In the midst of this week's controversy surrounding Rush Limbaugh's failed bid to become a part owner of the St. Louis Rams, one liberal media member has been pounding the table concerning some of the hypocrisy involved: National Public Radio's Juan Williams.
On Sunday, Williams continued to expose the media's double-standard by pointing out how absurd it is that Limbaugh isn't allowed to be an NFL team owner, but MSNBC's Keith Olbermann can be involved in "Sunday Night Football" broadcasts.
Williams made this marvelous point during the panel discussion segment of "Fox News Sunday" (video embedded below the fold with partial transcript, h/t Story Balloon):
JUAN WILLIAMS, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: Let me just come go back to something else Mara [Liasson] said, "Oh, it's a business decision, and people don't make divisive statements." I watch MSNBC sometimes, I see their talk show hosts, they're mocking liberals, going on, this is Keith Olbermann...
MARA LIASSON, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: About football?
WILLIAMS: ...about politics, right? Conservatives are terrible, they're a bunch of jerks, blah-de-blah. And then he's announcing the game. Nobody says, "Well, because he makes divisive statements he can't announce an NFL game." I don't see that.
Neither do I, Juan...but sincerest thanks for pointing it out!
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Way to go Juan
October 18, 2009 - 11:06 ET by ricklailI very seldon agree with him but he is spot on with this.
Semper suprene nitens
OBAMACARE: If it ain't good enough for my Congressman then it ain't good enough for me.
Hey, Sunday Night Football sponsors!
October 18, 2009 - 11:55 ET by tim413I agree with Juan from time to time. On those occasions when I agree with him, liberal blacks are likely telling him to "go back on the porch."
About the only thing I watch NBC is Sunday Night Football. And I always turn it off during the halftime show that includes Olberf--ka-s. I am certain there are thousands more who do the same. Sponsors would be wise to insist their spots are shown during the game, not during the halftime show.
Stop federal judges from foisting their notions of "fairness" on the States. Amend the 14th Amendment! - tim413
I do the same thing. Hey
October 18, 2009 - 12:11 ET by rockyracoonI do the same thing. Hey aint that what the remote control is for??!!
Facts are like kryptonite to the liberal.
I tried to send this to you personally,
October 19, 2009 - 09:27 ET by beauxdogbut you appear to have that function turned off, so here it is...
You claim to be a high and mighty college educated liberal converted to conservatism. So what? Leave the vulgar talk at the door. You are being no better than the neo-liberals we all are critical of.
Give you a hint... Olberf--ka-s. Even though you don't SPELL IT OUT... it is just as offensive.
You put yourself on the same level as he is. Rise above. You can be critical without being vulgar... or are you no better than he is?
You can also be critical without being derisive or sarcastic (the truly humorless kind).
Think of it. If you are here to preach to the choir, then your comments are useless. If you are here to hurl insults at the leftists, then your comments are useless. We can only win this thing by convincing the uncommited (independants) that we are the ones with their true interests at heart. We can't do that if we lower ourselves to playing THE LEFT'S stupid game.
Use your intellect to argue against the left's agenda with facts... not veiled vulgarisms.
When you post a comment... compose it as if you are talking to someone who you want to join our ranks.
Beauxdog
"Listening to you, I get the music. Gazing at you, I get the heat. Following you, I climb the mountains. I get excitement at your feet." Tommy - The Who (or is it the MSM?)
No one seems to have an answer
October 18, 2009 - 11:09 ET by LEWIS IN COLORADOI have been posting that question all week !
Thanks, Juan!
October 18, 2009 - 11:12 ET by jpatchSo, we aren't the only ones in the world that notice that stark, blinding hypocrisy here.
What really bothers me is that you would need Limbaugh at all in this equation to disqualify Olbermann from doing football coverage. It's obvious...that man is a partisan hack and NEVER says anything worth a damn. Juan should be asking what the hell Olbermann is doing on the air period.
Oh wait, he wouldn't do that, because in the eye of a liberal, Rush and Keith are two sides of the same coin. WRONG.
