Rev. Al Sharpton threatens to sue Rush Limbaugh over Wall Street Journal op-ed

NY Daily News ^ | 10/17/2009 | Larry Mcshane

[iowamark]

The Rev. Al Sharpton is ready for a Rush to judgment.

The civil rights leader, typically impervious to insults, said Saturday that he will sue Rush Limbaugh for defamation unless he gets an apology from the right-wing radio host.

Sharpton was outraged by a Limbaugh op-ed piece in The Wall Street Journal that blamed him for the 1991 Crown Heights riot and a 1995 killing spree at a Harlem store.

"I am definitely going to prove he makes reckless, unaccountable statements," Sharpton said. "Which is why he was forced out of buying an NFL team in the first place."

Limbaugh lashed out at Sharpton over the right-wing radio host's failed attempt to purchase a piece of the St. Louis Rams. Sharpton, among others, blasted Limbaugh's bid for NFL ownership.

Limbaugh replied in his op-ed piece that Sharpton "played a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot ... and 1995 Freddie's Fashion Mart riot."

Seven people were killed by a gun-toting man who set a fire in the Freddie's Fashion Mart. A Jewish scholar was stabbed to death in Crown Heights three hours after a 7-year-old black boy was fatally struck by a car.

Slanderous, according to Sharpton, who denied both allegations.

"He doesn't have the right to lie and accuse people of crimes," Sharpton said. "He wants to criminalize me.

"That's what got him in trouble. He tried to criminalize the NFL players, calling them Crips and Bloods."

The hard-line conservative also mentioned Sharpton's wrongful accusations in the Tawana Brawley case, and the reverend's "blind hatred" - although Sharpton took no issue with those remarks.

Limbaugh was unavailable for comment Saturday.

[tina07]

Sounds like somebody can dish it out but can’t take it, eh?
(Except the stuff about Sharpton is true!)

[iowamark]

Pre-emptive strike. Sharpton and his lawyers realize that Rush has grounds for a lawsuit for damages against him.

[tiki]

Paybacks are hell.

[tina07]

Only you can lie right Al??

[Loud Mime]

It is time to start dealing with tyrants like Sharpton, who may be the first domino to fall.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Hey, Al. Tawana lied.

[Paleo Conservative]

When was this editorial written?

[iowamark]

“”Updated Saturday, October 17th 2009, 4:29 PM “”

[Paleo Conservative]

It would be interesting to see how many other writers have blamed Al Sharpton.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Reference: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2364577/posts

[ChiMark]

Go to it race you race hustling pimp.

Let him try.

[Yaelle]

Sharpton actually REPEATED the lie that Rush said anything about the NFL being between the Bloods and the Crips.

Oh man, Rev’rund, BRING IT.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Al better shut up while he can! He is heading for really deep water!

[I Drive Too Fast]

ping

[eclecticEel]

Do it Al, I dare ya.

[TigersEye]

Reverend Al is more full of crap than an outhouse.

[13Sisters76]

I hope Rush drags this pig into court and sues him until he squeals. Maybe we can get lucky and Rush sues him into silence.

Karma is a bitch, Al.

[Brad from Tennessee]

In August 1997 Haitian immigrant Abner Louima was brutally assaulted by a New York City policeman. Louima told the press that during the assault the cops kept telling him: “It’s not Dinkins time, anymore; it’s Giuliani Time!” The claim further inflamed the black community already angry over the incident. Later Louima admitted the “Giuliani time” quote was concocted by the Rev. Al Sharpton who visited Louima’s hospital room and persuaded him to modify his account.

[ryan71]

Oh, I WISH this would go to court!