Top Ten Reasons Black America Fears Rush Limbaugh

Yes, and as a black man, I am a bit taken aback by this... He obviously has some issues with his identity as a black man. You can tell that he listens to Rush Limbaugh... all Rush points.

I'm sure he's about as black as Rush Limbaugh is. Come on. What REAL black person listens to someone who tells black callers to take the bone out of their nose? And loves singing "Magic Negro"?

What a joke. Meanwhile, Rush needs to clean up his own yard before complaining about the mess in others' yards. He's been divorced four times and is a drug addict of such great proportions he caused his own deafness. He's been arrested at the airport for having illegal prescriptions. He was arrested in the early 70s for picking up gay men on the streetcorner under disc jockey alias "Jeff Christie". The guy is a mess.

No, he's black. He's a singer. Google him if you want a good laugh:).

Then he's an idiot. I'd like to hear him explain how saying "take the bone out of your nose" is not racist...or at least how he doesn't care that it is.

David Boddie, haven't people like him always been around? It's not that much of a surprise to me.

It is basically saying that 96% of blacks believe they are an eternal victim, don't want to take responsibility for their life, are dead beat "loosers", etc

Yes, that's the best part. I say "best" because it's the part that best illustrates that Marcus is either delusional, and/or catering to the delusions of right-wing whites. He's basically saying that almost all blacks fall into one or more (if not all) of the categories he cites in his "top ten" list. If you want to talk about fear, just think about how fearful someone has to be in order to delude themselves into believing this.

Are we ready to put this one away? Let's do it:). Forget about all the black people who voted for Obama. Let's consider all the black people who have voted for Democrats of whatever ethnicity in modern times. If the huge majority of blacks vote for Democrats, the the huge majority of blacks who:

-don't feel like "eternal victims"

-take responsibility for their own lives

-are not deadbeat losers

-believe that blacks can achieve without lowered standards

-who actually do speak English "correctly", and actually are self-sufficient

-who don't necessarily believe that Sharpton, Waters, etc. always act in the best interests of black America...

...vote for Democrats!!

LOL!

Professorwoland; I didn't see him use percentages anywhere in the article. But then, I might have missed it. I agree with another seed I read that said if Asians, Germans, Irishmen, all other races can find success in America, then why not the Blacks, and Hispanics. The same opportunities are here for everyone to enjoy. You don't have to live in the inner cities....move to where there's better opportunity. And, learn the National language and use it to your advantage. Intelligence knows no race or political party.

Professorwoland; I didn't see him use percentages anywhere in the article. But then, I might have missed it. I agree with another seed I read that said if Asians, Germans, Irishmen, all other races can find success in America, then why not the Blacks, and Hispanics. The same opportunities are here for everyone to enjoy. You don't have to live in the inner cities....move to where there's better opportunity. And, learn the National language and use it to your advantage. Intelligence knows no race or political party.

Blacks and hispanics ARE finding success in this country. It just isn't in some people's best interest to believe it. They'd much rather believe that the vast majority of blacks are on welfare and begging for a handout.

Sierramoon - I would just like to add one thing: EVERYONE that works hard to reach their goals finds success in this country!

Nope - I can show you tons of Native Americans who work their butts off to reach their goals - and they are still on the reservation and NOT very successful.

Blacks and hispanics ARE finding success in this country. It just isn't in some people's best interest to believe it. They'd much rather believe that the vast majority of blacks are on welfare and begging for a handout.

They rather believe that all Hispanics are illegals, and that all Blacks are Welfare Queens/Kings(tm)...

fstwarrior - I live in South Dakota there are plenty of reservations here, in fact Shannon County is the poorest county in the country. Guess what's there? That's right, a reservation. You don't find a lot of sympathy for the Native Americans in South Dakota. Why? Because they receive lots federal funds. What do many of them do with everything they have been given? Nothing worthwhile.

One of my friends is a plumber in Martin, SD. He was building federal housing a couple of years ago for the reservation. People were actually tearing their copper pipes out of the houses and bringing it to him to get money for it. (They would actually tear out the sinks, countertops, doors, windows, pretty much whatever they could, for the sole purpose of selling it for cash.) The point is, there are other problems on the reservations here in SD that need to be addressed before many of them become successful.

Maybe your experience is different than mine, but that's my experience here in South Dakota.

balcsk and hispanics get arrested more than whites and asians.. they also get longer jail time for the same crimes on average.
In the south there is a huge ammount of racism that isnt directed towards asians.

the gop southern strategy isnt about making life worse for asians.

the ghettos arround the us were not built to house asians.

sorry if i beg to differ.. but blacks do not have the same opportunities in this country as asians.
plus asians come from a culture in europe that has not oppressed by the white man for the past 200 years.

come to some rural areas of the south and see who easy it is for a black man to find a place to live.. suddenly all the rentals int he paper already have someone they agreed to rent to.. right before you got there.
Suddenly every job isnt no longer hiring.

yeah and try to deny the southern stratgey.. try to deny it..
blacks didnt vote for obama casue he was black.. they voted for obama cause he wasnt a racist gop who had felt more comfortable in modern times letting their racism out in the open for the first time since the 60's
Rita-900543
answer me this..
why did bush's people.. run a push poll claiming McCain had an illigitable black child right before the primaries in SC... TELL ME WHY DID THE GOP MEANTION RACE.. illigitmate should have been enough for the social conservatives.. so tell me.. WHY DID THEY MENTION RACE? SPin it for me.. why did the gop mention mccian had a bastard black child.

by the way he has no illegitimate children at all.

Once you figure out why the gop said mccain had a bastard black child in south Carolina.. then you will have your answer. on why the blacks voted for obama

Thank you, Joules.

I agree with another seed I read that said if Asians, Germans, Irishmen, all other races can find success in America, then why not the Blacks, and Hispanics. The same opportunities are here for everyone to enjoy. You don't have to live in the inner cities....move to where there's better opportunity. And, learn the National language and use it to your advantage. Intelligence knows no race or political party.

Blacks do find success in the United States, just look at our current President.

Blacks have a long economic and sociological history in United States which is not shared by other immigrants. I don't know if you've ever been to a poor neighborhood in a large city, but it isn't exactly the best place to develop one's intellect. Not to mention, racism is still alive and well. I have worked for at least five companies that openly refused to hire African Americans. (Sometimes, the owners were not racist, but they assumed others were, and thus would say things like "People will be scared if a black guy shows up at night for a delivery" or "People don't think blacks are credible." None of these people were "I hate them @!$%#s!" types, they basically thought hiring blacks was bad for business.)

And then there is MTV and rap music, which is basically just an anthology of antebellum racial stereotypes. Try growing up with 50 Cent as your role model.

Thank you, Joules.

For what?

Something barely readable?

This articles seems awfully racist. It is basically saying that 96% of blacks believe they are an eternal victim, don't want to take responsibility for their life, are dead beat "loosers", etc

There is about 2- 4 million Americans receiving welfare benefits, and there are 30 million AA in this country.

With these numbers it is obvious that neither this fool nor any of the other conservatives that believe this s'it can count.

Boones Orama- " He was arrested in the early 70s for picking up gay men on the streetcorner under disc jockey alias "Jeff Christie" Provide some proof for that or shut up. That one is ridiculous. If it were true, the left wing media would have spread it everywhere with proof, and he would have nearly no audience.

is it not the government that builds the gettos, the projects, the low income apartments ?

No. Go to your city hall and look up rules on zoning.

Government programs do build public housing, but that's a different thing.

I'll buy that. I'm sure there's a strict amount of criteria involved for landlords to participate. I'm not privy to that information, so I can't say for sure. You probably won't see high end housing used as government assisted living space...

I'm with you, SM. I don't fear Rush. But, this falls back on the right-winger idea that "people fear the truth". Of course, this "truth" they speak of is everything that pours from their mouths, whether it actually be truth or fact at all... Their version of their First Amendment rights, i.e. hate speech...

