Posted on 11/20/2002 4:42:21 PM PST by TLBSHOW
Daschle blasts Limbaugh, religious right Accuses talk radio of posing threat to his life, security of his family
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle blasted Rush Limbaugh, talk radio and religious conservatives today in a rambling broadside in which he compared them to foreign Islamic terrorists and said he felt his life has been endangered by their criticism.
"I think we're in a different place because of the way politics has become such entertainment. We were just talking with some experts a couple of days ago about how if we're going to try to break through as Democrats, we have to have the same edge that Republicans do," said Daschle in a press availability this morning.
"You know, Rush Limbaugh and all of the Rush Limbaugh wannabes have a very shrill edge, and that's entertainment. We were told that even people who don't agree with them listen because they because they're entertaining. And, you know, but what happens when Rush Limbaugh attacks those of us in public life is that people aren't satisfied just to listen, they want to act because they get emotionally invested. And so, you know, the threats to those of us in public life go up dramatically and on our families and on us in a way that's very disconcerting. I don't think it's appropriate for me to dwell on that or to even go beyond that. But I will say that it has created a far different dimension. When I was accused of being an obstructionist, there was a corresponding and very significant increase in the number of issues that my family and I had to deal with. And I worry about that. If entertainment becomes so much a part of politics, and if that entertainment drives an emotional movement in this country among some people who don't know the difference between entertainment and politics and who are then so energized to go out and hurt somebody, that troubles me about where politics in America is going."
Asked if he thought there was a direct link between the talk radio criticism and the threats to his personal security, he answered: "I do. Oh, absolutely."
"You know, we see it in foreign countries, and we think, 'Well, my God, how can this religious fundamentalism become so violent?'" Daschle said. "Well, it's that same shrill rhetoric, it's that same shrill power that motivates. You know, somebody says something, and then it becomes a little more shrill the next time, and then more shrill the next time, and pretty soon it's a foment that becomes physical in addition to just verbal. And that's happening in this country. And I worry about where, over the course of the next decade, this is all going to go."
Asked again if he believed there was a direct tie between the critics and increased physical violence, Daschle responded: "Right. Well, fortunately and let's just pray, and I mean pray, that it doesn't get to that point. But certainly in terms of threats, I think that there's no question I don't know what they were in the '60s. All I know is that in the course of my time in public life, it has gone up exponentially."
Is the media causing this problem?
"No, I'm saying that the media plays a role in creating this foment, in creating this this extraordinary emotional fervor that is sometimes not not contained and, therefore, then leads to other other actions that are outside the control of anybody in the media or anybody in politics," explained Daschle.
Who exactly in the media is responsible?
"The talk shows." said Daschle.
Like Rush Limbaugh?
"Right," said Daschle.
What was Limbaugh's reaction?
"It appears the Democrats just got the results of their internal exit polling data back and now understand why they lost the election," he said on the air today. "Isn't it interesting that we just heard about this (threats of violence)? Is this not exactly what they tried right after the Oklahoma City bombing? The pattern here is just incredible to behold."
Limbaugh and talk radio were blamed by President Clinton for creating a climate of "hate" following the devastating attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Building in 1996.
"What does this prove?" he asked. "It shows what they were trying to do with campaign finance reform laws. They don't want to be criticized. They don't want to be criticized 60 days before an election. They don't want to be criticized 30 days before an election. They don't want to be criticized any time."
Sam Clemens (Mark Twain) declaring "It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress"
Think of Will Rodgers
"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.";
"I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!"
"The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets.";
"Our public men are speaking every day on something, but they ain't saying anything. "The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.
With Congress, every time they make a joke it's a law, and every time they make a law it's a joke."
It's always been entertainment Tommy boy, get used to it. Or as a politician of your own party Harry Truman once said, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen".
Of course it's so much fun watching him sweat. :)
None among those who know me would lable me religious.Much less fanatic.LOL
I LOVE RUSH.
I LOVE ANN COULTER
Somebody should tell Daschle that threats to vote against socialist Democrats are not "death threats".His and his partners in ignorance, political careers of living off the public teat is not an inalienable right.LOL!
As my child instructs me, he is COOL:
Constipated- Overrated- Out of style- Loser.
My, how times and slang change!LOL!
No clearer portait could be painted for the general public, and in their own words, no less: Daschole, you're not fit to lick GW's boots clean, you scurvy yellow dog.
But you Rats have the public education system and mainstream press.
Why are we so shrill, Tommy?? Whenever somebody reaches into my pocket and helps themselves to my hard earned money, I squeel. I don't like being called evil just because I earn more than $40,000.
"....rambling broadside in which he compared them to foreign Islamic terrorists and said he felt his life has been endangered by their criticism. "
So what. Criticism of elected dipsticks is part of the Republic, has been so since the beginning, and criticism of elected morons is fair and square. If you don't want to be criticized, Tommy, you fool, then don't make yourself out to look like the idiot that you are.
And I don't suppose the alphabet so-called 'news' channels are not your propaganda tools? The trouble with Tommy is that he's lost his a** and doesn't know how to find it.
5.56mm
He's had no threats of violence--show us the police reports.
What he's had is a tsunami of outrage at his traitorous speech on Friday last when he said we weren't winning the war on terror and weren't safer now than on 9/11.
Tom the Napoleanic moron and his fifth column obstructionism has been Osama's best friend, Saddam's chief lobbyist.
I've just seen an email that Tom Daschle left his family after doing Linda in a hotel.
Family values, Tom.
Threatened by the truth.
Ahem, and how about your tax returns, Tom?
The only violence swirling about sawed-off Poof-Daddy is the violent nausea he creates.
The Lexus muffler, Tom: suck it.
After many years of republicans being accused by the snotty elitist leftists that we want to starve children and kill old people, dispoil the air, land and water.
After seeing an honorable man, Ken Starr, demonized as the most "out-of-control sex maniac" man in America.
After hearing Mrs. Clinton proclaim after preparing a 274 page (I think that many pages) report exposing a mythical VRWC.
After hearing Bill Clinton say he feared the Christian right more than he feared any group of people in the world.
Today Daschle has proclaimed that Rush Limbaugh is the most powerful man in America! Well, for once they got it absolutely, right on, freeping right!
Despite the most rapaciously concerted efforts by the democrats, and their brethern in academia, Hollywood, NPR, 3 big tv networks, 2 cable stations, and 89% of the mainstream press, to demonize, mischaracterize, misinform, and dumb down the people of this great nation, one glittering courageous voice, is, according to Daschle the paramount reason the democrats have been thwarted in their devious schemes to impose their warped dogma on us.
Way to go El Rushbo. Keep on keep on slashing leftist lies. This is a most delightfully historic day for truth seekers. And Senator Daschle, sorry, no dummkopfs here.
You can't keep us down any longer. Nor can you keep the dazzling light of truth buried.
Bump to come back here later, thanks.....
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