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NFL Hypocrisy on Rush

By Jeffrey Lord on 10.14.09 @ 12:29PM

There's more here than meets the eye on this business with Rush and the NFL.

The blatant hypocrisy of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Indianapolis Colts owner James Irsay would boggle the mind if one hadn't seen so much of this kind of nonsense.

We all know the drill by now. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson get to crusade for civil rights while being on the record anti-Semites. No problem. Feminists of all manner are apolplectic about Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill but silent as lambs about Bill Clinton and Paula Jones, Kathleen Willey, Juanita Broaddrick etc. etc. No problem. Democrats lecture Republicans about race but built their political party on racial issues -- from support of slavery to segregation to lynching to racial quotas. No big deal. The New York Times editorial board lectures the 48% minority New Haven Fire Department that it doesn't have enough minority representation -- and out of 17 editorial board members 15 out of the 17 are lily white. No problem.

Now you can add the NFL to this list of hypocrites. For the Commissioner and the owner of the Indianopolis Colts to be lecturing Rush Limbaugh -- or anyone -- about controversy when in fact they are slipping big bucks to the most controversial politicians in the land -- in Irsay's case both John Edwards and George W. Bush! -- is laughable. And on race? This is a man who, if these hypocrites paid the slightest attention, is possessed of friends, employees and guest hosts of his program who are -- gasp -- black!!!! Will the NFL be contacting these people for a discussion of Rush and race?

So let's rumble, if that's the desire. If so-called journalists -- liberals masquerading as sports reporters -- are determined to repeat made-up quotes -- also known as deliberate lies -- about Rush Limbaugh and airily purvey them as truths, if the NFL itself is going to pretend it is pure as the driven snow when in fact the Commissioner himself and a team owner are financially enabling the most divisive and controversial politicians in the land, then its time to look into the political activities of every owner and player in the league.

Let's just see who passes this test.

The Commissioner of the NFL and Mr. Irsay have just failed.

What a bunch of hypocrites.

View all comments (31) | Leave a comment

tonypal| 10.14.09 @ 12:45PM

So Limbaugh employs a few token blacks and collects a few black friends. Even Hitler.......

Sorry, I think I was channeling jharp and Liberal Reader.

Pete| 10.14.09 @ 12:48PM

Still no talk about the reverse racism in the league...such a low percentage of whites in the player ranks. What gives? Maybe Limbaugh can enact the "Rush Rule" for players to counter-balance the "Rooney Rule" for coaches. Fair is fair, eh?

Liberal Reader| 10.14.09 @ 1:18PM

Mr Lord.

Two wars yet raging, the American economy in turmoil, and yet THIS topic merits two columns in as many days?

Why?

Is Limbaugh really such a victim?

Reactionary rhetoric is almost obsessively concerned with making those historically oppressed either a) responsible for their own oppresed status; or b) the REAL oppressors.

Jeffrey Lord| 10.14.09 @ 2:08PM

LR...

There isn't a soul on the planet who doesn't come from a group that wasn't "historically oppressed."

The importance of this is because it isn't about Rush at all. It's about honestly dealing about issues of race, war, economics etc etc. The NFL's reaction - or at least of some in the NFL - to Rush is emblematic of a serious problem

Liberal Reader| 10.14.09 @ 3:53PM

There isn't a soul on the planet who hasn't been oppressed, but how many white people in -- say -- the lifetimes of Rush Limbaugh have been DENIED THE VOTE, or -- say -- lynched, beaten, bombed, or raped for claiming they have a right to it?

In America, it's blacks with this kind of experience; it's blacks who are beaten by police men, who sit in jail without adequate defense, who face the "big" government in a way fat chortling millionaires like Limbaugh can NEVER know.

You don't just sort of shrug off 3 or 400 years of white supremacist policy and ideology: to deny its continued relevance to our politics is wrong.

Are things as bad as they were in the 1950s? Of course not. Overt white supremacist talk is considered ugly and hateful by all decent people, even in Boston! (Believe me, I know this sort of thing wasn't only going on in the south.)

But the idea that the racist ideas, anxieties and prejudices that form the hot core of American history have just evaporated is just not accurate.

Tim| 10.14.09 @ 3:43PM

Why don't you just do your own blog? You're really more of a Liberal Writer...

Robert Henderson| 10.14.09 @ 1:19PM

What is Rush crying about- he makes his pimping living obfuscating and causing confusion. Now he is crying about people twisting his words. Live by the sword- die by the sword, can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen, and ect.

