Randy Rhodes Mugged

[Steely_Dan]

Randi Rhodes is the Victim of a Violent Attack

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Randi Rhodes was mugged on Sunday night on 39th Street and Park Ave, nearby her Manhattan apartment, while she was walking her dog Simon.

According to Air America Radio late night host Jon Elliott, Rhodes was beaten up pretty badly, losing several teeth and will probably be off the air for at least the rest of the week. At of late Monday night we have not able to locate any press accounts of the attack and nothing has been posted on the AAR website.

snip

Elliott was extremely agitated when he reported on the incident. He opened his show by saying "it is with sadness that tonight I inform you that my Air America colleague Randi Rhodes was assaulted last night while walking her dog near her New York City home." Pointing out that Rhodes was wearing a jogging suit and displayed no purse or jewelry, Elliott speculated that "this does not appear to me to be a standard grab the money and run mugging."

"Is this an attempt by the right wing hate machine to silence one of our own," he asked. "Are we threatening them. Are they afraid that we're winning. Are they trying to silence intimidate us." Some of blog posters also expressed concerns that the attack on Rhodes was hate crime. Other posters warned that we need more facts before any judgements are made.

[bluerum]

1. Craven cowards.

[Richardo]

2. "Other posters warned that we need more facts before any judgements are made."

I'd say that's the prudent course.

Wishing Randi a quick recovery and swift prosecution of her attacker.

[liberalla]

4. Yes, it is! (prudent course)

Get well Randi.

[dugggy]

54. Here here!!!

[wake.up.america]

3. The American Gestapo is on the march. Those who don't take the RW's...

ambition to retain and broaden its "Macht" are sadly mistaken.

[galileo3000]

6. Judge slowly.

Do not be easily provoked just because we have a grave situation. Remember the movie "L.A. Confidential." While our cause may be just, we can't push for social justice or peace with hair trigger reactions to every injustice, even those that are faced by the ones close to home. Don't be easily distracted. Randi is tough and will recover to recant what happened. If this was something bigger, we will get the full story. Until then, thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

[still_one]

9. You make the analogy of L.A. Confidential, I make the analogy of nazi Germany

judge slowly? After seven years we are judging so slowing that before we realize it the republic will be gone

[galileo3000]

15. You are wrong.

You are overreacting. Randy needs our support, not our fear, paranoia, or retribution against others. We don't know much of what happened.

On a more personal note, You were so quick to play the "Nazi" card, or the "brown shirt" card without much knowledge of the facts of the case. It is obvious that You cannot be trusted.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

16. Hey, ghuliani FIXED manhattan. so he says.

again and again, seasoned with sprinkles of 911 references.

[still_one]

50. No offense bud, but this is a place to express thoughts or ideas, not to attack fellow participants

by PERSONALLY insinuating "I can or cannot be trusted"

Stating an opinion is one thing, but questioning "my trust" is not the point of this thread

[Nederland]

48. It now appears clear that you are wrong

Given that the whole story has turned out to be bogus, it seems that many were jumping to conclusions...

[still_one]

51. and that is a fair response, pointing out I jumped to a wrong conclusion

this is a place where people can express their views or perceptions.

and I will be the first to admit if I jumped to the wrong conclustion, or was incorrect, as appears to be the case

No excuses, but after 7 years of lies and misrepresentations from the MSM, is it any wonder that a person becomes cynical

Incidently, I highly recommend a book entitled, "The Nine", by Jeffrey Tobin. Interesting stuff, not tin hat material about the Federalist Society.

I suggest to you that if the Democrats do not win in 2008, the face of this country will change for the next 20 to 30 years

[galileo3000]

58. The danger lies in being easily manipulated

[balleryna2]

27. I dunno...

There are too many facts that suggest that this was indeed meant to "shut her pie hole". The mafia typically bashes people's teeth in when they want someone to shut up. She could've been killed, but was left alive for a reason - to make sure she tells others to "be careful not to say too much". Blackwater's attorneys did this to her last year - they depositioned her for half a day (i.e. interrogated her) because she somehow "wrongfully accused them of being mercaneries". It was sad that they did this to her, because the effects seem quite chilling.

Randi is my hero, and it feels as if this was meant to shut a whole community up, and not just her.

Please stand up for her - please don't assume that this was some kind of "innocent" mugging.

Randi was wearing no jewelry, and was not robbed. So the whole idea that she was mugged seems pretty lame.

