The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney

10 May 2007

Rush Limbaugh, Baltimore Billboard Defaced

RUSH BRUSHED

When Arguments Fail, Enemies Turn To Vandalism







At least the talk titan himself has a sense of humor about it.

Too bad the same can't be said for Rush Limbaugh's enemies, one (or more) of whom went nuts merely from the sight of the host's image. Hey, when the arguments fail us, let's turn to vandalism!

And in Baltimore, that's exactly what happened, but what could have been an ordinary case of billboard defacement turned into a political flap when a city official actually praised the action!

From the Baltimore Sun:


Apparently, somebody in Baltimore isn't a fan of Rush Limbaugh.

A large billboard advertising local air times for the conservative radio talk-show host has been defaced.

Robert Murrow, a spokesman for the city's Department of Public Works, saw the vandalism as he drove to work this morning on I-83 near the Guilford Avenue exit. He called The Sun, saying that someone had poured paint on the image of Limbaugh's face.

Limbaugh, who is nationally syndicated, can be heard on WCBM 680 AM from noon to 3 p.m.

"It looks like they took globs of paint and threw it on his face. It looks great. It did my heart good," said Murrow, who admittedly is not a Limbaugh fan.

Kurt L. Kocher, chief spokesman for the city's Department of Public Works and Murrow's supervisor, took issue with Murrow's statement.

"As much as you don't like Rush Limbaugh, you don't endorse vandalism, period," Kocher said. "It's an outrageous comment, and he shouldn't have said it. It is not our policy. I think he got overenthusiastic about his feelings for Mr. Limbaugh. I am very upset about that comment, and I've let him know I'm very upset about that comment. It's his personal comment and it's wrong. It does not belong out there in any kind of official capacity. As far as I'm concerned, he was not speaking for the department."


Meanwhile, the Sun's comments section has already logged some interesting responses:


Share your thoughts on the defaced Rush Limbaugh billboard


Typical of RepubLIEcans to defend a drug addict who makes millions of dollars demonizing drug addicts in poor neighborhoods, including the one where his fat mug has been rightly smeared with paint. Submitted by: Rush Likes a Rush May 10, 2007, 12:54 PM EDT 2.


Hey liberals!! Thanks for all the free publicity this has created. Can you throw some paint on a Sean Hannity billboard next please?? Submitted by: Aaron May 10, 2007, 12:53 PM EDT 3.

No wonder you have so much crime in your city. No wonder your law enforcement officers are relegated to the job of janitors, cleaning up after criminals. City leaders endorsing criminal behavior... Completely Pathetic. Submitted by: Red
May 10, 2007, 12:53 PM EDT 4.

Big-mouthed Robert Murrow, a spokesman for the city's Department of Public Works, ought to be fired. I'm no fan of Limbaugh either but condoning vandalism of private property is bad enough, but from a public official? What a disgusting, prejudiced and apparently uneducated slug. Submitted by: Olden Atwoody
May 10, 2007, 12:51 PM EDT 5.

I am not at all surprised by the comment. Such a comment is what should be expected from a lazy civil-service worker, whose only objectives are to mark time until he receives a pension, and carry-over as many sick days as he can. Submitted by: Marty Tash
May 10, 2007, 12:50 PM EDT 6.

The incompetence of Baltimore City officials starts at the top and trickles down through the ranks. This guy will probably get a promotion for this ridiculous comment. I am glad I only work here and don't live here! Submitted by: Jimmie
May 10, 2007, 12:49 PM EDT 7.

Typical communist/lefti-st democrat crap: they trumpet the importance of free speech/expressi-on, yet have an hatred for anyone who says things they don't agree with, and actively attempt to vandalize/silen-ce opposing views. Democrat is the new Webster's definition for "Hypocrite". Submitted by: Al
May 10, 2007, 12:48 PM EDT 8.

Hey Joe, (#51 on the complaint list) Free Speech is wonderful, did Imus have it, or Lott, or even Rush Limbaugh when he sat on a sports show as a commentator. How about myself, I'm a teacher, I have no free speech rights in the classroom or in the Christmas season. I say, "Shut your mouth!" Submitted by: Larry Folds
May 10, 2007, 12:46 PM EDT 9.

