Rush Limbaugh - A Racist Arse
76Rush Limbaugh - The Entertainer
Rush Limbaugh, billed as an entertainer, signed a four hundred million ($400,000,000) dollar contract for eight years with Clear Channel Communications Inc.'s Premiere Radio Networks. That's thirty-eight ($38,000,000) million yearly plus a one hundred ($100,000,000) million dollar signing bonus.
Mr. Limbaugh has stated that he's ecstatic and is even considering buying an NFL football team. Of course this has now changed. See "News from the NFL" below on that.
April Fraud Arrest
On April 28, 2006, Limbaugh and his attorney, appeared at the Palm Beach County Jail to surrender to a warrant for his arrest. This warrant was issued on the charge of doctor shopping. A spokeswoman for the Sherrif's Department stated that Limbaugh was arrested, booked, photographed & fingerprinted. He was then released on $3,000 bail. Limbaugh later entered a "not guilty" plea to the charge. Prosecutors agreed to drop the charges in exchange for $30,000 to defray costs of the investigation and a promise by Limbaugh to complete an eighteen month stint of therapy for pain-killer addiction.
Limbaugh the Color Blind
Limbaugh stated during an interview: "Frankly, the biggest problem I face in the current climate of political correctness is that I'm colorblind about it. I don't say politically correct things about it. For example, in the Today show interview, Jamie Gangel: "Weren't you moved by the election of the first black president?" Yeah, I was. Great historical fact, but I got over it pretty quickly, because I don't see him as black. I see him as president of the United States, and I'm more concerned about his policies."
Limbaugh the Liar & Racist
Throughout the years though Limbaugh has made statements that indicate that he's anything but "color-blind."
Inflammatory, denigrating, demeaning, or just downright crude. You name it; Limbaugh's said it.
On March 19, 2007, reflecting on an L.A. Times Op Ed, whch referred to Obama as the "magic negro." Limbaugh stated: "The term 'Magic Negro' has been thrown into the political presidential race in the mix for 2008. And the term 'Magic Negro,' as applied to Barack Obama has been done by an LA Times columnist, David Ehrenstein."
"I'm going to keep referring to him as that, because I want to make a bet that by the end of this week I will own that term,
"If I refer to Obama the rest of the day as the 'Magic Negro,' there will be a number of people ... who will credit me for coming up with it and ignore the LA Times did it, simply because they can't be critical of the LA Times, but they can, obviously, be critical of talk radio."
Limbaugh used the term in regard to Obama a total of twenty-seven times in that one broadcast.
Limbaugh on Obama's Inauguration: "We are being told that we have to have hope [Obama] succeeds, that we have to bend over, grab the ankles...because his father was black."
On July 27, 2009 Limbaugh was asked about calling Obama "an angry guy": His response: "I do believe "Obama" is an angry black guy." Limbaugh expanded by saying: "they're finally hearing me -- he's an angry black guy. I do believe that about the president. I do believe he's angry; I think his wife is angry. All liberals are enraged all the time anyways. They're always mad."
On September 15, 2009, for no apparent reason, Limbaugh ranted that: "It's Obama's America, is it not? Obama's America, white kids getting beat up on school buses now. I mean, you put your kids on a school bus, you expect -- you expect safety. But in Obama's America, the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering, 'Yay, right on, right on, right on, right on."
June 22, 2009 claimed of economic recovery efforts:: "What they don't know is that Obama's entire economic program is reparations."
During the Henry Louis Gates arrest controversy Limbaugh stated: "Here you have a black president trying to destroy a white policeman.
On April 14, 2009 during the mission to rescue Americans from Somali pirates Limbaugh said: "if only President Obama had known that the three Somali community organizers were actually young, black Muslim teenagers, I'm sure he wouldn't have given the order to shoot."
Throughout the years, Limbaugh has referred to native Americans as "injuns", illegal immigrants as an "invasive species", and a broad range of feminist activists as "feminazis."
He's an equal opportunity offender.
Opinions
In light of all of these statements and his assertion that he is "color-blind1" the following facts are pretty disturbing.
- Limbaugh is estimated to have twenty million listeners. That's roughly six percent of the entire population of the country.
