Rush Limbaugh's Imus Moment

Posted: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 11:28 PM by Countdown

This one's gaining steam in the blogosphere tonight, a parody song played on the radio by Rush Limbaugh: "Barack the Magic Negro," sung by a white guy doing an Al Sharpton impersonation.

Yeah, they're gonna love this.

The video, apparently done after the fact by a third party, but the audio is from Rush's show.

Rush's defense of course, will be that it was the LA Times that started the whole "magic negro" meme in respect to Obama -- much like the Imus' defense, that black rappers invented the term "Ho" -- so Rush can hardly be blamed for so enthusiastically running with this when he's clearly holding a "Be A Racist For Free" card.

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Peep; One more thing. You ever asked a hockey fan why it is they pay a large sum of money for a box seat just to watch a hockey game. Their response will be hell, I'm not paying to watch hockey, I go to watch the fights. There is your answer to the 20 million who tune into Rush. They tune into Rush in the afternoon to listen to the spin that invokes heated arguements (they love that shit), and then they take their kids or grandkids to the World Federation of Wrestling matches in the evenings and get their kids or grandkids to believe this shit is real too.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 2:13 PM)

Barak needs to put down the cigarettes or anything else he might be smoking. That song keeps coming back- that great Peter, Paul, and Mary classic - you know the one _ "PUFF THE MAGIC....... Come on folks lighten up

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 2:25 PM)

Larry: I am just as ready to criticize Nancy and Harry and any other politician or talk show host no matter their political affilitation. The Dem leaders are now supporting a bill that establishes troop withdrawal time tables that are not binding. That is spineless and gutless. I realize some say it is the only way they can get the bill passed, but I say bullshit, stick with your ideals and make the time tables specific and binding. if the bill passes so be it, if not so be it. They don't need to water down what should be done in order to pass a bill in congress so in 2008 they can say, we tried to do something therefore elect us. That's bullshit. And frankly Kerry, as Bush, is an idiot. He is a person who will play the political field just like Bush. Regarding Pelosi's visits I agree she should meet with Patreus, but I will disagree and state more power to anyone who will meet with Ahmad to straighten his ass out. Someone has to meet with him. He does run a country in a volatile part of the world. Meet with him or shoot him, but do something. Bush does neither. As far as Rush and the rest of them, they do have the right to their opinion, but I suppose what gets me is their delivery. Rush is rude to his guests and does come across like a God who knows it all. Hannity is the same way. It's not their opinions, it's their delivery, how they treat, interrupt and degrade their guests, and accuse others with different opinons of being traitors and the like. That is what gets me. There are similar personalities on the left that do the same, like Rosie. Who gives acrap what Rosie says. rahatsetsil

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 2:44 PM)

I remember the first time i ever saw rush Limbugh on TV. If anyone would lookup old archives of "Meet the Press". This was when Sam Donaldson and Cockie Roberts were the host. The issues on that show are coming at you at a moderate pace. The host has a round table of guest who must respond to these issues. I mean it was like looking at a DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS. When he was asked to respond to real issues, and what would be his suggestions for correcting the problem. I mean he could have said some other persons name idea, good or bad, his own idea, or even contradicted the host comments. I'm telling you vintage Limbugh w/o script in hand as on the Radio. It was DEAD SILENCE. I mean the host and the guest were even trying to throw him a life line. NOTHING CAME OUT. The sad part is the topic was nothing heavy or technical. But, just as he has always done, the next day on the air he turned it into the lefties attacking or ganging up on him. He continues to be a divider and bomb thrower to keep his followers on his point of view and away form the real issues that continue to plague this country.(War,GDP,Soc.Sec.,Economy,NAFTA,ENvironment,Taxes,Poverty,Healthcare,Leadership void..)I really believe that his 16 minutes of fame are over and he should go by way of the "DIXIE TURTLE NECKS".

