From CNN.com:
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid slammed Rush Limbaugh Monday over his recent controversial “phony soldiers” remark, despite the conservative talk-radio host’s protests that his words have been taken out of context.
Limbaugh’s comments in question came last Wednesday when 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.”
“The phony soldiers,” Limbaugh then said.
Several Democrats released statements late last week condemning the remarks and in a speech on the Senate floor Monday, Reid called the comments “so beyond the pale of decency that it cannot be left alone.”
“Just as patriotism is the exclusive realm of neither party, taking a stand against those who spew hate and impugn the integrity of our troops is a job that belongs to all of us,” Reid said.
“I can’t help but wonder how my Republican colleagues would have reacted if the tables were turned – if a well-known Democratic radio personality had used the same insulting line of attack against troops who support the war,” the Nevada Democrat added.
Gosh Harry, let me think about this. Let me think (*cough* Gen. Betray-Us *cough*) really, really hard.
Despite what you hear from most of the right — and, apparently, Senator Reid — there’s nothing inherently wrong in criticizing, grilling, or lambasting active duty military personnel (unless they disagree with you).
The problem with the “General Betray-Us?” ad wasn’t that called Patreus a traitor, but that it didn’t make a very convincing argument that he was one (though I don’t believe he was entirely square with us, either). Cpl. Adam Kokesh — a former schoolmate of many Snarky Bastards — is an Iraq War vet with some very harsh things to say about the war, but that doesn’t make his arguments or behavior unassailable, either.
Our soldiers and marines are adults, capable of the same strengths and weaknesses of the rest of us. We owe them special attention for their service and experience; we don’t owe them agreement
EDIT: Yes, I know what Rush was talking about when he said “Phony soldiers.”
Posted by Tom in Iraq, Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be!, The Democratic Congress, Possession by the Coultergeist