Limbaugh twice used word "spade" during discussion of Obama
SUMMARY: One week after claiming that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's suggestion that Sen. Barack Obama "has not done the kind of spadework" that Clinton has done was "not coincidental," Rush Limbaugh returned to the subject on his January 14 show. While discussing Obama, Limbaugh twice used the word "spade," which can be used as a racial slur. Specifically, Limbaugh said that "Obama is holding his own against both of them [Bill and Hillary Clinton], doing more than his share of the 'spadework,' maybe even gaining ground at the moment, using not only the spade, ladies and gentlemen. But when he finishes with the spade in the garden of corruption planted by the Clintons, he turns to the hoe. And so the spadework and his expertise, using a hoe. He's faring well." "Spadework" is a common term among political figures and the media.
On the January 7 edition of The Rush Limbaugh Show, host Rush Limbaugh said that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-NY) suggestion that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) "has not done the kind of spadework" that Clinton has done was "not coincidental," given, he said, that "this is the bunch that suppresses black people in the Democrat [sic] Party." Limbaugh returned to the topic on the January 14 edition of his nationally syndicated radio show. But this time, while discussing Obama, Limbaugh twice used the word "spade," which can be used as a racial slur. Specifically, Limbaugh said that "Obama is holding his own against both of them [Bill and Hillary Clinton], doing more than his share of the 'spadework,' maybe even gaining ground at the moment, using not only the spade, ladies and gentlemen. But when he finishes with the spade in the garden of corruption planted by the Clintons, he turns to the hoe. And so the spadework and his expertise, using a hoe. He's faring well." "Spadework" is used commonly among political figures and the media to describe efforts by individuals of all races to lay groundwork for various initiatives or campaigns.
Limbaugh discussed Clinton's reference to "spadework" after it aired on NBC's Today; the remark originally aired on NBC's Nightly News. Limbaugh also posted his January 14 monologue on YouTube.
On the January 7 edition of The Rush Limbaugh Show, Limbaugh said: "Did you hear what Mrs. Clinton said on the Today show today with Matt Lauer? She said that Barack Obama 'hasn't done the spadework necessary to be president.' " Limbaugh then asked: "Now, let's imagine, shall we, if Trent Lott, or Mitt Romney, or Ross Perot had said that Barack Obama 'hasn't done the spadework necessary to be president.' Nothing that happens in the Clinton campaign is coincidence, folks. Barack Obama hasn't done the 'spadework'? Whew. Where is the Reverend [Al] Sharpton on this?" Limbaugh later added that Clinton's comment "is not coincidental. I guaran-damn-tee you. Look, this is the bunch that suppresses black people in the Democrat [sic] Party. From Maynard Jackson, to Carl McCall, to the Reverend [Jesse] Jackson, to Al Sharpton, these are the people that when the blacks get too 'uppity,' they get stomped down."
Returning to the subject on the January 14 edition of his radio program, Limbaugh declared: "For all of her [Clinton's] BS about being a victim and piling on, Obama is holding his own against both of them [Bill and Hillary Clinton], doing more than his share of the 'spadework,' maybe even gaining ground at the moment, using not only the spade, ladies and gentlemen. But when he finishes with the spade in the garden of corruption planted by the Clintons, he turns to the hoe. And so the spadework and his expertise, using a hoe. He's faring well."
Various dictionary definitions of the word "spade" as a noun note that the word can be used as a racial slur: "Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a black person"; "Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a Black person'; "Derogatory meaning 'black person' is 1928, from the color of the playing card symbol"; or "(ethnic slur) extremely offensive name for a Black person."
In a June 5, 2004, Daily Telegraph article, Michael Quinion, founder of World Wide Words and contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary, wrote that most people "know that 'spade' is a rather outmoded derogatory slang term for an African-American" and explained the term originating from "the suit of cards":
Many people in the USA regard "call a spade a spade" as a racist comparison -- or worry that it might be thought so -- and there have been complaints about those who have used it. It is rare to find it in American newspapers, and writers are often advised to avoid it.
For example, Rosalie Maggio, in The Bias-Free Word-Finder (1992), writes: "The expression is associated with a racial slur and is to be avoided," and recommends using "to speak plainly" or other alternatives instead.
There's a considerable misunderstanding behind all this. The spade in the idiom isn't the same spade as in the slang term. The first is undoubtedly the digging implement; the second is the suit of cards.
In the latter case, the allusion was to the colour of the suit, and originally appeared in the fuller form "as black as the ace of spades". The abbreviated form "spade" seems to have grown up in the early part of the last century (it first appears in print in the 1920s). Though they're the same word historically -- both derive from Greek spathe[macr], for a blade or paddle -- the one you dig with came into Old English from an intermediate Germanic source, while the card sense arrived via Italian spade, the plural of spada, a sword.
