Rush Being Attacked By Dems...And Republicans Too?

Unlike the cowards in the Republican caucus that cower before Rush Limbaugh, plenty of Democrats are willing to stand up and attack the hate-radio icon. Conservatives may love to listen to his racially-tinged and morally-bankrupt rants, but the other side of the aisle has no problem calling him what he is.

From Down With Tyranny:

Alan Grayson, the outspoken member from Orlando, as usual, wasn't mincing words: "Rush Limbaugh is a has-been hypocrite loser, who craves attention. His right-wing lunacy sounds like Mikhail Gorbachev, extolling the virtues of communism. Limbaugh actually was more lucid when he was a drug addict. If America ever did 1% of what he wanted us to do, then we'd all need pain killers."[...]

Earlier Maryland congressman and chair of the DCCC, Chris Van Hollen, actually released an official statement on the DCCC website about Limbaugh's remarks.

"Rush Limbaugh's reprehensible remark that he ‘hopes' President Obama fails to meet the extraordinary economic challenges Americans face has no place in the public discourse.

And those are just two of the remarks out of the bunch. Now granted, some Republicans have tried to keep more of a distance from Rush, but the truth is, there is no real leadership in their party and the only thing they know is rabid partisan extremism, something that Mr. Limbaugh excels in.

Violent Right Wing Rhetoric Becomes Tragically Real

Since September 11th, the right wing echo chamber has become increasingly violent in regards to their rhetoric. The hatred shown by pundits such as O'Reilly, Coulter, Hannity and Michael Savage has been vicious towards liberals and those that oppose their way of seeing a black and white, good versus evil world. Well people out there listen to their foaming-at-the-mouth rhetoric and unfortunately we will see tragic events like this happen more frequently.

From RawStory:

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - An out-of-work truck driver accused of opening fire at a Unitarian church, killing two people, left behind a note suggesting that he targeted the congregation out of hatred for its liberal policies, including its acceptance of gays, authorities said Monday.

A four-page letter found in Jim D. Adkisson's small SUV indicated he intentionally targeted the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church because, the police chief said, "he hated the liberal movement" and was upset with "liberals in general as well as gays."[...]

The attack Sunday morning lasted only minutes. But the anger behind it may have been building for months, if not years.

"It appears that what brought him to this horrible event was his lack of being able to obtain a job, his frustration over that, and his stated hatred for the liberal movement," Police Chief Sterling Owen said.

Adkisson was a loner who hates "blacks, gays and anyone different from him," longtime acquaintance Carol Smallwood of Alice, Texas, told the Knoxville News Sentinel.

These pathetic individuals are exactly the type that right-wing commentators go after. They seek out those that hate the world for their situation, without opening their eyes to realize that so many are in the same boat with them. Instead, it is a "me against the world" attitude that breeds hate and violence when a strong dose of ignorance is involved. Every once in a while our society is exposed to the culmination of one individual's hate. Yet it would be wrong to write this off as one loon that killed innocent people, because that loon is getting his information from somewhere.

The Devil Extends His Deal With Rush Limbaugh

In exchange for delivering daily doses of right-wing talking points and outrageous comments, the devil (a.k.a. Clear Channel and Premiere) has made an extravagant deal with conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Rush has already been going strong with his ditto-heads for twenty years and now all of us will have to put up with him for the next eight. The only winner out of this, if you can call him that, is Rush, who will receive a cool $400 million over that time.

From The NY Times:

The A.M. radio host will be paid about $400 million to continue serving up his daily dose of conservative patter through 2016. His $50 million a year paycheck represents a raise of about $14.4 million a year over his current contract, which was paying him $285 million over eight years and was set to expire in 2009.

The deal — struck a month short of the 20th anniversary of “The Rush Limbaugh Show” — is thought to be the most expensive in radio since Howard Stern moved to Sirius Satellite Radio for a reported $500 million in 2004.

“I’m not retiring until every American agrees with me,” Mr. Limbaugh, 57, said on his radio program Wednesday.

