NFL Players Opposed to Rush Limbaugh Bid for St. Louis Rams

SportsOctober 2009 • Views: 2,709

ESPN reports that the executive director of the NFL Players Union has written a letter to the union opposing the purchase of the St. Louis Rams by Talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

NFL Players executive director DeMaurice Smith on Saturday made a move to solidify the union against a bid by conservative talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh as part of a group that aims to purchase the St. Louis Rams.

In an e-mail to the union’s executive committee on Saturday specifically addressing Limbaugh’s bid, Smith said, “I’ve spoken to the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages. But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred.”

Limbaugh and St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts are among six potential ownership groups that have discussed buying the Rams. League sources say the current sale price has ranged from $700-to-$750 million but that there did not appear to be an imminent transaction. …

Limbaugh has expressed a number of controversial racial ideas in the past. For example, he suggested that Gen. Colin Powell supported Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy simply because he was black, and he also stated that the media wants black quarterbacks to do well and that Donovan McNabb doesn’t deserve much of the credit he has received for the Eagles’ success.

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211 comments

reloadingisnotahobby Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:18:24am

No shit?
Rush is a very wealthy man and LOVES Football!

lone_wolf_in_illinois Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:18:54am

No amount of money (or famous owners) would make the Rams any better. Go Broncos!

Creeping Eruption Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:19:21am

Hey, he could get together with Marge Schott and they would have a great owners group/

Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:19:26am

I can't really say that I blame 'em. Rush has a bad tendency to shove his foot in his mouth. I like the guy, he's entertaining and sometimes he's actually right, but he has an ego and a mild case of The Stupid (tm). I wouldn't want to be on his team, either.

Ben Hur Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:19:35am

Stephen A Smith Defends Rush Limbaugh's Bid for the Rams

Youtube Video

CHRISTINE ROMANS, HOST: Quickly, Rush Limbaugh may become part owner of the St. Louis Rams football team. It does not sit well with some black NFL players who claim if Limbaugh is the owner, they won't be playing in it. Should the NFL allow Limbaugh to purchase or invest?

STEPHEN A. SMITH, SPORTSWRITER: Absolutely. If he has the money, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. And those black ball players that are saying that, I'm here on national television telling you they are lying through their stinking teeth. They're walking hypocrites.

ROMANS: Aren't they making a moral stand?

SMITH: Oh, please. Their moral standard is greed. I'm an athlete and Rush Limbaugh happens to be the owner of the St. Louis Rams, so the New York Jets offer me $10 million, but Rush is offering me $20 million. I'm going to have a problem with it? Please, they are lying. They are wasting my time.

ROMANS: What about Donovan McNabb? Wasn't it the comment on ESPN...

SMITH: The media's desire is that a black quarterback do well. Yes, it caused a lot of controversy. I thought that Rush Limbaugh should have been criticized for that, which he was and unceremoniously fired by ESPN. But the reality is that that does not mean he should not own an NFL team. If he has the dollars, he should be allowed to do it. He's definitely an NFL fan. I've listened to him talk about football. It's not like he's ignorant to the game of football. The man knows football. He's a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He wants to buy them.

ROMANS: And he's got money. Gary is a guy who his whole driving goal in life -- A, he loves his family, B, he wants to buy the New York Jets.

GARY VAYNERCHUK, WINE LIBRARY TV: Buy the New York Jets. So I'm jealous of Rush and more importantly, I agree with Stephen A. Smith, knocked it out of the park just now. The players don't give a rat's butt. I totally agree. They are going where the contract is. That's just the way -- and I don't blame them. These guys -- especially NFL players, they get beat up. Running backs are has beens of 28. They've go to go there.

SMITH: Christine, you've got a three year max, four years if you are lucky in the NFL. This is a very serious sport, a very violent sport.

ROMANS: Don't spend it over being mad at Rush Limbaugh.

SMITH: That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is oh, you're going to pass up money because oh, my god, I'm offended by Rush Limbaugh being the owner? Who are you fooling? Liars. I wish they would say it publicly. Show me who it was.

ROMANS: They would never do that.

VAYNERCHUK: No chance.

ROMANS: Stephen A. Smith, thank you so much. Author Gary Vaynerchuk, very nice to see you again, Gary.

Honorary Yooper Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:22:04am

Let the bidding war commence.

Bloodnok Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:22:06am

Poor, poor Rush. The NFLPA wants him to fail.

/mega-"heh"s

crashnburn Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:25:00am

Yeah, there are no other owners in the major leagues with any "issues"... The spoiled babies that are playing a childhood game for large sums of money could try doing something else if they won't accept a paycheck from Limbaugh. Wanna bet how quickly these "issues" with him go away at that point of the transaction?

Sharmuta Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:26:04am

His big mouth isn't paying off so well at the moment is it?

SixDegrees Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:27:51am

Wait 'til they hear about Rush's plan to replace the team's logo with a flaming sword.

Ben Hur Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:27:59am

re: #9 Sharmuta

His big mouth isn't paying off so well at the moment is it?

He signed a $400,000,000 contract.

sattv4u2 Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:28:07am

re: #9 Sharmuta

His big mouth isn't paying off so well at the moment is it?

Yup!

He'll have to keep his portion of the 700 million to buy the team to himself.

ummm,, wait ,,, somethings wrong there !!!
/

friarstale Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:28:40am

he's only trying to be a part-owner, anyway
what'll his share be, 10%?

still, if I were Rush, I might back away for now
maybe he should have done it as a silent partner

filetandrelease Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:29:21am

re: #9 Sharmuta

His big mouth isn't paying off so well at the moment is it?

Enough to be a part owner in an NFL team.

Bloodnok Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:29:32am

re: #14 filetandrelease

Enough to be a part owner in an NFL team.

Not yet.

sattv4u2 Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:29:56am

re: #10 SixDegrees

Wait 'til they hear about Rush's plan to replace the team's logo with a flaming sword.

The Saint Louis EIB Golden Microphones?
/

metrolibertarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:30:25am

Were the opinions of NFL players taken before or after Rush's braindead statement last week that basketball is a sport of gang members?

The NFL Owner's Association would have to approve the sale anyway, and that's not happening.

vxbush Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:31:03am

re: #16 sattv4u2

The Saint Louis EIB Golden Microphones?
/

The Saint Louis Bigmouths!

Equable Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:31:42am

Well if he succeeds maybe he can bestow some of that talent he borrowed from God... make them a team worth half their weight in dung.

Equable Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:33:17am

Speaking of which here's a bumper sticker I used to have on my urban assault vehicle:

"What's the difference between God and Rush Limbaugh?"
"God doesn't think that he's Rush Limbaugh."

Good stuff there.

redshirt Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:33:29am

Yet Michael Vick was welcomed back to the game...

Sharmuta Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:33:52am

re: #11 Ben Hur

The players don't want him. And I think this is a fair point:

But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends.

Recently, Rush has been divisive, and that is going to carry over to other areas of his public life. To the point where NFL players don't want him for a boss. And yes- the NFL will listen to their players and the establishment of the league more than bombastic radio personality.

soxfan4life Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:34:02am

I bet the Raider fans would like to see Rush, Glenn Beck even, anyone but Al Davis.

Killgore Trout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:35:18am

Koskidz have a roundup of some of his previous statements...

Top African-American NFL Players: Flush Rush

MandyManners Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:36:32am

re: #21 redshirt

Yet Michael Vick was welcomed back to the game...

I still can't wrap my head around that.

metrolibertarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:36:43am

re: #23 soxfan4life

I bet the Raider fans would like to see Rush, Glenn Beck even, anyone but Al Davis.

I bet Redskins fans would rather have Limbaugh instead of Dan Snyder. At least one could blame drugs when the team pays too much money with little results if Rush was the owner. Dan Snyder isn't on hillbilly heroin, what's his excuse?

Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:36:53am

re: #22 Sharmuta

More to the point, the NFL has been plagued by controversy in years past anyway. (See, for example, the Vikings debacle from a few years back, which is why much of Minnesota disowns them.) Bringing Rush on board will only serve to create another controversy, more so if he opens his spectacularly voluminous mouth and says something idiotic, as he is wont to do.

redshirt Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:37:53am

re: #25 MandyManners

I still can't wrap my head around that.

Me neither. He's a sociopath. Not much fan outrage either.

Honorary Yooper Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:38:30am

re: #21 redshirt

Yet Michael Vick was welcomed back to the game...

Given that, I don't have much faith that the NFL would reject Rush.
They should, but I doubt they would.

Ben Hur Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:39:18am

First, they suck. Next, good luck winning without any black players.

Interesting comment from KOS.

Charpete67 Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:40:48am

I wonder how some of these players, that are so outraged by statements Rush has made, can be so quick to cash a check from a team named the "Redskins"...

Honorary Yooper Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:41:18am

re: #30 Ben Hur

You know, that comment from Kos could be viewed as just as racist as the stuff that Rush spewed.

z_nihilist Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:41:31am

I'm no fan of Limbaugh but I would like to see this play out. I mean if he can put together the best bid the NFL should accept it. It would make for interesting theater to see which players would be willing to play there and which ones wouldn't.

IMO Stephen A. Smith is right, most players play for the $$$ anyway and would be happy to play for Boss Limbaugh if the money is right.

Walter L. Newton Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:42:00am

Oh goody, a sports topic. I am not a big fan of sports, I'll sit back and watch.

Equable Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:43:03am

re: #31 Charpete67

Well that's just it. Many times you'll see people become outraged and offended when it suits them or when it's advantageous to their careers/reputations. Anything less than upholding a standard at all times is nothing less than hypocritical dithering.

Sharmuta Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:43:12am

On Sunday, Smith briefly elaborated, "This communication is more about what we stand for than the reality of our role in any franchise sale. While it's true the subject matter was related [to Limbaugh's bid], I do understand that the NFL does not present ownership bids to me or the NFLPA. I encourage our players to express their views."
"I have asked our players to embrace their roles not only in the game of football but also as players and partners in the business of the NFL," said Smith in the e-mail. "They risk everything to play this game, they understand that risk and they live with that risk and its consequences for the rest of their life. We also know that there is an ugly part of history and we will not risk going backwards, giving up, giving in or lying down to it.

This reporter missed the mark by citing Rush's comments on McNabb and Obama. This is about his segregated bus comments. Many people clamored it wasn't race baiting- it was sarcasm, and Charles hated conservatives!1! Seems to me that others saw it exactly like Charles- it was pure race baiting. Now Rush is feeling the heat from an unexpected source. Maybe it will be a teachable moment for him.

MandyManners Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:43:13am

re: #28 redshirt

Me neither. He's a sociopath. Not much fan outrage either.

Weren't there boos at his first game?

MandyManners Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:43:31am

re: #30 Ben Hur

Interesting comment from KOS.

Wow. Rank racism.

Irish Rose Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:43:55am

Sorry to OT but OMG Charles, did you see the images that Geller posted on her blog yesterday? What a fucking outrage, is there anyone or anything that she will not exploit for the hit count?

Someone over there needs to tell her that exploiting the dead like this is completely beyond the pale... posting closeups of murdered and mutilated victims to incite rage in her readers and increase her hit count = no freaking respect or decency whatsoever.

Seriously people, don't go there if you have a tricky stomach.

/hurl

debutaunt Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:43:55am

re: #34 Walter L. Newton

Oh goody, a sports topic. I am not a big fan of sports, I'll sit back and watch.

A Limbaugh/football topic. Me too.

Kragar Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:45:13am

re: #34 Walter L. Newton

Oh goody, a sports topic. I am not a big fan of sports, I'll sit back and watch.

Personally, I'm a big fan of [local sports team] and I really enjoyed their game against [rival team]. I'm still amazed by the [hit, goal, touchdown, run] they made in the last big game.

Equable Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:45:53am

re: #40 debutaunt

A Limbaugh/football topic. Me too.

Yeah it's weird territory for me. I don't watch football and with Limbaugh, sometimes I listen to him and sometimes I find myself saying "right on!" whereas I sometimes roll my eyes.

Then again I get those sensations almost everywhere I go.

Izzyboy Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:46:10am

re: #41 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Personally, I'm a big fan of [local sports team] and I really enjoyed their game against [rival team]. I'm still amazed by the [hit, goal, touchdown, run] they made in the last big game.

Aren't you sportist.

/pout

pigneck Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:46:56am

Wow!

Is this similar to the "the inmates running the asylum".

I wonder if Rush will let them quit if they don't won't to work for him.

'Neck

Killgore Trout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:47:13am

re: #39 Irish Rose

Thanks for the heads up. I try to check he page on occasion but she has such a bizarre fetish for blood and gore. I'll just leave her alone for the next couple of days.

metrolibertarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:47:33am

re: #39 Irish Rose

Sorry to OT but OMG Charles, did you see the images that Geller posted on her blog yesterday? What a fucking outrage, is there anyone or anything that she will not exploit for the hit count?

Someone over there needs to tell her that exploiting the dead like this is completely beyond the pale... posting closeups of murdered and mutilated victims to incite rage in her readers and increase her hit count = no freaking respect or decency whatsoever.

Seriously people, don't go there if you have a tricky stomach.

/hurl

Pamela Geller is a necrophiliac, plain and simple.

bosforus Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:47:58am

Well, we can't all love our bosses.

Walter L. Newton Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:48:25am

re: #41 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Personally, I'm a big fan of [local sports team] and I really enjoyed their game against [rival team]. I'm still amazed by the [hit, goal, touchdown, run] they made in the last big game.

STALKER... leave me alone, I don't like sports that much.. Aaarrrggghhh.

slartybartfast Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:48:35am

When I saw the headline, "NFL Players Opposed to Rush Limbaugh...", I was sure expecting more players than the "At least seven NFL players..." mentioned in the article.

And, so far, it's only the Executive Director writing (by email) to the player's union executive committee.

In that case, I count eight (8) opposed to a potential purchase...

Ben Hur Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:49:03am

re: #39 Irish Rose

Sorry to OT but OMG Charles, did you see the images that Geller posted on her blog yesterday? What a fucking outrage, is there anyone or anything that she will not exploit for the hit count?

Someone over there needs to tell her that exploiting the dead like this is completely beyond the pale... posting closeups of murdered and mutilated victims to incite rage in her readers and increase her hit count = no freaking respect or decency whatsoever.

Seriously people, don't go there if you have a tricky stomach.

/hurl

She must be shooting for syndication throughout the Arab press.

Walter L. Newton Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:49:11am

re: #40 debutaunt

A Limbaugh/football topic. Me too.

Let's talk about quantum physics.

Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:49:37am

re: #41 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Personally, I'm a big fan of [local sports team] and I really enjoyed their game against [rival team]. I'm still amazed by the [hit, goal, touchdown, run] they made in the last big game.

I missed the game, but did you catch [local current event]? That was something spectacular, let me tell you.

Charpete67 Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:49:57am

so...if the Rams win the Super Bowl...will the team and ownership visit the white house?

Killgore Trout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:50:08am

re: #38 MandyManners

I don't think so. The NFL is at least 50% black (I'm just guessing) and it really reduces the players to choose from. I don't think it's racist to point out that an all white NFL team probably wouldn't do very well.

Kragar Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:50:25am

French charge 'terror' scientist

The 32-year-old man of Algerian descent was one of two brothers detained in the south-east town of Vienne on Thursday.

He works at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Cern), Europe's main centre for the study of atoms, on the Swiss-French border.

