Freedom Line Blog

Below is one of the latest cartoons from two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Ramirez.

View more of Michael Ramirez’s cartoons on CFIF’s website here.

Oh, those champions of free expression on the left. From the Daily Caller:

Three stalwarts of the feminist movement — Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan — have added their voices to the calls to take radio giant Rush Limbaugh off the air.

The co-founders of The Women’s Media Center put pen to paper over the weekend to request that the public complain and urge the Federal Communications Commission to revoke the licenses of stations that carry “The Rush Limbaugh Show.”

…

“This isn’t political. While we disagree with Limbaugh’s politics, what’s at stake is the fallout of a society tolerating toxic, hate-inciting speech,” they wrote. “For 20 years, Limbaugh has hidden behind the First Amendment, or else claimed he’s really ‘doing humor’ or ‘entertainment.’ He is indeed constitutionally entitled to his opinions, but he is not constitutionally entitled to the people’s airways. It’s time for the public to take back our broadcast resources.”

It’s amazing, isn’t it? The left — which see McCarythism around every corner — instinctively turns to government force to squelch the opinions of those they despise. And as for “toxic, hate-inciting speech” … well, Limbaugh wasn’t the one cheering on the Viet Cong, Ms. Fonda.

The Beatlemaniacs among us never would have predicted this, but what a refreshing antidote Elton John provides to Paul McCartney.

This month, McCartney put his foot in his mouth and provided even more evidence that John Lennon was the intellectual force behind the Beatles when he slurred President George W. Bush and mindlessly fawned over President Obama.  In public comments following his White House performance, and wearing a cheesy Members-Only style 1980s coat, McCartney said, “after the last eight years, it’s great to have a president who knows what a library is” before scurrying offstage.  This ignored Bush’s well-known prolific reading habit, and came one day after McCartney admonished reporters to “lay off” Obama.

Brilliant, Paul – the press’s primary job, after all, is to “lay off” the leader of the free world.

But now compare the case of Elton John.  This month, Sir Elton famously performed at Rush Limbaugh’s wedding, naturally upsetting the hyper-sensitive liberal chattering class.  Then, last night, John performed in Israel in defiance of other performers’ mindless boycott of that isolated nation.  He proudly stated that the other musicians’ boycotts “ain’t gonna stop me from playing here, baby,” and added, “we do not cherry-pick our consciences.”

No word yet on whether John will perform alongside Toby Keith at the next Grammy ceremony, but it’s nice to see some sanity among the pop music class.

By now, we’ve all heard the news.  Rush Limbaugh was part of an investment group bidding to obtain ownership of the St. Louis Rams.  Judging by the Rams’ current 0-6 record and their 1-15 mark last year, a change in ownership to just about anyone will help the struggling franchise.  It’s difficult to do worse than winless.

Instead, the NFL and the Mainstream Media demonized Limbaugh with charges of racism and scuttled his ownership bid.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell even stated, “I’ve said many times before, we’re all held to a higher standard here and I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about.”

Of course, judging by the NFL’s own player rap sheet, one would be hard-pressed to find that “higher standard” in player conduct.  In 2009 alone, there have been dozens of players arrested and convicted on charges that ranged from DUI murder to running a drug ring across state lines.

Here’s the Dirty Dozen: The NFL’s “Higher Standard”

1. Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin pleaded guilty to drunk driving.
2. Denver Broncos rookie tight end Richard Quinn was arrested on harassment and domestic violence charges.
3. San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested and accused of choking and restraining reality TV star Tila Tequila.
4. Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker Tony Fein was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer at a restaurant.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib was arrested and charged with battery and resisting arrest.
6. A federal judge sentenced former NFL player Travis Henry to three years in prison for financing a drug ring.
7. Cleveland Browns Receiver Donte Stallworth gets 30 days in jail for a DUI fatality.
8. Former San Diego Chargers QB Ryan Leaf wanted on drug charges.
9. Two New Orleans Saints players were charged with obscenity, disturbing the peace and lewd conduct for allegedly being drunk, urinating in public and exposing themselves.
10. Oakland Raiders tackle Cornell Green was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in Tampa, FL, after beating the mother of his two children with an aluminum mop handle.
11. Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was charged with 3 gun-related crimes.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonathan Dekker was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice.

For more info visit NFL Crimes NewsBlog.  Unfortunately, there is plenty of content to populate the site.