Regarding Randi Rhodes: When did we turn into a bunch of whiny ass republican wannabes?

[Joe the Revelator]

AA suspended her because she dared to insult Hillary? Really?

A thread about it on DU supported this move? Really?

Since when did progressives support silencing people because they speak out against politicians. When did that become one of our ideals? I'm not particularly a fan of Randi, but it makes me sick to think about how far we're removed from the ideals we supported not even a year ago.

Is the worship of Hillary's ego that powerful? Were we just pretending when we acted like we supported free speech the last four years?

Some of you folks need to take a good hard look at yourselves in the mirror and ask yourselves if you're really dedicated to progressive ideals anymore.

[tritsofme]

1. She made a disgusting vulgar comment and was punished by her employer.

Nothing about "free speech"

I would have used this as an excuse to fire the nutbag.

[Joe the Revelator]

2. Define "disgusting and vulgar"

You sound like the Bush FCC.

[CitizenRob]

95. Seriously, I thought it was a damned accurate label for Hillary.

[Hieronymus]

6. Well, we heard from the Hillary constituency ... anyone else?

[kevinmc]

65. OMG She called Politicians Whores ...... she was right they are. n/t

[CitizenRob]

97. WHAT?! A politician is a whore?! NOOOOooooooooooooOOOOoooooo!!!

NoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo!!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. She didn't say it on the air

Remember when Rush called 12 year old Chelsea Clinton a dog? ON THE AIR? Yet he didn't get suspended.

[tritsofme]

17. Well I'm glad that AA has higher standards than Rush Limbaugh.

That should be something to be proud of.

[PoliticalAmazon]

89. Be careful of giving other people the power to judge you. n/t

[mountainvue]

163. They are going to do it anyway. n/t

[otohara]

102. Ratings

it's all about ratings. In San Francisco where she said these incredibly stupid remarks, Rush Limbaugh station is #8 in the 4th largest market in the US. Air America way, way, way down the ladder at 28th.

He makes oodles of cash for radio station, being #28 not so good for oodles of cash.

Oh and it doesn't matter that she didn't say it on air, she was repesenting the AAR station at a public event. Plus, I would imagine her contract has a clause about public behavior.

KSOF Rush, KKGN Randi http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/DetailsPage.aspx?MID=228&RY=2008&RQ=1&MP=2&OTHER=2&MN=San%20Francisco&MS=CA&MR=4&12P=5969400&UP=4/2/2008&SU=CM&BPER=7.1&HPER=19.8&OPER=&NSD=4/30/2008&CE=0

[VeraAgnes]

22. Exactly!

I am ashamed of her behavior. I have encouraged others to listen to her and AA; such a vulgar tone is unacceptable.

[RaleighNCDUer]

76. And you still can because she has NEVER said anything like

this on the air. It was a fucking comedy club act.

If she'd said this on air, by all means, suspend her. But not when she says it in a venue which is not contolled by FCC rules.

[VeraAgnes]

91. I listened today to Sam Seader

who was substituting for her....He read the Air America apology letter where it states she was representing Air American at their sponsored event.....so, it all applies. If she was working say a second job, independent of Air America, well then, she's on her own.

[nadinbrzezinski]

113. WHISTLE, according to the STATION MANAGER in SAN FRAN

that is not the case.

Listened to him this afternoon

Things ain't black and white and right now lawyers are heavily involved

BTW, if I WERE an AAR host, right at the moment I'd be calling my lawyer and my agent.

We now have a pattern

[stevedeshazer]

126. Facts are stubborn things. Don't you believe in the First Amendment?

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

-President John Adams.

Randi Rhodes is right, whether you choose to accept the truth or not.

[roguevalley]

133. so, if you go out of the office and spew, you should be fired. good.

enjoy the gulag.

[PeaceNikki]

3. She called her a "whore". And this has nothing to do with free speech.

[Joe the Revelator]

5. I've seen many of us use the term "corporate whore" and "media whore" ....

How did she use the word "whore"? Did she imply that Hillary sold her body for money, or did she imply that she would sell herself and her ideals to the highest bidder?

[PeaceNikki]

12. Her employer punished her for a vulger and crude comment.

And rightfully so. However she "implied" its meaning.

[Joe the Revelator]

19. I guess "vulgar and crude" is the new talking point be passed around...

as two of you have now used the phrasing. This is something else I thought that we didn't care about. You sound like a 80 year old family values voter.

[PeaceNikki]

29. Employers have the right to punish morons for being moronic.

[Joe the Revelator]

50. So if I call Bush a corporate whore, I should be fired?

Its a scary world you want to live in.

