When Byrd in charge (majority leader like Lott from 77-81, 87-88) did he make comments like Lott? Lott wasn't joking... he was in front of a bunch of Thurmondians! He was singing to the choir!!! Did Byrd ever say during those years "You know, looking back, if we (KKK) would have just been in power, we wouldn't have had all of these problems."? No, because that would be politically crazy. Not that Byrd isn't crazy (he is from WV;-), but politically, he's very astute. Everyone knows that Rush's every move is watched, so as soon as he slips he's called out on it. The same goes for anyone claiming the moral, ethical, or social high ground (Buffett, Graham, etc.). But in Rush's case, he could actually have some proof before you spout off. I mean, take a survey or something!?! As for finding a liberal in a comparable position of power that's been fired for saying something stupid, I'd have to do some research. One doesn't come to mind. I think that it still goes back to the same point though... Republicans are seen as elitist, white, rich, uptight know it alls, and when they say something disparaging or ill-conceived about minorities it doesn't go over well. Especially when there is no proof of the assertion and it plays on the idea of affirmative action, which Republicans oppose.
Correct! There's an example TM! That was 20 years ago though. http://www.bet.com/articles/0,1048,c1gb7564-8390-1,00.html#boardsAnchor
I had forgotten Cosell's blunder. As for a liberal who got canned for saying the wrong thing, how about Bill Maher with Politically Incorrect, a funny title since the show was basically a celebration of political correctness. Anyway, he got canned for saying the 9/11 terrorists had courage and has spent the last two years bellyaching about it. I think the odd thing about this Rush incident is that he really didn't say anything racist. That's what made that idiot McNabb look so stupid with his statement that he wouldn't accept an apology. No one is offering an apology. In effect Rush accused the writers of reverse racism. He never said anything that was racial about McNabb, only that writers' perception of him was influenced by the writers' desire to see a black QB do well. The way McNabb was acting you would have thought Rush used him as an example of why blacks shouldn't be allowed to play QB. There seems to be a lot of wanting to have it both ways here. We are supposed to be acutely aware of the race of headcoaches, GM's and QB's for affirmative action purposes, but it is "insensitive" to note their race otherwise.
McNabb was told by the writers what Rush said, he didn't hear it himself before he made that comment. And why would you call him an idiot? If you're a high profile athlete and your told by a sportswriter that somebody said something racist about black quarterbacks being overrated, you might not want to accept an apology either. Then again, you might not have heard it from the horses mouth. In that case, I'll accept an apology from you for Donovan
AAAintheBeltway is highly over rated as a poster. The conservative members on this board back and promete him only because they want to present a neo-con in a good light. Surely AAAintheBeltway, you would have no problem with what I said since I was really talking about the other conservative, and not really you.
someone like me doesn't care about arnold's past, nor rush's football comments or alleged drug problem. nobody's perfect and it's not really a big deal, anyway.
As an African American male, it always strikes me as an oddity that this type of comment has so many non-African Americans so upset. Let me state for the record, this year so far McNabb stinks. His numbers suck. As pissed as some would like to be about the statement of facts, they are supported. And yes, I do believe that lots of white folks get awfully touchy-sensitive about ANY criticism of us when we do not measure up. And there are times when my "Blackness" can gain me a pass. And for me personally, that is a problem. It is very easy to live comfortably in the uneasiness of folks being afraid of speaking out, should I choose that posture. I don't! When I screw up, not only do I want to know about it, I want to know about it. Now, might it not be an easy thing to digest. YES! But I do want to hear about it. Too many times it does get sugar coated from that place of "making a racist statement" fear that so many of you are afraid of. I do understand the difference between a race-based statement, and a racist statement. It is only the latter one that I and so many of my fellow folks of color detest. Don't get yourselves baited into what I call the "Jesse Jackson Alert" mode. That is, feeling that it is not right to critique us harshly when it is deserved based on our own actions and resultant facts. There is a solid team effort in Philly that is responsible for the team position. Good, or bad. Someone here earlier stated that the supporting cast isn't that good. Well, that's when the quality players rise up. McNabb can easily meet his receivers on an independent practice program to make sure that they do start to do it better. Anyone ask him about that? He himself could notice the troubles that the line is having and do the little unseen things that mark a great player of the position. Many moons ago I too played the sport (basketball too). I do not think the team work ethic is that great of their own EXTRA efforts. But you see the quarterback is a leader. And I do find fault in the/his leadership effort to warrant great player status AT THIS TIME! I am quite sure they give their all until the final whistle of practice. Please understand, many players are great in their own minds because they made it to the pros. And with so many of them, at that level, the only thing that IS great is their egos. Personally, I really don't find the kind of racial/racist issue with Rush's statement that many of you seem to. That goes for a big number of my associates also. And it is ok to open the question up for debate, because it just might have some merits.