Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh's bid to own the St. Louis Rams ended on Wednesday when the partnership group he was involved with terminated his participation in the venture.
On Thursday, Limbaugh for the first time explained to his listeners what precipitated his interest in the team and the events that led to him being fired from the prospective ownership group.
At the end of his opening monologue, Limbaugh painted a very scary picture of the media forces behind the smear campaign to prevent him from being involved in the Rams ownership, and what it means to our country (video embedded below the fold with partial transcript, relevant section at 5:30, h/t Story Balloon):
Those people who enabled this event, for their own racial reasons, for their own ratings, their own fundraising, their own face-time, their own business reasons, they're going to be just as unhappy as they were before this happened. It's a collection of unhappy, angry, agitated people, and that's not going to change. But this kind of stuff, this misreporting, mal-reporting, lying, repeating the lies while also saying Limbaugh denies, repeating the made-up quotes, the blind hatred, and believe me the hatred that exists in this is found in the sportswriter community. It's found in the news business. It's found in the race-hustler business. As I said yesterday and I've said I don't know how many times on this program I love the National Football League. I don't dislike anything about it. I'm a fan. But the hatred that I am able now to mirror for the country to see is all over the place, and I tell you with absolute sincerity I am more sad for our country than I am for myself...These are dark days that we face, and I'm not talking about the National Football League or me, I'm about my news stack today.
Those interested should watch part one of his monologue. Pay particular attention around minute four when Limbaugh talks about how George Soros is apparently involved in this ownership group:
If it turns out to be true, and multiple news outlets are now reporting this, how will media scrutinize some of Soros's anti-American comments in the past?
For instance, this was posted moments ago by Newsday.com:
Now comes word, via Bloomberg, that ultra-liberal billionaire financier/philanthropist George Soros, who once compared some of Pres. Bush's tactics in the war on terror to the Nazi regime, may also be part of the bid.
Talk about NFL ownership making for strange bedfellows. That's about as bizarre as it can get. [...]
If Soros is indeed a member of the ownership group, then Checketts must eliminate him from consideration, too. After all, if Limbaugh's polarizing views were anathema to a league that wants to avoid controversy, then Soros' extreme remarks should also raise a red flag to owners.
Soros was once reported to have said that removing Pres. Bush from office was the "central focus of my life" and "a matter of life and death."
Talk about polarizing comments.
Don't think the NFL will want to be addressing those remarks any time soon.
Fascinating. Will other media outlets go after Soros with the same vigor as New York's Newsday did at its website?
Stay tuned.
Those interested can read the entire transcript of Rush's opening monologue here.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
Who's this about anyway?
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 13:47 ET by Chris Norman"If Soros is indeed a member of the ownership group, then Checketts must eliminate him from consideration, too."
Why would a bunch of liberals find offense in any what another liberal says - however obnoxious and wrong? They probably all are sympathetic with Soros. All of this has less to do with what Limabaugh has said (or not said) and everything to do with liberals controlling just about every public institution in the country -including the sports media and the NFL. If liberals (and cowardly, easily-influenced moderates) didn't control the NFL and the sports media, who Rush is and what he has said wouldn't amount to much in allowing him to be part of the investor group.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Soros is anything but
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 14:28 ET by notonmywatchSoros is anything but liberal. How can anyone take what Soros has said and done and equate it with any kind of liberality?!
This euphemism "liberal" that we apply to leftists is getting out of hand
___________________________________________________________
Graphical conservative commentary - animations & pictures for posting on forums: http://ubama.org/chucks-pix/
You denounce the use of the
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 14:47 ET by Chris NormanYou denounce the use of the label "liberal" but offer nothing as a substitute - and even refuse to identify what Soros has "said and done". He uses his power and money in the support of liberals and liberal policies, He uses his power and money to get liberals elected to Congress and the presidency. Soros may well be a anything on earth but a liberal, but everything he does in the political arena promotes liberalism - so I stand by my characterization.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Try This Label
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:17 ET by GeneralAlHey notonmywatch , How about this for a label? No good lying two faced Communist Snake?
America socialism is
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:20 ET by humanzeeAmerica socialism is basically neofeudalism. A two class political system. You have the nobles with all the power and then those beneath them. The government would control all. Nobles would be intertwined with government. They would control the resources, law, trade, etc, etc. Everything goes through them, those in the top caste get all the perks.
You can see their mentality in our current government. Remember when Boxer spoke down an military officer for not referring to her by her "title."
Listen to cult members of the left like Janeane Garafalo refer to liberals as the "enlightened" and inferring that they should be the only ones allowed to govern people. Listen to their hate against anyone who "gets in the way."
They want to turn back the clock hundreds of years. They want to consolidate economic and political power into a single class that can inherit and gift power through bloodlines. In their eyes, only the "enlightened" should have power over men.
I've always wondered what's in it for guys like Soros and then i remembered the Kennedy clan. Why does the left worship their leaders so? Why is the left sooo obsessed with dynasties? What's with the left and the scale of their political nepotism? Why was FDR the only president to seek so many terms in office?
