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Potential NFL owner Limbaugh declares basketball "the favorite sport of gangs"

October 07, 2009 2:16 pm ET

From the October 7 edition of Premiere Radio Networks' The Rush Limbaugh Show:

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LIMBAUGH: It's not reasonable that you should understand the insanity that local and state and federal bureaucracies are doing. It's perfectly normal and understandable that none of what they do would make sense to you. My question -- OK, a 1 cent sales tax to fight gang violence. What do you spend the money on to fight gang violence? Afterschool program -- don't we already have afterschool programs? Don't we already have -- what do you call it, extracurricular events? Midnight basketball -- I mean, we've done it all. We've taken the favorite sport of gangs, and we put it at midnight to get them on the basketball court. We had 100,000 new cops with Clinton -- we've done it all. And the problem still is out of control. Liberalism doesn't work.

I'm gonna tell you what. If they're gonna raise the sales tax in this little -- Salinas, California, wherever you're talking about -- if they're gonna raise 1 cent sales tax to handle gang violence, then the money oughta go to the purchase of bulletproof vests for the law-abiding citizens when they leave their home.

Previously:

Limbaugh on the NBA: "Call it the TBA, the Thug Basketball Association ... They're going in to watch the Crips and the Bloods"

Limbaugh on NBA fight: "This is the hip-hop culture on parade"

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    • Author by pilotshark (October 07, 2009 2:22 pm ET)
      5  
      LOL>>>>>>>>> oh that get you a football team i bet Goodall will just piZZ himself trying to get that team for you .... NOT

      you would be the worst thing to happen to pro sports,,,
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Conchobhar (October 07, 2009 2:25 pm ET)
        4  
        Didn't he say that Dave Checketts is in this consortium with him? Checketts, if memory serves, used to be GM of the NY Knicks. Last I checked, the Knicks played basketball.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by pilotshark (October 07, 2009 2:32 pm ET)
          5  
          I am not to sure about that. but it would not surprise me one bit.

          but if he dose go threw and look into this buy,, would not all of his finances have to be open for viewing?

          If so i am willing to bet that went it comes time to crap or get off the dime. he will fine a excuse to drop the buy.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by fairliberal (October 07, 2009 9:03 pm ET)
              3
            Why would his finances be open for viewing?, a football team is not a public or governmental entity which would require disclosure.

            I can't imagine how some people gave you a thumbs up for that comment. They are just showing that they will applaud ANY comment by a lib, even if it makes no sense at all.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by foghornleghorn (October 07, 2009 9:19 pm ET)
              1  
              <facepalm> How old are you? Not that it's surprising, but you obviously do not know how the NFL works. Their ownership bid has to be approved by the other owners. This includes an examinantion of assets/finances.

              If you don't want your finances inspected, don't apply for ownership.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by fairliberal (October 07, 2009 10:03 pm ET)
                  3
                Of course the other owners will get a glimpse at his finances , but the public will not, if in pilotshark's words "but if he dose go threw and look into this buy"

                I'm quite certain that Limbaugh is aware of the process.

                His comments still make no sense.
                Report Abuse
    • Author by wolf kotenberg (October 07, 2009 2:22 pm ET)
      3  
      Why ?because prs Obama can shoot a three pointer with the troops an we all know what you think of the president and the "gang ": of "czars ".
      Report Abuse
    • Author by IRONY 101 (October 07, 2009 3:01 pm ET)
      3  
      Yea...and Oxycontin is the narcotic drug of choice of affluent white guys who abuse prescription medication.

      BTW, Rush...I hope you fail.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by foghornleghorn (October 07, 2009 3:01 pm ET)
      4  
      Being an NFL owner is the 2nd most exclusive "club" in the world (behind the ex-US president club).

      There is NO way they will let him in their club. Zero chance.

      About the gang reference, maybe he was talking about Jay Z owning part of the Nets and Usher owning part of the Cavs. You know, being black=gang to this schmuck.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by shaggles (October 07, 2009 5:18 pm ET)
        3  
        Of course gang means black to him and basketball fits his stereotype of black people. I'm surprised he didn't say something about fried chicken and watermelon.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by ricenick (October 07, 2009 3:13 pm ET)
      2 6
      Haven't the Municipalities basically declared basketball "the favorite sport of gangs"? I believe they are the ones that sat around and decided..."What sort of legal activities do these gangs like to do? And how can we try to persuade these gangs to do those activities at a time when they are mostly participating in illegal activities?" The answer that THEY came up with was midnight basketball...Limbaugh used it as an example because it's something they have actually done, and it's not working. Either way we are arguing semantics and if you listen to point he is trying to make (in a rather round about way) it is a pretty good one...Forget about the messenger for a second and listen to the message.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by scubcap647 (October 07, 2009 5:18 pm ET)
           
        The programs don't work because they don't do anything to change behavior. All midnight baskeball did was take up a block of time for people. Half the people I knew playing weren't even "at risk" or "gang affiliated". They were just guys who had nothing better to do and wanted to play ball. After school programs and extra curriculars work if there is a reinforcement of values. This means that the coaches/teachers/administrators involved must focus more on overall conduct then they have in the past. It must be about more than teaching someone a sport and telling them how to win. I am all for funding these types of programs but I find that the people administering them need training on how to be councelors and role models in order to create real change in the community they're serving.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by ricenick (October 08, 2009 12:28 pm ET)
            1
          Would you say you agree with me and Mr. Limbaugh? It sounds like it...maybe I'm interpreting it the wrong way, but it seems to me what the caller is complaining about is that fact that these politicians are asking for more money, for programs that do not work, or as you have stated are not functioning properly. We have a problem, and what these politicians are so blatantly attempting to do is grab votes by throwing money at it. It doesn't matter if the programs work or not...just as long as they can put it on their resume next time they are up for re-election. If these programs aren't producing results shouldn't someone be held accountable? If we can establish that certain programs aren't working and if we can get over the fact that "Rush Limbaugh is an A-hole" then maybe we could figure out a better way to get things done, rather then wasting more of our money...

