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Rush Limbaugh went on offense over the Oklahoma City bombing. AP Photo
Right or wrong, the Oklahoma City bombing has become something of a political football ever since the terrorist attack occurred. Every anniversary a debate emerges as to who was to blame for the attack, and how it could have been prevented.
Last week, former President Bill Clinton lightly brushed upon the subject in a speech before the Center for American Progress. Without specifically mentioning the Oklahoma City bombing, Clinton warned about the danger of right-wing rhetoric in possibly promoting violence. Clinton specifically mentioned Rush Limbaugh's more extreme rants against the Obama administration.
Today, Rush Limbaugh shot back by directly blaming President Clinton for the Oklahoma City bombing. In the video below Limbaugh cites the Waco and Ruby Ridge incidents as "tangible evidence' that Clinton helped to contribute to the Oklahoma City bombing. Under Limbaugh's reasoning Clinton is to blame because of how Waco and Ruby Ridge unfolded. Ironically, Limbaugh's rhetoric actually matches up with that of Timothy McVeigh who also claimed that Waco was the reason for the Oklahoma City bombing.
The real question is not whether Waco and Ruby Ridge served as inspiration for McVeigh in some way (most believe it certainly did), but rather whether Waco and Ruby Ridge serve as a justification for the bombing. Under Limbaugh's theory, McVeigh's actions are somehow excused because of what the government did at Waco.
The Waco raid certainly ended badly, but few doubt that the raid was legal. Significant evidence existed showing that people within the Waco compound, most notably cult leader David Koresh, were engaged in sexual abuse against minors. They were also accused of illegally stockpiling weapons. The wisdom of how the raid was done and when it was done can be debated. but the government certainly had legal authority to enforce such laws.
And even if the Waco raid was illegal one must question how the raid would justify McVeigh's actions. The women and children who died in Oklahoma City played absolutely no part in the decision to raid the Waco compound.
The blame for Oklahoma City lies first and foremost with the perpetrator of the crime. McVeigh plotted the crime and carried it through with devastating effectiveness. He was clearly a bit mentally disturbed before the attack, as evidenced by his belief that the army had implanted a chip in his buttocks to track his movements. McVeigh obviously had an anti-government mindset and that may or may not have been contributed to by right-wing talk at the time. Clinton seemed to address this notion with the proper caution by warning generally about the possibility of violence emerging from overly heated rhetoric. Limbaugh, on the other hand, seems to have adopted McVeigh's own justification for the bombing in trying to rebut Clinton's remarks.
Comments
Interesting that Bill Clinton is so good at seeing the signs of future terror attacks now. Really would have been a useful skill when he was president -- perhaps looking into his crystal ball at the coming of 9/11.
"Ironically, Limbaugh's rhetoric actually matches up with that of Timothy McVeigh who also claimed that Waco was the reason for the Oklahoma City bombing."
Well no kidding Einstein! Thats exactly what he is saying! Clinton wants to blame Talk Radio and Rush is simply saying that it was action taken by the Government that motivated Mcveigh which, by your own admission, is the the fact of the matter, nice try though.
Ryan "1/2" Witt said: "Ironically, Limbaugh's rhetoric actually matches up with that of Timothy McVeigh who also claimed that Waco was the reason for the Oklahoma City bombing."
Limbaugh is CITING the reason McVeigh GAVE for his actions you dummy.
The sound bite is courtesy of the Media Matters website. Is that where you get story ideas?
"Ironically, Limbaugh's rhetoric actually matches up with that of Timothy McVeigh who also claimed that Waco was the reason for the Oklahoma City bombing."
Well no kidding Einstein! Thats exactly what he is saying! Clinton wants to blame Talk Radio and Rush is simply saying that it was action taken by the Government that motivated Mcveigh which, by your own admission, is the the fact of the matter, nice try though.
Clinton preemptively blamed any violence on the TPPM!
So what the hell is the problem?
Its sick how right wing hate spewing flame throwers like Limbaugh try to blame past and future right wing terror acts by Palin's "Real Americans" on Democrats and Liberals.
They are directly responsible for inciting these Real American Terrorists into committing acts of violence.
Hannity, Beck, Limbaugh and Palin are all responsible for the majority of the divisiveness in the United States.
They are all responsible, which is why they are NOW spinning the blame.
And on a side note, Palin is the only one with a college degree. Hannity and Beck are both drop outs and Limbaugh, well, he barely made it out of high school.
Glennbeckistan, GOT MEDS?
The larger argument is simple. Timothy McVeigh independently judged the US Govt. in error about Waco. He independently set off a bomb. We all agree that was a bad thing. Right? Now, looking at personal experiences - Have we not seen people behaving badly by people egging them on? Based on living, it is easy to conclude that extreme rhetoric can be detrimental, ie egging people on to behave badly. It really is not unreasonable to expect our words to have consequences.
GlennBeckistan grunted some mindless leftist drivel: "They are directly responsible for inciting these Real American Terrorists into committing acts of violence."
