Steven P. Barrett"EL RUSHBO" IS WORTH WHAT? $400 MILLION? HOT AIR JUST GOT MORE OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE (LINK)
July 6th 2008 05:12
Steven Barrett
FAIR WARNING TO RUSH LIMBAUGH FANS: THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE AN "EASY READ." SOMETIMES I LIKE WHAT HE'S HAD TO SAY, BUT LET'S FACE IT, HOW MUCH OF WHAT HE DOES IS SCHTICK AND HOW MUCH REFLECTS HIS EGO? INCREASINGLY I'VE COME TO THE SAD CONCLUSION THERE'S A LOT MORE OF THE LATTER IN THIS GUY'S SHOW THAN ANYTHING CLOSE TO SCHTICK -- WHICH IN LIMBAUGH'S CASE IS ABOUT AS CLOSE TO SUBSTANCE AS HE'LL EVER GET.
SORRY FELLOW CONSERVATIVES, BUT THIS GUY GIVES GREED A BAD NAME AND OUR LIBERAL COUNTERPARTS ALL THE MORE REASONS TO THINK WE'LL NEVER PASS UP AN ATTEMPT TO PUT GREED OVER A HIGHER CALLING TO MAINTAIN HIGHER STANDARDS IN IDEOLOGICAL DISCOURSE AND GOOD TASTE IN BROADCASTING.
JUST TAKE A GOOD LOOK BELOW AT THIS HEADLINE AND STORY THAT APPEARED IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL LAST WEEK ABOUT RUSH LIMBAUGH
WHENEVER I THINK OF EL RUSHBO, I CAN'T ALSO HELP THINKING OF SO MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN FLORIDA'S COUNTY JAILS AND STATE PRISONS WHO ALSO GOT SWEPT UP INTO USING, MIS-USING AND DEALING PAINKILLERS -- WHILE HE'S STILL WALKING THE GOLF COURSES AND SPEWING FORTH A HELL OF A LOT OF NONSENSE ON THE RADIO.
EVERY NOW AND THEN HE SAYS SOMETHING I CAN'T HELP AGREEING WITH BUT THE MERE IDEA OF THIS MAN BEING FREE WHILE OTHERS ARE ROTTING IN FLORIDA'S JUGS SPEAKS SO LITTLE OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AS TO RENDER IT TO THE LEVEL OF SOME OF HIS DAILY DIATRIBES: JOKES, AND BAD ONES AT THAT.
I'VE WORKED IN FLORIDA AS A STATE PROBATION/PAROLE OFFICER, STUDIED AND RECEIVED A B.A. IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/CRIMINAL JUSTICE (FROM BISCAYNE COLLEGE IN MIAMI) AND INTERNED FOR A BRIEF TIME IN THE DADE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. AND SADDEST OF ALL, I ALSO KNEW OF PEOPLE WHO GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE DRUG TRADE DOWN THERE. ONE OF WHOM, I'M AFRAID MAY NOT HAVE GOTTEN OUT WITH A "HAPPY ENDING" LIKE LIMBAUGH'S. QUITE THE OPPOSITE IN MORE WAYS THAN I'D CARE TO IMAGINE, MUCH LESS DESCRIBE OTHER THAN THE SCANTY, ALBEIT HORRIBLE INFORMATION I MANAGED TO GLEAN.
FOUR HUNDRED MILLION FOR THIS WINDBAG? HELL, LET'S JUST TAP INTO HIS HOT AIR AND PIPE IT INTO EVERY ELDERY PERSON'S HOME TO SAVE THEM THE MILLIONS IN TERMS OF HIGHER OIL PRICES LIMBAUGH DOESN'T SEEM IN THE LEAST BIT WORRIED ABOUT. WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY PULLING DOWN NEARLY $300 MILLION -- WHY WOULD YOU BE?
AND JUST IMAGINE WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THIS BLOVIATOR IS MAKING NOW AND WHAT'S HE'S GOING TO BE PULLING IN SOON COULD DO TO HELP US TURN SO MANY LIVES WRECKED BY DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AROUND. DO YOU THINK HE CARES?
AS FOR CLEAR CHANNEL? WELL, OBVIOUSLY IT DOESN'T. SHAME ALL AROUND.
FAIR WARNING TO RUSH LIMBAUGH FANS: THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE AN "EASY READ." SOMETIMES I LIKE WHAT HE'S HAD TO SAY, BUT LET'S FACE IT, HOW MUCH OF WHAT HE DOES IS SCHTICK AND HOW MUCH REFLECTS HIS EGO? INCREASINGLY I'VE COME TO THE SAD CONCLUSION THERE'S A LOT MORE OF THE LATTER IN THIS GUY'S SHOW THAN ANYTHING CLOSE TO SCHTICK -- WHICH IN LIMBAUGH'S CASE IS ABOUT AS CLOSE TO SUBSTANCE AS HE'LL EVER GET.