Al Workfield (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 2:49 PM)

Yes, Barak and those who support him are going to show they have a little thicker skin when it comes to innuendos or even outright disriminatory statements. Neither has to like it or accept it or tolerate it but they can't be placed on the defensive all the time or he/they will get no where. And if he wants to be President he and those who support him are going to need very thick skin.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 2:59 PM)

I'm reading some strange things into some of these posts. It seems that everybody should just get over what Limbaugh did, and get over or rail against the other big mouths that did it first, and all will be okay. I despise GWB, and I wish John Kerry would have had enough balls to shove the boat down the Swift boat veterans throats, but that was all done going after someone and their politics. This is a new era and we have a woman and a black man running for the highest office in the United States of America-why is it that they should have a thicker skin when it comes to blatant discrimination? Why shouldn't they get upset? It is much easier to question a persons military record, senate votes, laws made as governor, but how do you walk away and pretend that someone isn't attacking something that you can never change-change even it you wanted to. This isn't political correctness, it is about basic dignity not given to a man that is very intelligent and could very well be the next president of the United States. Go after his politics. Go after his questionable decisions he's made, DO NOT, however, go after a person and attack or joke about the color of their skin. It isn't funny!

Jamie, Chula Vista, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 4:20 PM)

Jamie: Because if you want to be President you have to know how to play the game. How to be electable. How to win the nomnation and the genral election. Because maintaining a thicker skin and keeping yourself above and out of the fray makes the others look like racist stupid pigs. It does not require a response and/or even an acknowledgment that you recognize these racist idiots. The minute they begin responding they will look to others like whiners and/or they will make a statement that will be twisted out of context yet believed to be inaprropriate by many dim-witted Americans. And if Obhama and/or Hillary want to become president they have to stay on the offensive and not let people put them on the defensive. It is not right that they have to tolerate any comments regarding their sex or race, but they would also be foolish to think they can run for Presdient and not hear discriminatory comments from those extremist on the other side, even if just by innuendo. They want you to respond. They want you to show you have thin skin. They are trying to set you up. That is why they have to maintain a level of thicker skin. Not because it is right, acceptable or even tolerable. But becasue that is politics. Who was it that said, if you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen. And the heat is often not kind or fair.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 4:42 PM)

Why is IMUS off the air who does more good for people in need that Rush does in a lifetime allowed to be on the airwaves--- IMUS is sober close to 20 years- Rush- well the verdict is still out on him Just tune him out- he is a useless- pipp popping trouble maker

Charlies Goldman, Atlanta, GA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:08 PM)

Racism comes from fear. Rush knows if he had to compete on a level playing field with a man like Barak Obama he would be out of a job and he knows it. If we paid more attention to what the man running for president said and stopped paying attention to what the hillbilly heroin addict said we would be a much better country.

jen, wilmette il (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:21 PM)

I just watched the "Movie" stills and heard the song. I about fell off my chair laughing. I think this guy is onto something exposing the Al Sharptons envy of Obama. And I agree that Obama is the "Magic Negro". To many people use the "N" word in a mean sense I see it getting a positive and supportive meaning when referring to Obama.

Gerald Von Riesen Parker, CO. (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 5:22 PM)

I know C A, I understand, but I guess it comes from the fact that racism still exists in this country where there is supposed 'liberty and justice for all.' Not to insult Alabamians, or southerners for that matter, as I know there are probably just many closest racists here in CA as there are open ones in AL, however, the many times I sat in my in-laws house and had to ask them NOT to say the 'n' word, it gets me angry. My eldest son was adopted at birth and is bi-racial (brown/blonde as one of my other kids say), and it wasn't until he was born that my in-laws realized that they couldn't hate someone just for the color of their skin. How could they possibly hate this week old baby that was now their sons son? I know it's not a matter of if, but when, when some ignorant SOB will hurt my child because of his skin color. I know I should teach him to ignore the ignorance-that's what we should all do,and I will, but it is difficult for me to not rise above it-it's ugly and hurtful. I know what you are saying-it makes sense and I appreciate it. I just wish however, that we didn't have to make a persons skin color an issue. Ciao!

Jamie, Chula Vista, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:35 PM)

We see what we want to see. The folks on the liberal left want to only see when the conservatives make statements about race and scream “they are a racist”. The conservatives only see when a liberal makes a statement about whites and scream “double standards”. I wish we could blow up both sides and start over again because both groups are leading this country right down the sewer. I am sick and tired of all this crap because we are not solving this countries problems.

