On his June 23, 2008 show, Rush Limbaugh made the following statement about gay and blacks and the Democratic Party:

“I want to know how the Republicans don’t need Christians and conservatives, and they think we’re 30 percent. Twelve percent black people in the population. Ten percent — they claim — homosexuals in the population. Rush, honey, when did 30 percent get to be a small number?” Limbaugh responded, “You want to know why the Republicans are willing to say, ‘Screw you,’ to 30 percent or more of their voters (Christians and conservatives) and yet Democrats will bend over, grab the ankles, and say, ‘Have your way with me,’ for 10 percent and 2 percent of the population?” He later stated: “There is an answer to your — basic question is, ‘Why don’t the Democrats say, “To hell with you, you wacko nuts in the base,” like Republicans do?’ “

Does Rush have some sort of odd fantasy he’d like to play out?

Why anyone listens to him and his sexist, racist, and homophobic rants is beyond me.

(Hat tip Media Matters.)

 

Technorati Tags: Rush Limbaugh, race, Blacks, gays, GLBT

Got a nice mention today in the Rapid City Journal's feature, "The Fives":

3. Is McCain the Next Dole?

Hadn't heard this comparison, but it is funny. Todd Epp at S.D. Watch & Epp Law Report goes through the checklist on whether there are similarities between John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign and Bob Dole's failed 1996 presidential bid.

All I want to know is that although he might know McCain hikes up his pants, how do you know he has yelled at kids to get off his yard?

Technorati Tags: The Fives, Rapid City Journal, John McCain, Bob Dole

How shall I put this.

Barely Political’s “The Incredible McCain Girl” video works on several different levels.

It’s both funny—and kind of hot.

Oh, and it looks like there will be a sequel, as The Incredible McCain Girl will likely rumble with The Obama Girl in a Godzilla v. King Kong sort of way. Only with really attractive young women in place of huge lizards and apes.

Technorati Tags: The Incredible McCain Girl, Obama Girl, Barack Obama, John McCain, 2008 election, Barely Political

South Dakota's own boy baritone Tom Brokaw and actual working journalist David Gregory are the handicappers' early favorites to take over the not even yet cool seat of Russert's.

Disgusting.

Technorati Tags: TV news, Tim Russert, MSNBC, NBC, Tom Brokaw, David Gregory

Technorati Tags: gay marriage, LGBT, GLBT, gay rights, California, civil rights

As a former TV newsperson, there are some stories you can just about count on from the local media.

1. After a tragic death, the survivors or families of the victim achieve “closure” (whatever that is) after the funeral, trial, or storm.
2. The rush to the post office before midnight April 15th to file federal income tax returns.
3. A big event is slated for Sioux Falls over a weekend and it always brings in over a million dollars to the region’s economy.
   
4. The mall is busy on Black Friday after Thanksgiving.
5. Gas prices go up and the man/woman at the pump doesn’t like it.
6. This election (whichever one it is during an even numbered year) is the most important in state history.
7. When it is hot, people think it is too hot.
8. When it is cold, people think it is too cold.
9. When it is dry, people think it is too dry.
10. When it is wet, people think it is too wet.

There are probably several more. Include your chestnuts in the comments and I’ll add them in a later post.

Today on KELOLAND news, we got to see an example of Story #3—big event comes to Sioux Falls and it means big bucks for the city. This week it is a soccer tournament (which I am refereeing in, BTW).

Here’s how it always go. You can basically just substitute the name of the event.

__________ event will attract ___________ people to Sioux Falls this weekend. They will spend __________ million dollars. This is good for Sioux Falls.

The names change and the events change but it is always the same story.

Please, someday, humor me and change this ritualized kubuki theater of reporting and say something surprising like, “While 3,000 visitors from the National Widget Lovers Association will converge on Sioux Falls this weekend most residents do not know what a widget is, don’t give a damn about widgets, or will wonder why all the restaurants are busier than usual on 41st Street.”

Come on, there has to be some other angle to these stories!

Technorati Tags: lazy reporting, Sioux Falls media, community events, economy, journalism

 

From MSNBC:

WASHINGTON - Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washingtonbureau chief and the moderator of “Meet the Press,” died Friday after asudden heart attack at the bureau, NBC News said Friday. He was 58.

Russertwas recording voiceovers for Sunday’s “Meet the Press” program when hecollapsed, the network said. No details were immediately available.

I always thought Tim was tough and fair in his questioning. He could uncomplicate the thicket of politics. I have a hard time imagining election coverage with out him. What a loss to broadcast journalism.

My heartfelt condolences to Tim’s family and friends.

 

Technorati Tags: Tim Russert, Meet the Press, MSNBC, NBC