Cory writes: "... Limbaugh's apology was not an apology; it was a lecture and a rationalization of the vile, mean-spirited invective that is his trademark. I don't know why or what influenced Limbaugh to issue this statement. I can only speculate that the heat from sponsors, and perhaps from some GOP insiders, came to bear."
Rush Limbaugh takes a trip to Washington, 03/03/09. (photo: Saul Loeb/Getty/AFP)
Cowards and Apologies That Aren't
04 March 12
Reader Supported News | Perspective
aturday afternoon, the Huffington Post front page had a big orange headline that blared: "RUSH CAVES." A photo of Limbaugh was centered underneath the headline, and below Limbaugh's picture was a bright red caption: "I Sincerely Apologize to Ms. Fluke."
But Limbaugh's apology was not an apology; it was a lecture and a rationalization of the vile, mean-spirited invective that is his trademark.
I don't know why or what influenced Limbaugh to issue this statement. I can only speculate that the heat from sponsors, and perhaps from some GOP insiders, came to bear.
Look closely at his statement. The first paragraph is three sentences about his wrong choice of words and analogy of the situation and how "I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke."
That is a lie. Three days of personal attacks on Ms. Fluke was no accident.
The second and longest paragraph of Limbaugh's statement is a garbage-based lecture on morality, and the continued twisting of the issue into the phony theme of taxpayer-funded sex and some gibberish about sneakers. Even as he extols personal responsibility and accountability he plays dodge ball with his own accountability.
Please.
The last paragraph is two sentences ending with an apology for "the insulting word choices."
Where is your accountability and responsibility, Limbaugh? Nowhere does Limbaugh come close to uttering a true apology. He seems incapable of saying outright: "Ms. Fluke, what I said was not only wrong, it was reprehensible and evil and I apologize to you."
But this is not new for Limbaugh, or the network of poison-talk that spews across the AM radio dial and our television on a daily basis.
Limbaugh is the sacred icon for the likes of people like Erik Erickson who called retiring Supreme Court Justice Souter "a goat-f**king child molester." So entertaining was this guy that CNN just had to snap him up as an analyst.
A federal judge sent an insulting email about President Obama and doesn't seem to understand why no one gets the joke.
Rep. Joe Wilson shouted out, "You Lie!" during President Obama's State of the Union speech. But he was not the first Congressperson to insult a modern president. Rep. Dan Burton called President Clinton a "scumbag."
Limbaugh has paved the way for detestable folk like Joe Arpaio in Arizona, who just this week held a press conference to announce that his "posse" of investigators could pronounce President Obama's long-form birth certificate a fraud.
Limbaugh imitators are legion, as are the far-right networks and think tanks that support these hucksters of hate.
And it is profitable. Very profitable.
But let's be honest, none of this is new, nor would it be possible without the full embrace of the so-called establishment media. As long as ABC and CNN and NBC and all the rest of them continue to treat "trash" as "treasure" and provide a platform of acceptability then we will continue to be inundated with this bile.
Once you give hatred, personal ad hominem attacks, racism and lies validation as diverse opinion or equivalent political argument, you have lost decency and honesty and truth. You end up with nothing but a world of Limbaughs.
And, let us note for the record here, no major Republican or GOP leader publicly denounced vLimbaugh for his attacks on Ms. Fluke. They all found ways to cluck and tsk-tsk the entertainer - the "distraction" effect - as they all hid quietly away in the dark, waiting for FOX to defend Limbaugh and rally support from the true believers. In other words, the GOP was cowardly. Afraid of Limbaugh, but not women voters.
GOP silence is endorsement.
These people know no shame.
When they issue a statement of apology it is not an apology to the harmed, but an apology to the money-class and sponsors; an apology for any inconvenience and interruption their hateful words and broadcasts may have caused the steady flow of profitability.
This is the world of cowards and apologies that aren't.
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Comments
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Let's look at the facts:
1. Limbaugh has been married what? Four times & has no kids?
2. Based upon his statement attacking Ms. Fluke, he proved himself virtually clueless for how female birth control pills are administered and how they work. It is NOT - as he insinuated - a one-pill = one sexual encounter. ALL sexually active men know that.
3. Based upon these facts, SOME mean spirited individuals could easily conclude - and state openly - that our super-ego'd, obnoxious Mr. Limbaugh spouts as he does in compensation for some shortness in another area . . . but exactly what?
It sure as hell ain't shortness of breath.
Hmmmmmm? .
At the time Mr. Limbaugh was unmarried, but the question remains was he bringing back because he went to the Dominican to obtain the drug, or was he unsuccesful in recruting any partners? Either way, it indicates his desire for sex outside of marriage; and isn't that immoral?
Rush, you naughty boy! I guess you will just have to resign your job as an advocate of the truth. Bye!