[PeaceNikki]

I dunno. If you said it while representing the company and they felt it out of line.

You sure could be.

[Catherina]

155. "punished her for a vulger and crude comment"

:WTF:

What despicable Nazi-like censorship.

What's next? Book-burning? People-burning?

[CitizenRob]

103. Hillary might be a political whore???!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo!!!

[Lochloosa]

109. CitizenRob your NO caused my dogs to bark and woke up my wife

not nice.

[liberal1973]

16. It was a comedy bit.

It sure as hell was funny.

[PeaceNikki]

63. I didn't think it was funny at all. Different strokes, I guess.

And I am not a "Hillbot", even.

:shrug:

[RaleighNCDUer]

78. Easy mistake to make,

since Hillbots are also known for their lack of a sense of humor.

[PoliticalAmazon]

135. I didn't think it was funny, either, but she still had the right to say it. n/t

[PeaceNikki]

137. She sure does have the right to say it. I am not supporting throwing her in Gitmo.

But AAR sure as hell has the right to punish her.

[cali]

4. I can't stand her. She's crass, abusive and not well educated

Her idiot bouncing booby crap and her invective are hardly progressive.

[tekisui]

I agree, except.....

I like the "Bounce Your Boobies"

Other than that she's annoying and vulgar. She is usually wrapped up in her ego.

[Joe the Revelator]

Like I said, I'm no fan of hers, but, as progressives, we're setting a dangerous precident when we

start firing commentators because of how they speak about our politicians.

[PoliticalAmazon]

27. ITA. Free speech is for all, or ultimately its for no one. n/t

[RaleighNCDUer]

80. Hear hear. nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. I love her

I hope her suspension is short.

[Kurovski]

165. Same here. (nt)

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Amen

My biggest problem with this is that she didn't say it on the air.

But someone pointed out earlier that if AAR had NOT suspended her, the RW would have gone berzerk.

I can't help but think of Rush and all the horrible things he has said. Yet he never gets suspended. And he is on three times a day here in red state hell. And if I want to listen to AAR, I have to pay for satellite radio. Go figure.

[depakid]

8. "Some of you folks need to take a good hard look at yourselves in the mirror"

Agreed.

Imagine if she'd had the temerity to dis Obama!

[40ozDonkey]

48. Yeah, you'd have to imagine it, because nothing would happen.

Sheesh.

[depakid]

59. Not only would GD:P go apoplectic

but she'd have been off the air in a heartbeat had she made similar statements....

Fact is, Randi needs a "time out."

And my guess is that she'll admit that if and when she gets back.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

9. Would you feel the same way if they suspended Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, or Rush for the same thing?

Not that it's likely to happen but still. The problem is not that Randi was speaking out against a politician, it was the language she used. Her employer has every right to do this.

[Joe the Revelator]

13. I'm not for the suspension of ANYONE over their words

To quote the cliche, I hate everything that comes out of Rush's mouth, but I support his right to say it.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

34. There's a difference between the public and private spheres.

Free speech means the government can't take away your right to speak. You employer, with the exception of a few protected instances, has the right to fire you for your speech. And while the airwaves may be public, the stations that broadcast are private entities.

[Joe the Revelator]

38. Once again, this is the same argument that Bush's FCC made

and that we, as progressives, fought against

[mrreowwr_kittty]

52. No it's not.

The FCC was fining radio stations for the on-air comments of radio personalities. It wasn't the station owners imposing those fines, nor did they necessarily fire the speakers. Granted, the measures did cause stations to be more cautious and to crack down on the hosts, but we are still not talking about the same thing.

No one has a "right" to a radio show. A radio host can be suspended or fired for myriad reasons: low ratings, being late or not showing up, and for outrageous statements or behavior on or off the air. I wish people would get through their heads what protected free speech is and isn't.

[chascarrillo]

18. Would you feel the same way if they suspended her for calling Ann Coulter a "farking whore"?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

57. Yes.

Again, it's the offensive language, and not the person it's about. Not that I'm all that bothered by the language either but if the radio station had a problem with it, then it is their prerogative to suspend her. Air America is a private entity and Randi works there at their discretion.

[davidinalameda]

156. that would be an insult to whores

to be compared to Ms Coulter

[liberal1973]

11. I agree. Randi Rhodes is great

The Hillary extremist are not Democrats or liberals. They're more like repub lite.

[mzmolly]

14. I adore Randi, but that comment was

over the top.

[Joe the Revelator]

24. Maybe it was, but she has the right to say it, and we should support that...

instead of supporting the idea that she was suspended for comments about a particular politician.

