rumour has it that monday, mark udall (d-co) will introduce a resolution in the house condemning limbaugh for his “phony soldiers” diatribe.
this from TPM election central:
This is significant because it has the potential to dramatically up the stakes in this fight. If the Democratic leadership allows it to go for a vote, it will force all the Republicans in the House to either vote for it, against it, or skip the vote…
It will also potentially present the Dem leadership with a not-so-easy choice. Many people will naturally call on the leadership to allow the resolution to come to a vote, which is not necessarily something the leadership might want, since it could look like a tit-for-tat reso in retaliation for the measure condemning MoveOn. It also is potentially problematic for some in the leadership because there is an internal sentiment that it’s not Congress’ job to go around denouncing the remarks, however reprehensible, of private citizens.
there is also a letter being circulated by senators reid, durbin, schumer and patty murray expressing outrage over the incident, and calling on clear channel ceo, mark mays to “publicly repudiate these comments that call into question their service and sacrifice and to ask Mr. Limbaugh to apologize for his comments.“
text of udall’s memo seeking cosponsors, and r,d,s,& m’s letter below…
September 28, 2007
JOIN AS AN ORIGINAL COSPONSOR OF A RESOLUTION
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES AND
CONDEMNING RUSH LIMBAUGH’S ATTACK
ON “PHONY SOLDIERS”
Dear Colleague:
On September 26, 2007 the broadcaster Rush Limbaugh told a nationwide radio audience that members of the Armed Forces who have expressed disagreement with current policies of the United States regarding military activities in Iraq are “phony soldiers.”
On Monday I will introduce a resolution honoring all Americans serving in the Armed Forces and condemning this unwarranted attack on the integrity and professionalism of those in the Armed Forces who choose to exercise their constitutional right to express their opinions regarding U.S. military action in Iraq.
For more information or to cosponsor the resolution, please contact XXXXXXX in my office at xxxxx.
Sincerely,
Mark Udall
l’m certain, as tpm noted, that there are myriad reasons udall might pursue this, not the least of which is his candidacy for the senate seat being vacated by allard in 08. additionally, this reads very much like an attempt to placate many of his constituents who are very displeased…understatement…with his continuing staunch support of funding for the war in iraq. altruism not being one of marks strong suits, this has all the earmarks of petty posturing…playing to the lowest common denominator.
l would posit that all udall will accomplish with this, other than wasting time, will be the continued relinquishment of the high ground to the immature republican framing, and the embrace of their gutter politics. frankly, these kind of self indulgent exercises contribute absolutely nothing towards moving the dialog regarding iraq forward in a positive direction, and may in fact, further alienate his district.
from think progress:, the senator’s letter to clear channel:
September 28, 2007
Mr. Mark P. Mays
CEO, Clear Channel Communications Inc.
200 East Basse Road
San Antonio, TX 78209Dear Mr. Mays,
At the time we sign this letter, 3,801 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq, and another 27,936 have been wounded. 160,000 others awoke this morning on foreign sand, far from home, to face the danger and uncertainty of another day at war.
Although Americans of goodwill debate the merits of this war, we can all agree that those who serve with such great courage deserve our deepest respect and gratitude. That is why Rush Limbaugh’s recent characterization of troops who oppose the war as “phony soldiers” is such an outrage.
Our troops are fighting and dying to bring to others the freedoms that many take for granted. It is unconscionable that Mr. Limbaugh would criticize them for exercising the fundamentally American right to free speech. Mr. Limbaugh has made outrageous remarks before, but this affront to our soldiers is beyond the pale.
The military, like any community within the United States, includes members both for and against the war. Senior generals, such as General John Batiste and Paul Eaton, have come out against the war while others have publicly supported it. A December 2006 poll conducted by the Military Times found just 35 percent of service members approved of President Bush’s handling of the war in Iraq, compared to 42 percent who disapproved. From this figure alone, it is clear that Mr. Limbaugh’s insult is directed at thousands of American service members.
Active and retired members of our armed forces have a unique perspective on the war and offer a valuable contribution to our national debate. In August, seven soldiers wrote an op-ed expressing their concern with the current strategy in Iraq. Tragically, since then, two of those seven soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.
Thousands of active troops and veterans were subjected to Mr. Limbaugh’s unpatriotic and indefensible comments on your broadcast. We trust you will agree that not a single one of our sons, daughters, neighbors and friends serving overseas is a “phony soldier.” We call on you to publicly repudiate these comments that call into question their service and sacrifice and to ask Mr. Limbaugh to apologize for his comments.
Sincerely,
_______
Senator Harry Reid
Majority Leader_______
Senator Richard Durbin
Assistant Majority Leader_______
Senator Charles Schumer
Vice Chairman
Democratic Conference_______
Senator Patty Murray
Secretary
Democratic Conference
things could, indeed, get very interesting next week if support for this action materializes.
we shall see.
lTMF’sA
