A number of folks I like and admire have called for Rush Limbaugh's removal from the line-up on Armed Forces Radio Network (the American radio programming provided for troops serving overseas). But I have to respectfully disagree. What the troops overseas desperately need is exposure to democracy, and as many voices and differing opinions as possible. And that includes the rantings of the top-rated Rightwing waterboy, as well as the the views offered on Air America or Pacifica. Likewise, MoveOn.org should be able to run ads in the pages of Stars and Stripes.
Much as was argued that we should let Ahmadinejad be Ahmadinejad, we should let Rush be Rush. The troops are smarter and more politically diverse than most folks give them credit for and many already know the cowardly blowhard for what he really is.
Glad to see you taking a principled position on this.
My position on AFN is "play what they want to hear". There are only so many broadcast hours available; I think pleasing as many uniforms as possible is the best solution (you can't please everyone, obviously). I have a hard time forcing either Rush or Air America down their throats if they don't want to hear it. Of course, pleasing everyone in the limited time available is impossible.
Taking Rush off the air would be nearly pointless, anyway. The mp3's from his shows are easily available and would be traded pretty freely. I doubt that IP enforcement is the top priority in a battle zone.
Posted by: Joe R. | 03 October 2007 at 12:50
As a soldier, I couldn't agree more. Nothing gets a discussion going easier than pointing out a falsehood by Rush. Gets the whole Socratic ball rolling.
Posted by: Frederick | 04 October 2007 at 07:49
I'd agree with you were Rush's shows not heavily edited for the Armed Forces Network. I'd love the troops to hear unexpurgated Rush.
Posted by: Elayne Riggs | 04 October 2007 at 14:32
Are they heavily edited? I know they edit out of the ads, obviously. What else do they edit?
Posted by: Roxanne | 04 October 2007 at 17:36
Only one problem... the troops love Rush. That is why they are the ones who voted for him to be on the AFN.
Posted by: Russ Burgett | 07 October 2007 at 19:35
Do they vote on programming? I know they get surveyed every few years, but my understanding is that they don't "vote" for AFRTS programming.
Posted by: Roxanne | 08 October 2007 at 04:38