I don't much like Rush Limbaugh. The guy is a blowhard at times, and his ego sometimes hurts the conservative cause. He is, however, undeniably the most potent media force for Conservativism, and a master of political strategy. Which makes him a lightning rod for leftist attacks, especially when they can get a cheap shot in, as happened this week by Roger Goodell's cowardly surrender to Liberacity by saying "divisive comments are not what the N.F.L. is all about", which the New York Times noted was "a thinly veiled signal that Mr. Limbaugh's bid ... would most likely not receive support from owners".
What's astonishing is the sheer hypocrisy of billionaires who regularly demonstrate a lack of sense of what regular people think, choosing to believe rumors and character attacks, simply because of political bias. I say this, because there are no actual racist remarks on air by Rush - ever. Limbaugh's friends are diverse and his views far more expansive and open-minded than many existing owners of the NFL. The only claims that have gained traction with Goodell and the media are rumors and innuendo, some of them old long-disproven lies that the New York elite simply hold onto because they like the lie much better than the truth. And let's make no mistake - with broadcast television and ESPN all based in Northeast liberal bastions, the truth doesn't get heard much. Rush probably knew this very well when he decided to make a bid - as part of a partnership, by the way, not as a sole owner, something else the media just cannot get right because it won't support their story - but I doubt that even Rush expected such a bald-faced pack of lies about him to be swallowed by men who, ostensibly, use facts in making important decisions such as the best ownership options for a major franchise like the Rams. As things stand, the fix is in and the NFL will choose to bar Limbaugh from part-ownership of an NFL team purely for his perceived beliefs, knowing that the image presented to the public is a defamatory lie.
And doing so is a very big mistake by the Left. Americans love football, and they generally like the NFL. The same cannot be said of most of its owners, whose sense of the public mood and timbre has never been particularly prescient. This is not the place to go into detail about the many missteps and blunders by NFL owners and the league's front office, though I suspect any football fan can easily recall several statements and actions in the past by a few owners they love to hate. Also, the lies told about him do not change in the least that Rush is the most popular radio host in the country by far, and tens of millions of Rush fans will not be amused by the NFL lying about what he has actually said or done. No matter what Goodell or liberal media wants to say, people know an ambush and won't like it one bit. On a sports channel here in Houston, claims that Obama was out to get Rush popped up more than once. I don't personally think that President Obama was involved in this, although his habit of sticking his fingers into every issue where he thinks he can push things his way does not help him here. The point is, there s no rational reason to oppose Rush Limbaugh's part-ownership of an NFL team. The man has been involved in the NFL, either as media supporting the NFL from when Limbaugh started in radio, to his avid and significant investment in NFL promotions, to his many friendships with NFL players. It's perfectly logical that he should be interested in part-ownership of a franchise. Yet his petition has been assailed, and the only arguments made against Limbaugh have been outright lies and slander, though not in the legal sense - the Left likes Limbaugh as a target, because his prominence as a celebrity means they can deliberately make false statements about him that would cost them plenty in legal judgments if they were to make them against ordinary citizens.
But in the end, the "Ambush Rush" plan is a badly-considered one, and now is a very poor time for such attacks. We are now 13 months away from the mid-term elections, and the attacks on Rush only reinforce the fact in voters' minds that the Left is not only immature, but malicious, and cannot be allowed to continue direction of the national policy. This is just one more reminder to the voters that, while the Right may be disjointed and bicker among themselves, the Left is actively pursuing plans meant to destroy anyone who stands in their way, and that the Left is willing to be deceitful and malicious if that gets it the power it wants. They have not noticed yet, that the public is increasing aware of their tactics, from packing "town hall" meetings with union thugs and shoving real constituents out the door, to refusing to allow Republicans participation in debate of major bills, then pretending that no alternatives have been offered, to the false and defamatory attacks on anyone who dares to call them on their tactics and behavior. The longer the Left keeps up this behavior, the more 2010 may look like 1994.
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Comments (19)
Goodell and the NFL owners ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Oldflyer | October 14, 2009 9:59 AM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Goodell and the NFL owners are reacting exactly the way that I would expect from an organization that adopted the "Rooney Rule".
