Limbaugh, Robertson strike a nerve!
EDITOR’S COMMENTARY
LIMBAUGH & ROBERTSON STRIKE NERVE WITH HAITI COMMENTS, By Wayne Hodges
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti –In the aftermath of one of the world’s most damaging natural disasters, television Evangelist Pat Robertson and Political Commentator Rush Limbaugh found it necessary to partake in their own unique version of “Def Comedy Jam.” According to Robertson, “Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about. [Haitians] were under the heel of the French…and they got together and swore a pact to the Devil. They said, ‘we will serve you if you’ll get us free from the French.’ True story. And the Devil said, ‘OK it’s a deal.’ Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after another.”
And there’s Limbaugh. On his Wednesday radio talk show, the controversial commentator said that President Barack Obama would use the Haitian crisis to build closer relationships with the “light-skinned and dark-skinned black [communities] in this country.” Then, as an encore, Limbaugh added the U.S. has “already donated to Haiti. It’s called the U.S. income tax.” Ouch! I understand many of you find these statements to be racist, disheartening, insensitive and flat out classless. Your anger is justified. No question about that. And your angst certainly has merit. Personally, I’m baffled at the fact both men chose to take a natural disaster of this magnitude and politicize it. However, as difficult as this may be, let’s try to remove emotion from the equation.
Evangelist Pat Robertson
I’m not a theology expert, so I won’t pretend to understand what Robertson is talking about. From what I can recollect, the “so called” Haiti Satanic pact is an old legend that has been around since the country’s brittle independence. Christian Haitians are said to be followers of this prophecy. I will research it further and get back to you. I would, however, like to comment on Limbaugh’s assessment. If indeed Obama is looking to send messages by establishing positive relationships in Urban America, my response would be “what took so damn long?” As a nation, we’re in dire need of a lesson involving the importance of such intrinsic values as decency, morality, self-respect and humanity.
The African-American community, in my opinion, is a microcosm of a bigger national problem. Hell, I’ve spent the past few articles berating NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards and basketball players at the University of Tennessee for illegal possession of firearms. As a byproduct of our ignorance, 70% of black women in the U.S are single. Let me repeat that. 70 frickin’ percent of African-American women are alone. Yes sir. We have a serious problem in America. And it starts with a “black” and ends with a “men.” Hey, I gotta call it like it is. We can continue to ignore the seriousness of the situation at hand. We can sugarcoat the inevitable genocide. We can take vindication in the arrest and imprisonment of thousands of young black men; many of whom have no direct ties to foreign drug dealers and international crime bosses. Blah, Blah, Blah.
Rush Limbaugh
Just keep in mind; at the end of the day, we still have a problem. It’s sort of like that bill collector who refuses to leave you alone. Sure, you can ignore his or her courtesy calls today. But the phone will ring again tomorrow. If Obama chooses to utilize the Haitian crisis as a worldwide platform to unite a divided populace, I say more power to him. As for Limbaugh’s statement claiming the U.S. has “already donated to Haiti,” let’s step back and analyze this comment from a broader economic perspective. For the past two decades, Haiti has received billions of dollars in international aid; including funds from the U.S. This, in a nutshell, explains my frustration with federal tax policy. We continue to take taxpayer dollars and throw them into a black hole.
Republican John Boehner
Before you get upset with me, allow me to elaborate. If you’ve seen photos and images of Haiti prior to the earthquake, you can tell the international aid was not well spent. 80% of Haitians earn $2 per day or less. 80 frickin’ percent. 20% of the children are malnourished. And only a small percentage of Haitian citizens are fortunate enough to receive adequate health care. If indeed billions of international dollars were spent solely to elevate Haiti to 3rd world status, where the hell did the money go? Last October, I wrote an editorial outlining the general flaws/shortcomings of the U.S. stimulus package. House Republican leader John Boehner ripped President Obama and the Democrats; pronouncing their $1.3 trillion stimulus package as a colossal failure.
As an act of humor and sarcasm, yours truly wrote a bill detailing the advantages of a new, more efficient economic stimulus. To sum it up, I proposed a package of $300 million in which each American would receive $1 million in cash. You heard me right. A cool mil. However, there are responsibilities involved. Prior to outlay, all debts and delinquent taxes would be deducted. And each creditor would be satisfied. I also proposed tuition caps on American Colleges and Universities, freezes on student loans, a new line of credit for each citizen, and lucrative incentives for homeowners and buyers of American cars. In addition to spurring our nation’s ailing economy, my plan would’ve saved the U.S. well over a trillion dollars in public funds.
The U.S. is currently fighting two wars
With wars in Iraq and Afghanistan still underway, we could’ve used that capital in other key economic areas and/or government expenditures. Many of you laughed at my proposal. You found it comical. You found it outlandish. You thought the world’s top blogger had gone nuts. Last time I checked, unemployment is still over 10%. And more than 15 million Americans remain jobless and out of work. Do you see where I’m going with this? As a nation, we can’t continue to make bad monetary investments. The national debt rests at $11.4 trillion. Did you hear me? $11.4 trillion. Yikes! Folks, I’m scared to death about the proposed public healthcare bill. Seriously, I’m nervous as hell. Why? The average age of a U.S. Congressman is 62 years old. I believe a deviation somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 to 45 is more suitable.