Fear Rush Limbaugh? Not likely. Fear his mind controlled minions? Maybe.

Fear his mind controlled minions?

Really? Did you come up with that all by yourself?

Rush's job description is too keep it interesting enough so that people will listen to a few commercials-that is it. He is not the leader of republicans or a bunch of mind controlled minions...geez calm down dude.

Rush's job description is too keep it interesting enough so that people will listen to a few commercials-that is it. He is not the leader of republicans or a bunch of mind controlled minions...geez calm down dude.

What does it mean when someone who COULD be considered the leader of the Republican Party (like Michael Steele) apologizes to Rush over a harmless comment?  Doesn't help your argument, does it...

Fear his mind controlled minions?

Really? Did you come up with that all by yourself?

Actually, it is after years of working with people who listen to his show regularly, and watching their heads spin round spouting dittohead talking points like it's some kind of gospel... then watching their responses after I take an opposing viewpoint and ask them where they get their information from.

Rush's job description is too keep it interesting enough so that people will listen to a few commercials-that is it. He is not the leader of republicans or a bunch of mind controlled minions...geez calm down dude.

So Rush's show is a three hour lead in to commercials? Wow, never heard it described like that. I always got the impression that his over the top, ego stroking demagoguery WAS the entertainment.

Let's face it, Limbaugh's show is him being his true overblown ego'd self, ranting and raving on his enemies, and when people debunk his arguments and try to hold him accountable for the despicable things he says, he comes back with the "hey, I'm just an entertainer" schtick. The whole time, he's telling his 'minions' that he's a true patriot and he's looking out for their best interests. Oh, and that they must fight the "evil" of liberalism, feminism, and minorities who have come to take their money.

Calmness is the key my friend

It is a radio show that exists because people listen to it and buy the products advertised. Just change the channel, maybe some soothing music to listen to while you are in a sheep filled pasture...

What does it mean when someone who COULD be considered the leader of the Republican Party (like Michael Steele) apologizes to Rush over a harmless comment? Doesn't help your argument, does it...

Hey you will get no argument from me that Michael Steele is an idiot. When Bush only vetoed 5 bills his entire time in office (he hardly ever met a spending bill he did not like), the republicans left us conservatives in the dust years ago. Electing this bozo chairman is about as stupid as having Dean "leader" of the democrats.

shawn actually dean makes a bit more sense since he was the largest fund raiser for the dems.. when you bring in the mosty money for your colleagues to get relected.. you get the leadership post.

steele hasnt been bad on this reguard but wasnt the top fundraiser..which is generally how these appoinments are given out.

also bush went on a spending spree cause the gop want to bankrupt the fed.
no seriously.. you can try to deny it..but adding a massive dem spending program like medicare plan d and offering zero way to pay for it.. was part of the plan.
The surpluses the clinton admin created were the ban of the gop.. imagine if we had surpluses every year.. the dems could add what ever entitlement they wanted with little resistance.

remember ht goal about "drowning the fed in a bathtube"
supposidly reagan learned that no matter how much you pressured.. you couldnt even get gopr senators to turn down pork. Congress likes to spend as spending wins them reelections.
So they decided the best way to shrink government.. is to bankrupt it.
so bush gave away the stimulus and enacted several huge government entitlement programs.. all without a lick of funding (and interesting not a single cry of socialism)

While it sounds like not a bad idea.. congress controlls to purse.. make sure the purse is empty.. problem is they didnt think of times like these when the entire economy falls out.

So they decided the best way to shrink government.. is to bankrupt it.

Interesting theory. Do you really think this many people could create a conspiracy this large? I mean that is Glenn Beck type @!$%#.

Yeah, Joules, that does sound a bit Beckish...

Seirramoon, why can`t people get over the fact that all of modern humans come from Africa. I hear this same thing, day after day. In fact, all modern humans come from a remote village in Kenya. Rush is what he is, and if you do not like him, turn him off. What I do know is that the point of the article is to stop being a victim, and do something about yourself, and better your life.

How would you like to be in his shoes? Have you seen his House? He gets paid for what he does, very handsomely. But I will tell you that a lot of the things that he talked about what would happen here if Obama was President, has come true. Stupid is not one of his quirks.

You can't bankrupt the FED. They control and issue/print the money. On the other hand, the Feds can bankrupt the US Gov. Also it's impossible for the US Gov. to have a surplus. With every dollar printed by the FED, there's interest attached. President Andrew Jackson understood this, and that's why he fought to end the Bank's charter, and was able to pay off the US Gov.'s debt by having the Treasury department print and issue it's own money. There were 3 attempted assassination's against Jackson. Kennedy I think also understood this, and wrote an executive order,

"From The Final Call, Vol15, No.6, on January 17, 1996 (USA)

,On June 4, 1963 a little known attempt was made to strip the Federal Reserve Bank of its power to loan money to the government at interest. On that day President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order No. 11110 that returned to the U.S. government the power to issue currency, without going through the Federal Reserve. Mr. Kennedy's order gave the Treasury the power "to issue silver certificates against any silver bullion, silver, or standard silver dollars in the Treasury." This meant that for every ounce of silver in the U.S. Treasury's vault, the government could introduce new money into circulation. In all, Kennedy brought nearly $4.3 billion in U.S. notes into circulation. The ramifications of this bill are enormous."

http://www.sweetliberty.org/issues/eo/eo2.htm

He truly fears black people, or he would post it somewhere they could see it. That would get a "cap popped in his ass", for being an idiot.

I have to say that I'm not sure it's not directed at the right audience. That audience may be whites who want to have their prejudices confirmed by a black man.

To the degree that it's ostensibly aimed at blacks, it's a perfect illustration of what we talked about in the thread on Back's "black conservative" show. Lloyd Marcus insults other blacks and betrays his disdain for them in the course of apparently trying to persuade other black people to become conservatives. Perfect:).

That would get a "cap popped in his ass"

For voicing his opinion, those who differ would pop a cap in his ass? There's a bit of underlying racial stereotype there, but I don't think you intended it as such.

For voicing his opinion, those who differ would pop a cap in his ass? There's a bit of underlying racial stereotype there, but I don't think you intended it as such.

Okay, that was a little overboard, I apologize. However, no one likes being told that they are a sellout, or being insulted. Rather than trying to debate his viewpoint, and trying to influence people of his own race over to Rush Limbaugh, he "told them what was wrong with them", which in my opinion, always goes over well.

No to belabor the point, but that indeed was a bit overboard, but at least you recognized it, and had what it took to say so. Thanks.

Plant, I watched the show, and Marcus is right. If a white guy had said those same remarks, then he would be hung. But because he is black, no one attacked him. If you want to succeed, you have to speak distinctly, you have to be educated, motivated, and not pity yourself. This is true for everybody.

If you want to succeed, you have to speak distinctly, you have to be educated, motivated, and not pity yourself. This is true for everybody.

Who disputed that? What is disputed is the idea that "people who are afraid of Rush Limbaugh" don't believe that.

Rush doesn't do PC.

Rush doesn't do reality.

Of course, of course. African-Americans do not tend to support the Democrats more than the Republicans because the Democrats have more African-Americans in important decision-making positions and thus the interests of the "black community" are better represented by the Democrats - it is because they are slaves to their evil Democrat overlords.

Does the Obama have more Blacks holding HIGH positions than even a George W Bush? Obama's appointments reflect his leftist ideology, not his recognition of equally-competent Blacks. It remains to be seen if he believes they are.

In Obama's administration? I don't know, probably not.

I was thinking of Congress and local governments.

First Obama hated and was racist against whites, bluecollar, now you are saying he's racist against blacks, too?

Wow, Obama really MUST be the Messiah, if he can manage to be racist toward both races that he belongs to.

LMAO

Wow, Obama really MUST be the Messiah, if he can manage to be racist toward both races that he belongs to.

