Not just taken out of context - distorted. If I was Rush I'd file defamation lawsuits against several Democrats including Senators and MAKE them rest on their immunity.

Being a Democratic Senator means you can say ANYTHING with immunity because you can claim it was part of your duties. I'd demand an apology - from THEM.

This whole thing is insane. I challenge the Dems in congress to play the WHOLE tape of Limbaugh to the assembly. Anyone who listens to the whole tape and still thinks Media Matters is telling the truth, is a liar. It's that obvious.

I really can see this whole thing blow up in the Dems faces. The more they talk about it, the more people will actually listen to the context.

HAH, I just went over to MMFA, they actually posted the context, yet are still trying to argue their point. They also closed the comments because people are saying how phony MMFA is. Funny, and truely sad.

"I'd demand an apology - from THEM."

He has, yet he knows it won't be forthcoming.

What happened to all the crazy libs?

What happened to all the crazy libs?

It's possible they're just ashamed or embarrassed. Nah, probably not. The Left has no shame, and they don't embarrass easily. My guess is they just haven't gotten their talking points emailed from KOS yet to tell them what to say.

Unknowingly they may have provided an incredible amount of campaign commercial material in the last few days, if any of the Republicans have the cajones to use it.

I think some people hear need to listen to the whole tape - it is extremely clear that Limbaugh was not specifically referring to a specific soldier but to all soldiers who had served who were now against the Iraq debacle.

The tape you have probably heard was the one that Limbaugh himself put out after receiving criticism - in this tape he edited out a significant portion to create the impression that he was referring to Jesse McBeth.

Limbaugh misrepresented his "phony soldiers" comments; indeed, listeners to Armed Forces Network (AFN), which broadcasts only the first hour of The Rush Limbaugh Show, heard only a spliced version of Limbaugh's remarks in which he edited out 1 minute and 35 seconds of discussion, while falsely claiming that he was providing the "entire transcript."

What a scumbug to then claim that he was being misrepresented when he failed to provide the entire tape of what he originally said and instead attempted to muddy the waters by releasing an edited version.

GO AND LISTEN TO THE ORIGINAL YOURSELF - IT IS CLEAR HE WAS NOT TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT

Make your own mind up rather than listening to the shorter edited version that Limbaugh released to cover his fat ass.

So, now he is lying to the troops as well. What a vile disreputable person he is.

Oh, and comments are well and truly open at Media Matters: http://mediamatters.org/items/200710020002?f=h_top

care to share with us one of the supposed gems of ideas that Rush has? I have listened to his show from time to time. 90% 2nd grade insults and stupid jokes as far as i could tell. But if he has a rebuttal to Godel's incompleteness theorem

Tantra,

Went to your link and searched around...can you please provide the transcript of the 1 minute or so that Rush allegedly cut from his original broadcast?

Methinks MM, a front group for Soros and Hillary, is just trying to cover its butt. What MM claims is that Limbaugh said all the troops who oppose the war are phony soldiers - unless you can come up with that quote, then you are full of it.

Each time I think the useless Liberals and their political leadership have sunk to the lowest level possible, they descend even deeper into the slimy, stinking muck where they live!

Rush and others could do a lot to unite, motivate, and provide direction to Conservatives. Perhaps the DIMocrats can push him to that point!

AAR

They are complete idiots to think that this story will gain any traction with anyone with an ounce of intellect. Rush is a stalwart supporter of our troops an has donated $millions of his own money as well as raising 10s of $millions to support these brave souls. This story won't convince any Rush fans to abandon him and may actually get him new fans. Anybody who actually investigates this (it will take about three minutes) will know that his critics are either stupid or lying. If they have any personal integrity, they may start to wonder what else they are lying about. This is what happened to me; I was a hard core Lib prior to 9/11. Or they may start to question why they follow people who are this stupid. One can only hope.

tantraman - ummmm, I listened to it live. You are wrong and probably just a liar. But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're just stupid.