- Radio advertising pays roughly twenty-one ($21B) billion per year for air time. Limbaugh's four hundred million dollar contract is directly related to these expenditures.
- Limbaugh fans are not only extremely loyal to Limbaugh they are also loyal to the brands advertised on his program. Limbaugh is a commodity.
- 24/7, an Internet site carrying Limbaugh shows costs $60 per year. This is rather high for membership in an Internet site, but the site is doing quite well.
All opinions should be freely entertained in this country. It's a given that anyone can say anything so long as there is no defamation (slander, libel, or vilification).There are legal mechanisms in place in most states for seeking monetary compensation for any of these offenses.
But Limbaugh is relatively safe. It is highly unlikely that a sitting president would begin such an action. And as far as I know only the "injured individual" can bring action against the defamer.
There are other ways to reign in Limbaugh though. His pocket-book. The following companies advertise on his program.
- Overstock.com
- eharmony.com
- Inverness Medical
- Onstar
- Hotwire.com
- Sleep Number Bed
- The Neptune Society of Northern California
- Oreck Corporation
- Smart & Final
- Mid-West Life Insurance Company of Tennessee
- AutoZone Inc.
- Citracal - Mission Pharmacal
- Blue-Emu
- Red Lobster
- Lumber Liquidators
- Avacor
- Lazerguide
- Mission Pharmacal Company
- General Steel Metal Buildings
- Life Quotes, Inc.
- Select Comfort Corporation
- Scottrade Inc
- RegionalHelpWanted.com
- The Swap Shop
- Pfizer Inc
I find it particularly interesting that three of the twenty-five companies listed are in the pharmaceutical business. Consider the number of times Limbaugh has been arrested or chastised for drug abuse. Notably with Vicodin, Oxycotin, and Viagra.
1I respectfully suggest he does not know what the term means.
Side Note on a Similar Individual
Harvey LeRoy "Lee" Atwater, was political consultant for George Herbert Walker Bush during his bid for the presidency. He also advised Ronald Regan and eventually earned Chairman of the Republican Party.
When asked by Alexander P. Lamis about Regan's "Southern Strategy" the following statements were made.
Atwater: "As to the whole Southern strategy that Harry Dent and others put together in 1968, opposition to the Voting Rights Act would have been a central part of keeping the South. Now [the new Southern Strategy of Ronald Reagan] doesn’t have to do that. All you have to do to keep the South is for Reagan to run in place on the issues he’s campaigned on since 1964... and that’s fiscal conservatism, balancing the budget, cut taxes, you know, the whole cluster..."
Lamis: "But the fact is, isn’t it, that Reagan does get to the Wallace voter and to the racist side of the Wallace voter by doing away with legal services, by cutting down on food stamps...?"
Atwater: "You start out in 1954 by saying, 'Nigger, nigger, nigger.' By 1968 you can't say “nigger”—that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states' rights and all that stuff. You're getting so abstract now [that] you're talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you're talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites."
And subconsciously maybe that is part of it. I'm not saying that. But I'm saying that if it is getting that abstract, and that coded, that we are doing away with the racial problem one way or the other. You follow me—because obviously sitting around saying, “We want to cut this,” is much more abstract than even the busing thing, and a hell of a lot more abstract than 'Nigger, nigger.'"
Rush is A Racist Petition
There's a web petition now created in an attempt to convince the NFL that Rush has no place in the league.
You see, Mr. Limbaugh wants to buy an NFL team with his new-found wealth.
The petition will be sent to the NFL urging it to reject any buy bids from Mr. Limbaugh. Want to sign it? Look for a site called "Rush is a Racist" dot com. Just leave out the spaces. Of if you want to see the campaign simply click on the link; it will open in a new window.
October 15, 2009
Limbaugh has been dropped from the group bidding on the RAMS. This is great news. Considering the make-up of most NFL teams, an owner who clearly cannot resist making inflammatory speech in regard to race has no business owning a team made up of Americans from every possible ethnic background.
Jay Leno, in his routine last night (October 15, 2009) said that the NFL now stands for Not For Limbaugh. He also said something along the lines that Limbaugh would have been a minority owner, which would mean he'd have to become a liberal, and he'd end up hating himself.
