Ed Asner: 'Hannity's next ... just like we went after Limbaugh'

WorldNetDaily ^ | October 10, 2003 | Kevin McCullough

[kimmie7]

In the news this week are several reports of an exchange between syndicated talk-show host Mike Gallagher and actor-turned-leftist-poster-child Edward Asner.

The account goes like this: Mike Gallagher approached Asner at a recent cocktail party promoting the new film "Elf" in which Asner stars as Santa Claus. As Gallagher introduced himself, Asner asked his profession. When Gallagher replied "radio talk-show host," Asner replied, "I love going toe-to-toe with you guys.''

''I know,'' Gallagher replied. ''I've heard you on Sean Hannity's show.''

''Hannity's next, you know,'' Asner responded.

''Huh?'' said Gallagher.

''Hannity's next,'' said Asner. ''We're going after him just like we went after Limbaugh. And you saw what happened to Rush this week, right?''

I can attest to these news reports because I was there. Standing not more than 10 feet from where the conversation was happening. Shortly afterward, as Mike and I were exiting the party, we were chatting on the elevator of the Empire State building.

"Kevin, did you hear what he said?" Mike exclaimed, "That was a truly strange experience." And he then proceeded to relate the story to the rest of the folks riding with us in the elevator.

The following day, as a part of the same film junket, I found myself sitting in a room with Mike and several others waiting for Mr. Asner to field his questions from us regarding the release of "Elf" – a movie that I believe will be huge at the box office this holiday season.

As Mr. Asner walked in, he saw both Mike and me sitting at the end of the table closest to him and quickly quipped, "What is this? The Salem witch trials?" This, of course, being a play on words alluding to Mike being a syndicated talk-show host for Salem Radio Network (and heard on better than 200 stations), and that I had just taken over as the host on the legendary New York's WMCA 570 "Home of the Good Guys," also a Salem property.

Upon seating himself at the end of the table and making small talk about cookies and cupcakes – he did seem to be in a particularly jovial mood – he asked point blank: "Does anyone at this table hate me? Hate my work as an activist or in any other way?"

It was such an odd question that the room fell dead silent for a moment before breaking into the short amount of time he had for questions about the film.

As he answered questions about the film, he often broke into stories about his days gone by, and even his reasons for getting involved in left-wing politics. He even talked somewhat reflectively about one of his first acting gigs, playing Santa for the downtown Chicago Marshall Field's store.

"It was the worst job I ever had," said Asner. "All I could do was put these poor – extremely poor – kids on my lap and say to them, 'Well Johnny, well Susie, Santa's gonna see what he can do about getting that for you. Knowing full well that these kids' parents were so poor that more than half these kids had no chance of ever seeing the gifts they asked for. It was just awful.'"

By the end of his time with us, I had not asked him a specific question yet, and in my mind I could not get away from the scene from the party of the night previous.

"Mr. Asner, I do have a question – unrelated to the film," I said. "In your long and distinguished acting career, going back to your earliest days in Chicago all the way up to present days working with Will Farrell on 'Elf', you have had the chance to do almost anything you could ever wish to do. But if you had the chance to play the biographical story of a historical figure you respected most over your lifetime, who would it be?"

Remembering the sad story he had told about the poor kids in Chicago, I half expected him to come out with a political name of some sort.

"I think Joe Stalin was a guy that was hugely misunderstood," said Asner. "And to this day, I don't think I have ever seen an adequate job done of telling the story of Joe Stalin, so I guess my answer would have to be Joe Stalin."

Suddenly the time had run out, and for the third time in less than 18 hours, Ed Asner had puzzled the room he was in, into a stunned and disbelieving silence.

Mr. Hannity ... I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[Dan from Michigan]

STALIN! So Ed Assner(sic) supports a guy who killed 20 million people.

[sheik yerbouty]

Assner is one of Hollywood's premier prolapsed posteriors..

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[Mr. Lucky]

Assuming Hannity isn't a drug addict, he has nothing to worry about from these losers. Limbaugh, on the other hand, only determined to seek help AFTER he got caught and isn't worthy of either our pity or our support.

[Rocko]

"I think Joe Stalin was a guy that was hugely misunderstood," said Asner. "And to this day, I don't think I have ever seen an adequate job done of telling the story of Joe Stalin, so I guess my answer would have to be Joe Stalin."

Stalin, murderer of 20 million. Incredible.

[hsmomx3]

Asner sounds like someone who is missing a few scruples. These Hollywood types come across as holier than thou.

[JennysCool]

How did a judgemental, condescending, pitiless creep like you choose a nick like "Mr. Lucky"? Whatta jerk.

[BeerSwillr]

I suppose he also thinks the Zodiac was misunderstood. What an Idiot.

[PeterPrinciple]

if you had the chance to play the biographical story of a historical figure you respected most over your lifetime, who would it be?"


who you respected most are key words.

