Home > Opinion > Robert Schlesinger > Don’t Blame Liberals When Limbaugh Can’t Buy the Rams, Blame the Free Market

Don’t Blame Liberals When Limbaugh Can’t Buy the Rams, Blame the Free Market

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Limbaugh has a well-earned reputation for making inflammatory remarks not just about blacks but also about women, gays, and other minorities. I understand that some of those who rejected him are even farther to the right than he is. But in this case, they put business before politics and decided that someone with his baggage would bring unfavorable publicity their way. He has been spewing his venom for a long time, and
I'm sure he never thought he would be held accountable one day.
If he tries to sue the NFL, I'm quite sure they will come up with numerous hateful things he has said. He doesn't have a leg to stand on. That's the price he's paying for a big mouth.

Anne of DC 2:49PM October 22, 2009

If we cant win the debate...lets just dog on rush and the teabaggers!
YEAH!!!

Joe the American of MO 4:00PM October 18, 2009

Limbaugh was not denied an ownership share in the Rams because he is a conservative, or even because he is a racist. It is because he is perceived as a racist. Limbaugh's participation would damage the value of the franchise. His presence would put St Louis at a disadvantage bidding for free agents. To a lesser degree, he could affect attendance, TV time and merchandise sales. And Keith Olberman would likely not be welcomed into the NFL fraternity either. Happily, media prostitutes of any stripe bring unwelcome controversy to businesses trying to appeal to wide audiences. Limbaugh, Olberman and their ilk make a lot of money preaching to the intellectually challenged of our society. Situations like this are their penance. very rose has its thorn.

Jeff of TX 1:47PM October 16, 2009

Now this is something I really want to see, the tea baggers making a great effort to thwart the NFL. Now, maybe we can have some real numbers about how much voice they actually hold. Rather then argue about how many were in DC on 9/12, we can see a real number and expose exactly what kind of difference they can make, how much muscle they represent. When all is said and done, the comments from the Right here make the exact exaggerations they profess that the Left has committed and offer conclusions that do not follow from those exaggerations anyway, although it makes sense if one had drunk enough tea, I suppose.

Gregor of OR 1:45PM October 16, 2009

This is a ditto-monkey intervention!
1. Try not listening to Rush the vulgar pigboy for 30 days. Most ditto-monkeys are unable to do this but if somehow you accomplish this go to step 2.
2. Move out of your parents basement with the goal of getting a job and or date. If unable to do this go to step 3
3. Go back to school. Part of your ditto-monkey problem is with a high school diploma Rush is much more educated than you and that is part of the reason you believe everything he says. If unable to accomplish step 3 go to step 4
4. Join the military. Unlike your draft dodging hero you will serve your country and at the same time get GI Bill benefits and can then go back to step 3.
5. Lastly, get over the man crush that you have on Rush. This might at some point lead to you getting a date and then you can go back to step 3. If none of this works seek professional mental health advice.

Larry of OR 1:37PM October 16, 2009

In this case, it's important to distinguish between free markets and free enterprise. The NFL is not a free market--in addition to capital requirements, buying in is subject to the whims, right or wrong, of a small, powerful group. Theirs is a private enterprise that they are free to operate as they please. Among their prerogatives is with whom they will partner.
In this case, they have decided that a prospective investor will ultimately undermine their enterprise's viability. Whether there are political overtones, which are inevitable when a guy like Limbaugh is involved, much less hypocrisy (reinstating Vick was sleazy in my opinion), is irrelevant.
These are businessmen and women doing what they need to do to maximize their bottom line. Limbaugh has a right to free speech. He does not, under the law, have a right to purchase a share of private enterprise in which he is deemed unfit to participate by ownership.
It's as simple as that.

Todd of PA 10:07AM October 16, 2009

Apparently buying a NFL team isn't as easy as simply writing a check. It seems more like an evaluation by the league and the owners. So maybe "job market" is a better comparison since the process seems more like a job interview where one of the key qualifications is that you not be controversial. In this case, some of the things Rush said came back to haunt him and the NFL decided that they'd rather not "hire" him. Since that is solely the league's decision to make, this the end of the story. Get over it.
I'm getting tired of the cries of "free speech" whenever someone gets in trouble for a perceived racist remark. I fervently believe that you should be allowed to say whatever you want no matter how repugnant or irresponsible. Just don't fool yourself into thinking that there will be no consequences for doing so.

Chris of NY 9:36AM October 16, 2009

You hypocrite! So the NFL leans right does it....so DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the Players Association donated to Obama. He is a Washington lobbyist at Patton Boggs, and he even served on Obama's transition team. He has no experience in professional sports and is friend of AG Holder that is as far left as you can get...sorry you hypocrite...how about George Soros who supposedly was in the same group to buy the Rams....he leans way right....hahahahaha.....none of the above holds water...How about Fergie, a foul mouthed diva/singer?, owning a limited ownership in the Miami Dolphins....that's a real high standing that Goodell upholds hahahahahahahahahaha! Give me a break....there are so many holes in your article its worthless because you can see right through it....go back to journalism school....no go back to kindergarten and learn some character. You're a fool Mr. Schlesinger....

JR of OK 8:19AM October 16, 2009

This is the type of trash that will, God willing, lead to ultimate fall of the democrats. Liberals hear something and run with it, merit be damned. It seems like you guys want Rush to apologize every day for the rest of his life for the McNabb comment, but you guys completely fabricate stories of what he, Hannity and Bck say without so much of an word of resource to prove yourselves... And when you are found to be wrong... surprise, surprise... you could care less! Yes, that is the direction this counry needs to go in. Lie, cheat and steal your way to a liberal govenment job and never apologize to anyone.Let me change my subject from Disappointed to Disgusted.

TR of TN 9:36PM October 15, 2009

Mr. Schlesinger, your article is correct. Your articulations of the reasons Mr. Limbaugh failed are exact and accurate. It will probebly be difficult for some individuals to accept the truths that you speak of, partly because 2009 has been one of the most difficult years in our nations history. Some people's stress levels are extremely high right now. Thank you for taking the time to think this NFL story through and putting your wisdom into words.

George of TX 6:27PM October 15, 2009