          People on both sides need to turn down the volume, and start being a little more pragmatic.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by scubcap647 (October 09, 2009 3:22 pm ET)
               
            I agree that there is a problem on both sides. I'm not arguing to eliminate a problem. It has potential. It has merit. It must be funded. But I think that a more hands on approach is needed. Yes accountability is key. If a program isn't working then the key would be to figure out why and hold someone's feet to the fire if it is seen that they are merely neglecting their duties. If it's a bad program all together then scrap it. But most of these programs just need more attention at the local level. Rush is capable of a good point but they tend to be accidental. While he's trying to totally discredit one thing, he may bring up a real issue somewhere else. While he tries to say "all Democrats are bad", he will accidentally point out that a program isn't working properly and needs a fix. Unfortunately his fix is to kill it all together and that only hurts the youth (poor minority youth especially) which is of no difference to him it seems.
            Report Abuse
    • Author by Victor Colorado (October 07, 2009 3:30 pm ET)
      4  
      *Clean up in aisle stupid!*

      Look, let me put it to you this way: the NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.


      This jackass can't even keep track of his own racism.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by soze169880 (October 07, 2009 9:01 pm ET)
          1
        "The Bloods and the Crips without any weapons"?
        ...So, that's just a bunch of black guys in color-coordinated outfits. What is he saying, black players shouldn't be issued jerseys?
        Report Abuse
    • Author by NiceguyEddie (October 07, 2009 3:38 pm ET)
      2  
      I hope he does succeed in his bid to get the Rams. He'll end up with the whitest team in pro-football... And they'll make the Lions look good by comparison. And he can spend the rest of is life making excuses and blaming everyone else for his failure.

      -----------------------------------------------------------------
      He could be the George Steinbrenner / Marge Schott of Football!
      Report Abuse
      • Author by scubcap647 (October 07, 2009 5:20 pm ET)
           
        I hope he doesn't get the rams. They have enough problems as it is. The last thing they need is a clown like him to have some power within the organization.
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      • Author by fairliberal (October 07, 2009 9:13 pm ET)
          2
        In case you were not aware Steinbrenner is one of the most successful owners in all of sports. And if you look at the rosters of his teams they have always included plenty of black players, so where is the comparison?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by NiceguyEddie (October 08, 2009 12:33 pm ET)
             
          Well... OK... THANK YOU for saying nice things about Steinbrenner, and then suggesting that Limbaugh would have nothing in common with him. Nice to now that you think Limbaugh would be a crappy owner as well.

          But FIRST OFF, you're way overestimating Steinbrenner's ability. He did not BUILD the Yankees franchise, it was already the most successfull franshise in all of professional sports BEFORE he bought them. Nor did he create the huge market in the NY Area that supports them. That was a big part of WHY he bought the Yanks in teh first place. It is no credit of his. (If he'd accomplished what he did in Kansas City or San Diego, then you might have a point.
          ) What's more, they went 14 years without a pennant (from 1982-1995) under his reign, the longest in franshice history since their first in 1921. So what do you thnk you know more about... baseball or politics?

          As to my point... Despite his success (and, yes, in some more cynical circles, because of it) Steinbrenner is one of the MOST HATED owners in all of sports. When he was suspended from operating the club back in 1990, YANKEE fans greated the commisioner's announcement with a standing ovation AT YANKEE STADIUM. He's a greedy little prick, a detestable human being, a nasty individual to work for, and a disfuctional manager who's teams had limitted success and even less stability unitl he finally removed himself from the day-to-day operation. In all of those ways, I see him as having a LOT in common with Limbaugh. Limbaugh would possess all of the worst elements of both Steinbrenner and Schott with a pinch of Charlie Comiskey's thrown in.

          But hey... He made some money, SO I guess that means it's all A-OK, doesn't it? (Apples to either man.)

          -------------------------------------------------------------------
          Go Red Sox! ;)
          Report Abuse
    • Author by toombsie (October 07, 2009 4:59 pm ET)
      3  
      If Rush bought an NFL team, would he fire all the black players and sign only white players?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by shaggles (October 07, 2009 5:15 pm ET)
      3  
      "We had 100,000 new cops with Clinton -- we've done it all. And the problem still is out of control."

      Didn't we lose a bunch of those cops after Clinton left office?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by eweston8542983 (October 07, 2009 7:13 pm ET)
        3  
        It'd be a good bet. A number of Clinton initiatives in support of local police agencies disappeared under shrub's maladministration.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by manofmystique (October 07, 2009 7:50 pm ET)
         
      By letting this idiot say any iresponsible, dangerous and hateful thing he wants. A monster has been created. Now Limbaugh has no bountries he respects. He will say one dumb thing after another free of any retribution. Not even stupid Glen Beck gets away with as much as Limbaugh.
      Limbaugh is out of control and he scares people, even conservatives and Republicans. Something needs to be done to stop this racist bastard from stiring up hate that leds white people to form lynch mobs.
      Report Abuse