I agree. Its not more about voting for bills that benefit special interests rather than "for the people". I think congressmen should vote for what benefits America, its people, and their constituents most, not where the money is (coming from). So i'm absolutely for getting lobbyists out of there, and big corporate donations to buy votes.
Please explain how Sharpton and Jackson, the two you named, kept Rush from being able to buy a stake in the team. Specifically, how did they accomplish this. Saying that they are haters is, while arguably true, not evidence that they had influence over this decision by the NFL. Again, show some evidence that it was anyone other than the NFL that made this decision, or show that the NFL ownership is made up of hateful libs. What's that expression about cookware being described as African-American? I think it might apply here. barfo
He was given a chance to be a commentator and blew it. I don't see why the NFL has any obligation to accept him as an owner. Even if they give guys like Michael Vick a second chance... (Vick's done a lot more for the NFL than Limbaugh, as I see it). I don't think he's racist, but I do think he pushes peoples buttons to deliberately anger them. He's not made friends across the board, that's for sure. For example... He said this about Obama: "He's more African than American." It's overly clever. A dig at the PC crowd who emphasize "African American" to identify a group of Americans (like, why not just "Americans"?). And a dig at Obama's policies (more friendly to other nations than to the USA). His comment about McNabb that got him fired is something you'd see on message boards like this, but when Limbaugh said it the NFL took offense. I don't blame the NFL, but I also think Limbaugh may have been speaking truth to power. How many black QBs in the history of the NFL? Maybe 10? The lack of black QBs, historically, is a disgrace and for racist reasons (don't have "what it takes" / intelligence to play the position...). So when the league does have a guy who can be a real star, of course they're going to want him to succeed and throw their PR might behind him. The NFL is doing a good thing and it's about time. Was Limbaugh just telling the truth? Or maybe it's the way he said it.
Being a sports team owner, or a coach with clout, gives one an "arena" to legally practice racism, and many current owners and especially coaches do just that.
As long as the player making a publicly appears to be reasonably sincere, football fans will forgive a star player of most anything... steriods/drugs, murder... anything. Vick does make them money drawing interest/press to games and eyes to ads. I expect I'll see multiple Eagle jerseys bearing his name shortly regardless of how he's performing and of course he has the potential to do a lot more. How many Eagle fan/PETA charter members can there be to boycott him? What positive financial impact does Rush's involvement offer the NFL owners over some other potential complete asshole who the general public doesn't know much about? How many extra jersey sales will his involvement bring? Will his followers become Rams fans in droves? Whats the potential with commercials or positive press? Exactly whats the upside? Whats the downside? Rush's potential 2nd go-round with the league immediately sparked several current stars to express various forms of complete outrage. Without guaranteed contracts, those guys take controversial stands against next to nothing in modern life, but this was too much for them. I'm sure that there is a similar feeling about Rush with a considerable % of Americans in general. Whats the sponsor boycott risk? What % of current St. Louis season ticket holders are Democrats? In this economy, how will his highlight quotes play with them when it comes time to write him a large check? Of course this fun dynamic would be milked for all it's worth like every controversial story which I can say as a Jailblazer fan was not the fan fun you'd hope for. I'm not nearly into the NFL as the NBA, but I could probably name 20 if you gave me a few minutes... you're overstating things here. Little upside + big downside = bad business STOMP
The article lists about 10 black QBs. Some of those guys played 4 or 5 games total. Marlin Briscoe was OK at QB for a season, before they moved him to WR. The league is 75% black, you'd think there'd be 10 (or even 20) black QBs in the league right now, and every season. If that's what the NFL is trying to accomplish, then I say it's a great thing. Fritz Pollard 1923 Willie Thrower 1953 (one game) Marlin Briscoe (1 season) James Harris Doug Williams Joe Giliam (20 games in 4 seasons) George Tellaferro Steve McNair Joe Horn Donovan McNabb Warren Moon Michael Vick Makes 12. The Chicago Bears had a black QB in the late 70s or early 80s not mentioned, Vince Evans. I can think of a handful of others, maybe the number is 20. Duante Culpepper for one. How many black punters have you seen?
past black QBs not mentioned that spring to mind would include Randall Cunningham, Kordell Stewart & Jeff Blake... I'm sure I could name a few more if I thought about it longer and I'm not even that big an NFL fan. current? Dennis Dixon, Vince Young, Troy Smith, Charlie Batch, David Garrard, Pat White, JaMarcus Russell... thats 7 just from the AFC. Like I said your estimation of 10 in the history of the game is pretty far off. STOMP
Aside from the fact that it was NFL owners and commissioners, overwhelmingly conservative, who shot down the bid to own a team.... Blazer Prophet, I would seriously suggest you seriously reconsider your statement that losing a bid to buy an NFL team is the equivalent of mass murder. Are you suggesting the Holocaust Museum add a room dedicated to Rush Limbaugh's unsuccessful attempt to buy an NFL team because it's just the same as genocide?
^Is he saying that he feels like we live in 1930s Germany because a organization, mainly consisting of conservatives, made a decision to not allow Limbaugh to purchase a team? Its smart business because there would probably be much more backlash in allowing him to be part of purchasing a team then not allowing him to. It is their right to do whatever they want, no? And LOL at people blaming the Left-wing for this. Are you serious? It wasn't the left wing who has spit out hateful and racist remarks (mainly to get ratings, imo) out of Limbaugh's mouth. I'm also sure it was the Left-wing who convinced those NFL players to say that they wouldn't play for a team that was owned by Rush, right? That sounds like great business for the NFL. Seems to me it is about money and risk/reward here. The safe route would be to decline him. Certainly no "conspiracy". But Rush will do what he can to make one if it gets him more ratings. Whether or not he believes it is irrelevant because there are many Americans who hang on every word this guy says.
crandc, I would seriously suggest you seriously reconsider your statement that bringing up 1930s Germany is the equivalent of mass murder. There was a lot of other things that led to the Holocaust. First and foremost was the demonizing of certain segments of society. That was BP's point. You're smart enough to have figured that out without me needed to point it out to you.
