Ever since the news broke that Rush Limbaugh may be considering a stake in the Saint Louis Rams NFL franchise, the public debate has been loud and vociferous. Part of the opposition has come from those who suggest that, as such a divisive figure, it may be bad business for the NFL to have him associated with one of their teams. The other side of the argument holds that, since this is the United States of America, we each have the freedom to purchase whatever we want with our money. While this argument has been interesting, what has been even more interesting has been the recent accusation of libel and character assassination against MSNBC, CNN and some sports media outlets based on quotes which reporters have attributed to Mr. Limbaugh, but which may have actually been internet fabrications.
A number of those opposed to Mr. Limbaugh’s ownership of the NFL franchise have claimed he is a racist and has made racist statements. As evidence they point to reports of racist quotes attributed to Mr. Limbaugh such as calling for the Medal of Honor to be given to the man who shot Martin Luther King Jr., or that “slavery had merits”. If true, these are particularly heinous statements. The problem, apart from general free speech considerations, is that Mr. Limbaugh may have never even said any of the things he is being accused of saying. So while his opponents are trying to claim he does more than just discuss controversial topics and that he is in fact a racist and a “hatemonger”, there does not seem to be any evidence of this, at least that I was able to find.
The truth is, reasonable people can debate the merits and intentions of affirmative action, the motives and methods of Jesse Jackson and the policies of President Obama, as Mr. Limbaugh often does; it does not make them racist. This brings me to the libel suit. Many media outlets have been airing the disputed comments and attributing them to Mr. Limbaugh. Mr. Limbaugh has repeatedly denied these statements and challenged the media to review his radio show archive tapes to find any evidence of statements similar to the ones referenced above. When media outlets continued to attribute the racist statements to him, Mr. Limbaugh then sent letters to the heads of media organizations demanding apologies and retractions. He further suggested legal action would be following if they did not comply.
A recent press release from Brent Bozell of the Media Research Center stated:
“The CNN and MSNBC ‘news’ networks are guilty of promoting outright falsehoods and purposely using fabricated disinformation created by left-wing radicals to destroy a conservative leader. There is no grey area here. CNN and MSNBC were given ample opportunity to come clean, but both are continuing to masquerade malicious lies as credible.”
Mr. Limbaugh has stated the quotes he is accused of making first appeared in a book by liberal author Jack Huberman. Huberman featured the remark about slavery in his 2006 book 101 People Who are Really Screwing Up America. I checked a copy of the book and this quote was on page 232, attributed to Mr. Limbaugh with no airdate provided. Rush has also stated the media would have known he did not make these statements if they had researched or confirmed the source and as such they are engaged in libel, not journalism. Mr. Limbaugh has also stated on his nationally syndicated radio show that this entire episide is part of an attempt by those with an agenda different from his to silence his voice
It would be interesting see how a libel suit would play out simply because of the complexity of this issue and the modern blurring of the lines between “objective” journalism, (if such a thing ever actually existed), commentary, and infotainment. Further, though Rush may not have made these exact statements, he does generally engage in controversial topics so attacks and misrepresentations such as these may simply “come with the territory”. The media also generally has broad leeway in discussing issues and people, so a libel suit would carry a very high burden of proof on Mr. Limbaugh’s part. He would have to show the media was not merely “sloppy” in their reporting, but willfully misrepresenting the facts with the intent of damaging his reputation. It is unlikely this burden would be met; still, it would be fun to watch.
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Rush has no standing in a libel action against anyone because a majority of printed quotes are directly off audio, his, from the mouth to the golden mike to the masses. Claiming "it comes with the territory" is massive BS. Just like the McNabb comments he later tried to cover it with an endless streams of "What I meant ..... "
I also found this following funny:
"The CNN and MSNBC ‘news’ networks are guilty of promoting outright falsehoods and purposely using fabricated disinformation created by left-wing radicals to destroy a conservative leader."