Gary - Charlotte NC (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 9:06 PM)

I am personally sick and tired of the news media playing and replaying this kind of sensational 'talk' to improve ratings and enrage the American public. Imus was fired for less and yet we still have to endure this insensitive kind of chatter on the airwaves. In the face of Limbaugh's latest foul up, did Don Imus seem worse? I think not! I have stopped listening to the news and visit this website much less than I did prior to the Imus firing, but I am still amazed at how many people just keep a negative stories alive so MSNBC and other news outlets can keep feeding the crap to the public with their own personal views attached!

Raleigh NC (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 9:14 PM)

It's just Fascism - plain and simple, garden variety, run-of-the-mill, typical, stereotypical, common and non-unique. http://www.ByeGeorge.Org/

ByeGeorge.Org (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 9:31 PM)

CA, I see your point about a candidate needing to remain "above the fray", but I recall that was the way Kerry dealt with the swiftboaters. He refused to dignify their slander with a response, so their lies and BS was all that was out there. Sometimes it is the way to go to rise above, and sometimes it is time to fight fire with fire and attack back, immediately. There's no way to know if it would have made any difference in the last presidential election, but imagine if it had. The last 6 years might have been vastly differnt that what we have endured.

Lynn, New Orleans (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 9:32 PM)

Jamie: I understand your feelngs. You are very passionate about your beliefs and feelings just like Pam - San Pedro. I appreciate that. Here is a solution and a response for Clinton, Obhama or for that matter any candidate running for President who is slighted because of their race or sex and who is as passionate about their dislike for racism / discrimination and insults based one's race, religion, creed, national origin, sex, disability, age, etc. Propose as a candidiate that the town meetings they hold when running for President shall continue throughout their Presidency, and one issue that will be discussed in order to seek improvements and solutions will be racism and discrimination. Not only would the President hold continous town meetings across the country but so would the Vice President, first and second ladies, cabinet members, etc. In addition, citizens will be selected randomly from all parts of the country and from all races and sexes to participate in group think tanks sponsored and funded by the federal government and held in various locations across the country to talk about, discuss and help to find solutions to the underlying racism that exist in this country. It would be a start and a very wise and controled and promising response to anyone who exercises racism against them verbally, by innuendo or otherwise. We might even include children as we have much to learn from their ability to play with, get along with and have a good time with other kids no matter their race, sex, religion, etc.

C A, Tuscaloosa, Al (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 10:35 PM)

The Parody Parodied RUSH, YOU MUST BE DRUGGIN’ CAUSE YOUR YAP IS FLAPPIN’ FREE YOUR TASTE ( DEBASED) WINS YOU THE RACE TO NOTORIETY! RUSH, YOU MUST BE DRUGGIN’ THE MATERIAL YOU PICK DESERVES A FLUSH; SO DO IT, RUSH AND CLAIM SOME HUMANITY!

Norma Shattuck, Oakland, California (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 10:54 PM)

This is all racist closet-junkie/merkin business. limbaugh should get sober and come out of the closet. The dope and the closet have twisted him into a mean-spirited parody of a man. The "Magic Negro" slam can be overmatched with a send-up gay-bashing Connie Francis' tune from the 60s, "Where the Boys are - limbaugh hangs around." Look, there is only one way a guy like limbaugh gets another guy's Viagra: he rolls off the guy onto the opposite side of the bed from the one on which he began. Being high on Oxycodone, limbaugh wouldn't realize that he was bagging up his boyfriend's meds. It's the same junkie business that imus was up to: get high and lie about good people, 'cuz limbaugh and imus are not good people yourself and they're jealous of folks who are. In this latest case the good guy was black.

SGoldbarg (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:12 PM)

This message is for Rush Limbaugh and others just like him. If you have such a problem with Black people then I guess you and your friends shouldn't have stolen them from Africa.

Jenny, Tampa, Florida (Sent Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:48 PM)

Fat boy, as I have called him for years, would be out of a job if it were not the fact that he has us evil liberals to pick on. If it were not for liberals and Democrats and people who are not the majority of the God Save Us from everyone who doesn't meet our standards contingent, he would have been unemployed a very long time ago.