R. Henderson| 10.14.09 @ 2:27PM

Hello,
My name is Robert Henderson and I'm an alcoholic. Not just any kind of alcoholic, but one who wakes in the morning, grabs a bottle of Ole Sourpuss and drinks the whole thing, huffs a can of paint and gets online. I then try to make a coherent argument about something I know nothing about or have assembled an opinion on after hours of drinking and brooding about my miserable life. I make a fool of myself, my family and my friends. Help me stop! Help me stop writing gibberish after my morning binge. Give to the Stop Robert Henderson From Drunk Writing Foundation. Give as much as you can to help stop this travesty as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Robert Henderson

Eric Cartman| 10.14.09 @ 2:34PM

Wow, Dude! You suck! I mean, people say I suck - and ya know, they're right - but you suck worse than Butter's dad! I give to your lousy foundation just to shut you up!

Nobama| 10.15.09 @ 12:59AM

HA HA HA!!

ralph basford| 10.14.09 @ 1:21PM

The NFL is a microcosm of the greater conservative philosophy espoused by Rush.
The belief in one's God given abilities, hard work and dedication are lessons we all can learn from, not just the NFL.

Oldefarte| 10.14.09 @ 1:25PM

Excellent, Jeffrey! This political correctness, hypocritical excrement is absurdly ludicrous. If anyone can investigate Irsay, Goodell or any/all NFL owners as to how many minorities live in their neighborhoods, attend their churches/private schools [of their children]/private clubs,etc; their hypocracy will be uncovered. These NFL/sports club owners make a financial fortune off of the backs of impoverished/middle class attendees/season-ticket holders of their franchises; while living a lavish, discriminating lifestyle--what excrement! Maybe you could also get access to their historical voting and campaign contributions records, which should tell an interesting story also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JohnD| 10.14.09 @ 1:26PM

Jimmy Irsay? His father was a drunken, foul-mouthed, lying lout who stole the Colts from Baltimore, and should never have been allowed to own an NFL franchise. His father not only stole the team, he tried to erase Baltimore's football history and legacy. He has the nerve to criticize Limbaugh? That's the real hypocrisy.

Pete| 10.14.09 @ 1:30PM

And NFL leadership is clearly a microcosm of Democratic politics - oppressing minorities for gain while saying they do the exact opposite and accusing others of the crime. Like good liberal elitists, they don't want anyone else to join their club, rather they wish to dictate what is best for the unwashed masses.

Ken(Old Texican)| 10.14.09 @ 2:04PM

Heck!
Rush should buy the whole darned NFL! (heh)

Wesley Mouch| 10.14.09 @ 3:10PM

Politics does not belong in sports. As a fan of the NFL my opinion is, letting this guy anywhere near a team will cause a lot of problems. You guys boycotting advertisers already. Paleocons, Libertarians, & yes even Democrats watch football too. This guy is poison, a divisive entertainer. We have enough problems letting him speak for the Republican party. Dittoheads alright.

Wesley Mouch| 10.14.09 @ 3:31PM

Hello,
My name is Robert Henderson but I also go by the name of Wesley Mouch when the Ecstasy kicks in. I'm an alcoholic and Ecstasy addict. Not just any kind of alcoholic /Ecstasy addict, but one who wakes in the morning, grabs a bottle of Ole Sourpuss and drinks the whole thing, huffs a can of paint and gets online. I then try to make a coherent argument about something I know nothing about or have assembled an opinion on after hours of drinking and brooding about my miserable life. I then take a hand full of Ecstasy and write under other assumed names. I make a fool of myself, my family and my friends. Help me stop! Help me stop writing gibberish after my morning binge. Give to the Stop Robert Henderson/Wesley Mouch From Drunk, Ecstasy Induced Writing Foundation. Give as much as you can to help stop this travesty as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Wesley Mouch AKA Robert Henderson

Eric Cartman| 10.14.09 @ 3:34PM

DUDE! Wow! I'm just ashamed! I didn't think you could sink any lower! Now you suck worse than Butter's dad and Mr. Slave! Lay down, Dude! Take a break! Give your drunk/high some time to clear!

Nobama| 10.15.09 @ 1:01AM

HA HA HA !!

Tim| 10.14.09 @ 3:48PM

The battle is really hotting up when you get all these : " I am a lifelong republican, true conservative and a billionaire and I am telling you that Rush Limbaugh must be stopped... blah, blah".

It's like they actually think we're gonna buy into that bullshite .

Wesley Mouch| 10.14.09 @ 4:08PM

The thing that is great about these ad hominem attacks is that they totally discredit my point. Snap out of it & show up with some arguments. Otherwise, let the adults talk & pipe down.

martin j smith| 10.14.09 @ 4:16PM

Is this issue really about the NFL or about politics--I say politics trumps sports as the real issue.The intolerance of dissent on the Left is quite open for all who will see. So argue all you want but never tell me ( for those on the Left ) that you are afraid of some right wing conspiracy. It the Leftwing conspiracy I fear and the demise of our Freedoms in our Consititution . The Bill of Rights don't you know....

