Comments on: Dems seize on Limbaugh's 'phony soldiers' comment

By: Jude

Jude — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:56:31 +0000

To Rush:
This election is widely open and not too late for you to jump in. It is not just talking, get in since you are more conservative than McCain. Run and let's see how may states you will win. McCain is a great man who fought for this nation and deserve our respect. Even though, I listen to your talk radio sometimes but I do not agree with most of the things you say.

By: Allyson, Austin TEXAS

Allyson, Austin TEXAS — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:48:49 +0000

i hate this man.with a passion.he is the saddest thing i have ever seen.i don't even know what else to say.he needs to have his voicebox removed

By: Matt, Mount Pleasant MI

Matt, Mount Pleasant MI — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:59:48 +0000

what a waste of time

By: David Bignell, Dayton Ohio

David Bignell, Dayton Ohio — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:25:13 +0000

This example of poor reporting is why alternative media is gaining ground in America. The real story here is that the government has waged war on an American citizen for speaking his mind. He was not being critical of the troops. Everyone knows the support he has provided them.

Thanks for participating in the march toward Government controlling our lives and our speech.

By: Brian Dover Jacksonville, AR

Brian Dover Jacksonville, AR — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 13:38:29 +0000

I am currently deployed to Iraq. I noticed that this article was not fair and balanced. Show me where you ask Limbaugh about these comments. I have been a listener to his awesome show since 1994. Oh, and by the way, if you are going to report something, make sure you have your facts straight. Fair and balanced my ass!!

By: Ken K; Philadelphia, PA

Ken K; Philadelphia, PA — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:17:52 +0000

Limbaugh is a self-agrandizing, xenophobic, narrow-minded fascist.

And anyway, when contemplating quotes from any celebrity, one must consider the source. In Limbaugh's case he should not be considered at all...

By: Mike, New Bern, NC

Mike, New Bern, NC — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 06:13:45 +0000

I currently serve in the military, and from my point of view Rush is dead on about the PHONY soilders that go to the media and complain about the war. You never see the media talk to the military members that proudly serve the country and believe in what we are doing because that wouldn't make a good story now would it. When this war started, you have all kind of "PHONY" soilders saying i didn't join the military to go to War, i joined to recieve a free education or some other excuse that they threw out there, and thats the one's Rush would be talking about.

By: Glenn, Las Vegas, NV

Glenn, Las Vegas, NV — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 05:15:12 +0000

I’m not a big Rush lover but, go back and skim this CNN article one more time. The lead paragraph announces the Democrats’ actions in the Senate regarding Limbaugh’s statement then the remainder of the article reports the reactions from the Chairman of the Democrat CCC, John Kerry, Patrick Murphy, Frank Pallone, and Chris Dodd—all Democrats. There isn’t a single response from a Republican in this article and the only statement from Limbaugh to explain his side of the story is a three word sentence, “The phony soldiers,” taken from what I’m told was a 2-day discussion on his radio program. If I hadn’t researched this myself I would have never known the truth! Not only is this story unbelievably biased, but it’s also factually inaccurate and incredibly unbalanced. Come on CNN, I expect more from you.

By: Clyde Phoenix, AZ

Clyde Phoenix, AZ — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 04:14:33 +0000

Hey Freak show never get to the truth Democrats. Why is it impossible for you to get the real story? Oh thats right you cant handle the truth. Rush was not talking about soldiers, but a boot camp wash out that never made it. This "phony soldier" is who you whacko Dems were loving and lapping up his lies. So Rush called this wash out a "phony soldier." Any one that knows the truth knows Rush is an avid supporter of our troops regardless of Politcs. Get it right Dems!

By: Mellyn Portland, Oregon

Mellyn Portland, Oregon — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:01:44 +0000

So amusing when you read the comments. So many "Who cares about Rush?" and yet the Democrats are STILL trying to shut him up and shut Clear Channel down.

