Comments on: freeSpeech: Rush Limbaugh

Radio Host On Patriotism And The War On Terror

[cancelrush]

Anti liberal,

While discussing professional black basketball athletes Rush stated they do not know what to do with all the money they make because they have never had money "Well, except for the money they took under the table while they were in college." Yea, Rush said this.

We should never forget the racist comments Rush made concerning Blacks can not swim just this past week. This dude is a racist and he has taken every opportunity with his radio show to promote racist banter among his followers.

That is just a few quotes. I personally have never forgiven Rush for the use of the phrase "Welfare Mama" to describe women on Welfare. I feel strongly he is pointing this comment at urban black women on government assistance.

America should ban all radio promos for Rush Limbaugh's radio show during College Athletic broadcast and their coaches radio shows.

American radio should also ban promos of college sporting events during the broadcast of Rush's radio show.

Rush is not a person we as a society should allow to have any connection to college or professional sports.

[ideatree]

If I were grading Rush Limbaugh%u2019s speech as a freshman essay, I would turn it back for some major rewriting. He uses virtually every example of fallacious reasoning, uses generalizations to define his enemy and individualizes himself (and his followers).

For example when he says %u201CMilitant Islam wants to kill us just because we are alive and don't believe as they do. And they have been killing us for decades.%u201D He fails to even remotely define %u201CMilitant Isalm.%u201D Is that Kuwaitis? Saudis? Indonesians? If he means the Muslim-Christian %u201Cwars%u201D he should say centuries %u2013 not decades. Or is America the only nation that matters?

Militants want to "kill us just because we are alive" - Huh?

And his statements that %u201CWhen Good negotiates with Evil, Evil will always wins.%u201D
What does that mean? Is Rush saying that Evil is smarter than Good? How about an example? It makes a great slogan, but there is nothing there.

And %u201CAnd peace follows victory, not words issued by diplomats.%u201D Huh? Victory against whom? Where? Peace used to follow treaties. We don%u2019t even know who our enemy is. How would we recognize victory?

What scares me the most is Rush%u2019s bland assumption that the real enemy is, at least according to most polls lately, most Americans! Anyone who questions the president is the enemy. Now that is true fascism %u2013 when your logic takes you to the point where everyone who disagrees is the enemy.

[fedora1958]

Excuse me, mr. antiliberal, but I quoted Rush in my first post, so your "not one single quote" charge is factually incorrect... hey, just like Rush!

Somebody in Milwaukee slashed somebody's tires? Well, clearly that proves that... uh.. just what DOES that prove? Let me just say that, in my opinion, tire-slashinbg is not legitimate speech, and is and should be illegal.

If CBS wants to give the tire-slashers a platform on the Evening News, I would also consider that tobe irresponsible and bad policy.

[snowbrd7]

Liberalmedia, it's not necessarily conservative to support the war on terror or believe that radical Islam is a threat. There is no possible way any liberal would condone the Taliban that controlled Afghanistan. Fundamentalist Islamic governments do not support women's rights.

[antiliberal]

All this accusing Rush of hate-mongering, yet, as usual, not one single quote from his show to back up this phony charge. This is because Rush has never uttered a "hate-mongering" phrase on his show. If he did, would it not stand to reason that one of these hate-filled liberals would have posted it? What you democrats mean, but are to afraid to say is, "We hate Rush Limbaugh because he disagrees with OUR position."

Wednesday, October 27, 2004 Posted: 1:46 PM EDT (1746 GMT)Police in Sarasota, Florida, arrested a man accused of trying to run down Rep. Katherine Harris and her supporters with a car Tuesday, a police spokesman said.

11-10-04 In Wisconsin, vandals spray-painted "Illegitimate Democracy" across Republican state party headquarters. In Milwaukee, police said tires were slashed on about 20 get-out-the-vote vehicles leased by the GOP.

That's hatred.

What you liberals want is to go back to the days when you had complete control of the media, and conservatives were shut out.

Too bad, so sad.

[jeannearp]

Mr. Limbaugh, I do not believe that it is unAmerican or unpatriotic to criticize unAmerican behavior and values. As a very patriotic American I am very clear in my mind about the difference between appropriate rules of engagement and abuses unbefitting Americans. I happen to support the war on terrorism even though most of my politial thinking would probably be considered liberal. I understand the danger, the need to defend ourselves, and I'm not afraid of the price.
What I will not now nor ever do is follow leadership unquestioningly. That is very unAmerican.
You are correct, this is a very dangerous time. In such a dangerous time, I need to have absolute confidence in the leadership from Washington to the battlefield that is holding my safety and that of my children in their hands.