Rush has clearly stated he is neither the leader of the Republicans, Conservatives or otherwise. How can anyone try to destroy what he claims he is not? Fabricated disinformation? My, my, Howard Cosell IS alive and well (don't you love lawyers?).
Call him an entertainer or an actor who specializes in fiction. That's my opinion coming from the same territory.
Although one cannot say for certain that Rush Limbaugh is a racist, one can say that his rhetoric is shameful, hateful and un-American. He is a man that is driven to make money by the "rating game". What is sad that Limbaugh fans the flames of the ignorant that cannot see that the "Wizard of Neoconservatisim" is really just a fat and balding man behind a curtain that pushes the levers that enables the "crazies" (who have hijacked a once respected political party), to run outside the insane asylum in search for more ammo. It is his type of "free speech" that conjures the crazies to congregate. What's really sad is that Limbaugh is not even a true believer. He's a fraud.
I find Rush Limbaugh to be a refreshing alternative to the shrill voices of the liberals we see on TV and hear on the radio. I don't see how he can be labeled a fraud, he isn't campaigning, he doesn't make policy. He just does his job,and he does it well.
So Limbaugh's advancing the argument that no-one should re-quote anything without first fact checking themselves? Good luck with that... And, BTW, if these 'libelous' quotes aren't true, why is the book still on sale 3 years later with no libel case pending against the publisher?
The fascist Government run media is alive and well. A public lynching has just been witnessed.
And to hear from Jessie Jackson who called Obama a n i g ger and he wanted cut his nuts off is just rich.
Actually Ted I think you misunderstood, the the topic of libel came up because Rush is being called a racist and they are claiming he said things that he never said as their evidence. When I said "it comes with the territory" what I was clearly referring to was people making false claims against Rush because he discusses controversial topics.
Gregory, I am not sure why you state that what he says is "hateful and un-american" he doesn't use hateful terms, doesn't call for anyone to be striped of their rights or be discriminated against, he is a vocal advocate for his position no less then Keith Olbermann or Rachel Madow.
D. Christian Moore:
..."he doesn't use hateful terms, doesn't call for anyone to be ...discriminated against"
You must be joking. I won't bother to quote him here. But, I suggest you simply google "Rush Limbaugh" and any number of secondary search items, such as racism or sexism. You'll find plenty of authentic and verified quotes full of hatred and bigotry. You can even listen to some of them in Rush's own voice!
@Ted and Gregory,
THE supposed quote from Limabugh that the major networs ran with (but without checking to see if if he really said it) is THE THING that Limbaugh will be suing over. It and only it. The "quote" where they said that Limbaugh said that slavery had its merits and so on. They can try to bring up all the other stuff that Limbaugh has said in the past but it won't matter.
They can tell the judge, "Look at all the stuff that Limbaugh has said...Look, Mr. judge, here, here and here."
It won't matter. That judge will ask their lawyers and them when they (Matthew, Olbermann, Maddow, others?) are on the witness stand, "I only want to know about that one quote that Limabugh is suing you all over."
All I can say is they better have fantstic lawyers.
If Limbaugh was smeared and they slandered/committed libel against him, I hope that Limbaugh crushes them, owns them and bankrupts everyone who lied about him.
@Murcan. I will not deny he has not been racially or gender "insensitive", and he speaks about controversial topics, but this is different than Racism. He does not state or imply that he HATES any group. He never states or implies that any group deserves less freedom, or is lazy...etc. He has said affirmative action is wrong, that people today didn't own slaves or experience slavery so there is no reason to keep talking about it. (I am paraphrasing) He calls the more radical elements of feminism "Feminazis". These are all debatable but legitimate positions upon which reasonable people can disagree. It is called FREE SPEECH. If I were provided with a SOURCED QUOTE or example of real hatred or call for violence, I would not be defending him. But I do not see it and I am seriously worried about free speech.
Is yelling "fire" in a crowded theater free speech? Everything Rush does is to incite not "discuss" because he is not a reasonable man. In fact, discuss isn't even in his vocabulary.
