The Daily Ping

FROM: Ryan
DATE: Thursday October 2, 2003 -- 10:55:41 am

The fun continues for Rush. After proclaiming that drug users are a drain on society and should be shipped off to another country, he himself is being investigated for illegal drug purchases.

Maybe he can join Bill O'Reilly in making jokes about minorities stealing his hubcaps.

FROM: Chris
DATE: Thursday October 2, 2003 -- 1:32:40 pm

The statement was in no way racist. Racism requires a belief in the genetic inferiority of the race. Nothing Rush said implied that he thinks McNabb is inferior because he is black. What he did say is that McNabb gets a free ride from the sports press because he is black. Is it true? I don't know. I don't follow the Eagles. However, bringing up the point doesn't make him racist.

FROM: Dave Walls [E-Mail]
DATE: Thursday October 2, 2003 -- 2:24:39 pm

For something that caused "such an uproar", you think that it would have made the news somewhere...say, Philadelphia?? Hardly a word was mentioned anywhere about these comments until the Democrat president wannabes started raising a fuss. When did we start caring about what Al Sharpton says, anyways?

Poltics aside, there's three points to really be made here:

1) Rush's job on ESPN was to stir things up a bit. Create some controversy. I'd say he'd done that, with ease. Ratings were up over 11 percent since Rush joined this season.

2) If it was a racist comment, why didn't Michael Irvin or Tom Jackson, two other commentators, say anything? If you look at the clip of the comment (it's in ESPN Motion on ESPN.com), after Rush made the comments, Tom Jackson jumped in, and debated the issue of McNabb's ability in the past, and whether the success of the Eagles in the past was due to McNabb, or the Eagles defnese. If the comment was so offensive, why wasn't this topic brought up then?

3) What did Rush say that was wrong/deserved of being fired over? Rush was definitely wrong about the comment of the media being "very desirous" of wanting a black QB to succeed. Doug Williams already lead the Redskins to a Super Bowl a long time ago. Steve McNair did it with the Titans, and came up one yard short. Rush is off base there, no question.

The real issue that Rush was getting to, however, was simply that McNabb, over the last year, has gotten way too much credit for the success of the Philadelphia Eagles. Those of us who are Philadelphia fans have known that the defense has enabled McNabb to survive. His inaccuracy would have crippled other teams. Granted, he hasn't had the best corps of receivers around him, but his errant throws have made for some painful seasons. (I see Ronde Barber running 94 yards in my nightmares).

Here's my point: Was Rush incorrect about the statement about the media "being desirous" of wanting a black QB to succeed? Yes. Was everything else he said right on the money? Absolutely.

Was it offensive? I don't think so. In order to play for any team in Philadelphia, you've gotta have some THICK skin. Roman Cechmanek couldn't handle critism, so he's playing with L.A.. Mike Schmidt always had battles with the media and fans, but he survived. If Donovan
can't handle a little criticism, he's playing in the wrong town.

Personally, I thought it was way less offensive than the stuff that Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder said in 1988. (third paragraph down in the link).
This whole thing wasn't even a news story until Donovan himself started whining about it in the press.

Anyways, Rush did the right thing by stepping aside. What sort of effect this might have on his career, i.e.: his radio show, future TV..will be seen in the coming months.

Here's the interesting kicker I'm surprised that no one picked up: Rush Limbaugh is in Philadelphia today, as the keynote speaker at the National Association of Broadcasters convention. One of my co-workers is supposed to be talking with Rush..I'll see what he says when it's over, and post more later..

FROM: Matt
DATE: Thursday October 2, 2003 -- 5:36:15 pm

This is the biggest case of white media pc assholes rushing to the aide of the "poor minority." The only rascists are whites who patronize blacks and act as their big brothers.

FROM: elwood
DATE: Thursday October 2, 2003 -- 9:07:50 pm

so where's the racist remark?

if what rush said is racist, then i can definitely find you a bigger media idiot - the U.S. Supreme Court. Their statement saying that minorities can't make it on their own is a true racist statement. unlike what Rush said.

