Even more so than usual.
I blogged on Friday about how the Soros-funded Media Matters, along with other far left groups, were attacking Rush Limbaugh by taking comments he made about “phony soldiers” like Jesse MacBeth out of context, and making it appear as though he was calling any soldier critical of the war a “phony soldier.”
Thanks to extensive lobbying by the Nutroots, Congressional Democrats today took to the floor to condemn Rush’s comments, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid urging his colleagues to sign a letter calling on Clear Channel Communications to condemn Rush’s remarks. Included in Reid’s little speech? The chickenhawk argument:
“Rush Limbaugh went way over the line, and while we respect his right to say anything he likes, his unpatriotic comments cannot be ignored,” Mr. Reid, Nevada Democrat, said on the Senate floor.
He said there are “good, patriotic Americans” on both sides of the war debate, but Mr. Limbaugh “took it upon himself to attack the courage and character of those fighting and dying for him and for all of us.”
Mr. Limbaugh made the comment last week in response to a caller who complained that news organizations handpicked discontented soldiers to criticize the war effort, prompting the characterization “phony soldiers.”
Mr. Reid said Mr. Limbaugh, who never served in the military, thinks that “his opinion on the war is worth more than those who are on the front lines.
“And what’s worse — Limbaugh’s show is broadcast on Armed Forces Radio, which means that thousands of troops overseas and veterans here at home were forced to hear this attack on their patriotism. Rush Limbaugh owes the men and women of our Armed Forces an apology,” Mr. Reid said.
Rush’s response is here.
But Reid’s attack wasn’t the worst of it. Senator Tom Harkin had this to say about Rush (emphasis added):
Well, I don’t know. Maybe he was just high on his drugs again. I don’t know whether he was or not. If so, he ought to let us know. But that shouldn’t be an excuse.
Not only are these outrageous remarks from a sitting Senator on the floor of Congress, but there is an interesting irony here in that Harkin himself was a “phony soldier” (h/t: MM).
Supposedly, House Democrats were going to draft a resolution this afternoon calling on Congress to condemn Rush’s remarks. I haven’t seen anything on that, but I did read about the resolution introduced by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) to commend Rush.
Look, as much as I can’t stand Media Matters and MoveOn.org, and like Rush, these back and forth resolutions and speeches on the floor of Congress are a huge waste of time, in my opinion. Frankly, I think it’s stupid. I can understand the sentiment behind the resolution condemning MoveOn for the despicable “BetrayUs” ad, but I think Congress should spend it’s time doing the business of the country - more specifically, their districts - and leave the attacks, condemnations, and displays of support for pundits and political groups like MoveOn.org outside of the House and Senate. This latest stunt is just payback for the MoveOn condemnation resolution. Had that not been pushed in Congress, I really don’t think we’d be seeing today’s push by Democrats for Clear Channel to slam Rush’s remarks, nor would we see Senators or Representatives wasting time on the floor issuing statements of support or protest.
Yes, they’re utilizing their right to free speech, but seem to have forgotten that with that freedom comes responsiblity. There is a global war on terror going on, and domestic issues galore to tackle, yet the House and Senate are spending time playing politics on the floor with political groups and pundits issuing declarations of support or condemnation for them? It’s one thing for them to attack each other, but it’s another altogether when they start making blatant political statements against political groups and pundits in their respective chambers. Run an attack ad on TV, or issue a statement on your website, but don’t clog up the floor of the House and Senate with this nonsense.
Save the playground antics for the playground. There’s already enough political gameplaying and grandstanding going on in Congress, and we certainly don’t need to add this to the list.
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So happy to hear that all of the pressing problems needing the attention of our federal government (roads, borders, national security) have been taken care of. Now, they have enough spare time to issue –what? — doezens of nonbinding resolutions on the Sense of the Congress, re: pundits, etc.?
What’s next — oh! oh! — a “Sense of the Senate” resolution on the Britney Spears matter!
Egad. Ouch; my tax dollars!
Comment by Wry Mouth @ 10/1/2007 - 6:31 pm
Speaking of Stupid Congressperson Tricks, our old friend and sometimes guest host Brian over at Liberty Pundit has a picture up that should be the centerpiece of any GOP ad campaign next year. Take a look!!
Comment by Great White Rat @ 10/1/2007 - 6:35 pm
If anyone should keep their mouth shut on this it’s Harkin. Seems he had his own little “phony soldier” problem himself, where he claimed to have flow combat patrols over Vietnam and was caught out as the lier he is, as all he was was a ferry pilot between Japan and the Philippines. Michelle Malkin has the juicy details of that little lie. What a tool.
