The treatment of Rush Limbaugh

[middletree]

Rush Limbaugh was in the running to be a minority owner of a football team, and when the news broke a few days ago, lots of people had a cow. They called him a racist because he said years ago that Donavan McNabb was overrated because the press wants to see a black QB succeed (a statement that is critical of the media, not McNabb or any other black man). They said he was too loud-mouthed and politically divisive, which would be a good point, except that they let Keith Olbermann do football work for NBC.

The funniest part is that Al Sharpton, of all people, said Rush is divisive. Now that's rich!

So anyway, I observed all this, chalking it up to more unfair news coverage of a conservative, when out of the blue, I was shocked to read a piece by writer for a mainstream newspaper in a large city actually call out fellow reporters for their sloppy handling of this story. Amazing. And well-said.

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/columnists/jennifer_floyd_engel/story/1697353.html

Please note that I don't agree with every word, especially the "it's Rush's job to entertain" stuff. And I don't like Rush. At all. I post this not to defend him, but to express my dismay at the way the press has sided on this.

[Jesuslove]

I'm personally glad the NFL decided not to let Rush become part owner of a team. He's way too divisive. He's said way too many borderline racist comments. I'm not saying he is a racist, but he's made his share of comments made up of poorly chosen words. For a man who makes a career out of speaking, he sure makes bad word or phrase choices often. Allowing Rush to partially own an NFL team would have further tarnished the name and reputation of the league.

[middletree]

I'm personally glad the NFL decided not to let Rush become part owner of a team. He's way too divisive. He's said way too many borderline racist comments. I'm not saying he is a racist, but he's made his share of comments made up of poorly chosen words. For a man who makes a career out of speaking, he sure makes bad word or phrase choices often. Allowing Rush to partially own an NFL team would have further tarnished the name and reputation of the league.

I half agree with you. That is, they are a privately-owned organization, and they have the right. However, they also have a say in who works broadcasts, and they are letting Olbermann work Sunday night games. If they are going to keep Rush out because of his divisiveness, they should apply the same standard across the board.

But before this thread gets too derailed, I'd like to issue a reminder that this thread is about the press, not Rush. Many of them attributed quotes to him that were not true, and failed to acknowledge it. Their bias is showing.

[Jesuslove]

I half agree with you. That is, they are a privately-owned organization, and they have the right. However, they also have a say in who works broadcasts, and they are letting Olbermann work Sunday night games. If they are going to keep Rush out because of his divisiveness, they should apply the same standard across the board.

But before this thread gets too derailed, I'd like to issue a reminder that this thread is about the press, not Rush. Many of them attributed quotes to him that were not true, and failed to acknowledge it. Their bias is showing.


I half agree with you too. I think Olbermann is ok for now. But if his political views come up during the game, then he would have crossed the line. Limbaugh made offensive comments while broadcasting; that's why he got canned. I had no problem with Rush being a football broadcaster, but in my opinion, he crossed the line when he made comments about McNabb.

[VerbumReale]

Did Rush ever apologize for his comments about McNabb? If he did then I believe this is all much ado about nothing. If he didn't then I can understand the hesitance to let him in. It's important to remember that the NFL never actually denied him the right. The ownership group that he was working with severed their ties with him. But I believe this was beacuse of pressure from the NFL and others.

If Rush apologized though then why shouldn't he be allowed?? I mean if Michael Vick can be given another chance (And I think he should have been given another chance) then why should Rush be denied the right to own a team??

[middletree]

Rush didn't apologize,. but he did emphasize that he never slammed McNabb. He was criticizing the press, because they tend to bend over backwards to praise black QBs. And he is right about that. I heard two liberal radio sports guys discussing this the other day. They admitted it, too.

[HumanityisSaved]

I half agree with you too. I think Olbermann is ok for now. But if his political views come up during the game, then he would have crossed the line. Limbaugh made offensive comments while broadcasting; that's why he got canned. I had no problem with Rush being a football broadcaster, but in my opinion, he crossed the line when he made comments about McNabb.