FROM: Greg
DATE: Friday October 3, 2003 -- 11:00:36 am

I need help. Where is this fine line? We give accolades to a man because he's black and that's racist. On the flip side, students get extra points on college entrance exams because they're black and that's not racist? Can you see my confusion here?

And they might not be as big of an idiot as Rush but my vote for 2nd and 3rd place go to Jessie Jackson and Al Frankin. And there's got to be an honorable mention in there for George W too.

FROM: Paul
DATE: Friday October 3, 2003 -- 1:34:22 pm

Al Franken is, in my mind, one of the smartest men out there. He cuts through a lot of the pompacity to get to the heart of the matter: stupid white guys.

That said, insofar as affirmative action goes, the theory is that it wouldn't be necessary if everything was equal for all races. But, I think almost everyone would agree that it definitely is not.

FROM: Tim
DATE: Friday October 3, 2003 -- 4:24:38 pm

So Al Sharpton can falsely accuse a
white police officer of rape and still
be running for President but Limbaugh
cannot make any oblique reference to
anything racial.

FROM: abby normal
DATE: Friday October 3, 2003 -- 10:35:14 pm

it looks like slate.com must be racist as well, since their top story is "Rush is Right". Here's part of the article:

"Rush Limbaugh didn't say Donovan McNabb was a bad quarterback because he is black. He said that the media have overrated McNabb because he is black, and Limbaugh is right. He didn't say anything that he shouldn't have said, and in fact he said things that other commentators should have been saying for some time now. I should have said them myself. I mean, if they didn't hire Rush Limbaugh to say things like this, what they did they hire him for? To talk about the prevent defense? "

You guys are way off on this ping. Rush was right.

FROM: Paul
DATE: Saturday October 4, 2003 -- 10:17:29 am

I'm actually glad that Dave brought up Jimmy The Greek, because in comparison, his comment was far more insulting than Limbaugh's.

I maintain that Limbaugh is still an idiot, however.

FROM: Dave Walls [E-Mail]
DATE: Saturday October 4, 2003 -- 10:50:23 am

I actually agree that Rush is an idiot..to me, Rush and Al Franken are in the same league. People who take their intellectual knowledge of politcs, and use it for dividing the country. Educating people about the other politcal views is out there is fine, but the arguing and bickering between the parties and commentators does nothing but divide us further.

FROM: aharris
DATE: Saturday October 4, 2003 -- 10:41:56 pm

Stop me if you've heard this one:
Q: Why doesn't Harlem have a professional football team?
A: B/c…where are you going to find a quarterback.

This is the sentiment that Rush was conveying when he made his comment. The idea that Black athletes are steed. They can run fast and catch but can’t be quarterback b/c...that requires "skill".

I'm also confused by Rush’s response that he was commenting on "the media". No he wasn't. He was making a racial jab. The crux of his statement is: McNabb gets so much attention b/c he is a black athlete. Even if you took out all mention of the media, the point of what he was saying is the same.

What *I* hear him saying is: Black quarterbacks suck. McNabb only marginally sucks (not totally) so he's getting a lot of attention b/c he has managed to surpass the expected suckiness.

And if that's NOT what he's saying then why bring up race at all? Earlier postings mentioned that McNabb was whining and that McNabb needs to accept criticism as a Philly player. The problem w/ Rush's comment is that it wasn't about his completion percentage or his technique it was about his RACE. Why is that ok?

I get the same feeling of contempt when I hear someone refer to how "articulate" Colin Powell or Condie Rice are. Why is this so exceptional?? B/c they are black? You don't hear anyone saying: Wow! Cheney...he speaks so WELL. (to paraphrase Chris Rock)

But I will say this, Rush definitely should NOT have been fired (or pressured to leave). He's Rush, he's offensive, it's what he does. In fact, it was far LESS offensive than some of the other things he's said. I mean this is a guy famous for telling a black caller to take the bone out of her nose and call him back.

IMO Rush shouldn't have made the comment. I it was inappropriate to even bring up race. I feel it has no place in the discussion of McNabb's ability as a quarterback. And his excuse about commenting on the media is BS. Since when is he the sole voice for the media? Who knows why McNabb gets so much attention. Maybe it's b/c he was in a soup commercial, but saying it's b/c of his race is uncalled for.