Later in his January 14 radio program, purporting to respond to "popular demand," Limbaugh repeated the opening monologue in which he twice used the term "spade":
LIMBAUGH: OK. By popular demand -- also getting requests to repeat what I just did. I can't. It'll be on the website, folks, and don't -- it's a theme I'm gonna continue carrying throughout the year, so sit tight.
We are gonna replay the opening show monologue when we come back here from the break at the top of the hour. If you missed it, you're gonna hear it. If you heard it, you're gonna like hearing it again.
Below are examples of various media and political figures using the term "spadework," or a variation of it, in a political context:
- On the June 7, 2006, broadcast of National Public Radio's Day to Day, discussing the rejection of "a Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage," NPR congressional correspondent David Welna said: "And even some of the conservative religious groups that this measure was clearly aimed at pleasing are saying this is simply a bone being tossed their way. And I think the vote tally today is likely to sharp their sense that Majority Leader Bill Frist, who's seeking their support for White House bid, has not done kind of the spade work in his caucus that was needed for a better outcome."
- On July 24, 2007, the Associated Press reported that in response to Obama's offer to meet with "leaders of renegade nations such as Cuba, North Korea and Iran," Clinton supporter and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said: "It's a step-by-step process. It's not just some event. ... I would think that without having done the diplomatic spadework, it would not really prove anything."
- NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell reported on July 25, 2007, that Obama said: "The general principle that I was laying out is that we should not be afraid as America to meet with anybody. Now, they may not like what we want to hear -- so if I'm talking to the President of Iran, I'm going to inform him that Israel is our stalwart ally, and we are going to do what's necessary to protect them -- that we will not accept a nuclear bomb in Iran, but that doesn't mean we can't say that face to face. And obviously, the diplomatic spadework has to be done ahead of time."
- In an April 24, 2007, House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) said, "Now, the Plan Colombia came about in the late 1990s partly because I was down there. We worked at it. We worked with the Clinton Administration. I went to Colombia in 2000, and when President Clinton signed Plan Colombia it was the work of then President [Andres] Pastrana, but a lot of that spade work happened before that because we were there."
- Discussing the Democratic presidential primary on MSNBC on February 1, 2000, former Clinton administration press secretary Dee Dee Myers said that California is "a state where Al Gore has done a lot of spade work over the last seven years. He's got a lot of -- not a big organization but a lot of chits out. And I think that that's going to sustain him fairly well."
- In a November 7, 1996, article, the Chicago Tribune quoted then-President Bill Clinton as saying: "We did it by raising money early and doing our spade work in New Hampshire and Iowa."
- On the June 10, 1996, broadcast of NPR's All Things Considered, Republican presidential candidate and then-Sen. Robert Dole (R-KS) said, "I believe it's up to President Clinton to assure the American people that this unprecedented breach of FBI files was not the spade work for a vicious negative campaign this fall."
In addition, journalists have repeatedly described candidates as doing "spadework":
Wesley Clark
In a January 15, 2004, New Hampshire Union Leader article, John DiStaso wrote: "Maybe the negative attacks on [Democratic presidential candidate Howard] Dean by [Democratic presidential candidate John] Kerry and [Democratic presidential candidate] Joe Lieberman are softening him up, while [Democratic presidential candidate Wesley] Clark stands by and lets them do his spade work."
Hillary Clinton
On January 25, 2007, nationally syndicated columnist Marie Cocco wrote: " 'There is nothing worth discussing when it comes to strategic errors made in the state of New York,' says Gary Lewi, a New York public relations executive with long-standing ties to the state Republican Party -- and to Clinton's one-time Whitewater antagonist, former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. 'Even the most partisan has to give her points for very hard political spadework that she's done across the board.' "
In an April 16, 2000, Washington Post article, Lynne Duke wrote: "But after a bad stretch of stumbles and organizational disarray last year, Clinton has proved herself a tough campaigner. She has displayed an appetite for the spade work as well as the cut-and-thrust of elective politics, and she has devoted considerable time and resources to raising her profile in the crucial upstate areas."
On the July 11, 1999, edition of CNN's Newstand: CNN & Time, Time correspondent Karen Tumulty said: "Mrs. Clinton has spent a lot of time in New York, has met a lot of people. But a lot of the really more important spade work that has gone into this decision has been over the phone."
A June 3, 1999, Baltimore Sun article said: "While acknowledging the potential pitfalls, many top Democrats are nevertheless telling Clinton that she can win in New York. They say she is diligently doing the necessary spadework in state political circles."
John Edwards
In a December 8, 2006, Washington Post online chat, Chris Cillizza wrote: "Voters like John Edwards -- don't underestimate the importance of likeability in presidential politics. He has also done considerable spadework -- especially in the labor world -- to prepare for a 2008 bid. He is stronger than most people realize and I think he will be a factor whether or not Obama is in the running."
In a May 21, 2006, Washington Post article, Cillizza wrote: "Privately, Edwards has done substantial spadework on the labor front, as well. He meets with small groups of local labor leaders as he travels the country."