[Samizdat]

You know, we (Rush, Hannity and others) have been tiptoeing around clinton's real crimes for years now. Isn't it time we started examining them in earnest? Let's start talking about the questions surrounding the Vince Foster case (read: murder). Let's dig it all out and examine it like they do to us. No more tiptoeing.

[Cordova Belle]

BTTT.

[mplsconservative]

He went to detox twice before this every broke. After failed back surgery, Rush was in excruciating pain. A doctor prescribed the meds that brought on his addiction. Which do you choose, Mr. Lucky? Daily, lieflong agony or prescribed pain meds? BTW, He has yet to be charged with anything illegal. Until the full story comes out, I think I'd hold my venom if I were you.

[dep]

Limbaugh, on the other hand, only determined to seek help AFTER he got caught and isn't worthy of either our pity or our support.

i sincerely hope that you are able to maintain the level of perfection which your remarks above suggest you believe you have. alternately, when your feet, too, prove to be made of clay, that the people around you are not of your ilk, or you will be a suicide.

dep

[sc2_ct]

Great attitude you've got there. I'd assume therefore that you have never made a serious mistake that you were forgiven for?

[greydog]

he got caught and isn't worthy of either our pity or our support.

Right on the first count, wrong on the second.

[new cruelty]

Limbaugh, on the other hand, only determined to seek help AFTER he got caught and isn't worthy of either our pity or our support.

"Over the past several years I have tried to break my dependence on pain pills and, in fact, twice checked myself into medical facilities in an attempt to do so. I have recently agreed with my physician about the next steps." - Rush Limbaugh

[Norse]

>Limbaugh, on the other hand, only determined to seek help >AFTER he got caught and isn't worthy of either our pity or >our support.

That is an extremely sick comment. This situation may save Limbaugh's life. Sometimes it takes something like this to push someone to finally confront their problem. Rush admitted it on air, asked for our prayers and support, and therefore I will give it just as you should.

Just because he didn't admit his problem before he was "caught" doesn't mean he isn't worthy of our support. Extremely twisted logic you have there.

Besides, did he not admit it? He sought help twice. If you were in extreme pain, or your body became reliant on drugs, I wonder how you would feel about this.

[fishbabe]

did you have this much sympathy with bill clinton after he got caught with monica and only came clean when he got caught....rush had the ability,money and smarts to get clean and he said he tried twice,okay,so now the next time some liberal falls short will rush be compassionate towards them because they couldn't quite get it together till they got caught?????

[Norse]

>Stalin, murderer of 20 million. Incredible.

Very incredible. Stalin was worse than Hitler, no doubt about it. I wonder what would happen if this guy praised Hitler.

[netmilsmom]

>>Assuming Hannity isn't a drug addict, he has nothing to worry about from these losers. Limbaugh, on the other hand, only determined to seek help AFTER he got caught and isn't worthy of either our pity or our support.


Rush was in rehab twice before this. He has my support.

[f.Christian]

Ed Assner !

[bayourod]

Unfortunately some of the people who could most benefit from meds aren't even aware they need them.

[yellowdoghunter]

Bring em on.

[David1]

"Over the past several years I have tried to break my dependence on pain pills and, in fact, twice checked myself into medical facilities in an attempt to do so. I have recently agreed with my physician about the next steps." - Rush Limbaugh And it is not just Rush making up the fact that he has went twice before. I have read the same fact from the people who broke it in the National Enquirer and NY Daily News.

[netmilsmom]

>>now the next time some liberal falls short will rush be compassionate towards them because they couldn't quite get it together till they got caught?????<<

You do understand that we are talking about a radio talk show host compared to the POTUS? I don't remember Rush lying about his drug addiction before a grand jury either.

[Lorianne]

I agree, everyone makes mistakes, everyone has personal flaws and lapses in judgement. Everyone.

I just hope Mr Limbaugh realizes that now and has empathy for others' personal failings and lapses of judgement. Mr. Limbaugh has never struck me as an empathetic guy. That's why people are being so hard on him IMO.

[TXBubba]

did you have this much sympathy with bill clinton after he got caught with monica and only came clean when he got caught

Just a note here. x42 didn't come clean even AFTER he got caught. He DID NOT have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinski". Oh, yeah, he did come clean the day before leaving office didn't he?

[Republican Wildcat]

He's tried treatment at least twice before, so your comment about not getting help until now is false.

[Mr. Lucky]

God gives each of us the free will to choose between right and wrong. Limbaugh had the ability and the means to choose right; he chose wrong.

[cruiserman]

Everything that's happened to Rush is due to Rush himself, not Ed Asner.

[sourcery]

If bills of attainder weren't unconstitional, you'd be a prime candidate to have a law passed that would make it illegal for you to ever use any pain-killing drug--on pain of death.

[Republican Wildcat]

That is not even close to being a valid comparison. What a joke.