FROM: Robert [E-Mail]
DATE: Sunday October 5, 2003 -- 2:22:50 am

I mean this is a guy famous for telling a black caller to take the bone out of her nose and call him back.

Don't you think that story has all the makings of an urban legend?

FROM: aharris
DATE: Sunday October 5, 2003 -- 3:15:48 am

;) I don't think so.

That very article says this:

"We aren't aware that Rush Limbaugh has ever addressed this issue to either confirm or deny it, but it's possible he has and we've just missed it. "

Yeah it's *possible* Rush didn't actually say this, but it's very likely he did. But you're right, I've never heard him admitting that he said this. But this is an extremely popular quote. Almost everyone attributes him w/ saying this. If someone accused ME of saying something so heinous I'd certainly stand up and deny it.

But then...I'm not Rush, am I? :)

FROM: tropical smoothie
DATE: Sunday October 5, 2003 -- 2:40:44 pm

It's funny how snopes.com tries and slant its article by posting a 15 year old stock photograph of Rush to perpetuate the "big-fat-idiot" concept. I highly doubt snopes.com is using a 15 year old photograph of any other personality on their web site.

That being said, I think Rush was wrong for the simple fact he picked the wrong black quarterback to talk about. As I sit here typing this, I'm watching Cordell Stewart throw yet another interception in the Oakland game. Steward is no quarterback and has no business playing that position.

FROM: tropical smoothie
DATE: Sunday October 5, 2003 -- 2:49:53 pm

And as far as that "bone in the nose" comment goes, I wouldn't be surprised that it was a comment made by radio funny man Phil Hendrie. If you haven't heard of his show, he does a spoof on interviews whereby he is his own guests by doing their voices as well as his own. Sometimes he'll immitate radio personalities like Rush or Tom Leykis. In Leykis' case, Tom often autographs women's "racks" in real life, but Phil will immitate Tom as signing men's "ball sacks".

oh, and Steward just threw another interception.

FROM: Ace High
DATE: Friday October 10, 2003 -- 4:53:07 pm

This reminds me of back in the 80s when Jimmy Snyder was crucified by the media as a bigot for saying one of the reasons African Americans are represented disproportionately in sports is because under slavery slaves were bred for size and strength. There was nothing bigoted about what Snyder said. Plenty of black athletes spoke up for him and generaly it was the white liberals who raked him over the coals. As a matter of fact, there is an element of truth to what Mr. Snyder said. Rush is a blowhard who dumbs down his show (and thus contributes to the dumbing down of political and social discourse is general), but that does not logicaly qualify him as a bigot. Besides, Al Sharpton isn't one to talk, he did falsely accuse NYPD officers of rape not out of concern for the alleged victim, but as a means of crass self promotion.

FROM: dave
DATE: Friday October 10, 2003 -- 5:09:52 pm

Rush came out today as a drug addict.

It remains to be seen whether he will still believe that drug addiction is always a choice, as he so often stated on his program.

FROM: David N. Miles
DATE: Monday February 7, 2005 -- 6:41:17 am

After last night's superbowel, I think he was more right than ever!

FROM: Ryan [E-Mail]
DATE: Monday February 7, 2005 -- 9:02:27 am

Yeah, because taking your team to the NFC playoffs several years in a row and then to the super bowl and losing by only three points to defending champions... yeah, that means he's totally overrated. *rolls eyes*

FROM: Dave Walls [E-Mail]
DATE: Monday February 7, 2005 -- 9:12:31 am

I must have missed the Super Bowel...was that on after the Howard Stern show?

Hey, I'm pissed about the Eagles losing, because three interceptions killed us, but he has been consistently good throughout the last few years, including a fantastic 2004-05.

Painfully close, but we never would have gotten there without McNabb and Terrell Owens. (Now, just GET RID of Freddie Mitchell)

FROM: Joseph
DATE: Thursday April 21, 2005 -- 5:07:27 pm

Super Bowel

Was that on purpose? Makes me think of a giant colon. Was the Super Bowel some sort of Howard Stern fart joke?