Newspapers are supposed to be so much better at television at providing hard facts and context to today’s news. That’s not what the Washington Post did on Saturday in a snarky Style section article on Rush Limbaugh raising $2.1 million on eBay (and donating the same amount) to a worthy charity auctioning off Senator Harry Reid’s snotty letter to Clear Channel Communications denouncing Rush Limbaugh’s remarks about phony soldiers like Jesse Macbeth.
Neely Tucker’s short piece failed to explain the context of (a) what Rush originally said on the air about phony soldiers and (b) what Reid’s letter to Clear Channel said about they should "publicly repudiate" Limbaugh for his comments. The Post tried to discount the whole affair as "petty bickering about patriotism" and "grandstanding." Here’s the whole (brief, context-challenged) article, that came with a "Limbaugh Spins Reid's Letter Into Charity Gold" headline:
Petty bickering about patriotism and Who Loves Our Troops More has never been seen as a financial growth industry, but there's no stopping American capitalism. This is why a perfunctory bit of political grandstanding, committed to U.S. Senate letterhead this month, became worth a reported $4.2 million yesterday, instantly becoming one of the most valuable printed documents of the modern era.
The letter in question is an Oct. 2 two-pager from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to Clear Channel Communications CEO Mark Mays lambasting the syndicate's Rush Limbaugh, who had recently criticized U.S. troops who were against the war in Iraq.
"Phony soldiers," blasted Limbaugh.
"Beyond the pale," Reid blasted back. "Unpatriotic," he added.
Forty-one Democratic senators signed the thing, put it in the mail and, really, that should have been the end.
But Limbaugh decided he had been "smeared" by left-wing evildoers. He put the letter up for auction on eBay, with the benefits going to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, a New Jersey-based charity that primarily gives scholarship money to the children of service members either killed in war or in the course of public duty. Limbaugh sits on the board of directors.
The letter drew bids from more than 60 people and was bought yesterday for $2.1 million by reclusive D.C. philanthropist Betty Brown Casey, who has heretofore shown more of an interest in the Washington National Opera than Washington mudslinging. Limbaugh said yesterday on his radio show that Casey was a longtime fan, that he would match her bid (bringing the total raised by the letter to $4.2 million) and, on his show, he graciously poked Reid in the eye:
"It got this kind of money because it represents one of the most outrageous abuses of federal power in modern American history, and that is what makes it a collector's item. This letter that Senator Reid wrote will forever memorialize him as a demagogue."
We have only a few hours, but you get the idea.
Brendan Sullivan, Casey's attorney, did not return calls yesterday.
Yesterday on the Senate floor, Reid said Limbaugh had "very, very constructively" raised more than $2 million with a letter "signed by this senator and my friends." Limbaugh, not to be out-grandstanded, took to the airwaves to blast Reid for trying to "horn in" on the publicity coup.
"We've gotten donations in the million-dollar range before, but this is by far the biggest," James Kallstrom, chairman and co-founder of the 12-year-old charity, said yesterday in a telephone interview.
The foundation has awarded more than $27 million in scholarships to children of slain troops and law enforcement officers, Kallstrom said, as well as support money for disabled veterans and their families.
"But we're not political at all," he said.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
"But we're not political at
October 20, 2007 - 09:31 ET by nofate"But we're not political at all," he said.
Somehow, after what came before, that comment sounds a little snarky too. After all, the posties surely know Kallstrom's background.
"The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves."
michaelyon-online.com
What is the problem with
October 20, 2007 - 09:56 ET by motherbeltWhat is the problem with saying "We're not political at all."?
Are you implying that the MCLEF is political?
I think nofate...
October 20, 2007 - 10:52 ET by dervishis saying that the WaPo is implying that the MCLEF is political. I read it that way, too. And since the writer is probably completely unfamiliar with the concept of people doing something just because it's the right thing to do, I suspect we read it correctly.
