(2007-10-04) — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) today offered free legal services to defend talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, whose civil rights, the ACLU contends, “are in jeopardy from powerful officials in the U.S. government.”
“This is not just an issue of simple slander,” said an unnamed ACLU spokesman, “This is a coordinated campaign at the highest levels of government specifically targeting a private citizen, attempting to use the power of government to squelch his freedom of speech, distort his words, destroy his career and smear anyone associated with him.”
The ACLU source added that, “If this were happening in Myanmar, the U.N. would send an emissary to intervene and the Security Council would impose sanctions.”
Meanwhile, the Rev. Al Sharpton has invited Sen. Harry Reid, D-NV, to appear on his satellite radio show “to apologize to all wealthy, white Americans who were offended when Sen. Reid intentionally misquoted and maligned Rush Limbaugh from the floor of the senate.”
46 responses so far ↓
1 Libby Gone // Oct 4, 2007 at 10:34 am
Foist?
2 Libby Gone // Oct 4, 2007 at 10:37 am
If this keeps up, women and children will be hardest hit.
nyuk nyuk nyuk.
3 Fred Sinclair // Oct 4, 2007 at 10:38 am
Yeah, when Old MacDonald’s pigs fly. can’t you just see them?
Heirborn Ranger
4 Ms RightWing, Ink // Oct 4, 2007 at 10:41 am
Oh the humanity, or was that Hannity. Radio Free America has spoke. Free the Limbaugh One.
Bumper stickers now on the way for all the white Christian minority in the Socialist States of Amerika
5 boberinyetagain // Oct 4, 2007 at 10:45 am
About time someone came to this poor man’s defense!
6 boberinyetagain // Oct 4, 2007 at 11:16 am
doh!
7 Fred Sinclair // Oct 4, 2007 at 11:44 am
From NewsMax today:
“Republicans are apparently worried about battling Hillary Clinton next year. The NBC poll found that 47 percent of Republicans believe Giuliani is best able to defeat Hillary Clinton.”
I guess Giuliani is about as close to Mrs. Bill Clinton as the RINO’S can get and still stay Republicans. (on paper)
But if I have to choose between him and herself, I’d have to go (sadly) with him.
Heirborn Ranger
8 conserve-a-tips // Oct 4, 2007 at 11:52 am
OK, I go to the doctor this morning and I come home to read that the ACLU (America’s Crazy Liberals United) is picking up the tab for Rush. It was then that I had to assess whether I was in an alternate universe or if the painkillers that the doctor prescribed had already taken affect. I now realize that it was neither.
You make us hope, Scott, and then pull the rug out from under us. Not nice. Not nice.
I got the exciting news that I get to go under the knife (sarcasm mode on) and so I’m chewing on that and now I have to deal with the disappointment that this story is just satire. Sigh.
I wonder if Reid and Harkin understands that they made a “Rush” to judgement.
9 boberinyetagain // Oct 4, 2007 at 12:00 pm
The wonder is that anyone thinks enough of Rush to point out or respond to anything he has to say. It boggles my mind that supposed adults don’t realize that A) he is free to say what he wants, B) that none of it matters, C) that (yes, again) he’s an entertainer.
It amazed me when Howard Stern was paid attention to, Rush is exactly the same thing. A man paid tons of cash to go into a closet, sit at a desk and speak into a pencil.
Nothing more, nothing less. If by chance (and in both examples they are very good at this) they can get people to listen then corporations buy small blocks of time in an attempt to make us buy their product.
No product, no corporation. No corporation, no need for tiny blocks of time. No tiny blocks of time, no Rush, no Howard.
Yes, I know Howard changed those rules but it was the same and still is by and large.
Just amazing!
10 Effeminem // Oct 4, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Limbaugh may be a corporate shill, but whether he believes all his own propaganda or not, he’s channeling what most of his listeners are thinking. So really, what’s the difference between being an ideologue and being a corporate bot? I’ve no doubt that his fans are as annoyed by phony soldiers as he claims to be. And now they’re as irate at being misrepresented as he claims to be.
Hmm, I just argued in favor of doublethink. Sa na.
11 gafisher // Oct 4, 2007 at 12:46 pm
“If this were happening in Myanmar …” the UN would wait until Limbaugh was a corpse rotting in the jungle, but the principle is the same.