By: Casey, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Casey, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:21:48 +0000

It was taken out of context. CNN sucks at giving the correct and complete information on a story! Despite what anyone may think of Rush, it was taken out of context. He was referring to "soldiers" who never even made it out of this country and LIED about war coverage.

By: Paul, nashville, tn

Paul, nashville, tn — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:28:39 +0000

All of you and all the democrats that spoke out on this issue are ignorant and petty, because you took one little thing out of what he said instead of seeing the whole discussion. You are taking it out of context and are just trying to find something else to keep people from seeing the problems with your party by pointing out all the "so-called" problems with people that support the republican party even to this pitiful point. TYPICAL!!!

By: Mary Peterson, Lexington MN

Mary Peterson, Lexington MN — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:27:51 +0000

What a surprising comment from this bloated windbag! He needs to go to on a tour to Iraq and identify these 'phony soldiers'...doesn't he have a prescription to fill?

By: Sheik Holy Cow

Sheik Holy Cow — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:44:34 +0000

Just me. You said nothing. I will turn the channel now. Thanks for nothing.

By: Just me.

Just me. — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:19:54 +0000

Rush Limbaugh is an ego driven talking head and is obviously more out of touch with reality than realized. I laugh at those of you who try to 'Support' or 'defend' his idiocy. He has the right in this country to say stupid things as do all of we here. I have the right to turn the channel anytime I get a hint he is going to be on. People like him are not worth listening to because they have no idea what they are talking about or they enjoy twisting everything to their point of view. He is a talking windbag of lunacy. Nothing more, nothing less.

By: Charles McBurneydim

Charles McBurneydim — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:51:08 +0000

Anyone that demands Rush apologize apparently has no clue as to what was really said and has been misled by certain news organizations.

By: Sarah, Boulder (of course), Colorado

Sarah, Boulder (of course), Colorado — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:03:35 +0000

Whether he was speaking about current soldiers or fake soldiers, he hit the nail on the head without meaning to. Our soldiers now are mercenaries, some go into service just for the money, some go for personal reasons, but they are sent to foreign lands to do the bidding of a very few in the US. If you believe our men and women soldiers have been sent on anything other than a mercenary’s mission in Iraq, I think you have been deceived. Do you feel any safer? I don't. Sometimes violence is the answer, but what the heck is really the question we need to answer so badly?

By: Lawrence, New York, NY

Lawrence, New York, NY — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:46:12 +0000

Rush Limbaugh is an unfortunate result of free speech in this country. Unfortunate because all he does is bark right wing rhetoric and play on the narrow minded beliefs of his audience who seem to think that putting tax dollars to anything but the support of the Military Industrial Complex will result in all humanity breaking down in the US.

The sad thing is that I've never met a Rush fan with an education above the 10th grade, yet he seems to have quite a rather large audience. Is this a sign of the US’s declining intelligence as a whole on the world stage? Sadly, if you are a Rush fan, it may be true for you and your progeny. "would you like fries with that" may be your war cry if you listen to Rush and take him seriously.

Rush is a waste of oxygen, food and space. Too bad his listeners haven't figured out he's a liar and a hypocrite, but then again, perhaps he is just like his base audience – shallow, fearful of anyone different and narrow minded to the extreme.

Misery loves company I hear...

By: Shawn, Honolulu, HI

Shawn, Honolulu, HI — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:09:38 +0000

If he was referring to one soldier, he would have said "phony soldier" NOT "phony soldiers". Does anyone really know what "taken out of context means"? Either you say something or you don't. Seems like some kind of blanket excuse for when you put your foot in your big, fat mouth.