Juan Williams: Why Is
October 18, 2009 - 11:12 ET by BKeyserJuan Williams: Why Is Olbermann Allowed To Announce NFL Games?
Because no one from the Left has complained, Juan.
Excellent question.
October 18, 2009 - 11:16 ET by ThalpyExcellent question. It's understandable why he's on MSNBC-moral depravity and all, but why is Olbermann announcing NFL games? It's not that he should be removed, but why would anyone watch him? He should fade away from lack of interest-there is just nothing there.
Why is he announcing games?
October 18, 2009 - 12:02 ET by CO2Maker1. Is he announcing games? I thought his gig was a pregame show.
2. He started his career in national broadcasting as a Sports Center anchor at ESPN. That's why they call him "Keith the Sports Boy."
Why is he announcing games?
October 18, 2009 - 12:03 ET by Free StinkerWhy is he announcing games?
Maybe it's a case of "low bid" ? ;-)
Almost Free
October 18, 2009 - 14:23 ET by UpNorthbut this is a case of something the left absolutely hates, the no-bid contract. I can't really believe that anyone who ever saw Olberdork would think him qualified to announce a pre-game for a rocket football game, or a pick-up game, for that matter.
Mara was speechless...the only thing she
October 18, 2009 - 11:19 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltcould come back with, after much looking around for a way out of the hole she dug herself into was, "I don't watch football."
Pretty lame, Mara, pretty lame indeed.
Mr. Williams points out the obvious
October 18, 2009 - 11:27 ET by richb313Mr. Williams points out the obvious hypocrisy and the non-argument that has been used. It is a business decision but the reason stated does not stand up. Mr. Williams is not a fan of Mr. Limbaugh but even he sees the hypocrisy and outright lies are damaging to us all.
I'll bet that Juan has not been popular on the Washington Cocktail Set for some time since he started doing commentary on Fox and now that he has not toed the party line about Limbaugh he will be disinvited to more of these gatherings where most of the insider knowledge is disceminated.
I have been noticing that FOX is using Juan more and more and I believe it is to keep attracting more Independent and Liberal viewers which is a very smart move of Fox. I also notice that Juan has been challenging the normal liberal talking points more and more. He is still a believer in most liberal issues but I think now that he has been around Fox he does not drink the Koolaid.
I hope that Juan Williams has a long and successful relationship with Fox. Clear thinking opposing views are always welcome. It would be fun if Fox could make a program where thier pundits would pick one subject a week and debate it using whatever format they think would work best. The 15 minutes a day is not enough. Give more time and limit the subjects and all of us would benifit.
I was shocked when I
October 18, 2009 - 11:25 ET by Mike From CanmoreI was shocked when I heard those words come out of his mouth this morning. I have new respect for him. His support of El Rushbo's take on Donovan McNab was a bit of a shocker too!
Do you think liberals will ever realize, (and I'm going to make a generalization here) it isn't so much their opinion conservatives have a problem with, it is the blatant hypocrisy the vast majority of them display?
"Greens are people who never worried about a grocery bill". Freeman Dyson
There is a difference
October 18, 2009 - 11:29 ET by JesseJacksonIVThere is a difference between narrating some highlights and actually owning a team.
so Jesse
October 18, 2009 - 11:37 ET by Candance MooreI knew that would be your defense before you even showed up. Of course, that doesn't explain why Rush was pulled off ESPN for criticizing Donovan McNabb. But I digress.
Would you like to now explain why Mark Cuban is permitted to own a basketball team?
Candance
October 18, 2009 - 11:44 ET by ricklailThe NBA is full of thugs so to have people like Cuban as an owner is natural. The Bobcats have Robert Johnson, BET, and that is one more reason I don't care for them.
Semper suprene nitens
OBAMACARE: If it ain't good enough for my Congressman then it ain't good enough for me.
Mark Cuban has been fined
October 18, 2009 - 11:53 ET by JesseJacksonIVMark Cuban has been fined more than any owner in American sports, that probably factored into him not getting the Cubs.
