In case you missed it, there was a big hue and cry recently claiming that Rush Limbaugh called service members who support U.S. withdrawal “phony soldiers”. Supposedly, Mark Udall (D-CO) will be introducing a resolution in the House of Representatives on Monday condemning Rush Limbaugh for his “phony soldiers” remark. I would provide a link to the story but there are too many rude and crude comments everywhere it is posted. You can look it up for yourself if you are interested – just Google it. All soldiers who serve in Iraq deserve our respect and honor for their sacrifice in the line of duty. But what if they never really went there?
Rush Limbaugh doesn’t need me to defend him and I don’t always agree with what he says, but if America can’t see or hear for themselves that this is a false accusation then we have been blinded and made deaf by the shouts of those who cry foul when there was none. It is obvious to anyone who listens to what Rush had to say that he was referring to those phony soldiers who claim they speak as patriots and yet lie about their actions in the theatre of war. He even cites an example of one such phony soldier who was recently sentenced to five months in jail and three years probation for falsifying a Department of Veterans Affairs claim and his Army discharge record. He was a phony soldier who lied about what he saw in Iraq because he was never there. So yes, phony soldiers really do exist.
Is it just me or can this be characterized as another fulfillment of prophecy? “…in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be …boasters, proud…without natural affection…false accusers…fierce, despisers of those that are good…from such turn away.” (2 Tim 3:1-5) “And in that day…the scorner…and all that watch for iniquity…make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him…” (Isa 29:18-21) Well, maybe it’s a stretch but I sure read there a valid description of some people and some websites that seem so angry and so vitriolic in their speech. They obviously have an agenda and it’s to attack anyone who disagrees with them.
I’m not looking to start a debate about Rush Limbaugh or about the US policy in Iraq. I’m just pointing out what seems so obvious to me that this is another sign or evidence that we are in the last days. And I probably don’t need to convince you of that. I hope we don’t go around saying to ourselves, “Why are these people being so mean? Why are they twisting his words and taking them out of context? Don’t they know the full story and read his past record?” Of course they do. The same could be said for the way they treat President Bush, couldn’t it?
Modern prophets have counseled against criticism as a daily form of speech because it poisons the heart and mind. It is a very unchristian conduct. Disagreements can be made in civil tone and without attacking character. Here is a great quote from a modern prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley that illustrates my point. He said: “I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his course. What I am suggesting is that each of us turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom we associate, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults.” (Ensign, Apr. 1986, pp. 3-4.)
Would that more of the world heeded the words of a modern prophet.