[tioga]

Limbaugh, on the other hand, only determined to seek help AFTER he got caught and isn't worthy of either our pity or our support.

Since he did enter a program twice to break his reliance on pain killers, this would be false. Your statement is not worthy of our support, but I do pity you for being so judgemental, you will need it.

[ChewedGum]

God gives each of us the free will to choose between right and wrong. Limbaugh had the ability and the means to choose right; he chose wrong.

Absolutely. Just as we all have at one point or another (or even many others). And now (just like each of us) he has the chance to choose right. I hope he makes it - not for talk radio's sake, but for his own sake.

Gum

[Republican Wildcat]

Indeed. He chose to have a back injury which resulted in the initial prescription for the medication, leading to the addiction.

[exile]

Hey Ass-ner, its "Mr. Limbaugh" to you.

[blackie]

Amen Cool Jenny!

[fishbabe]

it is a good comparsion..he is still a human being even though you can't stand him..all i am saying will rush be more compassionate towards libs [and not just the clintons] when they have human failings and get caught..i have listened to rush for 15 years and he has not had much sympathy for non-politican libs when they hit that wall going 90 miles an hour like rush has just done....

[Mike Darancette]

"It was the worst job I ever had," said Asner. "All I could do was put these poor – extremely poor – kids on my lap and say to them, 'Well Johnny, well Susie, Santa's gonna see what he can do about getting that for you. Knowing full well that these kids' parents were so poor that more than half these kids had no chance of ever seeing the gifts they asked for. It was just awful.'"

And hasn't this been the Liberal line for over 70 years?

[Badray]

"''We're going after him just like we went after Limbaugh. And you saw what happened to Rush this week, right?''"

This approach is going to backfire on them. Rush is not going to "fall" because of this. He is dealing with a difficult situation and because of legal considerations hasn't been totally forthcoming. Once that, and his addiction has been cleared, he will be more popular than ever.

[Blzbba]

" Limbaugh, on the other hand, only determined to seek help AFTER he got caught and isn't worthy of either our pity or our support. "


That's a good point. If this was happening to that idiot Al Franken rather than Rush, Freepers would be kicking him to the curb and mocking him (Franken), rather than posting prayers for him. These types are no better than the DU morons when it comes to political discourse.

If Rush hadn't got caught, he'd still be hypocritically insulting the various drug addicts caught by the WOD.

[mil-vet]

Silly little story which kinda fits the whole socialist liberal pondscum (LSP) scenario which asner illustrates SO well:

The Pope is visiting DC and President Bush takes him out for an afternoon on the Potomac...sailing on the presidential yacht, the Sequoia.

They're admiring the sights when, all of a sudden, the Pope's hat blows off his head and out into the water. Secret service guys start to launch a boat, but Bush waves them off, saying, "Wait, wait. I'll take care of this. Don't worry."

Bush then steps off the yacht onto the surface of the water and walks out to the Holy Father's little hat, bends over and picks it up, then walks back to the yacht and climbs aboard. He hands the hat to the Pope amid stunned silence.

The next morning the topic of conversation among Democrats on the Hill, the New York Times, Hollywood celebrities, and in France and Germany is:

"Bush Can't Swim"

LSP pukes are SO predictable!

[JennysCool]

Exactly, and you have chosen to be a judgemental, condescending, pitiless creep. Best of luck with it, "Lucky."

[smokinleroy]

You type like you are in middle school. Are you?

[tang-soo]

You know, we (Rush, Hannity and others) have been tiptoeing around clinton's real crimes for years now. Isn't it time we started examining them in earnest? Let's start talking about the questions surrounding the Vince Foster case (read: murder). Let's dig it all out and examine it like they do to us. No more tiptoeing.

Or Ron Brown, or TWA 800, or Escalante Monument (spelling?), Or OK City, or Sally Perdue, or choice of Strobe (evry knee will bow to a single world authority) Talbott to under Sec of State, or Waco, Or Chicom encryption technology, Or Linda Tripp, Or Dan Lasatter, or Seth Ward, or PROMIS (surrounding Foster), Travelgate, 9000 files, Kathleen Wiley, Mena, Ark, or the insertion of high school drop out and former rodeo clown and Men co-conspirator Buddy Young to FEMA regional branch manager, speaking of Buddy, how about the demise of Buddy the dog. Just kidding! Gotta give the lefties one they can scream at us about. I'm sure the list could be longer but that's all off the top of my head.

[ohmage]

These Hollywood types come across as holier than thou.

And hollower than most.

[fishbabe]

yes i do, and hes a celebrity and he has never had much sympathy for them when they get nailed like this....hes not just a plain old radio talk show host,hes a worldwide celebrity that talks on the radio...so, don't make it sound like hes sitting in some small town radio station that no one has heard about....over 15 years and he has waxed poetic about people who get caught up in things like drugs....and sadly,now hes one of them...