Call me naive, but I’m surprised at how Rush Limbaugh has dropped all pretext of political correctness and gone for the most overtly racist language I’ve seen in my lifetime in a high profile race. I would never underestimate the right’s willingness to use dog-whistle politics. But I thought the days were gone when they would toss the whistle aside and start screaming racist shit into the airwaves.
Of course, Limbaugh wants us to fight back in order to amplify his message and further divide the electorate along racial lines. So, I won’t be calling for a boycott or demanding that John McCain condemn Limbaugh or anything. But it is still alarming to see this resurgence of racism from such a prominent source. I guess it’s not okay to say this stuff about the Rutger’s basketball team, but it’s just peachy to say it about the Democratic nominee for president.
He wants to call him “boy” so badly, yet the shrinking of Drug Rush’s balls is all I can hear.
Take another hit, Drug Rush. It’ll be OK.
That was my first thought too….he probably barely stopped himself from saying “boy”
Too bad the Dems are too damn dumb to make Limbaugh McCain’s Rev Wright from hell. Forget all the self-righteous posturing, calls for boycotts that will enevitably ensue. Just get photos of McCain and Limbaugh with the racist soundtrack running, on every media outlet, paid and unpaid, there is. If they can use racism, why can’t we use fear of racism?
You’re naive.
Anyone who listens to Rusty’s show for more than 2 minutes knows the man has no boundaries. he’d call Obama a nigger if he could (and probably will as the novmber gets closer).
Well, he has called him “Barack the Magic Negro”, but this latest one is much, much worse.
I’m waiting for the day one of these racist goons plays too close to the ledge and forgets him or herself. And it’s coming.
But why are we talking about this when we could be talking about this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCMVL5tXLGQ
(Dammit, I still don’t know how to do the embed thing!!! Grrrr.)
My wife and I got together with a few other couples last week. These are people we have known for nearly twenty years. We’ve vacationed together a few times. Two of the couples are African-American. Naturally, the conversation drifted to politics. And the main subject became the role that race is playing in this election and the level of hatred that is welling up in the public discourse. It was a unanimous certainty among our black friends that if Obama is elected that he will be assassinated. They said that they, and everyone they knew in the black community, almost feel like they are under siege from both the overt and covert racism that is being driven by people like Limbaugh. And the dog whistle racism that the Republican Party and their nominee are employing is anything but subtle to them. They hear it like a siren every day. And it scares the living shit out of them.
When my insular white-man world is interrupted by such stark reality it is really jarring. Limbaugh and his ilk are everywhere around me here. And his following here is huge. And these followers think nothing of what he says. Racism is so alive and well in this country that I am often really disheartened and think that we will never get to a point where it is not the major issue.
The silent bigotry isn’t silent at all. It is deafening.
If he is assassinated, it won’t be for the color of his skin.
“They said that they, and everyone they knew in the black community, almost feel like they are under siege from both the overt and covert racism that is being driven by people like Limbaugh. And the dog whistle racism that the Republican Party and their nominee are employing is anything but subtle to them. They hear it like a siren every day. And it scares the living shit out of them.”
The same in the Mexican American community here in Arizona, and something I hear from other latino groups across the country. It is truly an ugly season of rhetoric.
Honestly–I’d be crazy not to think it was a distinct possibility. I don’t let it get me down, though. If he’s strong enough to do this, I’m strong enough to stand by him. It takes a lot, though. These people don’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of, but it’s “the Blacks’ fault.”
“The Mexicans’ fault.”
“The gays’ fault.”
“The liberals’ fault.”
And none of them ever makes a pit stop by a mirror.
I can’t let it get to me, though, if only because we’ve met some truly wonderful people, of all colors, who imagine a different nation than the one we have now. It’s a source of inspiration and hope.
But do I think assassination is a very real threat? Yes, absolutely.
The Hispanic community is, by far, the fastest growing segment of the population in this area. We now have bilingual signs in the banks, Walgreens, CVS and in some of the grocery stores. And much of the same rhetoric and attitudes that have been aimed in the past at African-Americans is now being focused on the Hispanic population around here. They are being blamed for “increases in crime” when there has been no actual increase. They have been blamed for “hurting property values” when property values in this area have actually held steady in spite of the widespread downturn in housing. “THEY” are never as pure, hard-working and virtuous as “US”.
So many people are just not comfortable if they don’t have an “other” to blame for anything negative, whether real or perceived, that might befall them or their community.
Which by saying, of course, makes me a troll. Right, Kansas Voter? You should’ve had your rating abilities banned a long time ago.
Man E, I thought maybe it was due to a “slip of the mouse pointer”, but it’s not the first time I’ve seen it happen.
Just don’t know.
no, Kansas Voter has a track record of bigoted comments.
Bigoted? No. All of my comments have been realistic. I have no sympathy for people illegally entering our country, and I have contempt for those who depress American wages. You’re on the wrong side of this issue.