A man is defined by his actions and deeds and Rush has done NOTHING to dispel the racist tag. He always has an explanation when called on his derisive comments and never apologizes for yelling fire.
I have tuned into the boor a time or two and he never seems open to engaging in rational conversation with the other side. It is all about him and his ratings and being a defacto leader of everyone and thing to the right of center.
Just because an individual does not come out and proclaim he "hates" someone or something doesn't mean the intent isn't there. The vicious comments that come out of his mouth should be shoved right back in and let him gag on his own words.
Then again, he is propped up by a radio network that may have the same agenda as he does.
@Ted
"EVERYTHING Rush does is to incite not discuss."
Sweeping Generalization on your part.
"Rush has done NOTHING to dispel the racist tag."
Another Sweeping Generalization on your part.
"He ALWAYS has an explanation...and NEVER apologizes."
Yet more Sweeping Generalizations on your part.
"He NEVER seems to engage in rational discussions."
Yet again another Sweeping Generalization on your part.
"Just because an individual does not come out....does not mean the intent isn't there."
An Argument from silence on your part.
...
...
...
EPIC FAIL on your part.
If that post is any indicator of what your Tampa Bay Sports Examiner column is like, my advice to anyone who comes upon this thread is to not waste their time reading your TBSE column.
This is all that I have to say and the last that I will come here on this specific thread. I'm wasting MY time! Lol.
No an apology but, at least Huffington Post edited the article by Jack Huberman:
"Editor's Note: An earlier version of this post contained quotes attributed to Rush Limbaugh, which Limbaugh has since denied making. As is our policy when a fact in a blog post is called into question, we gave its author 24 hours to substantiate the quote. Since he has not been able to do so, the quotes have been deleted from the post."
I hope Rush sues anyway................
not a fan of Rush. it's just not my thing. but i tell you what. the charges reported, repeated and HIGHLIGHTED by CNN and others are LIBELOUS... Rush should sue the pants off those idiots. Whats-His-Name Sanchez said "he won't apologize" for spreading the misinformation. What a tool.
Checked Rush Limbaugh's web site yesterday, where it looked to me he admitted saying the slavery quote back in 1998...this man is EVIL - go to his website and see for yourself!
@Jamie, Just checked the site, all I saw were links to stories around the web related to the quotes being false. I saw nothing that looked anything like admitting to the quote. Perhaps you can send me what you think was his statement admitting it, in context, and we can all judge for ourselves.
Loony libs on this site, like most, haven't a clue. Racist blacks do. Their tactics work on simple minded Americans and make money and instill power. I've listened to Limbaugh for years. He nails libs and blacks. Most Americans are sick and tired of this "your a racist" BS.
"What is sad that Limbaugh fans the flames of the ignorant that cannot see that the "Wizard of Neoconservatisim" is really just a fat and balding man behind a curtain that pushes the levers that enables the "crazies" (who have hijacked a once respected political party), to run outside the insane asylum in search for more ammo. It is his type of "free speech" that conjures the crazies to congregate. What's really sad is that Limbaugh is not even a true believer. He's a fraud."
Rush is not fat and his "ignorant" mentor was a genious. Rush's listeners are largely small business people, cops and firemen. You seem to have him confused with ACORN.
NEW YORK (AP) - William F. Buckley Jr., the erudite Ivy Leaguer and conservative herald who showered huge and scornful words on liberalism as he observed, abetted and cheered on the right's post-World War II rise from the fringes to the White House, died Wednesday. He was 82.
Was Sotomayor's comment about the latina woman making better decisions than a white man racist?
So Ted Fleming you say you heard these tapes and that these quotes are real? Yet CNN and MSNBC can't find them??? So I would ask you if these recording are ture and your willing to put your rep and money behind them? Then please provide link to site to hear them or stop trolling! Stop being lead by any media masses regardless of call letters. Be educated, oh sorry you can't the journalist cant seen to get their facts correct.
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