Roger Ebert to Rush Limbaugh: 'You Should Be Horse-Whipped'

By Marc Schneider Posted Jan 15th 2010 10:02AM

"You should be horse-whipped for the insult you have paid to the highest office of our nation." That is the opening sentence in a searing open letter from movie critic Roger Ebert to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.

Why is Ebert so upset to suggest an entertainer should be beaten like an animal? As you may have heard, Limbaugh has been critical of President Barack Obama's response to the earthquake in Haiti. On Wednesday, Limbaugh blasted Obama for responding so quickly to the crises, then suggested that your hard-earned dollars could be stolen if you donate to relief agencies listed on the White House Web site.

In a response to a paranoid caller from North Carolina, Limbaugh asked, "Would you trust the money's gonna go to Haiti?" He theorized that if you donate to agencies listed on whitehouse.gov, your name will be added to an Obama mailing list. "Absolutely," Limbaugh said at the prospect of that happening.

This incensed Ebert, who noted that links on the White House site go directly to the relief agencies named, and not a "fake site set up to exploit the tragedy."

"But let me be sure I have this right. You and [caller] agree that Obama might steal money intended for the Red Cross to help the wretched of Haiti," Ebert writes. "This conversation came 48 hours after many of us had seen pitiful sights from Port au Prince. Tens of thousands are believed still alive beneath the rubble. You twisted their suffering into an opportunity to demean the character of the President of the United States." Read the Full Letter

Ebert doesn't touch on Limbaugh's most controversial remarks, made during Wednesday's show: "This will play right into Obama's hands. He's humanitarian, compassionate. They'll use this to burnish their, shall we say, 'credibility' with the black community -- in the both light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country. It's made-to-order for them."

Despite wide-spread condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans for his comments, Limbaugh stood firmly by them during Thursday's show.

"I do believe that everything is political to this president," Limbaugh said. "Everything this president sees is a political opportunity, including Haiti, and he will use it to burnish his credentials with minorities in this country and around the world, and to accuse Republicans of having no compassion."

Obama has called the relief efforts a "top priority" and has pledged $100 million for immediate aid to the rubble-strewn island nation. His press secretary, Robert Gibbs, had this to say about Limbaugh at a briefing on Thursday. "I don't know how anybody -- I don't know how anybody could sit where he does, having enjoyed the success that he has, and not feel some measure of sorrow for what has happened in Haiti."

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Tags: Roger Ebert, rush limbaugh

Comments

(590)

Friday 15 January

By Betsy

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And we care what Mr Ebert says because...? Another arrogant Hollyweird having an opinion..just like an orifice...everybody has them....

By Casey

You are just another moron belonging to the "stale" tea party group, that is able to only say the word "NO" to anything happening in the current administration.
Why don't you take "Bimbo Limbo" with you and move to the South Pole, the whole world will be much better of.

Saturday 16 January

By Johnblanton@earthlink.net

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"And we care what Mr Ebert says because...?" But we should care what an obese, drug-addicted racist who flunked out of college says?

By raaymich1966

NO BETSY.....BUT I WILL BELIEVE WHAT JEFF CHRISTIE SAYS....YUP JEFF CHRISTIE..AKA RUSH LIMBAUGH..
ACTUALLY WHAT SCRAES ME IS THAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU BELIEVE PEOPLE LIKE HIM..WHO ARE BASICALLY DOING A STICK...WHAT EVER SELLS..AND GIVES HIM RATINGS..
THIS MAN WAS FIRED FROM EVERY RADIO JOB HE HAD..THEN FOUND A LITTLE NISH WITH THE BRIANLESS WHO BELIEVE THINGS HE SAYS..WHEN HE DOENT EVEN BELIEVE THEM...BUT WHATEVER KEEPS THAT 400 MILLION CONTRACT GOING.....

By Jeff

Ebert actually lives in Chicago. Very nice guy and much more intelligent than Limbaugh who is a two time DRUG offender. He actually got busted in the Domincan Republic with an illegal prescription. Thought he could get away with it on his private jet. OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Chipster

Even Rush....should anyone care about someone who's actually DONE nothing for America besides get Americans to give him money(approx. 25 Mil/per) So he's one of "US" or you huh? (The average taxpayer). Oh , wait maybe to hear how Bad things are on the way to WORK? Or,teach kids how to disrespect the Office of President of the supposed Greatest Country on Earth? It's going to work both ways,,,lucky he doesnt have kids(just practice women).Remember his "Motto"- No matter how good the issue may now seem, it's Bad for you and when it seems Bad for you,it's actually Good.The fineprint...Now,,How to get them to Believe?

By vivian penn

Betsy, as Pat Robertson has stated....there are those who has traded their souls to the devil and I feel that you and Rush Limbaugh are in that group.

Diane

By newellnest

Eat your alfalfa salad Betsy.

By sykiks

Actually Mr. Ebert is from the midwest not Hollywood. I might make mention here...not only did Ebert call Limbaugh on what he said. So did Pat Buchanan.
That is the only way the real republicans, the fiscal conservatives, and the moderates not totally filled with hate and greed will be able to reclaim their party from the far right wing fundie hate mongers.....by calling the hate mongers on their disgusting tirades. Stand up and say 'I don't agree with you', or 'you are telling a lie'.

To paraphrase the great Joseph N. Welch...."Mr Limbaugh. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"

By roy

better than having one's head up one like you obviously do. What's any difference between his arrogance and Limburger's?? I'll tell you why! Limburger HATES anyone who's a minority....period!!!!! How much do YOU hate, Betsy??? It's bottom feeders like you who spoil the little remaining good air up here, so shut the hell up and lock the door tho your cell. Have a nice day.......................................FECAL FACE!!!!!!!!!!

By Jackie

Connie, I took a minute to scan over some of your other posts - Only a minute, because it quickly became a waste of time. Do you ever post any remark that isn't racist or right-wing nonsense? You must be a bitter, sad individual if you can't sympathize even a little bit with thousands of people who have lost EVERYTHING. I pity you.

By Claude May

Does averybody out there finally see what Rush Lamebrain really is? Untill he got this show he had been a failure at everything he ever attempted. Ultimately, I think he will fail at this gig and finally be fired. There are still a lot of stupid people out there that will support him regardless of what the truth really is.

By froggyssb

The REAL question is: Why would any living human care what the fat drug addict has to mumble about anything at all. We all know what a racist pig he is and that he should have been the one at the bottom of the rubble in Haiti. So now you can stick that in all of YOUR orifices' Have a nice day!!!!!!

By Patricia

And he has every right to have an opinion, and to express it.

By sdudek1490

With your email, you just embarrass yourself with your stupidity and your heartlessness. I bet you even call yourself a Christian. God forgive you.

By sherry

Betsey And we care what LIMBO says because? he is a disgusting human. I agree with Rodger Ebert

By patigan

Yet you choose to reside in Rush's orifice...........

By Greg

when a disaster happens to you and hurt-dead and dying are all around you-maybe your family...you sure these same words of yours will hold-up?

By Vee Smith

Rogert Ebert happens to be a very descent American. That said where is the party of a William Buckley? That yes, talked politics but showed a level of knowledge, class and sophication.

Cannot believe what I see now as banners called Republican. William Buckley must be rolling in his grave. The GOP pary of the Plebians

By Doug

For your informantion, MR. Ebert is a life-long resident of Illinois. Born and raised in Urbana, IL (not all that far from Missouri, where Limbaugh was raised) and now lives in Chicago.
He has little, if ANYTHING to do with Hollywood.
Check you facts before you shoot your mouth off.

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