Limbaugh Blasts Quarterback on ESPN

[Miss Modular]

Did he play the race card with a quarterback? :chatter

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031001/ap_on_en_tv/limbaugh_quarterback_2

Limbaugh Blasts Quarterback on ESPN
Wed Oct 1, 9:45 AM ET

By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA - New ESPN commentator Rush Limbaugh said on the network's pregame show that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback do well.

McNabb called the whole thing "sad," but an ESPN spokesman said he didn't think the comments were racially biased.

"He was comparing McNabb's performance on the field to his reputation in the media," spokesman Dave Nagle said Tuesday. He said Limbaugh doesn't do interviews.

On ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown," Limbaugh, the outspoken conservative radio talk show host, said he didn't think McNabb was as good as perceived from the start. The quarterback's career has included two straight NFC championship games and MVP runner-up.

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well," Limbaugh said. "There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

McNabb told the Philadelphia Daily News: "It's sad that you've got to go to skin color. I thought we were through with that whole deal."

A decade ago, there were few black quarterbacks in the NFL. This season, 10 of the 32 teams will have started black quarterbacks in at least one game.

"I think the Philadelphia Eagles and the city of Philadelphia are very lucky to have Donovan McNabb," Eagles coach Andy Reid said, calling his quarterback "the best in the business."

McNabb got off to the worst start of his career this season and was the NFL's lowest-rated starting quarterback after losses to Tampa Bay and New England. Still, the Eagles are 36-22 in games he started. On Sunday, the team was 32-13 over the Buffalo Bills.

With Limbaugh, ratings for the ESPN show are up 10 percent overall this season, and up 26 percent among men 18 to 34 years old, Nagle said. Sunday's show drew its biggest audience in the regular season since November 1996.

"ESPN hired Limbaugh for his passion and his ability to express opinion and spark debate as a football fan," Nagle said. "In just one month, he has certainly delivered."

Limbaugh is best known as the radio host of the politically focused "Rush Limbaugh Show," which is syndicated in more than 650 markets worldwide.

He spent most of the 1990s assailing then-President Clinton (news - web sites) and now spends Sunday mornings talking football, a job he called "the fulfillment of a dream."

[AChimp]

A dream because he is too fat to ever play football himself.

[mburbank]

Didn't take him long, did it? I mean, this wasn't SUCH a gaff, and I guess I understand what he meant, which, while petty, is more accusing other people of reverse racism than actually being racist.

How long you figure before he says something really awful he can't wriggle out of?

If Jimmy The Greek weren't dead, the two of them could trade ideas.

[AChimp]

Oh, look at that. Limbaugh resigned from ESPN because his comments were reflecting badly on his co-hosts. :)

Rush Limbaugh resigns from ESPN after criticism of Philly QB

NEW YORK (AP) - Conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh resigned from ESPN tonight, three days after saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

``My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated,'' Limbaugh said in a statement. ``I offered an opinion. This opinion has caused discomfort to the crew, which I regret.

``I love `NFL Sunday Countdown' and do not want to be a distraction to the great work done by all who work on it,'' Limbaugh said.

George Bodenheimer, president of ESPN and ABC Sports, accepted the resignation.

``We regret the circumstances surrounding this,'' he said in a statement. ``We believe that he took the appropriate action to resolve this matter expeditiously.''

Earlier today, Democratic presidential candidates Wesley Clark, Howard Dean and Rev. Al Sharpton called for the cable sports network to fire Limbaugh.

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/6911071.htm

[VinceZeb]

Rush didn't say anything that was racist. It was opinion. They hired him to be a fan's voice and to give his opinion and they hired him because he is contraversial and entertaining.

You wan't to know why people look down on black people? Shit like this. Whining over nothing.

[sspadowsky]

It's a good thing you're not a racist piece of shit, Vince. And at least you don't whine over nothing, like all those lousy black people.

[VinceZeb]

Where is the outrage over poor schools in urban areas?

Where is the outrage over liberals who use words like "******" with open abandon?

Where is the outrage over Al Sharpton lying about a black woman being raped by white men?

Where is the outrage over what rap music has been doing to the young black community?

Where is the outrage over the crime that occours in places of poverty, many which happen to be black?

Those are REAL outrages.

This is punishing a man for his thoughts over something that must of had a point to it. The only person who saw it for what it really was is Peter King.

[sspadowsky]

You wan't to know why people look down on black people? Shit like this. Whining over nothing.

You're not fooling anybody, Vince.

By the way, how would you feel if you knew some of your tax dollars were going to help those poor schools in urban areas? I'm pretty certain we can all guess.

[VinceZeb]

Its the truth. Sorry if it is biting.

[sspadowsky]

You wan't to know why people look down on black people? Shit like this. Whining over nothing.

See, Vinny, the problem was in your phrasing. It should read like this:

"You wan't to know why I, VinceZeb, look down on black people? Shit like this. Whining over nothing."

That way you can stand on your own as a racist shitbag, rather than try to make it look like you're part of some big consensus.

[Miss Modular]

Its the truth. Sorry if it is biting.

Do you KNOW any black people, Vinth?

I know tons of black people who are hardworkers. Many of them have come from hardscrabble situations, and have pulled their way out of it. Sure, there are lazy black people, but there are lazy white people, too.

[Dole]

"You wan't to know why people look down on black people? " -only people like YOU look down on black people, you xenophobic, bigoted, blinkered, brainwashed drone.

I 'look down' on people like YOU who ludicrously claim to be christian when they are the most hateful, ignorant, joyless hypocrites alive.

[VinceZeb]

The liberal assault is on.

Did I say I look down on black people? Nope.

I live with someone who is black, so I hope I know someone that is black. Be kinda weird if I didn't.

