Via Minor Ripper (found via my sphere.com plugin) I read an article at The Politico taking Elizabeth Edwards to task for lambasting Rush Limbaugh. The post is relatively short and really I was just looking for the comment about someone wanting Mrs. Edwards to hurry up and die. Anyway, the comments make my eyeballs hurt so I followed a link in the article which points to a snopes.com article about the “myth” of Limbaugh’s draft deferment/avoidance.
From The Politico:
AND: Snopes.com has the details of Limbaugh’s draft status, and concludes that he was legitimately ineligible for the draft, though it also says his own responses to the question have been “unconvincing and dissembling.”
The commenters, being loyal Ditto heads, leapt on that. I don’t think that they followed the link, though, because, um, it was anything but complimentary of our not-so-favorite talk radio “host”.
From Snopes:
And since talk radio host Rush Limbaugh is one of the most popular media proponents of the conservative political viewpoint and has been a vociferous critic of a young Bill Clinton’s efforts to avoid the Vietnam-era draft, it’s not surprising that the question of Limbaugh’s own military status should be a common one.
When Rush Limbaugh first came of draft age he held a 2-S (college deferment) Selective Service System classification as a student at Southeast Missouri State University in 1969-70, but after he dropped out of college at the end of his first year he no longer qualified for a student deferment and was subject to being reclassified as 1-A (available immediately for military service) and drafted. Selective Service System records show that Limbaugh was reclassified as 1-Y> (qualified for service only in time of [declared] war or national emergency) on 24 November 1970, which effectively ended his draft eligibility and ensured that he would not be called for service.
What was the basis of Limbaugh’s 1-Y classification? The Selective Service System records still available indicate that the classification was not assigned on psychological or moral grounds, but because of a physical problem. And since there are no records indicating that Limbaugh was ever examined by a physician at an Armed Forces Entrance Examining Station (i.e., he never underwent a pre-induction physical), the 1-Y classification was almost certainly assigned based on a report Limbaugh had his own doctor prepare and submit to his draft board. (No implication that the report was fabricated is intended; the point is merely to note that Limbaugh’s deferment was based upon an examination conducted by a private doctor, not one administered by an Armed Services physician.)
[...]“I had student deferments in college and, upon taking a physical, was discovered to have a physical – uh, by virtue of what the military says, I didn’t even know it existed – a physical deferment and then the lottery system came along, when they chose your lot by birthdate, and mine was high. And I did not want to go-; just as Governor Clinton didn’t.”
It’s highly unlikely that Limbaugh only “discovered” he had a high school football knee injury several years after the fact or was unaware that a bad knee was reason for a physical deferment, so the pilonidal cyst is the far more probable explanation.
(The lottery issue is largely irrelevant since Limbaugh’s
You should go read the whole thing. Though Limbaugh’s butt-cyst did give him a real reason to avoid the draft, it doesn’t exactly put the man in a good light when it comes to his war hawking.
Personally, I have nothing against anyone who could avoid going into that hell. I don’t wish that any man or woman alive and able during that time would have had to go over there. I have family members and good friends that have survived that, so I know what it did to people. Who wishes that on normal people? My problem with hawks like Limbaugh is that they advocate a whole new generation of Americans go through the very thing they didn’t have to experience in their own generation. Limbaugh supports the “war” for oil and bringing on the Armageddon, but he didn’t find a way to heal that butt-cyst and serve in Vietnam. That makes him a hypocrite. And that’s how I feel about anyone that hawks this “war” but never served in that “war”.
Mrs. Edwards commented that Limbaugh is able to sit on his ass for hours a day, but couldn’t serve. I have to say that I’m sure Limbaugh salves that bad-boy up, if he hasn’t already had surgery. And really, he’s so hopped up on pain meds he probably doesn’t even notice that festering boil on his tailbone. Right? So, that’s just slightly unfair. I mean, who would expect the ol’ boy to have gotten that thing fixed back when he could have gone to war? Shoot, I wouldn’t have.
Of course, I oppose this “war” and everything it stands for and I don’t think that anyone should be suffering so that BusHeney can get richer. I don’t think it’s right to spend billions of dollars on killing people and refusing to expand healthcare to save people. I don’t think it’s right to cut taxes for rich people and then make the middle class pay for a “war” that shouldn’t be happening. I don’t pretend that the economy is growing. I’m not a loud-mouthed hypocrite Maybe that’ll change, though. I do have some pain meds, after all.
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I don’t know about this story. I heard that they’d pretty much take anyone. My BIL had a bad back and they took him. Scoliosis has to beat a butt-cyst. (He got lucky and never went over though — served in Georgia doing the officers’ taxes. Pays to be an econ major.