News from the NFL
Dave Checketts -- one of the group poised to buy the Rams stated that Mr. Limbaugh was dropped from the group because his "involvement...has become a complication...endangering our bid" for the team.
NFL Players Executive Director DeMaurice Smith said: "I've spoken to the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages. But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred."
He went on to say: "This communication is more about what we stand for than the reality of our role in any franchise sale. While it's true the subject matter was related [to Limbaugh's bid], I do understand that the NFL does not present ownership bids to me or the NFLPA. I encourage our players to express their views."
Mathias Kiwanuka, Giant's defensive end said: "All I know is from the last comment I heard, he said in (President) Obama's America, white kids are getting beat up on the bus while black kids are chanting 'right on, I mean, I don't want anything to do with a team that he has any part of. He can do whatever he wants, it is a free country. But if it goes through, I can tell you where I am not going to play."
Bart Scott, of the New York Jets said: "It's an oxymoron that he criticized Donovan McNabb, A lot of us took it as more of a racial-type thing. I can only imagine how his players would feel. I know I wouldn't want to play for him. He's a jerk. He's an ---. What he said (about McNabb) was inappropriate and insensitive, totally off-base. He could offer me whatever he wanted, I wouldn't play for him. ... I wouldn't play for Rush Limbaugh. My principles are greater and I can't be bought."
Say what you will about Limbaugh's right to become part owner and his very clear right to free speech, many team members from both the Rams and other teams have flat-out stated they would not play for a team owned (partially or otherwise) by Rush Limbaugh.
Please note that with all of the quotes I could post from the NFL this one section alone could end up being longer than the rest of the entire article. I felt the quotes above were representative enough because they come from potential owners, player representatives and players themselves.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed here are my own. Gotta problem with that? Let me know.
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Comments
The contrast between Limbaugh's wealth and that of his audience must be laughable.
Fabulous - keep calling him out - he's a racist and a hypocrite - it's obvious he's still an addict. Kartika
Raplh, Chris, and Katrika: Thank you.
Whoooo! Alright!
Let's see if this gets as many posts as, "Beck thumbs his nose at hybrids"!
Thanks jrb!
Loved It. You were a lot kinder than I would have been. :)
It is mind boggling the number of people who take him seriously and scary.
MKott: All I've really done is present facts. Unlike my other articles about these "wing-nuts" the opinion section is about the ability to freely express same in this country; not my opinion.
I haven't decided yet whether or not to add my own take on this.
But I don't think it's necessary.
He's offensive enough on his own.
Just like Bill Maher, they're both entertainers!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Bill Maher ever called anyone a "Magic Negro." So apparently Maher is not the same caliber entertainer as Limbaugh.
I never paid much attention to Rush Limbaugh, as it went without saying he was a true idiot, i.e., putting inflammatory garbage out there in order to pad his bank account. However, when he mocked Michael J. Fox it was all over the news and you couldn't miss it. One of those things I wish I hadn't seen, that fat sloppy body shaking all over as he made fun of a truly good man with a very serious disease. Now I feel angry every time I see him or hear his name, and I really don't like to waste emotion on garbage.
An entertainer? That's a sad commentary on the group of people he's entertaining!
Thanks for the list of advertisers. I wish people would memorize these companies and act accordingly.
Thanks Patrice:
By the way. Be sure to vote in the section after the Disclaimer. The righties are!
Did it. Unfortunately, people who like to be entertained by a man making fun of others who are seriously ill, do seem to come out in droves to support him. Go figure.
Patrice: Indeed!
It's amazing to me how many sheeple follow this pompous a$$. I couldn't even stand to look at the pic of him on this well written hub. I appreciate you adding the list of companies that purchase ad-space from him. Nice hub!
I work with people who think Rush is Right. They voted for Bush - Twice!
Great reading! Loved it.
Thanks Michael. I enjoy your hubs too.