In a February 11, 2004, New York Times article, Adam Nagourney wrote: "And Mr. Edwards, several Democrats said, may well have an eye on the vice presidential slot in November. He may also realize that any spadework he does now could help him if he runs for the presidency again in 2008."
Al Gore
A March 5, 2000, Los Angeles Times article said: "Four years later, Gore saw Bill Clinton get 'the treatment.'
'The reason Gore's not getting hazed this week is because of all the spade work he's done over the last 7 1/2 years to make sure he'd never get hurt here again,' said Mark Green, a top city Democrat expected to succeed Giuliani as mayor."
John Kerry and Joe Lieberman
In a January 15, 2004, New Hampshire Union Leader article, John DiStaso wrote: "Maybe the negative attacks on [Democratic presidential candidate Howard] Dean by [Democratic presidential candidate John] Kerry and [Democratic presidential candidate] Joe Lieberman are softening him up, while [Democratic presidential candidate Wesley] Clark stands by and lets them do his spade work."
John McCain
A February 13, 2007, Washington Post article by Alan Cooperman and Cillizza said: "McCain and Romney have also done significant spadework to recruit well-regarded social conservative operatives to their cause."
An October 21, 2006, Wall Street Journal article by Greg Hitt and Christopher Conkey said: "Republican consultant Greg Mueller said the political spadework by Mr. McCain, long considered an outsider within his own party, is helping him build ties with the conservative activists and party mandarins who play a key role in determining the Republican nomination."
From the January 6 edition of NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams:
LESTER HOLT (anchor): NBC's Andrea Mitchell covers the Clinton campaign and is just back from an interview with Senator Clinton. Andrea, good evening.
MITCHELL: Good evening, Lester. Hillary Clinton clearly sees the polls, so she's trying, between now and Tuesday, to reach out to women, independents, young people, the groups who voted against her in Iowa. We caught up with her after a rally in Nashua.
[begin video clip]
MITCHELL: You acknowledge he's a great speaker, and if they're responding to that and not to your programs, your ideas, how do you deal with it?
CLINTON: When they say to themselves, "OK, I have a choice between a truly inspirational speaker who has not done the kind of spadework with the sort of experience that another candidate has, and now I'm finding out more about the changing positions and some of the different information that's coming out," let's take a deep breath here.
From the January 7 edition (subscription required) of Premiere Radio Networks' The Rush Limbaugh Show:
LIMBAUGH: Did you hear what Mrs. Clinton said on the Today show today with Matt Lauer? She said that Barack Obama "hasn't done the spadework necessary to be president." She -- he "hasn't done the spadework necessary to be president," as though she has. Now, let's imagine, shall we, if Trent Lott, or Mitt Romney, or Ross Perot had said that Barack Obama "hasn't done the spadework necessary to be president." This -- nothing that happens in the Clinton campaign is coincidence, folks. Barack Obama hasn't done the "spadework"? Whew. Where is the Reverend Sharpton on this? By the way, big story: Reverend Sharpton waiting on his time to endorse. He's waiting for commitments. That means he's probably waiting for money from one of these two camps.
[...]
LIMBAUGH: Here's Mrs. Clinton's "spadework" line. Now this, I guarantee you, if I had said this -- if Romney had said it, if anybody had said this -- about Obama, the fur would be flying.
CLINTON: [audio clip]: When they say to themselves, "OK. I have a choice between a truly inspirational speaker who has not done the kind of spadework with the sort of experience that another candidate has --
LIMBAUGH: Oh, ho-ho-ho! Folks, this is not -- this is not coincidental. I guaran-damn-tee you. Lookit, this is the bunch that depresses -- suppresses black people in the Democrat [sic] Party. From Maynard Jackson, to Carl McCall, to the Reverend Jackson, to Al Sharpton, these are the people that when the blacks get too "uppity," they get stomped down. "Hasn't done the spadework." That's right. Spadework. That's right. Spade -- "Hasn't done the spadework."
From the January 14 edition (subscription required) of The Rush Limbaugh Show:
LIMBAUGH: So what do we have here? Barack Obama holds the race card. Hillary Clinton the gender card. The "Breck Girl," [Democratic presidential candidate] John Edwards, left trying to play a class card. Major poker game going on on the Democrat [sic] side. Supporters of each of these candidates, and the drive-by media struggling against the new reality that the favored old disqualification tack doesn't work, since they're all liberals. You can't disqualify Mrs. Clinton for throwing the race card; she's a liberal. You can't disqualify Obama for holding the race card; he's a liberal. You can't disqualify Mrs. Clinton for using the gender card; she's a liberal. You can't disqualify the "Breck Girl" for playing the class envy card; he's a liberal. So what's the drive-by media to do? Find a way to blame all of this on Mitt Romney.
Supporters of all three Democrat [sic] candidates and the drive-bys are struggling against this new reality, trying to navigate this awkward political reality without dashing the diversity canards that have held them in such good stead for so many decades -- which, by the way, these diversity canards have led to moments of high comedy. Andrew Young arguing for Clinton being blacker than Obama because he's been with more black women than Obama.
