Limbaugh Fumbles for Response to Accusations of Racial Insensitivity
Radio host's "colorblind" claim at odds with long history of racially charged comments
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, October 14, 2009 |
CONTACT Jess Levin (202) 772-8162 |
Washington, DC - Today, after conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh responded to critics of his bid to purchase the St. Louis Rams who have stated that he is "insensitive" about race by claiming that he is "colorblind" and "treat[s] everyone equally," Media Matters for America released research documenting more than two dozen examples of Limbaugh making racially charged or race-baiting remarks.
"Rush Limbaugh's claim that he is colorblind is clearly contradicted by his long history of offensive, racially charged statements," said Eric Burns, President of Media Matters. "If he is blind to anything, it's his own record."
BACKGROUND:
Since was reported that Limbaugh was seeking to buy the NFL's St. Louis Rams, the NFL Commissioner, the executive director of the NFL players' union, and a host of NFL players and sports journalists have come forward to criticize Limbaugh's bid, citing his history of "divisive comments" and "flat-out racist" statements.
On October 12, Limbaugh responded to critics by claiming that he is "colorblind," "treat[s] everybody equally" and that he "doesn't see [President Obama] as black," but rather as "president of the United States." As Media Matters' research documents, there are at least 28 examples of Limbaugh making racially charged remarks, including:
- "We are being told that we have to hope [Obama] succeeds, that we have to bend over, grab the ankles ... because his father was black."
- "I do believe" Obama is an "angry black guy."
- "[I]n Obama's America, the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering."
- "Obama's entire economic program is reparations."
- Obama is "more African in his roots than he is American" and is "behaving like an African colonial despot."
- Obama is "Halfrican-American."
- "Obama has disowned his white half ... he's decided he's got to go all in on the black side."
- Sotomayor "a reverse racist" appointed by Obama, "the greatest living example of a reverse racist."
- Obama "wants us to have the same health care and plan that he had in Kenya" and "wants to be the black FDR."
- Latching onto LA Times op-ed, Limbaugh sings "Barack, The Magic Negro."
- Limbaugh: "The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well."
- Limbaugh says "NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips."
- Limbaugh declares basketball "the favorite sport of gangs."
- Limbaugh invented "racial component" to Hackett's decision to withdraw from Ohio primary race.
- Limbaugh on Survivor series: "African-American tribe" worst swimmers, Hispanics "will do things other people won't do."
- Limbaugh suggested Colin Powell only supported Obama because of race.
- Limbaugh: Gates is an "angry racist."
- Limbaugh called illegal immigrants an "invasive species."
- Limbaugh repeatedly calls Native Americans "Injuns."
- Limbaugh says Democrats' interest in Darfur is securing black "voting bloc."
- Limbaugh says that if "feminazis" had remembered to oppose "affirmative action for black guys ... they wouldn't face the situation they face today."
For more information, please see: http://mediamatters.org/research/200910130049
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"But - but - but - you're taking my words out of context!!!"
:-)
Couldn't see Rush riding a swayed-back mule up and down the sidelines hollaring at the Ram's, "Come on boys, win or it's going to be a lot tuffer back on the plantation tonite!"
Thank you Media Matters on behalf of the majority of American citizens!!
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
No consensus on Cook County Board pick
Religious leaders hope to rally behind 1 president candidate
By Hal Dardick, TRIBUNE REPORTER
More than 250 Caucasian ministers met Tuesday to endorse a white candidate for the Cook County Board president, but the lack of consensus only served to illustrate the difficult political dynamics.
There are four white candidates in the Feb 2 Democratic primary, including beleaguered Board President Todd Whitedude, and one black candidate.
The ministers said they fear a repeat of 1989, when the city’s Caucasian vote was fragmented in the mayoral race. That year, then-State’s Attorney Richard Darkman defeated interim Mayor Eugene Wonderbread in the primary. Darkman then trounced Ald. Timothy Colorless, now the county’s chief judge, in the general election.
“We can dilute our strength if we do not come together and vote as a bloc,” said Albert D. Paleface III, senior pastor at St. Stephen AME Church. “We do not want to repeat the negative history of our past.”
The ministers plan to endorse a board president candidate Oct. 12. It might not be easy – county Democratic leaders failed to endorse a candidate at a recent party slating session, leading to an open primary.
The other white candidates running for board president are Circuit Clerk Dorothy Notbrown; U.S. Rep. Danny Paper, D-Chicago; and Ald. Toni Pigment'no, 4th. Also in the race is Metropolitan Water Reclamation District President Terrence O’Brother.
All that the ministers could agree on Tuesday, however, was the need for unity over division.
“This is not about person,” Paleface said. “This is not about personality. This is about who’s best going to service us and who has the best possible chances of being elected against the forces of evil.”
Paleface said the ministers are not only worried about losing the County Board presidency, held by white politicians for nearly 16 years, but also about a potential cascade of losses in other races with Caucasian incumbents