I disagree with Rush being called a racist. I'm a news and current events junky. I listen to him, Rachel on MSNBC, Democracy Now, etc., for differing views. Quite frankly, I can think of quite a few others on the Left and Right who make me cringe, and think that they make outrageous and racists statements. And all of the chatter about being against Rush buying the football team is foolish. Need I point out the many NFL players, just in the past 2 years who have gotten arrested for shootings, drunken behavior, dog fighting, etc.? And most of the people who criticize Rush don't listen to his show, and take it completely out of context. For as much dirt that can be pulled out on Rush, such can be too for the Jacksons and Sharptons, and other prominent media figures on the Left and Right.
And as an addendum, the "Magic Negro" comment was actually an article written by a black journalist in the LA Times when he was running for president. At that time in the black community, many were 'questioning' his credentials as a 'black leader.' Also, the term "Magic Negro", is a very old term, which is very offensive to me that blacks even use such words. I'm actually not a big fan of Rush, and I find him annoying, but calling someone a racist is a very serious thing to do.
Rush Limbaugh is no more racist than Keith Bardwell of Louisiana.
It's one thing for the players to have problems. And considering the ratio of the number of players to owners, a very small percentage of players that get into trouble should not reflect on the overwhelming majority that are or try to be good role models.
That a potential minority owner be so well known for racist comments is NOT a good idea for the NFL, NBA, MLB or any other sports league.
And don't forget that Limbaugh said: That the "...NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons"
What exactly does that mean?
That the group who rejected him did so because of a very public campaign to exclude Limbaugh is America at its best.
Yes, I'm aware of why Limbaugh is not part of buying the team anymore. And his comments about the Bloods and Cripts? This is an issue that has been debated in the black community for years, namely of inner city young people, who take on the character of negative, gang-like people, prominently displayed in the media.
We can agree to disagree about Rush being racist. I think that he is an arrogant pompous ass. And if he has/had a drug problem, will u give him the benefit of the doubt of his 'illness'or 'disease' of addiction? Philosophically, I agree with him more times than not. But calling someone racist, especially when statements are taken out of context (i.e. the "magic Negro") is really something...I actually enjoyed ur article, and checked out others of urs. I respect this article and those, and appreciate the research that u've done. Muc respect. Peace
The statement about the Bloods and Crips was not taken out of context. You see, I live in the Los Angeles area. I also know a few things about gangs, via studies, that most people ignore. The simple fact that most gangs are surrogate families.
But to compare the NFL, where 70% of players are "men of color", to two well know (almost exclusively) black gangs is reason enough not to want him to be part owner in an NFL team.
Rush's big mouth cost him what was most likely a dream.
I honestly don't care that much about his drug problem. What I do care about is the "slap on the wrist" and the fact that he bought himself out of that charge. I wonder who many young black men can buy themselves out of charges like that? I wonder how many poor men of any color could do something like that.
I'd say not too many.
For all of that I want you to know that every comment posted on every hub of mine has to be approved by me in order to appear.
I've approved every one of yours because I think you have something important to say even though I don't totally agree with it.
So, thanks for your input. It's equally important.
I've posted an update to the NFL decision above. The section is called "News from the NFL."
I would venture to guess that the majority of folks who find Rush so offensive have never actually listened to his show in context. At his worse, Rush is arrogant, obnoxious, abrasive and bombastic. But I have also heard some of the most motivating and inspirational dialougue on his show. Rush doesn't care one bit about a person's skin color. Do you know that Bo Snerdley (John Golden),Rush's producer since the 80's, is African American. Only rarely does the fact that Bo is African American ever come up - because it's irrelevent! How long would Bo stick around if Rush had actually said the things that have been rolled out over the last week? Why hasn't the media bothered to interview any of Rush's African American fans - and their are quite a few. Or how about the esteemed Dr. Walter Williams who is a frequent guest host on Rush's show? Oh I know why, because it doesn't fit the template which is "conservatism = racism".
It appears to me that white liberals are comfortable with African Americans as long as they know their place - that is within the democratic party. But if an African American dares to venture out of that ideology - beware. They will be vilified and attacked. Just ask Clarence Thomas, J.C. Watts, Thomas Sowell, Condaleeza Rice or any number of African Americans who have chosen a different path. Wasn't it funny how J.C. Watts was not a member of the congressional black caucus. Lets see, he was in congress, he was black...but Oh sorry. We only want "real" black people (read: liberal democrats) in our club.