He appeared in court on Monday to face charges of "criminal association with a terrorist enterprise".

Preliminary charges allow a judge to investigate before deciding whether to proceed with a trial.

Sharmuta Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:50:50am

re: #39 Irish Rose

geller's site locks up my browser because it's so unloadable. Worst page load on the web, followed closely behind Stacy Mac.

Kosh's Shadow Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:50:59am

re: #46 metrolibertarian

Pamela Geller is a necrophiliac, plain and simple.

Maybe she should be a coroner, then.
(Stolen from Tom Lehrer)

tradewind Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:51:00am

Seriously... we weren't exactly thrilled when our airline hired a billionaire failed candidate for Ca governor as CEO, either, but whaddyaknow... they did it anyway. Nor did anyone love the idea of losing the red tail forever, but again, sadly, management went ahead and did it sans pilot and flight attendant approval.
Perhaps the football players will have more influence.
///

theheat Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:51:01am

I think the NFL may have an image problem. On one hand, you have that POS Michael Vick welcomed back in the fold, and on the other, you have an offensive loudmouth that repeatedly says obnoxious racist things pertaining to a significant percentage of its players. But if the money's there, the NFL will look the other way.

Teachable moments appear to be lost on the NFL.

debutaunt Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:51:20am

re: #51 Walter L. Newton

Let's talk about quantum physics.

Well certainly. You first...

Killgore Trout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:51:49am

re: #56 Sharmuta

geller's site locks up my browser because it's so unloadable. Worst page load on the web, followed closely behind Stacy Mac.

I don't think it's bad coding. It's just your computer choking on the content.

tradewind Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:52:03am

re: #56 Sharmuta

'tod ya.
It's really lame.

Pianobuff Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:52:09am

In related news, the player's union is requesting that all references to 'rushing' be changed to 'running'.

Honorary Yooper Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:52:27am

re: #54 Killgore Trout

I don't think so. The NFL is at least 50% black (I'm just guessing) and it really reduces the players to choose from. I don't think it's racist to point out that an all white NFL team probably wouldn't do very well.

It's the way the Kos comment is worded, not the meaning. Had the author pointed out what you had, then the comment would have merit. As it stands, it gives off a different odor. How one words a comment is just as important as the content.

tradewind Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:52:58am

re: #61 Killgore Trout

It's an awful site... it loaded okay, but I won't give it another chance. I didn't even catch the content, because the web design looked like something a kindergarden teacher had assigned.

Charles Johnson Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:53:07am

re: #39 Irish Rose

Sorry to OT but OMG Charles, did you see the images that Geller posted on her blog yesterday? What a fucking outrage, is there anyone or anything that she will not exploit for the hit count?

Someone over there needs to tell her that exploiting the dead like this is completely beyond the pale... posting closeups of murdered and mutilated victims to incite rage in her readers and increase her hit count = no freaking respect or decency whatsoever.

Seriously people, don't go there if you have a tricky stomach.

/hurl

She also posted pictures of the British thugs called the English Defense League giving Nazi salutes. And praised them.

metrolibertarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:53:16am

re: #53 Charpete67

so...if the Rams win the Super Bowl...will the team and ownership visit the white house?

If the Rams win the Super Bowl with the lineup they currently have I will be very sad because it means someone killed the players on every other remaining NFL team.

debutaunt Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:53:20am

re: #63 Pianobuff

In related news, the player's union is requesting that all references to 'rushing' be changed to 'running'.

/

Football humor - *Mork-like noise*

MandyManners Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:53:27am

re: #54 Killgore Trout

I don't think so. The NFL is at least 50% black (I'm just guessing) and it really reduces the players to choose from. I don't think it's racist to point out that an all white NFL team probably wouldn't do very well.

Why? Are African-American players bigger and more aggressive as a rule than white ones?

tradewind Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:53:59am

Why don't the African American players focus their ire on something more relevant, like the percentage of African American quarterbacks and coaches in the NFL?

Daniel Ballard Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:54:31am

re: #54 Killgore Trout

Now your talking Fantasy Football!

Interested and concerned CDN Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:54:53am

re: #9 Sharmuta

at the moment...

z_nihilist Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:54:56am

re: #70 tradewind

The NFL is very proactive on this, see Rooney Rule.

Bloodnok Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:55:19am

re: #70 tradewind

Why don't the African American players focus their ire on something more relevant, like the percentage of African American quarterbacks and coaches in the NFL?

So you can tell AA players what is more important to them?

You can?

soxfan4life Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:55:55am

re: #33 z_nihilist

I'm no fan of Limbaugh but I would like to see this play out. I mean if he can put together the best bid the NFL should accept it. It would make for interesting theater to see which players would be willing to play there and which ones wouldn't.

IMO Stephen A. Smith is right, most players play for the $$$ anyway and would be happy to play for Boss Limbaugh if the money is right.

There are 32 teams with 53 players each. Is the union wanting us to believe those 53 players that might otherwise be working at Home Depot than cashing Rush's checks are opposed to rush's part ownership?

Equable Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:56:02am

re: #66 Charles

Man it really galls me when people gathering with a legitimate gripe get infiltrated by the asshat brigades. It takes away from the legitimate gripe.

Honorary Yooper Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:56:37am

re: #66 Charles

She also posted pictures of the British thugs called the English Defense League giving Nazi salutes. And praised them.

Geller is a study of lost irony in motion.

She posts those pics praising the EDL while condeming Buchanan and praising those he met with (VB) while commemorating the Holocaust, an event the EDL, Buchanan, and the VB all wish to deny and repeat at the same time. It's enough to make the head of sane person spin.

tradewind Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:57:03am

re: #74 Bloodnok

Just musing.
Calcium might help you with that knee jerk.

Sharmuta Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:57:25am

re: #59 theheat

I think the NFL may have an image problem. On one hand, you have that POS Michael Vick welcomed back in the fold, and on the other, you have an offensive loudmouth that repeatedly says obnoxious racist things pertaining to a significant percentage of its players. But if the money's there, the NFL will look the other way.

Teachable moments appear to be lost on the NFL.

This reminds me of a cartoon based off my all time favorite NFL controversy:

Fan will rest easier knowing that while the game may feature ex-felons, wife-beaters and drug addicts...

...fake moonings simply won't be tolerated.

It's true the NFL should look at it's priorities for conduct, but it's no excuse for Rush's comments. The NFL might not want another diva, and I doubt Jerry Jones wants the competition for the role.

Equable Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:58:00am

re: #77 Honorary Yooper

She seems to aspire to the idea that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". History shows that it's convoluted and does not work. Once your enemy's enemy is vanquished you end up dealing with the "enemy" you sided with.

oldegeezr Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:58:02am

"His skin color doesn't matter. His policies are what matter."...mmm,mmm,mmm!

Some other poster profoundly opined...

“El Rushbo, brings "Color Commentary" to a whole new level.”

Daniel Ballard Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:58:29am

Boy am I in a dilemma. That Rush vs. Al Sharpton. Hmm Who to root for?!

Charles Johnson Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:58:38am

re: #76 Equable

Man it really galls me when people gathering with a legitimate gripe get infiltrated by the asshat brigades. It takes away from the legitimate gripe.

There's no "legitimate gripe" there, and nothing was "infiltrated." The English Defense League is the organizer of these protests. And they're connected to the neo-Nazi British National Party. They're out and out thugs.

Bloodnok Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:59:17am

re: #78 tradewind

Just musing.
Calcium might help you with that knee jerk.

I understand. Being called on silly statements is teh hard.

Kragar Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:59:33am

re: #80 Equable

She seems to aspire to the idea that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". History shows that it's convoluted and does not work. Once your enemy's enemy is vanquished you end up dealing with the "enemy" you sided with.

I've always subscribed to the idea of "The enemy of my enemy can be a real dick too."

