NYDailyNews: Air America host Randi Rhodes wasn't mugged

[sabra]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/10/16/2007-10-16_air_america_host_randi_rhodes_wasnt_mugg.html

Air America radio host Randi Rhodes is temporarily off the air, but claims she was brutally attacked near her Manhattan apartment are bogus, her lawyer and a police source said today.

Fellow host Jon Elliott claimed on the liberal radio network that Rhodes had been mugged while walking her dog, Simon, on Sunday night. Elliot, who said Rhodes lost several teeth in the attack, waxed about a possible conspiracy.

...

A police source said Rhodes never filed a report and never claimed to be the victim of a mugging. Cops from Manhattan's 17th Precinct called her attorney, who told them Rhodes was not a victim of a crime, the source said.

Rhodes' lawyer told the Daily News she was injured in a fall while walking her dog. He said she's not sure what happened, and only knows that she fell down and is in a lot of pain. The lawyer said Rhodes expects to be back on the air Thursday. He stressed there is no indication she was targeted or that she was the victim of a "hate crime."

...

The network released a statement that said Rhodes "experienced an unfortunate incident."

"The reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded," the statement read by a receptionist at the network's New York offices said. "Ms. Rhodes is looking forward to being back on the air on Thursday."

[npincus]

1. great news. AAR web site reporting she'll return on Thurs.

[_testify_]

2. Thanks for posting this...

This is GOOD news, but I have a feeling some will be disappointed that she wasn't attacked...

[cali]

14. Lots and lots of someones will be disappointed.

Sad, really. It'll be interesting to see if some of the more vociferous folks who were insisting that she was the victim of a Rovian plot, will back down.

[_testify_]

19. Sad is the right word.

I wonder if the free dental work offer still stands?

[tom_paine]

24. Well, I guess in any statistically large group anything is possible.

However, I think the 'some' you speak of is a very very VERY small minority of DUers.

[_testify_]

25. Hey, I hope you're right.

I'm still amazed at what people are willing to claim without even a shred of evidence, though.

[tom_paine]

34. My counterpoint: The less free a nation is, the weaker and more toadying it's press,

the more likely people are to jump to conclusions without evidence.

I am not saying it is right, I am merely pointing out that a rise in "conspiracy theories" being true is usually concurrent with the demise of Liberty in a Nation.

Now, I speculate America is roughly 40% complete in it's transition from the old American Republic (1776-2000) to what it will evenutally become if we cannot restore the Constitution to health and vigor.

By example (and the Nazis almost always yield excellent examples for understanding Bushevism, by being mentally very much the same, except in the areas of violence and overt racism) in an extreme example of a nation which had ZERO Liberty, Nazi Germany, almost all of the supposed conspiracy theories turned out to be true and MORE THAN TRUE, if that's possible. I imagine the discussions of whether or not the Nazis were extreminating the entire Jewish People in 1943 America must have sounded very similar to the discussions we are having today.

But my point is that, because places like the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, or to a lesser degree Bush-Occupied America oftimes see jumps in "conspiracy theories turning out to be true" combined with a press which NO ONE has any faith can break any kind of story (with a few notable exceptions) truly exposing of THE PARTY (Commie, Nazi, or Bushie alike).

Again, I don't say it's right, I merely point out that what you are amazed at has a reason for it's recent increase. Just like those who wrote Samizdat in 1970s Russia eventually came to believe what was on those greasy poorly mimeographed sheets much more than the Soviet Version of Fox "News" (Isvestia/Pravda).

I believe, if we are ever within our lifetimes successful in restoring the Old American Republic and a Free Press, something I have serious doubts about, then you will see this skeptical rapid embrace of "conspiracy theories" drop off, even at the same time more of the "conspiracy theories" turn out not to be true.

Speaking of conspiracy theories that turn out to be true, how about the Bushies' turning of the DOJ into essentially a Soviet-style Tool of the Bushies?

http://harpers.org/archive/2007/10/hbc-90001405

Now there's one which I personally took quite a bit of shit for speculating about based on my knowledge of tyrants throughout history. I made the leap WITHOUT the evidence. Yes, I am aware that, ideally, it was wrong to jump to such a conclusion without evidence.

But it was right, too, because look how this "conspiracy theory" is every day turning out to be true and truer than true. We would get more informationif the Democrats would stop crapping their pants long enough to further investigate and prosecue these overt felonies.

But that is a topic for another day. You wondered why people seem to make intuitive leaps more readily these days, and I have answered you.

[_testify_]

35. That's a great post.

And I pretty much agree on all points. Intuition is a powerful tool and shouldn't be ignored or discarded, but in this case, it turned out wrong.

Unless of course, the story changes again, which it certainly could!

[bbgrunt]

36. exactly. It is becoming ever more apparent that

knowledge and information in all realms have become very fragile. It is the ideal environment for tyrants.

