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Stu Kreisman

Stu Kreisman

Posted: January 14, 2010 06:02 PM

Time for Republicans and Conservatives to Put Up Or Shut Up on Haiti/Limbaugh

What's Your Reaction:

It's time for Republicans and conservatives to publicly denounce Rush Limbaugh's unconscionable remarks about the tragedy in Haiti.

In case you haven't heard, the self-proclaimed leader of the Republican Party announced on Wednesday that the devastation in Haiti "...will play right into Obama's hands... They'll use this to burnish their, shall we say, credibility with the black community -- the both the light skinned and dark skinned black community in this country. It's made to order for them."

Limbaugh also feels that the United States has done enough for Haiti. "We've already donated to Haiti. It's called the U. S. income tax."

So far, the conservatives and Republicans have hidden from view and remained silent regarding their leader's rant. Unless they condemn the remarks and Limbaugh quickly and forcefully, they too will be seen as agreeing with these unconscionable and soulless thoughts.

Make this a litmus test. What does Scott Brown in Massachusetts think of the remarks? Does he agree? Is he too scared to condemn Limbaugh? What about Louisiana Senator David Vitter? Does he think that natural disasters like this and Katrina should be used for political gain?

The time to speak up against this is now. Silence is complicity.

 
 
 
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11:31 AM on 01/17/2010
I have a suspicion that most of the donations are coming from conservatives and religious folks
02:26 AM on 01/15/2010
Limbaugh is pretty pathetic, and I hope that what is recorded here as what he was saying is an edited version, and that his true message was more extensive and broad-minded than what has been shown here. The Conservative party is breaking apart currently, and I believe that Limbaugh will go with the far-right portion of the remaining pieces.

Verbal attacks on those unable to defend themselves is rooted in narcissism, which is never a quality attribute in a leader.
12:55 AM on 01/15/2010
Unless they condemn the remarks and Limbaugh quickly and forcefully, they too will be seen as agreeing with these unconscionable and soulless thoughts.

too late. the republican party is controlled by the fringe lunatics on the right.
12:30 AM on 01/15/2010
Amen!
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Republitarian
I own US corporations.
12:13 AM on 01/15/2010
Interesting how you won't post the full quotes. Here's what Rush said today:

RUSH: Where did you hear that I discouraged donations to Haiti?

CALLER: Uh, I read it in, uh, a news thing called the (HP), but that's not the point. I was going to finish my sentence if that's okay with you.

RUSH: Well, but what you just said is a lie. They reported a lie. I did not discourage donations to Haiti.

CALLER: Okay. Well, um, actually the point I was getting to, whether or not you said that -- which actually I believe you did. But...

RUSH: No, it's not "whether or not." That matters. I mean you call here and ask, "Where do I get off suggesting that we don't donate to Haiti because we do in the income tax?" and I tell you I said that, but I also said private donations are going to be much better than a government donation. They're all going, go to the Red Cross, do other things, don't go through the government. It's just going to go through hands and bureaucracies and a dollar is going to end up being 30 cents by the time they get through with it. I did not say, "Don't make donations." That's not a "whether or not" thing. That's why you called.
12:33 AM on 01/15/2010
Time to backtrack, eh, Limbo! Whoa, that's not what I said! That's not what I meant! Yeah, it's what you said and yeah, it's exactly what you meant!
11:36 PM on 01/14/2010
Limbaugh and Robertson have something in common. But, what is it?

http://www.lessontech.blogspot.com
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SgtMac
Hail Azathoth!
01:57 AM on 01/15/2010
Christian charity at it's finest
01:42 PM on 01/15/2010
Deep-seated insecurity and narcissism, for starters. A fundamental lack of compassion, a hypocritical worldview, blah de blah . . . .
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
TyneCrescent
A Word To The Wise Is Sufficient
11:06 PM on 01/14/2010
Its way past time for republicans and conservatives to denounce some of the comments Limbaugh has made. Fat chance of that. Limbaugh has the money and mind-control over the conservative base's heads. He can make the huge salary, live in his mansion, and the little sheeple don't see that they are the tools that sustain his incredulous behavior, and think he has their interests at heart. The weak-kneed politicians are too afraid to speak out because it might alienate him and they couldn't stand or politically survive the wrath of Rushbo on that. Truth is, a vast majority of them probably feel the same way he does, they're just closet racists and bigots who don't have the public forum to spew it. He can say whatever the people who pay his big contract allow him to, without repercussion, whereas politicians can't escape to the safety behind the microphone.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DavidShort
09:49 PM on 01/14/2010
He was right in the respect we have been pouring money into this country. The government there is corrupt and have been wasting that money. Besides that, what responsibility do we have? This is indeed a tragedy, but why the forcing of charity? We have to take care of ourselves, and we ain't doin' a great job of that.
12:44 AM on 01/15/2010
The "forcing of charity"? Thousands upon thousands of of people of people are dying and suffering in this horrible disaster and you're calling rescue "charity?". Charity?! Our responsibility as humans beings, not just as Americans, is to not stand idly by and watch as this becomes a human disaster of monumental proportions. Go back to your conservative libertarian home planet, where ever that is - it's certainly NOT in this universe!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DavidShort
01:01 AM on 01/15/2010
Taking tax dollars that we are forced to pay and donate it to their government is forced charity. If you wish to donate your hard earned money to relief agencies, great. I however can think of several more legitimate ways we can and should be spending tax money.