Interested and concerned CDN Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:00:03am

re: #70 tradewind

And Rush might just agree with you there.

Equable Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:00:28am

re: #83 Charles

Word, and that's precisely what I was alluding to. I am all for protesting against sharia law, but when you get the jackbooted thugs hopping on that bandwagon to further their own cause while believing that it will polish their image some...

By "gathering" I was speaking in the general sense. Guess I should've mentioned that.

tradewind Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:00:28am

re: #84 Bloodnok

Then give yourself a break if it's teh hard for you, and resist next time.

Charles Johnson Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:01:26am

re: #87 Equable

Word, and that's precisely what I was alluding to. I am all for protesting against sharia law, but when you get the jackbooted thugs hopping on that bandwagon to further their own cause while believing that it will polish their image some...

By "gathering" I was speaking in the general sense. Guess I should've mentioned that.

They're not "hopping on the bandwagon." They ARE the bandwagon.

metrolibertarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:01:39am

re: #77 Honorary Yooper

Or her approval of the authoritarian Chinese government's efforts to repress an ethnic minority.

Killgore Trout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:02:02am

re: #66 Charles

She also posted pictures of the British thugs called the English Defense League giving Nazi salutes. And praised them.

When I checked last night not a single one of her readers left a comment like "hey, what's up with the guy gicing the Nazi salute?". Nobody seems to mind.

Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:02:14am

re: #89 Charles

They're not "hopping on the bandwagon." They ARE the bandwagon.

Which sucks, because there's a legitimate reason to protest the spread of sharia law in the UK, and the fact that these dickheads are the only show in town makes it impossible to organize something without getting tainted.

theheat Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:02:38am

re: #79 Sharmuta

In or out of the NFL, Rush's comments in the past have been indefensible. True, Michael Vick did serve his sentence, but it makes him no less a piece of shit as a person.

But we're talking buttloads and truckloads of money. And money can buy a lot of looking the other way. The NFL is a business, and it's conducting itself accordingly. Disappointing, but not surprising.

Baier Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:02:39am

/G-d forbid the NFL has any ridiculous scandals.
I don't like Rush, but the NFL has a problem with Rush and not Michael Vick?

Irish Rose Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:02:57am

re: #91 Killgore Trout

When I checked last night not a single one of her readers left a comment like "hey, what's up with the guy gicing the Nazi salute?". Nobody seems to mind.

They don't seem to have a problem with exploitation of the dead, either.

Interested and concerned CDN Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:03:03am

re: #80 Equable

...and one less enemy...

Bloodnok Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:03:04am

re: #88 tradewind

Then give yourself a break if it's teh hard for you, and resist next time.

I was "just musing". You see, that simple statement can protect one from any criticism of their statement.

/done with you.

Kragar Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:04:06am

In Gaza, the zebra is a donkey

GAZA CITY — At Gaza's "Happy Land Zoo," donkeys earned their stripes and became zebras.

The two made-in-Gaza zebras have become symbols of life under the Israeli blockade, a local attraction and a bit of a joke.

"The zebras are locally manufactured," says zoo director Mahmud Barghut, grinning from ear to ear.

"We take a donkey and draw stripes on it."

The operation takes two days and entails the use of sticky tape and French-made hair colouring, which Barghut says works best for this kind of job.

The two imposters stare at visitors with sad eyes from a tiny, fly-ridden cage.

"We couldn't afford real zebras," says Barghut.

Equable Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:04:22am

re: #92 thedopefishlives

Which sucks, because there's a legitimate reason to protest the spread of sharia law in the UK, and the fact that these dickheads are the only show in town makes it impossible to organize something without getting tainted.

And that's what I was trying to say in post 76. It takes away from the "regular guy concerned about his country" and puts it into the hands of another stripe of extremist who can be outright scarier.

100

Ben Hur Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:05:14am

re: #98 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

The two imposters stare at visitors with sad eyes from a tiny, fly-ridden cage.

The horror.

101

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:05:41am

re: #54 Killgore Trout

I don't think so. The NFL is at least 50% black (I'm just guessing) and it really reduces the players to choose from. I don't think it's racist to point out that an all white NFL team probably wouldn't do very well.

Yeah. Cause it would be all punters and field goal kickers.
/

102

Athens Runaway Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:05:50am

re: #94 Baier

/G-d forbid the NFL has any ridiculous scandals.
I don't like Rush, but the NFL has a problem with Rush and not Michael Vick?

What Vick did is part of "African-American Southern culture." And plus, what about Bernie Madoff or Enron? Aren't those worse?

/honest-to-God, a African-American Southerner said this to me, this in defense of Vick

103

bornamerican Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:06:10am

re: #78 tradewind

104

reine.de.tout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:06:10am

re: #45 Killgore Trout

Thanks for the heads up. I try to check he page on occasion but she has such a bizarre fetish for blood and gore. I'll just leave her alone for the next couple of days.

She has an equally bizarre fetish for gluing herself to Spencer's side while wearing really ugly clothes.

105

Athens Runaway Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:06:51am

re: #101 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Yeah. Cause it would be all punters and field goal kickers.
/

Seems to me that I can think of a lot of white quarterbacks and WRs, as well as other positions.

Why are you bringing race into whether a guy is good at a position or not?

106

Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:07:44am

re: #104 reine.de.tout

She has an equally bizarre fetish for gluing herself to Spencer's side while wearing really ugly clothes.

I've seen some comments floating around on the further edges of the fringe that the Shrieking Harpy is attractive. To be honest, I've never really seen whatever they see in her, and so much less so now that she's been exposed as a raving lunatic.

107

Irish Rose Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:07:45am

re: #104 reine.de.tout

I'm not seeing Spencers' right hand in that photo...

108

SixDegrees Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:07:54am

re: #98 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

In Gaza, the zebra is a donkey

Shouldn't PETA be outraged over this? Shouldn't we notify them, and ship, oh, I don't know, maybe ten or twenty thousand PETA members over there right away to protest?

109

theheat Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:08:19am

re: #98 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

That's a hideous way to keep an animal, whether it's to make a point or not. If that's the only thing you ever saw to illustrate how they conduct themselves, I don't need to see any more. But, as we know, it's only the tip of the iceberg with those douchebags.

110

SteveC Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:08:27am

re: #98 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

In Gaza, the zebra is a donkey

Ok, thats sick on about 30 different levels.

111

Killgore Trout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:08:43am

re: #101 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Heh. It would make for an interesting strategy.

112

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:08:53am

re: #105 Athens Runaway

First of all. Joke.

Second... Reggie Roby was the last AA punter or kicker that I recall in the NFL (Randall Cunningham had a really long punt, once.)

113

metrolibertarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:09:03am

re: #104 reine.de.tout

Is it just me, or if Robert Spencer's skin had less pigment and he was wearing a top-hat, he would look exactly like Danny DeVito's "Penguin" in Batman Returns?

114

filetandrelease Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:09:11am

re: #39 Irish Rose

Sorry to OT but OMG Charles, did you see the images that Geller posted on her blog yesterday? What a fucking outrage, is there anyone or anything that she will not exploit for the hit count?

Someone over there needs to tell her that exploiting the dead like this is completely beyond the pale... posting closeups of murdered and mutilated victims to incite rage in her readers and increase her hit count = no freaking respect or decency whatsoever.

Seriously people, don't go there if you have a tricky stomach.

/hurl

Wow, worse than I expected.

115

SixDegrees Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:09:38am

re: #113 metrolibertarian

Is it just me, or if Robert Spencer's skin had less pigment and he was wearing a top-hat, he would look exactly like Danny DeVito's "Penguin" in Batman Returns?

I can't quite decide. Can you stick a rotten fish in his mouth?

116

vxbush Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:10:19am

re: #109 theheat

That's a hideous way to keep an animal, whether it's to make a point or not. If that's the only thing you ever saw to illustrate how they conduct themselves, I don't need to see any more. But, as we know, it's only the tip of the iceberg with those douchebags.

