Rush Limbaugh on crack.

“Dunadan: I'm not trying to defend Limbaugh overall... and I'm not criticizing ESPN for pushing him to resign. If I were ESPN, I wouldn't want someone in his position politicizing the commentary in a controversial way.

I agree with your perception of the pattern of comments from Rush. I just don't think talking about how racial attitudes affect media coverage is in itself so heinous. I think more topics should be open to rational discussion, not less.”

“From Robert A. George at salon.com


"...black quarterbacks aren't novel enough for the media to engage in some sort of social cheering to single one out. Thus, Limbaugh's basic argument was ludicrously antiquated.

Besides, hardly anything annoys conservatives more than when liberals introduce race into an issue when it has no place. And that's exactly what Limbaugh did.

Is McNabb "overrated"? Different people can come to different conclusions. But the same thing can be said about Denver Broncos signal-caller Jake Plummer. Initially hyped by San Francisco's Hall of Fame coach-turned-exec Bill Walsh as the second coming of Joe Montana, Plummer showed flashes of brilliance with the Arizona Cardinals. Six years later, his flashes of brilliance were overshadowed by a hail of interceptions and sacks. Yet, as his contract ended with Arizona last year, he signed a fat new one with Denver. The Broncos are 4-0 this year, with Plummer playing atrociously in the first two games and very well in the second two.

Given his statistics over the last several seasons, one could charge that he was "overrated." Similarly, one could argue either way that McNabb is "overrated." But with Plummer, the debate just centers on statistics -- as most good sports arguments should. Yet Rush did what he hates in liberals. Instead of the typical liberal argument -- "The man would get his real due if he were white" -- we got Rush's view, "He's barely criticized because he's black."

And so, Limbaugh's analysis failed factually and ideologically. Unfortunately, in the one area where it succeeded -- injecting controversy on ESPN's pre-game set -- it introduced a particularly corrosive line of thought.

It articulated the double standard that blacks fear underlies much of American society: The successes and failures of white individuals belong to the individual ("Plummer's a bum!" "Plummer's great!"), whereas the success and failure of a black person belongs to the race. One week ago, after a poor start to the season, McNabb was being analyzed on his football skills. Today, he is analyzed on his race.

So Limbaugh managed to do in one moment what the media has actually refrained from doing in recent years. Removing their individuality, he has effectively "adjectivized" McNabb, McNair, et al. After succeeding on their own merits, they are once again black quarterbacks for however long the media chooses to continue with this story."”

“I'd have to agree with the gist of that article.

There's also the stereotype factor - blacks can't be good QB's. He might have had as much luck arguing a point that blacks never eat fried chicken on television because the liberal media wouldn't allow it. It's a silly argument and it's not a huge leap to extract racist overtones to his statement, especially considering Rush's background.

I'm irritated that ESPN didn't have an idea that this was going to happen - or that they knew, and went for the ratings anyway.”

“Where the heck has strat been anyway.

I really want his rant insight on this mess.”

“Let me say it first:

JIHAD RUSH!”

“LMFAO, loved the RUSH poster. Buy in bulk!”

“Well, Ped, I can understand your point. It just seems to me that what Rush said was stupid, because successful black quarterbacks are not a rarity, nor have they been for some time now. So, is Rush just stupid, or does he have an agenda? If he has an agenda, what exactly is this agenda? Rush did make it a racial issue, if you ask me.”

“Dammit, Violin. You should know better than that!

If I have to replace one more cup of coffee from having to spit back into the cup so I don't spew it all over my cubicle, you're toast!”

“And....it's not that we can't, or shouldn't, talk about racial issues. We can and we should. But, think about it. Was this really a place for a racial discussion, and was it a topic that needs to be covered since it is a non-issue?”

“Rush's world is still 30 years ago, and this is a hot issue to discuss.”

“if Rush had said it on his radio show, would it be this big of a deal, do you think? is it bigger because ESPN commands such a larger audience? i don't listen to Rush (i did for a while, out of curiosity, back when he was first making headlines), but it seems that if he'd just kept his unfounded racial/political analysis within his circle of admirers, nobody would be paying attention.”

“Of course not. If you listen to the Rush Limbaugh show, you generally get what you expect: Small-minded rhetoric.”

