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Limbaugh on NBA fight: "This is the hip-hop culture on parade"
Media Matters ^ | November 24, 2004 | A. S.

Posted on 11/27/2004 8:54:40 AM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection

Nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh said that a November 19 brawl that broke out during a National Basketball Association (NBA) game was "hip-hop culture on parade." Limbaugh asserted that the fight -- which involved Indiana Pacers team members and Detroit Pistons team members and fans -- was "gang behavior on parade minus the guns," and that NBA uniforms are "now in gang colors. They are in gang styles." In making the comments, Limbaugh conceded that his remarks were likely to be "tagged as racist." Limbaugh also appeared to compare the brawl to the unrest in Fallujah, Iraq, suggesting that Detroit be renamed "New Fallujah, Michigan."

Limbaugh delivered his remarks on the same day that he touted his receipt of the Winston Churchill Statesmanship Award from the conservative Claremont Institute. Previous award recipients include former President Ronald Reagan, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr. San Diego Chargers owner Alex G. Spanos, who presented Limbaugh with the award, noted that it is given to "those who look up to the sky for the noble principles of justice, right and liberty."

From the November 22 edition of The Rush Limbaugh Show:

    LIMBAUGH: There is something about this hip-hop culture business. I'm not going to mention the name because there's thousands of them, but I've been watching interviews with ex-NBA players and current NBA players. You know what the common theme that I'm hearing is? "Well, I'm not going to be dissed. I'm simply not going to be disrespected. Somebody disrespects me, they're going to pay for it." Meaning, "A fan disrespects me, that fan's going to pay for it," not just another player.

    And that comes right out of the hip-hop culture, and it's not just that. You look at NBA players and the uniforms, you don't have to go back very far. The uniforms have changed totally. They're now in gang colors. They are in gang styles.

    [...]

    But there's a reason this is happening. I'm not saying it's nothing to be concerned about. There's a reason. But I don't think anybody ought to be surprised, folks. I really don't think anybody ought to be surprised. This is the hip-hop culture on parade. This is gang behavior on parade minus the guns. That's the culture that the NBA has become. So if anybody will be honest with you about it in the NBA, and a very few will have the courage to, because saying what I just said is going to be tagged as racist, but I, my friends, am fearless when it comes to this because the truth will out, and that's what's happening here, and part and parcel of this gang culture, this hip-hop culture, is: "I'm not going to tolerate being dissed. I'm not going to be disrespected," and "disrespected" is now so broad that it includes somebody looking at you the wrong way.

    [...]

    CALLER: This is not a new thing with the Piston fans.

    LIMBAUGH: I know. That's why I say call it "New Fallujah, Michigan."



TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: hiphop; hiphopculture; nba; rush
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To: 101st-Eagle
"Wait. Miami far outshadows FSU in that department in look and style. Bad first choice for Florida."

For all I know, as I don't follow the sport like when I was a "yout", all colleges have the same problem.

As I look around the country, seeing the various problems exhibited, I can't seem to shake the feeling that it is the "all about money" syndrome at the root.

People aren't satisfied with making a living and raising their children. They must make more money, be better that the Joneses, buy $200 sneakers for Johnny, etc. etc..

Is it any wonder that none are happy?

Of course we know there are thousands of good, decent, hard working parents, with good, decent, hard working kids doing well, but that story is not news to most.

21 posted on 11/27/2004 9:37:13 AM PST by G.Mason (A war mongering, UN hating, military industrial complex loving, Al Qaeda incinerating American.)
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection

Think of the recent fiasco at the Olympics. Did the US team(?) even win a medal. Easily the best talent, easily a disappointing team. I think this relates to the hip-hop culture.


22 posted on 11/27/2004 9:38:26 AM PST by FreedomSurge
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To: narses
How many of our children look to these thugs for role modeling?