"Limbaugh isn't worth either the effort to deface his billboard or defend him. He spouts nonsense to the nonsensical and so be it. Submitted by: GFH" GFH, an example please? Maybe low taxes, personal liberty, private property, other nonsensical ideas perhaps? Submitted by: DKS
May 10, 2007, 12:44 PM EDT 10.

I have not found many liberals who were tolerant. Liberal Tolerance is a misnomer. Submitted by: Bos'un
May 10, 2007, 12:40 PM EDT 11.

if this had been an obama poster, the media would be hyperventilatin-g and mr murrow would have been fired. can you spell h-y-p-o-c-r-i-s-y? Submitted by: donna
May 10, 2007, 12:40 PM EDT 12.

Reading all the comments on this story it's interesting to note that many assume it was a liberal who threw the paint and proceed to criticize liberals for their values. That is total fantasy, you simply can't know who did it, could of been a drunk conservative teenager Submitted by: jim black
May 10, 2007, 12:39 PM EDT 13.

A fine example of diversity. The left seeks to shut down and silence all disent Submitted by: Pete B
May 10, 2007, 12:38 PM EDT 14.

To all the sorry far left liberals, the truth hurts! Submitted by: glenn kerley
May 10, 2007, 12:38 PM EDT 15.

Is there free speech only for the left-leaning liberals/Democr-ats in this country? I am very concerned about the double standard in this country that is totally ignored by the so-called main stream media. Submitted by: CJ-Minnesota
May 10, 2007, 12:37 PM EDT 16.

How about we go to this "tolerant" Spokesperson's house and paint "Osama/Obama NO8" on his house! How tolerant would he be of THAT?! Submitted by: Keith
May 10, 2007, 12:36 PM EDT 17.

Maybe that city should hire grown-up for management postions. You can be biased all day long in your personal life but public personel are to be unbiased. The act was ignorance and the response by the public official was ignorance. Submitted by: Shar
May 10, 2007, 12:36 PM EDT 18.

Brad is right.. Slick haired "AL" HAS A MUCH MORE POSITIVE EFFECT ON SOCIETY!!! Submitted by: KEN
May 10, 2007, 12:35 PM EDT 19.

Rush must be proud. This act so validates one of his truisms about the Left; "They can't debate the issues, so they attack the messenger"! Submitted by: Taylor-S.R.Beach, FL
May 10, 2007, 12:35 PM EDT


Interestingly, in kicking off today's show, Limbaugh had a good sense of humor about the incident, probably recognizing the publicity value of the story. In addition, it's hard to believe this is the first time one of his billboards has been defaced.

Without a thick skin, El Rushbo wouldn't have survived this many years in the business, don't you think?


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Images: Baltimore Sun

published by Brian Maloney at 12:51

12 Comments:

  • this whole story is plain silly, who cares? Are we supposed to cry for the pigman?
    I cry for the poor, the disenfranchised, the eldeerly, the weak, the people the GOP prey on. The pigman, is a celebrity, you must accept and expect that people will hate him, especially a pig that preaches anti-populism, an agenda that is against 90% of the people who even listen to him. Instead of vandalism, I prefer, letter writing, selling stock and pulling sponsership. I would have called the advertising agency and told them "Limbaugh is offensive to most of America, his billboard represents an Anti-American agenda, the citizens of this town, are offended by his image, his image represents the death of the American working class".

    Maloney understand this, the same way a say far far left communist on say pacifica is offensive to many Americans, a man who is against the new-deal, against checks and balances, against Unions (even though he is in one of the strongest unions), hateful to the poor, spits on the military, urinates on the consitution, and supports an Anti-american administration will definatly offend many Americans. He is a RADICAL, just like the communists, he is a far far far right, radical Brian.
    People are sickened by him, he will never be loved by America, EVER. Radicals, are only admired by fellow radicals, Rush is like the Che of the radio. Only those who are super radical will flaunt that they are a supporter. Most Limbaugh supporters are embarassed to be fans, they understand he is radical, and many understand their agenda is extremly radical, honest CONS understand how un-popular their ideology is. Dishonest and delusional ( are you one Brian?) think they are "mainstream". Rush is about as mainstream as Howard Zinn ( I love Zinn, my leanings are close to socialism and understand many of my views are out of the main).