[mzmolly]

153. It's funny as I supported Imus's "right" to be offensive, and I suppored his employer

for canning him too. AAR also has freedoms that we should support. If Randi were arrested, I'd take issue given she was suspended, I don't. I will say that I'd hate to see her fired, however.

[RaleighNCDUer]

99. So what? Comedy club routines are SUPPOSED to be over the top.

Chris Rock and Carlos Mencia are every bit as bad - so is it because it is a white woman saying it, or the white women she was speaking about?

[mzmolly]

151. I don't care for misogynist language

no matter who uses it. Chris Rock comes to mind as well, yes. I've not watched Carlos Mencia long enough to comment on him.

[Kurovski]

166. War is over the top. War is vile and offensive and hateful.

Enabling war, voting for war--an illegal war--is repellent. Remaining silent about the travesty and disgusting behavior that allows war is repulsive. War is anti-human. War is sexist and racist and ageist.

People in power who do nothing but vacillate and go mealy-mouthed over it are fucking whores.

we keep forgetting that.

[mzmolly]

167. Hillary Clinton didn't start the war.

She voted for the "last resort" measure.

Further we can think of a less sexist term to describe these "pricks" who started the war, no?

[Kurovski]

168. Nowhere in my post did I state that HRC started the Iraq invasion.

There is no evidence out at this time that her role in it began from the ground-up.

I'll admit it's shocking for some of us to hear the term "whore" applied to a woman not in the sex trade, but the fact remains that the definition includes all people who sell-out.

"2: a male who engages in sexual acts for money
3: a venal or unscrupulous person"

People can lobby Mirriam-Webster to change that definition if they wish, but there are perhaps better ways to use one's time.

[mzmolly]

171. I understand the context that this word is used, I simply prefer

we as progressives choose different ones.

[Kurovski]

172. I understand your objection.

And I will try to refrain from the term when I see you on a thread.

But please don't :spank: me if you find me using the term prior to your arrival.

Oh, what the hell, go ahead and spank me if you feel I'm out of line. :hug: :hi:

(However, I do think it's a powerhouse of an expression, it is meant to offend on a basic level, and is an excellent term to apply to already powerful and wealthy people who will "do what they have to" to "survive". It is very good to use on people who feel that they deserve respect for their position, even if it is gained by dint of ruthlessness and dishonesty.

I understand why people who do not see the Clintons as part of a corporate hegemony would be especially offended, but that will not change the facts as some others have found them.)

[izzybeans]

20. I highly doubt it was just because of this.

She is horribly rude to her callers and regardless of who she supports, I agree with her stances on the candidates, has that New Yorker habit of saying naughty words. it's an unfortunate thing, but as much as I don't like her show personally, much of her audience can't handle the naughty words-like children.

I'm sure there was an outpouring of whining, but like I said before, I'm sure it was the final straw on a rickety old camel.

[PoliticalAmazon]

21. Honest people don't have different rules for different people...

...and freedom of speech needs to be for all or ultimately it will be for no one.

I don't like the RR show. I don't listen to it. Same with Howard Stern. But I will go to the mat with anyone who tries to stop them from speaking their opinions.

To tell you the truth, I would have felt uncomfortable hearing her, on stage, calling HRC and Ferraro whores. I would agree with her, but it is such a ham-fisted way to say it. And it isn't funny, not one bit. She could have made the same point in a blisteringly funny way that wouldn't have evoked such strong response. But that's just my opinion about what she said and how I would feel listening to it. I still support her right to say it.

[PeaceNikki]

36. Of course you should support her right to say it. As well as AAR's right to call it tasteless.

And suspend her.

[PoliticalAmazon]

43. They didn't just "call it" something--they suspended her. n/t

[PeaceNikki]

47. Yup. And it's well within their rights.

[Joe the Revelator]

49. The precident you're setting means that anyone who speaks out against Bush or McCain..

are subject to suspension as well. Real healthy and real smart there, kid.

[PeaceNikki]

54. OK, first *I* am not setting precident at all.

Get that straight, Sparky.

Secondly, yes, any employer can punish or fire an employee for acting like a bafoon (however they choose to define it).

AAR is not a "pioneer" in this, I promise. I'd bet at least 1 or 2 people have been suspended and/or lost their jobs for saying stupid shit while they represent the company - on the clock or not.

[Joe the Revelator]

58. You may not be setting the precident, but you sure are running around supporting it.

Sport.

[PeaceNikki]

61. I am not "running around" at all, Bucko.

[PeaceNikki]

56. .

Dup

[MonkeyFunk]

23. LOL

I'd love to see your reaction if she'd called Obama some racist epithet.