The race card was obviously thrown -- racist comments -- much earlier in this campaign than the drive-bys are willing to acknowledge. Michelle Obama, wife of the man of hope, touting her husband as a better candidate for women than Clinton, because he's a man comfortable with strong women in his life. The Breck Girl's supporters touting him as potentially the first female president -- and all the stuff that just happened in the last week with Mrs. Clinton; Barack Obama; the Reverend Doctor King; Robert Johnson; Black Entertainment Television; "the shuck and jive," don't forget that; the "fairy tale"; the kid.
It is funny to watch -- and, ladies and gentlemen, a final observation here. Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton -- have you noticed, it's Obama versus the Clintons? Two against one. Obama campaigning against both of the Clintons. I wonder how well Mrs. Clinton would hold up if the shoe was on the other foot. That is, if she had to run against an ex-president and a senator. I think she'd cry and complain about the unfairness. For all of her BS about being a victim and piling on, Obama is holding his own against both of them, doing more than his share of the "spadework," maybe even gaining ground at the moment, using not only the spade, ladies and gentlemen. But when he finishes with the spade in the garden of corruption planted by the Clintons, he turns to the hoe. And so the spadework and his expertise, using a hoe. He's faring well.
Are you afraid that if you actually discussed something, that your side would be proven wrong?
If I wanted to listen to a terrible radio show, I'd tune in Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Michael Savage, or Laura Ingram.
Bozo the Clown brought joy and laughter to millions. Finarfin brings laughter to those who read his posts here at MMFA because they're so pathetic....
This is a great example of Rush pushing the envelope so to speak. He figures that if he's called on it, as MMFA has just done, he can shoot back to his audience that this is just one more instance of Liberal double standards. That if a Conservative had used the term "spadework" it would be considered a slur. Of course MMFA has given a list of examples undermining his claim.
I'm just curious, did anyone else in the media, or any member of Obama's camp or any of his surrogates complain or suggest Hillary's use of "spadework" was racially motivated? I haven't heard anything myself.
Off Topic: MMFA I will make one more plea that you fix the tech problems here. I wrote to you & received a reply that you were doing an upgrade & the problems would soon be resolved. That was several days ago.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clarence-b-jones/clinton-vs-obama-lest-w_b_81667.html
Obviously I was only referring to Hillary's "spadework" remark.
As far as the media being all over the very real war of words between Hillary & Obama's surrogates...well the press didn't start it, they only reported it. Of course they sometimes mis-reported it, just to keep it going, but at least you can't blame the Republicans ;-)
Does that make sense?
Ok yeah actually it does. I guess I missed Hillary's "spadework" remark there were so many other accusations of racism or playing the race card being thrown around. In this case I don't find "spadework" to be offensive to anyone, or shouldn't be. Seems someone is always being offended these days about just about anything :-/
Leave it to Rush to jump on this & make it offensive. I know he thinks he's tweaking the PC crowd, but even though I find him entertaining at times, & even think he occasionally hits the mark...this time he's just being a jerk.
Hopefully the "race War" is over with and Obama & Clinton can get back to discussing the issues.
Is Bush's repeating Hill's words worse than Keith Uberdouche's racist"Chicken n' Waffles"comment?
What about Hill's surrogate Andrew Cuomo's classy "shuck and jive" reference to Obama?
Huh? Huh?
I understand your technical problems. During your upgrade I will continue to
show my patience and my appreciation of the great service your WebSite provides.
The capacity to endure this process without complaint is something difficult for some but I know what it involves so I will just wait it out. I hope the upgrade will not cancel out some of the owners of older computers and older operating systems.
Please don't forget to address the Apple Macintosh Computers out there.
Thank You Very Much
Somebody needs to buy you a sense of humor. I can't believe all this space is devoted to discussing if the word "spade" was used intentionally or "racism" is involved.... How utterly silly! No normal people care about all this; most people will vote for whichever INDIVIDUAL most closely represents their views on the issues most important to them. They couldn't care less if someone is a black or a woman. They want to just live and let live. And they want to laugh.
What a waste of space this whole column is.
It's Limbaugh--not Media Matters--who "cares" about "all this".
So in that sense, you are correct: no "normal people" care.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=neo+nazi+party&search=Search
Again with the KKK meetings, DO you ever get tired of this? Seriously, the Caligulous fellow made a descent comment that I actually happen to agree with, and you jump to the conclusion that he is a KKK member. You must be an incredibly paranoid individual too see the Klan over your shoulder everywhere you go. Or you just enjoy partaking in the bigotry against everything non-lib.
It would serve Limbaugh right if one of the first things that President Obama did after taking office was sign an Executive Order reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine.....
Not a surprise in the least...in fact, predictable.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is who Rush Limbaugh is. There is a pattern of making these kinds of comments and until it hits him in the wallet, he'll continue to say things that would get others fired.
I'm going to go out on a limb and bet that on some future broadcast he'll once again make a racist comment and then tell his listeners how he was take out of context.