You got proof - show it or link to it. I notice you didn't. Why don't you link to this unedited piece you speak of. Or, well shut the f%^k up up and go f%^k yourself (Thats Marine talk).

YOU are a vile disreputable person.

Oh and spook, you no sooner post that question and tantraman shows up.

You know, if you read the posts at the story tantrum-mans linked to, the actual hatred of the military comes through loud and clear in the liberal posts. Really - it's disturbing. I think that maybe that 16% of the military that claims to be Democrat might switch if they read some of it.

Keep it up liberals. Keep bringing down that veil and let us see who you really are.

my mistake - jbiccum - asked where all the crazy libs were.

tantrum-man still hasn't posted a link to the "full" audio yet I see. They must be busy creating it a Pixar or Industrial Light and Magic.

How many times do the libs need to prove how desperate they are? We already know that.

Let them say what they want. Just remember which party worked diligently in 2000 to disqualify Military Absentee Ballots in Florida's recounts, while crying "count every vote."

Ask yourselves why the vast majority of Viet Nam Veterans opposed both Gore and Kerry.

We Veterans know full well who is supporting us and who isn't. We don't need the antics of politicians to tell us, like Democrats are trying to do.

It's amazing how fearful the left is of a freakin' talk show host...

Rush Limbaugh, rocks.

Media Matters is a vile, lying organization.

Harry Reid is a traitor.

I can only hope the Republicans keep this story going. Repugs in Congress are doing their part. They just issued a proclamation commending Limbaugh. Just as the Republicans dumbed down PBS over the past six years, this just might be the ticket for Democrats to get the draft dodging pill popper off Armed Forces Radio and raise the level of discussion on a radio station heard around the world. I don't see why taxpayers should be forced to pay for his, I am better than you, hateful and twisted view of the world. This is not the America we want to share with other countries.

Spin it any way that makes you feel good, but fact remains media savvy Limbaugh used the plural "phony soldiers." In addition, it was almost two minutes later when he mentioned Mac Beth. Probably after his producer told him the phones were ringing off the hook. Then later to try and take some heat off he was receiving from paying customers, he then referred to conservative red meat, Rep John Murtha, to try and include him in as a “phony solider.” Neocon Repugs hate the fact Murtha is disrupting their PNAC plans and will not miss an opportunity to discredit him at every point, but average Republicans can’t deny Murtha loyally served his country and therefore not a “phony solider.”

I see our Lefties continued to dig throughout the night. Donks in deep holes -- man, you gotta love it.

Like Kahn, I listened to the show live. I guess, in all fairness, I could see how someone who hates Conservatives or hates Rush Limbaugh and doesn't listen to his show could take his comments the way they're taking them. As someone who has regularly listened to Rush's show since 1991, it never dawned on me to take his words "phony soldiers" in the context that the Left is taking them, because, from listening to his show, I know how he supports the troops, even those with whom he disagrees. Too bad our Lefties don't show the same level of outrage against the disgusting comments from the likes of Jack Murtha and Dick Durbin.

tantrum-man,

It obvious that you are only parroting DNC/DU/Kos/MM talking points. Otherwise you would have known that earlier in the week (last week) Rush had read from his "Stack of Stuff"TM about the "phony soldier", Jesse Macbeth, being sentenced after being found guilty of filing false claims. The story was on Fox News and on ABC earlier calling him (Macbeth) a "phony soldier" before Rush mentioned him. That's where Rush picked up the "phny soldier" title for those who claimed to be veterans, but never actually served. To anyone who was following the story (which would include anyone interested in the truth and exposing "phony soldiers") you immediately realized who Rush was talking about - Jesse Macbeth and the other individuals who the left paraded out as proof that the military was turning against the war, only to have it discovered that they were "phony soldiers", that they had never served in Iraq, or were making up stories. There was never any context that "phony soldiers" where those who actually served but were speaking out against the war, only those who were actually frauds.

