Rush Limbaugh Blames Obama For Shooting?
- By Simple Politiks
- 24 August, 2012
- 29 Comments
Earlier today there was another horrific shooting which is being referred to as “The Empire State Building Shooting“.
Hours after the shooting, Rush Limbaugh made some controversial statements. I don’t listen to Limbaugh (or anyone on the radio, really… I just don’t have the time), but in this instance I did not like what he had to say:
LIMBAUGH: The New York Daily News and a lot of the New York media and some of the television networks — New York Daily News reporting that the Empire State Building shooter — you heard about this? OK. New York Daily News reporting the Empire State Building shooter did indeed kill his boss. Well, he was fired yesterday. He went out there and he killed his boss. I wonder if Obama’s constant warfare on bosses and so forth might have led this guy to pull the trigger.
[...]
LIMBAUGH: Oh, you ought to see the faces of the people on the other side of the glass. “Oh, no. Rush, you didn’t really said that — say that. We got time on the delay to — no, Rush. Oh, you didn’t really say” — yes, I said it. And we’re not going to bleep it out.
I’ll guarantee you, the last time there was a shooting in New York, who’d the mayor blame it on? Tea Party people that didn’t like health care, right? Gabby Giffords, you name it. The shooting out in Colorado. Brian Ross, Tea Party did it.
Well, here you got a guy shooting his boss for being fired. Who’s out there ripping bosses to shreds every day? Who’s out there ripping businesses to shreds every day? And who’s out there killing jobs every day?
So, yes. We’re trying to illustrate absurdity by being absurd. The absurd way the news media, the rest of the left, try to capitalize and politicize any terrible crime that they think they can associate with Republicans or conservatives. We’ve seen it time and time again.
So, why not give them a dose of their own medicine here? You think Obama, you think the Democrats have any blood on their hands with this shooting today?
Don’t be frightened in there on the other side of the glass. It isn’t any big deal.
I understand Rush’s statement “We’re trying to illustrate absurdity by being absurd,” but what I can’t stand is how counterproductive and polarizing this statement is. His implication goes far beyond Brian Ross’ inaccuracy when reporting the Colorado shooter’s political affiliation. Ross’ inaccuracy was brought upon by a lack of follow through with his fact checking. It was an incredibly stupid mistake… But a mistake, nonetheless. This is not the same situation. Limbaugh is actually encouraging the implication that the President himself is at fault for the shooter’s decision to kill his boss and then attempt to kill the police officers who tried to arrest him. The thought process is as ridiculous as Romney being blamed for the death of Joe Soptic’s wife!
It isn’t factual!
The only impact Rush’s statements are going to result in is the development of an increasingly more polarized political atmosphere. More finger-pointing/use of the “But he did it, too!” argument as some sort of justification for the inability to take the high road. And how is that going to help this nation? Especially in its most politically divisive time? How will Rush’s statements aid the development of compromise among the voters and their elected officials? We’re already in enough gridlock today as it is! If Rush wanted to help our political climate then you would think he would take the high road and say the exact opposite… You know, something like:
“Even if I had the political affiliation of the shooter and it turned out to be OWS, I wouldn’t use it to politicize a tragic shooting. The only purpose that kind of information serves is to divide and destroy the cohesiveness of a democracy.”
That is what I want to see! That is what America needs to see. And it’s about time somebody says it.
Copyright © 2013 
I think all the rhetoric gets more heated as we approach the election. Both sides are trying to excite their base to vote so the “bad guys” get kicked out of office. Plus, Rush likes being controversial because it increases his ratings.
Our country has so many big issues to tackle right now. I wish our politicians and the 24 hour news cycle would just cool it and try to negotiate some solutions for our economy.
Lisa
http://sheslosingit.net
I think that’s a part of it too. I have no doubts about Rush trying to get attention most of the time. His audience listens to him, though… And that’s the problem.
It seems you are engendering too much credence to this flagrant demagogue and mountebank. Rush is so patently unscrupulous, perfidious, and cynical in his diatribes. After all, this is how he makes his pathetic living, and nothing which oozes from his corpulent maw can be taken seriously by any cogent adult. The real problem on display here is the portion of our society still credulous or self-deceptive enough to be taken in by the squalid rants of this snake oil salesman.
Yes I believe I am too. I know Rush’s ways even though I don’t regularly listen to him. However, the main reason I wrote the post was simply because he has a significant following. Sadly, this following listens to him… And that’s the problem =\
I am not sure why so many Conservatives hold Rush in such esteem. I think he has done some good things, but in so many instances he is the Joe Biden of the Right. If you ever do listen to talk radio, which is generally the “Voice crying in the wilderness,” try Bill Bennet, the former Secretary of Education. It is fair, thoughtful and respectful to callers. Rush Limbaugh and Mike Gallagher, while on the Conservative side, are really just loud mouths. They have some points, but get off the path many times. MIchael Medved is good and so in Dennis Prager.
I agree, I wish he had not said it, it does no good to be like Ross and so many in the Main Media. As you have said, it is counter productive.
Thanks for the tip, Gasbagger! I’ll be sure to check out Bill Bennet’s talk show sometime. I like your “Joe Biden of the Right” comparison.
Negativity and controversy sell, unfortunately. I also want a popular TV/radio personality to take the high road, but I think it’s up to us bloggers and the citizenry. If our politicians and TV personalities aren’t going to do it–it’s up to us. It’s up to us.
We’ll make an impact eventually.
