Wes Clark wants Rush off Armed forces radio

Ex-NATO commander wants Rush off Armed Forces Radio 10/03/2007 @ 8:41 amFiled by David Edwards and Jason Rhyne Retired General Wesley Clark, a former contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, appeared on NBC's Today Show to discuss his campaign to convince Congress to remove conservative talker Rush Limbaugh's program from the Armed Forces Radio Network. During the interview, Today's Meredith Vieira wondered aloud why Clark didn't just brush off the controversial host like "an annoying gnat." Limbaugh has been heavily rebuked by Democrats and some veterans following his use of the phrase "phony soldiers" on the air in response to comments from a caller attacking troops who are critical of the war in Iraq. Today also provided an update on the latest in the intensifying war of words between Limbaugh and Democrats on Capitol Hill. The following video is from NBC's Today Show, broadcast on October 3, 2007. (story continues below) A request from 40 Senate Democrats asking for an apology from the Clear Channel corporation, which syndicates Limbaugh's broadcast, was rebuffed in a letter from the company's CEO, reported NBC's Norah O'Donnell. "Given Mr. Limbaugh's history of support for our soldiers," wrote the radio giant's Mark Mays, "it would be unfair for me to assume his statements were intended to personally indict combat soldiers simply because they didn't share his own beliefs regarding the war in Iraq. Asked by Vieira why he had taken such a "drastic step" in attempting to get Limbaugh thrown off of military radio, Gen. Clark, who is the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, said it was "because I think that his comments just cross the line." "I think there's a lot of people serving in Iraq, a lot of veterans who've served...in Iraq and Afghanistan who have thoughts about the war that aren't necessarily in agreement with President Bush," he continued. "That's their right as American citizens. It doesn't mean they weren't great soldiers." But Armed Forces Radio, which is funded by tax dollars, shouldn't be a place for criticism of troops or veterans, said Clark. "Now, I think that when it crosses the line and it's free speech, it's fine," he said, but emphasized that "when it crosses a line and it's put on and paid for by the US tax payer, I think that's another matter." On his website and in emails to supporters, Clark has also strongly condemned a Republican resolution submitted in the House which commends Limbaugh "for his ongoing public support of American troops." "Limbaugh's 'phony soldiers' comment should not be commended -- it should be condemned," the retired General writes at his site, although the text of the resolution does not specifically praise the talk show host for using the phrase. Limbaugh drew further criticism yesterday when used used a suicide bomber metaphor to describe one veteran's response to the "phony soldiers" remark in a television ad. “This is such a blatant use of a valiant combat veteran," Limbaugh said of Brian McGough, who received severe head wounds during a suicide explosion, according to reports. "Lying to him about what I said and then strapping those lies to his belt, sending him out via the media and a TV ad to walk into as many people as he can walk into," Limbaugh continued. McGough fired back yesterday, calling the comments "more slander from the high and mighty sitting in his chair nursing the boils on his ass." "I'm sure there are some people who would ask you,"said Meredith Vieira in her interview with Clark, "why don't you just brush off these comments by Limbaugh like an annoying gnat instead of legitimizing them and bringing more attention to them?" In reponse, Gen. Clark said that he had criticized MoveOn.org's recent ad in the New York Times attacking Gen. Petraeus, and was applying the same standard in this case. "I think it has to apply on both sides of the political debate," he said. "I always hear politicians saying 'Gee, you know it's too bad. We're going to improve the quality of discourse in America.' Well here's a chance to do something." Soldiers are "over there putting themselves in harm's way," Clark added later, "and they deserve a little bit of respect."