By: Damon Hastings, Menlo Park, CA

Damon Hastings, Menlo Park, CA — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:19:28 +0000

At no point does Rush say or imply that anti-war soldiers are phony. I'm a liberal, but even I know that Rush talks about "phony soldiers" all the time. He uses that term to refer to the people who claim to be soldiers who've seen horrible things in Iraq, but it turns out they're in fact not soldiers at all, or they're soldiers who never deployed to Iraq. His callers know that the term "phony soldiers" refers to these liars and non-soldiers. So when Rush said "Phony soldiers" in that broadcast, he was asking for clarification from the caller that the caller was talking about "phony soldiers" as defined by Rush. Rush's inflection makes this clear; but of course that doesn't come through in the transcript. The caller then confirms that Rush is correct. The caller goes on to claim that actual soldiers all support the war (which is of course false), and Rush then changes the subject. You'd have to re-read the transcript to understand how completely this changes the reading. And a few minutes later, Rush again refers to the "fake soldiers" that they were "recently talking about" and he gives Jesse Macbeth as an example. That's the guy who lied about deploying to Iraq (he actually washed out of boot camp.) So that's an example of who Rush means by "fake soldier". In closing, Rush is still a brown stain on the underwear of American political dialogue. But he never said anti-war soldiers are phony.

By: Erlanger, KY

Erlanger, KY — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 22:06:14 +0000

Anyone who thinks Rush needs to appologize for anything having to do with this bogus fiasco obviously didn't listen to the program in question–or the programs that have followed since. As someone who was listening... I can inequivocably say that teh Dem. who are blathering about about how Limbaugh should be censored are either: (1) intentionally lying–in which case they do not deserve to serve as gov. officials and should be removed from office or (2)so grossly incompetent that they pose a grave danger to the well being of our country–in whichg case they should also be removed from office.

By: Doug, Washington DC

Doug, Washington DC — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:11:43 +0000

Ignorant is bliss for you lousy anti-American pro islam, coward democrats. Facts are just so pesty!!! To bad the new media (mainly Rush, Drudge, etc) have put an end to the drive-by media's grib of lies. GOP in 08

By: elizabeth san diego, ca

elizabeth san diego, ca — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 02:29:02 +0000

why do people get so offended by everything? how bout who cares cause it was just a statement. i mean cmon, you draw a peace sign on the flag and its freedom of expression. hardly anyone even takes their flags down at night or what about all the ripped car window flags or faded bumper stickers. no one attacks that. you all scream freedom of expression until its something you dont agree with. i have a OIF veteran father and a husband in iraq right now but i still have enough balance left in myself to laugh comments like this off and move on. its not worth it to attack this nonsense.

By: John Stone Salem SC

John Stone Salem SC — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:47:14 +0000

"Phony" means false. If Limbaugh had intended to describe a soldier using his right to dissent from American policy, he would have used a different descriptor.

By: Julie Seattle WA

Julie Seattle WA — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:21:52 +0000

Hey Rush, I'll tell my husband who is a former fighter Pilot, Fighter Ace, POW and disabled Vet how you feel about him and his fellow soldiers. Go suck an egg you coward.

By: Jerry, Fort Myers, Florida

Jerry, Fort Myers, Florida — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:41:35 +0000

CNN devoted a substantial amount of space to this column, but failed to include the actual context of his comments. Rush was talking about a specific actual phony soldier, Jesse Macbeth, who made all sorts of false claims about being some special forces decorated hero and such, as well as having witnessed all sorts of horrible abuses by the US Military in Iraq. Truth is he was kicked out of boot camp after 45 days. That’s his entire military career. So, I think that qualifies him as a phony. The Dems know this, and it is extremely disappointing that they would use this incident in such a manner. I actually was listening to the original Rush broadcast as it happened, and I know that Rush was simply talking about the likes of Macbeth. CNN, Reid, Pelosi, Clinton, Media Matters, MoveOn, you have been caught in a lie. I’m not a big fan of anyone in congress these days, but this represents a new level of low, and for that matter, irrelevance. I am actually paying taxes for these people to disparage our troops on the floor of congress, then accuse Rush Limbaugh of all people of doing just that. Congress approval rating should sink below the depths of Hades for this one.

