Rush Limbaugh and the Rams

[Eric Perry]

Okay, people still don't understand the whole concept of selling an NFL team, it seems.

Let's try this: I post one of my basses on the Classifieds here. Let's say I am listing at $1,000, firm. I get 5 identical $1,000 offers for the bass all at the same time. I've only got ONE bass to sell. I need to sell it to one of the guys offering me the coin. Who do I choose? Realistically, that's entirely up to ME, and whatever choice I make is solely mine TO make. Do I choose the guy living closest to minimize possible shipping damage? Do I choose the guy I've befriended on TB over the years? Do I choose the minority so I'm not labeled a racist? Etc., Etc. However I choose, FOUR PEOPLE WILL NOT GET MY BASS. That, in no way shape or form, should suggest I'm showing prejudice on any level.

 

[RWP]

We can only hope the people slandering Rush will one day have the same happen to them. This is all political. Nuff' said.....

 

[Eric Perry]

...He's no racist, and he's no criminal...

While the racist thing is quite apparently open to interpretation and emotional response, the criminal thing is not, as evidenced by past fraud and drug charges. Because he plea bargained his way out of it, does not change the well-documented illegality of his acts. When you factor in many of his quotes regarding illegal drug users, it becomes even more amusing!

 

[Dr_Funkdamental]

They are undoubtably expressed in his lyrics, which are controversial. Don't take my word for it, read them for yourself.

The point is, that shouldn't keep anyone, Jay Z or Rush Limbaugh, from buying a pro franchise.

Honestly I dont care for either one, but from a business stand point, Jay Z is very successful, not just with Rap. I dont know if Rush has any successful business ventures outside his main gig, but Jay Z has numerous, so if there had to be a choice, I would choose Jay over Rush.

I think Rush is controversial and outspoken (which draws publicity), but I dont see him as racist.

 

[BlacksHole]

The analogy of selling a bass does not relate to this at all. It would be more like offering a position in your band. Then if five people try out and they're all talented - you will try to pick the one that best seems to fit the group. If this means you shy away from loud public figures then that's the way it goes.

 

[electracoyote]

However I choose, FOUR PEOPLE WILL NOT GET MY BASS. That, in no way shape or form, should suggest I'm showing prejudice on any level.

You make a good point, as usual. The problem here, as I see it, is it has been clearly outlined and stated why Rush has been cut out of the deal. And it wasn't his past pain killer dependance. It was his politics. That was made very plain by all involved. He was considered too controversial because of his views (and unsubstantiable accusations).

Once you state this openly, now you start comparing Rush Limbaugh to every other owner (or part-owner) of an NFL team, past, present, and future.

Discrimination takes many forms, and so-called "public figures" win slander suits all the time.

 

[Eric Perry]

You make a good point, as usual. The problem here, as I see it, is it has been clearly outlined and stated why Rush has been cut out of the deal. And it wasn't his past pain killer dependance. It was his politics...

Thanks.

I truly don't believe it was his politics. As others have said, probably far more owners are politically aligned with Rush than against. I think it had substantially more to do with his excessively outspoken nature and divisiveness.

Most to all owners of NFL teams do a very good job of flying under the radar, so to speak. I don't think Limbaugh would be able to do that at all. For the record, I'd say the exact same thing if Moore wanted in on NFL ownership.

 

[bassguppy]

I do find it ironic that as soon as this came up a bunch of non-sourced racist quotes have appeared in the news media (taken from wiki). Rush has denied the quotes and threatened legal action, no one has produced recordings our transcripts of these quotes despite the fact that their are at least two full time groups who do nothing but transcribe and record his shows for the opposition. If this kind of character assassination is all his opponents have then they should shut up. Libel is not freedom of speech.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[mrpackerguy]

I think it would have been more fun to let the deal do through with him aboard, THEN see what the fallout would have been. Hey, the man reaps what he sows. But he's ONLY an entertainer in my book. People love to love him, or love to hate him. Rarely does he say anything that can be supported by hard facts or statistics. But I must admit, I only turn him on rarely, when I'm out of the office for some reason, and then I can only seem to stand it for a couple minutes before I turn him off after turning me off.

 

[GregC]

Thanks.

I truly don't believe it was his politics. As others have said, probably far more owners are politically aligned with Rush than against. I think it had substantially more to do with his excessively outspoken nature and divisiveness.

Most to all owners of NFL teams do a very good job of flying under the radar, so to speak. I don't think Limbaugh would be able to do that at all. For the record, I'd say the exact same thing if Moore wanted in on NFL ownership.

Big +1.

If someone's making up quotes from a public figure, that could be considered slander--but good luck actually identifying someone to sue.

 

[electracoyote]

Fergie? She wears skimpy outfits, so what? I have no idea what her political views are. Does she even talk?

She sings controversial slutty lyrics. A lot of concerned parents don't approve.

Yeah, right. Moore wouldn't have much trouble--because the NFL is so liberal.

He's never criticized the president. He's never criticized the league.

