If you happen to be one of the people who reads this diary (and I don't expect many to), please don't read it as a defense of Rush Limbaugh or an attack on the left.

I'm a proud progressive, liberal, left-winger, and citizen of the world (who happens to live in the U.S.). I truly despise Rush Limbaugh and all the damage that he has done to this world of ours, and I wish his career nothing but bad fortune. He's a bad man and if there is a hell, he is going to it when he dies.

Still, I think we're getting a bit carried away here. Rush Limbaugh's explanation of what he meant by "phony soldiers" is not only plausible, it's probable, and in flaming away on him, we are  mostly wasting our time.

at least in Rush Limbaugh's lexicon. By now many have heard of this bottom-feeding chickenhawk's assessment of anti-war veterans. Frankly, his lies & inanities ceased to bother me a long time ago; what does one expect? Besides, since I began speaking out against this war after I returned from Iraq, I've been called far worse. What I find more interesting is Rush's explanation in Frank Silva's Baltimore Sun article.

There have been several diaries on Daily Kos in recent weeks that have linked to comments made by and interviews with Jesse MacBeth, who claimed to be a former Army Ranger who committed war crimes and witnessed atrocities in Iraq.  Several anti-war groups have used this individual as a poster boy and spokesman for the cause.  He also was featured in a video discussing alleged war crimes in Iraq, and said video was disseminated widely on progressive, democratic, and independent websites.  

Several veterans, including myself, raised questions about the credibility of this individual.  Today, Iraq War Veterans Against the War has confirmed our suspicions - JESSE MACBETH IS A FRAUD.  HE WAS KICKED OUT OF THE ARMY PRIOR TO COMPLETING BASIC TRAINING.  HE WAS NEVER A RANGER AND NEVER SERVED ANYWHERE OTHER THAN FT. BENNING, GA, WHERE HE FLUNKED OUT OF ARMY BASIC TRAINING.

I wrote a diary last week with links to a video purporting to contain the confessions of "army ranger" Jesse Macbeth to war crimes in Iraq. I know there has been at least one other diary questioning/deconstructing said video.  Well, now it has been verified by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and  indefatigable independent reporter Dahr Jamail that Macbeth is a fraud.

More below

 In recent days there has been a tempest brewing in the right-wing teapot over one Jesse MacBeth, a purported Army Ranger who may or may not exist. His story has already been debunked, but not before everyone's favorite ten-toed sloth Michelle Malkin drooled all over the story. Finally, a temporary distraction from the implosion of Leader's domestic poll ratings and foreign policy!

Ever heard of Jesse MacBeth? Up until a few days ago neither had I. And, most likely, neither had you. But, thanks to the right-wing blogsphere, you and I now know who he is and what he is all about. Or do we?