By: David, Fort Worth TX

David, Fort Worth TX — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:04:30 +0000

What in the HELL is Congress coming to? Supposedly, there are all these *major* crises going on out there in the world, and yet they want to spend all their time denouncing this media pundit or that popular figure. First, they decided it would be worth Congress's time to condemn MoveOn.org for "General Betray-us" (which was disrespectful) and now they want some official congressional position on Rush's one-sentence comment on a radio show that less than 10% of the nation listens to. What a waste of Congressional time and tax-payer money. I say we vote 'em all out at the next election and get in some fresh blood. And while they're at it, let's get them working on things that are really important like term limits. Nobody needs to serve in a congressional body for 30 years (i.e. Ted Kennedy)

By: JC, Cincinnati, OH

JC, Cincinnati, OH — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:00:39 +0000

For those who support Limbaugh's comments – shame on you. While this is a free country and we proudly stand for freedom of speech – that freedom comes with responsibility. We don't need the likes of Mr. Limbaugh propagating and peddling hate and fear because some soldiers have the courage to stand-up and speak out against the President and talk about what they actually witness on a day-to-day basis. We should commend them for standing up and speaking out not criticize them and call them phony. I am disgusted that Clear Channel would still support someone who has time and time again denigrate those people who dare to stand up to this tyrant.

By: PM Bad Axe Mi

PM Bad Axe Mi — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:49:41 +0000

Maybe he was refering to John Kerry, the truest form of a phony soldier along with his purple heart.

By: Eric, Columbus, Ohio

Eric, Columbus, Ohio — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:46:04 +0000

LOL!!! You Rush apologists are hilarious. "Phony Soldiers" as in PLURAL OBVIOUSLY does NOT refer to just one person...and whoever it was that posted a message about the Dems having "been in charge for 2 years"...buy a CALENDAR man...Dems took control in the 2006 election and did not take office until earlier THIS YEAR. Good job geniuses!!!

By: Frank, Columubus, oh

Frank, Columubus, oh — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:36:31 +0000

Why are the dem's being allowed to trash the military again? Now Jesse MacBeth is a hero just as all those that actually made it out of boot camp and went over to Iraq? When will CNN start reporting all the news and not just the propaganda spilling forth from George Soros mouthpeice Media Matters?

By: Bill Both, Terrace, BC

Bill Both, Terrace, BC — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:06:27 +0000
I am a Republican and a veteran. Rush may have been discussing one person who wasn't in Iraq. The fact is, though, that he said that "all" the antiwar movement could come up with. This is patently false. Tammy Duckworth, for example, lost both of her legs and partial use of an arm in Iraq--and opposes Bush's Iraq policy. There are many others. But then what would Rush know about this? He is a chickenhawk like Bush, Cheney, and Rove. He's good at maligning the character of real war wounded veterans like McCain, Cleland, and Kerry. He is also good at supporting wars in which others die or are wounded. Where was he when his country needed him to put his butt on the line? Chickenhawks like him and Cheney have, in Cheney's words, "other priorities" when it comes to putting their butts where their mouth is.

By: Rev. C. Solomon, Mountain View California

Rev. C. Solomon, Mountain View California — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:08:17 +0000

Where is the President? Has anyone informed the President that the country is being ripped apart given the politics of hate that will be a part of the legacy that he will leave behind? Wouldn't it be great if the President would spend his last year in office attempting to reunite the country prior to his departure in 2009, a country that he has helped to hopelessly divide?

By: Michael Schultz, Troy, Michigan

Michael Schultz, Troy, Michigan — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:22:59 +0000

All you Democrats are doing is simply magnifying your hatred toward Republicans. Mr. Limbaugh's comments have been taken out of context and you all know it but you continue your unjustified diatribes (On the Senate floor even). All you are doing is making yourselves look bad and I am rejoicing over yet another Democrat miscalculation. The Democrats negative, unjustified comments about our fine General Petraeus stand alone and this is nothing remotely similar. You all look pretty bad and now you're using comments taken out of context to make yourselves feel better. You're all shameful.