LOL what about the players they allow into the game and the singer from BEP Fergie being an owner with her nasty antics and lyrics- I'd take Rush over them any day and besides this is not about what is fit for the league its about the media taking a shot (a successful one) at Rush.

[VerbumReale]

Rush didn't apologize,. but he did emphasize that he never slammed McNabb. He was criticizing the press, because they tend to bend over backwards to praise black QBs. And he is right about that. I heard two liberal radio sports guys discussing this the other day. They admitted it, too.


That's true. It really was more a criticism of the press. I don't know. On one hand I think Rush should have the right to pursue whatever business endeavors he wants. On the other, I think the NFL has every right to decide what sort of image they want to maintain. But I really think when it gets right down to it, this is really about the NFL buckling to pressure from outside groups. I am sure if we poured through the archives of every public statement made by every NFL owner, we would find a lot of comments worse than what Rush said.

[HumanityisSaved]

That's true. It really was more a criticism of the press. I don't know. On one hand I think Rush should have the right to pursue whatever business endeavors he wants. On the other, I think the NFL has every right to decide what sort of image they want to maintain. But I really think when it gets right down to it, this is really about the NFL buckling to pressure from outside groups. I am sure if we poured through the archives of every public statement made by every NFL owner, we would find a lot of comments worse than what Rush said.

Rush will never apologize for what he said and good for him because he has played recordings of several ESPN and other sports commentators saying the same thing about McNabb ON THE AIR!!!! Nothing was ever done about them!

Also when I was in college I met someone who's dad worked for a professional football franchise and it was well known that the team owner threw around the n-word quite a bit. It has nothing to do with the "standards" (laugh) of the NFL but libbies who hate Rush and found a good way to go after him.

[Jesuslove]

Did Rush ever apologize for his comments about McNabb? If he did then I believe this is all much ado about nothing. If he didn't then I can understand the hesitance to let him in. It's important to remember that the NFL never actually denied him the right. The ownership group that he was working with severed their ties with him. But I believe this was beacuse of pressure from the NFL and others.

If Rush apologized though then why shouldn't he be allowed?? I mean if Michael Vick can be given another chance (And I think he should have been given another chance) then why should Rush be denied the right to own a team??

I personally think it's too much of a distraction for the league. I think many African Americans in the league would not play for Rush's team. I also think Vick is a distraction. And for the record, I was against Vick getting off so easy, and I am an Eagles fan.

[Jesuslove]

LOL what about the players they allow into the game and the singer from BEP Fergie being an owner with her nasty antics and lyrics- I'd take Rush over them any day and besides this is not about what is fit for the league its about the media taking a shot (a successful one) at Rush.

What did I miss? What did Fergie say? Is she an owner????

This isn't about the players. It's about team ownership and league image. But again, I agree that players, such as Vick, should suffer greater consequences for their actions.

[HumanityisSaved]

What did I miss? What did Fergie say? Is she an owner????

This isn't about the players. It's about team ownership and league image. But again, I agree that players, such as Vick, should suffer greater consequences for their actions.

Yes Fergie is an owner. Google her and Miami Dolphins.
Her stage antics and lyrics she sings are more appropriate for a house of ill repute than the NFL owners.

[rich-in-grace]

Nobody in the press cares if Limbauh was mistreated or lied about because he's on the wrong side from them.

[Evanescence]

Eagles fan? Sorry to hear that...

Its a non-issue....his views have nothing to do with his ownership of a team...

[Musicdude]

Allowing Rush to partially own an NFL team would have further tarnished the name and reputation of the league.

If that were possible. :rolleyes:

[Musicdude]

If they are going to keep Rush out because of his divisiveness, they should apply the same standard across the board.


It's not that he's divisive. It's that he's not the right kind of divisive.

[Jesuslove]

Yes Fergie is an owner. Google her and Miami Dolphins.
Her stage antics and lyrics she sings are more appropriate for a house of ill repute than the NFL owners.
I know some of Fergie's music and the BEP's as well. Not sure what song you are talking about.

[Jesuslove]

It's not that he's divisive. It's that he's not the right kind of divisive.