With all the real issues facing the black community, THIS is the one that sparks outrage? Give me a break!

[sspadowsky]

Invite your black friend (if he really exists) to the site and let him read some of your posts, particularly in this thread. Maybe while he's finding out what a real prick you are, you can search your house for your sub letter, and the name of that medical condition that kept you out of the military.

Hey, why don't you invite the handjob-giving chick, and the strippers with the implants, too? It'll be a great big party!
:party

[Zhukov]

The Liberals are storming the fort Vince! Hold them back you glorious White Knight!

So this person that you live with, does he whine? Is he lazy? Does rap music make him do things to his community??

[ranxer]

sounds like the media, rush, and now presidential candidates have way overblown a comment that was barely racist..

we should all have more tolerance than this if you ask me..
Rush would probably have said something 'criminally' bigoted eventually anyway.. sad he's out on the wrong comments.

[VinceZeb]

The last that I would do with my friends is hang around on the internet and post on a web site. If that is what you do with your friends in a social setting... it's pretty sad.

My roomates are guys that work hard and have fun. I enjoy living with them.



Let's cut the shit. If you all want to have a serious discussion about the comments and if they were racist, then lets have it. If not, drop your liberal namecalling.

[The One and Only...]

In the great words of Newsfilter:

"If you wear a shirt calling our President a terrorist, that is free speech. If you burn the flag, it's free speech. If you take a cross with Jesus hanging from it and submerge it in piss for the sake of "art", that is free speech.

But opposing affirmative action and using the NFL as an example constitutes your head on a platter as does saying the word God in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Welcome to America."

It should be noted that the piss-christ mentioned was not made up for the sake of argument. (Also, I don't think you should be forced to say "under God", but I do think that you shouldn't be punished for saying it.)

[Zhukov]

I seem to remember that the guy that did the 'jesus in piss' had his head served on a big silver platter with gold trimmings.

[FS]

It's free speech, yes. Nobody's suggesting that Rush Limbaugh needs to be fined or imprisoned for what he's said. Simply that he's a despicable human being.

[VinceZeb]

FS, why is Rush Limbaugh a bad human being? For pointing out things that you would rather not deal with?

[george]

mcnabb is a great quarterback, rush was wrong on that point

but i can see where he is coming from, and to be honest i dont really like black people that much, i am all for giving EVERYBODY a fair shot (who the hell am i to think i am better than another person?), and i try very hard to treat everyone with respect and kindness, i really do.

but

if you have ever lived near blacks then you know that unless they are uncle tom (or culturally white) then 99.9% of the time they are a fucking scourge. they steal, lie, destroy, threaten, and basically are animals.

and i am not some hick that hates cause my daddy did, i learned my hate through personal experience that has been reinforced OVER and OVER again.

the only thing that keeps me from feeling like a complete loser on this subject is that i try not to judge by group, but by the individual.

[sspadowsky]

Besides, it's not like the guy was fired. He resigned. See, it doesn't matter to me whether he works for ESPN or not. He's still got his idiotic radio show where he can spew his bullshit. And this is probably what he'll talk about for the next week. I'm interested to hear his side of it.

[VinceZeb]

His idiotic radio show has been around for 15 years. People must like it.


And george... wow. If you are telling the truth, I have to admit you are brave to admit your feelings. I think they are dispicable, but I'll honor your honesty.

[Dole]

Come on George...so white people never steal, lie etc?? Its not that hard to make the connection that any minority who have had to deal with instututionalised racism and poverty for so long are going to be in a bad way and indulging in criminal behaviour.

There is a large section of my hometown that has a specific community of people in it who are responsible for lots of the crime that goes on here. And guess what? They are almost exclusively white. Its the shit, poverty ridden conditions they live in and the fact that they are working class and as such do not have the same opportunities for jobs and education that made them that way. If I found the majority of them had dark hair, would that mean dark haired people are more likely to cause crime??

[Big McLargehuge]

His idiotic radio show has been around for 15 years. People must like it.

How long has Howard Stern been on the air? See people like to listen to stupid jackasses say stupid jackassy things.

[pjalne]

His idiotic radio show has been around for 15 years. People must like it.

Coronation Street has been on for 43 years. Guess it's the best thing on television, then.

[Vibecrewangel]

I just don't understand why race is such a qualifier......

I heard the comments for the first time this morning (I had read them previously - but seeing the actual clip was "enlightening") and all I kept thinking was.....

Saying "I don't think he is such a great quarterback." would have been just as effective.
The fact that race was brought up does indeed show a biggoted attitude.

Now, his reasons MAY be valid, that the media wants a black quarterback to do well, but when you make a comment like that it really is nothing more than the pot calling the kettle...um....wow...that was a bad analogy....but you get the point.

I guess it just bothers me because if I don't like someone or think that have no talent it never even crosses my mind what race or sex or orientation they are. I'm actually stunned whenever it is brought up. Especially when I am told I can't dislike them because of it. Um...huh?
But then...it wasn't until highschool that I figured out that my being attracted to women actually bothered people.
Guess I grew up sheltered.

[Vibecrewangel]

FS, why is Rush Limbaugh a bad human being? For pointing out things that you would rather not deal with?

No, for pointing out things that should have no bearing in either direction. Yes, we can all see what race someone is. It just shouldn't color our judgement of them.

[FS]

FS, why is Rush Limbaugh a bad human being? For pointing out things that you would rather not deal with?

"I don't have to defend my claims.

I'm just using liberal arguments. I am shamelessly attacking someone I do not like. So thus, I should be correct."

