In the video above we addressed a lot of the substance of Rush's comments. You can argue that there was no need to because the comments are so stupid and offensive that there is no sense in responding to them. But what does need to be addressed and what we emphasized on the live show (but what you didn't see in the clip above as much) was the Nelson Mandela comments.
Who criticizes Nelson Mandela? Who still calls him a communist? But much more importantly, who argues that we should not have helped to replace the white government of South Africa? Only a racist like Limbaugh. The transcript is right here:
LIMBAUGH: Yeah. This is -- you're not going to believe this, but it's very simple. And the sooner you believe it, and the sooner you let this truth permeate the boundaries you have that tell you this is just simply not possible, the better you will understand Democrats in everything. You are right. They want to get us out of Iraq, but they can't wait to get us into Darfur.
CALLER: Right.
LIMBAUGH: There are two reasons. What color is the skin of the people in Darfur?
CALLER: Uh, yeah.
LIMBAUGH: It's black. And who do the Democrats really need to keep voting for them? If they lose a significant percentage of this voting bloc, they're in trouble.
CALLER: Yes. Yes. The black population.
LIMBAUGH: Right. So you go into Darfur and you go into South Africa, you get rid of the white government there. You put sanctions on them. You stand behind Nelson Mandela -- who was bankrolled by communists for a time, had the support of certain communist leaders. You go to Ethiopia. You do the same thing.
When I was a Republican, I thought Nelson Mandela was a living legend. He helped transform South Africa into a functioning democracy where everyone was equal without any bloodshed. Look at what has happened in the Palestinian territories and all over the world when you have ineffective leaders who choose violence instead of the path that Mandela took to get to justice. But now I see that I was in the wrong room, with the wrong people. The rest of the people in my party apparently paid lip-service to what I was saying and actually believed what Rush was saying. Did anyone of them ever care about Mandela or the injustice in South Africa at all?
How can anyone say they are a proud Republican anymore? I guess if you disavow all of the people like Limbaugh (and the torturers, and the ones who support wars of aggression and the people who violate the constitution, etc.), then you might be able to begin to rebuild the Republican Party. But what you can't do is claim you support Rush Limbaugh and still pretend not to be a racist.
Remember, Rush earlier in his career also told an African-American caller to "take that bone out of your nose." Let alone his nonsensical comments about how people in the media rooted for Donovan McNabb because he's black and rooted against Rex Grossman because he is white.
None of that matters now, because now Rush's racism is irrefutable. He argued against replacing the white government of South Africa. I guess if he still had it his way, the black citizens of that country -- and maybe our country as well -- would still be under the thumb of white people. I guess just like Rush dreams about.
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Reader Comments ( Page 15 of 16)
211. Why I hate liberals.. This clip is a perfect example of why.. Darfur is an internal disaster I feel bad for the people there.. But lets think for a minute where was the liberal hero Clinton during the same type of disaster in his term Rowanda for all of you who are thinking I mean Kosovo.. He did nothing. But of course liberals need to complain about Iraq and that is just another way to do it.
Also they claim international law hmm well lets see I feel that Sadam offerin 30k to the families of sucide bombers that attacked US interests.
Also his point about the Dems needing black votes is perfectly legit that does not make him racist.. Of course if you watch the clip you even see a black man admiting that it is hard for African Americans to feel connected to the whole continent of Africa.. Yet you are racist if you call them anything but African Americans..
Dave at 6:50PM on Aug 30th 2007
212. i just cannot understand why the people in this country will listen to rush,the same with fox news trying to lead people around by their nose with false an silly info.a few of our great leaders belong in jail for not doing their job.does anyone care any more.
freewolf at 7:22PM on Aug 30th 2007
213. I didn't think it was so much racist from his comments as simply ignorance. Darfur and Iraq are two completely different situations, and should be dealt with separately.
Mr. Tangent at 2:53AM on Aug 31st 2007
214. Of course, I don't think Rush Limbaugh or his listeners are capable of making that distinction that Darfur and Iraq have little to nothing in common.
