Reid's letter is a hot item on eBay.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - It may turn out to be the most valuable letter Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ever sent.
The Nevada Democrat's correspondence-in-question was sent earlier this month to Clear Channel CEO Mark Mays, officially calling on him to condemn popular conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh's controversial 'phony soldiers' remark. Clear Channel syndicates Limbaugh's show.
Mays refused to condemn the remarks and Limbaugh recently placed Reid's letter on eBay, pledging to match whatever it fetched and donate it all to The Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation.
As of Tuesday morning, the top bid for the letter was over $50,000. The bidding ends Friday.
"I'm going to match the dollar figure, and I have suggested that Sen. Reid and the 40 other Democrats who signed the smear letter … also match the donation," Limbaugh said on his show Monday.
Limbaugh's original remark came on a September 26 program as he and a caller were discussing critics of the Iraq war.
"What's really funny is, they [Iraq war critics] never talk to real soldiers," the caller said. "They like to pull these soldiers that come up out of the blue and talk to the media."
Limbaugh responded, "The phony soldiers."
After the liberal media watchdog group MediaMatters.org and several Democrats quickly condemned the remark, Limbaugh said he was "taken out of context," and added he was referring to one soldier specifically - Jesse MacBeth, a war critic who falsely claimed to be an Iraq veteran.
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For those who don't believe me, here's a link to Media matters, where you can hear the complete unedited audio of Rush Limbaugh slandering all those "phony soldiers" for yourself. Then if you want, you can compare it with what Rush says is the complete transcript and see who's the liar here. (Hint: it's El Rushbo.)
http://mediamatters.org/items/200709280010?f=h_latest
Just think the senate has finally done something (though through the back door) that is actually positive or good.
Actually, Linda, you've demonstrated YOUR ignorance by siding with Rush Limbaugh on this one. If you go to his web site to read what he said (or view the You Tube video he posted), you only see an EDITED version. Rush doctored the tape to change what he said – if he was only talking about one soldier, then why did he use the phrase "phony SOLDIERS" (plural).
If you want to learn the truth, Linda, go to the Media matters web site (www.mediamatters.org) and read the complete unedited transcript.
Posted By Wayne, Greenville TX : October 19, 2007 2:23 pm
Wayne, Rush used the term 'phony soldierS because of Jesse MacBeth AND because of another named Scott Thomas Beauchamp who wrote made up stories (kind of in the fashion of John F. Kerry), which were then published by 'The New Republic' which has been under criticism once news of these 'FICTIONAL' stories came to light. The New Republic has yet to print retractions of said articles. And although Beauchamp is an active duty soldier, he has stated on his blog his actual reason for joining the military was....drum roll please) 'so he could have material upon which to write and establish himself as an *ahem*author'.
Wayne from redneck Greenville. You're missing the point here dude. Whether you think Rush said something or not; he is a supporter of the troops both past and present. So Reid took it right or wrong to condemn someone who actively goes above and beyond giving his time and money to these causes says that he is a least patriotic.
Wayne, Rush used the term 'phony soldierS because of Jesse MacBeth AND because of another named Scott Thomas Beauchamp who wrote made up stories (kind of in the fashion of John F. Kerry), which were then published by 'The New Republic' which has been under criticism once news of these 'FICTIONAL' stories came to light. The New Republic has yet to print retractions of said articles. And although Beauchamp is an active duty soldier, he has stated on his blog his actual reason for joining the military was….drum roll please) 'so he could have material upon which to write and establish himself as an *ahem*author'.
That's what Rush wants you to believe. I heard his show that day – he was smearing all the soldiers who disagree with him. And then he lied to cover his overly abundant butt.
And all the brain-dead dittoheads but his story hook, line and sinker.
E-bay pretty much wins this round, don't you think? RL is a private citizen engaging in free enterprise. You can turn off the radio, but you can't not pay taxes. Doesn't Congress have something better to do?
Wayne from redneck Greenville. You're missing the point here dude. Whether you think Rush said something or not; he is a supporter of the troops both past and present. So Reid took it right or wrong to condemn someone who actively goes above and beyond giving his time and money to these causes says that he is a least patriotic.
Posted By Bob Jones, Las Vegas, NV : October 19, 2007 3:17 pm
I may live in Greenville, but I'm no redneck. I saw more rednecks on the street when I used to live in Las Vegas.
And regardless of whether Rush supports the troops or not, he's a known liar and this is yet another one of his lies exposed. And yet people defend this drug-addled moron......
Have you gone to Media Matters to read the ACTUAL transcript yet? If not, then you don't have the whole story. And you'll never get it from Rush.
E-bay pretty much wins this round, don't you think? RL is a private citizen engaging in free enterprise. You can turn off the radio, but you can't not pay taxes. Doesn't Congress have something better to do?
Posted By Denton, Eldora, IA : October 19, 2007 3:27 pm
Rush is a addle-minded demagogue using public airwaves to smear people on a daily basis who don't agree with his narrow-mined agenda. And when he was caught with his proverbial pants down, he doctored the audio to back up his lie-filled version of the story. And people like you bought it.
Rush has one of, if not thee, largest listening audience on Armed Forces Radio. The troops see thru Reid's baloney. And yes, I'm sure we can count on Hillary's creation, Media Matters, to post an 'un-edited' version. Get real.
The final bid for the historic 'foot in mouth' document was 2.1 million, which Rush will match. And Reid tried to salvage himself on the Senate floor by making it sound like he was involved in the fund raising, when in reality, like Rush said, Reid was conceding defeat.
Wayne, from Texas, says Rush is a "known liar", and this is just another one. Oh really, I must have missed them......please post a few. I won't hold my breath while I wait.
I know it must be painful to be a lib right now. Mommy Nancy and Daddy Harry just aren't taking care of you like you expected, and Daddy just got beat up by a radio guy. It's enough to make you run away from home. Try Mexico.
Gee – no responses for a while. I guess everyone went to the Media matters site, heard the audio for themselves, and discovered that El Rushbo is a liar.....
I did go to the "media matters" website and I also was listening to the live program when rush said the words "phony soldiers". I personally believe anyone who cites "media matters" as a source has got to be drinking the "Lib Kool Aid" by the barrel.
I did go to the "media matters" website and I also was listening to the live program when rush said the words "phony soldiers". I personally believe anyone who cites "media matters" as a source has got to be drinking the "Lib Kool Aid" by the barrel.
Posted By Woody Austin WC ND : October 19, 2007 5:59 pm
Rather than believing Media Matters carte blanche, Woody, I follow their links to their sources and make up my own mind. Can you say the same when you listen to and mindlessly defend Rush? I don't think so....
It's people like you who are guzzling the Kool Aid, Woody.
Well...where is that list of Rush's lies? We're waiting....
Nice of Mr. Reid to take time on the Senate floor to have his cronies sign the letter. I'm so glad I paid taxes to fund his little tirade.
Harassment of a private citizen is against the law. The Democrats should take some of their own advice on Free Speech.