No, I actually don't think this quote of Limbaugh's is reason enough for him to resign, though I think the quote itself says plenty about his persona. Plus I think the comment displays a conflict of interest between sports and politics. I guess Rush can't open his mouth for too long before getting on his old soapbox, but he's certainly not the first. Anyway, I see the comment as an attack on the - in Rush's eyes no doubt horribly leftist - media and not so much on McNabb himself. McNabb was just said to be overrated. The media were said to overrate {him} because he's black. You shouldn't dig deeper than you have to to track down racism.

[VinceZeb]

So when sports people talk about Martha Burk's desire to change the admissions requirements for a private golf club, that isnt politically motivated?

[mburbank]

Okay, first of all, who's outraged? I've only read a few stories so far, and they report what's happened, but I don't see any particular outrage. I know I'm not outraged.

I think there are very low level racial assumptions (ie the press must have overrated this guy on account of his being black, as opposed to the wirters actually thinking he was good). Nothing very impressive in the world of gaffs.

I think it was dumb, not because he said anythiung so wrong, but becuase he didn't know that something that never would have even been notcied on his show would get this much attenion on ESPN.

I also think he's a quitter. This was supposed to be hi life DREAM, and what, has he even been doing it a month and he's quitting? ESPN backed him as far as I can tell. No apology, no retraction, nada. So where' the 'punishment'? He couldn't take the heat and he fled te kitchen. End of story.

Sound like anyone you know, Vinth?

I save my outrage for things that mtter to me. I wouldn't waste it on a right wing fatty who says things I routinely think are stupid doing something stupid. I'm mildly amused it happened this quick, and that's all. Read all the outrage in that you like. If he hadn't quit, this story would be almost over already. This will give it one more days legs, and then Rush will talk about it on his show and give it some miore legs.

[Vibecrewangel]

I think there are very low level racial assumptions (ie the press must have overrated this guy on account of his being black, as opposed to the wirters actually thinking he was good).

That pretty much sums it up.
It can't be that the writers may actually think he is good. Just because Rush thinks he isn't then the writers must be pushing him 'cause he is black.


Thanks Max....I was trying to find a way to put that into words and was failing.

[mburbank]

No problem. It's hardly outrageous. Just narcissitic and ignorant.

[VinceZeb]

Everyone is talking about this, Max. It's been on every channel under the sun. Talk Radio is talking about it. It's a non-story, but because Rush Limbaugh said it, its a huge freaking deal.

[Vibecrewangel]

Hey, I just noticed something else about this....something completely obvious I'm sure....

But, doesn't it seem that this in a way this is more about Rush's ego than anything else. I mean he really seems to think that his OPINION is fact. And that if anyone disagrees with him it isn't because they have a different OPINION it has to be for some other more sinister reason.

Hmmmm.......

[mburbank]

I absolutely agree, it's a non story. I couldn't be less interested. But read the stories if you can stand the boredom. They're pretty outrage free. They boil down to: "Huh. That was dumb. I'm kind of surprised he did dumb thing like that so soon. Oh, he quit. Did somone make him?"

The only 'outrage' is coming from dufus's like you who are outraged by their perception that other poeple are outraged. Me? Not outraged. You think this story is getting so much play becuase of Politics? I think it's cause Rush is a celebrity. I think this story deserves airtime exactly as much as the Ben n' Jen updates on my local news.

Don't care. Let me say it again, as a representative of the liberal community. DO NOT CARE. Mildly, very mildly amused. That's it. And talk radio is lock cock fitting. You don't like getting hit with blood and bird shit? Don't go.

[El Blanco]

1) Why did ESPN hire Rush again? Oh, ya, to make boisterous, inflamatory statements. And when he does, ESPN forces his resignation?

2) Why is it wrong for him to say McNabb is overated (I totally disagree) because he is black ( again, disagree) but OK for other people to say that Jason Sehorn got so much attention because he was a the Great White Hope at cornerback?

3) McNabb has handled this with total class so far. Best line: "Philidelphia media gave me a break? Ya, thats a good one."

4) Think Mike Savage will get his job?

[VinceZeb]

Hey Max, I saw it live as he said it. I didn't think anything of it until Tuesday. CNN carried the press confrence LIVE with Donovan McNabb while everyone else outside of Phili ignored it. This was a non-story that CNN grabbed because it was about Rush Limbaugh. They don't like him, so they went off on him.

Where was the big conference when Brent Barry won the 96 slam dunk contest and everyone made jokes about him being the "Great White Hope"?

[mburbank]

So why does CNN report on Ben and Jen? Because they don't like them? They smelled a story that would make a lot of idiots clammer and they went for it. That's what they do. It sells adds. It's one of the reasosns journalism is a degraded profession these days. I know Newsmax would never do anything like that.

Media likes to build people up and then tear them don. They enjoy a rise, and they enjoy a fall. It's all E True Hollywood story, and any angle is as good as any other.

I think, (and I can only speak as a representative librral in lock step with all other liberals here) that 'great white hope' is exactly the sort of mildly stupid, mildly racist crap. If I were running CNN, I'd have... well, I wouldn't have covered either story, until Rush quit. But that's me and my lockstep talking.

El Blanco, is there some indication at this point ESPN forced anything? Cause fatty had a contract. And he just doesn't seem like the 'forced to resign' kind of fella. A quitter, sure. But a forced to resigner? Lets wait and see wht he has to say, and make sure to tell me because the ONLY interest I hve in this story is as a bizarre cultural artifact.

[VinceZeb]

Rush hasn't been fat in the last 2-4 years. Nice of you to bring that fact up.

[mburbank]

Good point, fatty.

[mburbank]

Okay, I went and read some of todays press on the subject.

Brace yourselves for something you're not going to believe.

I agree with Vince on this one. You heard me.