The repubs are a group of men that want to make all the laws for all of US.
And then you have the 1980s advent of talk radio. They got the megaphone and they spew vitriol 24-7 most of which is not convincing but they need not convince all. They just need a very angry and vocal base of support. And now they got it. Rush Limbaugh can skew reality and make unfounded accusation and the FCC is silent. The GOP is silent. The Dems barely pop their heads over the trenches as they cower in the fear they've come to embrace.
Limbaugh's own partisans are happy: he said it out loud, but managed to fool the "libruls" with words carrying no contrition whatsoever.
Misogynist and racist remarks have been regarded as politically incorrect forome time, at least since desegregation and second wave Feminism. This did not negate the fact that misogyny,racism , and relious prejudice was alive. But, it was regarded as inappropriate to speak publicly or admit to it. NOW, we have Russ Limbaugh, Santorum and other GOP candidates spouting off publicly and the media and the public seems to be numb or dumbed down to the inappropriatene ss of such remarks, politically, morally and constitutionall y. What is going on? Are people so angry and worried about the economy that denigrating remarks regarding women, race and religion no longer provoke shame and public rebuke.
Russ's slap on the wrist despite his loss of sponsors does not equate media and public rebuke.
Fortunately,kar ma is catching up with Limbaugh and he's now in hot water, and no matter how much back-peddling he's doing, he will continue to bleed advertisers. Just as Murdoch was forced to unload Beck, Limbaugh's backers, Clearchannel and ABC, will see him as a liability and dump him. The political climate is changing and this type of stupid extremism is becoming less popular. I personally couldn't listen to Limbaugh for more than 60 seconds because this lying hounds whiney bullying voice is such a turn off, but I do understand why he draws a large audience of weak-minded dittoheads. It's a sad commentary on our education system that he's been taken so seriously for so long by so many.
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
May 4th 1970
Never Forget.
Ron Paul is right - without advertisers he's over and it's about time!
Cantor (whom I find the most deplorable politician in Congress) was asked about Limbarf's episode on "Meet The Press" and I'm surprised and disappointed that Dave Gregory didn't blast him! But Gregory had Newt-barf on earlier and again the N-Barf was blubbering that amounted to his "hate" for President Obama.
If the WASP don't see it - no matter what their status in life - they are stupid.
The implication of many of the GOP is that the liberals are not religious, communists, socialists and anything that in the past was considered "unacceptable"
Their reactionary ideologies are transparent to me! And their reactionary beliefs are reason they feel they can insult and get away with it.
Maybe Jon Stewart or Bill Maher will "show the audience" how disgusting, insulting and unacceptable these insults are.
The Congressman who yelled "liar" to the President at the beginning of 09 should have been taken to task BY THE CONGRESS.
Agree with the above - Never vote GOP - BUT VOTE 2012 and VOTE DEM/VOTE for President Obama!
http://lookingglass.blog.co.uk/2012/03/03/limbaugh-s-mental-health-problems-13007258/
If we truly want to see the last of Rush Limbaugh and his many imitators, we can bring that happy day about by only ceasing to behave as so many children on the playground. We must refuse to listen to or vote for the same, and insist on civil and rational behavior in our presence. And settle for nothing less.
"Never argue with idiots. They will bring you down to their level and beat you to death with experience" --Robert A. Heinlein.
Those lilly livered sapsuckers. Could never muster op the courage to tell off Limbaugh. They are MUCH too scared of him.
They will never go up against him.
Can anyone please explain the thought process behind these guys?
The following explains "the thought process behind these guys."
1) It takes courage and integrity to take a stand in times of crisis when
encountering evil.
2) Courage & integrity are lacking in politicians & journalists who remain neutral in the face of evil/wrongdoing.
3)Winning & using any means trumps courage & integrity in politics today.
You conservatives have to stop being apologists for an idiot who is also a known drug addict! You could say he is a very mean person.
The sad part is that George W. Bush did a lot of things that many Conservatives are now very upset with! PLEASE, GET YOUR SHEET in one bag! W proved himself to be far less than what the GOP wanted and that is exactly what those Dems you object to were trying to communicate the whole 8 years!
Robert, I would appreciate a reply.
ALL OF IT NOT PAID FOR.
He left that to his successor and our children and grandchildren. He was an incompetent president and VAIN. He wanted to be a war president come hell and high waters....how correct..the wars and Katrina!! Sooooo Robt we are in the crapper because of all the mess Bush started. HE IS RESPONSIBLE.
However, we can do better, if we choose, as Georgetown U President Gioia has shown with his letter of support to Ms. Fluke.
I've decided to try to respond to the azzhats of the world, as Mark Twain might have: One line zingers, stuffed with truth, but without decending to the level of crass name calling such as we see in Rush's and Breitbart's discourse.