What the NFL was concerend about was that Rush has a platform 5 days a week, some of what he says has been known to offend people. As an owner, that could be a problem when it comes to getting free agents to sign.
Olbermann says a lot of crap, but has he said anything that might be considered racially insensitive to one of the prominent black NFL players?
Roscoe's chicken & waffles
October 18, 2009 - 12:04 ET by delmarOlbermann=Racist!
Has he, on NFL Sunday, made
October 18, 2009 - 12:10 ET by JesseJacksonIVHas he, on NFL Sunday, made comments like Rush did with Mcnabb? Rush was hired by ESPN with them knowing what he does, but when you start talking about race, people get nervous.
Olbermann's comment was worse
October 18, 2009 - 12:16 ET by delmarBecause unlike Rush's McNabb comment, Olbermann's chicken & waffles comment was racist.
What about Bryant Gumble,
October 18, 2009 - 12:50 ET by SmartypantsWhat about Bryant Gumble, who has spoked out on race on many occasions? He is allowed to work for the NFL Network. This guy openly makes comments about Republicans, white people, etc. even during sports reports, where it is totally out of line. Yet, he has never come under fire from anyone in media for his shenanigans. (Personally, I think this guy is far more of a racist than Rush Limbaugh, but then again liberals cannot be racists, can they?)
The most successful war America has ever waged is quickly becoming President Obama's war on capitalism.
"Rush was hired by ESPN
October 18, 2009 - 15:51 ET by ckc1227"Rush was hired by ESPN with them knowing what he does"
They hired him to talk about the NFL.....he talked about the NFL.
"when you start talking about race, people get nervous."
Whose fault is that? Consult a mirror for your answer.
Hey Jesse!
October 18, 2009 - 16:04 ET by Secret ConservativeALL Rush said about Donovan McNabb is that he thought the media was overhyping McNabb because he was black. If McNabb was white they wouldn't have considered him such a big deal. GUESS WHAT? That was not a criticism of McNabb, or a racist statement ABOUT McNabb. It was an OBSERVATION by a very media-savvy guy about the behavior of...the MEDIA!!! Who then got all up in arms (probably because Rush was correct, as always) and had Rush thrown off the program. What a bunch of crap.
And add me to the pantheon of football fans who absolutely WILL NOT watch the NBC Sunday Night pregame show or the halftime show SOLELY because of Olbermann. Although, I will say, NBC is truly the WORST network for sports coverage.
Is everything all just melanin-based from now on?
October 18, 2009 - 12:43 ET by SickofLibs"Olbermann say a lot of crap". Oh thanks for pointing that out.
So working in a bitch-slap against a vice-presidential candidate, who just happens to be a woman, DURING A PLAY-BY-PLAY, is not discriminatory in any possible way, right?
Right,
October 18, 2009 - 14:32 ET by UpNorthcan't offend community stalwarts like Ray Lewis, Plaxico Burress or the other thugs in the NFL. See the following link, names, dates and charges, and dispositions when known.
http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/4/19/844864/all-nfl-player-arrests-citations
"As an owner, that could be
October 18, 2009 - 15:55 ET by ckc1227"Mark Cuban has been fined more than any owner in American sports"
And yet, he still retains ownership, meaning you didn't answer Candance's question.
As an owner, that could be a problem when it comes to getting free agents to sign."
Then, as an owner, that would be Rush's problem, wouldn't it? Seems to me they already have a problem getting free agents to sign...that's why they suck.
"Olbermann says a lot of crap, but has he said anything that might be
considered racially insensitive to one of the prominent black NFL
players?"
Ahhh, so the truth comes out. It's not that Rush says things that may offend people, it's because he says things that might offend BLACK people...to hell with everyone else. Has KO ever said anything that might be racially insensitive to white NFL players? Has he ever said anything that might be politically insensitive to white NFL players, or Jewish NFL players? How about Christian NFL players? How about Republican NFL players?