(sarcasm) Racist against all, savior of all. (/sarcasm)

The hell he doesn't. He does right-wing, white supremacist PC.

it might be a shorter list of the people he likes, if there are any.

how are we connecting thinking for yourself with Rush Limbaugh?,

...because only right-wing blacks think for themselves. Didin't you know that? No, they haven't just hitched their wagons to a different orthodoxy...they're completely independent thinkers. No, really:).

thanks for the enlightenment

...because only right-wing blacks think for themselves. Didin't you know that? No, they haven't just hitched their wagons to a different orthodoxy...they're completely independent thinkers. No, really:).

LOL

You and David are both suggesting that it makes it okay to call someone an Uncle Tom, "because they did it, too." Good reasoning.

If someone is an Uncle Tom, it's alright to call them one. Yes, that's what I said:). You and others like you can try to define it as a racist term for your own self-serving reasons...reasons that have nothing to do with any concern about black America, but for it to effectively mean anything in terms of gaining an advantage in racial politics, the majority of black people have to accept that definition as well. In reality, "Uncle Tom" is no more racist than "Benedict Arnold". They're both just shorthand for a certain kind of person.

Being a Democrat "just because you are black" is pseudo-slavery.

Actually, many Blacks are Democrats because they feel it is the only party that will pay any attention to them, rather than use them as a scapegoat for "everything wrong with this country". Same goes for many non-white races (I'm not going to say minorities). Just ask any conservative (or Rush Limbaugh for that matter) what they think of Hispanics...

In terms of "paying attention" to blacks by defending black voting and other civil rights, it's worked pretty well, I think:). It's also worked pretty well in terms of helping black America (hey, Marcus used that term) make the strides it has made. Don't you think black America has made strides...progressed?:)

Hmmm... and how have minorities gotten better after they voted for Reagan, hmmm? Twenty years of Republican rule hasn't changed the status of minorities either. You want minorities to "think for themselves" just long enough to vote against the Democrats, and that's all. Once the Republicans are in power, they drop the minorities like a sack of wet potatoes, forgetting those that put them in power.

Exactly. Poor African-Americans have been voting Democrat for decades, and they are still poor! If I were in that situation, I would probably start to question what they have done as well.

The Dems want to keep African-Americans and other minorities in a perpetual state of Government-dependent poverty, to secure votes. That is the way it has always been. Give, give, give, give, give....now vote for me and my party!

I call BS. My father grew up poor and in one generation completely changed his family tree (as has all of his siblings). He's voted Democrat his whole life. Your assertions are not matching reality, my friend.

By criticizing African-Americans for voting Republican and calling them "misguided" goes against having a two-party system and freedom to vote for whoever the hell you want to in the first place

...and criticizing blacks who don't vote for Republicans and calling them misguided doesn't go against having a two-party system? And who says that everyone doesn't have the freedom to vote for who in the hell they want to? I know I have that freedom. I also know that Lloyd Marcus has that freedom. Thing is...neither of us have the right to be free from being criticized because of who we vote for. You seem to be saying that he can criticize me, but I can't criticize him. How is that not "PC"?

In answer to your question, Cleveland Steamer, I submit for your consideration the Voting Rights Act of 1965, passed under LBJ.

How quickly you forget.

By criticizing African-Americans for voting Republican and calling them "misguided" goes against having a two-party system and freedom to vote for whoever the hell you want to in the first place. It also suggests that they are incapable of thinking on their own. What are you suggesting then, hmmm? Sounds like underlying racism to me.

You obviously don't know me very well. I call everyone who votes Republican (at least without having a firm platform as to why) "misguided". It's not a black-white issue.

I also never said that the Dems haven't helped anyone. But on the whole, there is still rampant poverty within the African-American community. Show me empirical evidence of how the lives of poor minorities improved as a whole during times of Democratic control-that was a direct result of legislation passed by a Democratic congress or signed by a Democratic President.

The trimming down and revamping of the TANF/Welfare and JobCorps-type programs during the Bush I/Clinton presidencies did much more for the minority communities in keeping them off welfare and moving them to the private sector. Of course, there are always going to be poor people, of all races.

Actually, many Blacks are Democrats because they feel it is the only party that will pay any attention to them

A lot of middle-class whites feel the same way.

I just don't agree with them being called race traitors or uncle toms if they vote Republican.

But, you are also not showing any sign that you don't agree with the rest of "them" being told that they're "on the Democrat plantation", or painted as a completely degraded population because they don't vote for Republican, either. So...you don't have any credibility as an even-handed observer on this issue.

Celveland, I never said...you said that. What I said was this- you seem to have a problem with the people who (might) say "Uncle Tom", but you don't seem to have a problem with the ones who say "on the Democrat plantation". You obviously favor one side over the other, and that betrays your attempt to come off as an even-handed observer.

Is the Republican party the answer? Maybe, maybe not. But they should have the freedom to choose and find out for themselves without being attacked.

No one has the freedom (or right) to do anything without being "attacked", if by "attacked", you mean criticized. You don't, black conservatives don't, and I don't. And, I have to point out that you're only portraying black conservatives as people who have chosen for themselves. Haven't black liberals chosen for themselves as well?

So he's a moron, a self-hater, an uncle tom and a boot-licking slave. Wow. Very compassionate. And Conservatives are the only ones that spew this kind of vitriol? Right.

I do think he has issues with the black community in general. Anyone who has grown up in a poor, black community know that they're not all lazy, welfare queen, crime ridden establishments... Yet he reinforces all of Rush Limbaugh's talking points about black Americans... Democrat or Republican, if you jump out there and act like an idiot, someone's going to call you on it.

...and that's his function, David...to reinforce the talking points of Limbaugh and his ilk. That's his job. If he didn't do this, he'd be just another embarrassingly hackish singer. Now, he's an embarrassingly hackish singer with a devoted following:). Just who is the "race pimp"?

Interesting. So during Jim Crow, would you say that African-Americans didn't have the freedom or right to vote without being attacked as well?

You conveniently omitted the rest of that sentence, didn't you?:) Yes, black people were "attacked", in the sense of being criticized, for voting. The people who did that had the right to criticize them for it. They just didn't have the right to try to forcefully stop them. No one is trying to forcefully stop Marcus from saying what he's saying. They're just criticizing him. It's not the same thing, obviously, and to say it is...is the ultimate in "PC". Lloyd Marcus doesn't have the right to be free from criticism. No one does.

Llody Marcus is criticizing other blacks at least as much as he's being criticized by them. However, I don't see you slamming him for it. You're not an even-handed observer here.

You and David are both suggesting that it makes it okay to call someone an Uncle Tom, "because they did it, too." Good reasoning.

If you're going to put yourself out there and say some controversial things, then you need to be willing to take the bruises that come from that. If he insults people, then he should expect to be insulted right back. Everyone has free speech, remember? If I called him an idiot, and I did, then I expect people to come back and attack me if they don't agree with me. I do try to curb my tongue enough to not say things that are outright offensive, but calling a spade a spade is just as much my right as he has to post this article.

I bet you both defended that DJ back in the day who called Condoleeza Rice "Aunt Jemima."

Nope. Called him an idiot, rolled my eyes, walked away. I do like the Condoleeza Rice Photoshopped as Lt. Worf from Star Trek, though...

If I called him an idiot, and I did, then I expect people to come back and attack me if they don't agree with me.

I'm sure that one thing you wouldn't do is tell them they don't have the right to attack (criticize) you.

LOL!!!!!

but calling a spade a spade is just as much my right as he has to post this article.

I'm sorry(not really) but I find this hilarious. See YOU are allowed to use that term based upon your skin color, so it's ONLY your "right" if you are the correct skin color.

There is another seed on here where folks got up in arms over a remark about someone being "paid back in spades". The screams of "racism" over that remark were honestly hilarious, because those doing the screaming had never heard that word used in that term their automatic ASSumption was that it was a "racial slur".

Now me, I'll just call it a freaking shovel.

