Alert the Media: CHQR on Limbaugh, the NFL, and smear tactics
posted at 5:15 pm on October 14, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
At 6:45 pm CT tonight, listen to CHQR’s Internet stream as I discuss the curious case of widespread insanity that has greeted Rush Limbaugh’s nascent bid to buy the St. Louis Rams. Michelle notes that the story has caused a wide variety of symptoms, including frothing at the mouth from NFL players who have a tough time defending their own conduct, as well as a rash of fabricated “quotes” from commentators apparently intimidated by Rush’s financial power. Mike Blanchard and I will chew this over for a few fun minutes, so be sure to join us!
Update: Allahpundit caught the breaking story from ESPN on the possible ouster of Rush from the bid. That’s infuriating, but it does have one potential upside: Rush now can make a case that libel and slander caused him significant economic losses, if he chooses to sue the people using fabricated quotes to smear him.
Update II: My friend John Ziegler has advice for Rush: Keep fighting.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Any way for the fans to be heard? Nicely of course.
Cindy Munford on October 14, 2009 at 5:19 PM
It all started with Brian Burwell race peddling in the Post-Dispatch. He should be target number 1.
stldave on October 14, 2009 at 5:21 PM
You know, I’m beginning to think this could turn into the kind of mega-$hitstorm that Rush could ride like Pecos Bill rode that tornado.
This could get very interesting.
Popcorn, anybody?
CPT. Charles on October 14, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I call for a total boycott to the NFL.
Ed if you really are infuriated, no more NFL open thread Sunday!
milwife88 on October 14, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I’ve been thinking about that angle from the very beginning. It really sucks for Rush and his ambitions of owning an NFL team, but I think in the end, to get
the liberal networksthose networks that aren’t FOX to actually CHECK their facts, would be much sweeter.TampaBayBull on October 14, 2009 at 5:28 PM
There is no more open book than that of Rush Limbaugh, if Obama’s life was one tenth the open book Obama wouldn’t be fit to peddle papers.
fourdeucer on October 14, 2009 at 5:29 PM
stldave on October 14, 2009 at 5:21 PM
I read his crap today. I’m done with him. And now that baseball season is over, I have no reason to read that loser rag anyway.
NebCon on October 14, 2009 at 5:30 PM
I am done. I will never watch another NFL game again. I’ll stick with college football.
pdigaudio on October 14, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Tea Party at the next NFL games — with signs in support of Rush, capitalim, and freedom of speech ………..AND against the mainstream media and mouthy NFL types.
Mutnodjmet on October 14, 2009 at 5:31 PM
I hope Rush sues the racist SOB’s.
farright on October 14, 2009 at 5:32 PM
I say that we should call for the ouster of Goodell
ConservativePartyNow on October 14, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Tea Party TAILGATE, anyone???
lawtwin on October 14, 2009 at 5:33 PM
This sort of thing will never stop until conservatives fight back harder than they ever have before. That means, in a case like this, a full-blown boycott of all things NFL … which will never happen.
Just like conservatives will continue to be smeared and shouted down on most online forums not specifcally designed to cater to them, until other conservatives are willing to sign up by the thousands and demand equal access … which will never happen.
Perhaps there will be some sort of “tipping point” that will make right-leaning Americans start truly fighting back. But I doubt it.
The Lone Platypus on October 14, 2009 at 5:35 PM
The NFL made an enemy in me today.
Horatius on October 14, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Just last week, I said that sports teams were the last place with no politics.
What a difference a week makes.
Within the month, teams will have “Support ObamaCare” patches on their sleeve. Fans will be shouting “Obama, Obama, Obama, hmmm,hmmmm,hmmm”.
faraway on October 14, 2009 at 5:38 PM
What the Left/Media are getting away with is so dangerous, what they did to Rush here is no different than what these Psycho’s did to Palin for the last year.
I fear we won’t really do anything about this until its too late. These psycho’s are emboldened now to continue lying like this to destroy peoples lives, it is sick.
jp on October 14, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Oh me too!!!
deidre on October 14, 2009 at 5:41 PM
I think we are headed to something similar to the English Civil Wars.
The Royalist/Statist of that era, hated Cromwell so much they dug up his 2yr old Dead body and posthumously hung him.
jp on October 14, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Convicted felon and noted dogkiller Michael Vick is accepted back into the NFL. Conservative radio personality, no thanks from Roger Goodell… Another coward who rolls over to racebaiters.
Nozzle on October 14, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Boycotts are stupid tools for losers. Let’s take a little lesson from Karl Marx. This crap will stop when conservatives OWN the means of production.
Fox News is a start. The WSJ just became #1 in daily sales. Next, conservatives need to buy up some major media real estate and even out the cultural messaging playing field. If Rush and a couple other billionaires bought Viacom that would be huge.
I.M. Shatner on October 14, 2009 at 5:46 PM
That’s what it takes. Going galt.
the_nile on October 14, 2009 at 5:49 PM
I am so furious it is hard to keep a coherent thought. But Terrell Owens is in the league; countless felons on the field every Sunday; the BLACK EYED PEAS can be owners; but Rush is too controversial? Please. This is a thinly veiled excuse to try once again to ruin Rush’s career. It is ridiculous, and I’ve had enough.
Last Sunday was the last NFL game I will ever watch. The egos, the attitudes, the stunts/crimes off the field, the paychecks, have all overshadowed the game I once loved. Hockey is a better sport anyway!
varnson on October 14, 2009 at 5:54 PM
I think this whole episode is a reaction to Rush when he said he hopes Obama’s policies fail. Soros and Obama are behind this and I hope Rush can prove it.
fourdeucer on October 14, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Totally disgusted by the media lynching with the help of the “Justice Brothers” (Sharpton/Jackson). Rallying Rush to FIGHT and expose these so called journalists and exact monetary damages. Another sad day in America when bigotry trumps freedom and capitalism. This is unbelievable.