You do realize, of course, that "fashionable" women once dye their hair in zebra stripes, I believe back in the 80's. If it's good enough for a human, apparently it's good enough for a donkey.

117

tradewind Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:10:22am

re: #86 Interested and concerned CDN

This is not something for the NFL to be proud of...
Re ownership...No person of color has ever held a majority interest in an NFL team.
[Link: bcasports.cstv.com...]

118

Athens Runaway Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:10:30am

re: #108 SixDegrees

Shouldn't PETA be outraged over this? Shouldn't we notify them, and ship, oh, I don't know, maybe ten or twenty thousand PETA members over there right away to protest?

PETA only cares about animals when conservatives or Teh Ebil Corporations are involved. When your organization's leadership is busy giving material help to eco-terrorist operations, it's up to the true-believer interns to pick the battles.

119

soxfan4life Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:11:07am

OT but apparently the GOP has devised yet another idea to ensure Democrats keep there majority or even increase it. They are pinning their 2010 strategy on Madame Speaker.

[Link: news.aol.com...]

120

metrolibertarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:11:23am

re: #115 SixDegrees

If one were to stick a rotten fish in his mouth, the resulting stench would be less vile than the shit that currently comes out of that troll.

121

Alan K. Henderson Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:12:02am

Rush's team will beat the Redskins with half the defensive secondary tied behind his back.

re: #17 metrolibertarian

Were the opinions of NFL players taken before or after Rush's braindead statement last week that basketball is a sport of gang members?

That's not an accurate statement:

LIMBAUGH: It's not reasonable that you should understand the insanity that local and state and federal bureaucracies are doing. It's perfectly normal and understandable that none of what they do would make sense to you. My question -- OK, a 1 cent sales tax to fight gang violence. What do you spend the money on to fight gang violence? Afterschool program -- don't we already have afterschool programs? Don't we already have -- what do you call it, extracurricular events? Midnight basketball -- I mean, we've done it all. We've taken the favorite sport of gangs, and we put it at midnight to get them on the basketball court. We had 100,000 new cops with Clinton -- we've done it all. And the problem still is out of control. Liberalism doesn't work.

Ironically, Media Matters (who transcribed the cited quote) vindicates Limbaugh. The phrase "sport of gang members" would imply a sweeping generalization about basketball, that B's membership is dominated by G. Limbaugh said the reverse, that G plays basketball more than any other sport. And it's true - most American gangs are inner-city phenomena, and the sport played by most inner-city folks, criminal or otherwise, is basketball. There isn't room in the inner city to play any other major sport.

Limbaugh simply questioned the notion of using the gangs' sport of choice as a means of dissuading them from crime.

122

Ben Hur Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:13:04am

re: #54 Killgore Trout

I don't think so. The NFL is at least 50% black (I'm just guessing) and it really reduces the players to choose from. I don't think it's racist to point out that an all white NFL team probably wouldn't do very well.

Blacks being naturally superior athletes is considered a racial stereotype.

Sports commentators have been fired for saying it.

It's a racist comment, even if done in snark on a lefty blog.

But it is just that, one comment out of sh*tload, no where near what we saw last week.

Was just pointing it out because on the left being un-PC is comedy, on the right it is racist.

123

_RememberTonyC Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:13:17am

re: #22 Sharmuta

The players don't want him. And I think this is a fair point:

Recently, Rush has been divisive, and that is going to carry over to other areas of his public life. To the point where NFL players don't want him for a boss. And yes- the NFL will listen to their players and the establishment of the league more than bombastic radio personality.

I posted on this yesterday afternoon and my feeling is that while I am not a dittohead, I have an issue with the head of the players union and his position on this.

Sharm, DeMaurice Smith does not speak for every player because I work in the sports business and know a number of NFL personalities who are quite right of center politically and who agree with many of Rush's positions. The head of the union being against Rush is not the same as all the players being against him. The heads of many unions do not speak for all of their members either. I am quite certain that many cops who are in unions do not agree with their dues going almost exclusively to democratic candidates.

If Limbaugh ends up owning a team (which is highly unlikely IMHO), and he pays higher than average salaries to his players, the head of the union is working against the interests of its members if they prevent a potentially "good paying" boss from being in the business.

I am not as much of a Rush listener as I used to be, and the reason has to do with some of his more extreme antics. So I am not an apologist for him or his tactics. But for the head of the union to oppose him for political reasons strikes me as inappropriate.

124

Athens Runaway Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:13:26am

re: #112 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

My bad. I'm running on ~3 hours sleep and my sarcasm-slashy detector is (unfortunately) not a priority system. Think Grey Mode.

125

Walter L. Newton Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:13:49am

re: #120 metrolibertarian

Lizards... I think this guy is a moby, trying on purpose to bait you into saying nasty things about Spencer.

Look at his account.

Just an observation from me.

Metrolibertarian, if you want to respond... ?

126

reine.de.tout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:14:29am

re: #106 thedopefishlives

I've seen some comments floating around on the further edges of the fringe that the Shrieking Harpy is attractive. To be honest, I've never really seen whatever they see in her, and so much less so now that she's been exposed as a raving lunatic.

All I will say . . . she is definitely better looking that I am. I would be jealous, except that she seems to be nuts, and I'm not . . . so I come out ahead in the long term, I think.

127

tradewind Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:14:56am

re: #119 soxfan4life

She's making progress... when Sen. Reid tried to put his arm on her shoulder at the press conference the other day, not only did she have the sense to recoil, but her eyebrows actually moved.
///

128

Gearhead Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:15:34am

Maybe he should invest in a less political sport, such as Formula 1.

///

129

reine.de.tout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:15:36am

re: #113 metrolibertarian

Not going there, uncool.
some might say the same about me.

130

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:16:07am

re: #124 Athens Runaway

Think Grey Mode.

(nerd alert)

131

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:16:37am

re: #129 reine.de.tout

Not going there, uncool.
some might say the same about me.

I don't go to other blogs.

132

soxfan4life Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:16:51am

re: #117 tradewind

This is not something for the NFL to be proud of...
Re ownership...No person of color has ever held a majority interest in an NFL team.
[Link: bcasports.cstv.com...]

But I don't believe any ownership group has been denied because they had person's of color in the majority interest.

133

sattv4u2 Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:17:06am

re: #120 metrolibertarian

Who is 'that troll"?

134

Killgore Trout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:17:17am

I want one of these sooo bad...
The DIY fish supper: Future kitchen grows its own vegetables and seafood

Going swimmingly: The Biosphere Farm by Philips houses fish, root vegetables, grasses, herbs, plants and algae under a common roof

Maybe I'll have to make one someday.

135

Athens Runaway Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:17:56am

re: #130 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

(nerd alert)

Never have pretended otherwise.

136

Irish Rose Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:18:01am

re: #114 filetandrelease

Wow, worse than I expected.

Main Entry: ghoul
Pronunciation: ˈgül
Function: noun

One who shows morbid interest in things considered shocking or repulsive

137

Interested and concerned CDN Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:18:03am

re: #117 tradewind

I agree...There should be more coaches and QB's but it is not all the NFL's fault. Many aspiring AA QB's have been diverted to other positions earlier in their careers and are not allowed to develop for a variety of reasons, most poor reasons.

Ownership? Well that is an old boys club, across most sports and again, I'd like to see that change.

138

Antisocial Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:18:20am

NFL Players Union???
Why the hell does a group of millionaire need a union?!?!?!?!?

139

metrolibertarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:18:36am

Actually I got the account back in I want to say Feb 2008 to use the chat when it was still around. You can confirm the date for me since you seem quite interested in my personal history on this site than even I am.