The wealthiest nobles will become kings and the underlings will do anything to be knighted. Being a low level noble beats being a commoner any day.
Change Without Color
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 16:06 ET by tim413I do not want to boycott the NFL, but I would be willing to boycott its big sponsors. I won't buy your beer, your car, etc. unless.... All we need is some online organization to collect our signatures and forward them to those sponsors. I believe an appropriate name for a new group would be "Change Without Color."
Stop federal judges from foisting their notions of "fairness" on the States. Amend the 14th Amendment! - tim413
not a chance
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 13:49 ET by katainkentSoros isnt controversial controversial. Its just us, the unwashed, that take issue with his views.
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The Emperor, he has no clothes
OMG Rush, PLEASE SUE!!!
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 13:54 ET by Lord ErondI am a layman and I've never been able to understand why we have such lax slander laws but I can't imagine a more clear cut case of damages being sustained financially, to his reputation and the like. If I were the jury foreman, I'd give Rush every dime that any moron like "Alcoholic slalom" Sanchez and others who have propagated this filth has.
I can't be just scared for the future of the country. I'm ready to go get the rifles and lock and load.
"Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge."
Timothy 6:20
If he sues, doesn't he have
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 10:00 ET by Insane ChipmunkIf he sues, doesn't he have to prove that he would have made money on the Rams?
/signed a disgruntled St. Louis football fan
I just want to ask the players a question
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 13:55 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonWould one of you please tell me all about your favorite player, his yearly earnings and what team and league he plays for in your favorite socialist country.
All I want is for you to acknowledge that there are no millionaire players of ANY sports team in any socialist country.
http://gjresult.com
Politics
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 13:56 ET by JDWWhat Soros wanted Obama delivered
Bloomberg told us about Soros on 10/12. How do we know it's true?
We have also been told there are 3 groups bidding, 2 unconfirmed. Who are they?
JDW
DAILY WAVE
I didn't know ACORN was getting a lot of money
I've already cut my NFL
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 13:56 ET by mattmI've already cut my NFL viewership down by 90% - I think this will push me the rest of the way. It's semi-rigged anyway.
With the Charger's swiss cheese D
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 16:09 ET by VonuI was looking for an excuse not to waste my time in front of the tube. Thank you, jerks!
I gave up baseball after greed wiped out the '94 World series and never looked back - expect this will be much the same.
Here's another reason.
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 16:49 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonFootball:
A game where the ball is thrown to one player and all other players run him down and jump on him.
Normally the person they throw the ball to is a minority.
That help any?
http://gjresult.com
Extremist liberal fascism is what got Rush booted
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 14:35 ET by R D HelmWe now live in a leftist, fascist nation, where racist liars, pimps and hustlers like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson can interfere in what are essentially private business transactions.
If you don't bow down to the fascist left, you will be destroyed by their SCM dog-washers.
They are trying to do this to Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and anyone else that effectively exposes wht they are really up to.
This nonsense has gone on long enough. Conservatives need to take off the gloves and stop trying to make nice with the people who are trying their damndest, and in large part succeeding, in bringing our country to its knees.
-Dave
Rush got played
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 14:47 ET by Wall WatcherLay down with dogs. Rush got played. It looks like someone was having sport with Rushbo. A quick look at Dave Checketts political contributions show he gives to RINOs and ultra leftist.
The left gets into trouble you can always count on Rush being a distraction. So will he defend his honor or allow himself to be a whipping boy again.
Or did some playing
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 14:54 ET by nwahsIt is not any great revelation that the NFL doesn't want political controversy. Now why would Rush want to be part of an organization that would try to muzzle him at all cost?
Lets see what happened here. Rush regained the spotlight from Glenn Beck.
Yeah, Rush, just withering
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:00 ET by Chris NormanYeah, Rush, just withering away in Beck's shadow, desperately devised this elaborate ploy to remind people he still existed.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Jedi Mind Trick....
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:14 ET by ckc1227That's what Rush used to trick Checketts into asking him to come aboard.
It is not any great
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:02 ET by R D HelmIt is not any great revelation that the NFL doesn't want political controversy.
BS. They revel in it.
-Dave
Gang signs on the
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:06 ET by Wall WatcherGang signs on the sidelines, felons on the field. Its a freak show.
The commentaors that call the games have no problems inserting politics into the game but Rush is too much for them.
Glenn Beck will always be in Rushs shadow
Of course not...
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:20 ET by ckc1227....that's why they went out of their way to create a political controversy here.
Do You
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:21 ET by GeneralAlDo you even watch the NFL? I think you're more the figure skating type, or maybe polo! Rush, Beck, and Hannity are neck and neck on ratings!
Would Soros need a group?
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 14:49 ET by nwahsSoros could buy the Rams 10 times and have change.
When has Soros not done his
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 14:52 ET by Wall WatcherWhen has Soros not done his work in the shadows? Besides the insider trading conviction in France
Need?
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:09 ET by ckc1227Who said he needed a group?