I'm sorry(not really) but I find this hilarious. See YOU are allowed to use that term based upon your skin color, so it's ONLY your "right" if you are the correct skin color.

Hey, I use what euphemisms I want, and you use the ones you want. If you think people are going to call you a racist for using it, then don't use it.

There is another seed on here where folks got up in arms over a remark about someone being "paid back in spades". The screams of "racism" over that remark were honestly hilarious, because those doing the screaming had never heard that word used in that term their automatic ASSumption was that it was a "racial slur".

Okay, I'll call that idiotic. Thin skinned people.

Now me, I'll just call it a freaking shovel.

Spade, shovel, hoe, apple, or orange, call it what you like...

and what movement is that?

he hasn't moved in years

Bowel movements.

and what movement is that?

The "do as I say, not as I do" movement.

The authoritarian neo-conservative movement that, you know, was in power for 8 years this decade.

The authoritarian neo-conservative movement

Define, please.

The "do as I say, not as I do" movement.

OH, like the current administration?

Or like the Dem's who will only pay their taxes when they are ready to run for office or when they get a big government appointment, yet they are the SAME ones who want someone else to pay more taxes to support their social programs.

Or like the Dem's who will only pay their taxes when they are ready to run for office or when they get a big government appointment, yet they are the SAME ones who want someone else to pay more taxes to support their social programs.

Well, you KNOW that the poor can't pay for social programs... and aren't those programs supposed to help the poor people, so that they don't drag down the rich people? Gotta spend money to make money. (/sarcasm)

What a moron. This guy must have been picked on by the other black kids in his neighborhood growing up.

I wouldn't be surprised. I think many black conservatives are trying to live out "Revenge of The Nerds" payback fantasies.

Hey Karl-why don't you just say "get back on the porch"?

LOL!

"Be afraid, be very afraid..."
This crap sounds very familiar... Oh yes. It was the motivating factor behind the Republican campaign last year

More like the last 8 years.

trm2008

"Be afraid, be very afraid..."
This crap sounds very familiar... Oh yes. It was the motivating factor behind the Republican campaign last year

More like the last 8 years.

True!

That's (generally) pretty racist.

I would even say "That's (generally) pretty racist."

I don't know one black person who listemns to Rush...

And?

theyre all crooks- im pretty sure that the author is represented by the 1% of Rush's AA listeners.

One more time:)...the majority of black people who are responsible for themselves...are not conservatives and/or Republicans. Does anyone disagee with that statement?

One more time:)...the majority of black people who are responsible for themselves...are not conservatives and/or Republicans. Does anyone disagee with that statement?

And the majority of blacks who are NOT responsible for themselves are Democrats and NOT Conservatives/Republicans

While these broad generalizations are in line with the context of this article, they don't do much to further real understanding for either side.

And the majority of blacks who are NOT responsible for themselves are Democrats and NOT Conservatives/Republicans; again, what is your point? Do you have one?

Are you sure about that? First of all, we should define what "not responsible for oneself" means. I'm sure that to you, it means "poor". Well, in 2004, the largest percentage of the black vote that Bush earned was from people who earned $15,000 and less. One more myth popped like a balloon:).

What point am I making? It should be obvious. A black person doesn't have to become a Republican in order to make it in life, however one may define "make it". It's not necessary. Almost all black people who have "made it" aren't Republicans.

Plantsmantx, I think you've touched on something here. I think the real meaning of this article is to point out that it's now how hard you work, it's who you know. I think this article might be saying that if you associate with the "right crowd", you'll get ahead in life.

Actually the ultimate point here is this- for blacks to become Republicans en mass, we have to be convinced to do so. That hasn't happened. It won't happen. Lloyd Marcus knows this. He's about telling white racists what they want to hear, for his own self-serving reasons. He's a "race hustler".

the majority of black people who are responsible for themselves...are not conservatives and/or Republicans. Does anyone disagee with that statement?

Most blacks are democrats, therefore it stands to reasons that the majority of blacks who are irresponisble are also democrats.

It is false to argue that the 5-10% of blacks who are conservative alone comprise those who contribute to the 70+ percent out of wedlock birthrate, the 80% rate of fatherlessness, and the incomprehensible black prison population.

Well:). How can you know that the majority of those blacks you call "irresponsible" are political at all, or how many of them are political, and especially, how can you know that the ones who are political are "liberal"? What, they wouldn't use drugs unless they were liberal? They wouldn't make naked videos of themselves unless they were liberal? They wouldn't proposition other men in a restroom at the Minneapolis airport unless they were liberal?

It's just not that simple, LOL.

How can you know that the majority of those blacks you call "irresponsible" are political at all, or how many of them are political, and especially, how can you know that the ones who are political are "liberal"?

One word, ACORN!!!!

How many "new" voters were registered and voted in the past election?

What percentage of those were "black"?

What demographic did ACORN take their federal funding and Democratic National Committee funding and target to get registered and get out to vote?

Sorry, but those who DO NOT contribute to those stats and are considered "responsible" were ALREADY registered to vote and involved in the process.

ACORN goes into ghettos and impoverished areas, where a lot of Democrat voters live, and others aren't willing to enter. Social programs help poor people, so poor people are going to vote for the party that supports social programs... and that would be... wait... Democrats...

ACORN goes into ghettos and impoverished areas, where a lot of Democrat voters live, and others aren't willing to enter.

Funny how did they KNOW they were "Democrats" before they registered them????

You've been reading too much of your own press if you believe "others aren't willing to enter".

Funny how did they KNOW they were "Democrats" before they registered them????

Statistics and zoning. Ummm... when you register people, don't you choose a party affiliation?

You've been reading too much of your own press if you believe "others aren't willing to enter".

Hmmm... are there Republican Party offices in the ghettos? I really don't know... I've never seen one...

Social programs help poor people,

How exactly have the social programs Democrats are known for supporting helped poor people?

Ummm... when you register people, don't you choose a party affiliation?

Funny, I always thought that the person being registered was the one to choose the party affiliation.

But that right, we ARE talking about ACORN here after all. They were the ones who would throw away any registration that the person chose Republican on weren't they?

But that right, we ARE talking about ACORN here after all. They were the ones who would throw away any registration that the person chose Republican on weren't they?

Oh boy! (roll eyes)

No, it was the firm hired by the Republicans who threw away any registration on which the person chose Democratic. The head of the firm, who is a former head of the Arizona Republican party, was tried and convicted.

I almost kind of want to see what Hell Awaits You was saying... the name is rather... intersting? And I can just imagine it must have been controversial to say the least as he/she has been deleted 3 times lol.

Boddie 24.14

Sometimes, a comment reaveals SO much more about a person's shortcomings than they'll ever realize.

Keep posting. It's like watching a car wreck.

Hell Awaits You was suspended for getting into a tangle with a poster (also suspended) who referred to the author as an Uncle Tom and a bootlicker.

Boddie 24.14

Sometimes, a comment reaveals SO much more about a person's shortcomings than they'll ever realize.

Keep posting. It's like watching a car wreck.

Yep, I'm a lefty. And I lean on the social programs side. I hope you get as much enjoyment out of that as you can. Lord knows we have to get our jollies somewhere.

David Boddie

I went back and read your comment again, and I am mistaken. I had taken your comment as a slam against social programs and Democrats.

In this case, I admit to being guilty of reading a little too much into your comment. However, I believe social programs help society as a whole, not just the poor.

A fellow lefty.

David Boddie

I went back and read your comment again, and I am mistaken. I had taken your comment as a slam against social programs and Democrats.

Thanks, AZPADDY. I will admit that sometimes I do have a tendency to get out there on the fringes and blather like my tongue's on LSD. So, I've had to go back and reread some of my own posts...

Hey, "native" American. Where did your "native" peoples come from? Oh... they migrated from Asia? So you're an Asian-Native-American? Where did the Asians come from, that migrated here, to become "natives"? Africa??? So, lemme just be sure I follow the nomenclature correctly... You're an African-Asian-Native-American?

tell me what tribe you're from, who your Tribal leader/chief is...