Mr. Tangent at 2:54AM on Aug 31st 2007
215. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STORY ON HILLARYS "CHINESE" DONATIONS CONNECTION? IT DISAPPEARED OVERNIGHT... OVERSHADOWED BY CRAIG IN THE TOLIET? LIBERAL MEDIA BIAS AT ITS BEST.
brent at 1:55PM on Aug 31st 2007
216. Pointing out that the Democrats pander to constituencies by being selectively indignant about world affairs is not racism. One can disagree with the point without using a highly charged accusation that attacks the person of the propnent taking the discussion off on a tangent. The fact is that Nelson mandela took a highly pricipled stand and paid dearly for it. He deserves the highest accolades for this and I know that most people of good will agree. This does not make him immune from legitimate criticism Your example of the Palestinian issue is an ironic case in point. Mandela has consistantly justified Palsetinian atrocities while condemnig Israel every time it defended itself. For this Mandela certainly deserves to be criticized while still recognizing his substantial achievements. Also, let's not forget that Gandhi, an icon of those espousing passive resistence and a model for Dr. King, was himself a victim of South african repression but had some very strange racial ideas including a bizarre admiration for Hitler.
eric at 2:22PM on Aug 31st 2007
217. Gee Cenk, if you take out the torturers, the pedifiles, the supporters of wars of agression, the racists, those who think that the constitution is just a piece of paper and the creationists just who would you have left in the republican party.
Also, mixing racism and Rush in the same blog is genius. Its bound to bring out the comments. Just think, you get both the white racists and the dittoheads to defend thier views. As a result this is probably the most popular blog for the last few months.
Good job Cenk.
Steve Seivers at 8:26PM on Aug 31st 2007
218. Who are the real hypocrites here? What's wrong with being racist? You people that preach tolerance are the only ones that are intolerant of someone elses views. Political correctness is killing America. If you folks think that we are all the same, why don't you move to the hood? A lot of black people just don't know how to behave. It's just simply true. But gosh, say that out loud and your a racist. So what? Black people aren't the only minority in America, but everything given to minorities is done so to soley appease black people. No one in the history of earth have been given so much and done so little with it. Give a man a fish--feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish--feed him for a lifetime. Time these people learn to fish.
jscotthhi at 12:10AM on Sep 1st 2007
219. The far left Demos, after months of it, have now continued to hand out heavy racist abuse to our young and capable Mexican Attorney General. He quit to escape further useless racist hen pecking and undeserved illegal political torture..RudyHK
Rudolph H. Kempter at 1:27AM on Sep 1st 2007
220. Rush "Fat Ass" Limbaugh is just typical of a white who is stealing a lot of money for doing nothing but making the right connections. (i.e., roger clemens, don imus, david beckham. etc.). Who is listening to this "Drug Head"?! He need to take a 9MM and place it into his mouth to rid himself of his demons.
Ray at 11:40AM on Sep 1st 2007
221. I had posted my opinion Re: Limbaugh in an earlier post. Came back to this site today and was appalled at many of the posts I read.
The Gop Klan is incredibly steeped in hatred towards Democrats/Liberals. Why the childish name calling and incredibly racist, intolerant behavior because of the party one decides to choose? Are you afraid of 2008 elections?
CD, your remarks about HIV/AIDS in Africa were a sad commentary on, what I'm afraid, may be a large consensus that believes your notion. hiv in Northern and mid Africa is believed to be widely spread by long distance truck drivers that have frequent unsafe sex with prostitutes along their routes and spread it from town to town as they go on there merry way. This means they gave it to two friends , who gave it to two friends and on and on. Aids is an epidemic or pandemic due to the fact they do not recieve meds for HIV therefore it becomes full blown AIDS rapidly.Aids has a high prevalance in the richest Southern countries of Africa ( S. Africa, Botswana ) beacuse they can afford the meds they have an outward appearance of health, spreading HIV without concern for their partners at all. Just Me, you are wayyyyyyyy right!
Bern or Bernie you analogize liberalism as a disease. Why, do you think it's contagious? If it were, I would sure as heck like it if more of your ilk would catch it.
Go Home, blah blah. You are most likely a man, due to the mention of abortion. Because that certainly has sooooooo much to do with what this blog is about. Call me when you have a vagina.
Jscotthi, Blacks do not know how to behave? WTF! Are African-Americans children that need to be taught how to properly act? I feel much empathy towards the problem /illness that is affecting your brain because I cannot think of any other reason for such an obtuse statement.
All of the conservatives that are so keen on mentioning Mr. Mandela's connection with the ANC, left out everything but the worst part. He tried Ghandis methods of peaceful demonstrations to rid S. Africa of Apartheid, he reached a point where everything Lawful and Just he tried failed at ending Apartheid. Mandela later admitted that the ANC, in it's struggle against Apartheid, also violated human rights, and has sharply criticised attempts by parts of his party to remove statementssupporting this fact from the reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Sound like a mean, nasty Communist to you? He told the truth.
Matt #79, one does not have to start a war in Darfur to help end the Genocide, taking away bullets will not end it because they use machetes. I
only know it is wrong and if we, the entire world, would not have allowed it to go on for so long it could have been prevented. I just donate to http://www.NotOnOurWatchProject.org
It is all I am able to do.