I am not recommending that we do not respond to the stabs and slashes of the wingnut population--I just think, in order to retain our Eleeeeeetist Status, we should do so with some sense of grace, style and intelligence.
I LOVE seeing his ad money swirl and disappear: Flush, Rush!
RUSH
Words, straight from Rush Limbaugh’s mouth, it would be adequate pay back for him to see Sandra Fluke’s sex performance. Evidently he would achieve much pleasure from it. Who’s the SLUT?
Addressing Rush Limbaugh’s many loyal female listeners, and the male listeners who have wives, daughters or girl friends, if any female has accepted contraceptives or is for receiving them without direct payment, you are all by Rush Limbaugh’s authority sluts and ( xxx ).
Not one repug apology to this student. The only person man enough was the President.
http://lookingglass.blog.co.uk/2012/03/03/limbaugh-s-mental-health-problems-13007258/
Not true.
Rush Limbaugh may be sorry he called student advocate Sandra Fluke a "slut," but Ron Paul isn't buying it.
"He's doing it because some people were taking their advertisements off of his program. It was his bottom line he was concerned about," Paul said. "I don't think he's very apologetic. It's in his best interest, that's why he did it."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/04/ron-paul-limbaugh-slut-apology_n_1319742.html
I am elderly and I can honestly say I have never before heard the kind of hate that has been spewed on the American people by not just these radio and TV personalities but by Republican candidates and some Republican's in Congress and the Senate as I have in the last ten years or so .
Democrat's most certainly have more decency and class and don't want to dirty themselves wallowing in the mud with the swine .
For a party that claims to be for family values Republican's have no morals and no class, they prove that every time they open their mouths !
How these right wing christians justify supporting the Republican party is beyond comprehension.
If you have any common sense and decency don't vote Republican !
If you don't want to see these immoral cretins elected and bring us all down the sewer with them then please vote for Obama . He is still head and shoulders above these sewer rats.
Sadly this kind of hate filled behavior from the Limbaugh's and Beck's has been the Republican's brand of entertainment.
I do remember the sex card being played by some of Hillary's staunch supporters way too often over nothing at all when Obama started to win more states and deligates .
Perhaps you can back your statement up with actual facts ?
What Limbaugh said was pure filth , complete disrespect for all woman .
I really don't think its fair or appropriate to compare anything that was said about Hillary during the primary to what Limbaugh has said or what these candidates are saying against woman!
No one called Hillary a slut or a prostitute or said they wanted to see a video of her having sex .
You are taking apples and oranges and trying to say they are alike ,well thier not !
As I remembered it dorian it was Hillary who brought up that whole Rev. Wright thing and planted speculation as to whether he was an American citizen in the crazy Tea Party peoples heads .
Many people including myself and the DNC thought she may have gone too far with the dirt slinging and it could cost us the election .
The DNC tried to reign her in because of that, not because she was a woman !
Maybe its time Hillary supporters put the 2008 primaries behind them its 2012 !
In the 90s, Newt Gingrich circulated to republican in congress a list of 40 words that should be used as often as possible for Bill Clinton. Scumbag was one of those words.
Luntz is not sort of apologetic now about his role in turning US political debate into an insulting match. But it spawned all of the AM right with hate radio jocks like Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin, and the rest.
This sort of language plays very well to the least educated of americans. It energizes them. They are the ones who vote for people like GW Bush, Gingrich, Santorum and the rest.
Orwell basically says that whoever controls language controls thought. Luntz takes that as the main strategy for republican politics. Hence, in the 90s, republicans set out to destroy the term "liberal" and they have pretty much suceeded. No politician will now describe him/herself as a liberal. And our national debate about liberal issues like universal healthcare is very confused.
Limbaugh and his ilk play an important role in confusing the speech and thought in american politics.
modern politics which "Word Philosophers"
(ie), Wittgenstein would agree with rings true in 2012 politics, on both sides. Rhetoric and Sophistry wins elections in the modern world. Authetic Commitment to the issues in the "words" we hear spoken by Bernie Saunders, et al may inspire us but we know Bernie and his ilk are not running for POTUS because authenticity is not what wins elections today. I remember the time and the words of FDR, JFK, Bobby Kennedy and MLK and believe me, this kind of truth-telling based on a commitment to the people and engagement with the issues is non-existent in political candidates today.
The "Repugs" seem to hate women, poor people, anyone who is not white,right-win g Christian, and anyone who's sex life and sexuality they can not control.
I am a Christian and Jesus is my savior, but I also believe in the seperation of Church and State! These "Repugs" do not! Just google "Christian Reconstruction" and find out what they would have in store for this Country If they acquire total power.
VOTE DEMOCRATIC!