140

Rexatosis Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:19:00am

Rush's group has ties to Missouri, success in sports' ownership, and buckets of money. All are positives for keeping the Rams in St. Louis. Of course if the NFL and the NFLPA prefer to move the team to L.A. where no NFL team resides then a big fuss over Rush may well provide cover for selling the team to a bunch of carpetbagging owners who will move it first chance they get. (Okay I'm just a little cynical but not without reason--See the last twenty-years of NHL history and the rest of professional sports.)

141

MandyManners Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:19:03am

re: #138 Antisocial

NFL Players Union???
Why the hell does a group of millionaire need a union?!?!?!?!?

How do you think they got to be millionaires?

142

Equable Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:19:17am

re: #136 Irish Rose

Seriously, can't she just say "remember Neda" and let those with Google feed their own morbid curiosity?

For my part her beautiful face is etched into my psyche for all of my days... that poor girl.

143

tradewind Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:19:51am

re: #138 Antisocial
It's a contractual thing. No union, no millionaires.
///

144

Athens Runaway Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:20:06am

re: #138 Antisocial

NFL Players Union???
Why the hell does a group of millionaire need a union?!?!?!?!?

So they all know when to go on strike and when to go bust caps in the scabs' knees before the game on Sunday.

145

Bloodnok Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:20:09am

re: #138 Antisocial

NFL Players Union???
Why the hell does a group of millionaire need a union?!?!?!?!?

Ask some of the players from the 50's, 60's and 70's who are broke because the owners paid them peanuts or they couldn't become free agents.

146

Walter L. Newton Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:21:01am

re: #139 metrolibertarian

Actually I got the account back in I want to say Feb 2008 to use the chat when it was still around. You can confirm the date for me since you seem quite interested in my personal history on this site than even I am.

I'm more interested in the fact that you just jump in here and leave some really nasty remarks about Spencer, personal remarks. Spencer doesn't get much support around here, but we usually don't resort to "school yard" style ragging on him.

I don't think your comments about Spencer were very cool, my opinion.

147

SteveC Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:21:21am

re: #140 Rexatosis

Rush's group has ties to Missouri, success in sports' ownership, and buckets of money. All are positives for keeping the Rams in St. Louis. Of course if the NFL and the NFLPA prefer to move the team to L.A. where no NFL team resides then a big fuss over Rush may well provide cover for selling the team to a bunch of carpetbagging owners who will move it first chance they get. (Okay I'm just a little cynical but not without reason--See the last twenty-years of NHL history and the rest of professional sports.)

Prime Example: Robert Irsay and the Baltimore Colts

148

z_nihilist Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:21:28am

re: #140 Rexatosis

As a former Houston Oiler fan, if it takes Rush to keep the Rams in St. Louis then I'm for it. No city should have to go through the disgrace of losing an NFL franchise.

149

sattv4u2 Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:21:54am

re: #139 metrolibertarian

Actually I got the account back in I want to say Feb 2008 to use the chat when it was still around. You can confirm the date for me since you seem quite interested in my personal history on this site than even I am.

FYI,, Jan 27, 2008 at 6:31 pm
So again ,, who is "THAT TROLL" you alluded to in #120?

150

SixDegrees Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:22:02am

re: #119 soxfan4life

OT but apparently the GOP has devised yet another idea to ensure Democrats keep there majority or even increase it. They are pinning their 2010 strategy on Madame Speaker.

[Link: news.aol.com...]

Well, they can't exactly run on all the good ideas the GOP has come up with and attempted to implement. I guess the only thing left is to base their success on their opposition's failure.

Doesn't strike me as a great strategy.

151

Athens Runaway Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:22:43am

re: #148 z_nihilist

As a former Houston Oiler fan, if it takes Rush to keep the Rams in St. Louis then I'm for it. No city should have to go through the disgrace of losing an NFL franchise.

As a lapsed Browns fan, I agree. Besides, 7 players and 1 union boss a majority consenus do not make. I imagine most players in the NFL wouldn't care who part-owns the Rams.

152

reine.de.tout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:23:49am

re: #131 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I don't go to other blogs.

good plan.

153

Walter L. Newton Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:24:17am

re: #149 sattv4u2

FYI,, Jan 27, 2008 at 6:31 pm
So again ,, who is "THAT TROLL" you alluded to in #120?

He was calling Spencer a troll, among other kind of vile remarks. If metrolibertarian is not a moby trying to bait us, I still think it's rhetoric is a bit nasty, not normal LGF debate.

My opinion.

154

Danny Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:24:43am

re: #134 Killgore Trout

I want one of these sooo bad...
The DIY fish supper: Future kitchen grows its own vegetables and seafood

Maybe I'll have to make one someday.

I think a cabin on the lake would be more practical.

155

theheat Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:25:24am

re: #116 vxbush

I'm all for streaking your hair like Bride of Frankenstein, if that's your thing. But no matter the color of their hair, they didn't have to live in shitty little pens, put there by even shittier people. Putting stripes on them is the least of their problem.

156

metrolibertarian Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:25:54am

re: #146 Walter L. Newton

I don't find Spencer's defense of Serbian war criminals cool. His support of neo-Nazis cool. His threats of legal action against bloggers who criticize him cool. His willingness to defend outright bigotry cool. His support of politicians who would take away civil rights from a minority group cool.

But I'll keep the insults to a minimum in the future.

157

reine.de.tout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:26:56am

re: #156 metrolibertarian

I don't find Spencer's defense of Serbian war criminals cool. His support of neo-Nazis cool. His threats of legal action against bloggers who criticize him cool. His willingness to defend outright bigotry cool. His support of politicians who would take away civil rights from a minority group cool.

But I'll keep the insults to a minimum in the future.

That's how to do it.
Personal insults of the nature you wrote before are just . . . unnecessary.
There's plenty of other stuff to worry about.

158

Walter L. Newton Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:28:08am

re: #156 metrolibertarian

I don't find Spencer's defense of Serbian war criminals cool. His support of neo-Nazis cool. His threats of legal action against bloggers who criticize him cool. His willingness to defend outright bigotry cool. His support of politicians who would take away civil rights from a minority group cool.

But I'll keep the insults to a minimum in the future.

Fine, like I said above, just my opinion, Charles is the final say on what is acceptable or not, but Lizards normally don't make a habit of getting down to the "dissing" level.

159

reine.de.tout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:28:39am

re: #158 Walter L. Newton

Fine, like I said above, just my opinion, Charles is the final say on what is acceptable or not, but Lizards normally don't make a habit of getting down to the "dissing" level.

Except when it comes to Pelosi's blink rate.

160

vxbush Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:30:31am

re: #155 theheat

I'm all for streaking your hair like Bride of Frankenstein, if that's your thing. But no matter the color of their hair, they didn't have to live in shitty little pens, put there by even shittier people. Putting stripes on them is the least of their problem.

No disagreement there. Personally, I find it funny, in a twisted sick moronic way.

161

sattv4u2 Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:30:38am

re: #159 reine.de.tout

Except when it comes to Pelosi's blink rate.

Or Palins intellect
Or Barney Franks speach patterns
Or McCains age
Or Obamas ears
Or ,,,

162

Oh no...Sand People! Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:31:27am

If Rush is given the ownership there will be an immediate giant fan base for the team.

163

Daniel Ballard Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:31:48am

re: #32 Honorary Yooper

Should be. We have "dog whistle" racism and we now have its opposite- "hair trigger" racism.

164

_RememberTonyC Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:34:07am

In his letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that Charles quotes, the union head DeMaurice Smith said the following:

But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends.

This is totally disingenuous. Do fans of the Raiders and Broncos feel unified when their teams play each other? How about Yankees and Red Sox fans? Smith needs to do a lot better than this if he plans on convincing anyone of his position.

165

filetandrelease Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:34:09am

re: #141 MandyManners

How do you think they got to be millionaires?