While I don't agree the medias attack is politically motivated, and that when they see blodd in the water they don't care who's it is, there is some VERY serious overreaction going on here, particularly from the Democratic presidential candidates and I'm ashmaed of them.

Not so much Al Sharpton, because this is his millieu and it would be uncharacteristic for him to ignore it. Besides, while I lik some of the issues Shrpton brings to the debate, I think he is a bufoon, a publicity whore, etc. etc.

But Dean and Clark should be ashamed. This is just gtting on a passing media train, and it's demeaning.

[Vibecrewangel]

I've lost the will to live..........

[Big McLargehuge]

This is a sad day on I-mockery

[FS]

Well, I'm pretty sure that at least Rush is happy with the situation.

[ranxer]

hey, i agreed with vince first! (not in so many words though) :/

the shocker for me is that rush quit.. its so out of character for him.
i'm curious what scared him into it.. change of heart? what?!

making a big deal out of it is odd as well.. the backlash about making this non-story into a story should have been predicted but they are running crazy on it.

that's it, i'm blacklisting this story :)

[mburbank]

Oh, sure, Ranxer, you just say that becuase you're a lockstep liberal robo-....

Wait, what?

Hmmm. Food for thought here. What do you suppose it means when two lefty communists who just do what they're told by the liberal elite media and never think for themselves don't agree with their masters?

Oh, well. I'm sure it doesn't mean anything about anything.

[Immortal Goat]

Where is the outrage over what rap music has been doing to the young black community?


Yep, it's all that damn rap music's fault. Music made them do it. TV and movies made them do it. GTA Vice City or DOOM made them do it. It is NEVER the white man's fault for dragging them over here, keeping them ignorant for years, beating them, selling them, raping them, or lynching them. It was the media and their own choices that made them so militant and angry at us "whiteies".




oh, wait, uhh... :confused

[El Blanco]

OK I officially hate this thread. I was just excited to see a sports related story getting this attention here. I don't even get up in time to see the pre-game shows.

Its fucking stupid. Why didn't Irving or Jackson say something at the time when it happened? Because it is fucking stupid. Rush was there to piss people off. Mission accomplished.

And I still want Savage to get his job...........................




Or Jimmy the Greek

[kellychaos]

FS, why is Rush Limbaugh a bad human being? For pointing out things that you would rather not deal with?

What's he pointing out exactly, Vinth, other than the fact that he doesn't know football and should stick to politics?

Do you guys REALLY see a push in the NFL or a media agenda towards pushing black quarterbacks? I don't and I don't see how Rush can really throw away two years of excellent quarterbacking just because a guy has an off year by saying the guy is skating on his ethicity. That's BS. McNabb's proven himself over and over again and Rush's comments were a slap in the face to his accomplishments. And to act as if black quarterbacks are a new liberal craze? That's BS too! Does anyone remember Doug Williams ... do two Super Bowl rings refresh your memory? I could go on with others but that's not the point anyway. I think the real reason is that the quarterback is in a position of leadership ( as are the coaches ) and that bothers some people that the allocation is taken by a black person. How about Rush pushing his political agenda on a FOOTBALL show? Is that not JUST as wrong?! And if your going to use the coaching push to point out how the media pushes affirmative action, you can forget that too :pre-emptivestrike. That decision was made by the NFL team owners.

As a matter of fact, if anything, I believe that the whole deal was a staged media event that went afoul. Rush was designed to be the show's biased, politically conservative idiot and he did his job a little too well.

[El Blanco]

For the record, Williams only has 1 ring. 1987.

People, I can think of a thousand other stories we can happily debate in the sports world and I can take either side on most of them. Can we just drop this bullshit?

[kellychaos]

Well ... yeah. Rush is off the show now. :)

[El Blanco]

You think Frank Caliendo might actually be funny this week and do a Rush imitation? Hopefully, he can get fired to, that sorry ass replacement for Jimmy Kimmel.

[O71394658]

I actually, ironically enough, heard on the Howard Stern show that there's an ongoing criminal investiagion against Rush because he's apparently all hopped up on painkillers. They think he might've been illegally filing subscriptions and popping pain pills or something.

[ranxer]

:lol

[Immortal Goat]

I hope to whatever God may be smiling down on me at the moment that Rush gets sent to prison, and is afterwards made the official "Soap Boy" in the showers.











Wait, that would be too good for ole' "LIBERALS ARE ALWAYS WRONG" Limbaugh. Maybe a heart attack will suffice.

[AChimp]

Limbaugh got Dixie Chicked.

See, he was one of the lead people telling Americans that they would be well with in their rights to oppose the comments that the Dixie Chicks made using their own right to free speech.

He was also one of the lead people telling Americans to oppose Bill Maher when he exercised his right to free speech by saying the 9/11 hijackers were anything but cowards.

And now his loyal fans are going to make a big deal about it when Americans continue to follow his advice, even though he didn't tell them what to do this time. :lol

[KevinTheOmnivore]

1) Why did ESPN hire Rush again? Oh, ya, to make boisterous, inflamatory statements. And when he does, ESPN forces his resignation?

2) Why is it wrong for him to say McNabb is overated (I totally disagree) because he is black ( again, disagree) but OK for other people to say that Jason Sehorn got so much attention because he was a the Great White Hope at cornerback?

Yeah, this issue has been blown out of proportion, but his "resignation" is no surprise, that's just good business sense on ESPN's part.

So hey, is Michael Vick overrated...? I think Rush is making a valid argument in some ways, in fact it's the same argument being made currently by black scholars about the current popularity of white, european basketball players in the NBA. Just the other side of the coin....

However, Rush did this for the sake of doing it. He needs to be "controversial," so he had to say something he knew he'd take heat for. "It was an opinion, I though we had free speech." Blah, blah, blah....ask Mike Savage and Danny Glover about it. Free speech takes a back seat to ratings and money any day.

