Need help! Contact Imus to tell him Rick Santorum LIED to him this morning

[brentspeak]

(Thanks to Graybeard, who spotted Santorum's lie)

Rick Santorum told Don Imus this morning (on Imus' radio program) that he voted to increase the military death gratuity. Imus then actually thanked Santorum after being told this, for his thoughtfullness and efforts in helping the military families.

But wait, that's not true: Santorum actually voted against raising the death gratuity. In short, John Kerry introduced an amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill of 2005 that would have increased the amount of money a killed serviceman/woman's spouse and children receive, from the standard $12,000 to Kerry's proposed $100,000. Santorum voted 'yes'...to tabling the Kerry amendment (and it ended up being tabled):

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00092

IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) clarifies this in their explanation as to why they awarded Santorum a 'D-' on disabled veterans issues:
http://www.iava.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2056&Itemid=214

Military Death Gratuity
(109th Congress; Senate vote #92; April 13, 2005)

Senators who voted FOR this motion were voting AGAINST increasing the amount of money a spouse or family member receives when their loved one is killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. IAVA opposed this motion, which would have eliminated the proposed increase.
Prior to this bill, the family of a US troop killed in action would only receive a $12,000 death gratuity from the government. This bill would increase that amount to $100,000.
The motion was defeated, and the plan was adopted and enacted into law.

So, no surprise, Santorum lied, straight-faced, to Imus this morning. And as per Graybeard's suggestion, I'm asking your help in emailing Imus to let him know he had been had by Rick Santorum on this issue.

Imus's email: [email protected] <[email protected]>

(Rick Santorum's 'D-' review by IAVA: http://capwiz.com/iava/bio/?id=498&lvl=C&chamber=S

(on edit: correct link to Santorum's 'D-' review)

[Terri S]

1. You got it!!

Email on the way! and a kick!!

[texasleo]

2. Imus has conservative filters

[KoKo]

3. I dunno if IMUS cares....he's a Powerbroker. He also has said he

just "loves Santorum" and "Harold Ford." I think he probably already knew about it....but it can't hurt to pressure him on the Lies of Santorum, I guess. It's important to do it...

[Roy]

4. Even Imus knows Santorum is a liar extraordinaire.

But, it will be fun watching him justify this lie before professing his diehard support for this scum.

[brentspeak]

5. self-kick

[I Have A Dream]

6. Happy to give you the 5th recommendation! n/t

[PreacherCasey]

7. done...it's worth a shot

[blm]

8. GREAT DETECTIVE WORK!!!!!

And thanks for noticing Kerry's real work for the military and veterans.

[brentspeak]

9. kick

[Laelth]

10. Done.

Here's what I had to say:

Dear Mr. Imus:

In case this issue has not been brought to your attention, I felt I should inform you that Senator Santorum told a bald-faced lie on your program this morning. Senator Santorum says he voted for Senator Kerry’s amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2005 that would have given families of soldiers who died in Iraq a death gratuity of $100,000 instead of the $12,000 they currently get. The truth is that Senator Santorum voted to table Mr. Kerry’s amendment which ensured that the amendment would not become part of the bill that eventually passed.

The Republican Party is desperate to maintain power. We, the people, rely on the media for the truth when those in power have something to hide. I urge you to check the record for yourself and condemn Senator Santorum for his deliberate deception which you, if you do not correct the mistake, will have enabled.

I thank you for your time and consideration.

Cordially,

Alan Taylor
Macon, Georgia

Hope this does some good. Perhaps Imus has a conscience.

-Laelth