Media Research Center President Brent Bozell today demanded that CNN and MSNBC prove that radio talk show king Rush Limbaugh uttered a racist quote they have attributed to him as fact after Limbaugh publicly denied having ever said, “Slavery built the South. I’m not saying we should bring it back. I’m just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark” on his nationally syndicated airwaves.
"CNN and MSNBC must immediately and publicly source when Limbaugh uttered this phrase. He has unequivocally denied it. Now it is up to the same news media that reported it as fact to prove that it was, indeed, stated," NewsBusters Publisher Bozell insisted in a statement, arguing that if the charges are undocumentable, the offending networks are "100% guilty of character assassination."
The accusations against Limbaugh came in the wake of reports the radio talk show host is part of a group bidding for ownership of the St. Louis Rams NFL franchise. The full Bozell statement is appended below the page break:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓CNN and MSNBC must immediately and publicly source when Limbaugh uttered this phrase. He has unequivocally denied it. Now it is up to the same news media that reported it as fact to prove that it was, indeed, stated.
The MRC has overnighted letters to senior executives at both cable networks demanding that they take this sourcing seriously and report back to the public. We await their word.
Either Rush Limbaugh is lying or these networks – willfully or not – are participants in the worst form of character assassination imaginable. They can prove their innocence by documenting this accusation. If they can’t, then they are 100% guilty of character assassination.
Tomorrow we will go public with their response.
For our NewsBusters archive of media bias against Rush Limbaugh, check here.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Limbaugh Threatens Legal Action
October 13, 2009 - 11:52 ET by allanfLimbaugh has just said that he is demanding a retraction from every journalist who repeated these smears backed by the force of legal action. Limbaugh says the source has been traced back to a single blogger.
Are you listening Rick Sanchez?
sanchez
October 13, 2009 - 12:00 ET by w2448hcI don't like Sanchez and his sarcasm!
Congressman said: Obama has something to hide! : http://www.70news.com/2009/10/04/breaking-news-c
Rick will be hearing form Limbaugh's Lawyers
October 13, 2009 - 12:02 ET by allanfSanchez should be hearing from Limbaugh's legal team. I wonder how CNN will react.
Sanchez won't care until
October 13, 2009 - 15:41 ET by BeukeboomSanchez won't care until he's successfully held accountable via a lawsuit.
Isn't that a bit like asking
October 13, 2009 - 11:50 ET by mattmIsn't that a bit like asking the Obama administration to source his birth certificate? Good luck with that, Brent.
Couldn't this be considered
October 13, 2009 - 11:57 ET by TD in FLCouldn't this be considered slander? If so, wouldn't CNN and MSNBC be held liable? If you pass along a defamatory quote and can back it up, then you're just passing along something someone else said. However, what's to stop a network from just making up a quote and sourcing it to an "insider" or "anonymous"?
At some point, a the media has to be held liable to what they say because it does influence public perception.
yes it can and most
October 13, 2009 - 13:40 ET by gmaniac1yes it can and most definitely liable
There exists plenty of
October 13, 2009 - 15:45 ET by BeukeboomThere exists plenty of legal precedent for media outlets being held accountable in regards to slander/libel/defamation of character lawsuits. I am certain Limbaugh and his legal representation are considering this as well as other avenues of recourse. However I feel they are biding their time and are making sure they exhaust all other avenues before filing any lawsuits. However I have a feeling that after the potential Rams ownership scenario ends, lawsuits will be filed and then all hell will break loose.
And the ironic thing is that Limbaugh's ratings will probably increase to an all-time high as a result.
IMHO, Limbaugh ultimately wins.
off topic
October 13, 2009 - 17:07 ET by jacktheripperJeff Buekeboom was my favorite Ranger D-man (after Leetch of course) :)
"The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can
bribe the people with their own money." – Alexis de Tocqueville
Question: Doesn't ...
October 13, 2009 - 12:06 ET by SentryDanQuestion: Doesn't the obama administration have an intense dislike for the Rush man? So, is it not possible for someone in that administration to have come up with the idea of attributing the racist quote to Rush? Not saying they did, just asking.
