Rush Limbaugh hospitalized due to chest pains

[LennyH]

You may disagree with Limbaugh's take on this, but to try to run with this and scream "racist" is beyond the pale.

This falls along the lines of what we discussed a week or so ago. Your logic is consistent with that of many on the right. Instead of letting the facts lead you to a conclusion, you settle on your preferred outcome and then build a case to support it.

Just like with climate change.

[Dr Dave]

Oh, please, tell us how Rush is not a Hater.

[Monte Smith]

Oh come on. The example you cite, Dave, is just funny. There is a looong history of making drink jokes at Kennedy's expense. That's not hate, obviously.

[bluenoter]

Oh come on. The example you cite, Dave, is just funny. There is a looong history of making drink jokes at Kennedy's expense. That's not hate, obviously.

There's been a long history of hateful or derogatory speech of almost every sort. It must all be, and must all have been, just fine, then! Let's conserve it all forever.

After all, we wouldn't want anyone to miss out on any fun.

[Monte Smith]

Yes, the world has a long and distinguished history of hate and atrocity, but calling Ted Kennedy a drunk is not hateful.

[bluenoter]

Yes, the world has a long and distinguished history of hate and atrocity, but calling Ted Kennedy a drunk is not hateful.

Doing so as one's response to his death?
 

[Monte Smith]

Kennedy's death is a time for Kennedy's fans to mourn and get sanctimonious about irreverent criticism of Kennedy, but spare the rest of us that sanctimony. On a hate speech scale of one to ten, where ten is Hitler or Goebbels at a Nuremburg rally and one is Mother Theresa comforting a lame orphan child on the death of that child's fluffy kitten, I'd rate Limbaugh's oratory a two.

[kenny weir]

Kennedy's death is a time for Kennedy's fans to mourn and get sanctimonious about irreverent criticism of Kennedy, but spare the rest of us that sanctimony. On a hate speech scale of one to ten, where ten is Hitler or Goebbels at a Nuremburg rally and one is Mother Theresa comforting a lame orphan child on the death of that child's fluffy kitten, I'd rate Limbaugh's oratory a two.

I could agree with you re:Kennedy.

As for the rest, including the examples posted here, I sure as hell disagree.

Giving him the sort of credit you are may seem valid if one considers the ''haw haw" aspect of his work, but ignores the the deeper meanings. In as far as deeper meanings and Limbaugh can be spoken of in the same sentence. Maybe I mean deeper purposes ... IMO, of course.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Glad to see Rush praise the care he got in Hawaii, and laud it as an example of the kind of care available to all. Hawaii has one of the most liberal health care regulations of any state, with 95% of the residents covered.

[Monte Smith]

As for the rest, including the examples posted here, I sure as hell disagree.

I'd be skeptical of those examples, Kenny, as they are removed from their own context and placed in a decidedly unflattering new context, critiqued but poorly sourced. Very few of us on JC would appear blameless if our remarks were given the same treatment, and we haven't been broadcasting three hours a day five times a week for multiple decades in a highly contentious and partisan political radio show. It'd be nicer, but fatiguing, to refute Limbaugh on the substantive ideological content of his show rather than to lay in wait for remarks we can hear badly and get appalled at.

[kenny weir]

I'd be skeptical of those examples, Kenny, as they are removed from their own context and placed in a decidedly unflattering new context, critiqued but poorly sourced. Very few of us on JC would appear blameless if our remarks were given the same treatment, and we haven't been broadcasting three hours a day five times a week for multiple decades in a highly contentious and partisan political radio show. It'd be nicer, but fatiguing, to refute Limbaugh on the substantive ideological content of his show rather than to lay in wait for remarks we can hear badly and get appalled at.

Whatever the validity of your point here, I have heard (more than) enough of him - including first-hand while driving in the US - to believe what I believe.

[Monte Smith]

Fair enough, kenny.

[Jeffrey Wozniak]

I'd be skeptical of those examples, Kenny, as they are removed from their own context and placed in a decidedly unflattering new context, critiqued but poorly sourced.

Sounds like the MSM, Keith Overbite, Rachel Maddow, etc.

Is it any wonder all the news channels (except one) are floundering in the ratings? The one channel that has the left screaming in terror as if they had just been sprinkled with holy water.

[Monte Smith]

I did enjoy the Obama administration's brief War Against Fox this fall. They sat very tall on their high horse for a few weeks before surrendering.

[Dr Dave]

Oh come on. The example you cite, Dave, is just funny. There is a looong history of making drink jokes at Kennedy's expense. That's not hate, obviously.

Obviously.

[kenny weir]

Is the term "dog whistle politics" used in the US?

[stonemonkts]

Is it any wonder all the news channels (except one) are floundering in the ratings?

When you consider how many CDs this putz has sold so far, No!

[ran]

I'm having a hard time understanding why he should expect anything other then the treatment he's been given.

As a good a Christian (?) , am I suppose to pray for his well being ? Fuck him and those on both side of the spectrum that are like him.

Another face in the crowd. While I don't want to acknowledge the influence he may have , the faster he goes away the better off this country will be.

