It's NOT 40 Advertisers GONE; It's 140 Advertisers Abandoning Rush!

Apparently the number of advertisers eager to see Rush in their rear view mirror is now up to 141, not 140. I received this update from Think Progress just this afternoon.  I'm still deeply offended not only at his comments but that he is still on the air, and that he has EVER,  much less in 2012, been invited to be a beauty pageant judge.

I wonder how long Mitt and his Bain-buddies who own the Rush entertainment syndication are going to be satisfied.  Remember that line, from Mitts O'Money, about how he likes to fire people who don't give him good service? 

I'd love to see people send Mitt and his Bain-buddies, and the people at Clear Channel Radio and Premiere Radio matches, just simple individual or books or small matchboxes full of matches, as a gesture to persuade them to say bye-bye to Limbaugh.  And that goes for the rest of their media extremists who are consistently insulting and factually inaccurate as well.

In a very real way, this is not just a repudiation, a rejection, and a deep criticism of Limbaugh.  THIS is also a push-back against those listeners who agreed with Limbaugh, those listeners who never did believe he was kidding or exaggerating in his statements, but rather found them quite consistent with his other views, particularly towards women and minorities.

The hard-core ditto-heads may not ever change their minds, they are unlikely ever to 'get it' that they are not decent human beings, or that they have heinous views that are toxic and corrosive to other people and to this nation.  But clearly, there is a trend, a trend started by the fall of Glenn Beck to well-deserved obscurity.

Rush should follow Beck into that marginalized obscurity, and those like him.

Rush On The Rocks

Mar 13, 2012

By ThinkProgress War Room
Advertiser Exodus Grows Exponentially

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Rush Limbaugh’s vile, sexist attacks on Sandra Fluke and other women have taken a severe toll on his show.

Here’s the latest.

At least 140 Companies Have Dumped Limbaugh

ThinkProgress has obtained an internal memo from Premiere Radio Networks listing 96 national companies that have “specifically asked” their advertisements not be played during the Rush Limbaugh Show. Premiere is the distributor of Limbaugh’s program. The advertisers have also requested to be excluded from other right-wing hosts including Michael Savage, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity. According to the memo, the listed companies’ advertisements should be excluded from these programs because they have been “deemed to be offensive.”

With these 96 new companies bailing on Limbaugh, the total number of advertisers boycotting Limbaugh has reached at least 140.
In ‘Unusual’ Move, Limbaugh’s Syndicator Suspends National Advertising for Two Weeks

Radio-Info.com reports that Premiere Networks, which syndicates the Rush Limbaugh show, told its affiliate radio stations that they are suspending national advertising for two weeks. Rush Limbaugh is normally provided to affiliates in exchange for running several minutes of national advertisements provided by Premiere each hour. These ads are called “barter spots.” These spots are how Premiere makes its money off of Rush Limbaugh and other shows it syndicates.

But without explanation, Premiere has suspended these national advertisements for two weeks. Radio-Info.com calls the move “unusual.” The development suggests that Rush Limbaugh’s incessant sexist attacks on Sandra Fluke have caused severe damage to the show.

Just 29 Percent Say Limbaugh’s ‘Apology’ to Sandra Fluke Was Sincere

According to a new Rasmussen poll out today, just 29 percent of likely voters believe Limbaugh’s apology was earnest, while 53 percent think it was insincere.

Another Day, Another Sexist Comment from Limbaugh

Shortly before referring to himself as “God’s gift to women” during today’s show, Limbaugh had this to say about the National Organization for Women:

and here is the memo referenced in the above news:

Premiere Networks List Of Advertisers Asking Not To Advertise On Limbaugh And Other Right-Wing Hosts

and also from Think Progress, here are some other companies waving bye-bye with their money:

21st Century Insurance • Hotels.com • Rite Aid • Ace Hardware • Honda • Robitussin • Acura • IBM • Sam Adams • Advance Auto Parts • Icy Hot • Sam’s Club • Advil (All products) • Intuit/Small Business • Schiff – Digestive Advantage • Alacer/Emergen-C • Schiff – Mega Red • Allegra (all products) • Johnson & Johnson (All Brands) • Schiff – Move Free • Kohl’s • Schiff – Sustenex • Ally Bank • La Quinta • Scotts Miracle-Gro (all products) • American Express • Lifetime • Autozone • Little Caesars • Sony • Lowe’s • State Farm • British Petroleum • Luxottica • Staples • Bullfrog Sunblock • Macy’s • Sterling/Kay Jared Jewelers • Caltrate • MasterCard • Subway • Centrum • McDonalds • Takeda Uloric • Chapstick • Midas • The Home Depot • Clorox (Pinesol/Homecare) • Napa Auto Parts • ThermaCare • Cortizone • National Realtor • Toyota • DeVry • NBC-TV • Discover Card • Office Depot • Twinings of London • Domino’s Pizza • Office Max • Tyson/Wright Brand Bacon • Exxon/Exxon Mobil • One Main Financial • Unisom • Farmers Insurance • United Healthcare • Ford • Orkin • U.S. Army • Outback • U. S. Postal Service • General Motors (All products -GM Certified Service • Chevy • Onstar • Cadillac • etc) • Preparation H • Visa • Gold Bond (all products • ProNutrients (all products) • Walgreens • Grainger • Progressive Insurance • Wal-Mart • Green Mountain Coffee • Prudential • Wells Fargo • Hallmark • Radio Shack • Wrigley • H&R Block • Rent-A-Center • Yahoo!

Rush said the few advertisers who left were like losing a few french fries at the drive through window.

Rush's order of spuds seems down to this, labeled on google as 'Ed the Sarcastic French Fry'; he looks pretty lonely, and a little scared, or maybe just ticked off, and nasty. Just like Rush.

:

46 Advertisers and Counting: Going! Going! Gone! from Limbaugh-land

Per Media Matters, Rush Limbaugh has now lost 46 advertisers.  Limp-bone boasts that he has lots of advertisers waiting to fill those spots, but apparently that is not quite true as of his recent programming.  Further, those who DO want to take up the time slots of the other advertisers appear to be internet sites that market sex and infidelity, not quite the quality of his prior advertisers, by a significant margin.  Not surprising given the posts I've written previously about Rush Limbaugh being a pervert who allegedly likes much younger 'romantic' and sexual relationships, which for at least some of them is a more polite than deserved term, and who sees this as a reasonable world view: older men/ younger women. One of the two sex sellers who want to advertise on his show specializes in sugar baby/ sugar daddy hook ups.  The other is specializes in extra-marital affairs.

This post from Politico a few days ago was current at the time for lost advertisers; it posted this press release relating to the new 'arrangement' with Rush's show - he must be so proud.  A couple of music groups have also banned him frmo us I'm sure this must appeal to those family values guys who were so supportive of holier than thou family values right wingers like former Governor Mark Sanford and  Senator David Vitter, and of course, the promiscuous hypocrite, Nut Gingrich.

Rush Limbaugh’s comments about Georgetown student Sandra Fluke, calling her a “slut” and “prostitute” during his radio show has cost him dearly. In the past few days, groups such as the Daily Kos blog and Media Matters for America have called for a boycott of Limbaugh’s show. Two radio stations have dropped his show, and at least 21 advertisers, including Quicken Loans, ProFlowers, Sleep Train, Sleep Number, LegalZoom, AOL, Allstate and Sears, have pulled their advertisements from the program.

Despite the public outrage, SeekingArrangement.com, the world’s largest sugar daddy and sugar baby dating website announced today its decision to begin advertising on the Rush Limbaugh show for the first time. The moniker of a Sugar Daddy is that of an older, successful wealthy man romantically involved with a younger, beautiful woman, much like the relationship Rush shares with his much younger wife, Lauryn Rogers.

“Rush Limbaugh is one of the greatest examples of the modern day Sugar Daddy,” says Brandon Wade, the Founder & CEO of SeekingArrangement.com. “We wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t come forward and support him in his time of need.”

SeekingArrangement.com submitted its advertisement inquiry to the Rush Limbaugh show today, asking to purchase as much as $500,000 worth of advertising inventory from his show. If approved, 30-second and 60-second radio spots for SeekingArrangement.com will begin running on the Rush Limbaugh show starting next month.

“Many will question why we are supporting Rush Limbaugh even though he is guilty of using the same terms that many in mainstream media have used to describe Sugar Babies,” says Wade who holds a BS and an MBA degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “But we think he is being treated unfairly. While many in the mainstream media have yet to apologize for mistakenly calling Sugar Babies prostitutes, Rush Limbaugh did.