Remember folks, Freedom isn't Free. It was bought with the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know.
Also remember folks, that the way to SUPPORT THE TROOPS is to support their mission. Anyone who says that they support the troops but don't support their mission is lying about supporting the troops. And if you want to know, yes I do have a dog in the fight, he is a United States Marine.
Maybe not the
October 13, 2009 - 16:08 ET by QueenMumMaybe not the administration itself, Sentry. But the left-leaning media must do what it can to discredit people like Rush Limbaugh because he and others are effectively showing them for the piss-poor excuses for journalists that they are. The luster is beginning to fade from around the Dear Leader and the left-leaning media can no longer bask in the glow.
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
- P.J. O'Rourke
I hope Rush sues them all into poverty
October 13, 2009 - 12:11 ET by R D HelmI am talking until they are all homeless and in the gutter poor.
-Dave
Dave, How about he sues
October 13, 2009 - 12:32 ET by Scuba DudeDave,
How about he sues them and takes the money and buys NBC?
OMO won't that explode some heads!!!!!
The Obama Administration: THE most fiscally irresponsible Administration EVER
Scoob,
October 13, 2009 - 12:35 ET by R D HelmLOL-Olbermann's head would be the first.
Imagine Olbermann's paycheck being signed by Rush Limbaugh. :-)
-Dave
Dave,
October 13, 2009 - 13:04 ET by Indiana JoeI think Olbermann's head would be the first to roll. I can't imagine Rush ever signing a paycheck for him.
"Four legs good... two legs better!" - George Orwell
If I were Rush...
October 13, 2009 - 21:50 ET by Vivaldi5...I'd keep Olby around. But get rid of his faux Edward R. Murrow anchor desk and chair and make him do his broadcast seated inside his bathtub!!!
olberman gone
October 13, 2009 - 13:16 ET by LEWIS IN COLORADOonly thing would be pink slip !!!!!!
LOL
October 13, 2009 - 13:29 ET by CarlosSOlbie's pink slip!!!
Even better, keep him on
October 13, 2009 - 13:41 ET by gmaniac1Even better, keep him on board and make Olberdork be factual
like The Simpsons
October 13, 2009 - 14:37 ET by wizardjrI immediately got a mental picture of Oberloon in the hot seat as in the episode where the Simpson family all went to the head shrinker who put them in hot seats where everyone had a zap button connected to everyone else's chair. I think that was the absolute funniest scene ever.
I believe Maggie started it with a random button and then it just degenerated until they smoked the power supply. Too funny. Just what Olbie needs every time he says a falsehood. Oooooh, watch his hair catch fire... haha.
I want in too! Sounds fun
October 13, 2009 - 15:45 ET by MaximusBraveheartI want in too! Sounds fun to fire these shills & replace these people with more qualified people. NewsBustedCorp; get the REST of the story! M-B
Run Counter-programming Right After Olberman
October 14, 2009 - 09:28 ET by ecnirPEven better yet, keep Olberman on, and then run a show right after his correcting everything he said.
"We apologize for everything you just heard. Stay tuned for our retractions to our previous program."
Make that Olbermann's
October 13, 2009 - 15:45 ET by BeukeboomMake that Olbermann's severance paycheck.
Rush
October 13, 2009 - 12:27 ET by rpeeler42The main reason they go after Rush is he is smarter and more articulate than virtually anyone of those criticizing him. I have heard satire from Rush but never any racist comments. All you left wingers "get a life."
Rush diversion
October 13, 2009 - 13:33 ET by CarlosSThe reason they're all goin' after Rush is to create a diversion while they ram through Obama(s)care(s) healtm "reform"
another Jack Huberman mis wiki'd quote?
October 13, 2009 - 13:03 ET by katainkentanother Jack Huberman mis wiki'd quote? Gosh that book is getting some mileage. I can see what the news cycle is going to be chewing on for the next few days.
god forbid the networks report on actual news.