[hgarters]

To Wilbart 1 -

There is a difference between speaking your mind, as you say, which yes Mr. Limbaugh has the right to do, and being given a public forum to do it by CBS and stating directly that anyone who does not agree with you is a traitor, as Mr. Limbaugh did very clearly. Everyone has the inherent right in America to be an *** as Mr. Limbaugh and you clearly prove, but that does not mean that I am unpatriotic because I think so. Lastly, if the Muslims were faced with more Americans that felt as I do- that they have the right to be left alone, them maybe 911 would not have happened. History's pages are covered with the blood of the innocents and in the Trade Towers, the Pentagon and on a field in Pennsylvania that blood was spilled for the sins of the hate mongers like Limbaugh. And you contradict your own point when you criticize Moore who has just as much of a right to express his opinion as Limbaugh. As for this teacher who does not understand free speech? I find it interesting that you would have had me killed on 911 because I disagree with you. How American, how patriotic you must feel and how proud that you rush so quickly to killing someone who is a fellow citizen who happens to not share your opinion. Rah rah free speech.

[antiliberal]

Hey kailumego

I'm thankful for capitalist giants. It's so much better than communist poverty.

Outsourcing? We have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. Outsourcing means we are also employing people around the world. Sounds good to me.

I am from Slidell, Louisiana. FEMA is not a rescue outfit. They are a response outfit. To blame them for leaving people behind is to ignore this fact.

Mayor Willie W Nagin, left the busses empty. Not FEMA and Bush. Gov. Kathy committie Blanco denied national guard help from Bush at first. Just the facts.

You are correct about the insurance companies.

Millions without adequate health insurance? I pay taxes every day for medi-scare and free hosptilization for people without insurance. Oh, and I also pay for MY families insurance. What's the problem? Looking for something for free? Like Canada? Just what we need. Another government agency handling my business.

Focus on addressing the needs of Americans? What?

Radical Islam IS our greatest enemy. What the heck are you talking about?

Who cares what other countries think? We take care of business or die. Problem?

Yes we critize most non-western socities. Like the communists, nazis and terrorists. How mean.

Racially polorized by decades of government diseducation leading to mass poverty and crime involving a certain race. From chains to welfare, you democrats have oppressed this race for 400 years. And when they acquire prominence, you call them Uncle Tom.

[antiliberal]

Hey CancelRush.

You are EXACTLY what I am talking about. You blab on about canceling Rush. He is the #1 radio show. You would have to have enough money to buy out all the stations that run his show. You libs really do live in the twilight zone.

Are you talking about the "fairness doctrine?" Which is the attempt by, nothing to offer democrats, to silence Rush and other conservative voices? Yep, that's how you little intellectual cowards play. If you can't defeat us with lies, you try to REMOVE us.

Or could it be Air America? Yeah I know, nobody knows what I am talking about. Air America was an attempt by liberals to "take on" Rush and conservative radio. Let's see, first it started with that little revelation of Air America execs STEALING mony from a boys club. Then of course there is that little fact that NOBODY listens to AA, so that they have to PAY to remain on the air, if they still are.

So Mr.CancelRush, what exactly are YOU talking about? Any idea?

If your so upset at my post why don't you try to refute my points with facts and logic.

Sorry to use those words in the company of liberals. Don't want to hurt your wuttle feewings.

[freespeech3]

As usual Limbaughquack is spewing his brand of freedom and patriotism. Either agree with him and his ilk or consider yourself a traitor to our country. Well, my view is that we probably got into this war through several blunders made by the government(s) and a willing and naive press and public. But now that we're in it and we broke it, we own it (as Mr. Powell said). Let's win. Let's overwhelm the enemy, take them down and focus on destroying them.

Remember, this culture in the mid-east is still fussing over arguments from hundreds of years ago. They have the long view. With us, 3 and a half years is an eternity.

I say go in block by block, thoughout Bagdad and all the other contested cities and town in Irag and take out the enemy and leave guard squads in place to keep the enemy from returning even if it means thousands more of our soldiers guarding piles of rock. If we aren't willing to do that - then we should leave for we will never win, we'll just waste precious American lives and dollars - for nothing.

[kailumego]

Can you imagine why other countries dismiss us as %u201Cwind-bagged%u201D hypocrites, when there are Americans continuously suffering social/economical degradation?
We are suppose to set an example, so where is it?
America needs to clean up its own degradation before pontificating political referendum to other countries, which, by the way, have not %u201Csolicited%u201D.
.

[kailumego]

Capitalist giants like Wal-Mart, Eastman Kodak, etc have outsourced jobs to China, India, Mexico, etc., paying minimum tariffs, while we consume %u201Cpumped%u201D up prices.
Millions of Americans are without adequate health-care, while money is being funneled into an %u201Cillegal%u201D war.
And to top it off, the joke called FEMA, turned its back on helpless %u201CAmericans%u201D, leaving them to die, without food or water.
And if that wasn%u2019t bad enough residents in Mississippi and Louisiana got a %u201Cdouble-whammy%u201D when insurance companies connived and defaulted payments on claims, arguing over wind shear or rain damage.
Our focus should be on how we can adequately serve the needs of %u201Call%u201D Americans, and not a %u201Cselective%u201D group.
Islam is not our greatest enemy or nemesis, we are the enemy, with all our bickering and intolerance towards pluralistic differences.
It%u2019s no wondering other countries view us with such disdain, with all the hypocrisy and contradictions.
We vehemently criticize everybody or anybody who%u2019s not an automaton or prototype of Western philosophy, while America itself is still racially polarized.