I have no doubt that he has, but let's be honest....nobody cares. It only matters if someone says something that might be racially insensitive to blacks, primarily because of shakedown artists like your hero, Jesse Jackson.
Well ckc
October 18, 2009 - 16:25 ET by general companyI do remember this
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
ckc reply to JesseJacksonIV
October 18, 2009 - 16:44 ET by matthewdeanckc:
Your reply, "It only matters if someone says something that might be racially insensitive to blacks" gets an A+ only because I did not feel like taking the time to type out A+++++++++++++++++ !!
MD
We are talking
October 18, 2009 - 12:59 ET by jacktheripperabout the DIVISIVENESS of Rush's statements (NFL Commish words) and Olbermans...whose is more divisive,I ask you?!!!
"The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can
bribe the people with their own money." – Alexis de Tocqueville
There's a difference until a
October 18, 2009 - 13:47 ET by gmaniac1There's a difference until a conservative pundit like Rush tries to "narrate" highlights. However, now that Rush has been castigated over this because of his politics, it may create a stir when someone like Olberman does it. But you keep on with the hypocrisy and living in that bubble.
Oops. Juan flew over the cuckoo's nest
October 18, 2009 - 11:32 ET by CO2MakerGet back on the porch. Shut yo' mouf. We don't be wantin' yo' perspectives values on this topic, and we sure don't want a faux-liberal* like you helping Fox lead the other, real news networks.
* faux-liberal = Fox-liberal, get it?
Hey Juan, Do what I do: tune
October 18, 2009 - 11:36 ET by InfidelphiaHey Juan, Do what I do: tune in to Sunday Night Football at 8:30pm ET to avoid Herr Olbermann altogether.
Corruptionist
October 18, 2009 - 11:38 ET by LynnWhen I see the face of that pompous, foppish, unconscionable guy I grab the remote.
How does he get to keep his job at the inferior MSNBC, much less appear on NBC? Someone take these bones away from this sick dog.
K.O. makes Rush look pastoral.
I think Juan Williams is on the verge of going rogue
October 18, 2009 - 11:39 ET by R D HelmLOL-He better be careful, as the people at National Proletariat Radio aren't going to be happy if he runs away from the liberal plantation.
That's a huge no-no.
-Dave
Juan Williams
October 18, 2009 - 11:42 ET by HoosierEmI think Juan Williams has been enlightened this week and may be losing his love for the hopey-changey administration. When Warren Ballentine told Juan to get back on the porch,that made him mad. When he came to the realization that BHO and some of his supporters purposely blocked Rush, it seemed to open his eyes to the hypocrisy of the left.
If the above is true, let's hope more of the liberal media come to this realization. One down, only a brazillion more of them to go.
Keith keeping one toe in the water
October 18, 2009 - 11:48 ET by obageegeeThe only reason Keith is on "commenting" on Sunday night is so that he has a place to go after Countdown loses the last of it's 15 viewers.
Could you mean.............
October 18, 2009 - 13:54 ET by XBOLTSCould you mean bathtub water? Subtle, very nicely done.
Could you mean.............
October 18, 2009 - 13:54 ET by XBOLTSCould you mean bathtub water? Subtle, very nicely done.
Bathtub?
October 18, 2009 - 14:22 ET by CO2MakerWhat are all these references to bathtub about?
The Story of Bathtub Boy
October 18, 2009 - 16:37 ET by HoosierEmhttp://www.olbermann...
LOL!
October 18, 2009 - 17:01 ET by RukusI never get tired of watching that! LOL! Bathtubs and thumbtacks! : )
Gary
POLITICS: poly (many) + ticks (blood sucking parasites)
Too late!
October 18, 2009 - 23:53 ET by CO2Maker"This video has been removed because of terms of use violation."
Yes, a double standard...but
October 18, 2009 - 12:12 ET by gopsteveYes, a double standard...but who knows who KO is?