That you would cling to the hopes that the Media Matters lies, distortions, and statements out of context were true, speaks volumes about your state of mind. You obviously suffer from BDS, CDS, and LDS. Seek professional help. Now. Before its too late.

The political discourse in this country has dipped to a new low. Yesterday, the Senate Majority Leader took to the Senate floor and deliberately continued to advance the lie that Rush was calling all soldiers who speak in opposition to the war, "phony soldiers". Unfortuately, he knows that he is immune from lawsuits or prosecution for libel or slander while pontificating on the Senate floor. This is after Rush had clearly explained who he was talking about. This is after Fox News and ABC had done stories about the "phony soldiers".

Yesterday, Senator Harkin (D-IA) stood on the Senate floor and denounced Mr. Limbaugh. This is the same Senator who had claimed to have spent a year in combat flying F-4's over Vietnam. This is the same Senator that when confronted, admitted that he had embellished his service record and was never in Vietnam, but was ferrying aircraft to and from Japan. To have Senator Harkin stand on the Senate floor denouncing Rush, when he, himself, was a "phony", is so hypocritical it is hilarious. The least the Democrats could have done is have someone like Senator Webb take the floor, not someone who had been caught in a lie about their military past.

Personally, I hope the Democrats keep up this nonsense. They are showing their true colors. Their faux outrage over this incident is transparent. You cannot call our men and women in uniform "incompetent" (Senator Schumer - D, NY), have lost the war (Senator Reid - D, NV), simliar to the Nazis and Pol Pot (Senator Durbin - (D, IL), and terrorists (Senator Kerry - D, MA), one day and expect everyone to believe you support them 110% the next.

Everyone with half a brain (which rules out most liberals) knows that Rush is one of the most patriotic supporters of the military. Besides donating millions and acting as an advocate for the military, he has travelled to the ME in support of the troops. To call him unpatriotic and anti-military is laughable.

Every time a Democrat opens their mouth, a RNC campaign sound bite comes out. From Senator Clinton advocating "baby bonds" to pander to minorities and wanting to confiscate corporate profits, to Senator Obama wanting to attack Pakistan, to Senator Reid declaring the war lost prior to the "Surge" taking full effect, to the "25 Traitors" refusing to denounce the Moveon.org ad, to former VP Gore buying "Carbon Offset Credits" from himself.

I'll bet Rush is rubbing his hands in glee. This latest faux pas by the left will only drive up his ratings. Rush is laughing all the way to the bank. Thank you Media Matters. Thank you Senators Reid and Harkin. Thank you Moveon.org. You are the gift that keeps on giving.

I don't understand why congress is wasting time on this. Limbaugh is just another talking head that gives lip service to the military so he can pick up a pay check, but when he was called to service he used multiple deferements to get out of it. He was born a coward, lived his life as a coward and will die a coward. Congress needs to move on and stop feeding his already overblown ego.

When the Left attacks a conservative icon like Rush, here is what they're attacking.

Come to think of it, it may also be the "reason" they're atacking him. Not smart, not smart at all, particularly for a group that portrays themselves as smarter than the rest of us. I think they've opened the door into their nose - again.

Why is it that when conservatives try to do "context" and "nuance," they almost invariably get it wrong?

Rush is the prototypical right-wing, neo-con, chickenhawk. he's all about bombing countries but will never sacrifice himself or his grandkids.

Since the troops are stretched thin, why are you republicans supporting the war with your voices rather than your feet? I encourage one of you chickenhawks to go to your local recruiter and ENLIST today. Are you scared? bok, bok, bok, bok.

Great point Bovary- I suggest you go support abortion rights by having your wife or girlfriend have an abortion.

My all-time favorite idea in Rush's "arena of ideas" is his response to critics of the ballooning deficits of the Bush administration caused primarily by the Iraq military adventure.

His idea: "don't worry about it, we'll just print more money". Anyone with who got even a C in Econ 101 (G.W. Bush included) can tell you why that's not a good idea. But I'm assuming that since Rush's demographic is mostly crotchety retirees, it's been a while since most of you took an Econ exam.

ummm, butvary I AM a veteran. So are many of the conservative posters here.

