Limbaugh says Dems playing politics with Giffords shooting
Washington (CNN) - Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh offered a vigorous defense of himself and Sarah Palin Monday in response to claims from some media commentators and those on the left that their charged statements and colorful language may have inspired the Arizona shootings.
"[The media] is unnecessarily stirring up the country in ways that don't merit," Limbaugh said on his radio program Monday. "It's fatuous and silly to even verify and justify these accusations by defending them. The premise is insane, it's silly, it's beneath these people. Or is it? It is who they are."
Limbaugh's comments come in response to accusations that the charged political atmosphere of 2010 – of which Limbaugh, Palin, and others played a central role – may have incited the use of violence among troubled individuals like Jared Lee Loughner, the suspect that is accused of opening fire outside a Tucson supermarket, where Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was meeting with constituents Saturday.
"We are we constantly admonished not to rush to conclusions. Now…reporters are bending over backwards to link this shooting to me, to Sarah Palin, to an entire industry - talk radio," Limbaugh said. "Only in these instances is something said in the media said to influence public behavior. Go out and try to tell these same people that one of their top grossing movies has influenced has influenced abject perversion or radical behavior and they will attack you left and right.
"All of this has been pure politics, disguised as compassion and concern for a congresswoman," Limbaugh added.
From CNN Politics
- Jack Daniel's says a dog toy company is ripping off its brand. What will the Supreme Court say?
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Grand jury indictments, explained
- US flying surveillance drones farther south over Black Sea after collision with Russian fighter jet, officials say
- US to send Patriot missile systems and tanks to Ukraine faster than originally planned
- Bruce Springsteen, Gladys Knight among group honored at the White House
"The premise is insane, it's silly, it's beneath these people. Or is it? It is who they are." – Rush Limbaugh
See, its these kinds of comments that cause Americans to turn on one another. I agree with you Mr. Limbaugh that talk radio is not responsible for an individual's actions. However, when you say things like this it does raise eyebrows and is not helpful. Politics isn't a sports game where team rivalries can define a person. We shouldn't treat a political party like a hated sports rival, in my case the New York Giants. We are nearing the point where if a Democrat sits in a crowd of Republicans then that Democrat is going to be chased away pretty quickly and vice versa. Much like if a Giants fan sat in the middle of a group of Eagles fans at a football game. And how can compromise and constructive conversation take place in that kind of environment?
Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer not a politician. Palin and Bauchman are politicians. We expect them to take some responsibility for what they say, what they post on their websites. We don;t expect anything out of Rush except stirring up the muck to get more ratings.
Why keep giving him a platform to talk. Weren't we supposed to learn our lesson over the weekend.
He is absolutely right! It is ridiculous to blame ANYBODY but the nut that did it!
Uh Rush, do not if you had too many Vicoden this morning, but, when you create a website, and put a crosshair on a particular person, with the words, "take 'em out", which you whole heartedly support numerous times, and some one actually does it, then it safe to say they are just fulfulling your ideology....literally. So dont insult my intelligence, fatman, trying to convince me that is people like you who stir this mess up and then you want to act like you had no influence.
Yes limbaugh and palin incite violence and they are the ones including others that have this country messed up. They hate the fact that a black man is in the white house and is doing things that actually helps all of us but they spin everything to make people think that our president is our enemny. Its really sad
Hypocrisy, they name is "Rush".
Uh Rush, I do not know if you had too many Vicoden this morning, but, when you create a website, and put a crosshair on a particular person, with the words, "take 'em out", which you whole heartedly support numerous times, and some one actually does it, then it safe to say they are fulfulling your ideology....literally. So dont insult my intelligence, fatman, trying to convince me that is people like you who stir this mess up and then you want to act like you had no influence.
This is perfect-Limbaugh, Beck, Palin, Levin, Savage-all of those ilk- defend themselves against the accusation of using hate speech by guess what-using more hate speech..."It is who they are"? Really? When people are devided and demonized by "we" and "them"...it is only a small step for a deranged person to make good on exortations like "take them out" or "they need to be eliminated"..
.These right wingers on the radio and TV know exactly what they are doing-they use coded language that is designed to alarm, enrage and move the lowest common denominator in our society to action-then they back away and play the victim...it is sickening. When will the majority of us who love this country stand up to these bullies who are helping to tear it down?
"[The media] is unnecessarily stirring up the country in ways that don't merit," Talk about the pot belly calling the kettle black.
haha...you said fatuous you big fat looer...you've made your bed now take some responsibility and lie in it...
Liberals are spinning this tragedy for their own gain and Rush is right to call them out on it. Do you people who blame Palin for the shooting have no shame, no decency?!?
NO RUSH... it's time that you and Palin take the blame. Don't Retreat...Reload.... We the People want it to STOP....
Rush you are the master of hate rehitoric and some lunatic people put it in action like he did to the congress woman. You should tone it down your feear mongering rehtoric.
how about a site on your face...you are the worst of worst...you spread hate..hate ..hate..you should be taken off the radio
To think a national talk show host has more influence to get a guy to shoot a gun over all the violent video games and movies is beyond absurd.
Yes, you and those like you are to blame, for your venomous speeches, for placing cross-chairs over people's names, etc, etc, and the sad part is that you, andf thos like you are not doing it our of love and respect for our forefathers, but for ratings and proffits.
Oh no, who would do something like that? Rush Limbaugh, if anyone would know about playing politics it would be him. He is the biggest joke I have ever seen. He will capitalizes on every word anyone who is not in his political party says. He epitomizes what is wrong with our country, his sick mind feeds into other sick minds, Sarah Palin first on the list, Shawn Hannity, Glenn Beck and most of Fox News. When are people going to get wise to this leach and shut him down. He is what is wrong with our country. He doesn't want harmony because it would give him nothing to capitalize and feed his fat ass with.
Their's no way to defend the truth
rush, you knew this day would come. Game over you lose.
It's very sad that mr. Limboo plays the innocent. He and palin are just as reponaible as the 22 year old for the shootings. Mr Limboo forgets that he is part of media and palin needs to go and learn how to parent properly before deciding how to to run a country
I knew this day was coming. rush u n sara n others in your party have finally got your wish. so don"t act like you had nothing to do with this. you is a ugly redneck son ofa bitch.
Scumbaugh has made a fortune playing to the fear, hate and bigotry of the republican party. He can say he is a patriot, I think he is a zealot, but his psychiatrist thinks he is a lunatic. Everyone should just shut him off for a week.
Yes its people like Rush and Palin that have to be stop with all this crazy talking.
Of course they are. It's ok for them to do it, but not anyone that doesn't agree with Obama. Clinton started the divisiveness and it has continued to a ridiculous degree. i do think we can agree to disagree and not get violent. However, for an unstable person, any provocation at all will suffice.
Rush must be upset that noone has mentioned him by name in this news story, Palin and her crosshairs have received all the attention. Poor Rush.No sane person, no matter how liberal is directly linking Palin or you, Rush, with the shooting. However, to say that Rush and Palin appeal to not only good concservative Americans but to the borderline attention seekers, too, is simply a fact. No liberals are carrying guns to political rallies. These are your people Rush, the many, many good ones and the few that are a nerve away from taking you serioulsly and injuring the crazy 'socialists,' 'liberal,' 'godless' freedom haters you make so many of us that don't line up with your politics of fear.