It's Job Creation
October 18, 2009 - 12:21 ET by sergeant stogieHiring UberDouche to do the football pregame created other jobs. Two people to wipe the foam and spittle off the desk after he speaks; two more people to help him in and out of the bathtub; and two more to help shove his big fat butt through the narrow studio doorways.
I refuse to watch the pregame because I can't stand to hear his phlegmy voice or look at his bloated orange face.
I thought of Keith Olbermann
October 18, 2009 - 12:46 ET by SmartypantsI thought of Keith Olbermann immediately when this whole Limbaugh NFL debacle surfaced. And not just Olbermann, but Bryant Gumble, who is no question a racist in his own right, is allowed to announce games on the NFL Network.
Liberals can say and do whatever they want w/o repercussion. If a conservative sneezes the wrong way, he loses his job. And Limbaugh never said any of the statements his enemies have accused him of saying. I've listened to the man for over a decade, and I've never heard anything of this nature come from his mouth. He, in fact, treats everyone pretty much the same. Rush Limbaugh is the personification of conservatism and so he has to be discredited at all cost. It is amazing how many people, from local radio dj's to national pundits, have opined on this issue when it is apparent they have never listened to Rush's show.
The most successful war America has ever waged is quickly becoming President Obama's war on capitalism.
First of all Olbermann is a
October 18, 2009 - 13:19 ET by 24enakFirst of all Olbermann is a commentator not an owner. Rush was a commentator for ESPN, and he couldn't go a season without making a controversial statement, and was asked to step down. Olbermann keeps his political views separate from his sports commentating. If you watch him just on Sunday Night Football, and never watched or even heard of his Countdown show than you wouldn't know his political views. Olbermann also has a baseball blog in which he keeps his politics separate from his sports analyst. From his baseball blog called Baseball Nerd:
" POLITICS-FREE
Thanks to all for the comments and the welcomes and the flaming go-to-Hades. This blog is about baseball and not politics; I won't touch the latter here unless it unavoidably pertains to something between the foul lines, so write all you want about left-versus-right - I hope you find it entertaining to yourself, I won't be reading it." (http://keitholbermann.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/03/) Their is absolutely no comparison, Olbermann can control his political and controversial statements to his political show Countdown, he keeps his sports commentary separate from his political commentary. Rush couldn't and no longer will be allowed to have a foot in both politics and sports.
→ Thank you enak
October 18, 2009 - 13:22 ET by Cool ArrowThank you for admitting your posts are not worth our time.
That was a very gracious surrender.
Really?
October 18, 2009 - 14:39 ET by UpNorthOlberman never made a veiled, or not so veiled reference to Sarah Palin on the pre-game show? How about you check the link?
http://newsbusters.o...
24 IQ strikes again...
October 18, 2009 - 15:24 ET by ckc1227...and as usual, has no clue what he's talking about.
Careful Juan, this isn't
October 18, 2009 - 13:22 ET by nolotrippenCareful Juan, this isn't the first time I've read something from you and thought, "Is this guy becoming conservative?"
“It is almost impossible to distinguish a politician from a gangster.” (Will Durant, 1931)
Juan's son Tony...
October 18, 2009 - 16:16 ET by B-townGiantIs a Republican (worked in Strom Thurmond's office) and ran for the DC City Council as a Republican.
Perhaps it is starting to rub off? I've noticed the same changes in Juan lately. No more "Whiny Juan," as I called him for years.
I think his eyes have been opened to the fallacy that is B. Hussein Obama.
Good job, Juan
October 18, 2009 - 14:13 ET by Cheryl DSailor5552
Bravo for speaking truth to power today, Juan.
Watching Mara Liasson's reaction to his honest comments was revealing. She couldn't follow the "company liberal line" because she even finally saw the folly in it. She also copped out with the weak response about not watching football. As if she's never seen Olberman rant on his MSNBC show? Weak and cowardly she is, and can't admit the truth.
I've paid great attention to Mr Williams in print and on NPR and Fox ever since reading his
book, "Enough". If you haven't read it, do yourself a favor and pick it up at your local
library. Fabulous.