Nice brain dead chant though- "right-wing, neo-con, chickenhawk". Think that crap up yourself?

The Military is less than 16% Democrat. You disconnection from understanding military affairs grows every day.

Oh - can't remember - who are the other Marines here? Other services? Lets see how many of the liberals have ever served.

Kahn - USMC
So was my brother. My little sister was Army Guard. My niece is Air Force Reserve, her brother is an Army captain in Iraq, and their mother (my sister-in-law) is a Navy warrant officer about to deploy to Baghdad any day now.

The dems stock in trade is attacking Republican's patriotism.

"anti-patriotic at the core, because it's asking only one group of Americans, those soldiers in Iraq and their families, to pay the price of the occupation." -- Senator Bob Graham.

Bush "lives out a creed of greed for he and his friends. I'm tired of seeing chief executives be permitted to take their millions or billions to Bermuda and leave the average American here at home stuck with the tax bill. You know what I call that? Unpatriotic." -- Senator Bob Graham.

"Real patriots don't put troops in harm's way on a flawed policy." --Democrat Presidential hopeful Al Sharpton in 2004

"We know who the chickenhawks are. They talk tough on national defense and military issues and cast aspersions on others, but when it was their turn to serve, they were AWOL from courage." --Frank Lautenberg on the Senate floor.

"John Ashcroft is not a patriot." — Howard Dean

"I don't think it's patriotic to put on a flight suit and prance around on the deck of an aircraft carrier looking for a photo op." — Wes Clark

"We hear them in the cries of the false patriots who bully dissenters into silence and submission. These are familiar fights. We've fought and won them before. And with John Kerry and John Edwards leading us, we will win them again" — Ted Kennedy

"The policy that the administration is following in Iraq is ... anti-patriotic at the core..." — Sen. Graham

"we deserve a president who stands up for patriotism and its real definition, which is doing what makes our country stronger and safer and more secure." — John Kerry

"a group of people around the President whose main allegiance is to each other and their ideology rather than to the United States." — Howard Dean

Attack the policies of the left and they'll scream you're attacking my patriotism. I can quote those too, they're hilarious.

My niece is Air Force Reserve, her brother is an Army captain in Iraq, and their mother (my sister-in-law) is a Navy warrant officer about to deploy to Baghdad any day now

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your family will be obliterated in one fell swoop by Iran's powerful missiles. Iran is NOT Iraq and will crush any US and Zionist invasion.

but will never sacrifice himself or his grandkids.

Oh Lord. When one doesnt have anything intelligent to offer, they always resort to bringing in someone's kids to the conversation.

Sacrifice his kids? What? Are we as supporters supposed to force our ADULT children to join the military? That is ridiculous and you know it.

Im a mother, but im not going to force my child to enter the military if they dont want to....even if im very VERY pro-military.

Seriously, try again.

I can only hope the Republicans keep this story going. Repugs in Congress are doing their part. They just issued a proclamation commending Limbaugh. Just as the Republicans dumbed down PBS over the past six years, this just might be the ticket for Democrats to get the draft dodging pill popper off Armed Forces Radio and raise the level of discussion on a radio station heard around the world. I don't see why taxpayers should be forced to pay for his, I am better than you, hateful and twisted view of the world. This is not the America we want to share with other countries.

Spin it any way that makes you feel good, but fact remains media savvy Limbaugh used the plural "phony soldiers." In addition, it was almost two minutes later when he mentioned Mac Beth. Probably after his producer told him the phones were ringing off the hook. Then later to try and take some heat off he was receiving from paying customers, he then referred to conservative red meat, Rep John Murtha, to try and include him in as a “phony solider.” Neocon Repugs hate the fact Murtha is disrupting their PNAC plans and will not miss an opportunity to discredit him at every point, but average Republicans can’t deny Murtha loyally served his country and therefore not a “phony solider.”