SORRY FELLOW CONSERVATIVES, BUT THIS GUY GIVES GREED A BAD NAME AND OUR LIBERAL COUNTERPARTS ALL THE MORE REASONS TO THINK WE'LL NEVER PASS UP AN ATTEMPT TO PUT GREED OVER A HIGHER CALLING TO MAINTAIN HIGHER STANDARDS IN IDEOLOGICAL DISCOURSE AND GOOD TASTE IN BROADCASTING.
JUST TAKE A GOOD LOOK BELOW AT THIS HEADLINE AND STORY THAT APPEARED IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL LAST WEEK ABOUT RUSH LIMBAUGH
Clear Channel, Limbaugh
Ink $400 Million New Contract
By SARAH MCBRIDE
July 3, 2008; Page B1
Conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh Wednesday inked an eight-year contract for around $400 million, underscoring how radio is spending big sums on bankable talent to compete in the crowded entertainment field.
Mr. Limbaugh's compensation of $38 million a year, plus a signing bonus of about $100 million is less in absolute terms than the five-year, $500 million contract Howard Stern cut in 2004 with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. But Mr. Limbaugh's contract could net him more, as Mr. Stern must pay costs for his cast and production.
It's a big jump from Mr. Limbaugh's last contract, which at $285 million was a record for a radio personality when he signed it in 2001. Since then, the weekly audience for his three-hour midday show has held steady at about 20 million listeners, according to his syndicator, Clear Channel Communications Inc.'s Premiere Radio Networks. But advertisers are increasingly anxious to reach that audience.
Ink $400 Million New Contract
By SARAH MCBRIDE
July 3, 2008; Page B1
Conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh Wednesday inked an eight-year contract for around $400 million, underscoring how radio is spending big sums on bankable talent to compete in the crowded entertainment field.
Mr. Limbaugh's compensation of $38 million a year, plus a signing bonus of about $100 million is less in absolute terms than the five-year, $500 million contract Howard Stern cut in 2004 with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. But Mr. Limbaugh's contract could net him more, as Mr. Stern must pay costs for his cast and production.
It's a big jump from Mr. Limbaugh's last contract, which at $285 million was a record for a radio personality when he signed it in 2001. Since then, the weekly audience for his three-hour midday show has held steady at about 20 million listeners, according to his syndicator, Clear Channel Communications Inc.'s Premiere Radio Networks. But advertisers are increasingly anxious to reach that audience.
"EL -- $400 MILLION -- RUSHBO"
WHENEVER I THINK OF EL RUSHBO, I CAN'T ALSO HELP THINKING OF SO MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN FLORIDA'S COUNTY JAILS AND STATE PRISONS WHO ALSO GOT SWEPT UP INTO USING, MIS-USING AND DEALING PAINKILLERS -- WHILE HE'S STILL WALKING THE GOLF COURSES AND SPEWING FORTH A HELL OF A LOT OF NONSENSE ON THE RADIO.
EVERY NOW AND THEN HE SAYS SOMETHING I CAN'T HELP AGREEING WITH BUT THE MERE IDEA OF THIS MAN BEING FREE WHILE OTHERS ARE ROTTING IN FLORIDA'S JUGS SPEAKS SO LITTLE OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AS TO RENDER IT TO THE LEVEL OF SOME OF HIS DAILY DIATRIBES: JOKES, AND BAD ONES AT THAT.
What's so funny, Rush?
I'VE WORKED IN FLORIDA AS A STATE PROBATION/PAROLE OFFICER, STUDIED AND RECEIVED A B.A. IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/CRIMINAL JUSTICE (FROM BISCAYNE COLLEGE IN MIAMI) AND INTERNED FOR A BRIEF TIME IN THE DADE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. AND SADDEST OF ALL, I ALSO KNEW OF PEOPLE WHO GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE DRUG TRADE DOWN THERE. ONE OF WHOM, I'M AFRAID MAY NOT HAVE GOTTEN OUT WITH A "HAPPY ENDING" LIKE LIMBAUGH'S. QUITE THE OPPOSITE IN MORE WAYS THAN I'D CARE TO IMAGINE, MUCH LESS DESCRIBE OTHER THAN THE SCANTY, ALBEIT HORRIBLE INFORMATION I MANAGED TO GLEAN.
Do you think Rush got this treatment?
FOUR HUNDRED MILLION FOR THIS WINDBAG? HELL, LET'S JUST TAP INTO HIS HOT AIR AND PIPE IT INTO EVERY ELDERY PERSON'S HOME TO SAVE THEM THE MILLIONS IN TERMS OF HIGHER OIL PRICES LIMBAUGH DOESN'T SEEM IN THE LEAST BIT WORRIED ABOUT. WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY PULLING DOWN NEARLY $300 MILLION -- WHY WOULD YOU BE?
AND JUST IMAGINE WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THIS BLOVIATOR IS MAKING NOW AND WHAT'S HE'S GOING TO BE PULLING IN SOON COULD DO TO HELP US TURN SO MANY LIVES WRECKED BY DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AROUND. DO YOU THINK HE CARES?