Olbermann can call Michelle
October 18, 2009 - 15:58 ET by chessplayerOlbermann can call Michelle Malkin a mashed up bag of meat, and that Hillary Clinton (during the campaign) needed to be taken into a room and beat up, and the "wholesome" NFL welcomes him with open arms. Michael Vick can torture and kill dogs for "fun," and the NFL welcomes him back with open arms. Go figure.
There goes Juan using that fair thing.
October 18, 2009 - 16:01 ET by WorriedI love it when a lib admits the truth.
"I thought of Keith
October 18, 2009 - 16:05 ET by chessplayer"I thought of Keith Olbermann immediately when this whole Limbaugh NFL debacle surfaced. And not just Olbermann, but Bryant Gumble,"
Yup. But Gumble is a racist that has the right skin color, therefore the "wholesome" NFL welcomes him with open arms.
I never liked Juan, but he
October 18, 2009 - 16:13 ET by pwozI never liked Juan, but he seems to be getting better.
Mara, however, has the crazy chick eyes!
I've always like Juan the
October 18, 2009 - 18:53 ET by Jack BauerI've always like Juan the person, but sometimes his views are just plain screwy. Quite a lot of the times, now I think about it
Mara has always seemed a lovely liberalish woman, very sweet -- but she does have mad crazy eyes!
→ Coulda' heard a jaw drop
October 18, 2009 - 19:04 ET by Cool ArrowI just watched FOX News Sunday via DVR.
The usually spirited panel was overtaken with astonished silence when Juan dropped that jewel.
Great moment, that.
Give me immortality, or give me death - firesign
It's a clip from Al
November 9, 2009 - 13:30 ET by charmingirlIt's a clip from Al Franken's Audio Book, and if you're one of those
people that doesn't like Al Franken simply because Bill O'Reilly tells
you not to, then why don't you actually listen to him, and hear what he
sexy lingerie has to say, and make up your own mind. sexy costumes Rather than just think the way
someone else tells you to, that's called being brain washed.
Why were Keith "2 inches" Olbermann's comments...
October 18, 2009 - 18:47 ET by Jman449about Malkin not taken as racist? Think Rush could refer to a black woman as a mashed-up bag of meat without being thrown off the air for being racist?
Good to see Roger Goodell taking a strong stand against "hate speech". Except when it comes to who is co-hosting the NFL's flagship Sunday Night broadcast.
Olby's almost as bad as
October 18, 2009 - 23:21 ET by RR GOPOlby's almost as bad as Dennis Miller in the sports coverage arena.
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.
Keith the Sports Boy doesn't compare to Miller
October 19, 2009 - 00:24 ET by CO2MakerDennis Miller seemed like an odd duck in the booth for those two years, not so much because of lack of football knowledge but because his obscure cultural references didn't fare well with the viewers. His old HBO show was always very good, especially his rants at the end. And his "Miller Time" segment on the O'Reilly show is good (if you can keep BOR quiet). And on almost every segment, you can hear somebody burst out laughing at one of his wacky allusions.
Ramirez on Olbermann and Matthews
October 19, 2009 - 00:19 ET by CO2MakerI used to think Jeff McNelly was the premier political cartoonist alive in my lifetime. But now, I think the palm goes to Michael Ramirez, bitingly funny and a verrrrry good artist. And this cartoon just says all that needs to be said about Chris the Wide-Mouth Frog and Keith the Sports Boy (aka, Bathtub Boy):
mrz091008dAPR.jpg 462×350 pixels
That
October 19, 2009 - 08:13 ET by jessieHThat is why I didn't watch the game.
Olberjerk.
October 19, 2009 - 11:00 ET by blazermaniacI never watch the NBC Sunday Night Football pre-game show, especially with Bathtub Boy involved with it. And this idiot has indeed thrown his political views on this program for a few years. Juan Williams raises a very good point. It's very obvious to me, that there are two sets of rules. And the people on this site what those double standard rule are for the media.