Great post! I really enjoy reading about politics, when I’m not feeling overly cynical…
First of all, Limbaugh is an idiot. And as usual he doesn’t have his facts right. The man didn’t kill his boss, he killed a co-worker, a salesman. The shooter was a designer for the company and for whatever reason the two of them had been at each other for years. Also, he wasn’t fired yesterday, he was laid off over six months ago. So if you are going to make idiotic statements (see calling someone a prostitute) at least base them on facts. I wonder how Limbaugh can breathe with his head that far up his ass.
I agree with rayfusel for the most part and in spirit. And your facts are correct, but, if I may, RL didn’t call the woman (or certain women in general) a prostitute. He called her a whore, at least as far as I know. I am sure you are familiar with the distinction. It reminds me of a quote from a Woody Allen movie, Shadows and Fog, but I digress. When he called them whores, what he was intimating was that government funding of condoms, birth control and abortions is all for the purpose of letting permiscuous female college students shack-up until they are bowlegged. He and I object to financing a permicuous lifestyle. If college girls want to screw their brains out, fine by me; I just don’t want to pay for it. This is the simple, obvious but unconfessed reality of the situation. Honestly, why should we pay for that? Still RL is a bonehead, I agree.
This is what Rush gets paid for. Rush is not running for public office so it is not equivilent to what crap that candidates say.
congrats on the site, very interesting read
Thanks for posting, I think. I personally do not pay attention to what Limbaugh says and I usually shut people down who cite him as a source. He is an entertainer, provocateur and his opinion is usually not well grounded. I realize there are people who do listen just as they listen to other barking dogs like Glenn Beck, etc. To be fair, I am not a fan of Keith Olberman either, but he is severely outgunned on the right by louder and more voices. My grandmother used to say the louder your voice, the worse your argument. See if it holds true more than it does not. BTG
I agree with you on RL, not all that sure about Beck. He has produced a lot of historical data and gotten a lot of issues out in front of the public. Before the last election, without Beck, I would say, less than five percent of the American people had even heard of Jekyll Island, and those who did thought it was some kind of Sci-Fi movie.
As to Oberman, he is truly an idiot. He misquotes, is woefully uninformed and inaccurate and is more biased than a Grandmother her grandson’s Flugelhorn recital. And he is very hostile to things of a religous nature.
But, I am glad to read your input.
To me Beck is scarier than Limbaugh as he has a more polished image. Yet, I find him inventing facts as much as others. We need real data from credible sources and he does not fit the bill in my mind. Maybe others would disagree, but as an Old Fart, I am not buying what he is selling. I get my TV news from the PBS Newshour and BBC World News America as they have civil discussion with people who usually know what they are talking about. Thanks for commenting on my earlier comment.
Well, there’s your answer. PBS is left like NPR. I am not sure about BBC, but my knee jerk reaction is that it is left as well. I have listened to it, but can’t find anything to anchor to. I have to rely on others for now.
I’m conservative and not a Rush fan either. But do you think we can cut him some slack and understand that what he is trying to do is demonstrate the folly of Liberal reasoning apply back to them?
I do understand his reasoning. I just think it is the same as a child’s reasoning. Doing something absurd in retaliation of the left’s absurdity will feel fair and just… But how does it solve the problem? It only adds fuel to the fire because his followers will back him up. That’s why I’m not giving Rush a break for his statements.
Agreed, somewhat. I am sure he will be glad to hear we have let him off the hook. Har!
That guy again. I’ll pay attention on him when he is finally capable of reasoning and contruct arguments as an adult would.
Haha that would be nice, wouldn’t it?
Great article. I particularly agree with your final statement, “…..The only purpose that kind of information serves is to divide and destroy the cohesiveness of a democracy.” America becomes more divided every day. Politicians shamelessly embarrass our “democracy”. We have laws regarding every type of morale or value that citizens should uphold; but not enough as it relates to our politicians’ behaviors, actions and words.
Limbaugh can view his opinion, unfortunately, because of freedom of speech. As inacurrate as the information may be or even suggest, he can say it. But we don’t have to listen.
There is another America out there. A democracy of citizens with hopes and dreams. Heroes that shine daily… even construction workers; and RL nor political “mudsling” will take that away from the American people.
I’m not sure which metaphor fits Rush’s behavior: preaching to the choir, throwing gas on the fire… in any case, I believe that his strategy is not for logical discussion, but to affiliate President Obama’s name to anything distateful.
Oscar
“We’re trying to illustrate absurdity by being absurd,” but what I can’t stand is how counterproductive and polarizing this statement”
it appears that maybe you don’t ‘understand’. He’s making the very accurate point that the liberal lead media immediately and without fail, blames conservative for any criminal act they can: the AZ shooting, the recent shooting of the Temple and in Colorado, where “news” journalist tied the name of a Tea Party member TO the shooter – falsely and incorrectly with no evidence. That is what Limbaugh does – shows up their absurd hypocrisy with humor. I applaud him for it.
I like that you don’t shy away from controversial topics but why give even more time and space to someone as amoral and as badly intentioned as Rush Limbaugh?
Very very nice site
Normally I wouldn’t waste my time. Every now and then I do something different, though. Depends on how strongly I feel about it at the time.
Thank you!
Take a deep breath… Okay here it goes. Politics is like pro wrestling. The outcomes are fixed. Rush Limbaugh is the equivalent to Jerry “The King” Lawler. Nothing more than an announcer in a pro wrestling event.
I like to focus on things I have control over. Federal and State politics are not those things.
Did Obama make the police shoot the bystanders?