Kent, Bush did absolutely nothing for victims of Katrina, yet you still blame Democrats. His tush was at that bridge collapse lickety-split, majority white cities.
rhodalee at 2:14PM on Sep 1st 2007
222. I just dont get it. Why for 1 day, can't we all just not worry about making our pockets fatter, buying a bigger car than our neighbor/bigger house, and actually want to help some ppl that need it the most. Where is the love for the fellow man regardless of color or religon or family. We are all in this together. and we need to fight problems together, not turn another cheek if its not u in trouble. cause 1 day it will be you in that situation. and it will be hard for ppl to get to you after u burn all bridges. We need to work together to faces HUMANITY problems not RACE problems. If it keeps up like this no one will get out of life alive......
flecker8705 at 3:50PM on Sep 1st 2007
223. Everyone is racist, democrats and republicans alike. I am not saying it is right or wrong—it is what it is. According to our first amendment rights, Americans have the right to free speech. Essentially, we CAN say whatever we want, but SHOULD we say it????
It would be hypocritical for me to say, “Shame on everyone.” Sometimes I slip up and think or say some not so nice things about others—even those of my own race (Hispanic). The point is, I reflect, promptly admit when I am wrong, and make a conscious effort not to do it again. BUT, those, for example Limbaugh, who openly, CONTINUALLY, and maliciously speak out on certain topics—topics they normally know nothing about and have never experienced—are irrational, illogical, and are insecure people who hate to cover up their inferiority.
However, IN CERTAIN CASES, for example Attorney General Gonzales, some actions are justifiable--The truth hurts. He was uncooperative, evasive and suspicious. He makes me sick and is a disgrace to my race and to the United States as a whole. If he said, “I can’t remember,” one more time, I was going to scratch my eyeballs out. Good riddance to him and Rove. BUT WHO AM I TO JUDGE???
lissa at 3:23PM on Sep 12th 2007
224. Having a Honorable Discharge from the USAF as a ICBM CrewChief Minuteman III 1980-1984 Grand Forks AFB 321 Stratigic Missle Squadron. I think each and everyone of you big mouth blow hard. Hawkish cowards who hide behind you microphones and beat the drums of war, Does not matter what war. Pick one anyone of them. You and your children should shut up and Put up. Give up your Luxury SUV's Your 5000 sqare foot 2 story 5th Ave appartments and Put YOUR ASS AN YOUR CHILDRENS ASS's in the battle and when and if you or your Offspring survive. Then and only then do you get the right to beat the drums for war. None of the Right wing Hawks have ever been in a Uniform. Other than there Blue suits and red tie's and white shirts. of MBA or Journlism schools paid for by mommy and daddys money. To protect your candy ass's from going in harms way for this country that you and your wealthy parents have benifited so greatly from. N Yes i benifited from serving. It gave me a education I WOULD NEVER HAVE EVER AFFORDED, But i EARNED it. Not my parents no a draft deferment. And Frankly i am so digusted with the Right and the LEFT and there Hawks n Chickens, You scream at each other YET NEITHER OF YOU DO A DAYM THING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER. MY HERO is PAT TILMAN ,, Hanity you wana know what a great amrican is HE IS JUST THAT. Gave up so much for the belief in this country.... YOU Limbaugh , and all the other HAWKS who are to chicken to go yourself STAND BACK AND APPLAUD YET YOUR COWARDS EXTRODINAIRE.......... racist cowards who bash homosexuals and call others unamerican for voicing there opion becuase they disagree with you and the adminstration. To me it feels like Dejavue of downfall of nixon and watergate... and i hated how i felt after that my soul sank to new lows the economy tanked. and the VP chain he was right there with the people who caused the fall of nixon to his disgrace.. as was rummy the crummy..
Now you all who never dare tread were danger could cost you your high standards of life ... who else would serve no prison time for having 30,000 tablets of controled drug that made them go deaf ??? or a fat lil irsh kid who only accomplishment is his big mouth. Never seen a weapon beyond a photo op. Shawn Your anything but a great american....
Maybe you great american Hawks who are truely chickenhawks in the bathroom secretly. Should scrifice a lil of your time to the nation and those of US who gave you the right to be such hate filled hypocrits and when you do serve your time to country I will then listen to what you have to say.... maybe mandella was tied to subversive groups but what he has done after release is nothing more then phenominal... a Peaceful transfer of power to all the people of south africa. Let that south east Mo. redneck fat puck serve some time .. oh yea daddy pulled strings to keep him out of service with bad back or some crap.. revolution coming to the rich get ready you claim majority should rule well your about to find out how it will and you will be come front line fighters to help keep the wolfs from our door who are pissed at your profit taking at other humans misery..
Ana at 3:34AM on Sep 5th 2007
225. Its a waste of time to listen this fat idiot.....
gt at 10:15AM on Sep 7th 2007