Am I A Hypocrite?
Am I a hypocrite? Before my liberal friends jump to answer, allow me to explain what topic I am referencing with the aforementioned question. A few weeks ago, I mentioned the MoveOn.org ad in the New York Times that begged the question, “General Petraeus, or General betray us?”. I then went on to explain my disbelief and anger for an organization that would question the patriotism of a decorated war hero for the sole purpose of political gain. Now I find myself in the position of defending talk radio personality, Rush Limbaugh, for his comments about phony soldiers who are against the war in Iraq.
Rush made his comments regarding one particular “soldier”, Jesse Macbeth. Macbeth claimed that he was an Army Ranger that had returned from Iraq and he needed to shed the light onto the crimes of our military in Iraq. He claimed that he had participated in various unspeakable crimes while serving in Iraq. He joined anti-war organizations, where he appeared across the country retelling his story wherever and whenever possible. On September 21 of this year, Jesse Macbeth disclosed in federal court that he was lying. Macbeth was in the Army, but only for 44 days. He was discharged before he ever completed basic training. He was never an Army Ranger. He was never involved in any combat situation. He had never participated in any war crimes. He was never in Iraq.
According to the transcript from Rush’s show, which I also heard live, Limbaugh referenced that the anti-war groups use the “phony” soldiers as a way to make headlines, but when the truth comes out, there are no retractions or apologies. Rush made no reference about the brave men and women who risk their lives everyday in Iraq. He didn’t even talk about the men and women who did serve honorably and have made negative remarks about the war. He specifically mentioned one alleged soldier who lied about his service and his role in war crimes.
After Rush’s comments, the liberal organization Media Matters posted his comments and started demanding an apology from Limbaugh. Liberal politicians immediately followed suit. Senator John Kerry condemned the remarks by Limbaugh calling them disgusting. I find it odd that Senator Kerry finds Rush’s comments disgusting, but yet he made blind accusations against all military in Iraq. He accused our troops of kicking down doors in the middle of the night and dragging innocent people out of their houses. Kerry had no proof of his accusations, but yet he made blanket accusations against our troops.
Another aspect to keep in mind is that Media Matters receives financial support from MoveOn.org. MoveOn is the same liberal group that bought the “General betray us” ad. After the outcry about the full page ad subsided, a MoveOn funded group, Media Matters, decides to take one phrase spoken by Limbaugh and distort it into an attack on all troops. The “betray us” ad targeted a decorated general who has served honorably for many years. The “phony soldier” comment targeted an admitted fraud, who lied about being a decorated war hero. The difference is obvious to me, but I am an admitted partisan.
I believe the entire “phony soldier” saga comes down to the simple fact that the left has not been able to compete with Rush Limbaugh. Rush has been on the air for nearly 20 years. The left believed that when Clinton was elected in 1992, that Rush would disappear because he would have nothing to talk about. When he was still on the air after 8 years of Clinton, they hoped that he would finally be silenced. They believed that again he would have nothing to talk about. They have tried to start their own liberal talk radio, but they have not been able to compete with Rush. They have started to talk about the Fairness Doctrine, in hopes that they might be able to kick Limbaugh off of the airwaves because of his conservative viewpoint. The Fairness Doctrine has not gained much traction, so I believe that they are hoping to have Rush kicked off the air for insulting our military. The problem remains that their accusations are based on false information, much like the story of Jesse Macbeth.
So, am I a hypocrite? How can I defend Rush, but condemn MoveOn.org? I believe the difference is clear. On one hand, you have correct accusations against a lying coward, and on the other you have disgusting accusations against a decorated war hero. You decide, am I a hypocrite?
Rush made his comments regarding one particular “soldier”, Jesse Macbeth. Macbeth claimed that he was an Army Ranger that had returned from Iraq and he needed to shed the light onto the crimes of our military in Iraq. He claimed that he had participated in various unspeakable crimes while serving in Iraq. He joined anti-war organizations, where he appeared across the country retelling his story wherever and whenever possible. On September 21 of this year, Jesse Macbeth disclosed in federal court that he was lying. Macbeth was in the Army, but only for 44 days. He was discharged before he ever completed basic training. He was never an Army Ranger. He was never involved in any combat situation. He had never participated in any war crimes. He was never in Iraq.
According to the transcript from Rush’s show, which I also heard live, Limbaugh referenced that the anti-war groups use the “phony” soldiers as a way to make headlines, but when the truth comes out, there are no retractions or apologies. Rush made no reference about the brave men and women who risk their lives everyday in Iraq. He didn’t even talk about the men and women who did serve honorably and have made negative remarks about the war. He specifically mentioned one alleged soldier who lied about his service and his role in war crimes.
After Rush’s comments, the liberal organization Media Matters posted his comments and started demanding an apology from Limbaugh. Liberal politicians immediately followed suit. Senator John Kerry condemned the remarks by Limbaugh calling them disgusting. I find it odd that Senator Kerry finds Rush’s comments disgusting, but yet he made blind accusations against all military in Iraq. He accused our troops of kicking down doors in the middle of the night and dragging innocent people out of their houses. Kerry had no proof of his accusations, but yet he made blanket accusations against our troops.
Another aspect to keep in mind is that Media Matters receives financial support from MoveOn.org. MoveOn is the same liberal group that bought the “General betray us” ad. After the outcry about the full page ad subsided, a MoveOn funded group, Media Matters, decides to take one phrase spoken by Limbaugh and distort it into an attack on all troops. The “betray us” ad targeted a decorated general who has served honorably for many years. The “phony soldier” comment targeted an admitted fraud, who lied about being a decorated war hero. The difference is obvious to me, but I am an admitted partisan.
I believe the entire “phony soldier” saga comes down to the simple fact that the left has not been able to compete with Rush Limbaugh. Rush has been on the air for nearly 20 years. The left believed that when Clinton was elected in 1992, that Rush would disappear because he would have nothing to talk about. When he was still on the air after 8 years of Clinton, they hoped that he would finally be silenced. They believed that again he would have nothing to talk about. They have tried to start their own liberal talk radio, but they have not been able to compete with Rush. They have started to talk about the Fairness Doctrine, in hopes that they might be able to kick Limbaugh off of the airwaves because of his conservative viewpoint. The Fairness Doctrine has not gained much traction, so I believe that they are hoping to have Rush kicked off the air for insulting our military. The problem remains that their accusations are based on false information, much like the story of Jesse Macbeth.
So, am I a hypocrite? How can I defend Rush, but condemn MoveOn.org? I believe the difference is clear. On one hand, you have correct accusations against a lying coward, and on the other you have disgusting accusations against a decorated war hero. You decide, am I a hypocrite?
posted by Troy Stouffer at
11:13 PM
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