Not true. He made radical race related remarks both related to football and not related to football. He's played on his show, "Barack the Magic Negro". I've never heard Olbermann say something so radical about anyone.

[Jesuslove]

Eagles fan? Sorry to hear that...

Its a non-issue....his views have nothing to do with his ownership of a team...

Several prominent black athletes said they would never play for a team owned by Limbaugh. Why create a hostile environment in the NFL. I think Rush did the right thing by removing his name from the ower's group.

[HumanityisSaved]

Several prominent black athletes said they would never play for a team owned by Limbaugh. Why create a hostile environment in the NFL. I think Rush did the right thing by removing his name from the ower's group.

Rush did not remove his name but you are right he did do the right thing in the situation.

[middletree]

What did I miss? What did Fergie say? .
My humps, my humps. My lovely lady lumps.

[Salome]

Excellent article.

Here's what happened from Rush himself.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704322004 574477021697942920.html

[Jesuslove]

My humps, my humps. My lovely lady lumps.

LOL. I'm thinking you are joking. If not, I apologize. I'm about to roll on the floor laughing. True, that's a BEP's song, but how is that inflamatory? So Middle.. be honest, do you like "My Humps"??

[Musicdude]

Not true. He made radical race related remarks both related to football and not related to football. He's played on his show, "Barack the Magic Negro". I've never heard Olbermann say something so radical about anyone.

I don't care what he said. Whether you admit it or not, if he had said the exact same thing with regard to a white QB it wouldn't have gotten a shred of media attention. THAT...is racism.

[Jesuslove]

I don't care what he said. Whether you admit it or not, if he had said the exact same thing with regard to a white QB it wouldn't have gotten a shred of media attention. THAT...is racism.

I disagree. If he made a comment that was race based against whites, he would have also been fheld accountable. If Olbermann made a race related comment, I'd expect the league to fire him as well.

[middletree]

LOL. I'm thinking you are joking. If not, I apologize.

Yeah, I was trying to be funny. Couldn't help it. When someone asks what Fergie said, then that was what came to mind.


So Middle.. be honest, do you like "My Humps"??

Not yours in particular.

[Jesuslove]

Yeah, I was trying to be funny. Couldn't help it. When someone asks what Fergie said, then that was what came to mind.

Not yours in particular.

You're on a roll!

[Musicdude]

Is it just me or is that song a very clear example of not only the dumbing down of society in general but the objectifying of women also?

[Jesuslove]

Is it just me or is that song a very clear example of not only the dumbing down of society in general but the objectifying of women also?

It's not the most lyrically brilliant song, that's for sure. I'm not justifying it, but much of today's music objectifies women.

[Musicdude]

It's not the most lyrically brilliant song, that's for sure. I'm not justifying it, but much of today's music objectifies women.

Yeah, but I guess most are at least a little more subtle.

[middletree]

One one hand, I see no problem with admiring physical beauty in an appropriate way. On the other hand, if I were to ever catch my daughter singing that song, there'd be major trouble.

Right now she's 8, and sings innocent stuff. Mostly Jesus Loves Me and stuff. But she likes Hannah Montana, and when she occasionally sings a song with any romantic angle, my ears perk up. Way too young to even think about kissing a boy. So obviously, My Humps is out for that reason. I don't judge Fergie for singing it or others for liking it. But my daughter has a different set of rules. :)

[Jesuslove]

Yeah, but I guess most are at least a little more subtle.
I take it you don't listen to rap music.

One one hand, I see no problem with admiring physical beauty in an appropriate way. On the other hand, if I were to ever catch my daughter singing that song, there'd be major trouble.

Right now she's 8, and sings innocent stuff. Mostly Jesus Loves Me and stuff. But she likes Hannah Montana, and when she occasionally sings a song with any romantic angle, my ears perk up. Way too young to even think about kissing a boy. So obviously, My Humps is out for that reason. I don't judge Fergie for singing it or others for liking it. But my daughter has a different set of rules. :)

Understood. Very wise to keep your daughter in check. I don't know enough Miley Cyrus music or Hannah Montana music.