Y`all saw last night how
October 20, 2007 - 11:05 ET by drillanwrY`all saw last night how ABC's editorial site twisted and contorted with what little facts they even offered. They are masters of smoke and mirrors with words.
I actually let out a loud groan the other night watching H&C when Limbaugh was being interviewed, and upon Colmes' turn he just had to nit-pick Rush's pluralizing soldier(s), if indeed he was talking about one soldier. Well, so-the-heck-what? The caller sited these non-soldiers who the media jumps all over so in the course of conversation it is only natural to pluralize the word to include MacBeth, and the others the caller was referring to ... "The phoney soldiers ..."
I get so sick of hearing the supposed points of argument the other side pukes up in this non-issue, just to keep the lie rolling ... But then, of course, I suppose it depends on what your meaning of IS is ...
WE HAVE NOW PROVEN THE MSM LIES EVERY DAY
October 20, 2007 - 12:08 ET by TruthMongerat least the left has now been undeniably proven to lie everday - deliberately mislead - we have now proven beyond no doubt that they know the truth yet continue to lie and insist on their falsehoods
and now it's etched in history
A service of the new NB respect police
OK, got it.
October 20, 2007 - 12:52 ET by motherbeltOK, got it.
Let's see what's accepted
October 20, 2007 - 09:54 ET by motherbeltLet's see what's accepted as fact: (emphasis added throughout)
Rush Limbaugh, who had recently criticized U.S. troops who were against the war in Iraq.
"Phony soldiers," blasted Limbaugh.
And what is put forth as a point of view:
But Limbaugh decided he had been "smeared" by left-wing evildoers.
And then we have the requisite "equivalence" argument:
Yesterday on the Senate floor, Reid said Limbaugh had "very, very
constructively" raised more than $2 million with a letter "signed by
this senator and my friends." Limbaugh, not to be out-grandstanded,
took to the airwaves to blast Reid for trying to "horn in" on the
publicity coup.
I guess it didn't become "petty bickering" until it made Reid look like a fool.
<sarc> Rush should have just shut up and taken his comeuppance from Dingy Harry.
And Rush's "publicity coup" raised $4 million for a good cause. Harry Reid raised nothing. He just tried to "horn in on" the credit; not the publicity.
But hey, at least she did call Reid's letter "a perfunctory bit of political grandstanding" even if she falsely accused Rush of the same.
I am beginning to think
October 20, 2007 - 09:46 ET by kgI am beginning to think that perhaps it is not the 'reporters' fault for they way they see things and their biased ways. I think this goes back to the journalism schools where the lefty teachers teach them how they should see the world.
There are too many reporters out there that can't think for themselves and cannot come up with an accurate story even if their life depended on it. It's a good thing their job doesn't depend on accuracy.
I can't take it anymore
October 20, 2007 - 09:59 ET by timotheSo I posted the following on the Wash Post website:
"First, to debunk those who are trying to pick Rush's transcript apart. You forgot to mention that ABC News conducted a report on TV pertaining to "phony soldiers" just one day earlier, referring to those who claimed to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, but didn't. Rush's comment was in context with a week-long discussion about those who lied about their service, yet were interviewed by the media.
Next, let's look at the history of those involved. Rush has served on the board of the charity that has been pledged 4.2 million dollars. He got on the board because Rush himself has donated millions of dollars to this particular charity over the years. He show is number 1 on Armed Forces radio. The "troops" believe that Rush supports them and there are hundreds of transcripts where Rush states his support for the troops.
Now, do we really want to look at the track record of Reid and Obama and Hillary and Kennedy and their support for the troops?
Now, let's look at how this story went public to begin with. Is it coincidence that no media outlet reported the "phony soldiers" comment until after Media Matters posted it on their web site? Is it coincidence that many of the original stories about the comment were practically word for word from Media Matters? Why is it that none of these media outlets contacted Rush before reporting the story, asking for his take or at least asking for the transcript of the show? And finally, does it scare any of you at all that our national news media would report stories about ANYBODY based on information from Media Matters...a site that Hillary Clinton claimed she founded? Aren't the media supposed to be the watchdogs of the abuse of power and not the perpetrators of it?