Yeah, because younger gold digging women seeking wealthy men who want to have sex is SO respectable, IF you ascribe to the Limbaugh world view where women are conquests, to be exploited, preferably where there is an age gap giving the old geezers an advantage of experience and resources.  Women their own age might expect to be treated as equals, and the Rushies don't like that idea.  It makes them feel small and soft and vulnerable.

I'm sure the pawn broker ads, the gold seller crooks and liars, and the pay day lender swindlers will be waiting to join the Rush Limbaugh show as well, just as soon as it becomes cheap enough to be a bargain.  Given the evidence of the adverts on Glenn Beck's show on Fox, post-boycott and departure of advertisers, that shouldn't be long.
Of course, Limbaugh insists he is doing just fine, that he has LOTS and LOTS of advertisers wanting 'in'.
 
Except as Media Matters noted from actual monitoring of the current advertisers on his programing, that just isn't true.  But perhaps Rush is expecting his ditto heads to believe what he tells them, instead of facts, the way they always do.  While I am not including it here, Media matters has provided the audio clips to verify their assertions; if you wish to fact check media matters, please follow the preceding link.
 
Rush Limbaugh's Advertisers, March 8

March 08, 2012 2:19 pm ET by Media Matters staff
At least 46 advertisers have reportedly dropped their ads from Rush Limbaugh's radio show in the wake of his misogynistic attacks on Sandra Fluke.
Here are his March 8 advertisers, in the order they appeared on WABC, the flagship station for Limbaugh's show. Audio clips of the ads have been provided to help make advertisers aware of the placement of their ads on the program.
Advertisers with links on their names have already stated that they have asked to have their ads excluded from Limbaugh's show.

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 1
[ABC News update]
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
[Note: The Ad Council distributes public service announcements "to the media who donate free time and space to our campaigns which ensures our messages reach the American public."]
[No advertising: 2:38 of dead air]
•Constant Contact [Note: On March 6, Constant Contact announced that it has "decided to pull" its advertising from Rush Limbaugh's program. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 2
•The American Heart Association and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Save The Children, and the Ad Council
•Save The Children, and the Ad Council
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•The United Negro College Fund, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that a council spokesman for the organization said: "We cannot control or predict where they appear. ... We find out from reporting afterwards." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that when contacted for comment, the organization "didn't respond to phone messages." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 3
[ABC News update]
•The Small Business Authority in association with the Corporate Tax Network
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg Newsarticle reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

•Feeding America, and the Ad Council

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 4•The United Negro College Fund, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that a council spokesman for the organization said: "We cannot control or predict where they appear. ... We find out from reporting afterwards." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Save The Children, and the Ad Council
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•Save The Children, and the Ad Council

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 5
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Feeding America, and the Ad Council
•Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that when contacted for comment, the organization "didn't respond to phone messages." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 1, COMMERCIAL BREAK 6
[No advertising: 1:03 of dead air]

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 1
[ABC News update]
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
[No advertising: 1:10 of dead air]
•The United Negro College Fund, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that a council spokesman for the organization said: "We cannot control or predict where they appear. ... We find out from reporting afterwards." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Save the Children, and the Ad Council
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•Netflix [Note: Before the show on March 6, Netflix said that its "spots were picked up in error" and that it has "instructed [its] advertising agency to make sure this error will not happen again." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Save the Children, and the Ad Council

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 2
•Constant Contact [Note: On March 6, Constant Contact announced that it has "decided to pull" its advertising from Rush Limbaugh's program. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor]
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that when contacted for comment, the organization "didn't respond to phone messages." Media Matters will continue to monitor]

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 3
[WABC News update]
•Netflix [Note: Before the show on March 6, Netflix said that its "spots were picked up in error" and that it has "instructed [its] advertising agency to make sure this error will not happen again." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Save the Children, and the Ad Council
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor]

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 4
•Save The Children, and the Ad Council
•The United Negro College Fund, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that a council spokesman for the organization said: "We cannot control or predict where they appear. ... We find out from reporting afterwards." Media Matters will continue to monitor]
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Feeding America, and the Ad Council
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor]
•Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that when contacted for comment, the organization "didn't respond to phone messages." Media Matters will continue to monitor]