Also, the corporate-run news has done an extremely poor job at reporting on this crime. What a surprise... They know that the minute we catch news of this, we will be madder than hell - and should be.

Please stop patronizing the current corporate-run news by pretending that "this isn't so bad". Randi was hurt badly - and deserves us to stand behind her.

[galileo3000]

29. I will not assume

I will not assume that anything beyond what has been reported. The paranoid are easily manipulated. I will not join it, nor will I encourage such thought.

[tom_paine]

30. That is, in fact, good advice and I agree partially

The reason I even disagree at all is the sorry state of law enforcement, especially when it comes to finding out crimes that were perpetrated by Bushies (the Anthrax Assassin comes to midn, using Made in USA anthrax and targeting ONLY Democrats and Liberal media...nope, nothing to see here, no leads, cold case).

If this was not the case, and had not been shown again and again and AGAIN that we cannot ever be sure who did what because things aren't even investigated anymore, and even if they are and ironcald felony proof uncovered (Alberto Gonzales, cough cough), no one has the guts to prosecute.

This is itself, having happened so repeatedly, is cause for concern about intimidation or something else going on behind the scenes that is suppressing these things.

Further, so so SO much has beeing blacked out by Corporate Infoganda that we have as much right as the Russians in 1977 to suspect that what is said in official channel and State-Run (or State-Coerced, as we have here) is false or only half-true (in Soviet Russia they used lies of commission much more frequently, our marketing-savvy Bushies realize that lies of omission are much more subtle and give 'plausible deniability' than the old-style ham-fisted Soviet Lies).

So while I do agree with you about waiting for the facts and the invetsigation, what if the investigation is performed like a lynching investigation in Mississippi 1948, where Bushie Sheriffs arrest the family of the victim and alert their Bushie/KKK buddies as tp every step the victim take to get justice, etc?

It just happened all over America like that hal a century ago, and there is every evdience that it is re-starting, more subtly, in earnest today.

Because of these things, I cannot fully agree with you, and like those who could see through the Nazi Lies and the Soviet Lies, 'official invetsigations' of Nazis or Commies or Bushies BY Nazis or Commies or Bushies, cannot give me much comfort.

So, while I do agree with you partially, I ask you waht do we of 2007 Bushmerika, 1977 Soviet Russia, or 1937 Nazi Germany to do.

Accept everything uncritically from Der SturmCable TV InfoPravda and the same Bushies who tanked the anthrax investigation? Sorry, no can do.

I'll say it again: You have given sensible advice, however it is only 100% sensible in a Free Country with a Free, Vigorous and Independant Press.

As we no longer live in the Free World (though many of the forms are still here to make us think we are) and we are nop longer protected by Free, Vigorous and Independant Press, I cannot FULLY agree with your statement.

I will first and foremost wait for Randi to describe the attack herself, and I will take into account what the investigation says. I will also wait and see if the perps are caught.

I realize that if the perps are not caught it proves nothing, mugging perps likely walk free all the time.

[Nederland]

49. Facts?

What facts? There are no facts here, she wasn't even mugged.

[still_one]

7. Brown Shirts. Vigilence is key. /nt

[wake.up.america]

52. My comment still stands, although Randi was NOT mugged as reported.

[tomreedtoon]

5. One mitigating factor: remember this was Manhattan.

She could have just as easily been drive-by shot by the drug dealers or the other, numerous criminals in that crime-ridden cesspool. Maybe it was just coincidence that she was set upon by a bunch of psychos.

I wouldn't be surprised if they were right-wing goons, and in fact I think it's likely, but I'm surprised the Crips and Bloods didn't get her first. I'm also surprised she was left alive.

[annabanana]

10. Manhattan is NOT

a "crime-ridden cesspool".

sheesh, where do you get your info?

[Mist]

28. "A crime-ridden cesspool?" Not hardly--Park Avenue is a damn fine area. nt

[tomreedtoon]

45. Manhattan SHOULD BE NOT. How's that for a header?

I've always believed that the entire city should be razed, and all its residents resettled in more genuine parts of America to wipe the smug and the conceit off their faces.

And I got all the evidence I needed from two fearful trips to that joint.

[still_one]

13. When was the last time you were in New York? /nt

[tomreedtoon]

44. Way the hell too soon. Twenty years ago.`

Suffice it to say that some things you can't un-see.

[NavyDavy]

14. crips and bloods....stop watching so much TV....i bet u r from the

South, I hear that stereotype from a lot of southerners.....anything thats in the "city" is bad....