Remember: ESPN hired Rush to comment on the politics of the NFL. When he stated that some blacks were being put in high-profile leadership and management positions due to league pressure rather than actual merit, he was fired and labeled a racist. Any truth to his statements were completely dismissed, because we're not a very honest society when it comes to race issues (it is a fact that McNabb was stinking it up at the time and will probably not go down in NFL history as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever). Rush was noticing a trend, i.e. the Lions being fined $200,000 by the NFL for not meeting the demanded quota for interviewing and hiring black coaches. (Isn't that some form or discrimination or racism???)

None of that matters. Commentators who share their views, no matter how observant or accurate, are too controversial for the NFL, while singers who promote promiscuity in young girls are perfectly acceptable.

Whatever. It's just another side-show in this circus called the NFL.

 

[casualmadness]

Fergie? She wears skimpy outfits, so what? I have no idea what her political views are. Does she even talk?

I'm really trying hard to stay out of this discussion but I have to comment here. You have no idea what her political views are? Seriously?

She is a very outspoken liberal. And I say that as someone who doesn't follow her music career at all.

 

[Eric Perry]

She sings controversial slutty lyrics. A lot of concerned parents don't approve.

I agree. I disagree with most rappers, and hateful people (from either side) spewing the kind of vitriol and/or illegal/immoral crap that continues to chip away at this society's conscience.

the Lions being fined $200,000 by the NFL for not meeting the demanded quota for interviewing and hiring black coaches. (Isn't that some form or discrimination or racism???)

Agree here too.

It's just another side-show in this circus called the NFL.

And here.

 

[Eric Perry]

I'm really trying hard to stay out of this discussion but I have to comment here. You have no idea what her political views are? Seriously?

She is a very outspoken liberal. And I say that as someone who doesn't follow her music career at all.

I sincerely didn't either. Granted, I loathe the radio, MTV, VH1, etc. and most to all pop crap played, so I've probably learned to tune out whatever is being said when I hear Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, etc.

 

[GregC]

I'm really trying hard to stay out of this discussion but I have to comment here. You have no idea what her political views are? Seriously?

She is a very outspoken liberal. And I say that as someone who doesn't follow her music career at all.

Seriously, I don't. And is she even a U.S. citizen? Not that she isn't allowed to express her opinion, but if she isn't, I'd think her political views would get less play in the U.S.

 

[casualmadness]

Seriously, I don't. And is she even a U.S. citizen? Not that she isn't allowed to express her opinion, but if she isn't, I'd think her political views would get less play in the U.S.

Yes she is an American. I think she's from California? Someone who knows better might be able to confirm or deny that.
I hate MTV, VH1 and all the other crap that's out there. But I'm a fierce political junkie. During the campaign, she popped up numerous times touting the merits of her favored candidate. I suspect (merely my opinion) that he political stance is more about the bandwagon than anything else. Just my opinion though...

 

[Eric Perry]

Yes she is an American. I think she's from California? Someone who knows better might be able to confirm or deny that.
I hate MTV, VH1 and all the other crap that's out there. But I'm a fierce political junkie. During the campaign, she popped up numerous times touting the merits of her favored candidate. I suspect (merely my opinion) that he political stance is more about the bandwagon than anything else. Just my opinion though...

I just read her Wiki (I blame YOU for this! ). She was born in CA. There's no mention of any politcal affiliation at all in the wiki, however. It does say she's openly bi. Giggity.

I know, I know... It's Wikipedia. That's all your getting from me when the topic is Fergie!!! lol

 

[Jared Lash]

political content edited

You know that Mark Cuban had virtually NO chance in his bid to buy the Cubs right? Reason being that he was too outspoken and in the forefront for MLBs tastes. Nothing to do with politics, they just didn't want the headache.

Do you actually think the NFL would let Michael Moore own part of an NFL franchise? Really? Again, I'd bet any amount of money that the majority of NFL owners have political views closer to Limbaugh than Moore. That just isn't what this is about. It's about not dealing with controversy. And the other 31 owners that whoever buys the Rams will be joining in a partnership with seemingly don't want to deal with that.

Even discounting made up quotes and allegations, Limbaugh is a polarizing figure and apparently the NFL doesn't think that's good for business. You can't have it both ways. You can't make a career out of being a polemicist or political figurehead where being divisive is part and parcel with the position and then be upset when you are denied entry to a club that frowns on divisiveness.

 

[casualmadness]

she's openly bi. Giggity.

Giggity indeed, my friend.

 

[GregC]

Remember: ESPN hired Rush to comment on the politics of the NFL. When he stated that some blacks were being put in high-profile leadership and management positions due to league pressure rather than actual merit, he was fired and labeled a racist. Any truth to his statements were completely dismissed, because we're not a very honest society when it comes to race issues (it is a fact that McNabb was stinking it up at the time and will probably not go down in NFL history as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever). Rush was noticing a trend, i.e. the Lions being fined $200,000 by the NFL for not meeting the demanded quota for interviewing and hiring black coaches. (Isn't that some form or discrimination or racism???)

Bwahaha! Yeah, that was a great call by Rush--the Eagles were 0-2, so he decides to leap in and push his agenda. Then they go on to the NFC championship game, and the Super Bowl the next year. The NFL pressured Rush into resigning because he was obviously so focused on pushing his political views that he couldn't accurately analyze the situation. No one said McNabb was one of the greatest QBs ever, but he obviously performed well and made Rush look like a damn fool.