Any takers?
Did you not read the information up above the comment section? Or does your brain turn to mush every time you hear someone say "Megadditos, Rush"?????
Right.
Hint: Read everything before Rush makes himself look obtuse. (not willfully mind you)
So, Snoopy. What is your solution to this "inbreeding" that is so rampant among these terrible, pure white folks? Should we all be forced to intermarry with the colourds? Are you one of those who think that an interracially mixed population is a population of supermen?
Not only that, Rush has been replaying his "Barack The Magic Negro" song parody lately. His "defense" (which I heard Sean Hannity also use to back Rush up) has been that the term originated in a piece in the LA Times, and he's merely repeating it.
Rush Limbaugh needs to be held responsible for his words and actions.
lives in a dream
surrounded by lilly white neocons
who jerk and spew their cream!
The KKK and neocons
make up Rush's masses,
where copious dissent resides
between his two fat @sses!
Back when Don Imus was on WFAN, he used to play a song parody that featured a Rush imitator singing a take-off on Garth Brooks' "I've Got Friends In Low Places" - it was called "I've Got Friends With White Faces".
I doubt if the I-Man will play that one any more, since he now works for Rush's flagship station - WABC New York.
He is responsible for his words and actions, and is compensated accordingly. He is correct about the double standard and was rubbing our noses in it, by morphing Hillary's "spadework" comment into the racial epithet that it would have been portrayed as, had the comment been uttered by a Republican.
To you people, "irony" means something along the lines of "tinny" or "coppery". But to the rest of us, it is easy to appreciate.
"But when he finishes with the spade in the garden of corruption planted by the Clintons, he turns to the hoe. And so the spadework and his expertise, using a hoe. "
This many uses of 'spade' and 'hoe' is not an accident. I'm sure he and his audience think he's just being cute, but he ranks up there with John Gibson in his ability to slander someone by associating them with the worst stereotypes of a culture.
I view Rush's comments as poking fun at politically correct speech. I think he just "honking" his nose at those who get all bent out of shape when any word that is not p.c. is used.
I'm not surprised that you would be the one to try to defend the jerk.
It is typical of the wingnuts, however, to engage in some kind of slur or slander or, as in this case, use of racial code words only to whine they were "only funnin' - doncha have a sense of humor?" when they get called on it.
News flash: "It was only a joke" is not a verbal "Get Out of Jail Free" card.
Politically correct: Jerk, wingnuts, racist, hiveminders, screechmonkey, cretins morons, and creeps.
Apparently these are perfectly acceptable words to describe groups of people, (since I read them above,) as long as you are a liberal/progressive describing conservatives.
Politically incorrect - Exposing a Clinton using the term "spadework" in describing Obama by carrying it to the extreme.
Apparently that is the height of racism when a conservative is talking about liberals!
Anyone know the definition of hypocrisy?
That's why I never use any of those. No offense to anyone else, but I find them a little ridiculous and they serve only to alienate those who we need to embrace.
However, there is a difference between calling a group of people something, and calling the personalities on the radio and TV something. I don't really have a problem with that, because they invite that on themselves for the most part.
"Anyone know the definition of hypocrisy?"
Your last question cofirms to me that you don't.
Thanks for the laugh!
I snarkiness all you got?
Solon - When they START IT, YES it is perfectly acceptable.
I must have missed the comment your are referring to with regards to Stranger. I don't read all the threads and I don't read every post in the the threads where I make my own comments. I'll be sure to be on the lookout.
However, we have a history and we do comment on each other's posts fairly regularly. The interesting thing I find is that whenever you reply to someone who is not in agreement, you go over-the-top to insult them. I'm hoping one of these days you'll see that this excessive use of derogatory comments toward people with whom you disagree is similar to racist comments. It only shows you to be prejudiced and biggoted rather than reasonable. It very definitely takes away from whatever good points you may be trying to make. The vitriol with which many of your comments are laced lead me to believe that most times any discussion with you is a waste. (I hope this is not.)
The point I make later on in this thread is that, rather than being a racist, Limbaugh is doing just the opposite. He is removing the racist part of the comment by using the terms as gardening metaphors. He is lambasting Hillary by showing how her racist innuendo can be turned around and tossed back at her.
Limbaugh's remarks are showing how words that in certain usage can be interpreted as racist, can also be used effectively to deflate the racist connotations as was implied by Hillary toward Obama.You don't have to agree with my interpretation, just as I rarely agree with your comments. I am not perfect, but I find the discussions much more interesting if we talk about ideas rather than cliche'd insults.
Thanks for your consideration.
ps. At one time, as many here know, I responded to posts pretty much in the same way you did. If someone insulted me, I did the same back. I realized that this ti*-for-tat only invited more insults from others. After a while it grew boring to me and I realized that I enjoyed reading the liberals and progressives comments and expressing my conservative views. Although I am far from perfect and sometimes the snarkiness still comes out, I find that this is a great place for those discussions. I do enjoy reading many of the comments even though most of the time we disagree.
