In nine months of listening to Zeb Bell's brand of radio-talk on "Zeb at the Ranch," I've heard some pretty incredible things, many of them this week, but none that has left me more confused than on Thursday.
This week, like on many other occasions, I've heard Zeb attempt to justify as anything but racist his use last summer of the term "Negroid" when describing then-candidate Barack Obama. Zeb's fervid defense for using the word and against it being racist, include claims that it's a scientific term and can be found in the dictionary.
While many offensive terms can be found in the dictionary, most people realize that it doesn't legitimize their use and in fact, many dictionaries contain some notation that this term can be considered racist and offensive. As for it being scientific, the term is based on an 18th century discredited racial typological model that is considered outdated and no longer widely used. As we've learned, just because Zeb says it's so, doesn't necessarily mean it is.
Nevertheless, it was a particularly hot topic for Zeb this week with the news of President Obama's inappropriate and offensive comment demeaning the Special Olympics the week prior. [See the clip here if you haven't already.] Zeb devoted a considerable amount of air time to railing against this comment to the point of becoming incensed that he was called a racist for using "Negroid" while Obama got a "free pass."
All of this despite Zeb's repeated and documented use of the r-word to describe anything he finds disagreeable. On September 9 last year he used it when talking about those who believe in evolution. On December 4 of last year he used it to describe atheists. This year on February 10, he used it when describing the legal situation of Arizona rancher, Roger Barnett.
It's a little difficult to take as anything other than disingenuous and self-serving a man who would rant against someone for making an offensive comment toward a group of people when he has repeatedly used demeaning and derogatory language toward that same group of people. And he has done this knowing that the term is offensive, even prefacing his comments with phrases like, "Some people may be offended when I say this phrase. . . ," and "I'm going to use that word; if they don't like it that's tough."
Pretty incredible, but typical fare for "Zeb at the Ranch."
On Thursday, listeners were treated to a short two minute blurb that might have gone overlooked if not paying attention, but which has left me puzzled ever since. Take a listen.
I don't always update the Zeb Page daily, but I do spend time every day reading blogs, searching news reports and other media for content to include on what has become a fairly comprehensive collection of resources. Occasionally, I'll miss something but usually someone will send me the link later. In everything currently compiled on the page and those written recently yet to be added, I can't find one instance of any blogger writing something negative about Zeb's physical disability, let alone using it to denigrate him or his value system.
Where did Zeb get this idea? Is he trying to further demonize and marginalize bloggers? Would he fabricate a story summoning his listeners' pity to do so? I don't have a clue. But if there is something of that sort on the Zeb Page, someone point it out to me and it will be removed because it doesn't belong there.
After nine months of "Zeb at the Ranch," I thought I had Zeb pretty much figured out. Turns out, maybe I was wrong. Maybe I've underestimated Zeb. At the very least, this latest has left me terribly confused.
The only thing I can think of is this and I doubt many people even read it.
Oh, poor Zeb. I don't even know what to say to this. I've been annoyed about Obama's comments, but I've been far longer annoyed with Zeb's use of the r-word.
Posted by: thepoliticalgame | March 28, 2009 at 07:00 AM
Zeb claims that the "left-wing bloggers" are attacking his "value system and those beliefs" for which he "stands up for." He claims he is a "Christian," and because of that he is despised by those of "us." (Referring to the Zeb's pity audio clip.)
Whew! I consider myself to be a Christian, and by hell, my value system has nothing to do with his. A true Christian does not hate or demean others based on ethnicity, gender nor orientation. To the contrary. A true "Christian" would never use the "r-word" to denigrate others who are less fortunate than we are, but who are ultimately very capable.
I'd like to know what kind of Kool-Aid he drank to become so twisted, using religion and "Standing up for Morality" (name of the conference going on this weekend in Burley) as his bully pulpit to exude hatred.
Sure my comments may be a little strong, but Zeb seems to push me that way. Time to speak up for real love and understanding, not vitriol, rhetoric and venom.
A couple of other items to mention. UPS is pulling its sponsorship of the Bill O'Reilly show because of awful comments he made about a rape victim. Much of that has to do with work done by members of the public with the website thinkprogress.com.
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/03/27/ups-oreilly/
If the public could do it with UPS, we can do it with Zeb Bell and Wyeth. Wyeth is the parent company to Ft. Dodge Animal Health Products, sponsoring Zeb's Monday morning Hoofbeats segment.
Listed below is the number to inquire about Ft. Dodge products:
1-800-533-8536
You can also write to:
pr@wyeth.com
Let Wyeth know what kind of a public relations disaster Zeb Bell could be for their company, and that you will personally boycott ALL of their products until they unload their sponsorship.
Should they have any questions, refer them to this site. Most thinking Americans, other than the wing-nuts in Idaho, would be shocked at the potty mouth emanating from Zeb.
Hate has no place in Idaho, and he is one of its biggest sponsors.
Cheers!