Also, Limbaugh can never have an honest debate where he is one on one. Under those conditions, the true Limbaugh comes out; a coward who can only operate from a closed broadcasting booth spewing his hate. The same applied to Beck and now he has been relegated to the sidelines. Lets hope that Limbaugh's latest rant puts him in the gutter. There is no place on planet Earth for this type of behavior.
All this name calling and "outrage" over "freedom" of religion is just there to get us worked up on both sides of the aisle. None of these screamers on the right are ever going to pass an amendment that would end abortion (or contraception or whatever the Right deems immoral today)because if they did, they'd have nothing to scream about to divert the masses from the massive theft that is taking place right in front of our eyes.
So rather than fall for their game and scream about how bad they are. Let's spend our time showing people what they are losing. Otherwise, we're just going to have this same fight every four years, and we'll lose what's really important.
Reproductive rights = really important.
For instance, Santorum is a fruitcake, but he is imploding now -- leaving who behind in the process. Limbaugh's comments is part of that imploding, making Santorum look even more extreme, and further dividing the fruitcakes who follow these two from the rest of the conservatives.
Is this accidental, or is it part of a comprhensive propaganda scheme? I don't know, but it something to think about. It's risky to take ANYTHING at face value, including what may be behind the clowns and fruitcakes, who may be just playing a part in this weird kabuki that American politics is become.
"Surprised Gregory didn't blast him." Really?
David Gregory is a Poodle. He never forcefully calls anyone out.
He lets nonfactual gibberish slip by all the time.
MEET THE PRESS has become GREET THE PRESS.
This, I think, is at least one part of the story that shouldn't go by unnoticed. It tells you all you need to know about the Republican Party these days, including those who think they can do a better job at being President than Obama. Not one of these candidates spoke up on this issue. For anyone with a lingering doubt, this is the party of hypocritical moral reprobates. Wearing the cloak of Christian values while slandering (and worse) the opposition.
These candidates want to start a war with Iran but they're afraid of Limbaugh.
A vote for Republicans is a vote for Limbaugh and their collective vision of women as second class citizens. Might as well vote for the Taliban.
Republicans have been doing this for years and Americans are just waking up?
Limbaugh copies the vitirol pulpit pounding Southern Baptist preachers I was subjected to on Sunday mornings when I was growing up.
Limbaugh and his kind troll for assissins and if you are really listening you hear the angry white male preparing to wage a physical, god given war agaisnt women, people of color and children. As a friend of mine put it, "Americans act like battered wifes and abused children." Will we continue to do that?
A majority of Americans don't share Republican ideology and hateful values so it's time to finish what was started in 2008. If we delay any more we will continue to demand compromises Obama knows aren't good like the NDAA or the dismissal of public option in health care reform. Republicans are not good faith actors and they are driving good people from public service in order to obtain a one party dictatorship. Don't you hear it? Limbaugh has been describing it to us for years.
And any reactionary who posts here as an apologist for Limp-Balls and Bush, beats on Obama -who actually called the target of the fat-brat's attacks, is also a coward and totally incapable of reasoned debate and I'm glad that most of you are refraining from answering these blinkered posts, still void of ideas, just abusive rhetoric; good on ya's!
That said, I can only assume that L' is a very unhappy rich person -he was stopped on return from El Salvador with a large amount of Viagra on him -now that's a sick dug addiction for you.
In this case though, it's hard to "pity the cripple".
If, as I suspect, they intend to dodge those issues and bring back the world of Oliver Twist, then they should own up to that.
It was Don Imus who called those girls "nappy headed hos". He is now on at the same time on Fox Business channel. before that he was on RFD TV. AT least he uses his influence and money to have sick kids come to his ranch and be a "real cowboy" for a week or two. Also teaches them to eat something beside junk food. In fact he is giving these kids advantages he gives his own son.
I was listening the day he said that and I saw the hand of Fate hover over him.
Let's just hope Karma, Fate, or what ever hovers over Rush and then brushes him away for good.
I totally agree with you on the wolves.
At lest Goebbles had a bit of humor and charm (no complement intended but he did allegedly persuade one of his befriended US guards to provide him with the means to commit suicide rather than face the gallows) but they are similar in that they both lusted for material possessions and recognition -and rendered all who opposed them to the status of "the other" which describes the totalitarian mentality to a tee.
Would any of you swap whatever you toil for with R.L.'s supposed &30-$50 million per year to do what he does?
Let us all participate in the movement to remove Mr. Toilet Mouth, and let the campaign slogan be, "FLUSH RUSH!"
(From Eric Blumrich at his old Bushflash wen site)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsWJ6JnwuAw
Rush Sings "I'm a Nazi!"
Or is claiming offense a hypocritical dual standard (I don't listen to either one so I don't get their tone - or stick)
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