[tomreedtoon]

42. Yes and no; Orlando resident, St. Louis born.

And I'd rather walk the streets of the River City naked, with raw steaks strapped to my thighs, than walk the streets of Manhattan in full battle armor accompanied by a squad of Marines.

[lisa58]

17. I have to agree with all your dissenters....

....New York is far safer than your description.

Have you ever been there?

[tomreedtoon]

40. Yes. Twice. SUrvived both times, amazingly.

I wouldn't go back without Kevlar and an armed guard. Never again.

They claim the city has been "nicer" since September 11, but I think this incident disproves it.

[BrklynLib at work]

22. So..when was the last time you were actually in Manhattan?????

That is one of the most irrational, non-sensical statements I have ever read on DU.

You should try dealing with facts instead of that outrageous garbage.

Does anyone see NYC on this list??????????

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in America
Posted: 11/07/2006


Morgan Quitno Press recently published its 13th annual rankings of the safest and most dangerous cities in America.

The list, according to Morgan Quitno, “is based on a city’s rate for six basic crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft. All cities of 75,000+ populations that reported crime data to the FBI for the six crime categories were included in the rankings.”

This year’s survey considered 371 cities, using final 2005 FBI statistics that were released Sept. 18, 2006.

10. Gary, Ind.
Mayor in 2005: Scott King, Democrat (became independent in April 2005)
U.S. Representative: Peter Visclosky, Democrat

9. Youngstown, Ohio
Mayor in 2005: George M. McKelvey, Democrat
U.S. Representative: Tim Ryan, Democrat

8. Oakland, Calif.
Mayor in 2005: Jerry Brown, Democrat
U.S. Representative: Barbara Lee, Democrat

7. Cleveland, Ohio
Mayor in 2005: Jane L. Campbell, Democrat
U.S. Representatives: Dennis Kucinich, Democrat, and Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Democrat

6. Birmingham, Ala.
Mayor in 2005: Bernard Kincaid, Democrat
U.S. Representative: Artur Davis, Democrat

5. Camden, N.J.
Mayor in 2005: Gwendolyn A. Faison, Democrat
U.S. Representative: Robert Andrews, Democrat

4. Compton, Calif.
Mayor in 2005: Eric J. Perrodin, Democrat
U.S. Representative: Juanita Millender-McDonald, Democrat

3. Flint, Mich.
Mayor in 2005: Donald Williamson, Republican
U.S. Representative: Dale Kildee, Democrat

2. Detroit, Mich.
Mayor in 2005: Kwame M. Kilpatrick, Democrat
U.S. Representatives: Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Democrat, and John Conyers, Democrat

1. St. Louis, Mo.
Mayor in 2005: Francis G. Slay, Democrat
U.S. Representatives: William Lacy Clay, Democrat, and Russ Carnahan, Democrat

http://www.propeller.com/viewstory/2006/12/03/top-10-most-dangerous-cities-in-america/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanevents.com%2Fsarticle.php%3Fid%3D17865&frame=true

Just can't seem to find it on the list...
http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25

[balleryna2]

26. Huh?

So, first, you manipulate the data on your list to suit your personal views (I checked the list - you're completely off)(what a surprise...). Then you try to somehow demonstrate that cities with reps who are Democrats are somehow less capable of controlling crime - or are responsible for crime, in general.

What's your point? Who do you think you're fooling???

Here's a link to the actual list - http://www.statestats.com/cit02dang.htm
Here's a copy of what's actually there:

I only included the top 10 - the list shows 327 cities. (Los Angeles was #65 - New York was #133). What did you do? Pluck out what you didn't like??

Most Dangerous Cities

1 Detroit, MI
2 Atlanta, GA
3 St. Louis, MO
4 Baltimore, MD
5 Gary, IN
6 Camden, NJ
7 Tampa, FL
8 West Palm Beach, FL
9 Compton, CA
10 Memphis, TN

[BrklynLib at work]

41. DUH!!!

from your link....
Morgan Quitno Press' 8th Annual Safest City Award

from my link..
Morgan Quitno Press recently published its 13th annual rankings of the safest and most dangerous cities in America. Showing the party of leadership was unintentional and irrelevant to my post which was merely to show NYC not on the list...

[Adelante]

31. Nice neighborhood she lives in

And it's been many years since NYC had the kind of crime you're describing.

[tomreedtoon]

39. Don't you mean many minutes?

I went to Manhattan. Twice. Got out alive. Very surprised.