“yes. my point was basically that Rush's show has languished into impotency. he's certainly got himself a lot of publicity. he certainly won't lose any listeners over this (although the drug charges, if true, could certainly lose him some support), and the sad fact is that he will probably win new listeners in the wake of it all.”

“Your point is exactly right, Tar. The dude should have been smart enough to keep his blather to his own show. However, expecting someone that touts himself as America's only voice of reason to have any restraint due to intelligence is asking too much.”

“and how many times can i use "certainly" in one post? sheesh.”

“At least a few, certainly.”

“That remark was so stupid it makes no sense at all. This week the top rated passer in the NFC and AFC are both black.

I honestly feel that his lack of knowledge/research when it comes to football is indicative of his just plain inattention to detail when he's coming up with a position.”

“Yaaaaaaaawn.
This is bush league rhetoric.

Save it for the forthcoming Kobe commedy.”

“There's no such thing as bad publicity, eh? (We all know that crap is king / Bring us dirty laundry)

And Junkie Fascists really are a great untapped demographic... <GRIN>”

“I saw Rush's fat face on the cover of the National Enquirer at the grocery store the other day.


That's where he belongs with the other crackpot stories.”

“I thought Meg Ryan looked better.”

“ESPN hires Limbaugh to create controversy and boost ratings.

When he did they fired him.”

“Well put Bacpac. It's a case of "be careful what you wish for."

I do keep thinking about this thing. The media coverage has been a bit skewed. I didn't realize until today that other people on the program took issue with what Rush said right away. His remark didn't go unchallenged. It might have been more useful for people (especially people with credibility with football fans) to discuss the evidence for Rush's claim - rather than react as if he had said something unspeakably racist.

Dunadan: I don't think we disagree too much on this, its just that I don't think that particular remark was so bad - compared to everything else that gets said. Rush has an agenda, but if we are going to have a line about what people can say - it needs to apply to everyone the same.

I think its true that Rush didn't belong on a main stream sports program.”

“Limbaugh may be a fan of football but he's is an obnoxious jerk to many people.

He was obviously trying to promote his political agenda by implying that having an unqualified(in his view)black quarterback is akin to affirmative action and just another example of liberals run amuck.

S C R E W him!”

“Evidently Tom Jackson took exception to what Rush said and said to the mgmt. "him or me". ESPN would be foolish to lose Tom, he knows what he's talking about Rush's assertion was absurd”

“I think they were right for not going after him about it on-air, as far as the racial stuff goes. Tom Jackson did what he needed to do. Good for him!”

“Hey, Ped, as much as I could enjoy seeing Rush pilloried (sp?), I do agree that fairness should win out. So, what he said was not overtly racist. He is just so paranoid about affirmative action, that he couldn't see that this was not an example of such.
The man is not a genius, just a hired gunman.”

“Gee... a troll (or at least a sudden new screen name) I basically agree with?

I think this quote from JFK is pretty relevant:
"For the great enemy of truth is very often not the lie--deliberate, contrived and dishonest-- but the myth--persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the clichés of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."”

“Excellent, Ped.
PS, don't be scared of my seasonal name, please.”

“Nice words Ped, but do be scared.”

“Awwww... geez now I gotsta try to think of a clever gewlish name ifn I wanna keep up with yuze guyz.”

“You should be afraid!”

“Deadxing?”

“Any new developments on the Oxy-Contin front? Enquiring minds want to know.”

“Just another readon you should all fear drugs.”

“Better to fear extremely large junkies. They could fall on you.”

“Back in 1995, Limbaugh told his audience on the syndicated Rush Limbaugh, The Television Show that people who are obtaining drugs illegally should be held responsible.

"Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And so if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up," he said to his audience during the broadcast.”

“the espn thing was total BS. the PC police will shut you down if you don't play ball their way. i don't think the philly QB was a good example of the point he was trying to make, but it was in no way a racist comment. but there have been several black reporters that have spoken up that copmpletely agree with ruch on this matter. he just has the balls to say it outloud. he has black guest host on his show on a regular basis( dr.thomas sowell, economics prof. walter williams) and bo snerdley(also black) was his program engineer from the get-go. ask them if he's racist.

the drug thing has evaporated. wtf? since when do youse guys hang on every word from the nation enquirer? i mean really. do you really think aliens told regan how to run the country? bigfoot lives in my basement. even if it is true, how can you be happy at someone having an addiction? anyone here ever had one? does tha tmake you aa bad person? no, it doesn't. you show no compassion, no understanding of the human condition.

ya'll are pathetic....”