And lets look at these 41 senators. Why did none of them bother to find out the facts before signing the document? Do Democrat Senators take their marching orders from Media Matters also? Do these Senators have any remorse whatsoever that they intended censor, censure, and impugn a private citizen? Do any of them believe that they abused their power in doing so? And why hasn't the media asked these questions of our elected officials? It is extremely frightening to me that such a large group of people (journalists) have all behaved alarmingly similar in this matter.
Finally, let's look at the timing of this article and many others in the mainstream press. This article was printed online this morning. The auction has been going on for a week. Considering that the "Grilled Cheese of the Virgin Mary" was newsworthy with three days to go and a final bid of $28,000, why wasn't the Harry Reid letter, which is far more historically significant, considered newsworthy until after the auction ended? (and after Reid attempted to save face)
I Googled the story right at the time that the auction ended yesterday and only Fox News and USA today reported on the auction and the USA today story was hidden in the political blog section of their online paper.
The real story in this auction and letter is the many and varied forms of media misreporting and non-reporting of this story along with the fact that it seems most media outlets are now carrying water for Media Matters. Scary. Downright scary."
Why is it that none of
October 20, 2007 - 10:16 ET by Jack BauerSurely you realize that modern journalism is all about finding anonymous sources, getting quotes that cannot be verfied, taking what they say as gospel, and printing it.
Where's the "investigative" in asking someone to comment on what someone else alleges, and leaving the reader ot make up their own mind on the veracity, or not, of the story?
That's so boring.
tim -
October 20, 2007 - 10:55 ET by drillanwrI congratulate your heroic attempt at hitting them upside the melon with the truth ... But did you happen to hear an empty echo when you posted that?
This record will NEVER be set straight (You see how papers print retractions on page 20 between department store white sales ... and TV outlets make a brief correction just before billboarding what stories are coming up next and then dumping to commercial) ... And, as I have thought since the beginning, Limbaugh should have at least threatened legal action to the various news outlets, and MM, for having slandered/libeled him ...
Well done
October 20, 2007 - 14:15 ET by KC MulvilleThe media carrying the water for MediaMatters, who are carrying the water for the Clintons. It is, indeed, downright scary.
Washington Post (edit for truth)
October 20, 2007 - 10:07 ET by botgRush Limbaugh, who had recently criticized people who claimed to be U.S. troops or who falsefied their records and were against the war in Iraq
"Phony soldiers," blasted Limbaugh.
"Beyond the pale," Reid blasted back. "Unpatriotic," he added
nuff said
Nice re-editing for truth
October 20, 2007 - 10:10 ET by Jack BauerNice re-editing for truth and facts! That makes you totally unqualified to be a journalist in 2007.
thanks Jack
October 20, 2007 - 11:01 ET by botgit's okay though as i try to avoid charlatans not join them
"The more I study science, the more I believe in God." Einstein
"Phony soldiers,"
October 20, 2007 - 12:33 ET by TruthMonger"Phony soldiers," blasted the Justice Department
(absolutely nothing) Reid blasted back. (asolutely nothing) he added
"Phony soldiers," blasted ABC
(absolutely nothing) Reid blasted back. (asolutely nothing) he added
"Phony soldiers," blasted Limbaugh.
"Beyond the pale," Reid blasted back. "Unpatriotic," he added
nuff said
If you are looking for
October 20, 2007 - 10:23 ET by Jack BauerIf you are looking for evidence that former "quality" newspapers like the Washington Post are no different than tabloids...
"Blasted" That is such a tabloidese word.
And it's quite sad that standards have slipped so low on the papers of record.
Even a mere 20 years ago, the Post subeditor would haved excised that word instantly.