[Joe the Revelator]

28. I'd love to see you make a post in this thread that wasn't based on hypothetical scenarios.

[MonkeyFunk]

53. Yeah, OK

She said something vile and over-the-line, and deserved her suspension.

How's that?

[Joe the Revelator]

70. How's that? Not surprising.

Hows that?

[goodgd_yall]

25. 'Whiny ass republican wannabes"

I thought you meant Randi.

[chascarrillo]

26. If you take a look at Air Am's blog, Clintonites wanted Rhodes suspended because she endorsed Obama.

[Joe the Revelator]

32. The same way they are going after Olberman

[chascarrillo]

55. While Clinton pals around with Scaife and Murdoch, Bill goes on Limbaugh's show...

... Ed Rendell praises FOX, they all trash MSNBC...

I totally understand the process of rationalizing some of the sketchier points of campaigning, but here we have:

1) an all out assault on liberal media; and

2) an all out embrace of radical conservative media.

Clinton supporters, are you comfortable with this? I totally understand wanting to see your candidate win. I certainly feel the same way. However, we are seeing the campaign of a Democratic nominee - going up to the candidate herself - burning down all the inroads that liberals have made into the media. Every single one of them: Olbermann, Air America, Rachael Maddow...

Please, I ask the supporters here: Don't do us like this. Make your arguments, disagree vociferously, even protest... but don't demolish what we've worked so hard to accomplish.

[PoliticalAmazon]

39. The market will decide this one....

Frankly, I've been disappointed for a long time that so many stations still carry her programming. She has real problems dealng with callers, and is rude, insulting, and often out-right screams at her callers. O'Reilly is GOOD with callers compared to Randi Rhodes.

But local stations seem to like her program, and it must be because people want to listen to her. Progressives have few radio talk shows we can listen to, so if a lot of our local progressive listeners like her, even though it turns my stomach to hear her with callers, then I'm happy the other progressives have someone they like.

It will be the ratings that will determine whether RR has a future in radio or not.

[Upton]

30. It appears Hillbots only support free speech

when they agree with what's being said. Good post!

[Ninga]

31. Randi pissed her boss off. You know, the guy who owns AAR? I am disappointed but

not surprised that her ego let her mouth go places it didn't need to go.

Rush Limbaugh's boss must accept his language, because he is still on the air.

Randi took a chance and her boss called her on it. Not too smart in my book. I do all I can to avoid pissing off my boss.

I am a proponent of free speech but the guy holding the AAR purse strings, obviously isn't.

My point is that sometimes it is better to be smart with your criticism, rather than make it easy for your critics (boss) pull the hook and take you out.

This is not about Randi being right or wrong, it is about her judgment on how she chose to color her rant with over the top language.

[Joe the Revelator]

35. So you'd rank keeping your boss happy over beng able to speak freely?

Thats a pity.

[Ninga]

60. Listen up real clear, open your mind for one minute. When the boss OWNS the

radio station he has a right to cut anyone out he wants to..........

I keep my boss happy by being smart and knowing my boundaries. It is not my job to convert my boss, my job is to do my job and not harm the brand name or trade marks of the business. If that means I have to temper my opinion, it is my job to do so.

This is NOT about Randi tempering her opinion, it is about the words she chose while giving her opinion.

If Randi owned the radio station, or her boss supported the language she used, then we wouldn't be here talking about it. She has been ranting and raving on air, for many weeks now about Hillary, it does not appear as though she was censored in anyway.

But her slurs and over the top language in San Francisco, brought her down.

It was not Randi's opposition of Hillary, it was the words she used to characterize her.

I know, this is rather nuanced but I hope you get the picture.

[Joe the Revelator]

69. Listen real close: You're supporting a precident that progressives have fought against for a long

time.

I know thats a hard concept to view, as I'm guessing your weren't a part of any of those fights, which is why my OP is directed to you.

[Ninga]

79. The progressives I know (me included) think it was stupid of Randi to use slurs. Obama needs

his supporters to take the high ground when supporting him.

Randi had the right to say what ever she wanted and I support that right. I do not support her use of slurs.

So, let me get this right. You think it was ok for Randi to use the words she did?

[polmaven]

110. If the speech was being made

at an event on sponsored by and on BEHALF of my employer, YES!!!!!

[GoldieAZ49]

33. no difference between the indoctrinated in either party

which is why the independent party is growing, and it should

[havocmom]

45. Thinkin you have a point about the indoctrinated

Sick of sheep pretending to be free people, and party doesn't seem to matter. Lock step is NOT democratic!