    It's a shame a radical like Rush is allowed on 10 million stations, but not a single TRUE leftist is on the radio nation wide (Hartman, Rhodes, Schulz, Miller, Malloy are more main stream Liberals). If right wing radicals can be national, why is someone far far left not on the radio?


    Kind of like the hard core porn collection you hide when inviting a new date over to the house. Porn is not too popular among ladies, and Rush is not too popular amongst Americans.

    Being a "ditto head" is like being in a White supremicist group, or a radical black Nationalist group (like the panthers). Rush worshippers are FRINGE.

    By Blogger Minister of Propaganda, at 10 May, 2007 14:33  

  • MoPoop,

    You are a ticking timebomb just like Cho was.

    You are just the typical whacko who rants, raves, and condones lawlessness in support of your ideas.

    You are just a nutcase, the crazy aunt in the attic.

    By Blogger PCD, at 10 May, 2007 16:18  

  • Uh...MoP, most of us don't have hard core porn collections, so we'll have to take your word that you hide it when the escort service sends your date over.
    When all you have are lies, the liars turn to smears and vandalism.
    The left certainly misses the days when they had full control of all news and opinion, don't they.
    Limbaugh's ratings probably climbed 15% due to the coverage of this story.
    Thanks Koz Klowns!
    (oh yeah, Mop, I know you "hate me, blah, blah blah...")

    By Blogger Will H, at 10 May, 2007 16:38  

  • I lived in Los Angeles for years and saw defaced billboards all the time. BFD.

    PCD,
    First you associate Metro with Jim Jones and now MOP with Cho. What is it with you and your party's obsession with death and destruction?

    By Blogger elmonica, at 10 May, 2007 17:39  

  • HMPH! I always thought Baltimore was called Charm City--YEAH CHARMED IF YOU'RE A COMMIE LIB SCUM WHO LIVES IN THE PROJECTS OF THIS CITY.

    Then again, Ex-Mayor Martin O'Malley, now Governor of Maryland--SHILLS FOR HITLARY! Wonder what he has to say about this--NOT MUCH I BET! In fact, I'll bet he is like that city councilor CONDONING this!

    By Blogger The Real Bob Anthony, at 10 May, 2007 17:57  

  • how i yearn for public burnings of rethugs at the stake...

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 10 May, 2007 21:28  

  • rush probably did it himself

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 10 May, 2007 21:41  

  • Elmo,

    Just look at the posts of Hash and MoPoop. They are always wishing death and destruction on everyone who aren't socialist thieives like they are. Go admonish them, hypocrite.

    By Blogger PCD, at 11 May, 2007 09:17  

  • I'm still looking for an intelligent comment to respond to in this thread.

    By Blogger Everett W., at 11 May, 2007 09:47  

  • fudgepacker dan, no one cares what you think

    your job is to serve your betters

    everett, what sort of scintillating discussion points were you expecting on a piece regarding graffiti on a billboard?

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 11 May, 2007 14:48  

  • will h...

    "Uh...MoP, most of us don't have hard core porn collections..."

    why would ANY neocon, when you have a full array of little boys to molest at your disposal....

    thanks, "conservatives", for the true coarsening of our culture

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 11 May, 2007 14:51  

  • The reason no liberal voice is in the top 3 most listened to radio talk shows is simple. Not enough people listen to them for whatever reason. Franken and "Air America" figured if they spent enough to get on the air, the audiences would just flock to their radios to hear it. What they got for their efforts was bankruptcy.