Agents, not the union.

166

Daniel Ballard Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:34:44am

re: #165 filetandrelease

Huge income for the NFL and the teams-TV money alone...

167

sattv4u2 Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:34:52am

re: #162 Oh no...Sand People!

If Rush is given the ownership there will be an immediate giant fan base for the team.

There already is. St Loiusians (?) have always ben passionate about their team(s)

168

Daniel Ballard Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:37:10am

re: #140 Rexatosis

The NFL will not be coming to L.A. until we gift them a multi billion dollar stadium. No thanks! If they want to bring the game they can bring the gear.

169

oldegeezr Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:40:16am

Antisocial Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:18:20am...NFL Players Union???
Why the hell does a group of millionaire need a union?!?!?!?!?

1] They can easily afford to pay the monthly dues.
2] Their owners are multi-millionaires or greater and would like to pay them much less!

170

_RememberTonyC Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:40:59am

By the way ... Thanks Charles for posting a sports topic. The Tour de France threads are enjoyable for me. And this Limbaugh story is an excellent "crossover" topic.

171

Rexatosis Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:47:19am

RE: # 140 Rightwingconspirator

LA seems more than happy to have only one pro football team in town, the USC Trojans, but the NFL and the NFLPA still want that market. As for building a football only stadium for an NFL team, it is just nuts to pour damn near a billion (or a billion +) into a facility for 10 games a year (8 reg. season + 2 preseason).

172

Canadian Guy Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:47:46am

On McNabb, Rush was correct in saying the media wanted him to succeed, but he was wrong to say it was because he was black. The sports media seemed to be behind him because he was one of the best players to ever come out of Syracuse, a university whose graduates have infiltrated the sports media.

173

Daniel Ballard Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:51:44am

re: #171 Rexatosis

Uh, PRO Team?

174

reine.de.tout Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:51:45am

re: #161 sattv4u2

Or Palins intellect
Or Barney Franks speach patterns
Or McCains age
Or Obamas ears
Or ,,,

:)

Heh.
I actually personally try never to go there.
My only exception is Pelosi's blink rate. It's just so annoying.

175

BenghaziHoops Mon, Oct 12, 2009 10:54:23am

Thanks for covering this story Charles...When it first came to light I blogged here that the sports blogs were going nutz...
Currently I have a better chance of buying the Rams than Rush...
/anybody here got any lines of credit from an ailing bank I can abuse around here?

176

Rexatosis Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:01:02am

Re: # 173 Rightwingconspirator

Not a lot of difference between college and the pros save for the offense and USC has definitely a pro-styled offense.

177

Ray in TX Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:12:16am

re: #38 MandyManners

Wow. Rank racism.

It's very easy to interpret that comment differently.

178

_RememberTonyC Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:14:30am

al sharpton, one of america's most reprehensable actors checks in on Limbaugh's bid for the Rams:

[Link: sports.espn.go.com...]

if anyone wants to google "sharpton crown heights" or "sharpton freddy's fashion mart," it will be clear how sharpton has zero credibility when he complains about anyone else's racist activities ...

179

Ray in TX Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:19:33am

re: #122 Ben Hur

Blacks being naturally superior athletes is considered a racial stereotype.

Sports commentators have been fired for saying it.

Cosell was fired for a "monkey" comment which he swore was an innocent remark.

Limbaugh was fired for a comment about media bias to blacks (I hate defending him),.

Others have been fired for questioning the intellectual ability of blacks to manage, coach, or quarterback.

And some have been fired for linking athletic ability to conditioning as a part of slavery.

It runs the whole gamut.

180

fizzlogic Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:19:49am

Goldman Sachs is brokering the deal. So basically, whichever way it goes, Rush will eventually do GS's bidding and praise the investment bank and its industry to his listeners. It's our duty to forget the the banking crisis and let the investment banks keep playing their games.

181

Canadhimmis Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:30:15am

ESPN reports that the executive director of the NFL Players Union has written a letter to the union opposing the purchase of the St. Louis Rams by Talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

Of course the keyword here is union. Unions are leftist entities first and Rush Limbaugh is a loud (and obnoxious) voice of right wing politics.
And that's the problem here, Limbaugh is a prominent *gasp* conservative, it's certainly not the the loud and obnoxious part that's fuelling their opposition. (see Jerry Jones, Al Davis and several others)

182

Blue Fin Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:31:38am

re: #54 Killgore Trout

Is it because an all white team is genetically insuperior?? Careful there...it's an opening for kooks to counter with the genetics-intelligence argument favoring whites

183

st. louisville cards Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:39:57am

The vast majority of St. Louis people that I've talked to or who have expressed an opinion on local radio are in favor of Rush buying the team (both libs and cons). There are 2 main reasons for this:
1.) Rush's bid will keep the team in St. Louis (a big concern at the moment)
2.) Dave Checketts is the head of the group involving Limbaugh and he has performed a text book turn around of the St. Louis Blues hockey team since he bought them in 2005.

184

theuglydougling Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:40:54am

re: #30 Ben Hur

Interesting comment from KOS.

I actually heard this kind of commentary on ESPN Radio this weekend - not from callers, but from the hosts. They were actually suggesting that Rush wouldn't want black players on his team.

185

Daniel Ballard Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:47:32am

re: #183 st. louisville cards

Perfect. Set the media noise aside and make a clear practical decision. Kudos

186

st. louisville cards Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:52:24am

re: #184 theuglydougling

Those are asinine comments from ESPN. Isn't Rush's producer black? I know I've heard Walter E. Williams host the show.

187

Charles Johnson Mon, Oct 12, 2009 11:57:11am

re: #186 st. louisville cards

Those are asinine comments from ESPN. Isn't Rush's producer black? I know I've heard Walter E. Williams host the show.

Why is that supposed to be an excuse for Rush Limbaugh's numerous race-baiting comments?

188

theuglydougling Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:00:08pm

re: #183 st. louisville cards

I live here in the STL area, too, and I think this could be great for the Rams - a new, more localized ownership that not only brings the cash but also a love and enthusiasm for the game that seems lacking right now.

189

Daniel Ballard Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:01:36pm

re: #187 Charles

There is no excuse for race baiting. I'm not sorry to have found out about the producer. I've heard the Professor guest host. A very conservative voice on the show.

190

gander Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:06:03pm

If he has the money...then he should buy it. End of discussion.

191

st. louisville cards Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:07:18pm

re: #187 Charles

Why is that supposed to be an excuse for Rush Limbaugh's numerous race-baiting comments?

I'm not saying it is an excuse for his comments. For ESPN to say Rush would be against having black players, when he has black employees and friends is asinine. Rush is already doing what ESPN's hosts are saying he won't.
In addition the ESPN radio people know Limbaugh would be part of an ownership group and the head of that group would be the one with the influence, and Limbaugh is not the head of the ownership group.
The legitimate concern for Rams fans would be if players wouldn't sign with the Rams because they don't like Limbaugh. But I think winning and money are going to play a far larger role in a player signing than who owns the team.

192

gander Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:12:52pm

I would be concerned about race-baiting if Rush wasn't also a liberal-baiter, a feminist-baiter, an environmentalist-baiter, a vegetarian-baiter and whatever else he fills his show with. I wouldn't know because I find him grating after a few minutes. Not unlike Rachel Maddow.

193

sagehen Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:20:15pm

re: #102 Athens Runaway

What Vick did is part of "African-American Southern culture." And plus, what about Bernie Madoff or Enron? Aren't those worse?

/honest-to-God, a African-American Southerner said this to me, this in defense of Vick

He pled guilty, he served his sentence, his loss of lifetime earnings is about 90% (legitimate earnings not connected to the crime), he made what seems like a sincere apology, and his consequences will serve as a real deterrent to others committing the same or similar crimes.

How much more do we have a right to ask?

