Leftwing talk radio desperate for ratings?
Posted by MK on October 17, 2007
An Air America talk-show host who accused “the right wing hate machine” of being responsible for an alleged attack on an on-air colleague — and the network, itself — did a fast backpedal Tuesday, apologizing for “jumping to conclusions” about a now-debunked mugging report. Host Jon Elliott issued a written retraction of his remarkable on-air charge, saying: “I shouldn’t have speculated based on hearsay that Randi Rhodes had been mugged and that it may have been an attack from a right wing hate machine. I apologize for jumping to conclusions based on an emotional reaction.”
Air America also issued a statement, saying Rhodes “experienced an unfortunate incident hindering her from hosting the show. The reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded.” Rhodes, whose program airs on Air America weekdays from 3-6 p.m. ET, allegedly informed Air America that she was struck while was walking down a street Sunday night near her Manhattan home. There even was a report on-air that she had suffered serious injuries and had lost several teeth. Elliott, meanwhile, went on a rant Monday night, telling listeners: “This does not appear to me to be a standard, grab-the-money-and-run mugging,” and, “Is this an attempt by the right wing hate machine to silence one of our own?”
Elliot also suggested that the act might have been meant to intimidate left-wing radio. The New York City Police Department told FOXNews.com that they had no record of any attack in the area that Elliott mentioned — Park Avenue and 39th Street — and that Rhodes did not file a report of the incident with police. “We have no record of her making any complaints whatsoever … as far back as my computer goes,” a police spokesman said. He said the records went back roughly 25 years.
The police spokesman, who asked not to be identified because of department policy, said that police “do not investigate things that are unreported,” but encouraged Rhodes to report the incident if she would like police to investigate the matter. Police later attempted to contact Rhodes to see whether she wanted to file a report. Gaulin said Rhodes declined. FOXNews. Hat tip Hang Right Politics.
