Judi Lynn
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Thu Jun-10-04 12:25 PM
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Petition to remove Rush Limbaugh from Armed Forces Radio |
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Edited on Thu Jun-10-04 12:38 PM by JudiLyn
being discussed on Air America. Here's the petition: To: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld We request that Secretary Rumsfeld remove talk radio host Rush Limbaugh from the American Forces Radio and Television Service (formerly known as Armed Forces Radio). Mr. Limbaugh, whose program is broadcast for one hour per day to U.S. troops overseas, has spent the past four weeks condoning and trivializing the abuse, torture, rape and possible murder of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. guards at the Abu Ghraib prison—gross misconduct that you have described as “fundamentally un-American.”
In recent weeks, Rush Limbaugh has: Compared the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. guards at Abu Ghraib to a fraternity initiation; called the abuse “brilliant” and “effective”; said the guards were just “having a good time” and “blow some steam off”; likened the abuse to “a Britney Spears or Madonna concert … the MTV music awards”; compared pictures of the abuse to “good old American pornography”; and said “the reaction to the stupid torture is an example of the feminization of this country.”
Limbaugh’s radio program is broadcast to American troops via the American Services Network, a taxpayer-funded radio and television broadcasting agency that reaches nearly 1 million US troops in more than 175 countries, including Iraq.
Both Secretary Rumsfeld and President Bush have rightly denounced the acts that took place at Abu Ghraib – but American service men and women abroad are getting the wrong message when the Department of Defense simultaneously broadcasts Limbaugh’s condoning of what Secretary Rumsfeld has called “fundamentally un-American” acts. Limbaugh’s comments directly contradict orders issued by the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq -- which, according to the Washington Post, bar “military interrogators from using the most coercive techniques available to them in the past” -- thus undermining the military’s chain of command. The comments may also inflame anti-American sentiment abroad, putting our service men and women at risk.
In addition, as Media Matters for America detailed in a May 2 report, Meet the New Rush, Same as the Old Rush, Mr. Limbaugh has recently made several racially-charged and sexist remarks on his broadcast. For example, Mr. Limbaugh said on April 26 that women who protest sexual harassment “actually wish” to be sexually harassed. And on March 26, Mr. Limbaugh said, “A Chavez is a Chavez. These people have always been a problem.” Given the extraordinary importance of troop morale and unity during this time of conflict, we ask Secretary Rumsfeld to review whether it is appropriate for the U.S. government to broadcast such messages, which may sow seeds of discord in the ranks.
We, the undersigned, ask Secretary Rumsfeld to order the American Services Network to cease broadcasting Rush Limbaugh’s radio program immediately, before he further undermines the military’s command structure and endangers our troops.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
http://www.petitiononline.com/mmfa2/petition.html
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If you've seen it already, please overlook. This is the first time I've ever seen it.
Thank you.
On edit:
I just discovered Richardo already got a link going to this petition. That's great. Here's the correct thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1762225
My apologies to Richardo: Didn't see your thread. Sorry.
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tsakshaug
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Thu Jun-10-04 12:27 PM
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sundancekid
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Thu Jun-10-04 12:31 PM
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2. censorship is a slippery slope to nowhere, even if I despise Limpballs |
Judi Lynn
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Thu Jun-10-04 12:33 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
4. The difference here is it's all taxpayer funded. |
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The program is being sent to our own soldiers, bearing a strictly rabid right-wing message, all on our dime.
We do NOT fund propaganda to ourselves. Otto Reich very nearly got in trouble for this.
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sundancekid
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Thu Jun-10-04 01:09 PM
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6. I know it's taxpayer funded and I share your propaganda concern, |
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BUT so are all the Congressional men and women also taxpayer funded ... do we then simply decide whose speeches or comments we put out there???? and, for example, what -- is Tom DeLay (for one) any less of a propagandist???? I just feel strongly about the First Amendment. Period. But, as for you and me, we can certainly agree to disagree.
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Bandit
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Thu Jun-10-04 01:13 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
7. We do not politicize the military |
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Edited on Thu Jun-10-04 01:14 PM by Bandit
Why would you want the military to be politicized? By either side. The military is supposed to be for All Americans not just Republicans. There is no place on Armed Forces Radio for any Political show no matter which side of the political spectrum it falls on. Why do you think it is illegal for an Officer to express Politics publically? Rush carries every bit as much weight as an officer.
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Judi Lynn
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Thu Jun-10-04 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #7 |
8. You nailed this one directly.Thanks so much.I couldn't find the words.n/t |
sundancekid
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Thu Jun-10-04 02:01 PM
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9. couldn't agree with you more ... but since it comes from the pentagon |
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(and if you look at all their programming) ... the politicizing horse is waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy out of the barn tactically already on more programs than just Limpballs ... the more compelling argument, IMHO, would be to push for Air America to be also broadcast -- protects first amendment rights AND gives equal time thereunder ... thanks for the good conversation! :yourock:
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Medium Baby Jesus
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Thu Jun-10-04 07:58 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
13. You forgot to put /sarcasm n/t |
Zinfandel
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Thu Jun-10-04 04:06 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
10. Then it's censorship to not allow the Howard Stern Show aired to the troops |
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as asked by the troops...But were told it was inappropriate, and why can't Air America Radio, or Meria Heller be Broadcast, because it's liberal and NOT conservative.
Complete bullshit.
I'll sign the petition!!!
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sundancekid
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Thu Jun-10-04 07:33 PM
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11. I agree with you COMPLETELY! |
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unfortunately, Limpballs, being opinion-radio, falls under free speech BUT so does everything else you mention ... I fully respect your right to sign the petition -- I fully get it; I also want to achieve success on this matter. In order to get success, IMHO, the petition alone is NOT going to do it. I was trying to anticipate the pentagon's first amendment position, rebut on the CORE of the matter, and forge past these repug sleezeballs at the pentagon and elsewhere with real impetus under their own argument and get Air America (and many more) aired -- impaled on their own petard ... if you really want to get disgusted, go to their site and look at all their programming (including the religious)all of which is indeed allowed under the 1st amendment ... BUT we can absolutely DEMAND equal time. I am told that our best bet will be to get the ACLU involved on our side, and I'm working hard at it.
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KittyWampus
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Thu Jun-10-04 07:39 PM
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12. Censorship? Troops Get Fox News & The Only Leftist Info |
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they get is Hightower for 3 minutes. I forget if they said that was a week.
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LittleApple81
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Thu Jun-10-04 12:33 PM
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3. I just signed it. It had gotten over 1000 signatures in less than 15 |
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minutes. I think AAR is good at getting people mobilized.
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Auntie Bush
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Thu Jun-10-04 12:37 PM
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VOX
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Thu Jun-10-04 08:12 PM
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DebJ
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Thu Jun-10-04 08:43 PM
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serryjw
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Fri Jun-11-04 02:13 AM
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16. More importantly......What would Kerry do? |
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Can you see Rush bashing Kerry....he certainly will nOT have anything nice to say about the NEW Commander in Chief. Is tax funded broadcast fair game?
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Fri Apr 26th 2024, 01:16 PM
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