Limbaugh baselessly compared Cindy Sheehan to B … [Media Matters]

From the August 15 broadcast of The Rush Limbaugh Show:

LIMBAUGH: I mean, Cindy Sheehan is just Bill Burkett. Her story is nothing more than forged documents. There’s nothing about it that’s real, including the mainstream media’s glomming onto it. It’s not real. It’s nothing more than an attempt. It’s the latest effort made by the coordinated left.

Limbaugh backs off Sheehan comparison with Burk … [Media Matters]

But on the August 17 broadcast of The Rush Limbaugh Show, Limbaugh falsely claimed that his comments were being misreported:

LIMBAUGH: Let me take a brief time out here to address something. I have been the recipient of a pretty decent amount of hate mail, far, far, far more hate mail than I usually get. Just this morning — and I don’t really get a whole lot of hate mail. And most of it’s funny as it can be. But apparently there is something that is out there misreporting what I have said. And of course, these people are reading that rather than listening to this program and choosing to believe it.

Apparently, what’s out there is that I said that Cindy Sheehan is no different than Bill Burkett, that Bill Burkett lied and Cindy Sheehan lied. They’re actually out there, people saying that I am accusing Cindy Sheehan of making up the fact that she had a son and making up the fact that her son died in Iraq. And of course, I’ve never said this. That I, early on in this, if you wanna go back — and we’ll post the archives on my website tonight just to illustrate this. I’m the one that actually expressed a little compassion for her. And I said I don’t really wanna talk too much about her, particularly because she’s lost a son here. And that can never be easy. And I don’t care — there are all kinds of different people that have all kinds of different reactions to this. But losing a child is the absolute worst thing that can happen to an adult. There’s nothing that rivals it, in my estimation.

So the idea that I think that she’s making it all up is just another sign of the desperation of the people on the left who love to take us all out of context to try to get their side riled up. What I said was that the media looks at her the same way they look at Bill Burkett, as an opportunity. It didn’t matter whether Burkett was telling the truth or not, and it doesn’t matter what the specifics of Cindy Sheehan’s case are. She is protesting Bush, Burkett hated Bush. That’s why they’re attractive to the media, and that’s why the media is willing to exploit her.

Limbaugh himself featured his original statement on his website as a “Members Only” quote…

alibi . august 11 – 17, 2005
A Fool’s Errand
America should have heeded opponents of the Iraq War
By Jim Scarantino

We tried to squeeze in a dissenting word on KOB’s talk radio, where the hosts rooted for war like it was the Lobos versus BYU. The Albuquerque Journal ignored us. Yard signs were stolen from our homes until we taped them to garages and chimneys where they might last the night. …

We were ridiculed, cursed, banished to France. Friendships were strained, some snapped. We were called mad, when madness was driving the nation we love across the threshold of killing and torturing innocent people, on a course history does not permit to be erased or forgiven. …

Our fears have been realized. Our sons and daughters were sent around the world on a fool’s errand. Tens of thousands have come home maimed or in a coffin. …

Instead of a hobbled Hussein, we face ayatollahs who despise us. That’s what we have bought with the lives of nearly 1,800 Americans. …

I do Jim a disservice by snipping just these parts from his moving essay. Read the whole thing. peace, mjh

My house may be made of glass, but I an not ambivalent about an indifferent sea. peace, mjh

Walking Raven: Why are We Here?

Nonetheless, even the most cynical part of me finds it hard to believe that the answer to why I am here is to kill aliens on my x-box.

My blogmate, Kris, is writing again. Good stuff. peace, mjh

ABQjournal: Environmental Law Plans to Be Discussed Monday in Rio Rancho By Tania Soussan, Journal Staff Writer

A congressional task force considering changes to one of the nation’s most important environmental laws will hold a hearing in Rio Rancho on Monday.

The National Environmental Policy Act, known as NEPA, requires that major federal projects be reviewed for environmental and public health impacts.

The 35-year-old law also mandates public involvement and consideration of alternatives to minimize significant impacts.

Industry has argued that NEPA is a lengthy and cumbersome process that should be streamlined. …

Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., the ranking member of the task force, said he thinks the law is working.

Environmentalists are worried Congress will weaken the federal law and cut out opportunities for public comment. …

The task force is scheduled to hear from 14 witnesses, including New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Joanna Prukop, Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich, former Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley, a representative of the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau and the vice president of Burlington Resources’ San Juan Division.

The hearing, which is open to the public, is at 10 a.m. at Rio Rancho High School, 301 Loma Colorado.

Only invited witnesses will be allowed to testify, but the public can submit written comments by e-mail to nepataskforce@mail.house.gov.

ABQjournal: Around Northern New Mexico
Council Approves Poet Laureate

Santa Fe city councilors approved the concept of having a poet laureate by giving the OK to the city Arts Commission’s long-range plan Wednesday.

A poet laureate is an official appointed by a government and often expected to compose for special occasions. Santa Fe’s post is intended to raise awareness about poetry and to promote literary arts.

The poet laureate would be charged with an educational mission. Special projects for the city poet could include public readings, writing workshops or work with Art Works, a city arts program for school children.

”The religion of the people revolves around the land and our harmony with the universe and our Creator. The land is a living being, in and of itself. The land and the people are inseparable: they are one and the same,” [C. Maurus] Chino said.

”This land and the people have always been part of a sacred cycle of struggle and harmony. This is the meaning of ‘amuu han’u, aamuu haatsi’: it includes all people. It means we are responsible for the values we hold precious.”

Chino, whose Acoma name is Ka-aimaisiwa, belongs to the Eagle Clan. [from Legacy of Acoma Pueblo]