Racist Right Wing Talk Radio

For those that know me, I am a politically incorrect conservative in that I loathe the notion of being PC and detest any notion of a hyphenated or multicultural America. But I am not a racist. I grew up with a black family living next door and playing ball with Puerto Rican kids, I just prefer it as being America first and everyone's immigrant heritage second. The black and brown kids I grew up with mostly felt the same.

I have previously pondered whether or not so-called Right Wing talk radio is ultimately good for Conservatism. Today, after hearing two different well known hosts make callous remarks, one potentially racist and one most assuredly so, I became convinced it is not. Unusual work logistics put me in the car for much of today.

Today Rush Limbaugh called the accuser in the alleged Duke rapes a hooker. And he seemed to be laughing to himself as he dismissed it as a slip of the tongue. I am well aware that the issue at Duke may turn out to be nothing but a trumped up charge. But I am also unaware of anything that tells me the black young exotic dancer involved is a hooker.

Does Limbaugh appreciate how many blond, brunette or redheaded young women make their living by providing exotic dances for men? To be fair, I think he probably does. And I would not be surprised to find that he would make the same comment about a white woman. But careless rhetoric, it most assuredly was. And from a high profile Conservative, like it or not, that is not a joke.

While I see him as harmless entertainment, when prominent entertainment personalities have made millions fronting for Conservatism, the least they could do is be a bit more judicious in some of the things they utter to the masses. Always a fan, I myself can give Limbaugh a pass on the racist charge because I sense he really is not.

But that won't help me defend my Conservatism the next time I'm challenged and have his increasingly crass entertainment show thrown in my face as representative of genuine Conservatism. The second incident involving Sean Hannity was much worse because of what I have seen from the man in the past.

I keep the Holloway story out of my political and even mostly my media blogging. But I must briefly invoke it to prove a point. Due to his association with the sans Brit Hume & Co., late evening Faux News, Hannity has had many occasions to comment on the Holloway story. During that time, without evidence of a crime, he has consistently presumed the guilt of a Dutch National and two dark-skinned Suriname natives in the rape and possible murder of a young blond girl out of Alabama. Today as regards the Duke incident, that wasn't the case.

While a prosecutor in the Duke case states for the record there is still a case to be made for rape, Sean Hannity was reading from the defense script today and citing basically irrelevant evidence, clearly in defense of the young men. I had previously thought his Holloway positions most likely came from a prosecution-biased, law and order point of view. Evidently, that isn't the case. Apparently when a black girl cries rape to Hannity, it's a scurrilous charge, as I can't find one other criteria upon which he would base his opinions. What a disgrace.

Hannity has never impressed me as being nearly as bright or engaging as Limbaugh. And he is so shrill and self-promoting I have never been much of a fan. But apparently there are a throng of Conservatives who view him as the heir apparent to the Limbaugh empire. I fear that is dangerous and perhaps a terrible shame.

Be careful of the spokespersons you elevate, entertainers or not, my fellow Conservatives. Make no mistake, they can come back to embarrass and marginalize you just as easily as anything else. If the current tone of Right Wing Talk Radio continues, it may very well doom Conservatism to far less than a broadly accepted way of thinking in this country. I am genuinely Conservative and it is most assuredly turning even me off.

And don't even get me started on the tremendous disappointment that is Mark Levin, who is an educated and possibly brilliant Constitutional Scholar become intolerant ranter in the unending chase for numbers that is his new ratings chasing game.

Quite obviously he is trying to do some form of Bob Grant. I listened to Bob Grant, Mr. Levin. And you ain't no Bob Grant. Get off my (head)phone!

Comments

[FloridaPatty]

Good call Dan!

[Paulo]

Yep!

Every now and then we need a good rant! Putting Hannity anywhere near Rush vis-a-vie talk radio is just plain dead sheeeit. Hannity lacks the class, dignity, and most of all the knowledge to be on the same field as Rush.

Some of the antics I seen and or heard out of Hannity's camp are abhorrent to me. His ability to handle some of the lowest forms of humankind he calls "guests" illustrates his extremely poor communication skills.

Simply put Dan, I just can't stand the guy anymore. Take care,

Paulo

[dook fan]

sorry dan. the woman accuser of the rape said that she was an escort. it was reported in the same article that broke the story. so in a way rush was right, but not right to do what he did.. or why he did what he did

[The Ugly American]

Rush was actually the first talk radio guy I listened to. I am a Democrat and consider myself a liberal so I was trying to get to know my enemy better. At the time I saw Republicans as the enemy and pretty much heartless. Rush did very little to disabuse me of my position. His program is mostly his diatribes and callers paying homage to his greatness. Boring.

On the other hand one day at lunch I was flipping through the channels and came across Michael Medved, his format is completely different while advocating his positions he actively solicits and engages callers who disagree with him. Of course its not a fair fight when the radio host has complete control but Mr. Medved seems to me to try very hard to be as fair as possible to his dissenting callers. I found myself agreeing with him more often than not. That led me to Dennis Prager. The man is brilliant imo and also tries to be very respectful of his adversaries be they guests or callers. And then Hugh Hewitt he is an unashamedly party guy but he also engages people who disagree often times exposing them for the frauds, intellectually dishonest partisans, or illogical thinkers that they are. Maybe its his legal background but the man is an amazing interviewer. Then his regular guests are also huge assets and not all conservative I might add with the likes of Mark Steyn, Fred Barnes, Mort Kondrake, Frank Gafney, John McIntyre from Real Clear Politics. And in any election cycle you can count on every Republican congressman or Senator and many govenors in a contested election to come on Hugh's show to discuss real positions.

These guys are huge assets to the Republican party imo. Their method is education and persuasion rather than preaching to the choir. Sure they also try to motivate their base sure they are partisans but they are honest partisans.

They have certainly persuaded me and educated me a great deal.

[Phoenix]

Hey, nice commentary, Ugly American. Bravo.

Dan, I don't see Rush Limbaugh as 'harmless entertainment'. Definitely a cheap shot from him about the woman in the Duke case. But a lot of people use him as their belief base. I read his newsletters and like his satire.

Now Hannity. oh gag. He is so revolting I can even begin to describe him. The shrieking voice.... uh. I like when Rich Lowry takes over for him. Lowry has every bit of class that Hannity does not have.

I think when it comes down it, it's all about class. Conservative/liberal - people will listen if you have class.

[lee]

Hannity did a number on the Colorado 19 yro white girl, college student, non-stripper so crucifying young women is not knew to Hannity....he is just like many men and some women....blame the woman first and see what sticks....

Savage was the same way....

so its not racial, just sexist.....

Hannity and his bunch finally stopped their constant harangue on the Colorado girl when death threats were made to the girl and her family.....wouldn't Seany feel great if his constant diatribe got that girl killed or her family?

[tk]

Dan,
I couldn't agree more. I drive to and from meeting daily and listen to the talk shows. Rush is at most times funny. After his show Hannity comes on. I just change the channel. The guy is a dope. I can't believe any thinking conserative would listen.