AS FOR CLEAR CHANNEL? WELL, OBVIOUSLY IT DOESN'T. SHAME ALL AROUND.
| 42 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
His drug problems started (as many do) with a legitimate need for pain killers and escalated (as happens far too often). Personally I blame doctors who don't bother to treat an injury or disease with anything but stronger and stronger drugs. They're the dealers, the "pushers" and should be prosectued for their crimes of getting people hooked so they can profit. That being said, Rush is hardly the only person to have succombed to painkillers, etc. while living in the "lime light." I won't waste time or space by listing all the celebrities who have undergone drug treatment (some for reasons other than medical problems gone bad). Their names are quite well known already!
To his credit, Rush doesn't hoard every cent, Steven. He donates hugely to a variety of charities, often matching donations out of his own pockets. His support of the troops is once example and the Harry Reid letter is another. He also donates to cancer charities.
I'd be tickled with 10% of his income! Most people would, I'm sure. But I don't begrudge him one cent. He earns it both for himself and his employers or he wouldn't be getting it.
Comment by Anonymous
-- none other than Howard Stern.
Clear Channel is certainly hedging its bets (safer than Wall Street, well in part, anyways) by giving Limbaugh such a boost, but it boggles my mind about the amount of money these shock jocks make. And not just them alone when I think of so many fine public servants in this nation, particularly our military forces. Even if you were to compare a four-star admiral or general's pay, the heads of the various intelligence agencies, top law enforcement agencies and police forces throughout the nation, etc. up against what these shock jocks, sports jocks and "color commentators" (alot of them retired sports jocks) and "talking heads" on the tube -- most notoriously Sean Hannity (whom I despise for his viscious anti-life and anti-Catholic diatribes -- from a "cafeteria catholic" no less) it stupefies my mind as I'm sure it does yours as well. (Well, not in Rush Limbaugh's case, but I'm sure insofar as what the people who perform really responsible jobs are paid in comparison.)
I know damn well how responsible a print reporter/editor or broadcast reporter/desk anchor/production editor has to be and they deserve good incomes too. But there's something wrong with the pay structure in the media world. Good reporters/writers/commentators should be paid well. But there's a danger in all this that's becoming less and less "hidden" and that's the widening gulf between the subject and reporter covering it.
Here's a stretch for a chuckle, but imagine if Louis XVI had allowed for a truly free press and one day a member of the 4th Estate stopped by Mdme Defarge's tailoring shop. He'd just arrived and ever so fussily dusted off all that Parisian horse-dung dust from his velvet coat and tricorner'd hat all before taking the time to ask the old hag why she was in such an old hag mood all the time. Well, now she had it in for Le Reporter as much as she had it in for the Bourbons, whom she may rightfully suspect this reporter's related to or owes his job to. (There's a future head to roll.)
Now, I've touched another subject: nepotism in the media and what that means: REALLY CONCENTRATED WEALTH. Thank God Rush didn't create a huge family like the Kennedys, Buckleys, Bushes. Not that I begrudge their individual success stories either, esp. the Buckleys (whom have been far more modest and generous with their God-given talents than most of the nation has the slightest clue to.)
But every now and then, and even the liberal mags--to their credit--will publish a piece about nepotism and the amount big name people who are related by blood or marriage or who knows--civil unions, nowadays--getting jobs others could only dream of.
I'll admit to being rough on Rush, but alot of it has to do with personal taste, his overwhelming ego and sometimes his views on some things just drive me to the point of real anger. (Especially if I'm in my bsmt workshop and I can't get anything else!) And, indeed, I don't ascribe to his "free enterprise does it best all the time" views.
But he's right on the money when it comes to exposing the worms, be they Reds, pinks who still schlep for the Reds in our academic institutions and media, and the social worms who haven't a problem in the world undermining our social values. I'm not aware of Limbaugh's position on guys like Norquist, but if he believes -- as I do -- that Norquist's activities and willing associations with some very shady characters -- have at least given reasons for suspicions of treasonous conduct, I'm sure he's handled it. If not, why not? Conservatives, of all people, cannot and must not, be seen harboring any sympathy towards any person so inclined to be pro-Muslim to the point of behaving much like the Alger Hiss' of the past.
But as for his drug problem, while I'll grant that back problems can raise unholy hell, he's put himself in this embarrassing light, esp. given his past statements. I can't budge on that. Hell, if Martha Stewart served time, while on appeal, Rush could've done it, too.
He would've certainly regained my respect a lot quicker. He might've mellowed out a bit as well.
I was very much like him in my youth until I got in trouble (several times over.) But trouble has a way of banging out those rough spots and making you mellow if you let it. That's an opportunity Limbaugh missed because I'm damn sure he wouldn't have allowed it to happen. A shame, for his listeners, and mostly for him.
We've other irons in the fire to bang out and I've got to check in on mine.