[kailumego]

The issue of partisanship appears to have clouded many logical, rational thinking American citizens. We need to demand more of our leaders, than hanging on their every word. This should not be a %u201Ccat-fight%u201D over right-or-left-wing ideology, but are our political candidates/representatives serving the best needs of the people.
All this back-and-forth over which political sound bite is correct, while a huge percentage of American citizens are without adequate health care, housing, and education.
9-11 should have alerted Americans of the faultiness of our government to protect us against foreign terrorism.
But what about homegrown terrorism, have we all forgotten about %u201COkalahoma%u201D and the anthrax scare. Well, this was American bred terrorism.
We, as American citizens, have a lot more to fear from homegrown terrorism than we do from fundamentalist radical religious groups like Hezbollah and the Taliban.
And if the economy takes a nose-dive forcing the middle-class into becoming %u201Cbeggars%u201D, you will see just how much you have to fear from %u201Chomegrown%u201D terrorism.
Our politicians need to focus less on Hezbollah and the Taliban and more on boosting the economy by applying pressure on capitalist corporations who %u201Coutsource%u201D American jobs.
Foreign industrialists [Japan] have replaced the American automotive dynasties, leaving millions of Americans displaced.

[bellal-2009]

I believe that its not only the Muslims who are feeling threatened by culture clashes, we feel the same thing here in the U.S. Things are definately changing for us as well.

[snowbrd7]

America is tolerant and accepting of all cultures. We all live work and play peacefully virtually daily shoulder to shoulder with every nationality and religion on earth. OUR companies have sent jobs overseas. OUR people have volunteered around the world to fight poverty and disease. OUR military has been depoyed for the soul purpose of keeping peace or distributing aid. OUR presidents have tried to negotiate peace between Israel and Palestine. It looks as though no matter what we do we will be hated. So why should American's care anymore?

[snowbrd7]

Wow,jennymariam, very thoughtful comments. What Arab countries supported our taking out Saddam Hussein?

[wilmde]

CBS has sunk to a new low by having Lush on this site.

Previously that blowhard had only been surpased by the hiring of Katie Couric

[willbart1]

In response to hgarters, what's really frightening is that we have "journalism teachers" who don't understand what free speech is. It's scary how you criticize Rush for speaking his mind, which I believe is what free speech is, and you scold CBS (libs are good at scolding) for giving his legitimate opinions a forum. When you refer to the "eventual demise of the right to exercise REAL free speech in this country", you tip your hand. The only REAL free speech is that which you speak, correct? And, do you really believe that "radical terrorist Muslims" don't want to kill you? If only you had been in the towers on 9/11. I'm sure they would have simply landed the planes at LaGuardia and turned themselves in. Oh, that's right, they didn't take the landing lessons. It reminds me of your fellow genius Michael Moore's comment: "Why did they hit New York. They voted for the other guy!"

[mikecra]

Thanks for having Rush Limbaugh on your news.I have been a Democrat for 40 years.I have been listening to Rush for many years as I work as a CPA.I know he has flaws,and can be irritating often.I completely disagree with his smoking advocacy.I have listened to, watched and read news stories all these years trying to catch him in a lie about political matters, etc.I have not done that.I support our local demos,but cannot stand those in the national scene. Is it not obvious to you and other mainstream media how dispicable many of the national demos are?I have watched CBA since the 50's and cannot believe you support these demo's who would rather not offend a muslim appearing person at the airport even if it saves 100-200 people on an airplane. I am ashamed of the path my Democratic party has gone down.I do applaud you for having your free speech segment.I wish you would offer Rush more chances to come on and speak of the right direction for our country.Someone needs to say it like it is.Radicals are out to take over the world and I want my children,grandchildren,your children,etc.to be safe in this world and have some type of future.Think about offering conservative demos and other conservatives more opportunities to be heard on CBS.Now that you have flushed ole Dan, you can head in the right direction.Stick up for our country and you might find more of the middle and southern states tuning into your network. Mike Miller

[hgarters]

The "Radical Terrorist Muslims" Rush refers to do not want to kill me or most Americans- they want to kill him and those like him- those who say being a patriot means calling all Muslims "Radical Terrorist Muslims."

Putting Rush Limbaugh on CBS as a purveyor of free speech is equal to putting Clinton on to discuss fidelity.In short, it is a joke. Rush hates free speech, unless it is his own speech, and CBS should be ashamed. I was.

As a journalism teacher, I could not be more frightened for the eventual demise of the right to exercise real free speech in this country. How sad, that to protect ourselves, we feel the need to destroy that which we are trying to protect and how sad that CBS is helping us on that journey.