[Abcdxxxx]

What else do you expect a right wing talk show host to coment on about pro sports? He's supposed to ignore the obvious racial dynamic at play?

I don't like Rush, I can't sit through his show, and I'm not shocked to see this happening but...

Right wing talk show hosts say inflammatory things... it's nothing new... the only thing new is people are going after them so they loose their jobs...and i'm not cool with that. I'd much rather people came out in the open and talked like the racists they are so we know exactly who to watch out for (um, and hello and welcome to George. His post in this thread was rather scary!) Sweeping these opinions under the carpet doesn't make them go away. First Alan Keyes, then Savage...looks like pill popping Rush might be next. It scares me.... I doubt anyone would get away with holding NPR announcers nearly as accountable and they get public funds to speak their propaganda. That offends me far worse then some intolerant comments from some talk show host that everyone expects to say fucked up shit from.

[VinceZeb]

The biggest flip-flopping asswipe of them all is that intolerable Keith Olbermann.


--------
http://www.mrc.org/cyberalerts/2003/cyb20031002.asp#6

Olbermann Mocks Limbaugh But CNN’s Brown
Defends Rush’s Rights

Two nights after lamenting how the views of the Dixie Chicks, Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo were supposedly suppressed, as “2003 was not the first time dissent, the American virtue, the unique right of us Americans, suddenly became an ugly word,” instead on championing Rush Limbaugh’s free speech rights and denouncing any idea of censoring him by removing him from ESPN, MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann criticized Limbaugh’s opinion of media coverage of an NFL player and presciently predicted: “He’s gonna be fired.”

Far from bemoaning the anti-Limbaugh media herd mentality, on his 8pm EDT Countdown show Olbermann mocked Limbaugh: “The only question is will he be fired because he sees life as a conspiracy against white people or because he doesn’t know enough about football to understand that Donovan McNabb has led his otherwise lackluster team to the penultimate football game two years in a row.”

----------
http://www.mrc.org/cyberalerts/2003/cyb20031002.asp#6

MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann managed to link the supposed suppression of dissent by the Dixie Chicks, Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo with Kazan as he maintained that “2003 was not the first time dissent, the American virtue, the unique right of us Americans, suddenly became an ugly word.” Olbermann insisted that “when we talk about the death of Elia Kazan, overshadowing his work was the time he unreluctantly and unremorsefully identified eight of his personal friends as communists during his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee.”

-----------


Notice how he was so quick to defend the Chicks and others but when Rush says something he doesnt like, he doenst defend it.

Now THAT is a liberal.

[AChimp]

Maybe he just finds it hilarious Limbaugh is getting a big ol' dose of his own swill. Like me.

[Bennett]

From Detroit FreePress writer Drew Sharp:

Limbaugh's three-minute ESPN soliloquy contradicted what he has adamantly espoused three hours a day, five days a week for the last 20 years on his radio show. His comments exposed the obvious flaws in the long-developed conservative mantra that only blacks and white liberals find it necessary to "see color" in everything.

McNabb nailed Limbaugh during his Wednesday press conference when he said he thought we had gotten past the point of looking at a quarterback's skin color.

Rush played the race card, turning a legitimate discussion of a quarterback's merit and performance into a referendum on perceived media biases. He did exactly what he has accused others of doing. He painted a justification in broad strokes to support an agenda.

He came across as the flip side of Hillary Rodham Clinton, who whined about supposed "right-wing conspiracies."

He looked like a hypocrite.

[mburbank]

I can't believe Vinth hasn't acknowledged my saying he was right. What an Ungreatful Prick. See if I ever do that again. See if I ever need to for that matter.

"Limbaugh got Dixie Chicked. "
-Chimp.

VERY good observation, Herr Chimpanzee. I think somebody said that the Chicks had a right to free speech but had to understand there were 'conquenences'. Anybody want to burn tapes of Rush's show?

[ranxer]

hah, yea.

and vince, making a racial comment is a little bit different than discussing dissent on killing tens of thousands of people.

plus how can you compare foreign policy commentary to sports commentary, besides bush is only a minority in that he's from the elite class of folks born with a silver spoon.

[mburbank]

Slate magazine weighed in today as saying that there was nothing particularly wrong with the Rush quote. So lets see, now, that's me, Ranxer and Slate.

Can y'all say Lock Step Liberal Robots?

[Bennett]

I think I'm somewhere in the middle... I think that there are numerous things wrong with Limbaugh's comments:
first of all, he's wrong: McNabb is a great quarterback who really isn't surrounded by great talent. Philly has had one of the leagues better defenses at times, but as far as offensive weapons, he has been the main guy.
second, he assumed he was correct is saying so, so there must be some other motivation behind McNabb's praise. He could've simply said that he was overrated, Coversation Over.
Instead he brings race into an issue when there is no need to... i feel this makes him a hypocrite... see my above qoute.
Finally, he's just wrong about "the media" wanting a successful black quarterback. Doug Williams, Warren Moon, Michael Vick, Steve McNair, Rodney Peete (had his moments last season), Randall Cunningham, Daunte Culpepper, Kordell Stewart (had his moments as well), now Byron Leftwich... the issue of black quarterbacks is just NOT an issue anymore.

on the other hand, I don't think this should be such a huge deal. ESPN got what they asked for, and really how/why should anyone get offended or shocked at what Rush says? It's like getting mad at the mentally handicapped kid who just crapped his pants. He can't help it, it's just what he does. Really was anybody surprised at what he said?