Rick Burrows, St. Charles, Mo (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 12:41 AM)

It amazes me to read such hatred in some of these postings. Where is the forgiveness that those beautiful women gave to Imus. Most I read are hateful to those that disagree with their opinions. Is this what our God taught? Remember the OFF button. Hatred solves nothing. We have a wonderful country.

val, Maumee, OH (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:44 AM)

sgoldberg, it appears you know the routine about sleeping with other men and viagra. Congratulations on sharing that with us. Now, please share what you know about the addiction of Patrick Kennedy ? Come on , Give us the real scoop. Are there any more politicians or radio personalities addicted ? Come on , Inquiring minds want to know.

Larry Charleston, SC (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:13 AM)

Not funny, comedian Rush Limbaugh. Get some better writers for your dog and pony show. Whoever is Limbaugh's boss should fire him.

Tom Y MN (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 2:11 PM)

What ever happened to freedom of speech people? why are we so easy to criticize somebody for what they say? should it really matter what a race says about another race in this whole debate of imus remarks/rap music. if people arent free to say what they want, then what is next? we all live in "happy" land and no negative remarks about someone can be made. this is just all ridiculous if you ask me!

James, Raleigh, NC (Sent Thursday, April 26, 2007 5:31 PM)

James, I'm all for freedom of speech, but I also believe in being accountable for what you say. If you lie about someone publicly, you need to held accountable. If you make baseless personal comments about someone you should be held accountable. If you make racist remarks on publicly owned airwaves YOU SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT. I am a part owner of the network he broadcasts on, so are you, so is every taxpayer. Should we allow racist remarks that deface a person solely on the color of their skin? I say no. Not only was this wildly racist, this was planned, this was a prewritten song, not a snap remark, like Imus. THIS WAS PREMEDITATED. That's the difference between 3rd or 2nd and first degree murder. This was so much worse than Imus. Are Jesse and Al saints? No. Who is? Rush does this all the time though, and has in my view pushed himself over the edge, and needs to be pulled off the air.

Adam, Fargo, ND (Sent Friday, April 27, 2007 1:32 AM)

It's amazing what hypocrites Libs and Dems are! Denounce Limbaugh as a racist while a former Klan member, Robert "Sheets" Byrd holds an honored place in their party. The "Barack the Magic Negro" was the product of a BLACK writer for the LA Times.It was a response to Al "race Baiter" Sharpton saying that Obama was not "black enough". But, you people don't want to hear the facts. Today, a shill for the Lib/dems announced that Fred Thompson had a "racial problem". Thompson is not even a Pres. candidate yet, but shows promise. Their "facts" were based on a character Thompson played in a movie 19 years ago! Who's racist here?

Bob Slater somersworth NH (Sent Monday, May 07, 2007 4:23 PM)

LOL, Rush is on the verge of being fired the second time in 3 years. And yet, he continues to carry water for the excessively corrupt bush administration. You get what you deserve, Rush and Ann coulter are proverbial 'nails in the coffin' of the republican GOP party. November 2008 hands the senate, the white house and the supreme court back to the Democrats. Your party set out to destroy the two party system of the United states, you just didn't think it would turn out this way. Congrats Pubs, Mission Accomplished

FreedomOfInformationAct (Sent Tuesday, May 08, 2007 3:22 AM)

You guys are all over the place. Barrack, the Magic Negro is racist to you people because of the word "negro" period. You guys want to call Limbaugh racist... But he gets a pass for several reasons: 1. He owns his station... The CEO that would have to fire him would be him. Not likely. Second, he was making fun of Al Sharpton and not "Black People". If you actually listen to the parody you would know that... The real issue is this: Should he be fired? no... You see Freedom of Speech should outweigh your Liberal "Political Correctness" rules you have forced onto society to discredit the other views. This PC ideal you have created is sad. You continue to call Limbaugh racist, yet who made YOU the arbitor of what Racism is? I have always believe that Liberals are liberals mostly for the safety of the position. You see, "How could I be racist? I am a democrat"... It is safe. And it is condacending call Limbaugh racist all day long... No one should be calling anyone racist period, because NONE of you have actually defined what that is as well as none of you have the right to remove people from their jobs for exercising their freedom of speech. Limbaugh can be fired by his audiance any day. That is how Imus should have left... By losing his audiance... Firing people for speech is scary and I thought you guys were the protectors of civil rights? Apparently not if they do not agree with you. Hugo Chavez would be proud.

