Olbermann on Boortz: "[H]e's also a racist? OK"
On MSNBC's Countdown, host Keith Olbermann named conservative radio host Neal Boortz runner-up for "Worst Person in World" for predicting that riots and looting by "aspiring rappers and NBA superstars" would erupt if Stanley "Tookie" Williams did not receive a last-minute commutation of his death penalty.
Nationally syndicated radio host Neal Boortz earned the runner-up spot in the "Worst Person in the World" segment on the December 14 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann for his weblog post -- noted by Media Matters for America -- that predicted riots and looting by "aspiring rappers and NBA superstars" if Stanley "Tookie" Williams, the Crips gang co-founder who was convicted of murder in 1979, did not receive a last-minute commutation of his death penalty.
Boortz's December 12 blog post, titled "They're Just Looking For A Excuse, Not A Reason," predicted that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) would grant Williams clemency because allowing his execution would spark "wide scale looting" in "South Central Los Angeles and elsewhere." Boortz also wrote, "There are thugs just waiting for an excuse."
Williams was executed early on December 13, and, as Boortz noted on his blog later that day, the event spurred no riots. "Someone correctly opined yesterday that it was too cold in Los Angeles for riots right now," Boortz wrote.
In naming Boortz runner-up for "Worst Person," Olbermann said, "So, the guy's not only got no handle on predicting events, but he's also a racist? OK."
During the segment, Olbermann showed a photo of a man incorrectly identified as Boortz; in fact, the picture is of former Sen. Max Cleland (D-GA).
From the December 14 broadcast of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:
OLBERMANN: The runner-up: Neal Boortz, who was another one of those radio commentators who give free speech a bad name. In a blog posting, Boortz predicted that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would commute the sentence of convicted killer Stanley "Tookie" Williams because if he didn't, quoting Boortz here, "there will be riots in South Central Los Angeles and elsewhere." Boortz added, "there are a lot of aspiring rappers and NBA superstars who could really use a nice flat-screen television right now." So, the guy's not only got no handle on predicting events, but he's also a racist? OK.
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So in Olbermans World, perceived liars are worse than perceived racists, otherwise Boortz would have been #1 on the list by definition. That's duly noted. Of course, OReilly, being the bigger name of the two, gets top billing which really exposes Olbermans list for what it is: a way to link a popular name to his program in an effort to stay on the air.
I don't even watch Olbermann's show, and it's pretty clear that this "worst person in the world" thing is a daily segment. O'Reilly and Boortz weren't even on the list on the same day, so you're comment makes no sense.
O Reilly is 1 on his list so often I thought it was a permanent spot. I wonder who was #1 ahead of Boortz. I went to the Countdown website but they hadn't posted the transcript yet.
The person who won #1 that day is a woman who left her seven month old baby in the back seat of her car while she went drinking with a friend in a strip club, in freezing weather for hours. I'm not carrying water for Boortz, but that's gotta be worse than racial slurs.
For a second there, I thought you were getting a pre-show transcript. I'm just saying, facts matter.
P.S. Yes, Boortz is a boor.
Boortz' December 13th post also advocates publicly televised executions.
Robin Toma, executive director of the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission, said the organization had received "credible" threats of violence if Williams is put to death. There are also fears that Williams' execution could cause unrest in the prison system. For that reason, all prisoners at San Quentin will be locked down during the execution, and there is the expectation that other state prisons will choose to do the same. (source)
And, of course, many might remember those L.A. riots of a few years ago. Almost all of the rioters were black or Hispanic.
Perhaps MMFA could explain exactly what the issue is with Boortz' comments. (See also )
Check this out.
I dont see the part where they stereotype the black people of East LA as future rappers and NBA stars who need a new plasma TV. Yeah talking about potential violence is the same thing as stereotyping one racial segment of a city as being looters. On Planet Wingnut that is.
Isnt the comment that rappers and NBA stars would riot? not prisoners or unknown death threats. Couldnt the death threats be white people? or some of the rioting prisoners be white? When you use an ignorant statement to try to justify an argument you have, and that statement is racist, then arent you a racist? I dont care about who the majority of rioters were in LA....There are riots in all parts of the world by all races. The people I saw protesting the death penalty were a mixed bunch. To say that rappers and basketball stars will could stand to have a new T.V. is to imply they would riot and Iam pretty sure the reason he chose those professions was because they are predominately black...is this really that hard?
The prisoners are locked down for every execution.
It's a speciality of the "New South." (Boortz is headquartered in Atlanta; grew up in Texas; and bounced around a number of Marine bases, many in the South.)
The secret is to play on old racial stereotypes with a nod and wink. It's like a code.
Note that he excused the fact that there was no unrest by saying that it was "too cold for rioting in California." That's an homage to to an old racist canard. One of Reagan's cabinet members, Earl Butz, reprised the canard more crassly: "Blacks only want loose shoes, tight p---y and a warm place to s--t."
Ah, yes, the worst of the old Dixiecrats lives on in the GOP--- and Neil Boortz.
If you're curious to see who helps pay Neal Boortz to bad-mouth and lie about Democrats, liberals, and just about anyone who doesn't goose-step as high as Neal does, you can see some of his sponsors (including Chevrolet) here: [link to boortz.com]
Didn't Ford experience some difficulty brought on by its pandering to extremist right-wing groups recently? I guess Chevrolet is doing so well that it can afford to insult 50% of the population. What's that? Did I hear that Chevy/GM is closing plants left and right?
Sounds like someone at Chevorlet HQ made a very stupid marketing decision.
Note that the sponsor's product is Chevy trucks.
To be realistic, the logic, stripped of niceties, would read: "Trucks are mostly bought by whites with a large contingent who would either buy into racist thinking or ignore it."
Since liberal, anti-racists aren't as coherent nor activist as gays then no one besides the proto-racists who listen to Boortz will even know that Chevy supports a not-so-subtle racist radio chatterer.
Yes Boortz we have taken over the NBA and all major sports in the world. We are taking over the music industry too. No need to riot. Soon fossils like you will be extinct and your children will be worshiping black heroes.
sorry guys
An ignorant man is one who sees humor in white racism.
I live in Atlanta and actually listened to Boortz on occasion, prior to Air America. He is much more than a racist. In Bush's rush to take us to war, Boortz was a flatulent cheerleader. His arrogance was perfectly matched with the administrations. Ever since he has lied about everything from aluminum tubes to uranium from Niger.
Like most talk radio bigots he's a pathetic loser.
I actually think that's a picture of Max Cleland, not Neal Boortz.
That's worser than merging his image with Osama, if you ask me.
At least Osama wants the US out of the middle east.
[link to boortz.com]
Especially, when the race they are speaking for isn't theirs! As you can see, this Booob Boortz,was wrong.I saw no fights or riots.I'm sick of these racist right-wingers speaking out for me.As a black person,I don't even claim to speak for all Blacks, but I still have something to say about the Tookie thing.I look at it this way,If the leader of Ku Klux Klan or one of the nations several White Supremist groups Leaders was in the same postion,I would demand their death and be very angry if Arnold so much as "considered " clemency.So there!
You should not be suprised that Neal Boortz spews hatred.He is a former speechwriter for segregationist governor, Lester Maddox.I live in Atlanta and listen to him often.Boortz refers to liberals as "bedwetters" and "crybabies". Excuse the fact he has become a rich crying over the plight of mllionaires.