Now, there is nothing wrong with black folks or sportswriters wanting to see a black quarterback enter the pantheon of greats with Johnny Unitas, Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana. Half a century ago, Catholics wanted Johnny Lujack of Notre Dame to become a second Sammy Baugh. But it did not happen. And it would be less than honest to say that Lujack achieved greatness in the NFL. And if some of us should write that Lujack ranks among the great pro quarterbacks of all time, any sportswriters should have a right to say, "You're cutting him slack because he played for Notre Dame."
And they ought to be able to say that without being hounded out of their jobs for anti-Catholicism the way Rush was on this absurd charge of racism.
Which brings us to the question: What, exactly, is "racism"? What does the term mean? Certainly, a hatred of another race or ethnic group would qualify one as a racist. And a segregationist might qualify, although no one condemns the Black Caucus as racist for refusing to admit white congressmen or black students for demanding separate graduations.
The answer? The term "racist" is a branding iron that has become the exclusive property of African-American media and politicians and their allies that they apply, at their discretion, to any critic who challenges their motives or actions on the racial front. It is used to smear adversaries and silence them. It is one of several terms used to blacklist and destroy the careers of those who challenge a power elite.
Rush did the right thing in refusing to apologize. But, as a friend said wisely, Rush should not have resigned. He should have forced the weenies at ESPN to fire him and to publish the reason why they were doing it, so the world could see how craven they are.