(edit) to get this out of the way
the rest of the "top 10 racist quotes by Rush Limbaugh as noted at Newsone that both Acts (now banned) and Nwahs and apparently now - the MSM at large are playing with - I spent time weeding through last March. I also updated with the information I found on Jack Huberman's book, his sourcing of Wikiquote and the 'circular smear' results.
The Newsone article is here.
I can only assume that most, if not all this will eventually come into play in the next few days.
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
lol, the liberals will try
October 13, 2009 - 13:57 ET by gmaniac1lol, the liberals will try anything to make their point even if it means to outright lie about someone. They can't argue ideas which is why they chose to bring the race game back into the discussion when we should be discussing health care, war, unemployment. Where's Obama with one of his teachable moments? Oh wait, this is what he meant. Attack conservatives/whites with no evidence just allegations, that are untrue until proven otherwise.
I checked with snopes on the "bone through the nose" quote and they make it "true" because a reader gave them copy of the 1990 Newsday article; though for some reason it wasn't sourced at the bottom of the page. Hmmm, snopes is becoming wikipedia when it comes to ideology.
I had a similar thought
October 13, 2009 - 14:34 ET by katainkentI think snopes took the lazy way out. I would have liked to see their copy of the copy of Newsday. Why say you have it and not actually post it.
If the MSM makes it all the way down this list we'll see what sifts out, especially with rumors of lawsuits flying about.
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
Excellent job. But let's
October 13, 2009 - 14:35 ET by TenebrousExcellent job. But let's suppose all of those things were true. If so, that would mean that Rush said a handful of racist comments over 30+ years on the air. That's such a small number that it would be statistically irrelevant. But I guess that's the point -- liberals hold that others must be flawless in order to have a valid viewpoint, but they themselves make folk heroes out of murderers.
-----
Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
and
October 13, 2009 - 14:37 ET by katainkentdefend pedophiles that happen to be director/producers. Its a mad world.
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
I read the transcript where
October 14, 2009 - 14:15 ET by JB1000I read the transcript where he made the comment about the gang fighting. It turns out he was advocating against trash talking, publicity stunts and unnecessary roughing.
Any potentional NFL owner advocating AGAINST trash talking, publicity stunts and unnecesasary roughing must, obviously, be kept out of the game?
The NFL trying to take the moral high ground is pretty laughable.
thanks JB
October 14, 2009 - 14:17 ET by katainkentfor taking the time to read that through. Interesting stuff indeed :)
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
Source of the disputed Rush Limbaugh quote
October 13, 2009 - 14:14 ET by s1148625A quick search on Google books would have revealed the source of the Rush Limbaugh quote to any journalist who cared to look...
The quotation came from "101 People Who Are Really Screwing America" by liberal comedian Jack Huberman. It's absolutely false that Rush ever said it.
It's right here, indexed by Google Books. Any journalist with an ounce of integrity and a 5-year old's research skills could have found it.
http://books.google....
"It's right here, indexed
October 13, 2009 - 14:17 ET by Kat Outta the Bag"It's right here, indexed by Google Books. Any journalist with an ounce of integrity and a 5-year old's research skills could have found it."
Well, we all know that type of journalist is on the threatened species list, don't we?
This has "Dan Rather Moment" written all over it
October 13, 2009 - 14:38 ET by KC MulvilleRemember, the issue is where these journalists (OK, stop laughing) got this quote, or whether they casually spread false innuendo. If they just broadcast their assumed urban legends, then from this moment on, they are officially and forever banned from insulting bloggers or the "comic" internet.
These journalists have officially put themselves second to any high school kid with a google blog.
"101 People Who Are Really Screwing America"
October 13, 2009 - 14:30 ET by OxyConJust heard a Black columnist from St. Louis on ESPN sourcing this book for anti-Rush "racist" quotes.
http://www.amazon.com/101-People-Really-Screwing-America/dp/1560258756
Yeah yeah yeah
October 13, 2009 - 14:33 ET by OxyConBetter late then never...right lol
Fake....
