Comments on: freeSpeech: Rush Limbaugh

Radio Host On Patriotism And The War On Terror

[jennymariam]

Wow. I feel like I'm being questioned on every front. Well, thanks for the replies everyone. This one is for liberalmedia's question.
(Part i) I used radical Muslims because of the Jihad issue and terrorism because the faith is greatly different compared to Western values, and it gives a better sense of conflicting ways of life. Arabic culture is less conservative than Muslim in that they may not believe in Islam and thus may be able to adjust to western culture easier and feel less threatened by American way of life (divorce and secularism%u2026etc). But yeah, it%u2019s not just Muslims but anyone who lives in that region and calls it home and all the arabs who feel that there%u2019s too much Americanization in the region..
Of course, in saudi arabia it's mostly the rich elites that are pro-western. The lower classes are significantly poorer and aren't as empathetic to the west or even their government (kinda like the old shah dictatorship). Government rulers in Saudi Arabia like American culture (or oil trade $$$ for cars and technology) but what about the headlines that there seemed to be significant Saudi governmental connections to the 9/11 attacks? And Bin Laden used to be a citizen of saudi arabia. Of course, when it comes to influence, I believe Turkey and Pakistan experienced . . .
(Continued on next posting)

[jennymariam]

(Part ii). . . much better parts of American influence as they were considered allies, compared to countries like Afghanistan and Iran and thus do not feel as threatened by American dominance.
There is indeed more to it than just a culture clash. Although I do stand by what I said about it being a clash of values as the underlying cause of conflict in the sense that western military, political, and cultural dominance in the Middle East region is supporting western values (including western interest) and this threat to Muslim and Arab life is countered by an opposite force in Islamic fundamentalism and Arabic nationalism (which at times is expressed through violence).
Iraq was seen by a lot of people as proof of U.S. middle east occupation and imperialism. And our imperialistic track records in the Middle East and Asia and Latin America aren%u2019t favorable, either.

[mirandasca]

I wonder if it has occured to Mr Limbaugh that the reason these people want us gone has very little to do with religion and a lot to do with the preception that we have been interfering in there part of the world for a lot of years. I do ot mean just since 9-11. We have ben over there bolstering bad regims to get oil for over half a century. We put people in and try to keep them in for our monetary benifit and when the peoples of the area get huffy about it they are wrong and we of course are right. Is it any wonder that they don't like us.
We can not win the " War on Terror" by under cutting out own belifes if we try we only subsitute one variety of terror for another. WE need to bring our people home and try letting the world govern them selves the way they want to.

[jennymariam]

This is a reply to snowbrd7's questions. (Part i) You're absolutely right in that it's not just Christians vs. Muslims or just American corporate McWorld influence (and I mentioned the Israeli Palestinian conflict where it's viewed as Western backed Israel trampling over gaza, west bank and southern Lebanon -internationally recognized as Palestinian territories). I was afraid that people reading my post would take my explanation as the only possible one. I admit that there are many different aspects that influence international relations. But at the same time I stand behind my points in trying to describe one (if not the most important) underlying concept or root cause - clashes of Western and Islamic culture and identity. Muslims really do feel their lives and traditional homes threatened (as well as most of the Muslims who decide to commit acts of violence against Americans.)
I also admit that there are instances of brainwashing, but even brainwashing and radicalization has to be based on already present fear of American cultural and political domination.
This does not mean oppressive or even outwardly aggressive governments and regimes like the Taliban in Afghanistan would not exist if the U.S. was taken out of the picture. It may well be claimed that Afghanistan was free of American influence and still turned into a terrorist training camp. This indeed is an example of why%u2026
(continued on next post)

[jennymariam]

