24 Nov 2004 Debating Intelligence Reform: A Visit to the Rush Limbaugh Echo Chamber

Says Rush Limbaugh on the intelligence reform bill:

Oh, woe is us! Oh, woe is America! The media obsessed today with: ‘Why can’t Congress agree on intelligence reform?’ It’s another non-story that’s being blown up and ballyhooed… My first question is: Who said, where is it written, that the 9/11 commission’s recommendations get implemented without question? Who the hell are these people? Nobody elected them. Why in the world do we have to sit there and whatever they come up with, we have to implement? Everybody’s so concerned that there’s no debate in the Bush administration, right? ‘We’re not debating anything at the State Department anymore. No! Bush is going to coalesce power there. Why, there’s no debate! Why, Bush is stifling debate. Why, Bush is stifling debate in the CIA. Oh, no. Oh, no!’ Well, what are we doing in Congress? We’re debating the bill. Oh, no! We’re supposed to rubber-stamp that. We’re supposed to rubber stamp something that Richard Ben-Veniste had something to do with? Excuse me. I want a timeout.

We’re supposed to rubber stamp something that Jamie Gorelick had something to do with? Excuse me, I want two timeouts. We’re supposed to rubber stamp something that Timothy Roemer had something to do with? Excuse me, I want three timeouts. We’re supposed to implement something without question that Richard Clarke had a role in? Excuuuuse me! I want halftime. Because, my friends, we’re debating this.

Gotta agree. Debate is what they are supposed to do.