Historically, the left is responsible for violence in America. (and around the world) Bill "the bomber" Ayers (Obama's buddy, who btw, was pardoned by Clinton) and other radical leftists of the 60's and 70's who rioted, set fire to universities and pelted police with anything they could lay their hands on.
Recently, after OBAMA directed them to "get in their faces," SEIU thugs beat up a man in a wheel chair and a MoveOn.org radical, bit off a man's finger.
"And on a side note, Palin is the only one with a college degree. Hannity and Beck are both drop outs and Limbaugh, well, he barely made it out of high school."
And look at how freaking rich they are getting!!! THAT'S the American Dream.
When Ryan regurgitates government propaganda on the Waco Massacre he shows that he is acting as a statist mouthpiece.
Two weeks prior to the Waco Assault, Waco Sheriff's Deputies conducted an investigation of charges of child abuse and sexual misconduct that were advanced by a single disgruntled former member of the group.
Deputies got easy cooperation in their investigation and they found no evidence to support the claims of misconduct. But even if the charges were true, the ATF and FBI have no jurisdiction in such a case?
Also, the "illegal stash of weapons" was INVENTORY for members of the group that sold guns professionally at gun shows.
See salon.com/news/feature/1999/09/09/waco
Ruby Ridge and Waco were both illegal assaults on harmless citizens by a renegade Justice Department. Clinton and Reno have blood on their hands.
Why does this article have TWO photos of Rush about 80 pounds heavier than he is now?
Earthtrekker: Oh gosh...really? He does not look that different. Conservatives act like he is going to steal Angelina Jolie away from Brad Pitt with his amazing looks now. I am happy that he lost some weight but he does not really look that different now from what you see in that picture.
Tell you what. When Rush stops using looks to insult people (i.e. making fun of Hillary large back side) then I will stop using this picture. Until that point sorry, no apologies.
Yikes. Can we all agree that mcVeigh was a psycho killer? No? Right-wing wackos think he was somehow justified? Blame America? F*** you people.
The motivation for the Oklahoma bombing, was retaliation for the Waco raid. Clinton was responsible for the Waco raid.
Yes, of course, McVeigh alone was responsible. Interesting, though how a lib would figure that out....
Libs are blaming conservative talk & activism, in advance for acts of violence that are yet to happen!
Don't you guys ever see yourselves??? UNBELIEVABLE!
No wonder Americans with even the tiniest bit of common sense, don't buy a word of your BS anymore!
LMAO @ the collective buffoonery
Not ONE of you geniuses bothered to even do a fact check?
NONE of you dynamic dipwads bothered to confirm Rush's drivel???
The siege at Ruby Ridge was in August ~~ 1992 ~~.
CLINTON TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY 1993!!!!
(That's five months LATER for those mathematically challenged.)
With suckers like you, no wonder Rush is laughing all the way to the bank.
Now, there is a minor case to be made over Waco. The initial ATF raid was planned during the Bush I administration - it was never cleared by the new Clinton administration, who learned about it after the debacle.
But Clinton should have realized Reno had no clue how to manage the FBI, much less the cowboys of HRT at that time - the siege should never have ended that way, especially in the wake of lessons (not)learned from Ruby Ridge.
Hey smc, Let's try this once again. Who was president when 9/11 happened. I'll give you a hint, he was republican and stupid!!!
Well, the headline is wrong right off the bat. Timothy McVeigh said he blew up that building in response to Clinton torching the Waco compound and the women and children therein. Funny how we listen to all the terrorists say when they're blaming us for 9/11, but not right here out of the horse's mouth. It wasn't words that inspired McVeigh; it was Clinton's screw-up at Waco. Sorry, using the dead of Oklahoma City to tar and feather your political enemies is not only disgusting, it's transparent. I don't get it. Hundreds of people die and the first thing you do is rub your hands and say, "Oh, great! Now we can use these murdered dead as a political wedge issue against the other side!"
Hahaha "Ironically." How is it "ironic" to simply state the TRUTH of what the criminal here -- that's McVeigh, not Rush Limbaugh -- said?
"Under Limbaugh's reasoning Clinton is to blame because of how Waco and Ruby Ridge unfolded." Unfolded? Gee, if Bush is responsible for 9/11 "on his watch" then certainly the previous president was responsible for actions carried out by his government agencies. And it's a sick sleight of hand to say this therefore means that Rush Limbaugh absolves McVeigh of responsibility. You cannot say that McVeigh acted because of talk radio and Rush Limbaugh JUST because you wish that were true because you hate them, any more than you can just blame the Jewish foloks for everything bad that happens 'cause you're an anti-Semite! When that charge is made, what's a person supposed to do? Sit there and take it when it's a lie? I dunno. Seems to me you'd go to the source: There's ample evidence that Waco angered this lunatic McVeigh; there's NONE whatsoever that anything on the radio did so.
If that picture of Limbaugh doesn't look like him now, it will in 3 months.