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 5
•Small Business Authority in association with the Corporate Tax Network
•Constant Contact [Note: On March 6, Constant Contact announced that it has "decided to pull" its advertising from Rush Limbaugh's program. Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor]
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

HOUR 2, COMMERCIAL BREAK 6
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Save the Children, and the Ad Council

HOUR 3, COMMERCIAL BREAK 1
[ABC News update]
•Save the Children, and the Ad Council
•The United Negro College Fund, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that a council spokesman for the organization said: "We cannot control or predict where they appear. ... We find out from reporting afterwards." Media Matters will continue to monitor]
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•Feeding America, and the Ad Council
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor]
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that when contacted for comment, the organization "didn't respond to phone messages." Media Matters will continue to monitor]

HOUR 3, COMMERCIAL BREAK 2
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor]
•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council
•The United Negro College Fund, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that a council spokesman for the organization said: "We cannot control or predict where they appear. ... We find out from reporting afterwards." Media Matters will continue to monitor]
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•Save The Children, and the Ad Council
•Save The Children, and the Ad Council
•Feeding America, and the Ad Council

HOUR 3, COMMERCIAL BREAK 3
[WABC News update]
•Netflix [Note: Before the show on March 6, Netflix said that its "spots were picked up in error" and that it has "instructed [its] advertising agency to make sure this error will not happen again." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•O'Reilly Auto Parts [On March 6, O'Reilly Auto Parts announced: "Advertising on Mr. Limbaugh's program was not part of our 2012 advertising plans and any ads that may have run did so in error. We've instructed our media buying agency to immediately correct any of these mistakes so that our radio advertising campaign is in keeping with our original plans. "Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor]

•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council

HOUR 3, COMMERCIAL BREAK 4

•Feeding America, and the Ad Council

•The American Heart Association, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]

•Save The Children, and the Ad Council

•The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council

•American Heart Association and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that according to the organization's executive vice president of communications, the AHA "will be asking WABC to no longer utilize these unpaid PSAs." Media Matters will continue to monitor.]
•New York City Office of Emergency Management, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that the office's press secretary said: "We don't place the ads. We've worked with the Ad Council." Media Matters will continue to monitor]

•Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Ad Council [Note: A March 8 Bloomberg News article reported that when contacted for comment, the organization "didn't respond to phone messages." Media Matters will continue to monitor]

With Ad Revenue like that,  or more precisely, the ABSENCE of ad revenue, the right wing 'attack dog' is going to be lucky just to be in the dog house; instead he might very well find himself out in the cold.  If he is so badly discredited, his use as an enforcer or as a surrogate is grossly - and it is an apt word for Rush - diminished.  If he no longer makes money, I wonder how long Clear Channel, and Premiere, and Bain Capital........and Mitt's O'Money Romney will wait to cut him loose and kick him to the curb, with feigned disgust?

from Internet Weekly Report Parody Wire

_________________________________________________
Changing subjects here briefly; due to the arrival of puppies this afternoon by C-section, and due to my having now been awake for somewhere upwards of 36 hours, the posting here will be light for a few days because puppies are very special and these in particular are going to need some extra care for a little while, although happy and healthy and strong.  (Real puppies, not Limbaugh-like canines.)

So, promises of more posts soon; I have quite a few ' on the spindle' nearly finished, but for now.......zzzzzzzzzzzz, and PUPPIES.  Thanks in advance for your patience, understanding and support. - DG

So........Bain Capital OWNS Clear Channel, Which Broadcasts Rush Limbaugh?And Romney is one of the bigger owners of Bain

I found the kicker at the end of this piece from Truthout to be fascinating.  It's too bad Granholm is Canadian born; if she were born in the U.S., she'd make a fascinating presidential candidate in her own right...against the right.

Fired Up! A Call to Boycott "Repulsive, Misogynistic" Limbaugh and His Sponsors
Friday 2 March 2012

by: Jennifer Granholm, Current TV
Op-Ed and Video


When Rush Limbaugh doubles down on Sandra Fluke, a law student who was to testify in front of Congress about contraception legislation, Jennifer Granholm fires back.

Rush Limbaugh is a repulsive misogynistic blowhard. By now, no one should expect more than neanderthal grunts from him.

But, his radio program is owned by a syndicator, premiere, which in turn is owned by – Clear Channel. Should we not expect more of these companies? And the sponsors of the Rush Limbaugh show. Do you really want to be associated with this horrible man?