I think it is an amusing situation. Rush could've crushed the situation, but instead decide to quit, possible because he didn't want to apologize. He had to be a "real man" and stand up for what he believes in. Funny thing is that he could've apologized without compromising what he believes in, but he would rather quit, because for someone like Limbaugh, admitting that you were wrong, in whatever capacity is much more damaging than just walking away. "What? Rush apologized... he's so PC!"

Sorry for rambling, my take is that the thing got turned into a media circus (surprise), and I think that what he said was stupid and wrong, but I've always pretty much taken him for a windbag (so no suprise).

EDIT: By the way, does anybody want to make a trade with me in the I-mock fantasy league? I need a good RB.

[sspadowsky]

I also heard that Al Franken, who absolutely loves Limbaugh and is definitely not taking any sort of smug satisfaction from this whole brouhaha, said that McNabb's stats for his first four seasons are better than John Elway's first four seasons. I think that sort of undermines the whole "overrated" claim.

[kellychaos]

He averaged over two OFFENSIVE TDs per game the past two years so I guess that blows Rush's "his defense carried him" theory out of the water.

P.S. I still don't harbor the resentment enough to wish him the ill will that some of you have wished him over the discovery of his alledged pain pill addiction. I don't care for his politics all that much but ... well, it's a shame people have to be like that.

[The One and Only...]

Rush Limbaugh > Micheal Moore.

C'mon. If anyone deserves to be roasted, it's Micheal Moore.

[kellychaos]

He's like the "Bizzaro World" Rush. :eek

[DoomCross]

Still one of the biggest problems in the world today, racism and discrimination.Unfortunately it always gets blown up(for obvious reasons I suppose) when a whiteman says something remotely offensive about a person of colour.I just can't understand why everyone can't get over it.Complete bullshit simply because all it's doing is fueling a fire that has been burning for so long.I would also like to point out that nobody, besides black people, cry foul when something even remotely offensive takes place.Can you look at jewish people for a second, they were pretty persecuted against and they seemed to have gotten over it(for the most part, I say we shouldn't completely forget but not dwell either.)It is one of those things that I will never understand.
Honestly, I've been put down by quite a few black people.Hell, it seems like they've wronged me and my family more than anyone.Still, I don't hate them because they hate me.What is the point of it all.Senselessness?.....exactly......It all boils down to publicity and media attention and as far as i am concerned,with media's help, this certain issue will never die.Unfortunately.....it probably never will die.

[VinceZeb]

Rush is right about McNabb being overrated. He looks shakey in the pocket, gets sacked a lot, and throws quite a bit of interceptions. His Eagles offense is never in the top 5 in total offense.

Hell, BRAD JOHNSON, a QB considered to be medicore at best, had a higher QB rating than McNabb.

NcNabb is overrated. Is it because he is black? With some people, yes. Is it because he was hyped to hell? Definetly. I'd take payton Manning over him, and I hate that hillbilly.

[Immortal Goat]

The whole "To some people, yes." thing is only an opinion. If it is only to some people, then it is not fact, and Rush should not have been taking out of his ass like he has been doing on radio since before I can remember like his word is the final word.

Vince calls himself Christian, but he breaks the first commandment of "I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no gods beside me" in that he practically worships Rush and Boortz like they are writing the "New-new Testament".

[Bennett]

It's funny that you would take Manning over McNabb, Vince. I mean, considering that Manning has never won a playoff game despite having one of the leagues best receivers and running backs while McNabb has nearly made it to the Super Bowl twice with neither.

[imported_Hollycaust]

Fat boy shouldn't be talking 'til after 30 pounds.
Lost, not gained.

[VinceZeb]

hollycaust, what the fuck are you even blabbing about?

And Bennett, I would take manning because Manning has never had a good defense like McNabb had. This year he has one that looks like the old TB defense. Be afraid.

[ranxer]

just for clarification.. any sentiments i have expressed defending rush limbaugh's statements have absolutely nothing to do with football.. football stats or sports in general.. corporate sports are a nearly complete waste of time.. its already been shown by several scientists that staring at a blank wall is better for your health than watching the blinking lights and flashing imagery that is called television and sports are actually worse than that..

i'd go so far as to assert or accuse corporate sports of encouraging the brainless idea that not rooting for your 'home team' is anti-patriotic.

[Miss Modular]

Well oh well. (http://thesmokinggun.com/archive/beshara2.html)

[kellychaos]

Rush is right about McNabb being overrated. He looks shakey in the pocket,


Subjective opinion.


gets sacked a lot,


There are a number of reasons why a quarterback gets sacked, partcularly is they are a "pocket quarterback". Dan Marino got sacked quite often. So what? It could be the offensive line. It be inexperienced receivers. I've seen McNabb typically get rid of the ball in 2-3 steps, so it's not a release problem. If nothings downfield, then nothings downfield.


and throws quite a bit of interceptions.


He threw an average of 12 interceptions per year. Certainly not the great but considering that I've seen quarterbacks throw 4-6 in one game, it isn't so bad.


His Eagles offense is never in the top 5 in total offense.


Neither was the Tampa Bay Bucaneers nor the Baltimore Ravens. You CAN win on defense. That's not to say that McNabb's wins have been due to defense. Their offense leaves a lot to be desired. If anything, he's given them more wins than they would have had otherwise.


Hell, BRAD JOHNSON, a QB considered to be medicore at best, had a higher QB rating than McNabb.


So you're judging his whole career on a bad year? ... and Brad Johnson IS mediocre.


NcNabb is overrated.


Again subjective. What proof?


Is it because he is black? With some people, yes.


Some people = Vinth


Is it because he was hyped to hell? Definetly.

Good performance doesn't equal hype. Good performance gains you notoriety. Is that your definition of hype?

[VinceZeb]

I like how Kelly can drag his knuckles up to the keyboard just enuff to call me a racist.