Think about it. At 62 years of age, how in touch can you be with current issues? Besides, where’s the balance? Where’s the competition? Where’s the democracy? Whew. I’m done venting. Had to get that off my chest. Let’s get back to the task at hand. Regardless your political affiliation, religion, sex, gender, age or race, please understand the people in Haiti are helpless victims. Robertson and Limbaugh are both integral parts of American’s most ascending party; the vocal minority. Let’s get on our knees and offer prayer in support of the Haitian community, the tornado survivors of Greensburg, Kansas, the tsunami victims, etc, etc. Humanity has no color. It’s imperative we, the people, take consolation in that. To view this article on the Topeka Examiner, please click here.
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He is also a candidate for Kansas Senate District #7, an adjunct professor, and MPA at Kansas University. Wayne welcomes your comments at whodges@massappealnews.com
January 16th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Reverend (?) Pat Robertson made another extremely insensitive statement, this time concerning the earthquake disaster in Haiti.
His statements prove that we as a society have completely forgotten the old adage that one should think before they speak,and it also shows that there is a complete disconnect between having the right of free speech and having the wisdom to exercising that right!
January 16th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Wayne,
Be sure to let everyone know about the comments that Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh made about the situation in Haiti. You can find it on CNN.com, Huffingtonpost, etc. just in case your readers have not heard.
January 16th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Where is the love and respect for mankind??? These people are dying. Most of them still don’t have food or water. Are Limbaugh and Roberson really that COLD. What if that earthquake had struck America? Both of these men need to get their hearts right with Jesus.
January 16th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
limbaugh and roberson are both racist bigots. i cant believe anybody would have the nerve to stomp on a community of helpless people after a disaster like that. somebody tell me why these idiots are on TV and radio. both need to have their credentials revoked and get banned from mainstream media.
January 17th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Perhaps both men should consider doing some research before they speak. I find it sad that they would abuse their media power with these types of off-the wall comments. Limbaugh was just denied an opportunity to buy the St. Louis Rams because fellow NFL owners were smart enough to understand his racist reputation would hurt the league. The media outlets and companies Limbaugh work for should react the same way.
January 17th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
two peas in a pod. what do you expect?
January 18th, 2010 at 2:22 am
Interesting how Limbaugh was attacked for purchasing the St Louis Rams because he spoke about McNabb in a way that could be perceived as ‘racism’. But what Reid said is definitely acceptable and approved. We can now use the word ‘negro dialect’ as a political correct term.
Reading the text of what Robertson said carries a different tone when you hear him on the video. I’m not a fan of his.. I see him as an old man who knows some things. He could’ve elaborated the difference between Haiti and the Dominican Republic with the paths they chose.
It’s funny how Robertson is a racist as he hosts a show with an African-American female co-host. It’s funny how Limbaugh is a racist when is good friend Bo Snerdlely who works the station is African-American.
But Robert Byrd, a former klans man was the majority senate leader, and you have Reid, the current senate majority leader, thinks tourists stink and a light-skinned African-American does well when not speaking in a “negro-dialect”.
January 18th, 2010 at 2:22 am
By the way… good writing. You do speak with integrity rather than bitter political hate. All mankind is contradicting when they open their mouth… the only acceptable thing is to show merciful rather than hate.
Tip: You may want to break down the big block paragraphs for easy reading. Reading the web is far different from print. The big blocks can be intimidating for net surfers who just want to digest the info quickly. Other than that… great writing!
January 18th, 2010 at 2:23 am
apologize for mistypes and grammer…. I don’t proofread my comments. lol
January 18th, 2010 at 9:55 am
wayne i love your stimulus package. if you ever run for office you got my vote. LOL
you are truly an amazing writer and i love your articles. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!
January 20th, 2010 at 9:47 am
You killed it, my brotha!!!!
January 21st, 2010 at 5:27 pm
DAMN GEORGE BUSH! This iz all his fault. The economy, the recession, the unemployment rate, the trillion $$$ national debt, is all his fault. Im even blamin the earthquake in Haiti on Bush. The dude screw’d us up
January 21st, 2010 at 5:43 pm
You mispelled Robertson. I have great respect for Rev. Pat Robertson, having said that I was amazed that he would make such an insensitive remark. I do not think, however he was meaning that this tradedy was God’s judgement, but that those who do practice vodoo and make sacrifices to other “god’s” invite this not from God, but from the very one who they are makig sacrifices to. The devil is evil a liar and cannot be trusted no matter how many chickesn you kill. Rush LImbaugh was correct to encourage people not to send their money to the Whitehouse, but simply encourage those who wished to contribute to Agencies that already have a proven track record of helping in these types of tragedies. Pat Robertson, has operated Operation Blessing for years as well as many other church organizations, but they are never mentioned in the liberal media, only in their failings
January 21st, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Chrisg, thanks for the heads up on the Robertson spelling. The error has been corrected.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
ARE LIMBAUGH & ROBERTSON PART OF THE KKK???????