It's fine if Limbaugh is not your cup of tea. Sometimes I get tired of hearing him too. But I think it's much more ominous that an individual can be shut out of participating in the market place because of their "views" than their views themselves. But of course the NFL has such high standards to live up to (read: Michael Vick, Plaxico, insert name of any other drug user, wife-beater, gun toter here)
It will be interesting to see what Limbaugh does with the misquote issue. He probably could make a case for libel as nobody has actually been able to produce a record of these statements. His show is on three hours a day - all the media has to do is listen - but because he never said the quotes they won't be finding them anytime soon.
Blacks and whites can agree on one thing, $400 mil is a whole lotta green.
JFL: I hear you. But let's put this into context. The NFL's attempts at making the sport more wholesome and inclusive does not mean that there won't be the occasional player who has fought dogs for sport, gotten into a nasty altercation with wife, friends or fans, and so on.
Hell, the players don't want him. What kinda football are we going to be watching with no one on the field?
And if Rush isn't racist and is indeed color-blind why does he need go to out of his way to bring race, white or black, into his rants?
If he really were color-blind, as he claims, we'd never know the skin color of any of the people he lambastes...now would we?
Craig: If I thought I could make 400 million stirring up a lotta crap I'm pretty sure I wouldn't do it.
I have to live with myself.
But hey, that's me.
Hmm, $400 million is a lot. Doesn't matter what you believe as long as you can make a vast fortune from it. What's that saying?: It's not a lie if you really believe it to be true? Facts or no, people will believe what they want to be believe regardless.
If he didn’t make racist comments and offend people he wouldn’t have the 6% of Americans that are racist, uneducated, ignorant or all of the above. You can’t listen to this man and not be one or the other. I am sure he believes in most of what he says however he is all business and it is working. Most of America may not like him but in this country all you need is 100,000 or more people to follow you to have a show never mind 20 million.
Well, people are alot easier to lead around by the nose than they care to admit. If it sounds inclusive to you, it makes it that much easier to follow.
We have become a country that is afraid to say anything which just might have a millionth of 1% racial tone. We have become a bunch of whiney, metrosexual girly-guys, going through a six pack of hankies a day. Say anything at all and it becomes a racial incident.
I grew up on the streets of NYC. As 5 and 6 year-olds we had already learned what 99% of adult liberals haven't - that is, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."
Racial slamming has even got to the point on how one eats Neopolitan ice cream - which flavor is eaten first? It better not be vanilla!
Perhaps the libs should remember what one of their own said that no one can be offended without his own permission (or words to that effect) - Eleanor Roosevelt
There are more important issues in life than trying to be a victim and offended. Some people are happy only when they are truly miserable.
Lite Col Bill, In case you haven't noticed most of the racial sniping has been coming from conservatives, not liberals. Limbaugh is a major league asshole. Are you one of his fans, perchance? If he'd kept his big fat white racist mouth shut he might be an NFL part owner by now.
Deno66, PoliSciMETRODC, Lite Col Bill, and Ralph Deeds: Thanks for your comments.
Lite Col Bill: >Racial slamming has even got to the point on how one eats Neopolitan ice cream - which flavor is eaten first? It better not be vanilla!
Funny, I eat my favorites last. Vanilla, Strawberry, then Chocolate. It's got nothing to do with color and everything to do with flavor.
But as to Rush he uses the terms "white and black" more often then a houndstooth or checkerboard designer.
None of this really matters. He may well have twenty million fans. That's great. Good for him. But you should be aware that some proportion of those "fans" listen to him and record what he says so it can be fed back to him later.
Regardless, his comments got him a lot of flack from virtually every person involved in the NFL.
Hell, he recently accused Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson for being responsible for his rejection. Talk about off-base!!!
Ralph Deeds. My, sir, you have a lot of vitriol stored up, and, it seems, a shortage of vocabulary. And, it could be said, a racist attitude toward Caucasians who are not of the socialist/liberal bent.
You could have referred to Rush as "the last stop in the alimentary canal" rather than the usual liberal gutter language." I have no leaders, or no one to tell me how to think. I have no ACORN to tell me how to vote (or cheat the IRS).