12 mig // Oct 4, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Still trumping false reporting, this time Wesley Clarke stands up to add his voice to the fray. repeat these same insults to an Iraq war veteran’s face meaning VoteVets.org’s Jon Soltz.
Interesting enough Wesley says Congress has the power to remove Rush Limbaugh from Armed Forces Radio, because… VoteVets.org will be there to take people like this on, quickly and bluntly.”
“Maybe Rush was able to get away with such smears in the past, but those days are over. No one - especially someone who never had the courage to wear the uniform - is going to pass judgment on us and go unchallenged. He, and others, can expect that VoteVets.org will be right there to represent and defend the voice of America’s troops and veterans.”
What is it that they said against moveon.org? What about Durrbin or Reid? Hmm.
13 Ms RightWing, Ink // Oct 4, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Once again during our time of war against terrorism the The New York Crimes releases another memo that will only inflame the passion of our mid-east enemies, putting both our soldiers and America, in general, in a very precarious position.
I am beginning to wonder just whose side the paper is on. Oh not really, I already knew that answer. But I am rather angry and I am glad Gonzales ate dirt and left town.
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/14268505/detail.html
14 Gotcha // Oct 4, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Ooooooo! bob has spoken! No need for further debate! Rush is nothing more than an “entertainer“! I love how that should somehow cause America to dismiss anything he says or does! Let’s talk about the millions of $$ he’s contributed or caused to be contributed to the Marine Corps and Law Enforcement fund or the $$ he and his listeners have contributed to the Leukemia foundation!! Let’s talk about his trips to Walter Reed, Bethesda, the Fisher Houses, not to mention Afghanistan where he commanded bigger fan attendence than Her Thighness who was there just ahead of him!! Let’s talk about his “Adopt a Soldier” program (enabling active duty members to access his program via the internet.) He is personally responsible for the resuscitation of AM radio! He’s also responsible IMNSHO, for shining the light of truth on many of the shenannigans that took place during the Slick Willy administration. If it makes it easier for you to stomach, go ahead and call him an entertainer!! I call him a true patriot and All-American success story. He is loved by many ordinary Americans and the majority of our best in the military!! (he is envied by the usual suspects….)
15 Deerslayer // Oct 4, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Re: #10 “I’ve no doubt that his fans are as annoyed by phony soldiers as he claims to be.”
I guess that I’m disappointed that more people aren’t annoyed by the phony soldiers that embelish their military accomplishments ie.Kerry, Harkin, Murtha…well you get the point.
16 Hawkeye // Oct 4, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Ms RW #13,
Your post sounds somewhat familiar… where have I heard that before…?
Best regards…
17 Hawkeye // Oct 4, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Mig #12,
What is it that they said against moveon.org? What about Durrbin or Reid? Hmm.
(Sound of hammer hitting nail on head… bang!)
18 da Bunny // Oct 4, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Gotcha #14…very well said. Rush has spent 20 years shining the light of truth onto the darkness of liberalism…and they hate him for it. This current flap is nothing more than an attempt to silence him, because they fear his voice. He accomplishes what the RNC/GOP candidates cannot when it comes to the Clinton Machine, and the lib/socialists are desperate to stop him.
19 conserve-a-tips // Oct 4, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Boberin and Effeminem: Rush is more than just an entertainer. He analyzes and comments on every bit of information that graces the info media. He gives links to every kind of website you can imagine, both liberal and conservative and is a researcher’s dream if one is really interested in getting both sides. The dimwits in Congress who are going after him are flat out scared of him because he does assimilate information to a starving public. Information is power and people with information are powerful. The Orwellian trolls in Congress just want the people to hear Government’s Newspeak and people like Rush and Hannity and even those on the left who are at least honest enough to delve into the reality of both sides are dangerous to them.
20 Darthmeister // Oct 4, 2007 at 2:13 pm
The ACLU defends Rush? Now this I’ve gotta see!
Did anyone else hear the soundbite of Wesley Clarke’s recent insanity? When asked by a journalist why he supported Harry Reid’s ridiculous attempt to censure Rush Limbaugh, Ashley Wilkes Clarke said Congress should be in the business of censuring private citizens in order to enforce “more civil political discourse.”