October 13, 2009 - 14:32 ET by wizardjrBut accurate. [/sarc]
SOP of MSM
October 13, 2009 - 14:50 ET by Six String SpiffThis Rush Limbaugh assault is typical of all MSM 'reporting'.
No sources to back claim, yet they continue to push it as if it were the truth. Much like every other Democrat agenda.
No facts, just sensational crap.
People need to be held accountable for this type of thing.
Lying liberal scum!!
October 13, 2009 - 14:56 ET by Patriot IIThese embeciles have been doing this stuff for a loooong time, lie through their teeth and if they say it long enough, there are dimwits out here that will believe it......the big thing right now is racism....how about turning this back in the face in the form of Defamation of Character law suits......they make the lying claims...make them prove these claims in court or pay through the nose!!!
I don't see why they don't
October 13, 2009 - 14:56 ET by nwahsI don't see why they don't just use the quotes that can easily be sourced, like Limbaugh calling Halle Berry "halfrican," the frequent lampooning of black leaders with the "Moving on up" Jefferson's theme song, the Ebonics translations, the Survivor critique.
All that stuff can be easily sourced.
Go for it, nwahs.... Show us how....
October 13, 2009 - 15:11 ET by upcountrywaterGot any links ???? hahahahahahahha
State controlled health care is Tort Reform.
Yup
October 13, 2009 - 15:21 ET by nwahsHere's one of him calling Halle Berry a "halfrican American."
http://mediamatters....
Rush iterating the stereotype that black can't swim
http://mediamatters....
The Ebonics translations were a regular feature as was the practice of using the "Moving on up" theme song as a backdrop to black politicians.
Its not like they don't have easily sourced incidences of Rush using sly bigotry for laughs.
question
October 13, 2009 - 15:50 ET by katainkentfirst - is "halfrican" derogatory? Perhaps you can serve as my conduit as I did for your insight on "teabagger". I know from cursory googling that Limbaugh didn't make up the term.
second thing, it seems "movin on up" is used to harry AA advancement stories such as Roland Burris, which I found context for.
third thing - The MM transcripts doesn't have this bolded but I found it interesting : "Look at this! I am playing the racism card! I'm telling you what a major network is doing in its prime-time schedule. They're pitting races against each other in this stupid Survivor format, and you tell me I'm being racist." It seemed to me that his rumination was to be picking on CBS directors mindset and fishing for someone to call him racist. Because no way was anyone going to call CBS racist. Your take on this was that he was doing it for laughs?
fourth thing - the ebonics - you'll have to find something with context. I like context.
Going on two years and what has to be something like 40-50 anti-limbaugh blog posts... you just keep plugging away.
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
Re Halfrican
October 13, 2009 - 16:08 ET by slickwillie2001There are 21 definitions of 'halfrican' at urbandictionary.com, and not a one of them suggests that it is a racist or derogatory term. One definition suggests that it is the least derogatory term for someone half black and half white. I expect that tomorrow there will be a 22nd definition.
This is just another case of –'find something unique that Rush Limbaugh says and label it racist'.
its not really that unique
October 13, 2009 - 16:12 ET by katainkentone of the first instances on the google timeline pointed me to NPR - Halfrican Teen Diary - 1998.
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
And both examples from Media
October 13, 2009 - 15:50 ET by BeukeboomAnd both examples from Media Matters are taken woefully and deceptively out of context. Media Matters has shown itself to be a completely untrustworthy source and is merely a liberal wing of George Soros.
But Sorosly, folks...
October 13, 2009 - 16:11 ET by CO2Maker"Merely a liberal wing of George Soros." You mean there's a non-liberal wing?
Nwahs... Half African
October 13, 2009 - 15:53 ET by Six String SpiffNwahs... Half African and American
I don't see the 'degradation'.
Also, your clam of Rush being a racist when citing a theme song from a black sitcom that was produced by blacks is hardly definitive.
Back to the point:
THEY ARE LYING. If I called you a homo, is it up to YOU to prove you aren't, or is it up to me to prove you are since it was my claim?
