NFL Commentary: Limbaugh's ownership bid withdrawl defeat a blow to free speech
Written by Patrick A. Patterson   
Thursday, 15 October 2009 01:30

When Rush Limbaugh backed out of his part in the bid to buy the Saint Louis Rams, it was further evidence that the intrinsic right to free speech is further under assault in the US. Limbaugh is known for being an extremist in many of his views and unapologetic for them, but that is the very type of speech that must be protected, because to silence dissent is to neuter democracy.

Free speech is being eroded by both sides of the fence. During the Bush administration, the tactic of choice to silent dissent was to say that any disagreement was "Un-American" and "enabling our enemies." By painting any who opposed his wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as traitors, it caused a form of peer pressure censorship. The left is not immune to their own form of peer pressure censorship, as they are quick to decry any speech that someone may find 'offensive.' This has created a culture that is quick to jump on any statements that may offend some group of people, and has created the dog and pony show of canned apologies.

No less a man than Thomas Jefferson said, "dissent is the highest form of patriotism." By stifling dissent, both sides are limiting speech and therefore silencing debate. In George Orwell's classic dystopian novel 1984, where "the party" had the intent to destroy thought, and did this through the creation of the language of "Newspeak" which was designed to reduce the number of words available. These two concepts show that in order for a society to remain free, the right to speech must not be abridged, as the silence of thought is the breeding ground of tyranny.

As it stands, any form of speech regarding race that slightly diverges from the concept of 'diversity' is instantly labled hate-speech. The problem with the concept of hate-speech is that it is quite like the concept of 'thought-crime' in 1984. It is easy to want to silence groups like the Aryan Nation or the American Communist Party, but their ability to maintain and publicly share their views are entrenched in the first amendment to the constitution. However, by protecting their right to share their views, it is also protecting the right to disagree with them.

Limbaugh has created controversy with his remarks about Donovan McNabb on ESPN, as well as numerous other statements he has made about President Obama. He has made his career being a boisterous blowhard shill for the right wing agenda, but he has his right to his beliefs, as well as his right to voice them. The NFL missed its chance to support freedom of speech. Voltaire said it best, "I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it."



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Comments (4)Add Comment
Freedom of Speech, not Freedom of Amplification
written by SpokaneOakFan, October 15, 2009
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

I see nowhere in there that states that a business cannot choose who speaks for it, wether actively or passively. There is no curtailing of free speach there. Limbaugh can say what he wishes (and he does) as often as he likes. The NFL can choose not to let his comments represent them. If I go to a job interview at McDonalds and start babbling about how black men can't run the fry machine as well as white men, is my right to free speech denied when I am not hired? Or is McDonald's making a smart business decision by not alienating a large portion of their customer base?

Let me repeat: Limbaugh can say whatever he likes. That is not the issue here. The NFL is under no obligation to present him with the backdrop of their logo to do so.

The issue is whether his comments, specifically that a QB is overhyped because he is black, are representative of the NFL. I think the league has spoken on that quite decisively.
Sticks and stones
written by Raffizzi, October 15, 2009
"sticks and stones may brake my bones but words will never hurt"NOT TRUE there is power in words and if you don't think before you speak those words have consequences.Politics are politics and people are people,say something racist in the street(not in a safe room with a mic) and see how people react(then he would watch what he says).Rush hides his racist words behind the constitutional ammendment....Like Joe Nammath so called involvement with organized crime cost him his carrer so does Goddel is right by not lettin Rush be part owner.The nfl wants nothing to do with(organized politics) negative publicity.
Just some facts
written by robcalonge, October 15, 2009
Fact one - the racist comments being parroted on the internet and on some newscasts are erroneous at best. A law suit is in the works and we'll see what comes of it. One of the things that he's getting hammered for is the 'Barak the magic negro' parody, but that line was taken directly from a puff piece written about the president by the L.A. Times and THAT was the parody.

Fact two - In a free country, private business has the right to choose who they allow in. Rush Limbaugh shouldn't get a pass for any reason. The fact that he's a former drug addict (OXY) is enough for me to question him as a business partner.

Fact three - His partnership in the Rams was a limited partnership, much like the new partners that Al Davis brought in over a year ago. Nobody vetted those guys for anything--except for maybe Al Davis. With that said, Limbaugh's partnership with the ownership group is really of on consequence should he have continued on that path. Once the team is owned, the NFL has no say in who the limited partners are.

Fact four - Rush Limbaugh wasn't the only person in America that felt similarly about Donovan McNabb when he made the comments he made. While I for one have had McNabb on many of my fantasy teams since he came into the league and I was a fan of his too, there were many times then and now that he received a little more hype than quarterbacks that were better than him. Was it because he was black? Maybe. I don't know, but would he have received as much hype if he weren't? Another question I don't know the answer to, but I certainly don't mind debating it...that's one of the things I love about sports.

I have no problem with either side (NFL for not wanting Limbaugh or for Limbaugh being part of an ownership group). Where I begin to get a little irritated is that some of the misinformation is completely parroted and then others take it as if it's etched in stone. Former drug addict? Yes, there's proof of that. Racist? No. Race baiter? Debatable.

The man is a very powerful right-wing voice in America and for anyone to not consider that the left-wing hasn't been trying to destroy the man since the Clinton years, is not paying attention. One thing about politics and power--someone, regardless of side, is always gunning for you.
Speech? no. Consequences? yes
written by Chris McCoy, October 21, 2009
You make good points, but the NFL is a business first. Making a blatant racist an owner of ANY team is bad publicity for the brand and tarnishes the NFL's gold-standard. This wasn't a matter of speech. Limbaugh is free to say whatever he wants and often does. This was a matter of consequences. In a league where 70% of players are black, Limbaugh needs to accept his behavior and speech preclude him from ownership.

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