Brighten up! You appear to be one of those people to whom I referred as who will never be happy until they are totally miserable.
Regards,
LCB
Lite Col Bill: I'm curious, what branch of the service are you in? I was regular Army.
I'll have to remember "the last stop in the alimentary canal", but I think that's a little high-brow for the Limbaugh crowd.
Before you slam Mr. Deeds too much you might want to read a few of his hubs. There is quite a bit more brain power there than his last statement let on.
Army. RA from PVT to MSG. Commissioned 01E to O-5, in the middle reverted to the reserves. Then to Warrant and back to O-5 at age 60, totalling almost 43 years. It pays to be a ring knocker, but a mustang has it much easier as a commander.
I would also rate the Limbaugh listeners from very dumb to very smart, the same as Obama cult. At least, Rush understands $trillions in debt, the destruction of the dollar and non-ending spending, especially earmarks (which Obama promised he would veto every bill with earmarks in them) and the redistribution of wealth.
The spending bill for maintenance and training for the military has had $billions stripped out for the usual home "re-elect me" bribes from both sides of the aisle as well as for a memorial for the swimmer, Ted Kennedy's, a master of corruption. I think you know that reduced training, especially for pilots (especially Naval) is tantamount to killing our own, but when has Congress ever cared about anything but themselves individually.
"Last stop" may also be too highbrow for the liberal crowd as well. All the brains are not on the left side, you know. To quote FNC, let's be fair and balanced.
Finally, it appears Mr. Deeds is mad as can be at all conservatives. Lack of humor says an awful lot. I've had my good days and bad years, but I can also still smile, even under a socialist administration.
Thanks Colonel: That's quite a career. In fact I didn't know one could go from officer to warrant officer and back again. Hopefully you are retired now. I think you've earned it and then some.
I know how bad cuts in the military can be. I was in during the Carter Administration too. Jeebus we were stealing parts off of each other's vehicles to get them to pass inspection because every order for spare parts went unfilled.
It's possible Mr. Deeds is stirring the pot.
I'm glad you listed all of his sponsors. He is making far too much for his show. You would have to be stupid to listen to him. He is awful, and he won't be getting an NFL team!
For LiamBean: I remember the Carter Admin well. Cannibalization was the name of the game. Although strictly forbidden, it was simply mission over procedure. We learned it is far easier to gain forgiveness than permission.
The Navy does not allow an officer to become a warrant and the AF doesn't have warrants. One reason why the army permits it is the number of commissioned officers who are pilot fight for the few/decreasing commissioned slots so they take a warrant in order to remain on flight status
Colonel: I did not know that. Thanks, I enjoy learning things not previously known. Makes perfect sense.
Forgiveness WAS the name of the game during that administration. I'd get a chastising for "letting" my men cannibalize parts, but was never written up. Of course my "letting" them was a carefully worded "make sure the vehicles are up to snuff", let them figure out what that actually meant.
Interesting times.
It's disturbing how many people actually listen to this guy. I don't get why he had to pick on Michael J. Fox. What'd the guy ever to him? If he'd done that to Ali...
Man it's scary to hear people say someone "makes too much". I guess we really aren't a free enterprise system anymore when we don't want the market to decide what someone is worth. Perhaps we can have Obama dictate what entertainer/talk show hosts' salaries should be. I'm sure that's coming next.
Great hub and interesting comments.
In regards to the debate over the "Magic Negro". I didn't coin the term "White Trash", but if I were to throw it around for weeks, constantly calling prominent White men "White Trash" to a national radio audience, claiming to see if people would give me ownership of the term - it would be considered "reverse-racism"...and rightfully so. Just because I wasn't the first to say it, doesn't make it okay for me to continue promoting it...in fact, promoting it is actually worse. The "Magic Negro" never would've left L.A. if he hadn't given the term such prominent and prime-time exposure. That was intentional and mean-spirited.