I don't like the NBA for the way they've treated the great game of college basketball. And some of the shoe company marketing that goes with sport is ridiculous such as the Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony campaigns. But I wouldn't paint the whole NBA a league of thugs. There's some fine role models in there like David Robinson and A.C. Green in the recent past to Allan Houston and Dwight Howard right now.

23 posted on 11/27/2004 9:40:51 AM PST by Colonel Kangaroo
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection

The hammer and the nail come together again.


24 posted on 11/27/2004 9:40:54 AM PST by ops33 (Retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant)
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection
The worst thing about all of this is that kids really look up to these narcissistic thug a$$holes as role models. When they see that it is ok for them to act like thugs, it leaves an indelible impression on them.

Exit the gentlemen athletes like Nolan Ryan, Arthur Ashe and George Foreman (what is to hate about George???) and so many others and enter the thugs like Dennis Rodman and his band of criminals. This is why I don't watch professional sports (except for tennis) anymore.
25 posted on 11/27/2004 9:43:38 AM PST by SSG USA
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To: skip_intro
Only to an extent. There are three big differences in hockey and the NFL and the NBA:

1) Violence is SUPPOSED to be a part of the first two, not the latter. Hence, in the first two, players are protected from "non-sanctioned" violence. In fact, if you want to end NHL fights quickly, ban ANYONE who takes off a helmet or gloves. Otherwise, let 'em at it. They can't hurt each other.

2) "Gang" behavior is seen not at all in the NHL (for obvious reasons) and to a far lesser degree in the NFL. Teams like the Cowboys, Redskins, Colts, Chiefs, Chargers all retain quite traditional uniforms, especially with the tendency for "throwback" uniforms. Basketball, on the other hand, is emulating the gang styles as much as possible. Moreover, the scanty nature of the NBA uniforms encourages people to sport tatoos and weird hair styles. Aside from McQuarters, you see very few oddball hair jobs in the NFL---and even if they have them, they can't show them.

3) Far more than the NFL (and forget the NHL in this regard) pro basketball has built its marketing around the "don't dis me/in yo' face" hip-hop gansta appeal. I play a lot of the Playstation/X-box games, and they ALL feature this type of music and culture.

The zone helps with some of this, but eventually only very strict foul calling will restore the pro game to one of motion and passing, not back-downs and dunks.

26 posted on 11/27/2004 9:45:22 AM PST by LS
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To: G.Mason
You could probably tell I went to FSU, lol.

Ageed on the all-about-money syndrome. I think we should get around the sham of the "amateur" status junk and have these players paid livable stipends for all the money they help contribute to the universities.

As far as attitude, as long as we have a culture literally buying in to it, it won't change. God willing, we will see a change somewhere along the line in the whole of American society (election signaled a good start) where we hit critical mass with this crap and a new paradigm is ushered in.

27 posted on 11/27/2004 9:45:58 AM PST by 101st-Eagle
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To: BigBobber
"What everyone thinks but is afraid to say - "We need an NBA that looks more like America"..."

What we need is for people to stop buying tickets to these circuses.

Years ago I watched in dismay as my children became awe struck at wrestling on TV. They outgrew it.

I fought against the likes of Lawrence Taylor (NYG linebacker) because he was a druggie and influencing my children.

I won many of those battles, but not because of anything I said. It was because they were lucky and matured to the point of understanding.

Many of us are not so lucky.

28 posted on 11/27/2004 9:48:23 AM PST by G.Mason (A war mongering, UN hating, military industrial complex loving, Al Qaeda incinerating American.)
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To: Randjuke
No you are wrong: the uniforms have changed DRAMATICALLY from the short shorts of the 1970s to the baggy gansta look; and the ultra-bright colors and logos are different. Compare, for ex., the "rising sun" logo of the Phx. Suns in the 1970s with the "rising phoenix" logo today---it looks like something a biker or inmate would wear. Look at the black and purple of the Sacramento Kings, and the black socks that are so common.

Heck, just watch the home teams' "intro videos" that they play before every player introduction. It is total "gangsta" rapperism.