Anyone know the definition of hypocrisy?
Yes - conservatism.
Why does race or gender have to even be in the discussion anymore? This is the year 2008 and we still have people that are afraid of those that 'look' or are different!
I realize that there are racists that take many forms but the ones in the form of right-wing idiots take the cake in being the worst!
Please, I really hope no one posting here defends racism, in any form, even the type that my not seem like it is yet everyone knows that it is.
Opps......too late, Copious tried.
FYI: Your using your 'blog' as your nickname here, is still a waste of time.
Just as Copius himself appears to be a waste of oxygen......
Sorry I'm late Dbeden. If Copiousdissent was defending a mans right to his own opinions, well then i must salute him. What did he say that was so terrible? You rip into him with such ferocity, I assume it must have been truth he uttered.
Rush limbaugh said some possibly disparaging comments. If anyone was insulted or felt "disparaged", then let them take it up with Rush. It is his problem and not our duty to make sure it never happens again, the fact of life is that people get insulted sometimes.
The Oxymoron has EVERY right to be a racist. WE then have every right to criticise him for it. I assume since YOU agree with it then it MUST be wrong. Going by your track record alone that would be a good bet.
Capt,
How is it again that right wing racists are by far worse than left wing racists?
Could it be your are expressing a little prejudice? ;-)
Silly AA, There are no such thing as "left wing racists", it's an oxymoron.
;)
Why does race or gender have to even be in the discussion anymore?This is the year 2008 and we still have people that are afraid of those that 'look' or are different!I realize that there are racists that take many forms but the ones in the form of right-wing idiots take the cake in being the worst!...by CaptFoster
Maybe you should ask the folks in the Obama-Clinton camps & their supporters? They, NOT the Right-Wing got into a race war.
Anyway, I say let Obama and Hill rip each other apart, sully their names, waste whatever political capital they have and make way for the best candidate for the job...
Really? You think it's entirely possible that Hillary Clinton intentionally invited criticism that she was using racial code words? Really?
For the record, note that the term Clinton used was "spadework," which, as the post notes, is not usually considered a racial term. The terms Limbaugh used were "spade" and "hoe," which are.
And I know Limbaugh relished using the phrase way more than sensible people would. You make a reasonable point though, that spadework is indeed different from spade in the context Limbaugh was abusing it. Then throw in his use of hoe and we know what Limbaugh is all about.
But, while it may be a common phrase in politics, given the ease with which it can be turned ugly and given the fact Obama is a black man, she really could have, in fact should have, used a different metaphor.
I'm willing to be shown wrong on this. Please give me your best effort.
Alright, I have reconsidered
Good advice for all of us. :-) Too often we (I include myself here) lock ourselves into defending our original positions rather than reconsidering them in light of reasonable responses. (Well, maybe I should exclude myself because my first opinion is of course always right, but you get the idea.)
Anyway, I hope you realize I was not intending to be nasty or snarky in my "Really?" comment. It was rather that I was genuinely surprised at the suggestion that anyone, any politician, would deliberately invite accusations of racism. As someone said (in a different context), "perceived racism is like anthrax: potentially deadly and hard to clean off."
Nah, I didn't think your intentions were nasty. It's hard to judge content from a tiny box on a computer screen but your overall tone was one of genuine curiosity. Also, I read your posts alot and you're a stand up dude as far as I can tell.
I hope I didn't come off too harsh in my reply to you as I may be earning a reputation for being nasty.
Larrye,
You, Jeter, and Roundhouse, make some good points.
What I found interesting about this whole controversy is that Limbaugh is turning around the 'racist' content of the words. He is denuding them by using the words in a context to describe Obama's success against Hillary.
It might be argued that these words are used in a racist context if they were to describe Obama, which is what Limbaugh is arguing about Hillary. But in Limbaugh's case he is using them as metaphors to describe what Obama is doing to Hillary. How on earth can the words be racist when they are applied to describe what is being done to a white person?
"How on earth can the words be racist when they are applied to describe what is being done to a white person?" - AA
They are still in the context of using the words to refer to a black person. Just because it is directed at a white person does not make it any more or less controversial. It's the use of the word in the context of being racially motivated that still makes it racist, no matter who it's directed at. However, it's just my opinion and I could be wrong. I welcome your thoughts to the contrary.
Still, I don't necessarily agree that Limbaugh was being racist, I just think he has waayyy too much time on the air to kill, and he's not very bright, so that just leads to a lot of unnecessary drivel coming out of his mouth.
DB,
I disagree with your assessment that the words are still being used in context to refer to a black person.
My contention is that the words are being used, not in a pejoritive manner towards blacks, but rather sarcastically to turn the tables against a white person. Limbaugh is using these terms as positive metaphors and using their gardening definition to boot. Nowhere do I see any derogatory reference by Limbaugh toward Obama. Since Limbaugh is not being derogatory there is no racism.
