There's a big mystery afoot in the media world thanks to the recent mugging -- or non-mugging -- of Air America radio talk show host Randi Rhodes. The story started when Rhodes's fellow host Jon Elliott reported on the air that Rhodes had been the victim of a beating while walking her dog. Elliott also went a step further, speculating that the beating might have been carried out by the "right-wing hate machine" as a means of silencing Rhodes (see last item). That seemed unlikely, at best.
But then the story got even stranger when it turned out that Rhodes was never beaten or mugged, not by the right-wing hate machine or anyone else. Evidently, she fell while walking her dog and was hurt. Elliott has apologized for his irresponsible speculation, saying that he was simply upset to hear about a friend's bad luck. No matter how this turns out -- maybe Rhodes got tangled in the leash and fell, maybe she was drinking, maybe she has the beginnings of a bad flu, maybe she slipped on a banana peel left in the street by Glenn Beck -- the way it has played out underscores one of the problems with political rhetoric in the country, and one of the many dangers of irresponsible polarization, whether it comes from the right or the left.
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 3)
31. #28
"Elliot has apologized for his irresponsible speculation."
It's easy to say you are sorry when what you did was intentional from the outset. The apology is for those who just want to be able to say "Hey, I'm just like him, aren't I a nice person". Like wearing a dark suit and having an "accident" . You may feel all nice and warm but nobody notices.
JZeeee at 11:18AM on Oct 18th 2007
32. Some people are so indoctrinated by the Hillary "right wing conspiracy theory" they cant get past the hate and divisiveness of the left wing rhetoric... To blame, where there is no evidence, is a typical tactic of the "tolerant and fair" left. Then you top it off when the apologists come to the rescue of the liars! It couldnt get any more obvious!
Mary at 2:13PM on Oct 18th 2007
33. Some people will do anything to try and raise failing ratings...She was probably drunk and took a tumble over her poor pooch! This is an instance of "when good things happen to bad people."
Mark at 2:23PM on Oct 18th 2007
34. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS WOMAN. WHATS THE BIG DEAL, SO SHE FELL DOWN. WOW NOBODY EVER FALLS DOWN OR TRIPS OVER THEIR DOG, BIG NEWS FLASH!!!!! BLA BLA BLA... DEFINATELY A RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY...BLA BLA BLA. HOW BORING.
KATIE at 2:39PM on Oct 18th 2007
35. My theory is that Randi couldn't wait for air america to scam the United Way again in order to make payroll, so she prat-fell in front of a high-end retail store in hopes of getting an injury claim (or perhaps even just a store credit) in motion.
It's sad-people do what they have to do...
BirdmanJones at 5:57PM on Oct 18th 2007
36. Hey there Katie (#32) The importance of Rhodes in this story is secondary . The important part is the use of this admittedly mundane accident by Jon Elliot to transform it into a "right wing thug" pipe dream. Sorry this is lost on you , keep on reading maybe you'll catch up.
Kevin George at 6:47PM on Oct 18th 2007
37. Quit speculating, I DID IT! It was either tripping her or jabbing two sharp pencils in my ears so I'd never hear her crying, whining, liberal chatter again. She is the best thing that ever happened to Rush, Shawn, Glenn, Laura, Michael, and the list goes on. MrNoItAl.
Mike Brown at 12:45AM on Oct 30th 2007