What really fires me up is that in a year the Dems could not address and complete ONE issue of "we the people" yet in less then 72 hours they have gathered their facts, made their demands, and even introduced a demand for apology to the floor of congress. The rediculousness of Reed, Harkin, and the Democratic Stratigists blatantly trying to spin this into an issue is an insult to everyone with ears who did hear the broadcast!

bovary,

A-10: Retired after 27 years in the USMC and on active duty with the Army National Guard. Already been there, done that, and got the shirt. So you can STFU.

Just as the "Clinton-Mud-Machine" smears anyone who is in their path of reign, she had nothing to say about the General Patreaus ad, because she/Bill are behold'n to Soros and the MoveOn crowd-who incidentally said: "We OWN the Democrat Party." The double standard of the Dems is mind blowing-they completely FORGOT about all the accusations about our troops made by Kerry about our soldiers killing/raiding villages of children and women. That's okay though, when THEY say or
do things-why has no one called THEM out? It was
over a year ago, that I remember Hillary(along with Pelosi)talking about controlling the Internet
and the Bloggers. She would LOVE to do away with
anyone who writes against her, and just as they have 'picked off so many of the GOP, they would also LOVE TO SILENCE THE BLOGGERS, AND OF COURSE,
FOX NEWS, AND RUSH. Any voice of the Conservative
side, is what they want to silence, and isn't that
the way "free speech" for them works?-THEY CAN SAY AND DO ANYTHING, BUT NOT CONSERVATIVES.

I think the GOP needs to fight back and show the hypocrisy of the "double standard Dems", and get some ads going, that show what Kerry, Reid, Pelosi, Hillary, etc.(who has Bill doing her verbal bashing)have said in the past, as a reminder.

bovary....I prefer to think you nic means cow (stuff)..and nothing is going to make me change my mind...btw..Rush doesn't have kids...so sorry..no grandkids....
and plainjane....your posts make me sad..so sad for such a pathetic, misinformed, misguided life....

"hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your family will be obliterated in one fell swoop by Iran's powerful missiles. Iran is NOT Iraq and will crush any US and Zionist invasion."

Mark, please ban this douche bag. He has nothing to offer and is obviously a paid propagandist from Tehran and has nothing to offer except talking points and obfuscation from the lower depths of insanity. If I wanted to listen to the enemy I would log on to Tom Harkin's web page and read about his glorious bombing runs.

Mark, please ban this douche bag. He has nothing to offer and is obviously a paid propagandist from Tehran

WHY SHOULD I BE BANNED FOR TELLING THE TRUTH?

Do you think the USAF can drop bombs on Iran and simply go home? This is war. I'm telling you that war means death and destruction, and war with Iran could occasion a catastrophe on your family. these are facts.

No Rich, let the man talk. How can we ever hope to save all of these people who only get the cliff notes versions of the facts, actually more like the Headlines version as atleast cliffnotes are facts.
These people can only thrive if "we the people" give in and stop following the facts. This attack on Rush proves the Dem/Libs only want freedom of THEIR speech.
The Dems believe that we the people are so ignorant that we are accepting their words as facts and need to stop anyone who fills in the blanks with truth and facts. Now all the money they are hauling in from Soros and the like, Hollywood Celebs, that have to keep them in power so they themselves can try to stay out of jail, and from the unions will be a problem for the GOP because the money THEY receive is from the working class, penny pinching, living check to check crowd. Make no mistake though we the people will be there to vote and will just sit in the mean time and watch the Libs/Dems show their true colors. They themselves are our best talking points. Then when they are taken IN context and put out there they cry foul! So it is not what THEY did/said but the fact that they got called on it. "Be-treaus" is freedom of speech and "phony soldiers" is cause for a recall! They are laughable. Too bad they continue to take us down a path that is not so laughable, instead scarey comes to mind.

bovary - thats why I advocate using our existing and paid for nuclear weapons on Iran. Taunt the giant, you asshole.