[Nickster]

3. Something is really weird here. Why would Jon Elliott go so far out on a limb?

[John Kerry VonErich]

6. LOL at the same time with the same question.

:rofl:

[AlCzervik]

8. maybe next time he could wait for some facts?

[Nickster]

13. Exactly. I guess I just can't see why he would have jumped so far ahead if he didn't have a clue

what happened. Kinda boggles my mind. I could see saying that he knew she got hurt, but didn't have details. Hopefully he learns a lesson about running out there with a half baked story in the future.

[AlCzervik]

15. yup, i'm surprised he didn't reach in to the "Rove did it!" bag.

[liberalla]

49. Can't wait to see what he says tonight!

He was the sole source of the mugging story... That was like yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded theater. I look forward to hearing what Randi says on Thursday.

[bob.mnemos]

62. Good Press for DU, tho

Yeah, but look at all the press we got for Democratic Underground with our "Bushies did it!" replies. The DU and a couple of other blogs got top mention on a number of shows for our informed reactions. ;) Any press is good press.

[Beelzebud]

58. Maybe because he didn't do some simple fact checking?

He now looks like a major dumb ass...

He should apologize on-air to Randi, and her fans, for spreading such a mountain of bullshit.

[Xenotime]

61. Because it's a cover up. Somebody got paid off.

[John Kerry VonErich]

4. Now I have but one question....

Why did Elliot make such a claim?

[soothsayer]

10. Air America said it was 'an unfortunate incident"

October 16-NEW YORK-On Sunday evening, October 14, Air America host Randi Rhodes experienced an unfortunate incident hindering her from hosting her show. The reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded. Ms. Rhodes looks forward to being back on the air on Thursday."
http://www.airamerica.com/

[John Kerry VonErich]

29. Yeah I know

Didn't know what incident it was at the time. Now it was an accident. Joe Elliot works for AAR and he might have pulled a very dangerous stunt. Please remember there are crazies on both sides of the spectrum and could have one progressive crazy enough to physically retalliate a random conservative before the truth came out. I hate to fathom what would happen if it did. Luckily she will be alright and everything is back to normal.

[Az]

5. Doh

Move along. Nothing to see here. :hide:

[sabra]

9. more to the sentence: "but claims she was brutally attacked near her Manhattan apartment are bogus"

[Az]

12. Doh! Must be the vicadin

Stupid pain. Thanks.

[rocktivity]

39. A VERY badly written sentence--thirty lashes for the copy editor!

I just hope this isn't some kind of cover story, that's all.

:headbang:
rocknation

[NanceGreggs]

16. Read it again.

"but claims (that) she was brutally attacked near her Manhattan apartment are bogus ..."

IOW, she isn't claiming she was attacked, but that any claims (by anyone or from any source) that she was attacked are untrue.

[John Kerry VonErich]

31. How do you figure?

She didn't file a police report, that I found out.
:dilemma:

[ben_meyers]

17. The sentence reads

"but claims she was brutally attacked near her Manhattan apartment are bogus"

No confusion to me.

[mmonk]

7. Why the word incident instead of accident?

If one falls and injures themselves, its usually called an accident. The explanation for all this should be interesting.

[CTyankee]

53. Falling so badly that she knocked out teeth is pretty awful. I used to fall

on uneven pavement downtown more often than I would like to admit. It was embarassing to fall flat on my face on a busy thoroughfare. I learned that I had to pick up my feet very carefully when I walked there.

Perhaps she was so embarassed she didn't want to talk about it and it got people thinking the worst. That's the only reason I can see.

[Lance_Boyle]

11. Jon Elliott - the new Orson Welles?

A boy crying wolf?

Either way, one thing is clear - DU remains prepared to run in circles screaming and shouting while the truth winnows its way out.

[ronnykmarshall]

18. Ain't that the truth?

But of course since this was from the NY Daily News ........ it's all part of the great and powerful KKKarl and his gigantic plot!

[NYCGirl]

20. I realize you're being facetious, but don't confuse the NY Daily News with the Murdoch-

owned NY Post.

[MonkeyFunk]

21. They're both rags

[NYCGirl]

26. I sorta like the Daily News. It's the only paper to read if you want local news.

The NY Times local section is almost nonexistent.

[Cetacea]

37. I agree. n/t

[Stephanie]

28. Not true.

The Daily News has some great political reporting, excellent columnists. Their editorial page is consistently wrong but the paper itself is not bad at all, and very convenient for subway reading.

[Cetacea]

38. The Maimai Herald is also noted for it's poltical coverage

And investigative journalism. Though many will never forgive them for the Gary Hart debacle.

[ronnykmarshall]

22. Really?

Hmmm?

Maybe that's what 'they' want us to think?

Don't be fooled!

It's all part of the 'MSM' and not to trusted.