29 posted on 11/27/2004 9:48:57 AM PST by LS
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To: sgtbono2002

There is way too much of that: but if you want to see a team playing ball closer to how it should be played, watch the Phoenix Suns. They move the ball, score points, pass, and do not engage in "back-down" thugball.


30 posted on 11/27/2004 9:50:00 AM PST by LS
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection

If the NBA is "hip-hop culture on parade," then the dumbest bags of rocks on the planet are those middle-aged white slobs who pay to watch these guys play.


31 posted on 11/27/2004 9:51:35 AM PST by Alberta's Child (If whiskey was his mistress, his true love was the West . . .)
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To: riri
Somehow, the subject of midnight baseball came up... seeing 100 young inner city kids playing basketball on a lighted court at 12 am was like...it was creepy.

The Clintons' are creepy. The Democrats cannot comprehend the fact that kids, any kids of any color or circumstance, should be home in bed by midnight.

32 posted on 11/27/2004 9:55:48 AM PST by elbucko ( Feral Republican)
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To: 101st-Eagle
"You could probably tell I went to FSU, lol."

Yep ... and I meant no slight.

" Ageed on the all-about-money syndrome. I think we should get around the sham of the "amateur" status junk and have these players paid livable stipends for all the money they help contribute to the universities."

I'm afraid I would have to think on that one for a good long while. Some pretty nasty repercussions may develop as a result.

" As far as attitude, as long as we have a culture literally buying in to it, it won't change. God willing, we will see a change somewhere along the line in the whole of American society (election signaled a good start) where we hit critical mass with this crap and a new paradigm is ushered in."

I really think you are on to something here. It will take a while, but the wheel will turn.

33 posted on 11/27/2004 9:56:12 AM PST by G.Mason (A war mongering, UN hating, military industrial complex loving, Al Qaeda incinerating American.)
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To: wku man

I totally agree with you on the subject of professional sports. Too many people make "heroes" out of these single talent ball tossers.

I've come out in the past and said th same thing. Some freepers have jumped on me pretty hard however that will not change my distaste for bread and circuses.

Once posted that while growng up none of my four sons was allowed to watch any pro sports on TV if they expressed an interest I'd sign them up for little leauge or Pop Warner and go to their games and root for them.

Some folks came borderline to accusing me of abusing my kids because I actually made them play and get the exercise and benefits rather than taking up a space on the couch.


34 posted on 11/27/2004 9:56:56 AM PST by FRMAG
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To: EagleUSA
It is why I stopped being a basketball fan over ten years ago -- the game is no longer respectable.

In 54 years, I have only watched one BB game...

Reason: It's about as interesting as watching paint dry.

35 posted on 11/27/2004 10:02:16 AM PST by Cobra64 (Babes should wear Bullet Bras - www.BulletBras.net)
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To: Tumbleweed_Connection

Rich criminals on parade. NOthing more. The sport isn't even entertaining to watch. I've gone to a number of Denver Nuggets games in the box seats and we usually watch hockey.


36 posted on 11/27/2004 10:02:27 AM PST by shellshocked
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To: Mr. Jeeves
"As a fan, I'm not going to tolerate being dissed, either. So I've turned off the NBA for good. ;)"

You got that right!

From now on, it's the NHL for me.

37 posted on 11/27/2004 10:03:05 AM PST by robertpaulsen
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To: LS

At the pro level, you have to have a higher IQ to play. What's going on, on the field is so complex the stupid but gifted get weeded out quickly.


38 posted on 11/27/2004 10:04:19 AM PST by FreedomSurge
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To: EagleUSA
Yes, I think the modern day basketball game should go like this...give both sides 100 points, play for 5 minutes to determine the winner. It's over.

Naaa. Flip a coin. "Heads we win, tails you lose." Game over.

39 posted on 11/27/2004 10:05:47 AM PST by Cobra64 (Babes should wear Bullet Bras - www.BulletBras.net)
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Comment #40 Removed by Moderator


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