I think it’s safe to say that Rush Limbaugh — right-wing talk-show host, author, and notorious blowhard — hasn’t had a great week.
Sunday — Limbaugh touches off a controversy and calls of racism for criticizing African-American quarterback Donavon McNabb, saying the athlete’s accolades are racially inspired. “I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL,” Limbaugh said on an ESPN broadcast. “The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn’t deserve.”
Monday — After his comments were widely criticized, Limbaugh says the condemnation is evidence of his brilliance. “All this has become the tempest that it is because I must have been right about something,” Limbaugh said.
Tuesday and Wednesday — The NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus, the National Association of Black Journalists, and presidential candidates Wesley Clark and Howard Dean ask ESPN and its parent company, ABC Disney, to fire Limbaugh.
Wednesday night — Limbaugh resigns saying that “some of my cast members [at ESPN] were beginning to be made to feel uncomfortable.”
Thursday — Limbaugh is reported to be under investigation for “allegedly buying thousands of addictive painkillers from a black-market drug ring.” One source told the New York Daily News that Limbaugh is addicted to several prescription drugs, including OxyContin and hydrocone. Limbaugh issued a statement saying that he is “unaware” of the investigation, but will “cooperate fully” if his “assistance is required.”
We may not be hearing from Rush for a while.