I would like to challenge all of you Rush bashers to listen to him. Oh you said you do, but I highly doubt it. 20,000,000 listeners can't be all bad. You must remember that the critics that get through are all in the tank with the left with the exception of course Fox News. I have listened to this man for a number of years and frankly I find it greatly disturbing that there is so much hatred for one man. What is disturbing is that the hatred comes from so many of you that really have never heard him. Listen to him, I DARE YOU!!
Larry.
I've listened to him several times. I find him entertaining for a while, then it eventually gets real tired. No individual or group of individuals can be right or wrong 100% of the times, and because he takes that stance he normally ends up making excuses for more than half of his commentary. He doesn't allow for reciprocal dialogue, so it's all one-sided rhetorical lecture. If you're buying it, he keeps you - if you're only buying some of it, it gets tired - if you're buying none of it, it's a waste of time. He never wavers, he's never unbiased, he's never diversified in opinion. Personally, I don't hate the man, he's a talented and entertaining broadcaster that I find to be oft times annoying. I'm not a big fan of "hot button" jocks, which is all he is. Howard Stern has millions of listeners too. 50 Cent has sold millions of CDs. Having a large audience speaks more to the entertainment value to your target market, than it does the validity of your content.
Fox News is in the tank with Republicans, MSNBC is in the tank with Democrats, the rest play it pretty fair. However, to the Rushites, if you're not 100% on our side...you're against us.
T-Augustus. Very well-said. Please feel free to correct me here, but I believe LBJ once said "When two ( or more, I add here ) people agree on everything, only one person is doing the thinking. The fact that so many listeners fall on his every word, and regard it as Gospel, is rather frightening.
JFL, T_Augustis, Larry, Deno66: Thank you all for your comments.
JFL: It's not that he "makes too much." It's that his listeners are not even in the same monetary category as he. The man is basically making a fortune for making divisive comments. I wonder if most of them know that?
T_Augustus: This is one of the best written comments on this topic so far. I think you are quite correct. When one's comments have to be apologized for that often, then the commentator him or herself may have a problem.
After my response I'm going to go check out your hubs.
To your last comment "However, to the Rushites, if you're not 100% on our side...you're against us." that pretty much sums up the attitude that I get from them. It pains me to listen to them at times, but I do listen. One cannot have a debate or discuss things rationally if there's no give and take.
Deno66: Every so often LBJ would hit one "outta the park."
I'm not a fan of Rush Limbaugh.
But I find it quite funny that you are calling him a racist and giving him just what he wants. Free press.
I don't understand how anyone can be a racist when their top advisor, who is constantly feeding information and things to say, is black. Of course I am talking about Rush Limbaugh. The guy who sits on the other side of the glass and speaks to Rush through his headset and tells him what to speak about, say, or think is black.
Next time, before you go out and try to make an argument, remember that most of the people you see on TV or hear on the radio are fairly brainless. They have people that do the work for them, Rush, Beck, Blitzer, and so many others are just personified actors.
Seems to me, DH76, that your assumption that Limbaugh could not be a racist because the man on the other side of the glass is black is a racist assumption. It would be a mistake, in my opinion, to assume anything, one way or the other, because the man assisting Limbaugh is black, white, yellow or polka-dotted.
DavidHill76 & Ralph:
David: I completely agree that Limbaugh is a paid actor. A paid actor whose inflammatory statements cost him part ownership in an NFL team. This simple fact makes whether he is racist or not moot.
Ralph: Completely agree!
Like all right populist commentators Mr Limbaugh's main job is to find things for rednecks to be-
a. scared of
b. angry about.
Being scared is something right wingers can't avoid. Being angry is something they need (they have lousy childhoods.
The catharsis after the fear and rage is all that keeps many red necks sane.
Racism is a very secondary issue.
Thanks for the Hub. Rush is one of a kind and, probably, in his own league. It's amazing what he can get away with, and yet, nothing really has happened to him.
It seems that he stays on just so people can watch what he says. You know, the train wreck you don't want to watch, but you watch anyway. That seems to be the thing with him. Maybe I'm wrong.
I neither hate nor like Rush Limbaugh and the few times I have listened to his program I understood very well that he was an entertainer. The problem early on in his career was when my very racist relative thought Rush was Right on everything and began quoting him as if everything he said was gospel truth. Then this relative went on to tell us those about happy days as a child making the black servants dance like monkeys and beg for a banana.
