Arianna On "Countdown," Discusses Rush Limbaugh's Comments About Obama's 'Master Plan'

Arianna appeared on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" Thursday night to talk about Rush Limbaugh's recent comments that President Obama's "master plan" is for the country to fail. She noted that, "We can't be expected to understand Rush Limbaugh in normal rational terms," adding that Limbaugh specializes in using code words that appeal to his audience's dark fears.

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Comments

[FilmCriticOne]

05:14 PM on 06/06/2009

Stupid people don't know really who to hate -- but Rush, Hannity, Coulter, can direct their hate, validate it, tell them it's patriotic to hate _____ (fill in the blank) .

Hitler gave stupid people an excuse to hate. I'm not saying Hannity or Rush are Hitler -- I'm saying the verbal techniques they use are much the same.

Hitler had people rally around this "hate the jews" thing. They could blame all their ills on the jews, from the depression, to losing World War 1, to corrupting the youth.

That's what you hear from Rush and Hannnity. Anyone they can paint as liberal is source for all ills.

And there are enough crazy creeps out there -- that want to impress others. Oswald, for example, was trying to impress others. Tim McVeigh was a conspiracy wacko who was trying to impress others. They wanted to fit into a "We vs Them" mindset.

What can be done? Im not sure much can be done. In a free society -- you have to let the hate mongers appeal to the stupid people.

Plus -- lets face it - Rush and Hannity are right about some things too. They have some valid points.
Notice -- they aren't elected. Neither will ever run for office.

Our education system has to do a better job of teaching kids to think for themselves -- to learn a lot more history, more psychology, so they have the tools to spot the hate mongers like Rush and

[Skeetshooter]

04:01 PM on 06/06/2009

Weak minded Americans across this great land are united in fear behind their fearful leader, who, it must be reasoned, is either psychic, or a secret member of Obama's inner circle. Conspiracy theorists and promulgator of secret internet knowledge see socialists under every rock, and behind every tree. The end is nye!

Advocates for the whims of individuals over the welfare of the many, saviors of horribly deformed and doomed fetuses, arm yourselves! We march to war against ourselves...

[Eris23Skidoo]

07:19 PM on 06/02/2009

I'm sane. I believe Rush wants the country to fail. Rush said why, back when he made his infamous remarks. He wants Obama to fail for strategic reasons; he wants the GOP to NOT become irrelevant. If Obama succeeds it will be the end of the GOP, according to the characterization made by Limbaugh on that day. I'm sane, Rush, and I'm calling you on it. You want us as a country to fail, because it will help your allies politically. We're not stupid, we have memories, and we're not insane. But you say that there is "not one sane person" who "honestly believes" that you want the country to fail. I'm sane. I believe you want the country to fail. I want YOU to fail, Rush, and I want the country to succeed.

[graceland9]

01:54 PM on 05/31/2009

Hey Arianna - well-spoken and classy, as always.

[Ravenjazz]

05:50 PM on 05/30/2009

Although I will defend to the death Mr. Limbaugh's right to his opinions and his ability to voice them, THIS IS AMERICA where we can "agree to disagree" and I find his silly but inflamatory rhetoric nationally and personally offensive. To disagree with the President and/or the Democratic philosophy on certain issues is acceptable. But to publicly "hope" that {this or that] "will fail" is un-American! Our current economic crisis is grave and, if nothing else, prudence dictates that EVERY American suit up, dig in and work our way through this. The current administration didn't create this crisis but is charged with the responsibility to remedy it and even a three year old mongoloid child could understand that if they [the current administration] fail, WE ALL FAIL! How can that fact be lost on the likes of Mr. Limbaugh? As far as I am concerned, to say that one hopes that Mr. Obama fails is tantamount to saying you want America to fail and for that, Mr. Limbaugh should have his passport and citizenship revoked! His rhetoric is obstructionist and if he's not going to be a part of the solution then Mr. Limabaugh IS the problem. Mr. Limbaugh with his "Billy Sunday" act, pandering to the insecirities and dark fears of people, is insuring his already reserved place in the rubbish bin right next to Joseph McCarthy.

[politicaljunkie41910]

02:04 PM on 05/30/2009

Anyone else notice how Boss Limbaugh appears to be reading from a script in these tapes shown from his daily show. This cracks me up since the repugs always try to mock Obama's use of a teleprompter. Glen Beck is the worse even though he himself uses a teleprompter. I would imagine after spewing hate for more than 20 years you would have your schtick down pat and wouldn't have to resort to notes particularly when you have 'talent on loan from GOD'.

[Dailykook]

10:56 AM on 05/30/2009

KO on TV everynight...example of the US dumbing down.

[meede]

11:29 AM on 05/30/2009

RL on radio everyday -- Dumb preaching to Dumber

[wonder6789]

01:44 PM on 05/30/2009

Quite the opposite.
Olbermann, Meadow, Stewart & all are prime examples of America fighting back the stupidity and ignorance.

[patricksmom]

06:16 PM on 05/30/2009

Quite right that Olberman, Maddow et al. are fighting back stupidity and ignorance.