None of my favorite QBs are black. That is very true. McNair I respect but he is a Titan, so I don't like him. I think McNabb is overhyped and if Vick doesn't do something, he will be the most overhyped player in history sans Brian Bosworth. Kordell Stewart has always sucked. Jeff Blake has a great pass that goes about 40 yards down the field and 100 yards up in the air. Culpepper I like, but he isn't one of my faves. Peete is old.

Now all time, I liked Moon and loved Cunningham, especially with the Vikings.

Would you like to discuss football some more?

[imported_Hollycaust]

hollycaust, what the fuck are you even blabbing about?


"too bad so sad tell your dad"

[Immortal Goat]

I wouldn't say Vince is being racist here, but he IS seeming a little ignorant. He can like whatever QB's he wants to, but to say that he is not that good, and some people say he is because he is black, is not a very good way to look at it.

If he had said "He is a mediocre quarterback that gets a lot of crap because of his race", he would have made a bit more sense. As it stands, most of you know more about football than me, but I know enough to say "LIKE WHOEVER THE FUCK YOU WANT TO, BUT DON'T TRY TO TELL OTHERS THEY ARE STUPID FOR DISAGREEING!!"

[El Blanco]

corporate sports are a nearly complete waste of time

What the fuck is a corporate sport? All-Pro accounting? NCL-National Collating League?


its already been shown by several scientists that staring at a blank wall is better for your health than watching the blinking lights and flashing imagery that is called television and sports are actually worse than that..

I love how you back that up. It certainly doesn't seem like this was just another pathetic cry for attention you are so well known for. Just how far up your ass did you have to reach to get that?

i'd go so far as to assert or accuse corporate sports of encouraging the brainless idea that not rooting for your 'home team' is anti-patriotic.

You obviously don't know football, or pro sports for that matter.

[VinceZeb]

ranxer, I am suprised your children have not smothered you in your sleep with a pillow.

[soundtest]

What I think is funny is how people are frothing at the mouth over something Vince said that could possibly imply racism, yet the disgusting comments george made are ignored.

[incurable paranoiac]

In the great words of Newsfilter:

"If you wear a shirt calling our President a terrorist, that is free speech. If you burn the flag, it's free speech. If you take a cross with Jesus hanging from it and submerge it in piss for the sake of "art", that is free speech.

But opposing affirmative action and using the NFL as an example constitutes your head on a platter as does saying the word God in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Welcome to America."



hi. anyone remember what happened to bill maher? isn't this kind of the same thing? free speech is just that- you're free to speak it. if, however, the american public is offended (and advertisers are hesitant to give money to the outlet through which they were offended), it becomes a liability. he's completely free to speak however he wants to speak, but now he's not going to be paid for his speaking.

[Immortal Goat]

And that just sucks, because I think Bill Maher is very entertaining. We need more cynics in the media.

[incurable paranoiac]

eh. he's not my hero or anything, but he sure beats o'reilly.

[kahljorn]

/>

[incurable paranoiac]

mainly i just love the whole denny's parking lot hillbilly heroin angle. it makes me giggle.

haha. denny's.

Published on Friday, October 3, 2003 by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette
He Can Always Say 'It Was the Drugs ...'
by Tony Norman

Well, if it wasn't racism that drove Rush Limbaugh to spout one of the most bigoted comments of even his storied career last Sunday, then maybe it was the OxyContin.

By now, the allegation that Rush Limbaugh is a big, fat prescription drug junkie has supplanted the brouhaha surrounding his observations about black quarterbacks being "media darlings" as the hot topic around office water coolers.

Days earlier, "Ditto-heads" reflexively weighed in with condescending bravado that their hero, though often, um, impolitic about race, surely wasn't a bigot. Why? Because he said so, that's why.

After all the spinning they've had to do since Sunday rationalizing Rush's comments as mainstream white opinion taken out of context, true believers are now scrambling to defend him from charges that he's also a degenerate pill-popper partial to a drug known on the street as "hillbilly heroin."

What's a Ditto-head supposed to think when a salt-of-the-earth newspaper like the National Enquirer -- not some elitist rag like The New York Times -- breaks a story about clandestine drug buys in the parking lot of a Denny's in Palm Beach, Fla.?

According to a cover story in yesterday's New York Daily News, Rush forced his former maid to score copious quantities of OxyContin, hydrocodone and Lorcet from a black market drug ring in Palm Beach.

Because Wilma Cline, Limbaugh's former maid, kept a detailed ledger of the thousands of pills she allegedly bought for him over the years and was wearing a wire for two deliveries, there's bound to be a prosecutor or two, even in Florida, who'll take the allegations seriously.

Among the most explosive of Cline's charges is that she scored 4,350 pills for him in a 47-day period. If true, it would make Rush one of the great unregistered pharmacies of the Republican Party.

For a guy who attacks the "druggy" legacy of the '60s as much as Rush does on his syndicated radio show, the news that such a paragon of sobriety is a mere notch or two above a low-rent crack addict is, well, startling.

The Daily News confirmed that the Palm Beach County state attorney's office is investigating Cline's charges, including an allegation that she was paid $120,000 in "Rush hush" money.

Curse the sordidness and duplicity of the "liberal media" for pouncing on a story of such questionable provenance with such unabashed joy. Whatever happened to the idea that prominent men were considered innocent until proven guilty? What do you mean "Ask Bill Clinton?"

Oh, never mind. We all know it's impossible for a conservative white male Christian with the normal racial hang-ups of his class to get a fair hearing in America these days.

Still, the allegation that Rush has been "under the influence" would shine a light on some of his more bigoted comments over the years. Maybe he doesn't consider himself a bigot because it isn't really "him" doing the talking.