No Surprise
October 13, 2009 - 15:55 ET by picofaradpjfNo surprise that you don't get the joke nwahs, since you're the type of bigot Rush is mocking in the examples you cite.
nwahs, Once again you need to do a search,
October 13, 2009 - 16:53 ET by upcountrywaterhttp://www.bipolarnation.com/2007/08/31/halfrican-american/
They used a “Negrometer” to show just how black Obama actually is.
He scored somewhere in between George Washington and Flava Flav, and
somewhere around the current Al Sharpton.
The segment also pointed out that Obama is a Halfrican-American –
half halfrican, half American. Actually, he’s just half white, so my
question is: if he’s elected President, is he the first “black”
president?
here is your 2 nd. link.
http://www.survivorfever.net/s13_survivor_live_caoboi_cristina_seg1.html
you dig it out...
Here you go, nwahs... CRICKETS
Rush finds this racist crap and repeats it. as in magic negro etc.
State controlled health care is Tort Reform.
wow
October 13, 2009 - 17:08 ET by katainkentthe jokes are almost verbatim. I wonder if Limbaugh had advanced copies.
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
Yea I know
October 13, 2009 - 17:13 ET by nwahsRush is a beacon of tolerance and color blindness. Race hardly ever comes up on his show. He's just so misunderstood. He can't help if people giggle at his absurd images of black people he uses to illustrate the media's feeble efforts to tear down black people. He's actually trying to help black people when he retells racial jokes. He's performing a community service and letting his audience know there are racist jokes out there when he retells them with perfect timing, and racist stereotypes when he uses them in conversation.
He should write that in a letter to the NFL owners. I'm sure they'd see the light.
:D
ok
October 13, 2009 - 17:17 ET by katainkentnow you sound like my 14 yr old daughter. all you need to do now is slam your door.
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
nwahs, BACKTRACKER LOLOLOLOL
October 13, 2009 - 17:54 ET by upcountrywaterRush is QUOTING kkk party, ie democrats.
Well just the kooks that vote that way.
yea a public service.... Quotes from your squshy side of the isle.
State controlled health care is Tort Reform.
I
October 13, 2009 - 15:19 ET by jessieHI agree 100%. This has gone on long enough, and not just about Rush. Sara Palin & Glenn Beck have been maligned in the same way. And they call themselves " journalists"!!!!!!
Journalism? Hardly.
October 13, 2009 - 15:39 ET by BeukeboomCNN and MSNBC prove that radio talk show king Rush Limbaugh uttered a racist quote? That'll never happen. CNN and MSNBC abandoned journalistic integrity and ethics long ago and are more than happy to broadcast any innuendo and unsubstantiated items as long as it promotes their agenda and also potentially embarrasses conservatives and damages conservatism. This has become so blatant and obvious that they lose viewers daily.
Now here's a little theory. As it appears that these "alleged" comments being reported as factual by various news outlets will most likely cause Limbaugh's co-ownership of the Rams to be voted down by the NFL owners it could very well occur that Limbaugh and his team of attorneys may file suit against those organizations for reporting falsehoods. They would have a very good chance at showing malice of forethought on several points on CNN and MSNBC. Thus far the current Rams ownership have not even officially announced any potential buyers so all of this is premature and any lawsuit at this point in time also premature. I believe it would be wise that any slander/libel/defamation of character lawsuit against specific media outlets be filed after the ownership issue fully plays out.
Not sure who said the above
October 13, 2009 - 16:25 ET by mostlymoderateNot sure who said the above phrase, but slavery DID build the South and in return, slavery introduced African's to the western-civilized world. It happened, now we move on.
Satire
October 13, 2009 - 16:29 ET by garcutLimbaugh uses satire to make points "illustrating absurdity with absurdity." so
finding some quote or song parody that makes him look bad is not too hard if you
don't like him and want to shut him or his ideas down, which is a favorite
tactic on the left.