Exhibit A – doesn’t care if women are raped if they are crossing the border.
You’re absolutely right. I [b]don’t[/b] care if illegal aliens are raped, killed, or hunted for sport when they’re breaking Federal law and entering our country illegally. Most Americans feel the same way.
I sincerely pray that you or anyone you love never experience the irrational hate that you are exhibiting for all to see.
That’s one of the most disgustingly inhuman comments I think I’ve seen lately.
Nice to see the monstrousness on full display – it’s always better when the monsters out themselves to the public.
yup. which is why I haven’t mega-troll rated KansasVoters comments. I want everyone to see what’s been whipped up by people like Limbaugh, Dobbs, etc.
If you think people like this differentiate between indigenous and non-indigenous latinos with their scorn, I have one of McCain’s beach-front condos here in Arizona to sell you.
wow, what a piece of work you are. I’m sorry I troll rated your other comments…they should stay up here so everyone can see the hate they exhibit.
Yup. The only reason I haven’t given it a zero is so people know what KansasVoter was all about.
you’re banned.
Thank you!
Must be six months since I had to ban someone.
Wow. I don’t know what to say. I have never, in all time I have been on this site, seen a more sickening comment. And the fact of the matter is that you’re just wrong. “Most Americans” don’t feel that way. Yes, “most Americans” are against illegal immigration. But only in the world that George Bush and his hate-mongering friends have created would we cheer and exhort people to “rape, kill and hunt people for sport”. You’re way, way past the tipping point with your comments. Your inhumanity is intolerable and revolting.
Count me as not one of “most Americans” then, nor anyone in my family.
And if you are really so concerned about “illegal” aliens then maybe you should support stiffer penalties for those who employ them. After all, without companies willing to exploit a cheaper labor force there would be much less movement across our borders by poor Latinos simply looking to make a living.
If CEO’s of companies had to do hard time, and if their shareholders had to suffer lost profits because all revenue generated by exploiting the labor of “illegal” aliens would be subject to forfeiture as fines or tax penalties, wouldn’t that be a more effective approach, if you are primarily concerned about jobs going only to American citizens?
But we all know that isn’t going to happen. Instead, the media and too may like you demonize poor people who came to this country, like most Americans or their ancestors did, for the opportunity to make a better life for themselves. At least that’s why my ancestors came here. I’m sure to Native Americans they were unwanted immigrants too, or in the case of my German and Irish relatives, unwanted by former English “immigrants” to America.
Isn’t there a book called ‘What’s the Matter With Kansas?’…well now we know. Scary sick and twisted doesn’t begin to explain statements like that.
And what’s with the deleted comments? Is this place trying to be like the Daily Kos or DemocraticUnderground? If so, you’re well on your way to sinking down to their level. If you people value illegal aliens over honest discourse, then I’ll let you have your little frog pond.
Your “mexican-American” population is under siege because millions of illegal aliens are coming here from mexico and lowering the American standard of living. You’re just lucky that it’s not any worse.
And this isn’t DKos or DU, so I doubt that they’ll be banning anyone or taking away anyone’s rating abilities.
Beautiful.
Is this something you’ve heard Lou Dobbs say or do you have actual, you know, facts to back it up?
I think corporate welfare, greedy management and bad free trade agreements have more to do with that than any immigrant.
And I think we should be calling for a boycott.
Hate speech has NO PLACE in a democracy on the public airwaves. NONE.
We should not roll over and ignore him. We should call his advertisers and tell them why we are boycotting their products.
Let’s get a list going. Outrageous.
Hey, come on, Lisa. Democrats don’t boycott; they don’t fight either. That’s why they get swiftboated and slimed and slandered ad infinitum by those Republican bastards. The donkey is turning into a real ass.
I totally disagree. Unless you can point to a single win where boycotts and boycott threats did any damage to wingnut media. All boycotts and petitions do in situations like this is reinforce the image of “liberals” as whinyass helpless losers reliving their beloved kumbaya moments, the last time they ever actually won any fights.
Limbaugh is irrelevant — the world is full of assholes and America far exceeds its quota. What matters is to use him and his kind as a weapon against McCain and the GOP. Instead of being put in the position of trying to censor him, publicize the racism: run the worst quotes on top of pictures of Rush and Mac, over and over again. Don’t demand that McCain denounce Limbaugh, just keep asking if he still agrees with his friend’s racism. Make a vote for McCain a vote for Limbaugh and the rest of the racist, sexist, nativist clan. The bad guys keep passing us the ammunition and we’re either too dumb or too “nice” to use it. Every damn time.
Boycotts haven’t worked since the 70’s – all they do is give free publicity to that which is being boycotted, and in today’s society there is no such thing as bad publicity unless it’s saturated-media bad publicity, ala Gary Condit or O.J. Simpson.