Liberal Reader| 10.14.09 @ 4:33PM

Martin Smith --

I hear a great deal around here about the loss of freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

I'd like you to name some freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution that you've LOST.

Name three. Or two. Or even one.

In my lifetime at least, gun laws have SLACKENED. The rights of the arrested -- despite attempts by conservative jurists -- have INCREASED. The rights of free speech and freedom of assembly and freedom of religion have not been infringed upon by the government.

WHAT FREEDOMS have been denied you?

Nobama| 10.15.09 @ 1:04AM

I've been denied the freedom of blissfully not knowing an A-Hole like you, Libreeder.

Dog Car Seat| 10.14.09 @ 4:47PM

It's a game, for crying out loud. I know it's big business, but in the scheme of things, what difference does a football game really matter?

Nick| 10.14.09 @ 5:56PM

Marxist Reader,

Students who have been told they can't pray at a commencement or wear a Pro-Life T-shirt haven't had their first amendment rights denied?

People in D.C. weren't denied their right to keep and bear arms for 30 years?

Liberal Reader| 10.14.09 @ 7:48PM

Nick --

As you often do, you make a good point: religious freedoms have sometimes been curtailed in the narrow context of grade school education. I think it's a shame (in most cases) and heartily support challenges to such nonsense in court. (By the way, I'm completely in support of the cross in Arizona.)

So I'll give you that. But just to be clear, we're now talking about freedoms being denied school children who, the Supreme Court has justly found (see Roberts' answers during his confirmation), do NOT have the same, broad rights of free expression and speech as adults.

Still, I'll concede the point.

Your second point does NOT count because a) you're not describing a freedom that has recently been LOST; and b) you're alluding to a case in which freedom (to own guns, etc.) has been EXPANDED!!!!

So: again, I ask, what freedoms have YOU, Nick, or YOU, Martin, law-abiding, tax paying adults both, LOST recently?

To listen to Glenn Beck, Obama has been daily curtailing freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. I just don't see it.

Nick| 10.14.09 @ 11:58PM

Marxist Reader,

Why do you libs constantly move the goal-posts?

You didn't ask what freedoms we have lost RECENTLY. You simply asked, "WHAT FREEDOMS have been denied you?"

Also, an attack on one person's rights is an attack on all of ours. Wouldn't you agree?

But if you want recent infringements on our rights, okay.

The Kelo decision has put all of our private property rights at risk. The Lawrence decision took away the rights of the people of Texas, and thereby the citizens of the remaining states, violating the tenth amendment.

And per your other post, the "rights" of the ACCUSED have been reined in under the Rehnquist court, not expanded. Not enough in my opinion, but the moronic decisions (i.e. Miranda) of the Warren court have been curtailed in the past 30 years.

I think it is good when non-existent "rights" are taken away. From my point of view, decisions like Miranda and Escobedo took rights away from the rest of us, by letting guilty criminals free to prey on society.

Liberal Reader| 10.15.09 @ 1:26AM

Nick --

If I'm innocent of a crime, I'd rather be arrested in my America than yours.

Why do you trust the government so completely to incarcerate and execute people but not to regulate an insurance company?

Lawrence was well decided. Adults can do what they wish with one another. I see nothing American about policemen crashing through people's doors to inspect who is putting what in whom. Sexual morality is important but is the business of churches and the consciences of individuals.

I specifically was asking about RECENT denials of freedoms in response to the absurd claims of tea-baggers and Glenn Beck -types who argue that Obama is denying them Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

So -- you're back to New London.

O.K. The CT decision was foolish but very, very narrow. Is anyone threatening your home.

Don't give me the slippery slope business.

Nick| 10.15.09 @ 6:18PM

Marxist Reader,

"Why do you trust the government so completely to incarcerate and execute people but not to regulate an insurance company?"

When did ever I write that I did?
But given the poor education in this country for the past 60+ years, I'm more frightened of being judged by 12 of my fellow citizens. I pray I'm never "in the wrong place at the wrong time." The death penalty, like all laws, needs to be Bibically based in this country. But it is not immoral for the state to put criminals to death.

Lawrence was a sham case. The police responded to a domestic disturbance call supposedly involving a man with a gun. This was a lie. It was a hoax to get this case to the supreme court to challenge the Texas law. There is a long history of these phony cases, like Roe v. Wade.

As far as B.O. denying my freedoms, propping up 2 auto companies infringes on the rights of all the other auto companies competing with them. And their employees.

Although, you could argue that price supports for milk do the same thing. I'm against that, too.

B.O. has repealed the Mexico City policy. So there are unborn babies who have had their civil rights violated with tax-payer money. Which violates my rights.