In the absence of Keith Olbermann, I have frequently used videos from Ed Schultz. Although I consider him a step down fro Keith and Rachel, I appreciate many of the strong stances he has taken, especially on labor issues. Therefore I am sad that Ed has been suspended for one week, at his own request, because of his verbal assault against Laura Ingram from the Republican Ministry of Propaganda, aka Fox. At least his apology was clearly authentic, unlike those Republican “whoever may have felt offended” non-apologies.
It takes a lot to move the needle in the angry, angry world of talk radio, but Ed Schultz did just that when he referred to fellow host Laura Ingraham as a “right-wing slut” and “talk slut” on his syndicated show Tuesday. The Internet rose up in revolt Wednesday but thus far no comment from lefty host, who also has an MSNBC show. Ingraham, via Facebook [right-wing propagandist delinked], quipped she “was surprised to learn that Ed Schultz actually hosted a radio show” and tut-tutted about “men who preach civility but practice misogyny.”
UPDATED 7 p.m.: Schultz suspended from MSNBC for a week. In a statement just released from the cable channel: “MSNBC management met with Ed Schultz this afternoon and accepted his offer to take one week of unpaid leave for the remarks he made yesterday on his radio program. Ed will address these remarks on his show tonight, and immediately following begin his leave. Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”…
Inserted from <Washington Post>
For Ed to call her a “slut” was wrong. Had he substituted the word(s) propagandist, talking head, purveyor of hate, or even liar, he could have justified it and still fallen far short of the insults commonly leveled by Fox sheepherders against Keith, Rachel, and especially Barack Obama.
Here is Ed’s apology.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
I believe him and look forward to his return.
10 Responses to “Schultz Attacks Right-Wing Propagandist”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
You should hear what we poets call each other. Microphone whore, camera slut, word monger and oh so many even better tributes. Schultz’ apology was at least heartfelt and direct. Four times he looked right into the camera and said ‘Laura I am sorry’ or something like that. He said he tried to call her and would try again but maybe he should have just tweeted an apology. “Hey Bitch I’m Sorry” that is under 140 characters and is more something this fox Ails whore would understand. If anything Schultz should have been apologizing to sex industry workers.
Words are funny things, they are ever in a state of evolution concerning their meaning. I get what he was saying on his radio comment. The word slut in the younger (below 35) generation does not have quite the same sexual connotation as it once did. Take the sexual connotation from the word and his description was spot on. She was whoring herself out to what her boss wanted her to say and it has now been proven that fox is no news organization but an actual arm of the Republican party and if you’re “Fair and Balanced” in slogan only then if you speak the thoughts someone else puts in your mouth to millions of people for the purpose of deception then you know what you are…a whore for a lie.
I agree Mark, as soon as I saw what he had said, I knew had meant that she had prostituted her journalistic integrity. However, if the same statement had come from Rush Limbarf, I would have condemned it. Sadly, what he said was to open to interpretation.
Now that was an apology. He was sincere, he apologized directly to the person that he offended several times, to the company and it’s staff, and to his viewers and listeners. That’s how an apology should be done. Well done Ed and I and many others look forward to your return. 🙂
Amen, Lisa.
I am backing ed schultz on this his comments was less offince then what glenn beck rush limbaugh and fox news all together ed schultz is you call a hard fighter for the middle class and poor ed not like fox news he apoloys when he went over the top in defence of pres obama being at the G-8 sumit the did not go after bush when he went to over seas for the G-8 sumit I miss you Ed your and thank you for sticking up for us middle class
Welcome Jocelyn. 🙂
I agree with everything you said. Since his suspension was his own suggestion, I support it.
Took a bit of Googling to find the transcript of Ed’s apology – but having read it, I’m with Lisa. None of that non-apology (“If what I said might have just happened to offend anyone …”) that Repubicans always use.
Transcript, for those of us whose world is silent – or aren’t allowed sound at work:
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/133827/schultz-apologizes-to-ingraham-after-msnbc-suspension-‘what-i-said-was-terribly-vile’/
Thanks nameless!
First Amendment — I can’t condone what he said, but people have died so he could say it.
Blue, there is a difference between what someone says as a private individual and what they say as a representative of an organization. Also, hate speech based on race, religion, gender, national origin or sexual orientation is illegal. While I believe Ed intended no hate, it appears that he did.