Defending Rush Limbaugh

MSNBC ^ | 10/2/2003 | Allen Barra

[wingman1]

"Best to shut up about race...no need to bring it up.
And this helps how? We should hide from reality? Cede the field of race to the Jacksons and Sharptons of the world? Isn't that what we've been doing?"

It was A SPORTS SHOW!

Rush has 15 hours a week to discuss race. Not long ago, he made some great points about Millen, the Lions, and Mariucci on his program.

[nhoward14]

The fact that his segments were in challenge form explicitly says he was being paid to give HIS opinions. I don't see why he should censor himself when ESPN is cutting him checks to speak what is on his mind.

[Pharmboy]

Rush was right--he's made that point and similar ones for years and years on the EIB. However, there was no positive risk/benefit ratio on his decision to talk about it on ESPN. The show is a football show and not a sports media show.

If there were a specific segment on "How the Media Covers Sports" it would have been fine in that context. I believe he was being deliberately provocative--perhaps he was acting out because of the pressure of the imminent oxycodone story.

[wingman1]

No, I know you weren't bashing Jimmy. But, the double standard is alive and well today. But even so, what The Greek said was pretty dumb.

I agree with you that Rush should have known better.

ESPN supposedly received numerous calls from Congressmen and civl rights people. So there you have it.

[Alberta's Child]

Good point. But the 1972 Dolphins were actually one of the most overrated teams in NFL history. They were undefeated, but they played a very weak schedule and nearly lost the Super Bowl to a surprisingly mediocre Washington Redskins team that any truly great team would have beaten handily.

Your comment on misleading statistics is accurate, but you then proceeded to introduce one yourself. Yes, the Eagles set a club record for points scored in a season last year. But McNabb played in only 10 games last year, and threw a total of 17 touchdown passes while running for 6 more (out of 45-50 TDs scored by the Eagles last year). And the Eagles scored 3 or 4 TDs on defense and special teams, too.

All of these things combined for a "record-breaking year" for the Eagles, and yet the starting QB was involved in no more than half the TDs they scored.

Oh, and one more thing -- the major reason McNabb is considered an overrated QB is that the Eagles have not set any records for points scored in NFC championship games the last few years.

[SengirV]

I keep forgetting what a powerhouse offensively the Eagles have been through the years, and oh by the way, how many of those record points were scored by the D and Special Teams???? Also Akers kicked quite a few Field Goals.

Brian mitchell had one punt return. Akers had 26 field goals. The defense had 2 TDs. But it is obvious to me that you loved rush's, at best, questionable race comments and you hate the Eagles. They put up more points last year than your Giants/Cowboys/Skins(One of them is you team I'm sure).

[SengirV]

Oh, and one more thing -- the major reason McNabb is considered an overrated QB is that the Eagles have not set any records for points scored in NFC championship games the last few years.

REally? And here I thought the reason was because he was black. Well, at least that is what rush thinks, and said so on national TV. And THAT is what all the brew-ha-ha is all about.

[sarasmom]

Who is this "we" you have in your pocket?
Rush is right.
That he says so in public is what seems to concern you deeply.
Free speech?
Or PC ruled and rigidly controlled "semi-free" approved agenda driven speech.
Where in politically correct speech can one find truth?
Rush Limbaugh has stated he will not run for political office, so why must he, or I, or the entire country pretend that PC speech applies to everyone?
Why on earth would we want it to apply to anyone?

[Humidston]

Thanks! And I voted too. Rush still winning.

[Edit35]

"Wow that was MSNBC posting a SLATE article! That's tantamount to a slate writer going into detail about why President Bush was right to go to war with Iraq. THINGS LIKE THIS SIMPLY DO NOT HAPPEN!

Don't get so excited.

The only reason PMSNBC felt they could publish this with a clear conscious is because Limbaugh had already resigned.

If he was still in there fighting, PMSNBC would never in a million years have run an article like this.

[cardinal4]

It's going to be fun watching the Eagles again. Let's see if the million dollar victim can prove Rush wrong.

I dont. I hope he fumbles every snap. I hope every pass he throws is held onto just enough to call it a catch, and then gets fumbled away. I hope he throws 10 interceptions on Sunday. I hope Mr. Arrington introduces Mr Mcnabb to the turf 10 times. I hope Mr. Bruce Smith taunts the hell out of him 10 times. I hope Mr Snyder takes off Donovans hat and slaps him on the top of his head in a taunting fashion 10 times...

Im a Redskins fan...

[Edit35]

Rush should have known better.

C'mon. Grow a spine, will ya.

That's the problem with this PC world.

If we give in to this type of blackmail, we will all be walking on eggshells each and every day, 24/7, scared to death that we might say something the PC Dems consider to be reason for termination.

For pete's sake, they keep moving the PC ball whenever it suits their political purpose. Of course if Rush was not conservative, there would be no limit as to what he could say since he would be considered "enlightened."

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

I like to watch sports in order to get away from thinking about politics.

That's exactly right. His political comments in a sports arena were not what people were expecting or wanting to hear.

[Alberta's Child]

Rush's point is that McNabb is overrated by the media because he is black. My point is that McNabb is "overrated" (as opposed to "deserving of the accolades he receives") because he hasn't yet delivered in a big game.

Something else to remember is that the Tampa Bay Bucs are something like 1-45 when the temperature at gametime is less than 40 degrees out. Their one victory? You guessed it -- last year's NFC champtionship game.

[Exigence]

Rush has 15 hours a week to discuss race. Not long ago, he made some great points about Millen, the Lions, and Mariucci on his program.

You're right. None of the other ESPN commentators discuss race -- NOT! I hear it constantly. Why are you suggesting the Rush should have been an exception? Because he's a conservative? Funny... that's what the liberal media thinks, too: conservatives should never talk about race.

[wingman1]

"C'mon. Grow a spine, will ya."

I not only have a spine, I gotta a brain also. The show is a sports show.

Therefore, this is what Rush should have said, "Donovan McNabb is overrated".

Limbaugh, a couple of weeks ago, was the only one on the show to pick New England to beat the Eagles in Philly!

Do you think the average dude at the sports bar cares about Limbaugh's view of the sports media or the world in general? I doubt it. It's more like they care about stats, standings, their fantasy teams, and the cute bar maid.

[wingman1]

You were quoting me, but were responding to Farmboy.

Would you mind giving me an example (or two) of how the other commentators on ESPN talk about race?

[jwalsh07]

This guy Barra knows sports. He had De La Hoya beating Sugar Shane Mosely 7-4-1. I saw it the same way. And I see it the same way with regards to Rush but Rush should never have resigned. Of course, maybe he wouldn't have had the drug thing not surfaced but we'll never know.

[Alia]

Say anything bad - even if totally true - about a black person, lose your job.

Unless the person who is dark-skinned that you are speaking ill about, lying about is.. Judge Clarence Thomas, Ward Connerly....

[Redbob]

As harsh as Barra is on McNabb, the stats suggest he was still being overly-kind.