It’s clear that the Media Research Center not only will not criticize Rush Limbaugh’s denigrating remarks personally attacking contraception hearing witness Sandra Fluke — which he greatly expanded upon in even more offensive detail in the Thursday edition of his radio show — it will run to his defense.
The MRC’s Brent Baker wasn’t offended by Limbaugh’s remarks; instead, he was offended that they were reported. In a March 1 NewsBusters post, declared that criticism of Limbaugh’s remarks was “a left-wing effort to impugn and silence Rush Limbaugh.” Baker went on to play the “it was a joke!” card, by saying of a Limbaugh statement demanding pornography be made of Fluke’s sexual behavior: “Obviously, a bit of humor which escaped the overly-sensitive left-wing/media axis always looking to be offended.”
Funny, the humor defense didn’t fly with the MRC earlier this week, when Bozell sent an outraged letter to the Huffington Post over a satirical piece by Larry Doyle, prominently labeled as “comedy,” on the Catholic Church:
In answer to online reader outrage over his distasteful column, Doyle responds that it was all a joke. Intelligent readers and the millions of faithful Catholics who come into contact with this piece don’t buy such equivocating nonsense for a minute. Bigots like Doyle think they can hurl the most contemptible insults towards Catholics (“Jesus eaters”) and when called out, claim it was just a joke. What cowardice. What a double standard.
Speaking of which, other MRC employees are playing the equivocation card. Scott Whitlock responded to Chris Matthews’ criticism of Limbaugh by retorting, “MSNBC, of course, is no stranger to controversial comments. One anchor on the network recently compared Rick Santorum to mass murderer Joseph Stalin.”
Over at CNSNews.com, Craig Bannister — who had previously slimed Fluke — reproduced a statement by Nancy Pelosi criticizing Limbaugh, then tried to change the subject by adding, “Does any one remember if Pelosi put out a similar statement when her colleague, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said the ‘Tea Party can go straight to hell’ or, reportedly, called Republicans ‘demons?'”
But Bannister, his boss Brent Bozell, and the rest of the MRC are too cowardly to hold Limbaugh accountable. So much for having the courage of its convictions.
If people shouldn’t “buy such equivocating nonsense” when it comes to the Huffington Post, why should they buy the MRC’s equivocating nonsense on Limbaugh?