Buwahahahahahahaha! Has this moron ever heard of the First Amendment? And who first coarsen the public arena if it hasn’t been the venomous, whining, bleating, lying, Bush = Hitler left-wingers and Democrats?
21 Darthmeister // Oct 4, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Deerslayer, speaking of embellishing ones service record, here’s another LibDonk who has lied about his war record.
What’s sad is this guy actually did serve in ‘Nam and he was decorated twice! Jeepers, with a record like that why lie about anything? But apparently there must be some genetic flaw in liberals which cause them to lie not only to others but to themselves 24/7 until the get inextricably entangled in their web of deceit. Good grief, this guy was already a war hero, he didn’t need to say he served as a Green Beret when he didn’t.
Also note, nearly a third of the political office holders in Atlantic City (they’re overwhelmingly Democrats) are either under investigation or presently serving time for corruption! You don’t hear much about that in the liberal lamestream media, now do ya?
22 Darthmeister // Oct 4, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Update:
Mayor Levy is referred to as a “former Republican.” I guess inside every Republican is a Democrat waiting to get out. Apparently he’s a real political opportunist, too:
It’s a position that Levy didn’t expect to be in less than two months ago. The showdown between Mayor Lorenzo Langford and City Council President Craig Callaway was shaping up to be the grudge match of all time for Atlantic City, which has seen its share of animosity between politicians. But when Callaway pulled out of the race for “health issues,” the city’s Democrats turned to Levy, who until last December was a Republican.
Levy says his party shift was not made in anticipation of becoming a mayoral candidate. He points to the new county chairman, Jim Carroll, as one of the reasons behind the change.
“Atlantic City is a Democratic town,” he says. “The majority of my neighbors and friends are Democrats.
“When I joined the beach patrol and wanted to become a lifeguard, you registered as a Republican, because at that time, the Republicans controlled the town. When I vote, I always vote for the person, not the party. But now I see a new, bright and refreshing Democratic Party in this county and I want to be a part of that. I want to build the organization in Atlantic City.
I guess this issue is a wash and Levy is a wash out … if they can find him. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the “bright and refreshing Democratic Party” will rally around yet another liar in their midst.
23 boberinyetagain // Oct 4, 2007 at 2:40 pm
c-a-t, I’ll admit that Rush has many good traits/habits/whatevers and is a wonderful person in every sense of the word. He speaks many truths. (and a thing or 2 not so much but then, don’t we all?)
He has had some admitted trials and tribulations, shown himself to be quite human. I dare to day he got a “buy” as a rich white man will on his dalliance with drugs (taking them until you go deaf? reminds me of an old joke and what might cause a man to go blind but lets not go there now)
So, now i’ve admitted the good and the bad of the man. And after all that, I’m sticking with my “theory” that he is there to seel you cars, shoe polish, magazine subscritions, drugs (presumably the kind you have a prescription for, just one prescription mind you, for actual pain or whatever). Does anyone believe that he would be on the air w/o the benefit of sponsors? Might he, once in a while, on insignificant matters, be beholding to those sponsors and perhaps “spin” things just a tad? Sure he would/does. And you know what? He’s allowed to. He has nothing that compels him to tell the truth (even though he often, even usually does as he sees it). He took no oath, made no promise. He just might say things that please his sponsors though. He might say things just to get you to listen. He might believe those things, he might not. What does it matter?
And why would congress care one way or the other?
24 its-just-me // Oct 4, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Yes, bob -
It’s much more intellingent to follow along with people like Alec Baldwin & Jane Fonda, et al, than with a mere “entertainer” who has made his living analyzing politics.
Bottom line is, we know he’s an entertainer. But he’s not only an entertainer.
Howard Stern was made a big deal of because he’s a disgusting pig. Rush has become a big deal because….
Say it with me, “Rush is Right!”
25 its-just-me // Oct 4, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Darthmeisther - (Re #22)
So that’s what Muslims and democrats have in common -
Muslims believe that we are ALL Muslims. Some of us just haven’t realized it yet.
26 Ms RightWing, Ink // Oct 4, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Hawkeye
re:16 That makes me more angry than the Rush debate. I think all that can be said about Rush has been said.