By: C.C. - Buffalo, NY

C.C. - Buffalo, NY — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:33:23 +0000

Rush forgot to mention the biggest phony solder...George W. Bush.

By: Alex Savant, Valencia, California

Alex Savant, Valencia, California — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:23:24 +0000

Why use the plural of the word soldier then? You're wrong and he's obviously backpedaling.

If it was just ONE guy then why did he say:

"The phony soldiers"

instead of "A phony soldier".

Regardless of his alleged context, he clearly took the opportunity to try and slip in the plural "s" to make a wider point.

Learn some simple grammar people, unbelievable.

By: Mike Benefiel, Schertz, Texas

Mike Benefiel, Schertz, Texas — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:40:12 +0000

The longer the media trys to hide from the truth and elected Democrats feed off the lie, the more silly you look. I hope Rush continues to push the issue. It is kind of fun to watch liberals and media paint themselves into a corner. Can't wait till it gets to a courtroom, or the Supreme Court, asit might if Congress keeps going down their current path.

By: Tim, Anniston, AL

Tim, Anniston, AL — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 01:33:28 +0000

Do any of you people look beyond the headlines or do automatically believe everything your read? Look at the context of what the man said. All you do is show your on stupidity when you blindly accept what CNN, Fox, or any other news org says. I'm choosing to believe that Harry Reid and Chris Dodd haven't heard the whole interview. Otherwise, they are disingenuous liars. Wait! They are disingenuous liars. Never mind.

By: chas, Marysville, WA

chas, Marysville, WA — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:32:52 +0000

It is obvious the accuracy of reports from the News Media cannot be believed as they are too politically involved. what politicians have to say about their opponents, is even less credible.
Forget about going to the source and reporting the truth...which was the very conversation Mr. Limbaugh was conversing about last Wednesday. The subject was by the opposition.
It is clear that CNN and those opposed to Mr. Limbaugh has no intentions of going to his website for the truth. They don't care about discovering truth of Limbaugh's conversation. No, they have ammo to discredit someone they distain and that's all they need – truth and honesty are not a factor.

Wake up folks! DO your own searching for the truth...

By: Gerald Williams, Pasadena, CA

Gerald Williams, Pasadena, CA — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:11:43 +0000

Rush Limbaugh apparently doesn't read much. I'm sure he doesn't like the NY Times or it's international edition but one would hope he was at least aware of articles widely read by millions of people the world over. Referring to the article that appeared the 3rd week of August, written and signed by active duty soldiers in Iraq, several of whom have since been killed in the line of duty.
Limbaugh is pathetic and a a fool.

By: Rick, Newark, NY

Rick, Newark, NY — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:04:00 +0000

What do you expect from the Rush Bimbo. He is trying to be so ideologically pure to keep his republican base listening, he doesn't care who he insults. He has no problem taking other people's comments out of context, and crys foul when he is on the other end of the comments. Just wait, tomorrow this will be all Hillary's fault.

By: Doug Mott, St. Pete, FL

Doug Mott, St. Pete, FL — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:01:06 +0000

I have heard the statement in it's entirety. He should neither apologize or retract the comment. Once a person listens to the whole thing instead of listening to bits and pieces or just reading an excerpt, they'd know it was not a slam. Rush has backed the military more than most. Is this the best CNN & MoveOn can do after auditing his show and all his comments 24/7???

By: Cindy Martisko, Piror Lake MN

Cindy Martisko, Piror Lake MN — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:31:40 +0000

Amazing that CNN proves the point that lies are easily perpetuated by irresponsible journalism. I guess the facts will not be reported because they do not agree with CNN's political views. Too bad that you continue to sully the image of all journalists!