(Part ii Continued form last post) %u2026it is futile to fight an ideology purely with military might even if the U.S. could put sufficient amount of troops all over the world. People who are afraid and sense military or cultural occupation would always have a need to find places like Afghanistan from which they can fight back.
So re-stating my point stressed in the original post: The need for cultural understanding and more American focus on convincing people that American culture could live side by side with Muslim or any other culture in mutual tolerance. Or as the Bush administration states it "the battle for the hearts and minds." Obviously it helps if we the U.S. be kind enough to not have supported repressive pro-western governments like the Shah of Iran form the past and the rich elites in Saudi Arabia in the present. Although that%u2019s impossible and should not be expected due to the need for Middle Eastern allies and petroleum. Respecting human rights (not detaining so called terrorists Without Charges for years at a time), abiding by international ethical rules even when terrorists don't, and not being above international laws that at times turn out unfavorable to us just because we're powerful enough. If we don%u2019t hold on to those values due to the need for security in this post 9/11 world, then America would have lost something very important.

[cancelrush]

Hey antiliberal,

I would like to introduce myself. I am CancelRush. I don't lie. I plan to remove Rush Limbaugh from AM radio. You need to plan to listen to Rush on the Internet or on Sat radio.

Is that clear enough for you. The dude is bad history. America demands more from AM radio than rusty old rhetoric. It is a lot of fun to Cancel Rush. I do not plan to stop.

Where is the Smack
Cancel Rush

[jimbo554]

If giving air time to windbags like Rush Limbaugh is going to pass for the evening news, I won't be watching. What does Limbaugh propose, that we nuke all Muslim countries? If we don't pursue diplomacy, there is nothing left but mutual destruction.

And no, Rush, it's not unpatriotic of me to say that.

[nynative1340]

We reap what we sow and we planted the seeds of middle-east discontent in 1953 (I believe that was a Republican administration) when we deposed a fledgling democracy in Iran and installed a tyrant and a terrorist called 'the Shaw.' Sure, 'the Shaw' was 'our friend' and he provided us with 'cheat oil' for a very long time, and we gave him the 'state of the art' F-14 fighter weapon system in the 70s. I believe Nixon was president then.

By the early 80s Iran hated us so much they became our arch enemy, even captured our embassy and made a deal with Reagan to hold the embassy employees hostage until a few minutes after his inauguration, and he would 'sell' arms to Iran and use the money to fund the Contras. Surely, Rush, you must remember that, it was one of the largest American political scandals of the 80s. Then later, when the Hezbollah bombed our embassy in Beirut and killed almost 250 Marines, what did Reagan do? NADA.

So spew all the right wing caca you want, Rush. You really don't know your history, or maybe you don't want to remember the ugly part. If you had your way we would have a 'one party' right-wing system, which would be nothing more than a dictatorship.

[kailumego]

Western imperialism has encroached and exploited countries like the Middle East, India, Africa, North America, South America, China, etc. for centuries, so why do you think countries like Iraq, North Korea or Iran, have such disdain for us. When is the narrow-mindedness going to stop and the American people come out of the %u201Cdark ages%u201D? Notwithstanding, America%u2019 s concern over Iran and North Korea%u2019 developing Nuclear weapons, we have no right to dictate to another sovereign country%u2019s political policies. If we hope to develop a better relations with other countries America needs to stop its grandiose-aggrandized-ethnocentric behavior towards ethnic and cultural diversity. Americans need to be tolerant and accepting of ethnic differences, and stop looking upon it as hedonistic, as so many have done and still do. Likewise, some Americans need to come out the %u201Cdark-ages%u201D and realize that cultural differences should not mean paranoia against %u201CAmerican ideology%u201D. And that the only reason these individuals are in such an uproar in the first place is because our their ignorance and stupidity.

[antiliberal]

It is amazing to see the liberal "mind" at work. Your playbook is so old and tired. Ever since the conservative movement of the 80's that buried liberalism in the trashdump of American history, the remaining anti-American liberals have turned into little snot-nosed punks. All you liberals ever do is insult and lie.

Now you must resort to having pawns like Dan Rather use phony documents to try and bring down Bush. Just another liberal lie.

