SONICFROG DOT NET

On Rush And The St Louis Rams

I was listening to Hugh Hewitt yesterday and heard him mention that there were some pseudo quotes attributed to Rush, but i didn’t know what they were.These are the pseudo-quotes I think he was talking about:

“I mean, let’s face it, we didn’t have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I’m not saying we should bring it back; I’m just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark.”

And

“You know who deserves a posthumous Medal of Honor? James Earl Ray. We miss you, James. Godspeed”

From what I can tell, the quotes are lifted from a book published in 2006 called “The 100 People You Really Should Hate” or something like that. Rush says he never said those phrases, and I take him at his word. So lets drop the issue of these quotes and move to something Hugh said. Hugh went on to call Rodger Goodell a moron and liberal. I don’t know if Goodell is a liberal or not, but I do know he’s not a moron. Goodell has done more to put players on notice that bad behavior will not be tolerated than any other major sport commissioner. Google Goodell / PacMan Jones or Chris Henry for an example.

What are the criteria for, or better put, what is expected from someone who is an owner, or part of an ownership group in the NFL and other sports? The league prefers those who stay behind the scenes and don’t draw attention to themselves.  Jerry Jones and Al Davis aside, there is a long tradition of owners being invisible to the game. Yes, they can made a tremendous difference for the game, but it’s always in the background. Jones may showboat from time to time, but has never said anything truly repugnant – unless you’re a Redskins fan. The once brilliant Al Davis? Everyone knows he has become a joke as an owner and has destroyed, but he’s establishment and there is probably no way to get him out of the owners  chair short of death. Even then, he will still find a way to screw up the Raiders organization. Then there’s NBA’s Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Cuban can be controversial at times, but, he bought his stake in the team from H.Ross Perot, who has all sorts of fun history left over from his bid to become President. Most of Marks reputation stems from being an owner who  likes to fire up his team. Nothing wrong with that. But the NBA still will cringe when Cuban is in the news.

Owners of sports teams have been given the boot before for saying outlandish things. Former Reds owner Marge Schott comes to mind. Rush may not have said the specific quotes mentioned, but there are many other quotes that are just as controversial. That doesn’t mean that Rush was wrong or racist, but he does take great pleasure in getting under peoples skin, even if the core of what he’s saying is “truth-to-power” (God I hate that phrase). Even if Rush’s past comments (the ones he’s actually said) could be looked over, he would almost certainly have to give up his radio career to become a viable owner.

Lastly, Goodell, in his action to say who he does and does not feel would be right for an ownership position, is actually a very conservative idea. Goodell is simply speaking his mind. And how many times has Rush railed against the fairness doctrine and stifuling thee ability to speak one’s mind, or of government interference of, say, the ability of landlords to rent to whomever he sees fit. It’s free enterprise and market forces at work.

Do I personally think Rush would be a successful owner? Yes. He’s knowledgeable about the game and is a good businessman. And I think he sees that you have to be very hands-off to be successful (google Dan Snyder). Yet he would certainly have to give up his radio career. Again, the down side of being able to say what you want without worrying what other people think, is that your unbridled opinions could prevent you from getting a desired job… or becoming a member of an exclusive image conscious club. This makes me think this is nothing but a publicity stunt anyway. A great one at that!

As a perspective teacher, I do have to be careful of what I say on my blog. One of my blog-pals lost his job because of both advertising featured on his blog (gay racy stuff) and some of the content he wrote about.