    It is ironic that the term "liberal" once referred to a belief system that supported personal freedom, truth, human progress, minimal government and the free exchange of ideas. "Conservative" once referred to a system of beliefs that played fast and loose with the truth, resisted any form of change (especially that which threatend their power), loved big repressive governments and fought to limit personal rights and freedom. King George III was a 'conservative' king.

    It seems the definition of these two words has been reversed in our modern era. Liberal thinkers like the appropriately named "minister of propaganda" shout down those who disagree with them, call them names and apparently believe that shading the truth is okay in the name of repressing dissenting ideas.

    90% of people hate Rush Limbaugh???? The only way that could be true was if ever single person who doesn't listen to him regularly on the radio hated him and even that would be a stretch. His audience is between 15 and 20 million per week and remember, he only comes on during the daytime. That doesn't count the folks that listen to podcasts during non-working hours. Probably 10-20% of the country catches a broadcast more than twice a month. That would mean everyone else would have to "hate him".

    Please. In my neck of the woods better than half of everyone out there is a conservative and considers Rush a guilty pleasure.

    I'm not saying I agree with Limbaugh all the time. Who does? But he does have a right to be heard and I've NEVER heard Rush suggest that liberals be banned from the airways. In fact, of the top 3 talk show hosts, Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck, I've heard all three speak passionately about freedom of speech for all -including those who disagree with them. The only ones I've heard saying anyone should be "shut up" were folks that also advocate so-called 'liberal' ideas.

    Sure you get the kook fringe out there that engages in name-calling and threats on both sides, but by and large, when I hear the debate carried on in the media, the blogsphere and at the dinner table, it is inevitably the conservative advocating free speech and open debate and the liberal advocating that individuals be "banned" or "taken off the air" for their opinions.

    This is not liberal thinking in its classic sense. It is as vicious and repressive as the governments of the old European kings, the sultans and colonial imperialists. Liberals wonder why 90% of Americans don't love them enough to vote them all into office. Maybe it's because most of us don't care for people who are disrespectful of our beliefs and keep telling us to "shut up" all the time. That's why our forefathers left all those Old World countries in the first place. They got tired of being told to get in line, shut up and let our betters do our thinking for us.

    Democracy is pretty tough for people who think they are smart enough or privileged enough to do our thinking for us. It's too difficult to mange people under a democratic political system. Now, socialism; there's an effective way for the elite to control a rowdy populace - a system which enjoyed dramatic success under Stalin, Hitler, Mao and Castro.

    It must be frustrating to have to work so hard to get votes in elections when it would be so much easier simply to throw folks in the gulags who don't agree with you. Okay, I know the minister of propoganda wouldn't actually throw people in the gulags (I hope), but can't you see how it sounds to ordinary folks out there. It's no wonder they still don't trust you very much despite massive news media support for liberal ideas and causes (except of course from Fox and that one pesky guy on HNN), huge amounts of money poured into promotion of liberal causes, Rosie, Alex & Joy Bexar's untiring efforts and the hundreds of liberal propoganda films churned out of Hollywood every year.

    We do hear the message out here in Bubba Land. The problem is - we don't much care for it. You say only radicals support Limbaugh. You're wrong. Though I disagree with him on a couple of issues, I think he has an important place in the public debate process.

    It is this public debate in the arena of ideas, protected by America's fervent belief in freedom of speech that makes our country strong. There is a place for the both the "minister of propoganda" and for El Rushbo. The beauty of our country is that if I don't like what Rosie is saying, I can turn her off. Same goes for Rush, Sean, Glenn and any of the other thousand or so conservatives on the radio. It's not a plot, it's ratings, that's all. AM radio listeners don't like Alec Baldwin, Al Franken and Jim Hightower. That's all. Get over it. Ask Rosie, I bet she'll let you guys on her new show.

    The only thing is, I can't guarantee you very many people will watch though and since we don't have those gulags, you can't make 'em (except of course in your local public schools). But that's a whole other issue and is why we spent half our income sending our kids to church schools or moved to rural school districts when they were growing up.

    Just one man's constitutionally protected opinion...

    Tom

    By Blogger Tom King, at 18 May, 2007 15:02  

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