Well then Rush will either become immortal and earn a gazillion dollars over the next few hundred years. More likely though, the devil will give up eventually and throw him into the hell that he so richly deserves. That hell will be a more equitable, prosperous and free society.

Senate Dems Demand Apology From Rush

When Rush Limbaugh heard that people might be offended by his remarks calling troops against the war "phony soldiers" he must have been taken aback. Being Rush, he promptly edited the tape so that he could say he was taken out of context. And of course he never apologized to the majority of our troops that do want out of Iraq. Too bad for him, Media Matters had recorded the conversation in its entirety. Now the Senate Democrats are getting involved and are looking to pass a resolution condemning his behavior, similar to Republicans going after the "Betray Us" ad presented by MoveOn. Here's what they had to say.

From ThinkProgress:

The letter, signed by Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Patty Murray (D-WA), states that Limbaugh’s comments were “outrageous” and “unconscionable”:

Although Americans of goodwill debate the merits of this war, we can all agree that those who serve with such great courage deserve our deepest respect and gratitude. That is why Rush Limbaugh’s recent characterization of troops who oppose the war as “phony soldiers” is such an outrage.

Our troops are fighting and dying to bring to others the freedoms that many take for granted. It is unconscionable that Mr. Limbaugh would criticize them for exercising the fundamentally American right to free speech. Mr. Limbaugh has made outrageous remarks before, but this affront to our soldiers is beyond the pale.

Yesterday, ThinkProgress asked whether lawmakers who voted to attack a MoveOn newspaper ad would now condemn Limbaugh. The Senate leadership is challenging all their colleagues to demonstrate whether they can show principled condemnation by signing onto the letter. It specifically calls on Clear Channel to issue an apology and demands Limbaugh do the same:

Thousands of active troops and veterans were subjected to Mr. Limbaugh’s unpatriotic and indefensible comments on your broadcast. We trust you will agree that not a single one of our sons, daughters, neighbors and friends serving overseas is a “phony soldier.” We call on you to publicly repudiate these comments that call into question their service and sacrifice and to ask Mr. Limbaugh to apologize for his comments.

Clear Channel gives Rush a free pass because he makes them oodles of cash. I personally know one of his former handlers (you can ask me who if you are curious) and he would bend over backwards for Rush. Anything from looking over carpet patterns for his wife to wiping Lord Rush's ass. It is time to hold them accountable for his actions too. If it weren't for the radio scion, we wouldn't have to listen to his garbage. Condemning Rush and Clear Channel is the right thing to do.

And Now More From The Vile Mouth Of John Gibson

John Gibson is in the blogosphere's eye again with more outrageous comments, this time involving the beloved Jon Stewart of the Daily Show. As we all know Jon is a comedian, but as New Yorker that felt the devastation of 9/11 up close and personal, it is no laughing matter. Making fun of the people in the Bush Administration for abusing the nation and the world's trust over the matter is one thing, but for Gibson to say this, it takes a stone cold heart.

From Media Matters:

On the August 10 broadcast of his Fox News Radio show, John Gibson and the program's executive producer, known on air as "Angry Rich," mocked Comedy Central host Jon Stewart for emotional remarks he made shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. While airing a clip of Stewart's remarks from the September 20, 2001, edition of The Daily Show, Gibson mimicked Stewart and sarcastically interjected, "Oh, God, Jon. Just tell me it's not true," and, "Oh! That's great. I'm -- God, I'm touched." Before playing the clip, Angry Rich asked, "Do you remember what the media was like shortly after 9-11?" Gibson answered, "Oh, Jon Stewart sobbing." After the clip concluded, Angry Rich called Stewart a "phony."

Both Gibson and Angry Rich are world-class jackasses. There is no doubt about that. Don't be expecting an apology anytime soon, just more of the same. The only way to combat shit like this is to call up their advertisers and demand to know why they would spend money and put their names alongside a crap-tacular program like this.