Karma and truth will win out! Persevere! NO NFL for me. I prefer college anyway. I think Stephan A Smith is on
Buckeye Babe on October 14, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Brietbart needs to start BigNFL.com
faraway on October 14, 2009 at 6:02 PM
I wonder if chrissy matthews had another tingle up his leg today….
cmsinaz on October 14, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Well, one of the opening shots across the bow was the Michael Savage banning from England and the ensuing ,continuing dust up. If anyone thinks that this present admin did not have anything to do with that, they need a glass navel None of the major conservative talk show people came to his defense. So now they are going after bigger targets. Saul Alinsky is alive and well in DC and the attacks will keep coming and will be more open and brazen. We have to continually attack and fight back,,,otherwise,we will LOSE.
retiredeagle on October 14, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Get ‘em, Rush. Track ‘em down and take ‘em to the cleaners. Sue these sob’s for every nickel they’re worth… not just for yourself, but for all of us who have been the objects of this rhetorical bullying for so many years now. You can make them think twice before they try this crap again. Make it happen.
Rush Hudson Limbaugh
Mmm mmm mmm!
Sue sue sue
Eww eww ewww!
petefrt on October 14, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Forgot to add to my previous post that not only do we lose, this country, UNITED STATES of AMERICA, and everything it stands for is lost.
retiredeagle on October 14, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Sue their A$$’S OFF RUSH!!!
Baxter Greene on October 14, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Obama will be so proud
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.2fc299db2cd4e935945936820f1d8be0.a1&show_article=1&catnum=-1
macncheez on October 14, 2009 at 6:24 PM
The only thing better than buying a part of an NFL team is buying the whole thing with your jury award.
meci on October 14, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Did you see that SICKENING crap Monday night. JLo is part owner of the Miami Dolphins now so the ref gave a couple of calls in Spanish. The stadium bood very loudly and it was not done again. No talk of that on MSM I see.
Why can J Zee have a VERY racial rap about Obama being black and his house being white, and no more white lies yet he is allowed to be part owner of a basketball team.
The games are fixed and have been for a long time. Some journalist needs to get out there and prove it!
patriotparty1 on October 14, 2009 at 6:29 PM
.
.
I think a libel suit against ESPN & Wikipedia will do nicely, with a bunch of depositions for Lurie and other pantywaist owners. If all endeavors must come to a halt every time sportwriters and and other elitists claim to be uncomfortable, we’ve stopped being America to become something incredibly pathetic. Like Krauthammer says, Decline is a Choice.
Mark30339 on October 14, 2009 at 6:29 PM
For those who may desire it, here is the NFL HQ number in NY.
1-212-450-2000
TeeDee on October 14, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Damn, the NFL, has become just another affirmative action institution. Of course, only for rich minorities. Yet no one “gets” the irony.
Andy in Agoura Hills on October 14, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Isn’t the point of the Rams being a franchise to put people in the seats? Wouldn’t Rush being owner antagonize people, and ruin that? Whatever. I don’t like the Rams nor Rush, so really, I don’t care all that much.
DanStark on October 14, 2009 at 6:44 PM
http://www.nfl.com/contact-us
reshas1 on October 14, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Rush, I do not watch football but hubby does. This whole thing is all about race. I have been listening to Rush for years and have NEVER heard him say anything that was not the truth, race or not. This bho, team, and the msm has gone WAY beyond what our Repbulic has done in so many years. This stinks on the skunk stink! Rush, my house is for you 100%.
L
letget on October 14, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I would like for someone to explain how it is that Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson of the Black-Eyed Peas is saying she has an interest in owning a portion of the Miami Dolphins and no one in the MSM is making so much as a peep about it, but Rush Limbaugh shows an interest in wanting to own the L.A. Rams and all holy hell breaks loose on all quarters!
I mean, what the hell is going on here?!!!
pilamaye on October 14, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Fergie supported Teh Won.
steveegg on October 14, 2009 at 7:18 PM
FIFY.
gryphon202 on October 14, 2009 at 8:00 PM
First, They Came for Rush Limbaugh…
MB4 on October 14, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Michael Vick was reported to be particularly indigent. Another player had to take time off from beating up his girl friend to denounce Limbaugh.
MB4 on October 14, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Several more players were reported as being so upset at the prospect of Rush Limbaugh owning part of a football franchise that they missed their steroid shots.
MB4 on October 14, 2009 at 8:10 PM
I’m really going to be disappointed if Rush doesn’t go after CNN and MSNBC and make them pay for what they did. It’s one thing for Jesse and Al to do their normal race-baiting accusations, it’s quite another for, supposedly legitimate news organizations, to make statements without fact checking them.
Since it’s possible, now that he’s been dropped from the consortium, he will have real, proveable, financial damages, I would hope he’d go after them with vigor and extract, not only an on-air apology, but also mucho dinero from them.
bflat879 on October 14, 2009 at 9:15 PM
The last thing I want as a 49er fan is Rush owning the pitiful Lambs.
That will make them too competitive. And we don’t want more competition in the NL West, we want LESS competition.
Heck, I want a 49er MONOPOLY!
I want…..John McCain to own the Lambs.
:)
Sapwolf on October 14, 2009 at 9:42 PM
My friend John Ziegler has advice for Rush: Keep fighting.
You can’t fight the free market.
piniella on October 15, 2009 at 1:25 AM