# Limbaugh not racist at all, no sirree bob. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 1, 2003, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922 "2003-10-01T14:03:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/21 "2003-10-01T17:41:06Z")
I for one do not hope that my country fails and is embarrassed in Iraq, as has been alleged or implied in another thread on this board. But I sure as hell hope that Rush fails and is embarrassed as a football commentator. This McNabb-affirmative action thing is only the beginning. Sooner or later our friend the mass challenged windbag will go into full self-demolition mode. When it happens I suppose we will see it first here. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/22 "2003-10-01T18:19:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bricker \* > **But that interpretation of your OP is belied by the sarcastic title “Limbaugh not racist at all, no sirree bob,” which seems to suggest that you found Limbaugh’s comments racist. It is that contention I am disputing.** Agreed. Rush wasn’t slamming blacks, he was slamming the e-vul liberal media. And that has become mere background noise that I have learned to tune out. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/23 "2003-10-01T18:40:46Z")
I came here today all ready to start this thread. Besides my opinion on Rush (idiot) and McNabb (yes, he’s that good), here’s what bothered me- [from ESPN.com:](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1627991) > [@](#): > > He said Wednesday that Limbaugh’s comments about his race were out of bounds and added that someone on the show should have taken him on. Among the other panelists are former players Michael Irvin and Tom Jackson, both of whom are black. > > “I’m not pointing at anyone but someone should have said it,” McNabb said of the panelists, who also include Chris Berman and Steve Young. “I wouldn’t have cared if it was the cameraman.” > > According to USA Today, ESPN chose not to have Jackson, Irvin, and Young comment. ESPN runs a story, on its own website, quoting another source about what **they themselves** chose to do. Seems to me like ESPN is getting exactly what it wanted from Rush, and they’re not at all worried about whether or not people think Rush is spouting racist views on their program. For what its worth, I do think what Rush said was a tad over the line, and I certainly believe that he’s far too ready to play the race card. If McNabb was white, I seriously doubt Rush would have had anything to say at all. You think he’d have said “McNabb isn’t that good” and made the same point, minus the racial issue? Hell no. He said what he said only because he could throw in a little anti-liberal rhetoric on the side. As for McNabb, it’s not like McNabb has had Cade McNown’s career, and still been popular. He was second in the MVP voting two years ago, ferchrissake. Regardless of what anybody says, MVP votes don’t get thrown around according to some affirmative action policy. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/24 "2003-10-01T18:58:22Z")
I don’t necessarily think a comment has to “slam” people before it can be considered racist. You have to look at the motivation behind it. Limbaugh’s statement is a blatant appeal to racial paranoia. He perceives that a player is getting more attention than he (Limbaugh) thinks he deserves. So what motive does he immediately ascribe to it? Celebrity worship? The fact that the Eagles _suck_ and need a charismatic star to get people into the stands to watch them lose games? No, it must be race. That’s the only explanation that satisfies his persecution fantasies. He’s broadcasting his fundamental belief that minorities who succeed only do so because _eeevil_ PC liberals gave them advantages they didn’t deserve. And I think that could be considered racist. ---
**Author:** ![TaxGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@TaxGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaxGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/25 "2003-10-01T20:54:04Z")
> [@](#): > > He’s broadcasting his fundamental belief that minorities who succeed only do so because eeevil PC liberals gave them advantages they didn’t deserve. Dude, seriously, stop while your behind. This thread will be on the second page by tomorrow morning and you can get to work re-building your board cred. Just because Rush thinks that the media hypes one guy too much because they guy’s black (with which I’m neither agreeing or disagreeing) means that Rush has a fundamental belief that all success achieved by blacks is due to liberal hype? Get a grip, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/26 "2003-10-01T21:02:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cuauhtemoc \* > He perceives that a player is getting more attention than he (Limbaugh) thinks he deserves. So what motive does he immediately ascribe to it? Celebrity worship? The fact that the Eagles _suck_ and need a charismatic star to get people into the stands to watch them lose games? No, it must be race. Actually, that’s not so. He ascribes the invidious motives to the reporters involved in the effort to puff up McNabb. It’s not racsim that this reveals - it’s the chance to slam the liberal establishment’s fascination with affirmative action. Being against affirmative action is not a racist philosophy, and believing that those supporting a particular black are doing so out of an affirmative-action-type approach is also not racism. In short - Limbaugh’s prejudice runs to liberals. He’s a liberalist, not a racist. 😃 - Rick ---