And Republicans in Congress, will you not speak up? What if this was your daughter?

What about the Republicans who are running for president, are you men enough? Do you have a backbone to stand up to the spewing volcanic mouthpiece that is Rush Limbaugh? A man who calls a college student who comes before congress to testify a slut? Don’t any of you want to say, “No. This goes over the line.”

This is offensive to anyone with a shred of respect for women. Do you want young women to fear testifying before a government hearing, lest they be subject to slanderous statements broadcast to millions of Americans? Republicans, do you want women to think he represents conservatism? Good luck with that.

I don’t know anything about Sandra Fluke. But I do know this. Her parents ought to be very proud of her courage and grace under fire. If she were my daughter, I would be.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California says these are the supporters of Rush’s show: Quicken Loans, Century21, LegalZoom and Sleep Number. She is asking the public to contact these companies to stop supporting his radio program and to hit the parent company where it hurts. And if you are outraged too, then go online and sign this petition asking Republican leaders to denounce Rush Limbaugh’s comments.
And oh, did I forget to mention? Clear Channel is owned by … Wait for it … Bain Capital.

So out of curiosity to see what other companies Bain Capital owns, that might for example be sponsors of Clear Channel and Rush, I thought I'd begin by fact checking the claim about Bain Capital owning Clear Channel.  Here is what Wikipedia had on the topic:.

The firm was founded in 1984 by partners from the consulting firm Bain & Company. Since inception it has invested in or acquired hundreds of companies including such notable companies as AMC Entertainment, Aspen Education Group, Brookstone, Burger King, Burlington Coat Factory, Clear Channel Communications, Domino's Pizza, DoubleClick, Dunkin' Donuts, D&M Holdings, Guitar Center, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), Sealy, The Sports Authority, Staples, Toys "R" Us, Warner Music Group and The Weather Channel.

So, I decided it would be a good idea to find out if Bain was the sole owner, or just an investor in Clear Channel, since these two concepts of 'ownership' are frequently confused.  Here is what Wikipedia had to say about Clear Channel and Bain:

Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.^[3] It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008.^[4]

Leveraged buy-outs - where have we heard about THOSE before from Romney?  But I have to wonder if this doesn't provide a potentially interesting insight into the politics of Rush on the radio, and of any spin we might see from Clear Channel programming for the 2012 election.

For those of you who haven't gotten taking some form of action in response to Rush out of your system, if you're still angry and horrified, here is another petition you can sign as well, although I doubt Limbaugh will have any other response than to enjoy the attention.

Maybe the person we should be petitioning is not the Republican member(s) of Congress, but Mitt Romney.  It was Mitt who bragged about how much he liked to fire people who gave bad service; this would seem to qualify, and Mitt would seem to be, if at a sort of remove, Rush's boss, in that Rush broadcasts on his network.  If Romney DOESN'T fire Rush, then it would certainly suggest his brag is nothing more than hot air, without substance, or.........that he approves of Rush's statements and agrees with them.

Romney can't simply claim that the relationship is purely a business one, where he owes his fellow owners/investors a duty to make them money.  Rush Limbaugh is losing sponsors hand over fist, not unlike weepy and hateful Glenn Beck who is now relegated to well-deserved obscurity.  Let's hope Rush joins him sooner than later in the radio living purgatory of no-one's-listening-ville.

The advertisers reported a deluge of complaining tweets, Huffington Post reported. Sleep Train, a mattress retailer based in the Sacramento area that has advertised on Limbaugh's show for a quarter-century, was the first to announce it was leaving Friday.

ProFlowers responded to tweets with a message that it is "re-evaluating" its marketing strategy. Quicken Loans, Sleep Number and Legal Zoom also announced they are considering leaving Limbaugh or planning to do so.
"We have listened to our customers & have decided to cease our advertising on The Rush Limbaugh Show immediately," Citrix Systems Inc., a software development company, said.
The liberal Web site Talking Points memo reported the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers announced they were suspending " any and all on-air advertising with the Rush Limbaugh radio program, citing "inflammatory comments" coupled with valuable feedback from both clients and team employees."
Several other Limbaugh sponsors were looking into their advertising policies, businessinsider.com reported Friday.

Lets hope more of the sponsors come to their senses, and their dollars-and-cents, and leave as well.  Help make that happen by signing this petition to Limbaugh advertisers.