When I asked this relative to tell me why one should believe that Rush Limbaugh told the truth about the things she quoted, she got angry and told me I must be some sort of "Liberal Idiot" if I didn't understand and go along with his ideas.
So I guess I am a "Liberal Idiot" because I still do not see how a man who is paid to entertain his audience became like a messiah for 20 million fans.
Also, I would like to know how much the African American man on the other side of the glass gets paid. Does he make a seven figure salary? Do he and Rush Limbaugh go out for a beer together at the end of the day? Does he get invited to Limbaugh's house for dinner? That would tell me a whole lot more about Limbaugh as a non-racist than the fact that he hires people with dark skin color.
The old saying of hypocrits was that they "have many Black friends." (Or, Jewish friends, etc.) Seems we're still coping with our own demons on this, doesn't it?
When I was in the Air Force there were only 4 warrant officers left, and they were soon gone. I had wanted to become a WO and fly a chopper, but ended up as a medic.
Cheers!
Chef Jeff
OMG! I know this has nothing to do with what y'all are talking about, but has anyone noticed how much Sarah Palin looks like Peggy Hill from 'King of the Hill' fame?
it sounds like you hate him because he is sucessful and you dis agree with him politically. he has listeners because he is entertaining and people agree with him. the market has spoken. like it or not. he makes money for clear channel. i am sure there are millions that hate him too. He may have said things that aren't so politically correct but come on, obama said "typical white people", michelle obama said "i have never been proud of this country" obama sat in a church listening to anti white anti american rants.......oh but thats ok right ???? I suppose thats not racist because he is black??? double standard, i get it.
Rush is a product of capitalism or should I say the American way?! Millions of dollars to spew garbage and hate! Who are paying his salary? who are listening to him? I could think of a few better things he could do with his time, but then I ignore Rush. Rush who?
Okay, lame attempt at humor aside, Personalities like Rush will always be around, so long as people encourage them. Love him or hate him, that is the reality of the situation. DynamicS has the answer to that solution.
Ah, I see the advertisement disappeared. That's good. I thought that was rather blatant. Congrats on the super score. You deserve it.
I wrote to the HubTeam email address about the interloper. Blatant is putting it mildly. I found that the "hubber", and I use the term as loosely as possible, had been here for only 33 hours. I wonder how many hubs he "soiled" in that time?
I wrote to the HubTeam email address about the interloper. Blatant is putting it mildly. I found that the "hubber", and I use the term as loosely as possible, had been here for only 33 hours. I wonder how many hubs he "soiled" in that time?
I think I wasted a half hour of my time going to every hub and removing his crapola.
I went to his site as well, and figured that was his sole purpose. I'm sure he thought that he could drum up at least a little business before getting booted? Not a very bright bulb.
I would really hate to remove every comment section from every hub, but I'll seriously consider it if I have to remove twenty (at least) comments like that again.
Pure harassment is what it is.
Twenty of them? Holy cow! That would be a tragedy if the comments sections were removed, but that was a terrible thing that that person did.
Just got back to this hub and noticed how Limbaugh's fans didn't address the Michael J. Fox issue. You know, when he shook his fat sloppy body everywhere, mocking a good man with a serious disease. I noted another hubber brought this up also. I guess they couldn't think of an excuse for this kind of unexcusable behavior and just skipped right over it.
Hmm, I noticed that as well. There was no justifiable reason for that other than stirring up the hornet's nest. That was just in poor taste period.
"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
Maybe Shakespeare had it correct.
I have a way to reduce all the controversy here. How 'bout we don't say racist. How 'bout we just say Limbaugh is just your plain, everyday, garden-variety, run-of-the-mill, big-time, blow-hard, muck-raking, rabble-rousing, opinion pushing, nauseating, repulsive, swollen-headed, self-loving, wanking ARSE and leave it at that. Isn't that enough? Of course the fact that he is racist, chauvinist, and just about every other kind of 'ist your can think of is only icing on the cake, so let's not mention it.
Ralph Deeds says:
2 months ago
Great job. I call him Limpbaugh. Apparently he's a big user of Viagra.