It wasn’t a poor choice of words, in fact, it wasn’t even Rush’s words, Rush should not in any way shape or form apologize, and of course being the stand-up guy that he is, he won’t.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2007/09/30/abc-reported-phony-heroes-
Link apparently doesn’t work, in any case ABC reported on “Phony Heroes” 2 days before Rush.