The only reason I really
October 13, 2009 - 16:37 ET by mostlymoderateThe only reason I really admire Rush Limbaugh is because he is the "anti-PC" (anti-politically correct). PCness has ruined public discourse and debate. Liberals have been making America a nation of pansy-crybabies since the 1960's drug-induced "hippy" generation. We need more Limbaugh's to instill balance; otherwise, we become France and THEY are being taken over by muslim extremists.
aaagh
October 13, 2009 - 16:39 ET by Forbin001Rush referred to the drive bys today as 'scum'. I dont think he has ever referred to the drive bys as scum before....quite a day.
I doubt that any of these networks/commentators will retract their statements....another reason theyre driving people away in droves. Who wants to watch this crap?!?!
Is it not true that slavery
October 13, 2009 - 16:41 ET by Mitchell BlattIs it not true that slavery helped build the South?
If Edison were to invent the light bulb today, the head- lines would read, '200,000 candle makers lose their jobs.'
Ofcourse it's true, but the
October 13, 2009 - 16:50 ET by mostlymoderateOfcourse it's true, but the left wing has invested a lot of time and effort in making black people eternal victims and this form of optimism goes against those efforts.
That is not the statement in dispute
October 13, 2009 - 16:51 ET by general companyI have seen many Black leaders claim that very thing. The point of contention is: For one thing, the streets were safer after dark
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
That was true too though.
October 13, 2009 - 16:56 ET by mostlymoderateThat was true too though. The streets WERE safer after dark in those days it is a fact.
What's new?
October 13, 2009 - 17:03 ET by bobdogLies travel around the world before the truth even puts on its pants.
It's a central tenet in today's Democratic playbook.
" drive-by " media as per Mr. Limbaugh
October 13, 2009 - 20:33 ET by sarge329Mr. Limbaugh has referred to the media on more than one occasion as the " drive-by media " , comparing them to gang members involved in a shootout. I would disagree with that comparison in that, at least with bangers, you know who they are. They don't hide behind " journalistic ethics/privilege " . Most of the bangers that I've heard of will walk up to you, look you in the face, and deal with you. How many contemporary journalists will do that? Incidentally, I use the title " Mr. " in reference to Mr. Limbaugh as a form of respect. He is a success. Like him, hate him, on the fence, it doesn't matter. No one can say, after 10 seconds of listening to his program can say , " I don't know where he stands " .
Admirable, but not how it
October 13, 2009 - 20:59 ET by RR GOPAdmirable, but not how it works. Throw something even remotely believable into the Echo Chamber and it will rattle around in there for all eternity...maybe even making it into textbooks some day.
Anyone here been opening the chamber and examining the contents on other things we hold dear as incontrovertible fact? If so you know what I mean...if not, you're going, "Huh"?
Thus, they win.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Good luck with that...
October 13, 2009 - 22:00 ET by SlyrrI wish you luck with that request, Mr. Bozell. But I think you're about as likely for the media to cooperate with that request as Iran is to shut down their nuclear bomb programs.
Or as likely as Saddam was to not stonewall the UN inspectors.
Pick your favorite analogy for 'pipe dream', and that's the best you can hope for.
After all, why should the media suddenly be responsible NOW?
What about the Racist comments by Barack Obama?
October 14, 2009 - 07:42 ET by Latino1If you read Barack Obama's book "Dream's of My Father" Obama is apparently a racist, using the same examples the Left does for everyone else Obama is a racist.
In fact Barack Obama reads his own book for audio showing that many of his quotes expose that he had hatred and disdain for white people.
Obama even tells a story about how he has disdain for the white blood that runs through his veins, and talks about how he hid his disdain for whites when he is around them.That sounds pretty racist to me.
Here is Obama reading his own book;
http://www.youtube.c...
Now for those who want to say Rush has said racist things, just look at what Barack Obama has said, and these are from his own mouth as he reads his book for audio recording.
I would say what Obama has said is pretty racist. He also states he hides his racism towards whites, when he is around them.
*many will say he has a white mother, but like the majority of African-Americans living in the United States, they also have white ancestors. He still says he has disdain for the white blood that runs through his veins.