“Riiiiiight. He's not a racist and he's not a junkie. Keep telling yourself that, strat.

The McNabb thing was pure Limbaugh. He got what he had coming for being a dickhead - righties like him enjoy using the term PC when they forget how to use manners and get called on it.

If he doesn't have a drug problem, I'll eat my hat. He refused to deny it when he had the chance, instead choosing to talk about not knowing whether he'll be investigated.

Bash the source all you want. I agree that the tabloid is a crappy source. It just happens, that every now and then they get it right.”

“you think he's a racist? you think i'm a racist cuzz i'm conservative? i say that makes you just as ignorant and hidious as a KKK grand poobah. i have listened to him a thousand times and never ever heard him say one thing that was in any way racist. if i thought he was, or ever saw evidence of it, i wouldn't listen to him. i gave example proving he's not a racist.

all you do is lie and call names. where is your proof? show us all an example of him being a racist.

critical thought is not your strong point, i see....”

“1. The McNabb thing was perilously close to racism - aka "McNabb is overrated because he is black".

2. I didn't say he was a racist, I said you should keep tellingyourself he isn't because he is your personal hero.

3. When did I accuse YOU of being racist?

4. Critical thinking, again, is not a catch phrase, Mr. Slippery-slope.”

“1, that's not what he said at all. you lier.

2,your implication was crystal clear.

3, i made the logical leap using your reasoning. ie;all conservatives are racist

4, catch phrase? whatevah dood, it's called intelltual integrity. it's a 2 way street man, why don't you be honest like ped tries to do sometimes?”

“Rush....

What a joke.”

“1. Yes. It's what he said:

"I think what we have here is a little social concern in the NFL. I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well, of black coaches and quarterbacks doing well, and I think that 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 really deserve. . . . . The defense carried this team."

2. Yeah, okay. I think Rush Limbaugh is a closet racist who occasionally lets things slip that show it is so. Violin posted a number of quotes from him earlier in the thread that support this opinion, including the "bone in the nose" thing to a black man.

3. You made an unjustified leap of stratdewd-logic. Obviously a number of my conservative friends would be very surprized to know that after a lifetime of friendship with them, I suddenly consider them racists.

4. Strat, calling me a liar does not make you have a sound argument.”

“Yeah, okay. I think Rush Limbaugh is a closet racist who occasionally lets things slip that show it is so. Violin posted a number of quotes from him earlier in the thread that support this opinion, including the "bone in the nose" thing to a black man.
Fear Drugs
01:20:45 AM
10/08/03

I'll plug Scoobie Davis again for every negative tidbit you could ever want on El Rushbo dope-o. He gives intellectual conservatives a bad name (and no, "intellectual conservative" is not an oxymoron.)”

“Here's what Tom Jackson had to say about it:

"It was not our decision to have Rush Limbaugh on this show. I've seen replay after replay of Limbaugh's comments with my face attached as well as that of my colleagues ... comments that made us very uncomfortable at the time, although the depth and the insensitive nature of which weren't fully felt until it seemed too late to reply.

"Rush Limbaugh is known for the divisive nature of his rhetoric. He creates controversy, and what he said Sunday is the same type of thing that he's said on radio for years. A player in this league who has a young son called me this week, and his son now wants to know if it's all right for blacks to play quarterback.

"Rush Limbaugh's comments could not have been more hurtful. He was brought in to talk football, and he broke that trust. Rush told us that the social commentary for which he is well known would not cross over to our show, that instead he would represent the viewpoint of the intelligent, passionate fan. We know of few fans, passionate or otherwise, who see Donovan McNabb ... being somehow artificially hyped because of the color of his skin.

"The fact that Donovan McNabb's skin color was brought up at all was wrong, especially in the context of the brotherhood that we feel we have on this show. Which brings me to my last point, as it turns out, and it's obvious now. Rush Limbaugh was not a fit for NFL Countdown."



Emphasis added by me.”