I think Limbaugh is doing two things with his comments that most here are not acknowledging:
1. Removing the racial epithet connotations from these words by using them by their more traditional definitions
2. Poking fun at the liberal PC police and by extension, many here who automatically jump to the wrong conclusion.
I had given this post more thought, before MMfA logged me out mid-post.
AA, I can see how your point of view could be valid, and that he is just poking fun at the PC police. However, I'd contend that using a racial slur, even in a positive light and not directed at that particular race, still brings to light the fact that it is a slur, and it is derogatory to the race in question. You wouldn't call another white person an N-word on national radio, no matter what the context. Neither would you use the N-word as an adjective to describe another white person. Nor would you use it to project some positive aspect onto another white person. It should be the same for all racial slurs.
That being said, I think it may be an eye of the beholder kinda deal.
DB,
You are correct in that I never use racial epithets. Although a lot of name calling is done here, I doubt anyone posting here uses them.
This whole thing reminds me of the feminist movement trying to take control of the certain words. The V* Monologues comes to mind. Using some words openly are done to remove the stigma that is attached to them. I think Rush is doing that.
It is also demonstrated by blacks using your example in reference to other blacks. Apparently the racist connotation is no longer there.
I think Limbaugh has removed the racist connotation by using these terms as they are meant to be used and not as racial slurs.
AA -
As long as you continue to make excuses for that drug-addicted imbecile, no one will put any credence into anything you say. You're so blinded by your narrow-minded agenda that you can no longer see the truth.
wz,
Pardon me but you simply saying it does not really have any impact. I have presented my interpretation and my reasoning behind it. I may be wrong, but I don't remember seeing you counter my argument.
I am of the opinion, at least in this case, that you are simply projecting your own intransigence.
Limbaugh is using them to describe what Obama is doing to Hillary. How can the words be racist when they describe what is being done to a white?
Sorry, no sale.
First, the word Clinton used was "spadework," which is not generally considered to have racial overtones.
The word Limbaugh used - twice within a few seconds - was "spade," which is generally considered to have racial overtones.
And in case anybody didn't get the wink-wink, nudge-nudge of that, he managed to throw in "turns to the hoe" and "using a hoe."
All in the course of "describing" what a black man is doing.
I have to say that I find your protestations of wide-eyed innocence, that this was just a "metaphor" and oh my, how could it possibly have another meaning, quite unpersuasive.
Certainly there are certain words or expressions/slang that we should be sensitive to but at some point this is going to get ridiculous if we have to weigh every remark for fear that someone will be offended. Rush is deliberately being a jerk, most of the rest of us don't deliberately go out of our way to offend others.
On the lighter side...I kind of wondered if you might not be at least sort of enjoying Hillary & Obama beating up on each other so your candidate John Edwards might sneak in there ;-)
And Edwards won't have to sneak in. He's stayed competitive throughout, despite no corporate donations and a virtual media blackout. He polls well and has accumulated only seven fewer delegates than the leader, Obama. Win or lose though, we all win because of his efforts and his ability to steer the debate. Hell, he's got a Republican front runner to go populist and that's a good, good thing for all.
I should have said Edwards could "emerge" not "sneak in". Sorry about that Roundhouse.
I do find it hysterical that the media seems to ignore the # of delegates each candidate is accumilating & only concentrates on who is winning each primary or caucus.
They've written everyone off at one time or another, then have had to say oh never mind ;-)
Yeah, media definitely eschews the hard work, uhhh spadework, of informing the good people of our country about the political process and they run with the sports obsessed, winner take all analogies.
And case in point in regard to your final point, just look at McCain. They said he was dead in the water, now he seems to walk on water, so to speak.
This has got to be the most ridiculous attempt at making an issue of something that's not an issue I've ever seen. Are we going to ban certain words now even when they're used in a form that's not offensive? MM is racebaiting here, pure and simple, and has actually done something that IS offensive.
Did someone talk about banning words? I didnt see it. Oh I see that is your weak and silly strawman argument to appologize for bigotry and racism. Are we going to ban, using your logic, CRITICISM of anyone for being racist. Your post was ludicrous on the face of it. Try to keep up.
I am amazed. "Spade"?!? how dare he. The gall of that man.
I was not even aware of such a word for colourds. The term does lack a certain imaginative quality, I think we could all do better.
Will you please explain what the definition of COLOURDS is? It is not in the dictionary. Is it your own personal private word for blacks. Did you make it up yourself or was it handed down in your family?
Now that you're aware of the word 'Spade', do you intend to use it instead of 'colourds'? If so, when and how would you use it?
I was listening to Rush's radio pukefest whil I was in teh car at lunchtime. He mentioned this thread and though its presence was hilarious.
Hey, Rush - since I know that either you or someone in your employ is monitoring this site, are you ready to come clean about your arrest in the company of that male prostitute in Pittsburgh back in the '70s, when you were using the alias "Jeff Christie"????
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm????
The bottom line is that Hillary is not a racist, and Limbaugh IS.