JC, Colorado Springs, CO (Sent Monday, May 21, 2007 12:50 PM)

By just looking at the MSNBC home page, this "news" outlet takes stabs at the administation all the time. It currently has parodies of them. The Rush issue is not an issue. The wonderful thing about the radio and even tv is that you can CHANGE THE STATION. Free speech my friend!!!!!!!!!

Doug, West Bend WI (Sent Monday, May 21, 2007 9:51 PM)

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,5335087.story?coll=la-opinion-center Don't know if posting this link is allowed, but here is the link to the L. A. Times newspaper article by David Ehrenstein, and the TITLE of the article is "Barak the Magic Negro". I have no problem with this parody of Reverand Sharpton. And that is what it's about - a PARODY of SHARPTON. Not many people obviously remember but Sharpton has tried to run for President, and no one made such a big to do about how "articulate" how "clean", etc. he was, so why is everyone proclaiming Mr. Obama to the one true black person to run for President?

TheFlamingMame, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 3:38 PM)

I'm a conservative. I listen to Rush and he articulates the conservative position and liberal media bias brilliantly. The fact that very few people here seem to understand political satire is downright scary. You people are very unhappy and bitter. Get a sense of humor. The reduction in your stress level may actually induce feelings of happiness.

blame hofmann, Strongsville, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 4:05 PM)

Congrats Liberals! You've set the record for using the terms racist and bigot to describe a person/subject you know nothing about. If you truly beleive a person should be able to acheive as they wish based on their merits and efforts alone, listen to Rush Limbaugh and get on board with the acheivers. If you want to define your success by your adherance to quotas and diversity in education and the workplace then go ahead and fail. Last time I checked, it was still a free country.

plumcookin, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, May 22, 2007 6:43 PM)

Man..I can't believe these stupid racist comments from most of these people. Reality is just a state of mind that "they" can't and wouldn't deal with. It seems to be centered around "hate" and anybody who disagrees with their wacko ideas. They throw the term racist out there like it was a badge of honor. People who live in glass houses should never throw stones. I see racist on this website and it ain't from us.

Loadmaster, Nashville, TN (Sent Monday, June 04, 2007 8:39 PM)

Oh please, people. It's all an act. Rush is actually "Jeff Christie", a gay dj who was arrested in 1973 for pandering (which is basically what Larry Craig was doing). His sexual partner was named Norm Woodruff, and he died in 1985 from AIDS. Rush Limbaugh is a character, nothing more, nothing less. Give the man a break; he's fun and funny!

john_malone (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 5:06 PM)

Get rid of Rush because he offends you? That's B.S.! The only reason you would like to see Rush gone is because he disagrees with you and diversity be damned, you want everyone who doesn't think like you to be censored. This is simply one of those websites that promotes political correctness against selected targets and supports diversity as long as everyone walks, talks and thinks like you. You have no control over Rush and it bugs the hell out of you doesn't it?

Jim Jensen (Sent Sunday, January 13, 2008 2:53 PM)

Rush Limbaugh is the Will Rogers of our time. He is a clever comedian who mines politics for material. It is hardly his fault if current politics are obsessive about what is called "multiculturalism" and "diversity." There is so much posturing and double talk and nonsense in the political sphere that parody is bound to appear. The Left calls any humor it dislikes "insensitive" and "divisive" and is ready to shut down free speech to stop the laughter. That is a Stalinist reaction. Long live Limbaugh; long live parody and satire; and may free speech survive those who hate it.

Red Buckner, New York City (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:01 AM)

Does this shock anyone? Rush and his radical Republican ilk are driven by a singular premice- the hatred of others; be them black, gay, Muslim, Latino, liberal, athiest, pacifist, femminist, or anyone who in any way shape or form is not a bigoted wealthy out of shape christian white male...

Charles Avery (Sent Wednesday, January 16, 2008 10:16 PM)

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