1. Posted by Oldflyer | October 14, 2009 9:59 AM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 09:59
2. Posted by recovering liberal democrat | October 14, 2009 10:03 AM | Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
You nailed it DJ. What would be fun is if the sale is approved, the first game the Rams play would be against the Eagles and McNabb. Olby's head would pop on Sunday Night Football.
2. Posted by recovering liberal democrat | October 14, 2009 10:03 AM |
Score: 9 (9 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 10:03
3. Posted by hcddbz | October 14, 2009 10:10 AM | Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
Let see anyone see a pattern here?
Tea Party RACIST!
Against Healthcare RACIST
Rush to buy a team don't let him because he is Racist
3. Posted by hcddbz | October 14, 2009 10:10 AM |
Score: 12 (12 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 10:10
4. Posted by jp2 | October 14, 2009 10:28 AM | Score: -22 (24 votes cast)
"Take that bone out of your nose and call me back."
"Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?"
"The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies."
Not sure if you know what the word "racist" means...
Where have lies and slander been used? Can you cite some sources? Quotes?
A more interesting exploration would be the players union and the players themselves who have come out against this idea.
4. Posted by jp2 | October 14, 2009 10:28 AM |
Score: -22 (24 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 10:28
5. Posted by Michael | October 14, 2009 10:36 AM | Score: 14 (16 votes cast)
jp2 - just cause ya say so don't make it true. Just the opposite with you. Site concrete sources please.
5. Posted by Michael | October 14, 2009 10:36 AM |
Score: 14 (16 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 10:36
6. Posted by JustRuss | October 14, 2009 11:10 AM | Score: 15 (17 votes cast)
I don't think "Racist/ism" means what most lefties wish it meant.
Thankyou Miriam Webster Dictionary
And in case you are unclear on that other word.
"Take that bone out of your nose and call me back."
This refers to backward beliefs like WitchDoctoring(tm), being unwilling to see the truth because you are too set it your ways or have a closed mind. Just because the image that pops to mind is of a black man does not mean it is racist. Besides I think this is a Hannity remark.
"Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?"
Just because Jesse Jackson and an overwhelming percentage of wanted criminals are black does not mean this is a racist remark. It is simply an observation, though admittedly in poor taste.
"The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies."
When was the last time you saw a bunch of white people rioting and breaking into storefronts because of some percieved racist arrest or attrocity? The idea of the NAACP was a good one at its inception but more and more its sole purpose seems to be to protect criminals of color.
I dont listen to Limbaugh any longer because he annoys me. But I am tired of not being able to make an observation about skin color without being called racist.
It is not the color of their skin that makes people dead beats or criminal. It is the culture they grow up in. If you want to call me a Xenophobe I might agree with you. People who come from violent and hateful cultures do indeed scare me, but it has nothing to do with race.
I just hate violent and hateful people, be they white, black, brown, yellow or purple!
6. Posted by JustRuss | October 14, 2009 11:10 AM |
Score: 15 (17 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:10
7. Posted by _Mike_ | October 14, 2009 11:24 AM | Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
It seems that the problem in the comments is a matter of definition. JustRuss has offered the official definition of 'racist'. I'll added the Leftist definition.
rac·ist:
one who utters a non-positive comment about a person or an idea proposed by a person whose skin is not white (see also blasphemy).
7. Posted by _Mike_ | October 14, 2009 11:24 AM |
Score: 11 (11 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:24
8. Posted by bryanD | October 14, 2009 11:31 AM | Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
I'll predict that Rush is blackballed because the modern American team-sports-o-tainment business is in the business of maintaining a care-free universe spiced only with disabled reserve lists and free-agent kerfuffles, populated solely by fathers and sons eating $8 hotdogs and $5 Cokes.
Real Life ist verbotten!
All intruders will be Disabled (NASCAR "con$ulting" Jesse Jackson)
Or Destroyed (Schotts, Rose, Jimmy the Greek).
That's my guess.
8. Posted by bryanD | October 14, 2009 11:31 AM |
Score: 6 (8 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:31
9. Posted by Dwayne "the canoe guy" | October 14, 2009 11:44 AM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Oooooo! You just said 'blackballed'
RACIST!!!!