It would be nice to know that.

Ya know - that Siberian Bridge thing is really getting old - 'specially since it "opened" in 12,600 BC - and we had already been in the Western Hemisphere for, at least, 17,000 years before that. Hmmmm - Came from Africa???? Hmmmm - Asians come from Africa?????? Obviously you haven't studied any anthropology in a while, eh? No DNA evidence to support either of those hypotheses.

You're just jealous - sorry 'bout that - 'cause not every race came from Africa - nice try though.

Plantsmantx - it's hard to do - takes a lot of work and a tremendous amount of patience. The sad part for the Blacks who are trying to trace their heritage - it ain't all as easy as "Roots" made it out to be. So many tribal affiliations left absolutely no trace - nations have changed - nomadic lifestyles really slows the process, and, when you think you're on the right track, you find out that was the Portugese line that was tied to the family line - for whatever reason. Keep trying - don't quit.

Now this is really sad. OK - for all of you "claiming" to be "African American", tell me what tribe you're from, who your Tribal leader/chief is, what clans you belong to/descend from. Until you can do that, you are a Black-American and you should be proud of that - very proud.

Anyone who knows me knows that I go by "Black" rather than "African American". My true heritage is African/Caucasian/Caddo Indian. I don't need any other claims to make on NewsVine, so you can take your "tribal leader" junk and move along...

And who is your Tribal leader? Embarrassed, eh? Sorry. Someday you'll learn your Native American traditions and culture - and you'll learn not to rebutt what you don't know.

Now this is really sad. OK - for all of you "claiming" to be "African American", tell me what tribe you're from, who your Tribal leader/chief is, what clans you belong to/descend from. Until you can do that, you are a Black-American and you should be proud of that - very proud. Point of information - for me to "claim" to be Native American, I have to be able to recite that same information - so, what's good for the goose is good for the gander - Chickasaw, Bill Annatubby, Bird/Cat clans.

It's interesting that a Native American would be so insensitive. Since you feel you have the right to tell African Americans what to call themselves, then you must know why most blacks do not know what country/city their ancestors come from. So why would you suggest making that knowledge a pre-requisite for using the African American term? What do you care what blacks call themselves?

It's interesting that a Native American would be so insensitive

Not really.

Look at the FACTS. The Native Americans barely survived an attempt at genocide, whereas the "African-Americans" have a better standard of living(even those on government assistance) than most folks in Africa.

Yet which group do you hear more complaints from?

SM - the article "implies" pride in self - hence my comment about Native Americans and African Americans and Black Americans. If you have pride in who you are, no one can tell you who you aren't - "kinda" like Marcus was attempting to point out with his sardonic humor.

Don't be so sensitive to what you perceive as insensitivity. Read, think, then respond - don't react.

Anyone who knows me knows that I go by "Black" rather than "African American".

David, I go by "black" too, because "African-American" just feels and sounds clumsy for me to say. It's a purely personal choice, and I have no problem with people who don't find it clumsy to say.

"African Americans" should be reserved for African immigrants... :D

If Bishop Desmond Tutu were to move to America, then I'd call him an African American.

SM - the article "implies" pride in self - hence my comment about Native Americans and African Americans and Black Americans. If you have pride in who you are, no one can tell you who you aren't - "kinda" like Marcus was attempting to point out with his sardonic humor.

And yet you did the exact thing by try to tell blacks what to call themselves.

I'm going to have to disagree with you on what the article 'implied'. To me, it implied that blacks who don't listen to Rush, believe the things he outlines in his list. For example, when he said:

"If you do not want to take responsibility for your life, do not listen to Rush Limbaugh." It's like he's saying that those who do listen to Rush take responsibility for their lives. Those who don't listen to Rush, don't take responsibility.

Don't be so sensitive to what you perceive as insensitivity. Read, think, then respond - don't react

I'm not even sure what you're talking about here, but the patronizing tone is uncalled for.

"If you do not want to take responsibility for your life, do not listen to Rush Limbaugh." It's like he's saying that those who do listen to Rush take responsibility for their lives. Those who don't listen to Rush, don't take responsibility.

Of course, that's what he was saying, because it's what the people he aimed the article at need to believe.

African American was a term used by the US Bureau. They wanted to seperate blacks from Africa vs Jamiaca Haiti etc...

Not patronizing - just different analysis.

TO ME - "If you do not want to take responsibility for your life, do not listen to Rush Limbaugh." is his way of being sarcastic by saying - be responsible, listen to Rush - sarcastic as he!!!!! - IMHO.

Now this is really sad. OK - for all of you "claiming" to be "African American", tell me what tribe you're from,

Yourba

who your Tribal leader/chief is,

uh hello, this is 2009. Nigeria is a republic and chiefs are name only titles that anyone with money can buy.

what clans you belong to/descend from.

clan is the same thing as tribe

Until you can do that, you are a Black-American and you should be proud of that - very proud

Unless you have descended from the heavens, you don't have a right to tell me or anyone what they can call themselves.

Point of information - for me to "claim" to be Native American, I have to be able to recite that same information - so, what's good for the goose is good for the gander - Chickasaw, Bill Annatubby, Bird/Cat clans.

You can ACTUALLY claim whatever you want, but in order to receive the privileges that was "allotted" to native americans by the gov't that took over the land, you gotta prove it. They had to do that to keep the con artists from abusing the natives.

Hmmmm - Asians come from Africa?????? Obviously you haven't studied any anthropology in a while, eh?

neither have you. Asians migrated from Europe, who migrated from Africa.

No DNA evidence to support either of those hypotheses

you mean the genomic evidence that proves we are 99% alike??????

Until you can do that, you are a Black-American and you should be proud of that - very proud

Unless and until there's a law against people calling themselves and other blacks African-Americans, your opinion on the matter...doesn't matter.

Keep trying - don't quit.

I don't have a burning desire to know. I just wonder sometimes...who my ancestors were, where the lived, which ancestors were the first to be brought here as slaves, etc.

Now this is really sad. OK - for all of you "claiming" to be "African American", tell me what tribe you're from

Yes, well:). I don't use the phrase "American-American", for reasons I stated before. But if I did, I could do so credibly, and the people who do use the phrase...do so credibly. I don't have to know which tribe(s) my African ancestors came from. They obviously were brought here from Africa. It's African-American precisely because most of us don't know.

It's interesting that a Native American would be so insensitive.

Why? Because we don't expect the full range of human emotions, attitudes and personality types out of Native Americans? They are all supposed to be the perpetual embodiment of ?

Since you feel you have the right to tell African Americans what to call themselves, then you must know why most blacks do not know what country/city their ancestors come from. So why would you suggest making that knowledge a pre-requisite for using the African American term? What do you care what blacks call themselves?

Because people have the right to call out the absurdity of identifying with a Continent, much less one on which you were not even born, which is not the same as caring.

Because people have the right to call out the absurdity of identifying with a Continent,

Like being an Ameruuucan?

Like being an Ameruuucan?

Not sure why you found it necessary to mispell "American," assuming of course the mispelling was delibterate, but the word refers to citizens of the nation known as the United States of America, which can be found on the continent of North America. Calling oneself African-American makes no more sense (and provides no more information) than would an American calling him- or her- self NorthAmerican-American or a Mexican calling himself NorthAmerican-Mexican, or a Canadian calling herself NorthAmerican-Canadian.

Not sure why you found it necessary to mispell "American," assuming of course the mispelling was delibterate, but the word refers to citizens of the nation known as the United States of America, which can be found on the continent of North America. Calling oneself African-American makes no more sense (and provides no more information) than would an American calling him- or her- self NorthAmerican-American or a Mexican calling himself NorthAmerican-Mexican, or a Canadian calling herself NorthAmerican-Canadian.

Interesting. I have a coworker who is Italian. My best friend is French and English. My husband is Irish and German. So why is it ok for them to claim their ancestry but not me?