Now the CIA-leak lie. You liberals tried to blame the "evil republicans." It was Armitage! But now the left wing media has suddenly dropped the story. Just another liberal lie.

I remember liberals burning swastikas in the lawns of Bush supporters in Texas before the election, and trying to RUN OVER republicans with their cars in Florida. There's your idea of tolerance and diversity.

If Clinton would have done his job, instead of having illicit *** in the White House, instead of giving military technology to the communist Chinese, MAYBE 9/11 would not have happened.

Oh yeah, that's right, ABC is supposed to show a mini-series showing Clinton's complicity in the terror problem. Oh, but all the little liberals are crying and demanding ABC change it.
CHANGE IT TO JUST ANOTHER LIBERAL LIE!

But you liberals no longer control all the media. Now WE have a voice. Your networks and newspapers are all declining. While our outlets are growing unbounded. Your lies no longer go unchallenged.

We know who and what you are.

[kailumego]

Why does it always have to be an us against them ideology, this is a large planet filled with diversity, whether it be **** sapiens, insects, fowl, reptilian, etc. So, what grandiose scheme does some Americans operate under the assumption that we are superior to all other **** sapiens and have the unfettered right to dictate American ideology to other sovereign countries. With our industrialization and modernization, we have already eliminated to the point of %u201Cannihilation%u201D many non-human species. I have heard propaganda that we should protect ourselves from the spread of Islam%u2019s encroachment on Christianity. Well I guess those who preach this rhetoric have forgotten about the %u201CChristian Crusades%u201D, the Catholic and Protestant missionaries encroachment on Native Americans, the Chinese, Africans, Indians, etc Now how do you presume these groups felt when Western Europeans encroached upon their religious freedom. %u201CIf you live in a glass house you mustn%u2019t throw stones%u201D.

[noworreezzz]

Yes, I read CBS's "Rules of Engagement". And I do agree with them, really, and promise to abide by them in the future. However, I feel the only way of coping with Limbaugh's vomit is through humor. And if this time I don't make it past the censors, at least they might get a chuckle.

After listening to Rush the other night, I couldn't help but think that the poor man is back on the Viagra...he has such a hard-on for
this war. I also think he is not just using drugs these days, but is now dealing as well. Seems like he has quite a few clients in and around the Oval Office.

[speednolan]

The War on Terror, WMD's, Rush Limbaugh, the Hussein-Al-Qaeda connection, did Bush lie....
What bothers me the most is there always seems to be a war for every generation. We, as a species, always seem to have to fight each other because of a refusal to accept the opinions and beliefs of those that we share this planet with.
Any god that accepts the taking of life in his/her name as homage or sacrifice has no right to the status of deity, in my opinion.
Every generation has a war. This generation has the current war on terror, a world war to be sure.
On 9/11/01, I was on a plane bound for Roanoke, VA. Upon my arrival, I saw the news. Standing next to me was a man of middle-eastern descent. We both looked at the TV in disbelief. For the first time in my life, I felt a disgust toward a total stranger simply because of what he looked like. I have since gotten over that initial reaction but I will never forget nor forgive what that one act in history did to me as a human being.
I have never felt more ashamed or disgusted in my life. The lesson for me was that, as long as there are 2 people on the face of this earth, there will always be conflict because that is "the nature of the beast". And beasts we all are.
I pray everyday, a personal choice, and in my own way, but I don't ask for hope, success, or anything like that. I only ask for a little guidance and to get through the day. We deserve whatever we get. If we don't get along in this life, will there be another chance?

[nicknmidwest]

There are militants associated with all religions, including Christianity. Instead of pointing the finger, we should be showing the world what the idea of being an American is all about-caring for the poor, helping the less fortunate, and learning through interaction. Oh, I forgot, our Christian leaders turned their backs on the people most affected by Hurricane Katrina. I don't care who you are, the religious trump card doesn't work anymore for anyone.

Would someone please get Mr. Limbaugh some more Viagra so that I don't have to be subjected to his rhetoric.