In the early '70s, Rush told a black caller to "take that bone out of your nose and call me back." Years later, he quipped, "The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies."

Speaking of black leaders, Rush once opined, "Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?" Hilarious stuff, but not necessarily evidence of racism if you're high.

With his track record, who would've thunk that ESPN's Great Ratings Hope would say something offensive about black folks a mere month into his gig as a football commentator?

Honestly, given the volatile nexus of race and sports in America, everybody knew it was coming. Rush was hired by the Disney-owned channel to reel in a portion of his cantankerous radio audience. He's an affirmative action hire for yahoos. ESPN coveted his audience demographics. It would've been irrational for Rush not to throw some red meat their way from time to time.

The question isn't: Why did Rush say something so bigoted on ESPN?

The question is: What took him so long to get around to spouting the same bigoted tripe on ESPN that passes for wit on his radio show every day?

[kahljorn]

"Speaking of black leaders, Rush once opined, "Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?" Hilarious stuff, but not necessarily evidence of racism if you're high."

Who the fuck wrote that artical?

[Rez]

just for clarification.. any sentiments i have expressed defending rush limbaugh's statements have absolutely nothing to do with football.. football stats or sports in general.. corporate sports are a nearly complete waste of time.. its already been shown by several scientists that staring at a blank wall is better for your health than watching the blinking lights and flashing imagery that is called television and sports are actually worse than that..

i'd go so far as to assert or accuse corporate sports of encouraging the brainless idea that not rooting for your 'home team' is anti-patriotic.

:lol

http://www.theonion.com/onion3604/doesnt_own_television.html

[incurable paranoiac]

well, since the article is credited to a man named "Tony Norman," i'm gonna play it safe and say it was probably written by the Masons.

[kahljorn]

I meant, was it written by a moron? An illiterate crack junkey? Some piece of shit journalist just out of College with no chance of making it?

That one statement was really sad.

[El Blanco]

I'll just say this and I am done with this thread (ok not really):

ESPN is full of shit. Not just about the Limbaugh thing, but about the race issue in general. Think about it: Why is Michael Irving on that show? To be jive talking and bling-bling wearing. Why didn't they get Warren Moon, a guy who can express an intelligent opinion about football without making an ass of himself (not to mention the lack of cacaine addiction).

Why did Stuart Scott change? Why is he forcing out "booyah" every other line? Why is giving shout outs to Rey-Rey and Pookie and Laquita's baby-daddy (you have to watch it to know what I mean)? He didn't do this when he started. And it sounds pretty forced now when he does. It gives me the feeling that some ABC exec pulled him aside and told him to "urban" up his act a little.

ESPN isn't there yet, but they are looking down that road paved by MTV.

[kahljorn]

There's one lesson to be learned here:

Drugs make you more interesting and get you better jobs.

[incurable paranoiac]

kahl- shall i send you a copy of "Sarcasm for Dummies"?

[kahljorn]

I got your sarcasm, fuckwit, notice how I didn't continue to say that the masons were crappy writers?

Can I get you a copy of, "Learn to read jackass", it comes with a free copy of: "You're a Pretentious jackass" and, "Shut the fuck up jackass".

[incurable paranoiac]

If you're going to imply illiteracy, you should probably know how to structure your sentences correctly.

EDIT
I got your sarcasm, fuckwit; notice how I didn't continue to say that the masons were crappy writers?

Can I get you a copy of "Learn To Read, Jackass"? It comes with free copies of "You're a Pretentious Jackass," and "Shut the Fuck Up, Jackass."


Now, then...what was your problem with the article, exactly? I'm confused. I initially thought you were offended by his sarcasm. It would appear, however, that you are offended by mine. I hadn't realized I was being particularly sarcastic. Either way, we're clear on one thing. I AM a pretentious jackass.

[Big McLargehuge]

What I think is funny is how people are frothing at the mouth over something Vince said that could possibly imply racism, yet the disgusting comments george made are ignored.

Just thought you should all read this again.

[mburbank]

On the George thing; I strongly suspect George was taunting Vinth. If he really meant what he said, then of course I have a HUGE bone to pick with him.

It is possible he meant it, he can be quite unpredicatable. Think though, the lack of response is most people being pretty sure he was baiting Vinth. I speak as one who has taken Georges bait on at least one occasion. It was nowhere near as sexy as it sounds.

[ranxer]

http://web1.ami-admin.com/perl/trackimage.pl?I=53881&H=nationalenquirer%2Ecom&Image=http%3A%2F%2Fimages%2Eami%2Dadmin%2Ecom%2Fim ages%2F46007%2Ejpg

:lol

the whole thing about rush involved with black market drugs is so funny because of the statements he's made about locking up and throwing away the key for anyone caught in the same such situation.

i'm not saying i believe the national enquirer on this but its funny that he's facing this situation.. i hope he continues to be quoted to himself.. i don't listen to his show, i can only wonder.

hey vince.. most kids i know are happy to know a dad that's in touch with thier kids instead of taking them to a game where they ignore thier kids for the rooting cheering and jeering of sports insanity.

Rez ":lol"
i can only wonder what you think was funny ..
one book i can point you to is amusing ourselves to death by neil postman.. theres others but this sums up my thoughts on tv
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140094385/002-4582657-7976065?v=glance

for the record.. i have cable and 3 tv's and 4 vcr's in my house.. i'm not unfamiliar with the vapidscape that is network broadcasting.
as a matter of fact i think i need tvo for what i want to watch.

[kahljorn]

This is kind of like making a Comment against Affirmative action...

My dad listened to Rush Limbaugh all the time, I always considered him more of a comedian than a political authority... in fact that's what i thought he was :/