS.
IF YOU NEED A HOTEL RESERVATION SEE: www.bootmurtha.com
The Patriot Project is working to expose the front groups, their funding, their connections and their tactics.