Gibson And "Angry Rich" Are Two Sick Bastards

The rightwing radio duo don't have a cold or even the flu, their sickness is strictly inside those small, narrow-minded heads of theirs. Combined with their icy-cold hearts, the combination produces vile comments out of their ugly mouths that can easily offend the light-hearted. Unfortunately I've seen so much of what right-wing radio can produce, so this disgusting attack on the Edwards family and Elizabeth's battle with cancer does not surprise me.

From Media Matters:

On the August 3 edition of Fox News host John Gibson's nationally syndicated radio program, the show's executive producer, who goes by the name "Angry Rich" on the program, claimed Democratic presidential candidate former Sen. John Edwards (NC) "whored his wife's cancer as a fundraising gimmick." He also went on to call him "a fraud" and "a pansy." Gibson referred to Edwards as "the Breck Girl," "Silky," and "the biggest fraud running for president." Gibson and "Angry Rich" were attacking Edwards for saying that Democratic candidates should give back campaign contributions from News Corp., the parent company of Fox News Channel, while accepting advance and expense money from HarperCollins, another News Corp. division that had published a book written by Edwards; Gibson played an audio clip of Edwards stating that money was donated to charity. They also attacked Edwards for his refusal earlier this year to participate in a debate co-sponsored by Fox News.

How low can one go? When it comes to Fox News-employed wingers like Angry Rich and John Gibson, there is no bottom to the abyss in their hearts.

Olbermann Slams Boortz For Comparing Libby To Bill Clinton

Ah, speaking of idiotic conservative talkers from the last post, we have the ignorant Neil Boortz. Olbermann called him out as the Worst Person in the World for claiming that Clinton was convicted of the same crime as Scooter Libby. What a jackass!

C-SPAN Exposes Savages

Michael Savage is probably one of the more vile human beings that operate within the political sphere these days. He is an expert on using fear and hate to rile up the people that listen to his show everyday. The latest incident involves his speech at the Talker's Magazine "Freedom Of Speech" Award (something that Savage despises if the words aren't coming out of his own mouth). He turned his "savages" loose on the network because they didn't cover the speech because he didn't even bother to show up for it.

From ThinkProgress (video included):

Last week, right-wing radio host Michael Savage was presented a Freedom of Speech award at Talkers Magazine’s annual New Media Seminar. C-SPAN, which aired portions of the two-day event, chose to not air Savage’s acceptance speech because the conservative talker only appeared in a pre-recorded DVD speech.

Savage is now claiming he is a victim of censorship. Repeatedly attacking C-SPAN this week as “fascists” and modern versions of the “brownshirt movement in Hitler’s Germany,” Savage encouraged his listeners to call and email CSPAN about their supposed “blacklisting” of his speech.

On Washington Journal this morning, host and C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb read aloud some of the emails he has received from alleged listeners of Savage’s show. The emails defending Savage are filled with personal attacks, referring to Lamb as an “ass loser Communist,” “pervert,” “bed-wetting commie,” and worse.

What makes the event even worse is that Savage is trying to profit off the affair by charging $22 dollars for the DVD. Absolutely disgusting!

Laura Ingraham Makes A Fool Of Herself On CNN

Right-wing gas bags like Laura Ingraham can be quite amusing when they aren't trying to rip a person they disagree with to shreds. Yesterday morning she was on CNN talking about immigration. Laura attacked John Roberts by saying that CNN was part of the 'liberal media.' At first I thought he was going to laugh this off, but John defended his network and made her look like a nutcase.

From Crooks and Liars:

INGRAHAM: …But to insult his base, I mean, I hope he thinks he's going to be saved by the liberal elites at CNN, John, because if he is, then I'll be wrong about this. But I think it's kind of silly.

ROBERTS: Excuse me, what was that last comment?

INGRAHAM: By the way, John, how did you introduce me for this segment before the break. The outspoken Laura Ingraham. Do you guys introduce liberal commentators that way? I'm going to check.

ROBERTS: Yeah, we do actually.