[PoliticalAmazon]

98. ITA. GOPBots or DemBots--both are harming our country. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

37. Blahblahblah - only YOU are progressive... blahblahlbah.

[Joe the Revelator]

42. No there are a lot of progressives still on this board, they are the ones not supporting this

horse shit. The problem is, there are a bunch of people who claim to be progressive only when it suits them. Thats who this post is aimed at. Where do you stand?

[FedoraLV]

40. Try listening to her show

Randi always has informed reasons for her opinions: whatever point she was trying to make about Clinton's campaign gets lost when you trim her speech down to the two most offensive words.

As with the smear against Rev. Wright and his church, I will not condemn Randi until I have heard her entire appearance.

(Notice she was not booed and local station management reported fewer than 2 complaints from a crowd of over 500: perhaps we're not getting the whole picture.)

-FedoraLV

[PoliticalAmazon]

136. Yes, I challenge anyone to listen to her show. I won't .(but she still has free speech rights) n/t

[anonymous171]

41. Wasn't she calling her a "whore" or something?

[Joe the Revelator]

46. In the same way that we refer to people as coporate whores and media whores.

[JackBeck]

44. Two words: Whoopi Goldberg.

I've been trying to think of an OP about this, but don't have the time or energy right now.

But I'm pretty sure this board was up in arms over Whoopi getting tossed from representing Slim Fast because of her "vulgar" stand-up routine at a Kerry fundraiser, during which she used euphemisms for her vagina in reference to Bush.

[polmaven]

121. Was Whoopi

being paid by Slim Fast to be at the Kerry fundraiser? If she was, then they had every right to do as they did. If she was not, while they still had the right, they also should expect more flak about it.

Randi was being paid by AAR at the time that she said this. It was crude and sexist. The "corporate whore" argument made by the other posters doesn't wash. The derivation of that term is from the sexist word. That is the same argument made in support of David Shuster's remarks.

It is offensive to MANY! AAR had the right...and I will say almost the responsibility to suspend her.

[JackBeck]

131. No, she was a Slim Fast spokesperson that was fired for making crude comments about Bush.

Because right-wingers made a stink over her vulgar comments about the President.

And progressives were pissed that Whoopi was censored.

Maybe Hillary really is the one to bring both sides of the aisle together.

And by the way, Randi had a sponsor pay for her trip to San Fran, a martial arts business from Newark, NJ.

[polmaven]

132. That is the difference.

By the way...she was representing AAR....The sponsor was, I assume, a sponsor of AAR.

Whoopie was at a Kerry fund raiser, and not representing Slim Fast or any sponsor. She was just representing Senator Kerry and herself.

Like I said...Slim Fast had the right to drop her...but maybe not as mush "responsibility" to do so.

[JackBeck]

134. This is the worst form of parsing.

Accounting for the logic circulating around here, both were representing "corporations" at the time they made their comments, regardless of its capacity, so therefore should be equally held accountable.

And if you don't tow the corporate line, you get run out, regardless of the venue one finds themselves speaking in.

On edit: But at least you agree that corporations own the degree in which spokespersons get to disseminate information.

[PoliticalAmazon]

51. Randi Rhodes will have a HUGE chip on her shoulder after this. It won't be pleasant...

...She was sued once (it was a bogus suit) by a company about whom RR reported information that was easily available in public records. She won, but it took a toll on her. She was defensive and a little fragile afterwards.

But if Hillary supporters--from RR's own political party--have been instrumental in getting RR suspended, it will not be pretty when RR comes back on the air. She will be angry and defensive, and, sweet baby in the manger, she will take it out on her callers. AND HOW.

[emilyg]

67. What an ego.

[RaleighNCDUer]

108. No, it's more like, Hillbots gotta be careful who they tangle with.

Not everybody is as nice as Obama.

[AX10]

142. RR has been going with a hatchet at HRC for the past month.

She is no one to have any chip on her shoulder.

[2rth2pwr]

152. Poor fragile little Randi.

[kevinmc]

62. Phony Liberals Hate Free Speech ...... n/t

[PeaceNikki]

64. You aren't real familiar with the concept and how it applies to private employers, are ya?

[kevinmc]

68. Actually I am ..... and this is nothing ... this is more of a publicity stunt than anything....

Randi will be back soon and her ratings will spike a bit.

[PeaceNikki]

71. And the suspension is not squelching free speech.

An employer can set boundaries for what they deem acceptable. As they said it was "abusive, ad hominem language".

Good for them for setting standards. Some of the right-wing bosses should follow suit.

[Joe the Revelator]

72. When you're supporting a right wing policy, you should then call out "right wing bosses"

It makes you look foolish.