Rush prides himself on being able to eat like a pig for a year or so and then when he gets close to a heart stopping weight he claims to eat healthy food and then loses a hundred pounds in about a month. Imagine the toll this would have on a human body.
Clinton pardoned FALN TERRORISTS! He should STFU!
A weak minded progressive like Clinton had better think twice before taking on a mental giant like Rush. That is like taking a knife to a gun fight.
Keep up the good work Rush, keep the progressives at bay!
Remember November and vote the libs out!
NOBAMA!
Mental giant and Rush Limbaugh...first time I have seen those two things placed in the same sentence.
Ryan (I avoid responding to substantive feedback becasue I don't have predetermined Liberal talking points to refute the truth) Witt says: "Mental giant and Rush Limbaugh...first time I have seen those two things placed in the same sentence."
Is your anonymous handle Walrus? That sounds about like his caliber of retort. first you offer bogus assertions in your column, then you taunt people whose intelligence, grasp of reality and moral clarity are superior to yours with petty barbs and oh so droll sniping.
Not a hopeful sign for this column.
Stan, Ryan's addiction to kool aide has a long history.
"....That is like taking a knife to a gun fight..."
Careful Rob.....thems is seditious words designed to incite Hate and action against socialist Liberals.... Unless of course they is said by Obama....in which case they bees wise words of wisdom.
Rush only cares about Rush and how to make money. He is shameless and will say anything to increase his profit margin. I think America would be better off to turn off the radio every time he broadcasts.
Clinton’s message was clear: Debate and free speech are essential, but leaders must be “responsible” with their words because they fall on the “serious and the delirious alike,” and it only takes one deranged person like Timothy McVeigh to cause massive harm. If Rush Limbaugh had listened to Clinton’s speech before condemning him, he would have heard Clinton say: “This ‘tea party” movement can be a healthy thing if they’re making us justify every penny of taxes we raised and every dollar of public money we spend.”
No iowakathy,
America would be MUCH better off turning OFF the Network news, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, etc.. And tuning into Rush in order to really listen to him....not the talkings heads interpretation of or bastardization of what he says.
It's simple folks you don't need someone telling you what someone says, or what they "really meant" when they said it...just listen for yourselves. Rush lets the Democrats speak for themselves on his show....always has.
How about letting RUSH speak for HIMSELF - in the transcript of the April 19 show:
"What was a more likely cause of the Oklahoma City bombing: talk radio or Bill Clinton and Janet Reno's hands-on management of Waco, the Branch Davidian compound, and maybe to a lesser extent Ruby Ridge."
"And now all of a sudden starting this past weekend it's our fault that something that hasn't happened is going to happen or might happen, when your administration presided over terrorist act after terrorist act after terrorist act, not that you committed them, except one, Waco. Uh, two, Ruby Ridge. "
As I pointed out (and you, among others, ignored) Ruby Ridge was in August 1992 - BEFORE Clinton had even won election, much less been sworn into office.
Rush isn't "Right" - he's a lying sack of bovine excrement, and you dipwads just lap it up.
I look forward to Rush's spin on GM paying back all of the bailout money with interest. I guess Obama doesn't want to own the auto industry after all.
Snot says :
".. Rush isn't "Right" - he's a lying sack of bovine excrement, and you dipwads just lap it up."
S'more of that top-notch military analyst training, Snot ? Was this from the Army foreign language institute in Monteray?....you guys rock..!
Right "Barney Goofle IIII" !!
...Unlike the MSM SPIN..Excuse me "reporting"...They were given $64 Billion....and they gave back about $8 billion...but to Liberal Sychophants such as you and your "army" lapdogs...the "romulus" and "remus" of the witt-space yapping at peoples 'fourth point of contact'....This constitutes a payback.
That's Socialist Libtard reasoning...pay back 12.5 cents on the dollar and the taxpayors should be glad they got that much, and just shut the H*ll up.
You and your politics are just rip-off artists. But hey you can now put "artist" on your tax return....Oh I forgot...most of yahs don't pay Fed Taxes...I understand now gotcha.
Hittin' the sauce early, jaime?
I didn't say squat about GM.
But I did notice you still fail to address Rush lying about Clinton & Ruby Ridge.
I would say this story was written by a democrat! Rush is correct, and this story is old. I know there are some in the Oklahoma City local media who themselves have mocked the Tea Party themselves. Kevin Ogal for one. It is a sad thing to look up and see our Mayor sitting with Michelle Obama! I myself was ashamed. But he sat there while the Supreme Court was embarassed, told they got it wrong! I don't know but he probably was one who gave a standing ovation to the insulting of our Supreme Court. As for the Obama administraion, they think they can just rewrite the law and in fact overturn the Supreme Court's decision of the Citizen's United case. Well I support Citizen's United with my views and money.
Just because your in the White House you can't rule all three branches of the Government. That is why there are three different branches, but Obama wants control of the Judicial Branch too. He wants the people to be uninformed to the point he wants a Kill switch to shut down the net!
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