Posted by: Coward of the Keyboard | March 28, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Here is a form letter that you can cut and paste into the mail program of your choice:
Dear sirs:
Your company's division of Ft. Dodge Animal Health is a weekly sponsor of the Zeb Bell "Hoofbeats" program on KBAR AM in Burley, Idaho.
You probably did not know it, but Mr.Bell is an extremely divisive person who continually disparages individuals on the basis of gender, race and orientation. He created much controversy last year when he called then candidate for President Obama, "big black Obama" and has referred to him as "negroid." This was picked up by national newspapers.
On the same broadcast with white supremacist Frosty Wooldridge, Frosty called Obama's mother "trailer trash with a fixation for dirty black men."
Want to verify these claims? Google his name, or check out the smorgasbord of articles in the local newspaper:
http://www.magicvalley.com/shared-content/search/?search=go&l=20&s=recent&d1=12-1-2000&d2=today&q=zeb+bell
There are also several blogs WITH audio that keep track of his racist hate-filled tirades. Check out the links at:
http://mountaingoatreport.typepad.com/
Your company does not need to have its image tainted with an individual such as Mr. Bell. I am asking that you please cancel sponsorship of his program ASAP.
Please consider my request.
Regards,
Send to pr@wyeth.com
Posted by: Coward of the Keyboard | March 28, 2009 at 10:57 AM
There's a picture on his website (I think it is) with he and his wife, and there's a pair of forearm crutches leaning up against the fence. I'd have to search for it. There was also a sentence in a biography I read on him that stated he had had polio or 'remnants of polio' - something to that effect.
1. The forearm crutches. Rich is a draftsman for an engineering firm. He's a friend and he had polio as a child. He and I are close in age. He uses similar forearm crutches and has since a kid. He cannot ambulate.
2. I work at a rehab hospital in Boise that was specifically opened to accommodate those suffering from polio. Patients come in day in - day out with brain injuries, syndromes, disorders, and other medical issues. Unlike the r-word (I know Tara, et al dislike so), I seriously DOUBT that I have EVER made fun of someone's disability. And I know since working at my hospital, I've gotten even more conscious.
I call BULLSH*T on Mr. Zebbell.
He's either flat out lying or he's gotten that "information" second-hand, hearsay, someone said.
He's lying anyway when he calls us "left-wing bloggers who are hate-filled." Why? Because he's being made accountable for his speech which is going out over the airwaves 4 days a week. The public airwaves, I might add.
His value system? Mr. Zebbel? What's to lie about? You're being asked to be held accountable for your own hate-filled speech that's used to demean, dismiss, denigrate others who are different from you.
Gimme a got*amned break.
Now, he's p*issed ME off......
(i hope asterisks are okay!)
Posted by: Wordsmith | March 28, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Here - this is what I was referring to; it's on the 'About' page of his website.
[[Picture of Zeb & his wife, crutches up against fence.
"Despite the fact that Zeb is on crutches stemming from a bout with polio and numerous accidents, he is an active team roper when not busy informing rodeo fans about the arena action."
http://zebbell.com/about/index.asp ]]
The more I think about this, the angrier I get. I think the man will do whatever it takes to alleviate the pressure. I'm sure this scrutiny, MG, is causing anxiety. He talks about it and refers to it enough that without a doubt it's stressing.
Is there something I can help you and Tara with?
Posted by: Wordsmith | March 28, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Zeb ALWAYS wants the pity of everyone. He will grovel about being on crutches, going through an airplane crash, and nearly having his shoulder "amputated." Why do YOU think he put the picture there?
I have a disabled (permanently confined to a wheelchair) and visually impaired sibling who makes a conscious decision to avoid pointing out "medical issues." That is the last thing she wants to emphasize. When family picture time comes around, she asks the photographer to make her look as natural as possible. But NOT ZEB!
Look, I am sorry that he was afflicted with these conditions, but the fact of the matter is he can dish it, BUT HE CAN'T TAKE IT! HYPOCRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And Zeb, using your quote meshed with that of the immortal Mr. T, "I pity the fool!"
Posted by: Coward of the Keyboard | March 28, 2009 at 05:46 PM
I've often wondered why Zeb points out so frequently on the air that he can't run, jump, etc. because of the crutches. I've known a whole lot of people with disabilities (physical and developmental) and none of them point out their own personal struggles. Is he trying to make it an issue? Does he want sympathy? Maybe if he stopped using the r-word so casually and without apology, I'd consider feeling sorry for his physical state, god knows I can understand the hell of having a body that doesn't do what you ask of it. BUT, he's not going to be a decent human being without such language in his vocabulary so I will only continue to feel sorry for the sorry, miserable life he must lead, evident in the immense amount of hatred that man harbors.
Posted by: thepoliticalgame | March 28, 2009 at 09:40 PM
I wrote a response.
http://leftistmoon.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/zeb-bells-pitying-party/
Posted by: Wordsmith | March 31, 2009 at 09:43 AM