[PeaceNikki]

75. A "right-wing policy"?

The only fool you are seeing is in your mirror, fool.

[Joe the Revelator]

93. Not quite sweetheart

You support people being able to lose their jobs or otherwise be silenced because of their lack of support for certain politicians.

[PeaceNikki]

96. Nope. Not for support or lack therof. But of being too stupid to use some tact.

:*

[kevinmc]

73. Thank you Ed Meese ...... n/t

[PeaceNikki]

74. WTF?

Idiot.

[Joe the Revelator]

87. It was a great comparison Eddie.

[PeaceNikki]

105. yes, exactly the same thing.

:eyes:

[DerekJ]

66. Not this progressive!! I don’t fucking silence free speech UNLESS:

1- It breaks the law.
2- It's hate speech, or a discriminatory one.

AND YES EVEN IF IT'S AGAINST OBAMA.

[bpeale]

85. I'LL REPEAT THIS LOUDLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE HARD OF READING

WHEN YOU ARE REPRESENTING YOUR COMPANY, THE COMPANY HAS A RIGHT TO SUSPEND YOU IF THEY DEEM YOUR WORDS/BEHAVIOR TASTELESS OR OFFENSIVE FOR WHATEVER REASON. YOU WORK FOR THEM & YOU REPRESENT THEM. THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO PUNISH YOU IF YOU EMBARRASS THE COMPANY.

[Joe the Revelator]

86. Just because you type it in all caps does not make it true, or part of our ideal set

[PeaceNikki]

100. You're right. Caps don't make it true. The fact it's true makes it true.

[bpeale]

106. this is not a subject for discussion

AAR was within their rights, since RR was representing AAR at an event, to suspend her for tasteless & vulgar comments. they are allowed to set their own standards for behavior which YOU cannot win against in an argument because your opinion doesn't count. only their opinion counts. they pay her salary & she stepped over the line in their opinion & she should be punished with suspension for it. if it were me & she were representing me, i would have FIRED HER. period. the employer is entitled to set the standards for their employees. i didn't hear this kind of crap about Schuster when he was suspended.

randi was wrong & you are not helping when you refuse to see HOW she was wrong. this is not a free speech issue. your speech is free is you are only representing yourself, not if you are representing your company. AAR has put up with a lot of crap from randi, but she deserved this. like i said, i would have fired her, so she should thank her lucky stars she only got suspended. they were being generous. they were trying to teach her a lesson. one that i hope she will learn.

her mouth has been out of control for a long, long time & sooner or later it was bound to come to this.

[DerekJ]

111. I am not arguing about what they CAN or CAN'T do

I am arguing whether what they have done is right or wrong.

It's WRONG.

[polmaven]

127. I agree with everything you have said

except that ----There were a LOT of poeple here who said very much the same things about Shuster's suspension.

[DerekJ]

94. Here is what I said from another thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5371814&mesg_id=5372747


Did she break any laws?!!, Was that by any means discriminatory or hate speech?!!

Look I am not saying the network has no right to suspend her. Its their network they can do whatever they want with it.

But, since when is calling anyone a whore grounds for suspension.
Comedy skits call setting presidents whores, assholes, and every curse you can think of. Why can't they insult a nominee?!!


Stupid.
P.S:
That goes both way (let her call Obama an asshole, I don't care).


---------------------------------------


SO SPARE ME THE LECTUREEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!

Edit to add emphasis

[polmaven]

128. Since when?

ummm..."nappy headed ho's" sound familiar?

The screed was offensive and sexist....and please don't try to use the "well, she used it in the "corporate whore" sense. See my post above for my opinion on that.

[DerekJ]

149. A woman calling another woman whore is sexist?!!!

:WTF:

Fuck that, I call some of my friends whores, and sluts, and they are men.

My wife is a TA for a university course called "sociology of gender" and she rebuffed what you said as ridiculous.

The word sexist is being overly abused; it's hurting women's causes.

And hell no, I am not saying she said it in the corporate sense, she said the same way women insult each other using the words, Ho' and bitch. It’s hurting and insulting, but it can’t be classified as either discriminatory or hate speech by any fucking means

[polmaven]

159. Damn. right a woman can be sexist!

The word is offensive, and when used after the "f" word, it becomes more so. I do not know to what generation you and your wife belong, but to my generation, sexism is still a big deal, and should NOT be tolerated, ever, in any sense.

The word "sexist" is overused? Like the word "racist" is overused? It is unacceptable to throw around hurtful and insulting words or phrases, and yes, they most certainly can be classified as discriminatory and as hate speech, particularly when it is MEANT to be hurtful and insulting.