She tried to pull a condescending laugh to save face, but it didn't work. That whole liberal media thing is a myth. If anything the press skews to the right but in this instance CNN calls activists outspoken regardless of party. It's strange she used this tiny little detail, probably because she would have to tell an even bigger lie to use a larger theme to prove her point.

WingerLand!

Thanks to Anominousone on YouTube for creating this brilliant clip of rightwing radio and television nuts with all the evidence that goes along with it.

O'Reilly Goes After Media Matters For Their Accuracy

The Falafel man continues to amuse us fact-checkers here on the left with his lunacy. Lately he has set his sight on Media Matters which has been keeping tabs of his atrocious behavior. Apparently Bill O doesn't like hearing himself and his vicious, hate-filled rants. A reporter recently interviewed him and used material from MM about O'Reilly. When Bill confronted the reporter that the information came from the 'biased' MM he threw a temper tantrum, claiming that the stuff was untrue.

Unfortunately for him, that Media Matters piece had the audio clip attached where you can hear O'Reilly talking trash about Iraqi citizens. He said that he has no respect for them and that they were 'prehistoric.' The guy does not care for anyone besides himself and his big fat mouth. As long as he is raking in millions by spewing hate and fear, it doesn't bother him in the slightest.

Rush The Racist

If Imus had to go over his "nappy headed ho's" comment, what the hell is Rush still doing on the air after producing this garbage. This goes way beyond Don Imus. Not only does Rush use racist stereotypes on Barack Obama, he goes after Al Sharpton as well. Limbaugh parodied "Puff the Magic Dragon," calling his song "Barack The Magic Negro." This shit is appalling, get that druggie off the air now!

Now That Imus Is Gone...

Congratulations is in order to the corporate bigwigs who caved to the pressure of many groups demanding Don Imus be off the air. Yet there is still a widespread problem of hate being spewed on the radio and on television. The list of names is long indeed, including Bill O'Reilly, Neil Boortz, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Rush Limbaugh and many others. So as long as we are clearing the air and making progress towards more civilized debate in talk radio, why not make efforts to getting rid of these goons?

Catherine Crier discussed this on CourtTV last night (via Crooks and Liars):

Court TV's Catherine Crier doesn't think this scandal should end with the firing of Don Imus. During last night's "Crier Wire," she quickly ran through a small handful of the hateful things uttered by the likes of FOX News, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, and makes the obvious point that they should also be held accountable.

Download (22) | Play (24) Download (6) | Play (22)

"Let's tell hate spewing radio and TV hosts, and misogynist rappers that this divisiveness is unacceptable."

I am certainly no fan of censorship but the names on the list above can spew their hate-mongering in safer places, such as their living rooms. Reasoned debate is one thing, shouting and screaming ideology and bigotry is another. If I remember correctly, the FCC granted the networks space on the public airwaves for loftier purposes than the insanity that exists today.

Nothing Special about the KSFO Special Broadcast

Personally I couldn't stomach hearing those voices of hate. Morgan, Sussman, et al. are acting like five year olds that are covering their tracks after raiding the cookie jar. The honorable DailyKos blogger abbaanthony managed to listen to an hour of their obfuscations and lies before bowing out. See his take on the broadcast here.

KSFO could not tell the truth if their lives depended on it.

They spent nearly ten minutes talking about how they support Muslims who are Americans and who are trying to build up America and not working to destroy our country. But then they went out of their way to stress that Rep. Ellison was appointed by the House leadership as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. They said that they have lost any confidence in the House because they appointed a Muslim to that post. Let me be clear, they believe it is ok for Muslims to live here, just as long as they do not attempt to enter public life in any noticeable way. Because in reality, they believe there are no true American-Muslims they all want to bring down the country. What bigots!

The opening paragraph really shows what they are all about. There is a better chance that hell will freeze over than the kooks on KSFO become honest and dignified. Of course I didn't expect anything to come from this special broadcast. Like any right-wing station, it was merely a ratings gimmick and a chance to pacify the general public so that the hate and vitriol can continue.

Thanks again to Spocko and Stark for helping to make this big news outside of the blogs. People need to know what rightwing radio hosts are all about.