[patricksmom]

06:17 PM on 05/30/2009

And don't you just love to Rush jiggle on the screen on Countdown?

[avchavis]

09:20 PM on 05/29/2009

When a person is as big as Rush, they do not need to be bouncing like that! ROTFL! Hilarious!

[FernandoRuiz]

01:46 PM on 05/29/2009

I genuinely believe that Rush wants America to fail. If America does not fit his vision of it, which is a country where the majority of wealth is controlled by a 1 percent minority and the rest of the population lives in utter poverty and destitution, then Limbaugh wants the country to fail

[LTBROWN]

05:54 PM on 05/29/2009

I don't agree with the American way, as it has been. What Rush and those, want is what has been. In the beginning, Women couldn't vote, Blacks couldn't vote, Natives couldn't vote, only whYte men [the minority of all Americans]. The Constitution reads as fair but has it ever really been implimented? I think not. The real fear that the Rush types have it that it finally will be and they want be able to discriminate against the "not thems" anymore. It's bigotry and no one seems to be willing to say it, so I figured I would. It walks like a duck.

[Opygollopy]

11:05 PM on 05/30/2009

Right on.

[habajebe]

12:40 PM on 05/30/2009

Like Mexico?

[cyoohoos]

01:09 PM on 05/29/2009

Gotta give it to Keith. The bouncing Rush is priceless.

[LiberalUnderYourBed]

01:46 PM on 05/29/2009

I know. I could not take my eyes off the little bouncing rushbo. It was almost as though there's a little invisible spring coming out of the top of his potato-of-a-head and he's boinging up and down at the end of it. So cute, in a creepy kinda way.

[robiform]

04:15 PM on 05/29/2009

It's fun, but even though I'm not generally prone to motion sickness, the combination of the bouncing figure and who it is (!!) is causing me to look into getting one of those transderm patches that cruise passengers wear!!

[oncethere]

12:40 PM on 05/29/2009

Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who is constantly assuming---wrongly---what you are thinking, intending, planning. Well. this is Limbaugh. As the victim of constant projections, one can either repeatedly deny them and claim one's own thoughts, become confused about his own identity or just grow weary of the projector and his projections and withdraw from him.

[LiberalUnderYourBed]

01:48 PM on 05/29/2009

"Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who is constantly assuming---wrongly---what you are thinking, intending, planning."

Yes, my ex-wife. Drove me completely bonkers till one day I said "Toodle-doo". Best decision of my life!

[graceland9]

01:51 PM on 05/31/2009

oookay - thanks for sharing

[Ellyllon]

04:31 PM on 06/06/2009

Isn't that the definition of an abusive relationship? That seems accurate!

[natchez]

12:07 PM on 05/29/2009

With Rush's ego it's hard for me to believe he voluntarily wanted to remove himself from the media spotlight for 30 days. It would be a lot easier to believe he was told to step back.

[badfluffy]

12:01 PM on 05/29/2009

i hope they keep the dancing rush chiron, it cracks me up.

[Anare]

04:23 PM on 05/29/2009

The only thing better is when Olbermann shows the clip from that same event where Rush is waving his arms around above his head. Makes Rush look totally nuts and I laugh every time I see it.

[cjk002]

03:44 AM on 06/01/2009

They should run that side-by-side with McCain waving his arms at the Miss Buffalo Chip competion.

[regellner]

11:51 AM on 05/29/2009

I whole-heartedly believe in the first amendment, but shouldn't people like Limbaugh be held accountable for what they say? Limbaugh should not be allowed to slander another person like this, nor should anybody else be able to do so.

Sorry Limbaugh, but Obama's "plans" have not really had time to affect the country on a large scale yet, so if you think the country is failing, you have your buddies Bush and Cheney to thank for that...


Raymond Gellner – Charlotte Liberal Examiner at Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/x-11326-Charlotte-Liberal-Examiner

[graceland9]

01:54 PM on 05/31/2009

Wel said. However, I do think that Obama's plans have started to affect the country - in a good way. The economy is coming back, we never reached a depression, we looked damn good on the international front during the G20 summit, and stem cell research is back. Not to mention - Lilly Ledbetter, more insurance for American children etc etc - it's taking a long time to turn this ship of state around, but I'm actually amazed how well BO is handling it.

[Sweetie4Obama]

11:24 AM on 05/29/2009

It amazes me how the far-right touts Rush's & Fox News' high ratings. However, my question is: why is the Republican party continuing to dwindle (and are not in power) if Rush & Fox News have so much power, yet both are strong mouthpieces for the aforementioned?

[alenaspoppa]

11:56 AM on 05/29/2009

Touting Rush and Fox News' high ratings is like touting how many burger McDonald's has sold --- just because something is popular doesn't mean it's good for you. It just means there's an ignorance epidemic to go with our obesity epidemic.

[naturesway]

04:13 PM on 05/29/2009

There's ignorance on both sides. Many of my fellow Obama supporters were totally ignorant of the issues and history of our country. Didn't follow the news, learn history, and couldn't tell you where in the world Great Britain is located.

And... they didn't care that they were clueless.