Well just because Checketts has used Soros
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:24 ET by nwahsJust because Checketts has used Soros as a backer in the past, doesn't mean he's involved here. The Newsday article that brings up the possibility links to a Bloomberg article, and all the article states is Checketts has used Soros as a backer in the past.
I think its way premature to paint this as a Soros conspiracy.
Rush is not worthy to be an NFL minority owner-
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:19 ET by JIMMY1660however several of the NFL players are murderers/animal abuser,and all around bad guys.
and Rush is just a commentator who you can turn off.
The NFL is a fraud-not worthy of sponsor support of mine or yours.
BHO- THE PROGRESSIVE PIRATE
Here is an interesting artical
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:27 ET by general company3 attornys comment in the story, and all feel Rush has a case.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
This pretty much sums it up
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:50 ET by nwahs"It's a higher standard," she
said. "If they actually made up a quote that cost him a deal that he
would've otherwise gotten, then yeah, he's got a case."
They didn't make up the quote, they got it out of a book thats been in publication since 2006, and is still in publication.
Goodell or Irsay did not reference the quote Limbaugh objects to, but the Donovan McNabb quote which is in fact easily sourced.
The person immediately responsible for removing Limbaugh from the bidding group is Checketts, and there is no certainty the group would win the bid had the challenged quote not been published.
Rush can't prove damages, and if fact concedes he has lost nothing.
There will be no law suit, because there is no winnable law suit.
The two suits with the best possibility would be against Checketts and Huberman, but since it would be impossible to prove damages, he'd lose those as well.
shawn, it's clear you stand
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:54 ET by ConservativeRexshawn, it's clear you stand with the fascist in this country and their tactics. Fine, everybody has to have something I suppose. Free speech is at stake here. Someone's ability to conduct a business transaction. Again, that's fine as well. But the sh!t is about to hit the fan in this country. What happens next is going to make the great leap forward seem like a 'neighborhood organizing party'. This time it will be conducted from the right hand side of the spectra. The lefty's have had their shot at screwing up the world. And have done a pretty good job of it. Too bad millions upon millions have had to pay the ultimate price to realize it's all been a failure. But, it's about to be set right.
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
Now you're an expert
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 15:58 ET by KJ_sezNow you're an expert lawyer, in addition to being one of the greatest debaters and political scientists of all time? How did you do all of that from your mom's basement, nwahs? Was it the jammies with feet that inspired you, or is it just the Ovaltine talking?
OBAMA = One Big Ass Mistake, America!
NB needs to be more careful
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 20:00 ET by BlueCat57I understand that NB posts need to be put up quick, but they shouldn't be dirty.
In the lede NB implies that Limbaugh would own the Rams. That is simply not accurate. He was bidding to own a minority stake in a group that would own the team.
I've noticed that NB has gotten sloppy lately with their stories. I know that the MSM and Obama administration are producing so much cr@p that it boggles the mind and must be difficult to keep up with.
My suggestion to NB is to take a deep breath and realise that you don't have to publish a story about every single piece of media bias.
In fact, at this point in time NB might want to make a blanket statement like:
We've changed our focus. Since the vast majority of material coming from the media is biased, and that coming from the Obama administration and Congress are at best misleading; we are advising our readers to assume that all stories and infomation, unless otherwise noted by NB, are biased and/or lies. NB will in the future report only unbiased and truthful stories. That will reduce the workload on our staff by 90%. Their families will once again see them at home for the holidays.
Deleted this one too.
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 20:17 ET by BlueCat57Going to have to figure out how to use Firefox. It reposts comment when I refresh the page.
And I did try deleting all the text but NB said I couldn't leave the comment blank and I didn't have time to test other ways of deleting the duplicate comments.
Re FF
Thu, 10/15/2009 - 21:30 ET by slickwillie2001I usually have all articles from OT to yesterday's OT strung out in one window, multiple tabs. Other things are in other windows and the computer sleeps a lot.
I've noticed lately that after posting a comment, and seeing it up, if I use the 'refresh all tabs' command (love that command), sometimes one or two of the tab/articles will revert to the comment page, waiting for the 'post' command button. I've learned that's some kind of buggy thing, and to get around it I go up to the title of the article and click on it. It keeps down duplicates.
I believe this is an NB problem and not operator error.
Thanks for the Tip
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 15:14 ET by BlueCat57I'm really trying to switch off IE8 and avoid Google's Chrome.
Software is like a political system. You get really comfortable with it over the years. Then one day you wake up and realise that it is corrupt and full of bugs, but it is so comfortable and easy to live with that to switch takes great effort.
Pelosi, Reid, Obama...are
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 08:53 ET by kathleenirishPelosi, Reid, Obama...are going to tell US what is unAmerican...oh, yeah. They ARE experts, after all.
The same NFL who tolerates the likes of Michael Vick and fellows with felonious records of rotten behavior has no place for Rush Limbaugh? If it has a place for George Soros, who has documented quotes of a questionable nature, as well as a track record of support for the legalization of marijuana, then we know it is nothing but a scum pit of reprehensible hypocritical bull shite. I am glad I already stopped watching anything to do with the NFL.