I will not agree with a call for Randi to be fired, but a suspension is, in my opinion, very much appropriate.

[PoliticalAmazon]

92. Who has the power to judge "hate speech'--you? ---one of Bush's judges? n/t

[madrchsod]

77. do`t know --i`m a rude pundit kinda guy....

but the problem with randi`s deal is she was on air america`s dime so they have the say so about what she said. so it was off with her head for now..she`ll be back if she had good ratings.
i`d say a lot of people here would get rid of the whole air america daily programming and well find someone else..

[workinclasszero]

81. No doubt I hate all of the reich wing garbage from the Hillbots

in here.

The DLC poison has seeped into DU as well I guess.:hide:

[Catherine Vincent]

82. I'm glad she was suspended.

She got a little too carried away. I don't care if she was joking.

[Joe the Revelator]

88. I don't even need to tell you what you sound like.

Get in line, get in line, support who we tell you too....with us, or against us.

[mudesi]

83. Some of them have disowned Olbermann as well

It's pathetic.

[rodeodance]

84. I do not consider RR a progressive-She sounds like a RW shrill--and

many on this board sound the same with constant day after day of
demeaning a Democratic Presidential Candidate!!

[Joe the Revelator]

90. Thats because you see things through filtered lenses.

[PoliticalAmazon]

104. Get a clue. Democrats have the right to criticize Democratic Party candidates....

We do nothing if we don't call out what we see as wrong in our party.

[rodeodance]

125. if that is true--then she can take some swipes at your candidate.

[PoliticalAmazon]

138. If Obama starts using Rove tactics, I'll be the first to bitch about it. n/t

[dflprincess]

101. I kind of wonder if AAR was just looking for a reason to get her off the air for a while

I've thought that she has sounded completely out of control the last few weeks. I'm not a fan of Clinton (or Obama for that matter) but she's become irrational about both. This suspension may just be an attempt to get her to calm down and get control of herself.

[PoliticalAmazon]

107. Doubt it. If that was their real reason, they would have done it less publicly....

...AAR was trying to make a point when suspending RR.

This is at least the second pundit who spoke out about HRC who got suspended.

I don't remember any pundits getting suspended for speaking out against Obama, do you?

[dflprincess]

119. Good point

In fact, I can't recall any "progressive" pundits saying anything against Obama. It's one of the things that makes me distrust him - if he truly were an agent of change the media would be tearing him down or ignoring him like they did Edwards and Kucinich.

[PoliticalAmazon]

140. What should pundits be saying about him? Hillary's Rove tactics are what's...

...losing the election for her.

[PeaceNikki]

143. Perhaps because those who have "spoken out" have done so with some tact

Unlike Randi.

"Speaking out" should not include socially charged misogynistic phrases like "fucking whore". "Speaking out" should not equte Geraldine Ferraro to a fucking clansman.

[Kaleva]

112. Calling someone a whore isn't progressive behaviour

and such actions should not be defended by those in the progressive community.

[PeaceNikki]

115. Indeed. And welcome.

It's a misogynistic and hate-filled poor choice of words.

She should question and criticize fearlessly... but calling 2 women "whores" is crossing a line.

[Joe the Revelator]

116. I'm sure you'll be all over it the next time we talk about Corporate "whores" and the media "whores"

Hell I saw a lot of good progressives marching through the streets of DC during Bush's inaugural chanting "Bush, Cheney, Corporate Whores" Those bastards!!!

[Upton]

117. Not supporting free speech is not progressive behavior either

[PoliticalAmazon]

141. I'm a progressive. Please don't tell me what is and what is not "progressive behavior." n/t

[Kaleva]

150. IMHO,

A progressive strives to elevate the level of discourse while a regressive resorts to name calling and foul language. In truth, I have a weakness for bathroom humor and think Larry the Cable Guy to be quite funny but only a select few suffer my ca-ca and pee-pee jokes.

[RaleighNCDUer]

157. Well, Hillary claims to be a progressive, too,

and we know what THAT'S worth.

In case you're confused about it, joining RW prayer groups is not progressive. Backing predatory 'free trade' is not progressive. The DLC is not a progressive organization. The Progressive Policy Institute is not. Asserting that the republican candidate is a better choice than your Democratic opponant for the presidency is not progressive.

Disagreement with the above is not progressive.

[cbayer]

114. This is really rich.

I don't give a shit about Randi Rhodes. Not even a whiff of a shit.

It's rich because DU has become an indescribably intolerant place.