I sent a letter by my
October 20, 2007 - 10:26 ET by misterbee241I sent a letter by my Senator, Jim Webb this morning, under the subject heading Civil liberty.
I told him I thought he should put his money where his mouth is and match the dBay bid.
I also told him next time somebody wanted to squash free speech from the Senate floor he should think twice about signing on to it.
I dont expect to hear from him, but it felt good writing the letter.
Just a friendly reminder, mr. bee
October 20, 2007 - 11:06 ET by drillanwrWebb's got a gun, you know ...
What Rush Limbaugh said and meant
October 20, 2007 - 11:06 ET by ThalpyWhat Rush Limbaugh said and meant about our troops simply isn't open to question unless you have the IQ of a Twinkie. His track record is abundantly clear on the issues of troop support and commitment to the principles of the United States, our sovereignty , and our culture. No, Rush Limbaugh is not a perfect human being, but that is hardly the point-no one is. Newspapers, television, magazines, and a few other media forms have, for some time , provided drivel-unworthy of our time or consideration.
What Senator Reid presented on the Senate floor yesterday amounted to disinformation and is unacceptable in a country that values liberty and personal freedom.
This whole thing has been
October 20, 2007 - 11:12 ET by drillanwrThis whole thing has been an excellent example of journalistic and political malpractice ...
However, college/law school professors won't touch it.
Spin Spin Spin.....
October 20, 2007 - 11:56 ET by NofWow, I'm getting dizzy with all the spin going on out there. The media trying to put lipstick on the pig....Its all a petty school yard disagreement...blah blah blah.
1. IT WAS a smear directed at RL to shut him down
2. He turned the artillery back onto the demcraps, sending 4.2million bones to a good military cause.
3. However the media portray it...he still made them look like chumps.
4. Unfortunatly the general masses will have no idea what just happened.
The sad state of kids today: http://www.katu.com/news/10670086.html
"When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat" R. Reagan
2. He turned the artillery
October 20, 2007 - 12:03 ET by drillanwr2. He turned the artillery back onto the demcraps, sending 4.2million bones to a good military cause.
I always say ... The best ammo is the ammo your enemy gives you ...
Amen!
October 20, 2007 - 12:18 ET by NofSilly democraps...don't bring a knife to a gun fight!
"When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat" R. Reagan
You are correct Nof....
October 20, 2007 - 12:51 ET by aka Hondo...the amount of spin from the left and the MSM was mind blowing. I saw the replay, if you will, of Sen Reid on the Senate floor yesterday doing his best to salvage something positive from this fiasco. He came across as a man who had just had his rearend handed back to in shreds. He sounded whipped and rightfully so. He was. He looked like a man waving the white flag and was doing it in a manner reminiscent of his infamous "This war is lost" statement. I swear...this guy must be French!
IQ
October 20, 2007 - 12:33 ET by NofWhat Rush Limbaugh said and meant about our troops simply isn't open to question unless you have the IQ of a Twinkie.
When you get that many Senators together there collective IQ seems to decrease below that of dirt. Perhaps even a blackhole would be more fitting as all logic and reason seems to disappear without a trace. I'm not even going to insult the twinkie with that kind of comparison.
"When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat" R. Reagan
REID SMEAR LETTER
October 20, 2007 - 11:52 ET by clubdittocomThe only news source that has done a great job in reporting this story is Fox News Channel. ABC website even goes so far as to give credit for the money raised from this letter TO THE DEMOCRATS! I NEVER use obscenities when writing but i was sorely tempted!
Rush
October 20, 2007 - 13:46 ET by Emma GrumpThe nutjobs at the Huff'n Puff site are fuming over this Rush victory, and that should give all of us a feeling of pride and accomplishment that Rush's efforts were so successful. The loonies really have their panties in an incredibly tight twist over this. Their hilarious comments shows how enraged they are that El Rushbo triumphed over them once again. HOO-RAH!