Comment by Severian @ 10/1/2007 - 7:03 pm
Tom Harkin, Fake War Hero
Comment by Severian @ 10/1/2007 - 7:04 pm
Sev, already linked up to that
Comment by Sister Toldjah @ 10/1/2007 - 7:41 pm
Yeah, I saw that after I posted. That’ll teach me to not read the whole blog post before I hit the send button!
Comment by Severian @ 10/1/2007 - 7:53 pm
In Iowa, Harkin is a known liar. That is why he gets along so well with other known liars and drunks in the Democrat party like the Kennedys, Kerry, the Clintons, and George Soros.
Comment by PCD @ 10/1/2007 - 8:55 pm
But, but, but according to the dems a few weeks ago, Congress shouldn’t be wasting time condemning a newspaper ad that was protected by “freedom of sppech”. I wonder if Susan Estrich will criticize the dems for wasting time on an issue that “will not save one soldier’s life.”
I’ve never seen such a bunch of petty, childish, immature, groups of “adults” gathered in one place in my entire life.
Comment by NC Cop @ 10/1/2007 - 9:24 pm
If the Dems want to make a circus of this, so be it. If I were a GOP member of the House, I’d have a whole boatload of amendments ready for that resolution.
You want to condemn Rush for supposedly impugning the character of our troops? OK, then let’s amend it to include Dick (our troops are Nazis) Durbin. Let’s amend it to include John (cold blooded killers)Murtha. Let’s amend it to include John (Jenjis Khan) Kerry. Let’s amend it to include Harkin, for reasons already stated. Let’s amend it to include Harry (our troops are losers) Reid. Let’s tack Hillary and her suspension of disbelief onto the resolution. And that’s just the most obvious set of targets.
I’d make the Dems get up and debate and then have a recorded vote on every one of them. By the time it was done, no one would remember the sense of the original resolution.
Comment by Great White Rat @ 10/1/2007 - 9:26 pm
Didn’t Congress, more than 50 years ago, pass a resolution condemning actress Ingrid Bergman for giving birth out of wedlock?
Comment by Kareling @ 10/1/2007 - 10:53 pm
This is the biggest waste of time I have ever seen.
If I was a GOP senator / congressman I would putting ads out letting the American Public know just how much the Democrats have failed to do being in power, and show that this is yet another item they think is more important than what they are supposed ot be working on.
It is sad to see that my tax dollars are going to pay for an idiot congress, whose favourable ratings are the lowest in history, and after this debacle, will probably sink even further once the American public sees yet another waste of time and money.
Personally I would invite Rush to speak to Congress and to rebut Harkins comments for the record and on the floor of Congress. I think Rush would have a few interesting things to say - and make sure the cameras are rolling when it happens, cause I would like ot see maximum embarrassment for this stupidity going on.
Democrats…what we are in the teens for approval….dig deeper…single digits here we come!!
Comment by sanity @ 10/2/2007 - 8:46 am
This is my letter to Harkin. I am a citizen of Iowa. This is after I toned it down overnight.
Thank you for embarassing the citizens of Iowa once again with your CONSTANT, PARTISAN lying.
You owe Iowa and Rush Limbaugh an apology from the floor of the Senate immediately. Get your facts from other than that liar David Brock. What is he? Your Butt buddy?
How much did George Soros give you to lie so much? If you haven’t reported each and every donation from Soros, Soros funded groups, and Soros affiliated groups, I will do the Democrat thing and sue your REMF rear end off.
You are a disgrace not only to Iowa, but the US, you useful idiot.
Comment by PCD @ 10/2/2007 - 9:04 am
Soros and Co. are engaged in preemptive strikes at the credibility of the enemy. First O’Reilly and then Limbaugh. The aim is to marginalize them in the eyes of independent voters in advance of the election. This is so clear.
Comment by Banjo @ 10/2/2007 - 9:32 am
You get this childishness when these present Dems are in leadership.
Kudoos to Brian at Liberty Pundit, great pic, sorry you had to replace 2 cameras tho.
Banjo very interesting thought. The biggest problem is there is a very good possibility this is going to blow up in their faces. Rush identified this problem so quickly, and has already offered a challenge to Poo pooo brained Reid to debate him live on his radio show. More and more Americans are figuring these door knobs out, this is why their approval ratings are now at what 11%?? - Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 10/2/2007 - 10:28 am
PAY FOR PERFORMANCE NOW!!!! You no perform, you no cash pay check!!
Hey I see Harkin has his own emote!!
- Lorica
Comment by Lorica @ 10/2/2007 - 10:32 am