**Author:** ![The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Universe_Lashes_Out)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/27 "2003-10-01T21:28:22Z")
Any sort of “commentary” on ESPN is designed to rile people up, and nothing more. This trend has gotten worse and worse. It’s all about having a strong opinion and pissing people off. Look at Mark May and Trev Alberts on college football. Or the fact that Jim Rome has a show. Even NFL Matchup, which I want to like because it actually discusses the X’s and O’s, often deteriorates into stupid arguments about running vs passing. These guys both know you have to run AND pass to win games, but they still have these lame arguments. Why? It gets ratings. Solution? Don’t watch. ---
**Author:** ![Qburn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/bc79bd/32.png) [@Qburn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qburn)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/28 "2003-10-01T21:29:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Airman Doors, USAF \* > \*\* > > …In that, he came through in spades. \*\* an unfortunate choice of words to defend Limbaugh given the context of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![DEVA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@DEVA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DEVA)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/29 "2003-10-01T22:14:11Z")
**Qburn** , I was wondering how long it was going to take someone to make mention of that comment. My thoughts exactly. I think that **HowieReynolds** hit the nail on the head when he said: “Don’t watch.” I love football and realize that there are other places (networks) for me to gather all of my sports info. I just love my satellite for giving me that option. ESPN can really kiss my ass until they get rid of Rush. No, I can’t say that after reading his comments alone that I believe he’s a racist. But I can certainly ascertain that he’s a commentator that is fundamentally working within the wrong genre. It takes more than a love of football and a “great voice” to be a sports commentator. Period. I believe the ratings will be short-lived. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/30 "2003-10-01T22:30:51Z")
It’s not like the guy has a very tolerant track record. Rush Limbaugh on blacks: “They’re 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?” Rush Limbaugh, to a black caller: “Take that bone out of your nose and call me back.” Naaah, I don’t see why anybody might conclude that his latest remarks might come across as racist. And here’s his response to the latest flap (on his radio show): “All this has become the tempest that it is because I must have been right about something. If I wasn’t right, there wouldn’t be this cacophony of outrage that has sprung up in the sports writer community.” Not, “I didn’t mean to cause a fuss.” Not, “I didn’t mean to imply anything racist in my remarks.” No, all we get is, “Hey, look dittoheads, I’m right again, agree with me, bleat, I’ve beat the liberal media like a redheaded step-child again.” He doesn’t see that the “cacophany of outrage” is a result of something he said that was outrageous, but that he’s … garsh … got our goat again with his sterling nuggets of truth. I was willing to listen him to him on the ESPN pre-game shows, but he obviously has no control over his big fat mouth. There is a time and a place for everything, and on that particular program, his politics … anybody’s politics … doesn’t have a place. Let him get “Outside The Lines II” on the air if he wants to spew his “wisdom.” ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/31 "2003-10-01T22:57:49Z")
On Sunday, Donovan McNabb became the 18th player in NFL history to reach career totals of 10,000 yards passing and 2,000 yards rushing. His career rushing average is _6.9 yards per carry!_ Racist or not, Rush Limbaugh is a fucking idiot. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/32 "2003-10-01T23:10:06Z")
Sometimes I listen to Tighty Righty radio - a half-assed local station that hawks a lot of herbal brain supplements and presses the investment advantages of gold - that runs the second string, Pronger, Michael Morbid, Laura Ingrown. Its a bad habit, but addicting, like eating spoiled peanuts. Or something. Anyway,I heard the audio on Rush’s gaffe, and didn’t really get any racism out of it so much as playing his political fiddle. I would be willing to believe that he gave no consideration to whathisface’s race beyond an opportunity to air his views on libbruhl media and affirmative action. I think the problem is that the Orca of the Airwaves has been preaching to the choir for so long, he is out of touch. He takes a three hour a day ego nurturing bath in approval, he has no concept of being careful of his words. On the gripping hand, I cannot but suspect that the TV suits who dreamed this shit up might very well have anticipated just such a result. It might even be just what they were hoping for. I wont speculate or ponder on that mindset, that would be very poor mental hygiene. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/33 "2003-10-01T23:14:35Z")