Like I mentioned yesterday the Rush debacle has turned into a smokescreen much like any celebrity news. I love Rush and have tuned into his program since he only had about twenty people back in the ’80’s listening to him, but….when liberals distract you, watch out-they are up to something
Our national security is compromised by the likes of over jealous liberal, commie journalists at The New York Crimes and other fish-wrap media around our frigging 50 states.
Who in Washington can be trusted. Looks like nobody that I can see.
27 everthink // Oct 4, 2007 at 5:19 pm
They just said on the television that it looks like Rudy Guilani is gonna be your man.
Really? I hope so, but, he’s too “liberal” for me; then too, he does have the kind of military background you all here can relate to.
28 EXT // Oct 4, 2007 at 5:44 pm
If the best the GOP can do is McCain or McRudy then it won’t do any harm to vote for Hillary.
I mean, if you’re going to have to try to live under a liberal regime let’s at least have one that admits it’s liberal.
Though, by comparison, Putin might win were he to get the Republican nod to face off with Her Thighness.
29 conserve-a-tips // Oct 4, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Bob, I hate to burst your bubble, but we have a poor white acquaintance who was convicted on 7 counts of Dr. shopping and faking prescriptions for the very same drug as Rush and didn’t get anything other than having to go to rehab. Drugs aren’t a big deal today, which is a shame, because addicts only get help when they feel the pain. Fortunately, Rush got help and now offers his “twelve step” knowledge in what he says on the air. Having been married to an alcoholic I admire any addict who takes the steps to go a different path.
Regarding his sponsors, we aren’t so dumb to think that he isn’t supported by the money from his sponsors, but conversely, he doesn’t get the sponsors if he doesn’t have an audience and he doesn’t have an audience if he isn’t honest and truthful to that audience. If you lie, you get caught.
I have to admit that I am surprised at the hypocritical venom being spewed by liberals who have always taken the “high and mighty” road toward conservatives, just waiting for them to make a mistake. Tom Harkin first opened my eyes with his abominable statement regarding Rush and drugs, which showed that he has absolutely no understanding or compassion for the pain of addiction or the courage it takes to get out from under it. But then, Elizabeth Edwards said this today, and it sealed it for me that liberals have no use for the disabled. Not only was she demeaning Rush, but all individuals who are disabled. I suppose she thinks that they have no right to hold a job or perform a duty. “My classmates went to Vietnam, he did not. He was 4F. He had a medical disability, the same medical disability that probably should have stopped him from spending a lifetime in a radio announcer’s chair; but it is true, isn’t it? If he has an inoperable position that allows him not to serve, presumably it should not allow him to sit for long periods of time the way he does. I think this is a serious enough offense for the people who fund him, who buy ads and allow him to be on the air, need to be asked if this is what they really stand for, do they think it is all right for someone who has never served to denigrate the men and women who have simply because they are expressing an opinion. Frankly, I thought that is what we are fighting for.
Shame on her.
30 camojack // Oct 4, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Follow the money?
31 Effeminem // Oct 4, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Well c-a-t, to be fair, we all know that infantry guerrilla warfare is the same sort of thing as sitting in a chair. One has harsh training, long marches, inadequate medical facilities and short bursts of extreme exertion. The other has sitting. One has heavy rucksacks, uneven terrain, and sudden death around every corner. The other has faux leather. I can certainly see the correspondence.
32 RedPepper // Oct 4, 2007 at 7:38 pm
What I personally find fascinating in this whole brouhaha is that the facts regarding Jesse Adam MacBeth have been almost completely ignored while we argue about whether or not Rush Limbaugh insulted anti-war soldiers.
Let me remind you:
A man who claimed he committed war crimes while serving in the army in Iraq — and whose charges were circulated widely by anti-war groups — has now been charged with making up the atrocities.
Jesse Adam MacBeth claimed that he took part in the murder of hundreds of Iraqis. He said — “We would burn their bodies … hang their bodies from the rafters in the mosque.” The allegations were picked up by many anti-war groups, including, “Iraq veterans against the war,” and several Web sites.
But the government says Macbeth was never in Iraq and the criminal complaint against him reveals he was kicked out of the army after six weeks at Fort Benning because of his — “entry level performance and conduct.”
The above was reported on Fox News (Special Report) all the way back on May 22, 2007.