"Since when did progressives support silencing people because they speak out against politicians.?" Great question. Let me suggest you try a little experiment. Try posting something positive about Clinton here. You will be attacked mercilessly. It also makes me sick to see how far many members of this board have strayed from democratic ideals of openness and tolerance.

I also agree that a lot of people need to take a hard look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves if they are really dedicated to progressive ideals. In my mind, the behavior of many of this board represent the antithesis of progressive. They are the most closed-minded, intolerant, hateful bunch of people I have ever had the misfortune to run into.

[Joe the Revelator]

118. Yet another memeber of the "Poor Little Me" clique

You're such a victim! How do you deal with it all?

[cbayer]

120. You obviously don't know anything about me.

But it does not surprise me that you would make assumptions based on no information.

If I feel victimized by anything, it is by intolerance and bigotry. This board is rife with it.

[Joe the Revelator]

122. I only know you by how you represent yourselves with your posts.

[cbayer]

129. That's correct.

So how did you draw the conclusion that i am part of the "poor little me clique"? Are you basing it on me standing up to bullies? Are you basing it on my defending the innocent?

If you have drawn the conclusion that I ever take the position of victim, you are sorely mistaken.

But that seems to be the name of the game here these days. If someone takes a position different than your own, dismiss them as a weak member of the other side who is just whining. It's the worst kind of bigotry.

So go ahead. Assume whatever you want.

[AZBlue]

123. It's frightening that so many "Democrats" support this Bush-like move.

It's the Bush Cabal that goes after media that doesn't agree with them, not Dems.

[Joe the Revelator]

124. EXACTLY

[ampad]

130. You know I watched the video

I thought it was vile but it was suppose to be a joke, which I understand. After thinking about it for a while I realize you are right. I started thinking back to how pissed I was that slim fast booted Whoopie because of her anti Bush statement. That really pissed me off. I figure I have no right to not stand with Randi on this if I got so pissed at slim fast for firing Whoopie. I stand with Randi on this one. I do think my first reaction was a little knee jerk. I'm off to donate to NovaM radio because Mike Malloy made some good points about this entire ordeal.

[AX10]

139. If this was said about Obama...

it would be all over the media and the we would never hear the end of it.

[helderheid]

145. if he was accused of being a corporate whore? really?

[AX10]

146. No, Randi..

called HRC a "fucking whore".

Get your facts straight.

[helderheid]

147. Calm down. I didn't see the video. Give me a link instead of being a jerk.

[helderheid]

154. fucking whore or corporate whore?

[helderheid]

144. I totally support what she said. Just couldn't hear it because she has become so obnoxious in the

last year I wouldn't tune in.

[americanstranger]

148. You know what I think is the worst part of all this?

That it was a supposedly 'liberal' blog - Larry Johnson's No Quarter - that got her suspended.

Whether the suspension was appropriate or not is open to debate. I personally think AAR was well within their rights to suspend her. It happens at radio stations all the time - a guy at a music station here on Long Island was suspended for making disparaging remarks about a LI community a couple of weeks ago, so it's not like there's no precedent.

Having said that, the spectacle of one liberal waving around the scalp of another (like Johnson did this morning with his 'We Did It!!' post) is more than a little disgusting.

- as

[LTR]

158. Thank you

Finally, someone else agrees that conservatives are the whiniest bunch of crybabies around. Well, them and the Larry Johnson crowd.

[backscatter712]

160. ++ to the OP.

Even if you don't agree with what Rhodes said.

Even if you think she should have found a different way to say it, ask yourself this question.

Would you fire someone for it? Would you take away a person's livelihood? Would you remove their ability to keep a roof over their head, get food and pay bills and get health care and provide for their kids?

Would you go that far?

I wouldn't.

[mountainvue]

161. When did Randi become a Republican wannabe?

Trashing the Clintons is something we have come to expect from right wing hate radio, not a liberal Democrat talk show host. We are supposed to be better than that. I think Randi is having some health issues right now and is not herself.

[rinsd]

162. Progressive ideals = calling women whores?

Someone needs a look in the mirror alright.

[liberaldem4ever]

164. This reminds me of what happened to Bill Maher

When he made a remark on Politically Incorrect about 9/11. They fired him and canceled his show because he dared to speak the truth and not bow down to what the establishment wanted him to say. That was really awful and I remember how pissed off I was. I loved that show. I still have his last show on tape.

[Neshanic]

169. When we have two "whiny-ass republican wannbes" as candidates.

[Mezzo]

170. When they started using right wing talking pts against a sitting US Senator. nt

Watch as they flip the fuck out over the use of Barack Obama's middle name, and you're gonna talk to ME about ego worship? what-fucking-ever.