I need to go. Someone is tapping my phone right now!

:silly:

[tom_paine]

23. This is very good news. For a change the Bushies did not exceed our worst suspicions.

That is nice to see, even if it is so rare.

It is also good to know that the Bushies have not upped the ante, because I have the feeling that if they had, there would be quite a desire among many, I think, to "make the call".

[Mist]

50. Yes indeed--it's rare the Bushistas don't surpass previous lows. I'm glad to hear it was

only an accident, and yes, Elliot took something and ran with it.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

27. Im sure a hundred DUers can figure out a way that Rove is still responsible

:eyes:

[bdamomma]

30. Well she knows now how much we care about her!!

[cali]

32. That's a nice thought! n/t

[ecstatic]

33. Where did the rumor originate? On this site??? nt

[tom_paine]

40. No, it was fed by AAR DJ John Elliott. Many (including me) took it and ran with it.

But I won't blame Elliot. We are all responsible for our own actions and failings.

Bad on me.

:thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

[John Kerry VonErich]

42. Wonder what his source was?

That was downright wrong to report without checking.

[Mojorabbit]

41. I have to admit

that my first thought was that it was an abusive relationship gone bad. A hate crime due to politics was not even on my radar.

[noamnety]

43. Is it possible for us to stop speculating about this?

I've been biting my tongue on this til now, but it seems pretty obvious to me that if a woman is attacked out in public, it's kind of her place to press charges or not press charges, it's her place to give details, it's the public's place to stop pushing incessantly to find out all the details if she doesn't wish to provide them.

It also seems pretty obvious to me that it's far more common for a woman to be attacked in public because she's a woman, than because she's a political figure, and both of those count as hate crimes.

If she hasn't come out with a statement herself, then I'd like to suggest that the DU community backs off, and respects her enough to get that if she has something she wants known about it, she will say so.

The speculation is rude, it's intrusive, and I would not like to be the target of it myself. I doubt very many of you would like to be the target of it yourselves.

It's one thing to report what was said in the news or on air, I get that, and I'm not faulting anyone for reporting what's been published. It's the rest of it that's making me feel ill.

[cali]

44. Thank you.

What a well reasoned post.

[loser_user]

45. Still...

I wish her the best of recovery and I'm glad she wasn't actually mugged.

[Dorian Gray]

46. Glad to hear that it wasn't an attack.

Still scary... falling while by yourself can be frightening... but a LOT less frightening than being attacked by another.

[Canuckistanian]

47. Why was it so hard to get the real story out?

This happened in broad daylight in the middle of a very large city to a famous person.

I understand that Randy might have been too traumatized to talk to the press, but doesn't she have an agent? A lawyer? A publicist?

And why the silence from AAR for so long?

It's almost like Randy herself was preventing news about the incident.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

54. This might be why

http://gawker.com/news/developing/was-talk-show-host-randi-rhodes-jumped-by-14-ketel-ones-311453.php

[DearAbby]

48. I am glad Randi will be fine

and look forward to hearing her show on Thursday. It is a rare treat to be able to hear Sam Sedar, we dont get him here, and I totally love his show too. :hug: for Randi

[Sammy Pepys]

51. Seriously...

...she probably had one too many and took a bad fall.

I've done it.

[mmonk]

52. Sounds as if could be a domestic situation. Or protecting a friend?

Incident doesn't sound like accident when if it is an accident, the normal way one would describe it is "accident". Maybe she was high and walked into streetlamp? Of course, why file a report?

[Stewie]

57. Sounds more like a few too many, or just tripping over a root/uneven edge.

We've all done it. I managed to escape with my teeth, but not with all my knuckle skin.

[Gregorian]

55. I foolishly believed what I read.

And rightly so. But now I am reminded that I should be careful about what I believe. I guess the news isn't always the truth. And I shouldn't be surprised.

But I will say that jumping to conclusions has it's benefits. Just like skepticism.

Hey, we're all learning. My first thought was political hate crime. The sad part isn't that I jumped to a conclusion, but that the atmosphere of the country would lead me to do that. Oh well, shame on me.

[Beelzebud]

60. Same here. This was my introduction to Jon Elliiot, and I'm not impressed.

If the guy can't get the facts straight about a co-workers injury, I seriously don't trust him about anything he says...

[Imagevision]

56. So bottomline! --> what is the truth? and what is bullsh*t???

[CGowen]

59. floored by someone or something and can't remember it

Gaulin confirmed that Rhodes was injured after she was floored by someone _ or something _ as she strolled the streets of Manhattan's Murray Hill district around 8 p.m., but wasn't sure herself what sent her tumbling to the pavement.

"She hit her head on the street and was disoriented," Gaulin said. "She's not sure what happened. She didn't see anything." He added that she never reported the incident to police.

http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-randirhodes1016,0,2190317.story?coll=amny_home_xpromo