Apparently, phony tales of phony atrocities are not as interesting as phony tales of phony insults.
Jesse MacBeth, BTW, is not the only person who has made such baseless allegations of atrocities - I can recall reading of many other similar cases, going all the way back to the same hearings that future U.S. Senator John F. Kerry testified at.
As I said - fascinating.
33 prettyold // Oct 4, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Now I think what Elizabeth Edwards said (I’m paraphrasing)’ Frankly ,we are fighting a war for the right of men and women to state their opinion.’
But I guess what she means is anyone except Rush Limbaugh,or any other Conservative the Democrat lawmakers don’t agree with.
And her objection to anyone with a disability….is this woman really a lawyer?
And when and where did Breck Girl serve?
34 prettyold // Oct 4, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Is an inoperable position the same thing as an Analchord?
I’ve heard of inoperable conditions ,but not positions.
35 egospeak // Oct 4, 2007 at 8:08 pm
boberin, re: all your posts the last two days.
You give cynicism a bad name dude… and that ain’t no satire.
Regards,
36 prettyold // Oct 4, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Jesse Adam macBeth was born Jesse Adam Al-Zaid.
37 prettyold // Oct 4, 2007 at 8:20 pm
I seem to recall Franklin Roosevelt sat around a lot. Oh, I forgot ,it is only bad if a Republican with a disability sits around a lot.
Hillary certainly looks as though she sits around a lot, but that can’t be, because she is a Democrat.
38 prettyold // Oct 4, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Bobweaver doesn’ do satire , only
sadtire.
He’s so sad he makes me tired.
39 da Bunny // Oct 4, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Prettyold…
40 EXT // Oct 4, 2007 at 8:52 pm
It’s only my overwhelming sense of good taste which prevents me from sharing with Ms Edwards some hilarious jokes about people feigning illness to enhance their spouse’s chances………
But, for a price, I might be convinced…..
41 JamesonLewis3rd // Oct 4, 2007 at 8:53 pm
While watching this week’s installment of the internationally-acclaimed documentary Lost in Space, I couldn’t help but wonder:
Who painted those phony-looking mountains in the background?
42 Effeminem // Oct 4, 2007 at 10:09 pm
I was just thinking about the phony vets again, and it occurred to me that they annoy me less than the constant use of the word “troops.” “Troops” are cavalry, ie those who ride horses, tanks and attack helicopters. Now I admit that it’s common usage and much easier to say than “military personnel,” but it annoys me. It seems like undue familiarity, really. Particularly coming from the media who can’t tell British uniforms from ours or a cartridge from a bullet.
On the other hand, blatant liars who drag the noble name of, say, the Green Berets through the mud to further their own febrile talking points don’t bother me a whit.
43 Terry_Jim // Oct 5, 2007 at 12:25 am
I think they just use ‘troops’ because if they used “Soldiers”, the Squids, Zoomies and Mo-reens might feel left out.
No offense meant, my Sailor, Airman, and Marine friends!
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-
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44 Fred Sinclair // Oct 5, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I just got “The Politically Incorrect Guide to GLOBAL WARMING and Environmentalism” by Christopher C Horner also got Ann Coulter’s new book “IF DEMOCRATS HAD ANY BRAINS THEY WOULD BE REPOUBLICANS”Am looking forward to a couple of days really good reading,
Heirborn Ranger
45 INJUSTICE PREVAILS // Oct 6, 2007 at 4:05 pm
The war on terror and the war in Iraq will be the first wars in history definitively “WON” by the United States military, and “LOST” by a malicious misleading and intentionally detrimental left wing senate.
Honorable men and woman who are fighting and dieing in Iraq and Afghanistan while the left wing senate and the leaders of the left wing mass news media are undermining their every effort to win.
The United States Military has “NOT” lost a single battle, firefight or confrontation in Iraq, and I challenge anyone to prove otherwise.
The only lost war is the war left wing senate created in their self-serving anti American, anti military and anti Bush delusional minds.
TO EACH OF YOU
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority leader Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Dick Durban, Chuck Schumer, Russell Feingold, Barak Obama and Barbara Boxer et al
Damn you all to ____.
46 mig // Oct 7, 2007 at 7:32 am
Well said IP…
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