[jennieot]

The war on terror is like the war on drugs: a battle that is futile to fight because it cannot be won. What has the war on drug brought us? Not less drug abuse, but more non-violent felons in prison who are mostly minorities (people of all classes and races use drugs) who are repeatedly punished for using drugs. They are denied financial aid and the right to vote. Isn't it common sense to send them to treatment instead of jail? The war on terror is no different. We are concentrating our efforts in the wrong places. Our foreign policy and tactics breed terrorism. The war in Iraq is not working. Thousands of lives gone for the wrong reasons. Meanwhile the Taliban is more powerful than ever and Bin Laden is still at large. The neo-conservatist attempt to "spread democracy" has instead "spread terrorism." This is similar to a question Katie posed to Bush during her interview which he failed to address honestly and appropriately.

[schickelgrub]

ADMIRABLE! Her doctor Josef Goebbels said: "THE LIE CAN BE MAINTAINED ONLY FOR SUCH TIME AS THE "STATE" CAN SHIELD THE PEOPLE FROM THE POLITICAL,ECONOMIC AND MILITARY CONSEQUENCES OF THE "LIE".IT THUS BECOMES VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE TO USE ALL ITS POWERS TO REPRESS DISSENT. BECAUSE THE "TRUTH" BECOMES THEN THE GREATEST ENEMY OF THE "STATE". Had Goebbels been inspired by Rush, They could still be fighting. Schickelgrubber.

[kevinmcpa]

Rush Limbaugh enjoys setting up straw man arguments and then knocking them down.

%u201CSome say we try diplomacy.%u201D Can Rush name any national political figure who has ever suggested negotiating with Al Qaeda? He cannot, because they do not exist.

%u201CSome Americans are not interested in victory.%u201D Again, who is saying this?

George W. Bush swore to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Ratified by the Senate, the Geneva Conventions are the law of the land, affirmed in Hamdan vs. Rumsfeld. Lt. Gen. John Kimmons, Army deputy chief of staff for intelligence, says, "No good intelligence is going to come from abusive practices. I think history tells us that. I think the empirical evidence of the last five years, hard years, tell us that.%u201D

Rush knows we have the FISA Act to allow gathering intelligence via wiretapping. The FISA court is a necessary check and balance on the power that the government is granted by that law, a safeguard you%u2019d assume that a conservative concerned about the coercive power of the state would appreciate.

Patriotism is standing up for the Constitution of the United States when demagogues use fear and smear tactics to silence dissent. The courageous soldiers now serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world are doing more than Mr. Limbaugh ever has to show their patriotism %u2013 they%u2019ve put on a uniform of the armed services of the United States of America.

[crbacsw]

After listening to Rush Limbaugh expatiate the virtues of the war with Iraq, I was reminded of a quote from Mark Twain. "Statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception".

[liberalmedia]

"Rush is Right" (as in right-wing)? I'll buy that. But is Rush correct? Not very often.

[jimc52]

What he said was predictable. He has been at the forefront of hate mongering for the last ten years. It has always been a hallmark of extreme rightism to consider mindless, goosestep, blind obedience to political dogma to equate to patriotism. He is not wrong about the terrorists or their intentions. The important point is how we handle it. What the government can do to terrorists, they can also do to anyone who disagrees with them by using thin excuses and a blatant disregard for the US Constitution. The perversion of transforming rights into privileges is the most serious erosion of freedom. Freedom to disagree. Freedom to voice opinion. Freedom to stand AGAINST violence as a response to violence itself. Freedom to take political action to make course corrections in our nation lawfully. Freedom to discent and seek alternative methods. He would have us look the other way with what he considers minor abuses. Every abuse is major, and has no excuse.
Abuse is criminal and those who do it, should be held accountable under a just system of law. The right of self defense does not demand blatant violence, mindless obedience, or right or wrongism. He is right about the terrorists, but he is wrong about how we should handle them.