194

Daniel Ballard Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:23:31pm

I have to admit the number of times I have heard something Rush has said and really liked it or really agreed far outnumber the racial quotes I hear bandied about. My perspective is dated, I'm not on the road looking for something to occupy 500 empty miles anymore. Loved him during Bush 41. On the way to Tucson from L.A. He got shrill during Clinton.
Just another media guy gone way off the rhetorical deep end? Too bad if so.

195

Athens Runaway Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:46:03pm

re: #193 sagehen

He pled guilty, he served his sentence, his loss of lifetime earnings is about 90% (legitimate earnings not connected to the crime), he made what seems like a sincere apology, and his consequences will serve as a real deterrent to others committing the same or similar crimes.

How much more do we have a right to ask?

In my post, someone (my roommate, to be precise) says that active physical and mental abuse and neglect of animals is just an example of cultural relativism, and should be overlooked because other people did wrong elsewhere. That's a problem.

Just because the law says he's paid his debt to society, doesn't mean he's ethically and morally clean. He's still an incredibly bad role model.

Maybe he should have thought of the possible financial and legal consequences of allowing the abuse of animals to go on at his house before he said "Yeah, come on over" to his betting friends.

196

Interested and concerned CDN Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:50:59pm

re: #187 Charles

It's not an excuse but it could be considered a defense that Rush isn't a racist.

I think Rush was pretty close to the truth with Powell. Remember that McCain was just the sort of centrist that Powell professed to be and yet...

I await the DD

197

Charles Johnson Mon, Oct 12, 2009 1:05:53pm

re: #196 Interested and concerned CDN

It's not an excuse but it could be considered a defense that Rush isn't a racist.

No, it absolutely cannot be used that way. "I employ a black man, so I can't be a racist?" You've got to be kidding.

I think Rush was pretty close to the truth with Powell. Remember that McCain was just the sort of centrist that Powell professed to be and yet.

Limbaugh's comments about Powell were disgusting. It's unfortunate that you think they're defensible.

198

sagehen Mon, Oct 12, 2009 1:08:06pm

re: #195 Athens Runaway

Maybe he should have thought of the possible financial and legal consequences of allowing the abuse of animals to go on at his house before he said "Yeah, come on over" to his betting friends.

And because he didn't... others will. Nobody thinks anymore that this is something they can get away with.

Which is enough to satisfy me.

I'm okay with letting the guy go back to work, for however few years he has left (don't football players crap out even younger than models?), at the only thing he's remotely qualified to do.

(maybe I would care more if I were a football fan. I know it would break my heart if Magic Johnson were ever found to have done something despicable.)

199

[deleted] Mon, Oct 12, 2009 1:17:14pm

200

Charles Johnson Mon, Oct 12, 2009 1:21:20pm

re: #199 Interested and concerned CDN

And with that, you can piss off.

201

Blue Fin Mon, Oct 12, 2009 1:59:06pm

re: #197 Charles

True point and I think the best anyone can assess of Rush is that he is an opportunist and or an unapologetic bigot. Classifying him as a racist dilutes a true racist. For instance, Rush's recent statement that the NBA is comprised of thugs, isn't racist...crude and bigoted but not racist.

I'll never forget experiencing true racism growing up as an early teenager in the late nineties when my aunt proceeded to disposed of several of her drinking glasses used by fellow black kids who had joined us for a pick-up basketball game. Though my aunt was a nice lady, I never looked at her the same way again and when she passed away recently, that incident was the first thought of her that came to mind. A kind but racist women.

202

oldegeezr Mon, Oct 12, 2009 2:03:01pm

re: #197 Charles

Rush, has been backing and filling furiously; ever since his lame attempt to mimic the kids in school.
“Barack Hussein Obama...mmm,mmm,mmm!”

The very next day he had his merry band attempt to CYA, by mimicking him from the day before.
“Rush Hudson Limbaugh...mmm,mmm,mmm!”

Didn’t work for me Rush.
I know what you are.
I have no sense of humor when it goes to bigotry or even spoofing it!

203

martinsmithy Mon, Oct 12, 2009 2:33:56pm

IMHO, if Rush Limbaugh's bid to buy the St. Louis Rams is found to be the best bid, then he and his group should buy the franchise.

I find Rush politically odious, and if I were unfortunate enough to know him I would probably also find him personally odious. But he is not so beyond the pale as to be denied the ability to buy an NFL franchise.

If he follows through on his arguably racist comments and doesn't hire many African-American players, or African-American players refuse to play for him because of his politics, then the St. Louis Rams will suffer (perhaps even more than they're suffering already) and Limbaugh and his investors will lose lots of money.

And that would be the biggest punishment of all for Rush Limbaugh.

But I suspect that Limbaugh is commercially canny enough that he would not let bigotry get in the way of making money. After all, he is using bigotry right now to make boatloads of money from the adulation of his dittoheads. I suspect that underneath his bluster Rush Limbaugh is nothing more than a cynical, commercially-shrewd operator, and if so, I would suspect that the St. Louis Rams would do well for the people he would hire to manage and coach them.

204

oldegeezr Mon, Oct 12, 2009 2:43:26pm

re: #203 martinsmithy

Well defined, reasoned and written, I like the “cut of yer jib” martin...!

Rush Limbaugh is nothing more than a cynical, commercially-shrewd operator, and if so, I would suspect that the St. Louis Rams would do well for the people he would hire to manage and coach them.

205

Cineaste Mon, Oct 12, 2009 4:28:20pm

re: #191 st. louisville cards

The legitimate concern for Rams fans would be if players wouldn't sign with the Rams because they don't like Limbaugh. But I think winning and money are going to play a far larger role in a player signing than who owns the team.

Well they can probably rule out signing Donovan Mcnabb...

206

dugmartsch Mon, Oct 12, 2009 4:50:18pm

re: #94 Baier

Let's at least be clear.

This is not an action of the NFL.

This is the player's union taking this action. Saying "the NFL" is focusing your ire in the wrong spot.

Rush Limbaugh said some shit that really pissed off the players, most notably, black quarterbacks. I don't know that the players union got a vote for letting michael vick back in the NFL. They probably wouldn't have had a problem with it, but while it would be nice if they'd taken a stand against vick, they'd have had to go against typical human behavior (defending your own) to do so.

207

Rascal One Mon, Oct 12, 2009 5:05:06pm

I'm guessing the NFL Players Union would welcome Bill Maher as an owner with open arms. Now wouldn't he be a "unifying" force!

208

elclynn Mon, Oct 12, 2009 5:50:25pm

Limbaugh is funny. Dis not Colin Powell walk back his support for Obama? Why, yes he did. Buying a football team is a business transaction, not a human rights issue, nor a popularity contest. Neither the players or the union get to decide who gets the deal, no voting on that. Does anyone remember Marge Shott (sp)?

209

stevenk Mon, Oct 12, 2009 8:16:36pm

I sure hope the GOVERNMENT steps in and makes the winning bid for the team. Save us, oh great ONE!

210

rnf Mon, Oct 12, 2009 9:13:48pm

I don't understand. What racial idea did Limbaugh express that was controversial? That Gen. Colin Powell supported Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy simply because he was black? Not controversial. That the media wants black quarterbacks to do well? And that as a result they were not disinterested in McNabb's performance? Not controversial. It's just rabble-rousers suggesting that players would have a problem with Limbaugh's ownership -- professional athletes, like whores, will go with whichever team pays them the most.

211

nccanuck Tue, Oct 13, 2009 7:27:03am

Funny, there are down on a guy who will more than likely be a small part owner for the team and yet, the league is filled with those convicted of DUI, assault, assault of police officers, gun charges, DUI manslaughter, fraud among just a few areas of convictions where players are still playing. Sorry the league, union is so full of crap on this, im surprised they could say it with a straight face.

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