One quote from the linked article: > [@](#): > > McNabb still hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass or run for a score this season, and his quarterback rating is only 78.5. It’s obvious he needs to improve. But it’s also obvious the Eagles wouldn’t have won consecutive NFC East titles without him. That’s ridiculous. The Eagles won the NFC East last year _without_ McNabb. McNabb is overrated, without a doubt. I’d say mostly it’s because he’s a mobile QB, which is the flavor of the moment in the NFL. (Why is Michael Vick the “most exciting player in football”, when Barry Sanders got no such love?) > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Casey1505_: > So if McNabb were white, the fact that he’s overrated and ineffective so far would be a non-issue, right? No, the point Rush was trying to make (I think) is that if McNabb were white, he wouldn’t be so hyped up. He’d be like, hmmm, can I think of an example…ummm…Kerry Collins? > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Mojo_: > Ask anyone who’s played fantasy football in the past few years if they think McNabb is overrated and they’ll laugh at you. I don’t care how good your defense is, that has little bearing on your passing yards (avg’s approx. 3,000 a season on a team with no real “big name” receivers) or the fact that he rushed for 460 yards and 6 touchdowns last year. 3000 yards is **not** a good season. (187.5 yards per game?! Puh-lease.) It is **definitely not** pro-bowl caliber. Kerry Collins should have made it. But he doesn’t run around, so no love. At least, that’s my theory. Plenty of white boys get the love at QB, as pointed out by several posters. But the pocket passers have to have those gaudy west-coast-offense-inflated passer ratings to get in. No love for the traditional pocket passers. (Except Bledsoe…why he made it over McNair is inconceivable from any perspective…he’s black, he’s mobile, he wins, he’s tough…wtf?) As for defense not affecting passing yards, ask any of Tampa Bay’s opponents if that holds water. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/34 "2003-10-01T23:21:03Z")
Giants are 2-1, Eagles are 1-2. Collins has been to a Super Bowl. McNabb has not. I stand by my contention that McNabb is overrated and ineffective. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/35 "2003-10-01T23:27:42Z")
Is it possible that the hype that was lavished on McNabb was because of his _potential_, and not his skin color? So he’s overrated. Big fucking deal. If I had a nickel for every player in the NFL who was overrated I’d own my own team full of them. To imply that the _only_ reason that McNabb has been lauded is because of some retarded pseudo affirmitive action argument only forwards an argument born of that agenda. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/36 "2003-10-01T23:52:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\*It’s not like the guy has a very tolerant track record. > > Rush Limbaugh on blacks: “They’re 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?” > > Rush Limbaugh, to a black caller: “Take that bone out of your nose and call me back.” > \*\* Got a cite for these? I used to listen to Limbaugh regularly a few years ago and never heard anything like this. Mind you, it’s been a while since I listened to him. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/37 "2003-10-02T00:02:39Z")
A second hand cite: If he’s wrong take it up with him: [Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times](http://www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/cst-nws-roep01.html) Or rather, if he’s wrong, I’ll make the same argument without those particular quotes. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/38 "2003-10-02T00:02:51Z")
The funny thing to me is how the accusation is made. That this comment makes Rush a racist is clearly spurious and false. Rush is merely accusing the reporters overhyping McNabb of being racist (though in a currently permissable fashion.) Personally, I’m quite sure he’s wrong in this (though ironically I agree with his asessment of Mcnabb, at least so far this year.) Frankly, I think the problem is that Rush started the current media hype over the “interview a black coach for a vacancy rule.” and received some deserved kudos for his treatment of it. Having done so well discussing how all parties involved with reverse racism are injured, he probably wanted to continue the theme and blundered. The funny thing is that Rush made his comments Sunday. Nobody was talking about it or cared Sunday or Monday, and the first I heard of the controversy was last night. I wonder why? ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/39 "2003-10-02T00:10:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scylla \* > \*\*The funny thing is that Rush made his comments Sunday. Nobody was talking about it or cared Sunday or Monday, and the first I heard of the controversy was last night. > > I wonder why? \*\* Dude. The game’s on. Do you mind? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922/40 "2003-10-02T00:14:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TaxGuy \* > **Dude, seriously, stop while your behind.** I’ll thank you to stay the fuck away from my behind, **Taxguy**. I freely admit that I’m pitting the man himself more than the comment. I’m looking at it in the context of his history of ignorance, dishonesty, and attention-whoredom. If someone else had said the same thing, I’d give him the benefit of the doubt. Rush doesn’t want to benefit from my doubt, or he wouldn’t be such an asshole. So I don’t give it to him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-not-racist-at-all-no-sirree-bob/204922.md?page=3)