It's meant to denote African slave ancestry, PiperGirl. Identifying as African-American says that your ancestors were slaves brought to America from Africa - it's a way of acknowledging the Middle Passage in your heritage.

Sure, but somehow I would be willing to bet that actual slaves were never happier than the moment when they were granted their freedom, i.e. when they were able to lose the slave identity. And if acknowledging slave ancestry is so important (to non-slaves), perhaps "Slave-descended American" would be more accurate. Or maybe, "Middle Passage descended-American..."

Surely, if family histories hadn't been lost through that passage and susbsequent diaspora of slaves, more people would identify with countries instead of the continent at large, which is why many Americans who do know African countries they descend from identify as Ethiopian-American, Ghanian-American, etc.

But they wouldn't identify with countries after all this time any more than other immigrants to America do, especially after eight or more generations. Most true black Americans, those whose histories travel back through Jim Crow to slavery, have lineages in this country that pre-date the majority of white Americans. So when does the historical country/continent identification cease?

I have a coworker who is Italian. My best friend is French and English. My husband is Irish and German. So why is it ok for them to claim their ancestry but not me?

Somehow I doubt that your best friend refers to herself as a French-English-American. Being aware of where your ancestors come from and identifying yourself according to a nation in which you nor any recent ancestor resided are two different things.

We all learn that our ancestors hail from other contininents in tracing our lineage for the simple reason that unless one has a native American bloodline or two, everybody in America comes from someone else. Acknowledging that your grandmother came from here, while your great-great-grandfather came from there is a little bit different from describing yourself generations later according to their country of origin versus your own.

everybody in America comes from someone else.

oops, s/b, "everybody in America comes from someplace else at some point, probably multiple points, in his or her family tree."

Somehow I doubt that your best friend refers to herself as a French-English-American. Being aware of where your ancestors come from and identifying yourself according to a nation in which you nor any recent ancestor resided are two different things.

Not really. If we're talking about ethnicity, it relates no matter how recent someone's ancestors came here. I know two Italians and they are extremely proud of their ancestry. Neither were born in Italy, yet they both announce their Italian-ness frequently. How do you think I know their ancestry? LOL My husband is the same way. He wasn't born in Ireland or Germany, yet is very proud. My best friend says she's French and English.

So what you're telling me is that it's okay for everyone else to mention their ethnicity except blacks. What about Asians? Asia is a continent. Do you have a problem with them? They don't even acknowledge America in their ethnicity.

Of course, there's a difference between ethnicity and nationality. According to you, we should all say we're American and not even speak of our ancestry. Fortunately, the world doesn't live according to PiperGirl's wishes.

Sure, but somehow I would be willing to bet that actual slaves were never happier than the moment when they were granted their freedom, i.e. when they were able to lose the slave identity. And if acknowledging slave ancestry is so important (to non-slaves), perhaps "Slave-descended American" would be more accurate. Or maybe, "Middle Passage descended-American..."

How about you let people decide for themselves? Besides, if we call ourselves 'slave descended American' then we'd have to hear more complaining from people like you about how we are stuck in the past and should dwell on that part of our history.

We all learn that our ancestors hail from other contininents in tracing our lineage for the simple reason that unless one has a native American bloodline or two, everybody in America comes from someone else. Acknowledging that your grandmother came from here, while your great-great-grandfather came from there is a little bit different from describing yourself generations later according to their country of origin versus your own.

You're confusing nationality and ethnicity. If someone asks me what country I'm from (say I'm traveling on vacation). I say America. I don't say Africa-America. If someone asks me my race or ethnicity, I can say African American which means black. The two are interchangeable.

A cup full of crap in a barrel of honey still makes the honey taste like crap.

Oh yes, the black community really needs Rush Limbaugh, even though he really does nothing to help them. Your idea of Rush standing on high saying "be responsible", "get jobs", and "make something of yourself" is going to help the impoverished? Especially when he has no ability to help them get jobs, buy homes or get out of poverty? If the Dems can't help poor people, I don't see the Republicans and Rush doing any better...

Like I said, it's "do as I say, not as I do"...

Tyler - I assume he was hired with full knowledge about his expressions and views and controversies and being that his comments were an attack on the press and their racism than yes, unless the press is now a protected class, I don't think he should have been fired. I happen to think he was right and it was courageous to point out that the emperor wasn't wearing any clothes. It was the twisting of his statement to make it appear to be a racist attack on McNabb that got him fired. So no, I don't think someone should be fired because other people are too ignorant or have too big of an axe to grind to address something honestly and accurately.

I'm not a big football fan and I'm not even a big Rush fan, but I am a critic of media and I personally would have given him a bonus rather than fired him. Had Rush actually said something racist, I would agree with you.

It's like the 'magic negro' thing. It's ok for a leftwing LA Times columnist to coin the term, it's not ok for a conservative to mock it as the pathetic contribution to political discourse that it was. And everyone to this day pretends that Rush came up with it. Sorry, truth matters.

David - how do leftist, Democratic policies help black Americans? Think LBJ did great things for black America, do you?

I hate to break it to you, but that's how you get out of poverty - you climb and work and yes, get jobs and build up your communities.

Or, you live in the dead end slums set up and propped up by the big government crutch.

Really, what's more inspiring? Rush's message of encouragement or your message of hopelessness?

Otto, I actually agree with you regarding the McNabb comments (D.N. is a much better quarterback today than he was back when the comments were made).

However, the daily playing of The Magic Negro song was indefensible, as were the bone and NFL comments. No, Rush didn't create the song, but he did popularize it and give it airtime that it would not otherwise have received. The song didn't just stop with playing on the media's love fest with Obama, but went on to characterize Obama as negro in a manner linguistically and ditctionwise that we haven't seen here in 50 some-odd years. My mouth dropped open when I first heard that song. You could just hear the big, droopy lips, big saucer eyes and other insulting stereotypes with which blacks have been depicted in that so-called music. Any self-respecting individual would have run to distance himself from that insult. But not Limbaugh, he instead cozied up to it, not just once, but day in and day out for months on end.

Do I think Limbaugh is necessarily racist? No. But he does know who his audience is and he treads that line, sometimes falling onto the other side, to keep them coming back. I think, too, that he is willing to appeal to the cheap and unadmirable qualities in others to keep his bottom line well in the black.

David - how do leftist, Democratic policies help black Americans? Think LBJ did great things for black America, do you?

"Leftists believe that if you're having difficulty, you need a hand up. Conservatives believe in survival of the fittest.

I hate to break it to you, but that's how you get out of poverty - you climb and work and yes, get jobs and build up your communities.

Or, you live in the dead end slums set up and propped up by the big government crutch.

Our society is built around large cities that are zoned so that you have to commute a distance outside of your community to your job. This requires some form of transportation, which requires money to purchase and maintain. If you don't have the money to get to a job, you can't get a job. Good schools, businesses and realtors don't build in run down areas of cities because of crime. People trapped in slums and ghettos are unable to get out, because they have no money, and usually only get enough assistance to stay in the horrible situation they're in. So, you can't get a good job without an education or a car. You can't get out of the ghetto because you have no money. Opportunity doesn't come to you because you live in a ghetto. With no hope, desperation breeds crime, drug use, and no compassion for your fellow man. It's a self sustaining destiny.

I grew up in the next best thing, a rural area with no industry. I was bussed to school every day to a school a half an hour away. The only jobs available were to companies in the next town, a half hour away. If I didn't have money for a car, I didn't have an opportunity to get a job. There wasn't a college nearby to go to for a higher education. I would have been stuck in a rural area with no money and job, and no hope for a future. When I got old enough, I spent all my money to move to a college town to go to school. I got out, but it wasn't easy.

Really, what's more inspiring? Rush's message of encouragement or your message of hopelessness?