By: Tom - Dedham, Mass

Tom - Dedham, Mass — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:20:32 +0000

Posted By Celestino Martinez, Brownsville, Texas : September 30, 2007 10:38 pm

Excellent posting. The bigger story here is how the liberals/Democrats throw these guys out as spokespeople as long as they are anti-Bush or anti-military or just anti-war.

Nobody does the homework to make sure these guys are legit, or do they know it and simply not care.

Kind of like Hillary with Hsu, check out EVERYTHING on my BIGGEST fundraiser? No need to because.....

"Vast right-wing conpiracy, they are attacking me because I am a woman, where's Bill the truth teller to bail me out"? Pathetic.

By: Celestino Martinez, Brownsville, Texas

Celestino Martinez, Brownsville, Texas — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 02:38:15 +0000

As a Vietnam Vet, 1968-69, I say, "finally, a law that makes sense", the Stolen Valor Act. This person that Rush was referring to never even made it out of Basic Training (44 days before being drummed out) and here he was talking about medals for killing women and children and hanging people from Mosque rafters in the horrors of Iraq. And to think that without ever a cursory check, the media and the Dems ate it up so easily. It's just so sad that it seems that what is good for the country is bad for the Dems and will probably not be reported by the media, and what is bad about the country, even if a baldfaced lie, is so good for the media and the Donkeys.

By: Patrick Norman Oklahoma

Patrick Norman Oklahoma — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:15:08 +0000
I never knew that I was a phoney soldier until Wade from Appleton Wisconson spelled it out for me. I quess I am one (with an Honorable Discharge). And I will be the first to run down the Military. I wasn't cut out to be in the Military. I wasn't cut out to be a part of the ass kissing,nepatism,and total disregard for anyone under the rank of E-5. The double standards that I saw among the NCOs were sickening. I saw an organization run by people who lacked the intelligence to make it in life without Uncle Sam changing their diaper on a daily basis. There are great people in the military but you see them leaving as soon as they can. I hated the military but I stuck it out because I took an oath. In closing the term "Phoney Soldier" will be worn ,by me, as a badge of honor. You could be called something worse, "Lifer". (NCO= No Chance Outside)

By: larry buchas

larry buchas — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:13:07 +0000

Caller: "What's really funny is, they [Iraq war critics] never talk to real soldiers. They like to pull these soldiers that come up out of the blue and talk to the media."

"The phony soldiers," Limbaugh then said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56s9jInwoIU

That's what Rush thinks of soldiers describing Iraq to the New York Times.

If he doesn't, he should say it on his program. Wouldn't you Rush listeners agree? Or do you agree with him? Do you agree soldiers in Iraq reporting to the New York Times are "phony soldiers?"

A simple yes or no would do.

By: Tom Just

Tom Just — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:12:34 +0000

***Another reminder, to YOU, cnn.com: Mr. Limbaugh was referring to JESSE MacBETH, a soldier who lasted but 44 days in the U.S. military and FALSIFIED claims of U.S. perpetrated brutality he witnessed in Iraq despite NEVER HAVING BEEN THERE.

CNN, your are a DISGRACE.***

By: larry buchas

larry buchas — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 07:32:31 +0000

"The majority of troops on the ground in Iraq, and those who have returned, do not back the President's failed policy."
Posted By larry buchas : September 29, 2007 12:34 pm

Wow! Awesome job using a totally fabricated statistic Larry. While you would like that to be true, the majority of service members don't feel that way.

Posted By Chris, Palm Bay, FL : September 29, 2007 9:30 pm
__________________________________

"Fabricated?"

2/3 of the troops that have served in Iraq. Not to mention 70% of Americans feel the same way.

Bush will go down with the title "Worst President Ever." You are the ones planting your heads in the sand and unwilling to accept it.

http://www.votevets.org/

Play the link or keep trusting Rush. The troops have been there. Rush never set a foot there. Who is the real "phony?"

By: Ron Nebraska

Ron Nebraska — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:37:26 +0000

So what's the big deal? Limbaugh IS a comedian right?