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
- These 5 states will be the first to kick residents off Medicaid starting in April
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Inside the long and winding road to Trump's historic indictment
- Listen: After negotiating a peace deal, Jimmy Carter taught this Bible class
- Abortion foes take aim at ballot initiatives in next phase of post-Dobbs political fights
- Untitled
He can convince his conservative followers that he, Beck, and Palin are in no way responsible but the rest of the country and the world know that indirectly they had a part in this weekend's Tuscon tragedy. It's ironic that the conservatives promote individual responsiblity and take everyone else to task but when they are taken to task, they lack the spine and intestinal fortitude to own their own garbage. Typical conservative – intolerant, irresponsible, in denial, and ignorant.
this man is vile and must take responsibility of his own words in the shooting this weekend. i do not listen to him but when cable news follows what this ugly raticle,racist man rants is enough to make my blood boil. people may not realize that just because we are not listening to vile an hatred on fox or limbaugh, we are still being subjected to it on our own news cable every time cnn or others replay the ugly rantings even in the defense of what the ramblings are for., . palin, beck,hammity, limbaugh an the likes of the far right fringe have turned this country into a mean, nasty, place to be whether you are democrat or republican, if you watch cable news this hatred is being forced on us from all directions. i sipport my president and i am saddened by the lack of respect this man has gotten from those that just can not stand the fact that america has elected a black man to be our leader. sarah palin has not stopped her hate filled reteric against this man since she ran with mccain and lost big time. she needs to STOP running, the election is over! she nor any of the tea-baggers will never have the support of normal rational people but during the process they have made us an ugly nation with the rest of the world laughing at our ignoranc!.
He and others of his ilk are the reason for this tragedy, but of course he'll deflect and blame others. The conservatives are the party of "hate".
I think we should all respect each other and work to put this country back together for all of us!
Wasn't this slime ball supposed to move to Costa Rica?
This from one of the most hateful people in the world. Whether this is that AK idiot's fault or limberger or beck, or bachman or insanity, instead of pretending you don't spew hate and lies every single day how about "man up" and face the truth like the man you aren't.
BTW – it's not the media. Everyone to whom I have spoken today mention all of the above and more for the racism and fear our country is now seeing.
Limbaugh, you have the blood of a 9 year old little girl on your hands. This little lady was there to experience democracy in action. Thanks to you, Palin and other extreamists, it didn't work our very well for her. I hope you can forgive yourself.
No, Mr. Limbaugh, we are not rushing to blame you and Ms. Palin. We are, however, using this tragedy to ask you to reflect on the possibility that violent rhetoric can lead to violent actions. We are asking for you to take responsibility, not for the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords and the death of her colleagues and constituents, but for yourself and the hatred and anger you intentionally spread.
What happened was shocking and absolutely horrible, but Limbaugh is right. Just look at all the comments on the articles about the shooting on this website. At least 2/3 of them blame Sarah Palin. It makes no sense.
I just don't know who is more dispicable ... Limbaugh. Beck or Pailn. How about all of the above. All they care about is their ideology because it lines their pockets! They don't care about this country or its citizens at all. Whether Republican or Democrat, IDEOLOGUES are the problem. The only way you can govern according to an ideology is via dictatorship!
Gee... there's a guy you can trust... NOT!!!
As if this bastard would know what compassion and concern are.
Rush and Pailin have breeded a climate of hate and as a result become "parents" of these kinds of violent acts.
This man has no shame whatsoever. It's disgusting. This doesn't have to be a liberal/conservative discussion. The fact is, when you use fear (as many of thest talk-show pundits do) you will incite people to violence. Maybe Rush can take some of that money he makes and buy a conscience with it.
This is a JOKE right? When are they going to pull this guy from the airwaves? This is ridiculous!
I see the far right people like Rush is still not going to take any responsible for all his hate speeches against our President the Dems which looks like not listen learned yet from the likes of people like Rush and the far right.
Hey Rush maybe there should be crosshairs on yours and palins temples to. Not that the round would find anything usefull after entering your skulls though.
Pot. Kettle. Black. Shut your piehole, Blimpbaugh.
Well Rush, lets just face it, here you go again with your blame the media crap. It was not the media who brought this to the forefront is was the Sheriff of Pima county. You and Sarah have stoked the intolerance and hatred among American citizens. People do listen to the garbage that you two spew unfortunately.
In my opinon you and the likes of you pulled that trigger that killed and maimed so many.
Put your man pants on and for once take responsibility for you what you do in your discourse.
You are as much a murderer as the 22 year old who who committed the act.
This Idiot is one of the so callled people whose constantly spewed hatred and vitriol is probably responsible, in large part, for the kind of incidents like Tuscon. ANyone who thinks like him is in mental trouble.
Rush's comments are, as always, self serving and ultra-defensive. Absolutely every commentator, politician, psychologist and neighbor I have heard that has weighed in on this subject has stated emphatically that the inflamatory rhetoric is from both the Right AND the Left. For people like Rush to suggest that their commentary does not move people to action is absurd: They make their living in an effort to move people. If they now feel they do not, they should walk away from their respective microphones.
Been reading the blogs all morning Rush and guess what, there are more negative comments and political accusations coming from your base than from anywhere, why can't you sit down and shut up?
He IS the source of MUCH HATE, BIGOTRY and INTOLERANCE in this country. His daily incoherent rants against the President , Democrats and policies that benefit American people are unpatriotic. Where were his rants when Busn and company were sending our young soldiers to die in an unjustified war?
Also nowfor a while, the wild rhetoric will be toned down.....what is Rush going to do to rile his base???? Is he panicking???
Sara Palin is not the vitum here and I am trying of the right trying to make her one. It was her own doing that got her in this mess.
You mean, kind of like the way the right has been playing politics with... well... everything? For two years straight?
Ooooooooooohhhhhhhh big Bubba want's to cry blah blah blah!!!!! And all that CRAZY stuff he talks about. Himself his lil Fox News buddies, and his lil Sarah and the broken right wing.....boy I tell you. These folks are real twisted LOL!!! But some of you voted to put these right wing crazy live in another world folks in office. Hope Your Happy.... These is what you get NOTHING!!!!