I don't find Rush's "message of encouragement" all that encouraging. Him standing on high waving his bank book around isn't that inspiring either. He's far from a motivational speaker. His whole theme is "look what I did, I got cash, now you go make yours". Sounds like a drug dealer or a Wall St. tycoon to me.

And everyone to this day pretends that Rush came up with it. Sorry, truth matters.

That's not true. No one pretends that Rush came up with it. They simply acknowledge that he twisted what Ehrenstein cited (Ehrenstein didn't come up with it, either) into something anti-black

Plantsmantx - sorry, virtually everyone pretends that he came up with it (until it's pointed out, then people deny it). The act is to set Rush up as racist for coming up the term as applied to Obama, which is why no critic EVER mentions the source he was responding to when they trot it out as evidence of his racism.

Ehrenstein wasn't called out on his racist article, except by Rush and a few others. Rush's response was to mock it with the song that happened to attract a lot of attention. Ehrenstein insults white people as guilty morons looking for a 'magic negro' to dispell the notion of what 'real' black men are like (and uses movies to make his point). And the outrage is directed at the man who mocked it?

If anything, Ehrenstein was insulting Obama and Rush was coming to his defense via parody.

Tyler - You have a point. I'm not privy to the contractual agreements between ESPN and Rush Limbaugh, though anyone who signed him on should probably have been fired as well. I disagree in theory that if ESPN is going to hire a famous, controversial, outspoken media critic to do commentary (ie express his views) then he should have had some latitude. Rush was hired to be provocative and what the press successfully did was deflect his criticism away from them and back onto him. Sure, we can blame that on him but again, truth matters so no, I didn't support his getting fired over this but I do understand that contractual details aside, it's at ESPN's discretion.

My problem with it reflects some of the same issues I have with Newsvine where we can't be adults and acknowledge disagreements and tolerate controversial points of view without trying to shut people down. Not to besmirch your job, but the focus on Newsvine as of late hasn't been to 'Get Smarter Here' but rather 'Get The Other Guy'. Rush's getting fired wasn't partisan, but the movement to get him fired certainly was. It's the same thing here. Viner X will tolerate and defend anything his partners say but will fight and claw to remove anything remotely controversial from an ideological opponent. It sucks the enjoyment right out of what should be a forum for adults to discuss and debate and yes, tolerate things we may not agree with or don't wish to read.

When a punishment on Newsvine is to take someone's reporting privileges away for a day, that's a statement on the 'Gotcha! culture' here on Newsvine.

Rush is a big guy and I think he usually knows what's coming when he speaks up - that doesn't make everything said about him accurate or truthful.

David - the fundamental differences with the Left and the Right is over government, not a fight over whether or not the down and out should at times be helped. Don't paint the Left as so noble when their mantra is 'why can't somebody else do it?'.

My wife lost her job, we're facing foreclosure and the loss of everything we worked for, we have two small children and we're taking our hits! We're not looking for a bailout and I don't have a lot of sympathy for the notion that government must protect people from all forms of suffering or make things "easy". That is not the job of the federal government. I want government to get out of the way so we can hope to regain our footing sometime in the near future. Life is hard. Life is hard whether we are free or whether we are not. I choose hard and free, ie not empowering government to do and control everything.

You didn't answer my question: did LBJ's economic policies accomplish wonderful things for black Americans?

I don't find Rush's "message of encouragement" all that encouraging.

Yes, you stated that. Suggesting to people that you might have to struggle and work and conform and actually try is a pointless message to you. You've been clear on what you think is the wrong message - then what is the right message?

PiperGirl - Fair enough, but I'm pretty sure your characterization of Rush's audience is a mischaracterization. As far as the content of the song, have you read the article this song was produced as a response to? It's a pathetic, racist article that the champions of race-baiting didn't bother to get upset about, but instead went into frenzy mode over this joke of a song that was produced presicely to ridicule the mentality of leftists like Ehrenstein.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,3391015.story

Otto,

I just re-read my remarks to see where I may have mischaracterized Rush's audience. I see where it may seem that I suggested that they are all a bunch of low IQ racists. To be clear, I don't not think that all or most of them are, but I do believe there is a set that feeds off negativity in whatever form it comes. Having said that, I do not agree with the amount of emphasis the government spends demonizing Limbaugh, either. That, however, does not excuse the depths to which Limbaugh will sometimes go to get a reaction.

I think a look at Rush's bio explains a lot of what he does and why. By the same token, a look at Rush's bio also shows that he should know better than to delve into such depths to make a buck. Ever read his brother? I didn't for a long time because his last name was Limbaugh. Now I look forward to his analysis on a wide variety of subjects. I guess, in short, knowing what I know about Limbaugh, his background and his family, I expect better of him because I know that he knows better.

And yes, I read the original article way back when Rush's playing of the song attracted so much media attention, or more precisly when the GOP party chair candidate included it on his Christmas CD [smh]. It does not excuse Rush promoting a song that characterized any black person in the way that Al Jolson and others did during that past era. Whose mind even conceptualizes such things. We are past that crap...or at least most of us are. That garbage has no place is modern American discourse, no matter who it is about. And Rush should know that. I'll bet his brother does.

David - the fundamental differences with the Left and the Right is over government, not a fight over whether or not the down and out should at times be helped. Don't paint the Left as so noble when their mantra is 'why can't somebody else do it?'.

The glasses I wear for my party are rose colored. The cause is noble, helping others. You're probably the same for your party. Don't belittle my view, and I won't do the same for you.

Let's face it, politics is politics. Regardless of party, people are going to get away with whatever they feel helps them. It doesn't matter whether or not it helps the people or not.

My wife lost her job, we're facing foreclosure and the loss of everything we worked for, we have two small children and we're taking our hits! We're not looking for a bailout and I don't have a lot of sympathy for the notion that government must protect people from all forms of suffering or make things "easy". That is not the job of the federal government. I want government to get out of the way so we can hope to regain our footing sometime in the near future. Life is hard. Life is hard whether we are free or whether we are not. I choose hard and free, ie not empowering government to do and control everything.

You know, government assistance isn't mandatory. Programs like unemployment, TANF, Medicare and Social Security are there for people to use, if they feel like they need it. The government isn't forcing itself on you, even though you might think so. You might not even have to contribute to those programs if you don't want to, I don't know, I've never asked my employer to withhold my Social Security...

Yes, life is hard. But you have to realize, even though you have it hard, there is someone else who has it harder than you. And government programs aren't the real problems with poor people. The real problems are with providing people the ability to change their lives in a positive manner. I'm talking about education, job training, community organization and other family programs. Yes, welfare helps poor people, but if they don't have the opportunity to get out of the slums and into good jobs, education and homes, then all home dies, which breeds crime, disease, etc...

You didn't answer my question: did LBJ's economic policies accomplish wonderful things for black Americans?

I can only speculate, which I would rather not do, because I know almost nothing about the subject.

I don't find Rush's "message of encouragement" all that encouraging.

Yes, you stated that. Suggesting to people that you might have to struggle and work and conform and actually try is a pointless message to you. You've been clear on what you think is the wrong message - then what is the right message?

Rush Limbaugh flaunting his money and influence in people's faces is not very inspiring when people already know that life is hard. Rush Limbaugh doesn't work any harder than I do, I know that for a fact. But he wants to make it look like he's such a workaholic, and that he got where he is from all that hard work. Limbaugh got where he did from his ratings. And he manipulates his message to get his audience and his ratings. So, to some extent, it's like a minister basing his success and importance on the size of his flock.

The wrong message is "don't step on people to get to the top". In the end, you'll need someone's help, and there will be no one to help you. Don't poke your finger in someone else's eye, and then talk about how your eyes are perfect.

Read the story Jesus tells of the Good Samaritan. That's the proper message to tell.

I don't consider that besmirch...ment. [That's not a word, is it?] I surely wish that political discussions on Newsvine weren't so partisan. But I still do get a lot smarter here - possibly due to position, but I'm in the middle of a discussion of my own volition and I think you and David Boddie are both making me smarter.