I have no responsibility in this situation, and that is my point. You can do as you wish, no one has the right to tell ou otherwise. BTW, I am not a conservative Libertarian. I am an Objectivist. There is a huge difference.
09:32 PM on 01/14/2010
What does the right think, the Haitians asked for this? Their way of life caused this?

WTF? What are they thinking?
This could have very well have happened in DC. It's a natural disaster. It's the luck of the draw.

Despicable.
08:29 PM on 01/14/2010
The authors premise is incorrect because it is incomplete. Rush went on to advise donations be sent to private charities-not government ones.

Selective reporting to advance one's preconceived opinions is not the waqy to win converts.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
lisakaz2
Da ministero dell'interno di Snark.
09:14 PM on 01/14/2010
You mean after the backlash he altered his tune? Do you deny these things quoted? How come so many other places make reference to places to donate. Last check, Rush's website did not.
01:03 AM on 01/15/2010
The author's reporting is correct. Today Rush is trying to pull the wool over everyones eyes and pretend he didn't say yesterday what he plainly did. YES, he said people should not go to whitehouse . gov to find charities to donate to because, he claims, income taxes pay for this charity work. (Note that whitehouse . gov does not act as a clearinghouse for donations, but merely links to a few of the larger charities such as the Red Cross, so that people can click through to make their donations directly to the nonprofits.)

Rush also plainly said Obama will use this tragedy for political gain. Mr. Limbaugh: Have you no decency? (Oh, that's right. I already know the answer.)
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07:59 PM on 01/14/2010
Don't hold your breath. Tucker Carlson's new site, http://dailycaller.com/ doesn't even mention Limbaugh's rant.
07:52 PM on 01/14/2010
Amen. He is the voice (even if he cant hear it) and back bone of the GOP/conservative group. Look no further than last years CPAC convention, when he came on, the crowd went ape s!@t, and he did his little fat dancing bear bit at the podium. Days just before that, GOP "chairman", Micheal Steele had to bow down and kiss his big ol' butt and apologize for saying that he wasnt the leader of the GOP. Conservatives/GOP dont condemn him cause they think the same way and beleive the same backward stereotypes and play off of them for notoriety and gain, especially with dumb people, the most dangerous kind of American. This goat roping pig lover called Judge Sotomayor a reverse racist, if you reverse racism, you have no racism, dumb people cant make that connection.
07:50 PM on 01/14/2010
Mr Kreisman is right. The time has indeed come for GOP politicians to repudiate Limbaugh or forever be associated with everything he says.
A very stark choice.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Democrab
Pretty far so good
07:34 PM on 01/14/2010
Right, I can just see Mitch McConnell or John Boehner call Rush down on his latest idiocism. Those cowards are too busy sniveling about anything Obama to give it a thought, even if they dared. They're all chickens, they're all suffering from the patented right wing bigotry that was so obvious during Katrina and Rush has them peeing in their pants. Shittohead reprisal is the worst nightmare of every right wing wimp in Washington.
06:35 PM on 01/14/2010
I am a conservative and he is not my leader. I have been supporting missionaries in Haiti for years.
06:43 PM on 01/14/2010
He is most definitely one of your leaders. Reap what you sow.
07:22 PM on 01/14/2010
How is he my leader? I didn't vote for him. I do not listen to his radio show. He does not influence my opinions or stances on issues. He is not a party official. I have never met the man. He has never asked me my opinion on issues. Tell me again how he is my leader?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
bigfated
No one speaks English and everything's broken...
07:25 PM on 01/14/2010
That's right! If you are a conservative and you fail to openly say that Limbaugh is wrong....and that he does not reflect your views...you are no better than him.
You people haven't looked ahead at all.....or you would have realized that ultimately spewing such bigotry and hatred will cripple the GOP for generations. To be a conservative and NOT be embarassed by such clowns as Limbaugh and Beck and the line up of FOX Noise Liars---must in and of itself be a major embarassment.
07:27 PM on 01/14/2010
Yeah right, now you are running away from him. Isnt he the foremost conservative in the country?
09:44 PM on 01/14/2010
How can I be running away from somebody who is not relevant to my viewpoints?