Rush Limbaugh Resigns from ESPN after Racist Remark

[Chewbacca]

Is Rush a racist? I found an old article that details some interesting things he has said and leads me to believe his opinion about the QB wasn't based on any sort of objective analysis of the media, but based on his ignorant and well documented bias:

http://www.fair.org/articles/limbaugh-color.html

As a young broadcaster in the 1970s, Limbaugh once told a black caller: "Take that bone out of your nose and call me back." A decade ago, after becoming nationally syndicated, he mused on the air: "Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?" In 1992, on his now-defunct TV show, Limbaugh expressed his ire when Spike Lee urged that black schoolchildren get off from school to see his film Malcolm X: "Spike, if you're going to do that, let's complete the education experience. You should tell them that they should loot the theater, and then blow it up on their way out." In a similar vein, here is Limbaugh's mocking take on the NAACP, a group with a ninety-year commitment to nonviolence: "The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies." When Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL) was in the U.S. Senate, the first black woman ever elected to that body, Limbaugh would play the "Movin' On Up" theme song from TV's "Jeffersons" when he mentioned her. Limbaugh sometimes still uses mock dialect -- substituting "ax" for "ask"-- when discussing black leaders. Such quotes and antics -- many compiled by Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR) for our 1995 book -- offer a whiff of Limbaugh's racial sensibility. So does his claim that racism in America "is fueled primarily by the rantings and ravings" of people like Jesse Jackson. Or his ugly reference two years ago to the father of Madonna's first child, a Latino, as "a gang-member type guy" -- an individual with no gang background. In 1994, Limbaugh mocked St. Louis for building a rail line to East St. Louis "where nobody goes." East St. Louis is home to roughly 40,000 residents -- 98 percent of whom are African-Americans. One of its 40,000 "nobodies" is star NFL linebacker Bryan Cox. Once, in response to a caller arguing that black people need to be heard, Limbaugh responded: "They are 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?" That's not an unusual response for a talk radio host playing to an audience of "angry white males." It may not play so well among National Football League players, 70 percent of whom are African American.

[ 10-03-2003, 10:11 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

[John D Harris]

Very interesting Chewwie by chance did this source also mention Rush's slogan about "Illustrating absurdity by being absurd"? A slogan he used for at least 10 years starting in 1992, A slogan he used on his radio show and tv show as much as his other slogans "Half my brain tied behind my back just to make it fair" or "Talent on loan from God". I seriously doubt the source mentioned the "Illustrating absurdity by being absurd" Because if they did it would show that Most of Rush's outrageous absurd statments were said to illustrate something he believed to be absurd. But then I guess Since he is a conservative He's not alowed to have an opinion, and believe somethings are absurd. Or wait I guess since he came out and said he was "Illustrating Absurdity by being absurd" he really meant it when he came out and made absurd statments, and wasn't "Illustrating absurdity by being absurd".

NICE view if Diversity liberals, I guess it's ok to say Republicans and conservatives want to Children to starve, old people to die, and if you elect a Republican another Black Church will burn (A radio Campaign ad Aired in 2000 & 2002, Where?...St. Louis metro area which just so happens to include East St. Louis.)

[khazadman]

I refuse to believe anything that comes from FAIR. After all, if they have all this stuff on R.H Limbaugh III, then why didn't they try to collect the million dollar reward El Rushbo had for anyone who could prove he ever said anything racist or anti-semitic?

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by Chewbacca: As a young broadcaster in the 1970s, Limbaugh once told a black caller: "Take that bone out of your nose and call me back."

I'd like to know the context. What's offensive about it? If someone speaks Ebonics, I call them on it. It's not a language. Swahili has verb tenses, and they have a purpose. Same with English. If the bone/nose thing is in and of itself offensive, let me remind you of the 70s. Oh, wait, lemme get out my Good Times and Jeffersons reruns so you can see it for yourself.

A decade ago, after becoming nationally syndicated, he mused on the air: "Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?"

[img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img] Y'know, you may hate it, but he's got a point.

In 1992, on his now-defunct TV show, Limbaugh expressed his ire when Spike Lee urged that black schoolchildren get off from school to see his film Malcolm X: "Spike, if you're going to do that, let's complete the education experience. You should tell them that they should loot the theater, and then blow it up on their way out."

Why just the black children, Spike? Is Cheers a "now-defunct" TV show? Is Spike's movie career "now defunct?" What a lame choice of words. Oh please, allmighty newswriter, lead me by the nose. Which may or may not have a bone in it.

Look, the only thing Malcolm X ever preached in his life worth hearing was near the end when he basically said, "Oh, oooops, I had it all wrong." Teaching young blacks/whites any other of his words is teaching bigotry. If you're going to give our kids texts about the "white devils," I demand you also give them a good KKK primer on the "lesser races" to balance out their view.

In a similar vein, here is Limbaugh's mocking take on the NAACP, a group with a ninety-year commitment to nonviolence: "The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies."

Well, it ain't real funny, and it ain't real on point. Limbaugh's not the sharpest stake in the coffin. However, calling the NAACP "nonviolent" is like calling Arnie "non-beefcake" or Carrot Top "non-annoying." In fact, their violence is the worst kind. They look for people they don't like to make an innocent slip-up, then demonize them, villify them, and demand we rip them apart.

Again, let me be clear. SCREW YOU NAACP. SCREW YOUR ORGANIZATION AND EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER SAID. You are not about fairness or equality, you are about ADVANCEMENT of COLORED PEOPLE. That is called bigotry. You are the evil that makes me retreat from the realm of fairness and justice and into the realm of believing in the ADVANCEMENT of WHITE PEOPLE. For if we are not to each advance, then we should neither advance.

When Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL) was in the U.S. Senate, the first black woman ever elected to that body, Limbaugh would play the "Movin' On Up" theme song from TV's "Jeffersons" when he mentioned her. Limbaugh sometimes still uses mock dialect -- substituting "ax" for "ask"-- when discussing black leaders.

They axed for it. Teachers promoting Ebonics standing outside LA classrooms with "I be the teacher" written on their T-shirts axed for it. Learn to speak the common language or I be makin' fun of you for trippin and being a foo. Fo Sheezy.

Once, in response to a caller arguing that black people need to be heard, Limbaugh responded: "They are 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?" That's not an unusual response for a talk radio host playing to an audience of "angry white males." It may not play so well among National Football League players, 70 percent of whom are African American.

Which is why we should have quotas in pro sports requiring a certain amount of whites be gainfully employed. [img]tongue.gif[/img] Look, while Rush again is off the mark here and into Conservative Lala Land, the 12% is a GOOD POINT. Just how much of the country's welfare goes to this 12%? 12%? Pfft... not. I'm not going to rail on 12% too terribly much, because I'm not sure it's an accurate number (maybe it's 14%, or 18% -- I don't know). I just want to point out that in any situation where a school has more than 12% (for example -- but, I mean the national percentage of blacks in the population) blacks or when a workplace has more than 12% blacks, the minority group is actually being OVER-REPRESENTED. I mean, are we striving for balance or not?

[ 10-07-2003, 05:11 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]

[Chewbacca]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Well, it ain't real funny, and it ain't real on point. Limbaugh's not the sharpest stake in the coffin. However, calling the NAACP "nonviolent" is like calling Arnie "non-beefcake" or Carrot Top "non-annoying." In fact, their violence is the worst kind. They look for people they don't like to make an innocent slip-up, then demonize them, villify them, and demand we rip them apart. Again, let me be clear. SCREW YOU NAACP. SCREW YOUR ORGANIZATION AND EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER SAID. You are not about fairness or equality, you are about ADVANCEMENT of COLORED PEOPLE. That is called bigotry. You are the evil that makes me retreat from the realm of fairness and justice and into the realm of believing in the ADVANCEMENT of WHITE PEOPLE. For if we are not to each advance, then we should neither advance.

Screw you "angry white guys" who ignore the statistics of racial disparity as well as ignore history. Thanks making more racial problems rather than helping find solutions.

From the NAACP website: http://www.naacp.org/past_future/index.html Since its inception the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was poised for a long, tumultuous and rewarding history. Although it may be possible to chronicle the challenging and harrowing legacy of the NAACP, the real story of the nation's most significant civil rights organization lies in the hearts and minds of the people who would not stand still while the rights of some of America's darker citizens were denied. From the ballot box to the classroom, the dedicated workers, organizers, and leaders who forged this great organization and maintain its status as a champion of social justice, fought long and hard to ensure that the voices of African Americans would be heard. The legacy of those pioneers such as W.E.B DuBois, Thurgood Marshall and Roy Wilkens and the hundreds of thousands of nameless faces who worked tirelessly can not and must not be forgotten.. The history of the NAACP, is one of blood sweat and tears. From bold investigations of mob brutality, protests of mass murders, segregation and discrimination, to testimony before congressional committees on the vicious tactics used to bar African Americans from the ballot box, it was the talent and tenacity of NAACP members that saved lives and changed many negative aspects of American society. While much of its history is chronicled in books, articles, pamphlets and magazines, the true movement lies in the faces---black, white, yellow, red , and brown---united to awaken the conscientiousness of a people, and a nation. This is the legacy of the NAACP!

[Timber Loftis]

You know, I thought we had reached an understanding about this in the BAKE SALE THREAD. You seem to be accusing me of things you began accusing me of there. Did we even have that discussion, or am I hallucinating. But, thanks for allowing me my free opinion, it's real big of you. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

I don't qualify for is "angry white guy," guy. I just get pissed when people contort something to mean what it is not. And, I don't forget history. But, as I've said, it is inequitable and illogical to punish someone for acts they did not commit. Ugh.... I give up.

[Chewbacca]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: You know, I thought we had reached an understanding about this in the BAKE SALE THREAD. You seem to be accusing me of things you began accusing me of there. Did we even have that discussion, or am I hallucinating. But, thanks for allowing me my free opinion, it's real big of you. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] I don't qualify for is "angry white guy," guy. I just get pissed when people contort something to mean what it is not. And, I don't forget history. But, as I've said, it is inequitable and illogical to punish someone for acts they did not commit. Ugh.... I give up.

Hey T.L.,

I did not and have not accused you of anything. If I have, I would expect a direct and thourough rebuttal.

You did write "SCREW YOU NAACP. SCREW YOUR ORGANIZATION AND EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER SAID." The bold letters suggest anger in my opinion. Besides my comments about angry white guys wasn't aimed towards you personally anymore than your comments about the NAACP was aimed towards me personally.

And your ( I suppose) sarcasm about having a free opinion? Am I not allowed to freely have a differing opinion? You expect to attack the NAACP and one of its sympathizers isn't gonna stand up with a rebuttal? Where is the common ground here?

[Timber Loftis]

Hey, I felt an accusation was being levelled. That's all. I wouldn't have whined about the "freedom of thought" otherwise.

Y'know I saw a panopoly of people on TV tonight who have shared adjoining trailers or other similar situations with Arnie on movie sets -- and THEY came right out and said that with the guys, he's generally a guy, around ladies he's less overt and polite, and he's generally a respectful guy. I'm not saying the isolated incidents alleged aren't true -- but I am hoping they are overblown.