"Yes, yes, Zathras is used to being beast of burden to other people's needs. Very sad life. Probably have very sad death, but at least there is symmetry. Go, go, Zathras take care."

Zathras, Babylon 5m, War Without End, Part I

What "Magic Negro" song?

There in no misconstruing The 'magic negro" ---- The term was first coined by Los Angeles Times columnist, David Ehrenstein, in a column published on March 19, 2007.[LATimes.com, Opinion Section, March 19, 2007] A year later, Chip Saltsman, a candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee, sent out CDs containing the song, also prompting a negative reaction.

Ehrenstein is a shamada.

But what does it mean? Why did he use it?

Barack the Magic Negro lives in D.C.
The L.A. Times, they called him that
'Cause he's not authentic like me.
Yeah, the guy from the L.A. paper
Said he makes guilty whites feel good
They'll vote for him, and not for me
'Cause he's not from the hood.
See, real black men, like Snoop Dog,
Or me, or Farrakhan
Have talked the talk, and walked the walk.
Not come in late and won!

[refrain]

Oh, Barack the Magic Negro, lives in D.C.
The L.A. Times, they called him that
'Cause he's black, but not authentically.
Oh, Barack the Magic Negro, lives in D.C.
The L.A. Times, they called him that
'Cause he's black, but not authentically.
Some say Barack's "articulate"
And bright and new and "clean."
The media sure loves this guy,
A white interloper's dream!
But, when you vote for president,
Watch out, and don't be fooled!
Don't vote the Magic Negro in -
'Cause — 'cause I won't have nothing after all these years of sacrifice
And I won't get justice. This is about justice. This isn't about me, it's about justice.
It's about buffet. I don't have no buffet and there won't be any church contributions,

Joe - do you know what a shamada is? It's a company that makes ping pong paddles, so I don't think he is a shamada.

That is such a friggin' stupid song - jjjeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz - what an idiot.

Thanks for letting me see it - jjjjjeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Here in my neighborhood a shamada is a shamada and Ehrenstein is a real shamada.

Chicago: You seem to have a grasp of the time-line of the "Magic Negro" issue. Do you also realize that it is a parody, making fun of the LA times and those who jumped on the "Is Barack black enough?" bandwagon?

Ehrenstein is a shamada.

Juno,

Have you listened to the song? Neither the words nor the origin of the song are that much at issue. It is the whole song of the south style characterization of the "Negro," in this case B.O., that is the problem. Have the guy in the song sound like Obama and it is one thing, but with him sounding like Al Jolson, you have a totally different situation altogether.

An insult is an insult is an insult. If I went around singing a song with a derogatory term in it, I could talk about how genuine and unoffensive the song is, but it's still an insult. Rap music uses some of the worst derogatory terms imaginable, but it's not considered "inspiring" to all people.

Actually, rap music is no less derogatory than the Magic Negro song.

Sorry for dropping in like this but what the H does that have to do with this argument, David. I couldn't give a crap about rap, unless you want to go back to Public Enemy, or Biggie. We don't fear Rush, we laugh at him, he is stupid. (Remember I am white).

My point was that you can't take a song with derogatory meaning and make it a "harmless" song.

Piper: Yes, I heard the song. Awhile ago, though. If I recall correctly, the song is a "Sharpton" character lamenting the surge of popularity of O . . . since O doesn't meet the "black enough" measure as espoused by the LA Times writer, and others.

Rush makes fun of Liberals and liberal ideas. He also makes fun of liberal Republicans.

Here's what he said, after O "laughed" it off:

RUSH: One other thing, for some of you Nervous Nellies out there. We've been talking about this Barack Obama sound bite with Paul W. Smith, and as I told you, Paul W. Smith told him before he asked the question, what he thinks of the parody "Barack the 'Magic Negro.'" He gave him the source of it, this LA Times piece. What I think that Barack Obama knows is that the parody, for people who listen to this program in a continuous fashion, do it in a contextual way -- and Obama knows this -- I have railed against the liberals out there who are trying to say he's not black enough. The LA Times has run three such pieces, two of them devoted expressly to that topic: Is Obama black enough? The UK Times did one late last week. There have been three of those, and then, of course, you had the "magic negro" story. That parody doesn't make fun of Obama at all. The parody, all it does is make fun of the left, and that's what all of these parodies do. That's what everything that we do on this program does. It has an element of truth in it which makes it funny but it's also oriented toward making a point.

We've always called it "illustrating absurdity by being absurd." There's nothing more absurd than a bunch of Democrats out there wringing their hands, liberal media types over whether or not some candidate is black enough, while they're shouting, "Racist, racist, racist!" at every conservative they know -- and it's not conservatives talking about Barack's skin color until they do, and then we parody it, and then they call us racists. Well, it doesn't wash, and Obama knows it. You have these knee-jerk liberals out there, these Nervous Nellies, that are just waiting for anything to pounce, and they do, and they get it wrong each and every time they do. So there's nothing of substance here to criticize. You can only be critical of it if you're panicked or if you are reactionary and don't know what you're talking about, which describes much of the left.

The point, I think, is that conservatives aren't looking at race . . . but the liberals aren't just looking at race, but debating whether or not a person is authentically ________.

The point, I think, is that conservatives aren't looking at race . . . but the liberals aren't just looking at race, but debating whether or not a person is authentically ________.

I don't recall the level of Obama's 'blackness' being an issue. Who had a problem with it?

I don't recall the level of Obama's 'blackness' being an issue. Who had a problem with it?

As far as I can remember...Debra Dickerson and Stanley Crouch. That's about it. It never was a an issue, but conservatives and the media tried to make it one. It's funny that conservatives throw this meme out there so much when a whole lot more of them question his Americaness:).

Republican ideology... Vote for me and... who are you again?

Democrats ideology...keep people down and needy.

What about all the Democrats who aren't down and needy? You know..most of them.

Democrats practice the "politics of envy."
They spend most of their time telling voters that they are "victims" of something, and they they should be giving something they did not earn.............it's ideology is based on politics of greed and envy of others.

Republican mantra--Vote for me cause one day if you keep working hard you can be a 'success' just like me. You can enjoy the tax cuts I have so one day you can keep your money, like I do, so I don't have to pay for people like you.

Republican mantra--Vote for me cause one day if you keep working hard you can be a 'success' just like me. You can enjoy the tax cuts I have so one day you can keep your money, like I do, so I don't have to pay for people like you.

"Oh, and by the way, I'm gonna put my foot on your neck, blame you for everything since sliced bread, and pay an illegal immigrant to do your job for 1/4th the pay."

David-

All in the name of capitalism. And when you complain that you want the pie to be a little more equal---dammit quit being a socialist. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Oh, you don't have bootstraps? Its cause you're a lazy illegal immigrant. But I'll happily finance some bootraps for you--at 29.99% interest.

After all, all Americans should have a chance to succeed

That's the problem, KB, everything's not equal. Education isn't equal. Blue and white collar salaries aren't equal. Hiring practices aren't equal. Insurance policies, loan practices and rental agreements aren't equal. Limbaugh talks a poetic game, but is unwilling to acknowledge that everything in this world isn't equal. If I walked into his office tomorrow, I doubt he'd hire me, and I have more education than he does.

Oh, and by the way, illegal immigrants are far from lazy. Where do you think all the low paying regular jobs go to?

Americans have become jaded to the American Dream. We have this idea that if we know the right person or have the right opportunity, we can be Rush Limbaugh. Immigrants to this country still understand what the American Dream is, and that hasn't changed for immigrants for 200 years. Americans expect to work for inflated wages, so that they can buy the SUV, 4 bedroom house, and have an expensive yearly vacation waiting on them. Immigrants work for crap, work hard, and still have to deal with the bottom dredge of society, and they STILL want to be here.

If blacks have this idea of entitlement, so do the rest of middle class and upper class America. We all expect our Rush Limbaugh moment, even though we know it's not going to come.