RACIST!!!!
9. Posted by Dwayne "the canoe guy" | October 14, 2009 11:44 AM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:44
10. Posted by Gmac | October 14, 2009 11:53 AM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
"Surely those comments listed by jp2 have NOTHING to do with race"
Why, NO, actually they don't but they have everything to do with the both of you being BIGOTS.
Do come back when your cognitive abilities to recognize unverified statements rises above the 1st grade level, schmuck.
10. Posted by Gmac | October 14, 2009 11:53 AM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:53
11. Posted by iwogisdead | October 14, 2009 12:08 PM | Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
I heard a rumor that Limbaugh's grandmother was a typical white woman.
11. Posted by iwogisdead | October 14, 2009 12:08 PM |
Score: 10 (10 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 12:08
12. Posted by Madalyn | October 14, 2009 12:17 PM | Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
What is more detrimental to society in regards to Rush Limbaugh being a co-owner of an NFL team? A radio talk show host who "May" have said something racist, or an NFL player who commits violent crimes? I say let Rush buy into the Rams. He can't do any more harm than some of the players in the NFL. I would say that this racist crap has gotten out of hand. If I even mention anything that is not praising of a black person, then I am called a racist. If a black NFL player commits a crime, he is a hero. Some leadership we have here. Also, who are the most racist people in America toay? Al Sharpton, Rev Jesse Jackson, and Rev Wright. Now, let's all take a guess as to what color they are. Let's call a racist a racist and lay off those who are not.
Madalyn
12. Posted by Madalyn | October 14, 2009 12:17 PM |
Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 12:17
13. Posted by klrtz1 | October 14, 2009 12:27 PM | Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
I like Rush Limbaugh. His radio show is entertaining.
Former Kleagle Senator Robert Byrd is not considered to be a racist by the liberal trolls here.
Fact.
13. Posted by klrtz1 | October 14, 2009 12:27 PM |
Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 12:27
14. Posted by 914 | October 14, 2009 12:39 PM | Score: 8 (10 votes cast)
" Also, who are the most racist people in America toay? Al Sharpton, Rev Jesse Jackson, and Rev Wright. Now, let's all take a guess as to what color they are"
You forgot screwy Louie and Jimah Cotter.
14. Posted by 914 | October 14, 2009 12:39 PM |
Score: 8 (10 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 12:39
15. Posted by Peter F. | October 14, 2009 5:48 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I'd like to point out that this is the same group of NFL owners that apparently have no problem with the way owners like Al Davis (Oakland), Jerry Jones (Dallas), Randy Lerner (Cleveland), Dan Snyder (Washington) and others run their franchines--mostly into the ground--or with the bombastic and often stupid things they say (far more than Rush).
And the opposition to them?
Crickets and tumbleweeds, baby.
15. Posted by Peter F. | October 14, 2009 5:48 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 17:48
16. Posted by WildWillie | October 14, 2009 7:07 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Also the same NFL that allows criminals to play in the american sport. How about Vick? I find their faux outrage a joke. ww
16. Posted by WildWillie | October 14, 2009 7:07 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 19:07
17. Posted by Marc | October 14, 2009 7:52 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
"Al Davis (Oakland), Jerry Jones (Dallas), Randy Lerner (Cleveland), Dan Snyder (Washington) and others"
Not to mention the nut that packed his team up in the middle of the night and shipped them off to Indy.
17. Posted by Marc | October 14, 2009 7:52 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 19:52
18. Posted by Peter F. | October 15, 2009 12:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Not to mention the nut that packed his team up in the middle of the night and shipped them off to Indy.
That would be Robert Irsay, the father of Jim Irsay who's the asshat who proclaimed Rush would meet resistance from the other 32 owners. Righteous posturing by hypocrites truly belongs as a show on Comedy Central, don't you think, Marc?
18. Posted by Peter F. | October 15, 2009 12:16 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 15, 2009 12:16
19. Posted by chris | October 15, 2009 2:13 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Good for the league!!!
19. Posted by chris | October 15, 2009 2:13 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 15, 2009 14:13