What part of all those quotes was taken out of context ? Which one ? What do I have to do , listen to him everyday in order to understand the context that he's talking in. I seriously doubt that anyone in the media or in politics is granted that. So why should he be given that ? And why should anyone expect that ? I've heard many instances of him and his kind cherry pick out of context things that they jump on and distort , that being asked to listen to context with respect to him , is giving him too much respect. He doesn't deserve that much respect. Taking things out of context is what has made him a billionaire , and the best defense that those who support him have is to ask those who don't- is to listen to him within context? I don't think so and I don't have to and there's not very much context to what he's saying , he is what he is.

He opened his big fucking mouth got his foot stuck in it and back peddled and blamed the very people he insulted as having some type of conspiracy against him ? No one needs a conspiracy. It's the typical defense mechanism of all bigots and racists to blame everyone else for not understanding them.

You can go on all day long talking about context . For those who stand with him , he doesn't deserve your support unless you like him are taken out of context. Bullshit.

And at the end of the day for all of those who listen and worship these talking heads , they're the first to admit that what they do , they do for the ratings and money. So not only are they spewing shit , that they might or not believe in , but it's being bought. I'd like to see people like him and there convictions without the ratings . Nothing elite about him ?

[ran]

And another thing , how many times is someone going to get a pass with the shit that they say.

Howard Cossell , said one thing and after a lifetime of fighting bigotry was hung out to dry.

Al Campanis , who along with Brach Rickey was responsible for Jackie Robinson breaking the barrier.

I know , different time and place.

Did what they say make them a racist or bigot , I'll leave that for someone else to ponder. My point is , that they didn't have the platform nor the exposure that Rush has , yet time and time again this man spews shit that is , yet we are asked to keep it in context ?

That's asking a whole hell of a lot.

What's that argument about porno: I can't tell you what it is but when I see it I know. something like that.

[kenny weir]

... yet we are asked to keep it in context ?

That's asking a whole hell of a lot.

Come now - fair's fair.

After all, Limbo and his ilk would NEVER EVER take things out of context - let alone mercislessly manipulate or wantonly misrepresent their opponents' words.

[Bluebrew]

Anyone who takes the Linbaughs or the Olbermanns of the world seriously needs help. Many of these people have all come forth at one time or another and told the truth about themselves. Recently both Beck and Limbaugh have commented on this. They are simply entertainers and are in it for the money. Those who make themselves followers of these people in any serious manner prove two points made by Americans about America.

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people. - H. L. Mencken

"There's a sucker born every minute" is a phrase often credited to P.T. Barnum

[stonemonkts]

"There's a sucker born every minute" is a phrase often credited to P.T. Barnum

Actually it was supposedly uttered by his competitor, who said it whilst eyeing the long lines of people waiting to get in to the Barnum tent.

[steve(thelil)]

I think Monte has changed my way of listening to Rush. When he tells a black caller to his radio show to "Take the bone out of your nose" or when he focuses on Ted Kennedy's drinking right after his brain cancer death death, it's just good natured ribbing Everybody does it!

[bluenoter]

Is the term "dog whistle politics" used in the US?

Yes (or just "dog whistle")---at least by political pundits, their readers or audiences, and others who have a fairly strong interest in politics.

And many people here have been familiar with the phenomenon for decades, but not under that name.
 

[Root Doctor]

I've always found the best informed people are those who flunked out of Southeast Missouri State and spun Styx records on the radio.

[LennyH]

Anyone who takes the Linbaughs or the Olbermanns of the world seriously needs help.

I don't watch or listen to either, but there is a vast difference between these two. While they are both blowhards, one of them at least attempts to get his facts straight, is a believer in human equality and possesses an ounce of compassion.

[Steve Reynolds]

the difference between the two, Lenny, is that you agree with Olbermann

You don't really believe he wants to get his facts straight unless you are as delusional as he is.

a believer in human equality???


spare me

[Milstead]

the difference between the two, Lenny, is that you agree with Olbermann

You don't really believe he wants to get his facts straight unless you are as delusional as he is.

a believer in human equality???


spare me

No, the difference is that there have been countless books, websites and other sources that point out specific instances where Limbaugh has lied, hyperbolated and misled his audience. The main criticism of Olbermann is purely caricature based, eg. he's pompous. he's a blowhard, etc. Olbermann calls Limbaugh, O'Reilly and Hannity on their bullshit-again, specific bullshit - night after night. Good for him. The best that the giant mouths on the right can do is to keep pointing out that their ratings are higher. Whoopee!! We're more popular, nyah nyah!!
Pretty lame.

Seriously, to think that Limbaugh and Olbermann are two sides of the same coin is absolutely clueless.

[Steve Reynolds]

Olbermann pretends to be a truth teller as you have bought into. Olbermann's schtick is based on hyperbole

At least he isn't Wolf Blitzer or Andrea Mitchell or all the rest of them who pretend to be unbiased journalists

He is simply a committed partisan pro-left opinion guy

[LennyH]

the difference between the two, Lenny, is that you agree with Olbermann

You don't really believe he wants to get his facts straight unless you are as delusional as he is.

a believer in human equality???


spare me

As pointed out, he's a blowhard. Regardless of the fact that he often goes over the top, he believes in and regularly defends equal rights. If you disagree with this then I can only assume you haven't watched his show enough to know. I sure as hell don't see any defense of "human equality" coming from his right-wing counterparts. You can chalk this up to my opinion all you want, but today's version of the right wing, as a whole, is shameful in this area.

So spare me.