I won’t hold my breath for the Congress to issue a resolution condemning him anytime soon, like they did for the MoveOn ad. Rush’s verbal diarrhea is still in-bounds, apparently.
[thoroughly disgusted today]
Hopey says don’t let the turkeys get you down.
cute as ever. And don’t worry, I’ve been hearing rancid shit like that for over three years now, so I’ve grown quite a thick skin.
I have written several posts about the socially destructive nature of the Talk Radio Network, Limbaugh is not the only one. There is Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham and Tammy Bruce just to name a few others. Even with the Democrats in control of congress there is NO POLITICAL WILL to impose any restrictions on these right wing demagogues. Recently Savage has been involved in a big fight with women in the Frisco area over his comments about Autistic children. Loosely translated the comment suggested that it would be better to dispose of these children at birth and save the millions of dollars for Insurance companies and States that it costs to maintain these “subhuman” kids.
Some of these radio wing nuts have been actually wishing over the air that someone would have the balls to go out and kill liberals so as to put them (liberals) out of their misery!! Then they add this little disclaimer, “Just joking folks, don’t kill all the liberals, just some of them like this bastard XXXXX XXXX!!” (Instead of XXXXX just insert the name of some well known liberal person.)
Faced with a congress that does not care, I think we the people should take these Talk Radio people to court to face criminal action as anarchists. The evidence from their own mouths is definitely the kind of wild inflamatory speech that a raving anarchist would use to create widespread civil disorder and destruction by inciting the populace to commit criminal acts, including murder.
The general excuse that the PC people give for not taking this course of action against these radio right wing nuts is that they are protected under the Constitution’s provision for freedom of speech. IMHO, NO ANARCHIST has this right under the Constitution. I say let’s go after these anarchists and the sooner the better!
This thread really, truly does sicken me. And it just confirms to me how serious a problem we will still have with race in this country, even should Obama be elected. I don’t buy KansasVoter’s contention that “most Americans” feel the same as he does. But the sad truth is that there are a very great number who do. And that should give us tremendous pause; both as Americans, and as human beings. I have personally heard the same sentiments expressed as those of KansasVoter. I heard them in my office, I have heard them in social situations with friends, and sadly, I have heard them from the lips of my immediate family. I cannot tell you how that sickens my soul. The depth of hatred and ignorance that is required for a human being to wish rape and murder upon innocent women and children; to advocate hunting another human being for sport for making an attempt to improve the lives of their family and future generations. That, to me, is just unspeakable beyond belief. The proper words escape me right now. I am not a religious man, but I cannot help but feel that today, in this thread, we have glimpsed the face of this country’s worst demon. A demon which has stalked and terrorized us since our country’s infancy. And to get such a stark and telling reminder that this demon is alive and well among us is probably the most sobering and depressing fact I can imagine. Reading this thread has sapped every bit of energy from my body. I’m afraid that I will have to just spend the remainder of the evening contemplating how we, as human beings, can even begin to address this unspeakable situation. We are so far from putting this evil into the grave, once and for all, that I can’t help but feel a very deep sense of despair that, in my lifetime, we will barely make a dent in overcoming this moral failing.
Hope springs eternal, Mike. The youngsters are different and much less likely to judge others by the color of their skin or their sexual orientation.
Mike – I’ve tried to respond to your comment for several hours now and not sure that I’ll ever have the words. Know that despite the rot, there is opportunity for progress each time we try to pry open minds that are either closed due to inherited worldviews that thrive on division or are too ignorant to understand the implications of what they’re espousing. It’s easy to write crap on the internet under a pseudonym that one would never say in real life. The fact that most of the haters are too shamed to say aloud what they think is a small step forward, but will take many, many more steps to get rid of the mindset altogether. It will take all of us to keep at it, but yeah, we have much work to do.
Second Nature’s comment is spot on, too. I’m in my late twenties, and my generation and those right behind me are leagues ahead of where our parents and grandparents were/are. Things will change, but it can never come fast enough.
Hi Manny, yeah there are too many days when I feel just like MikeinOhio but thank that noodly appendage that there are people like him/you and just about everyone here to give me hope…hope that someday it will be better the alternative is to grim to contemplate.
Maybe you missed the Democratic primary this year…
I’ve come to expect this kind of behavior from Democrats – no way, no how am I even remotely surprised at it coming from Republicans, and anyone who has had to fight them ought to know that the only limit to their tactics is utility, do they think it can work. If they thought that they would win the election by hitting you in the head with a shovel then you can rest assured that some GOP lackey would indeed put in that spade work – there would most assuredly be a shovel up side your head.
In order to defeat your
opponentenemy you must know them truly, not just according to your own idealization or caricature of them. You have to know what they will and won’t do, what they can and can’t do, and if Limbaugh’s excellent adventure back to the future truly caught you by surprise then you may want to revisit your understanding of Republicans – such tactics were not only predictable but essentially inevitable. They will be true to their nature, they have no other choice.