Only a racist would pluck a word from a speech, misinterpret its use, and then proceed to use it in overtly racist ways. Only a racist would find this "funny". Only racists are concerned about "PC" ruining their bantering fun, which after all, is just humor ... so lighten up about the wholesale use of racist terms.
The Democratic side is not racist, but the Rightwing and their minons in the Media are striving hard to set up a racial divide within the party. Even with stretching, taking out of context, misrepresenting and misinterpreting words for all they're worth, the Rightwing still has found only a small handful of "gotchas" ... and each is easily proven to be media hype rather than of any substance. And only a couple involve the Candidates themselves, chopped, edited, and presented entirely without context.
The MEDIA is INVENTING a racial element to this campaign, because they wish to smear Democrats, divide them, and to have conflict and scandal to cover. Since none exists in reality, they have INVENTED it.
Do not fall for the Media's tactics here. Do not believe what the Media is telling you about what people "meant" rather that what they actually said. Do not believe the Media is operating "in good faith" with their "reporting"... they are lying and deceiving. This is the hurdle Democrats must overcome this election cycle: The Republicans, AND the entire MEDIA working overtime trying to bring Democrats down.
Luckily, this is a relatively easy task, considering the MEDIA has destroyed its credibility (in service of their masters, the NeoCons).
I'm soooo glad race and sexism were discussed at great length in last nights debate. Why? Because it was time for Americans to hear in a national forum what is acceptable and what is unacceptable in regards to campaigning and smearing. It was beautiful to see such unity even in a fierce competition as the Democratic primary. The three candidates refused to allow the media, conservatives or their own staff members the opportunity to make this race about race or gender.
All that aside Limbaugh has every right to say what he says. I look at it like this: Let's see who really supports such rhetoric and who is against it. As a previous poster said, advertisers dollars are what keep these guys at it. So in 2008 if calling an African-American a spade or calling women female dogs (mediamatters is not letting me use the word I want) or hating on someone because they are different from you is acceptable, then by golly talk that stuff in public, not just on the internet or over the phone with your racist leaders. Own up to your comments and stand by them regardless of who you are around. I love the fact Limbaugh is so well listened to because it serves as a reminder and a warning to never forget how far we've come.
". . . doing more than his share of the "spadework," maybe even gaining ground at the moment, using not only the spade, ladies and gentlemen. But when he finishes with the spade in the garden of corruption planted by the Clintons, he turns to the hoe. And so the spadework and his expertise, using a hoe."
Geez, what a tortured metaphor!
This post has an excellent example of hypocrisy, AnotherAmerican. I suggest you read it several times so that you get the gist.
Robo,
By glomming on the example above, rather than being able to think of an example on your own, you are in effect, agreeing with my contention from a while back that many liberals and progressives here engage in name-calling hypocrisy.
Thanks for being so supportive!
:-)
I get it now - it's all about gardening euphemisms.
Obama = spade
Hillary = hoe
Fog = pistil
With that I'm tossing in the trowel. :-)
Don't forget the rake!
oh wait, that doesn't make sense ;)
I find it funny that you've spent so much type on "spade" that this line seems to have gone right over your heads:
"And so the spadework and his expertise, using a hoe. "
If you don't understand, try sounding it out...
When I was in college a long time ago, I had a black acquaintance who went by the nickname 'The Kid'. One day, I teased him about it, saying I was going to call him 'The Boy', thinking it was funny in a sort of ironic way. He asked me, "Why do you say that sh*t? It's not funny."
It wasn't funny, and I was being an assh*. Maybe not a racist, but definitely an assh*.
Limbaugh gave up his 'assh*' pass a long time ago - now he's just a racist.
"SPADEWORK" is a well established metaphor in spoken language. The dictionary defines it thusly, "preliminary or initial work, such as the gathering of data, on which further activity is to be based."
NOTE: no racial implication. Synonyms for spadework, in other words, OTHER WORDS that could have been used to mean NEARLY the same thing, are "donkey work", "scut work", "thankless job", "grunt work", or "dirty work."
The word Hillary chose was more precise to her meaning. For example, "scut work" is defined as "menial, routine work, as that done by an underling; trivial, unrewarding, tedious, dirty, and disagreeable chores."
So, SPADEWORK is necessary and not necessarily unpleasant, while the synonym SCUT WORK emphasizes the unpleasantness and triviality of a task.
Hillary's choice of SPADEWORK was not "strange", it was precise and correct to her meaning. What is STRANGE is the compulsion to attribute a nefarious meaning and motive where none exists.
Unbelievable! You libs are idiots!! You have NO clue as to what you are talking about.
LIBS are the racists and this has been now proved the last week or so.
I never heard you commnet on Herr Olbermahn's constant racial slurs! Why not/
King,
Please refrain from calling Liberals as 'idiots'. They are not. It does not further the discussion and only provokes retaliatory insults.
"Its Obama time Limbo."
Time for Obama to do the Limbo?
Sounds racist.