)
The Edwards are majorly irritating me. Apparently they feel John can’t criticize Hillary directly, so Elizabeth does it. So, if John’s Prez and has an issue with a female head-of-state, will he be too skeered to take her on?
From what I read on Snopes, he actually had a college deferment, then when he dropped out of college his doctor wrote him a note (of sorts) to get out of being drafted. But he didn’t get a 4F. According to Snopes, that is. He was eligible to be drafted, at that time, but only in a time of immediate war. As it turned out, his lottery number was too high and he was in no danger of being drafted. So, his excuses are stupid, especially since he didn’t really avoid (though I’m sure he tried). Of course, he didn’t volunteer either. Hmmph.
I’ve been reading a lot of commentary that John is a wuss because his wife speaks up in his defense. But, you know what, I’d do the same. I think the problem for most people is the fact that she’s standing up for him not just standing behind him. That’s pretty classy in my opinion and in no way shows a lack of manhood on John’s part. I think that Elizabeth and he are actually partners in their marriage and her behavior proves that. When anyone insults him they’re insulting her too and she has a right to speak up again that, in my opinion.
Also, maybe John would prefer his wife not speak up, but she refuses to sit quietly by like a “dutiful” wife. She’s proud of her husband and it pisses her off that people say such things about him. I can understand that. So what if she’s vocal and critical? Why is that so threatening to some people? I actually consider that a sign of a good marriage.
I don’t agree that John is scared because his wife speaks up. Not in the least. I think that’s a mischaracterization of her as his spouse and partner. I don’t think a male is any less manly because his wife has strong opinions and won’t sit down and shut up.
If it hadn’t been for his (not)firing of the feminist bloggers I would probably support Edwards more, as a matter of fact. When he came under fire in the typical fashion by the right wing for hiring people they didn’t like and folded because of that criticism he lost my vote. And, really, that’s the only reason he lost my vote.
I don’t care if Elizabeth speaks up, but if John wants to criticize Hillary as a candidate v. candidate thing, then HE should do it. If Elizabeth says stuff too, then that’s cool. Anyway, I think he’s reading your blog! Cuz after I wrote that I read that John criticized Hillary directly over Blackwater.
I don’t like him though and don’t like Hillary. At this point, I’m thinking I’ll vote for Obama in the primary cuz I dislike him least. Kucinich has flip-flopped on abortion rights, I read recently to my surprise, so he’s out. I wish I had stuck to my real priorities in 2004 and not voted for Dubya. I think this is the first time I’ve admitted this in public.
“I think this is the first time I’ve admitted this in public.”
It is, although that’s not for lack of trying on my part. Way to go, JJ!
Anyway, I thought Rush WAS a butt cyst.
Well, it’s tough for me because I just could not stand Kerry after the primary (even though I did vote for him in it), but I should have written in Gore. Not that it would have made any difference, of course, but I would have felt better about it.
Paula- I’ve often wondered what the country would be like if folks voted so that they’d feel that way later, instead of listening to the talking heads and negative campaigns. Like I said elsewhere, I’m a DTS in a state with closed primaries, so I’m at the country’s mercy to not fuck up too much in the primaries.
A great – uncle of mine shot his toe off to get out of going to the war.
He got his way, but in then end he had his leg amputated.
I still don’t know what’s worse.
No leg?
Going to war?
Rush just makes me crazy, mostly for just that reason – hypocracy. I just can’t take that. Of course, the other problem is that he will not listen to any points of view but his own. We’ve lost the art of civil discourse in this country, and he’s one of the big reasons.
I think this war is a total waste. AND I did my time serving during the last go round in the Middle East. So I think I’m qualified to have an opinion. Unlike all of our leaders that never fought and are making sure thier kids don’t either.
Rush can be disgusting but you are right: Resisting that war was the right thing to do.
Would you be willing to spread the word about http://www.draftresistance.org? It’s a site dedicated to shattering the myths surrounding the selective slavery system and building mass civil disobedience to stop the draft before it starts!
Our banner on a website, printing and posting the anti-draft flyer or just telling friends would help.
Thanks!
Scott Kohlhaas
PS. When it comes to conscription, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
I think it was appropriate that Rush was excused military service in ‘Nam.
“I’m sorry Private Limbaugh but we’ve decided that you’re much too fat and far too stupid”.
So Rush was a rather soft, lardy excuse for a real soldier, wasn’t he?… But you’re so right: Goddammit if he isn’t proving to be a real tough bastard from the sidelines, eh?
Quelle fucking surprise.