If there was any place that I'd hate to be more than Miami, it's Nueva York.

[Adelante]

47. Have you ever been mugged, beaten up, robbed, raped, burglarized, hijacked?

Any of that in your life? If so, where?

[tomreedtoon]

55. Yes. In my home. By gangbangers. Almost died.

Lost my car, my TV, and the illusions that are apparently comforting you.

And I guess you haven't, so you don't think the problem exists. Well, wait 'till you get a good dose of civilian PTSD like I have, where you get into screaming mad fits at the slightest thing, and then get nice and depressed, and THEN tell me there isn't a crime problem in New York streets.

By the way, the bangers were Puerto Rican. And they had help. And the police didn't want to do a thing because they were underage, and there's no point chasing underage kids because they can't arrest them. They even put me under a freaking lie detector test, and tried to suggest that I had hired them for sex.

It did not leave me with prejudice against Puerto Ricans or Hispanics or anyone else, except the violent punks that exist everywhere, especially in dirtbag places like New York, which you refuse to admit is a hellhole.

Oh, and one other thing. Don't say "go get help." There is no cure for PTSD. The only thing you can hope to do is limit contact with the triggering phenomena. The only cure is death.

[whopis01]

59. "Nueva York"? I think that speaks volumes in regard to your opinion. n/t

[flordehinojos]

8. criminals usually leave their calling card by the way they operate ...

taking this phrase,

"Pointing out that Rhodes was wearing a jogging suit and displayed no purse or jewelry, Elliott speculated that "this does not appear to me to be a standard grab the money and run mugging."

i have to say that i smell some poppy bush gas around somewhere ! yes. j'ai accuse you bushes who cannot rule the world without eliminating opposition because you know that truth stands out like a flower and a sun and therefore, in order for you to even have a stand ... you must crush the light and flower of truth.

[still_one]

11. Funny it was only Democrats who received the anthrax /nt

[annabanana]

12. Why has there been NO press?

Why wasn't this reported on?

[Ian_rd]

18. Why are we blaming this on rightwing brownshirts?

Are there any facts to support this?

[tom_paine]

32. Nothing but circumstantial evidence yet.

However:

No robbery.

They specifically assualted her mouth, as in "shut the fuck up you Liberal bitch!".

I realize this does not constitute proof, but I would ask you to scroll up and read my other reply which discusses in more detail the conundrum we are in, and the Russians in 1977 and the Germans in 1937, regarding "official investigation" and "official media reports".

You are correct in that we do need to wait to hear more, but this would be just about on time in terms of the march to the New Totalitarinism for those of us who spotted it coming formthe very start.

Thus, the timeliness of this attack, at just the stage of transition one would expect "trcikle-down" Bushevism to begin intruding in the daily lives of the Bushies' Enemies of the State.

That, too is a powerful piece of circumstantial evidence.

There's more, but I already wrote it in post #30. Check it out to see why I and others seem to be "jumping to conclusions".

[Ian_rd]

34. I understand the jump to conclusions

I am aware of several cases of liberals being physically assaulted by rightwingers who have been whipped into a frenzy by their Thought Providers. And I would agree that this is likely another case. But we need facts. And Randi isn't dead, she's recovering and may have something to say about her attacker. Was it a robbery attempt? Or were there other clues about the motive? She will be able to address the issue. Simply mentioning Russia and Nazi Germany with specific dates doesn't add substance to these accusations.

[tom_paine]

36. I already told you I agree with what you said

But you seemed to have missed what I was trying to say in reply.

I was not mentioning dates to lend myself credibility. I was mentioning them as analogies, part of the overall thrust of my general argument, which states that citizens who do not have a Free Country and a Free Press, do not have the luxury of blindly accepting what is said by "official sources".

We do not have the information yet to be more conclusive in our speculations, on this we agree.

But I suspect... as would naturally come to any Russian opposing the Communist Party in 1977, if one of their prominent figures was assualted but not robbed suspiciously like this.

I do not apologize for this, just as I would not apologize for being wholly 100% on your side and for more strongly cautioning "speculators" IF we were living in a Free Country with a Vigorous, Free, and Independent Press.

In the end, we mostly agree, so maybe there isn't much more to discuss. I will wait to hear what Randi has to say. But will I be skepitcal of any "official investigation" where the perps walk free?

As skepitical as I would be of the Bushies' when they killed those 3 Liberal Civil Rights workers in Philadelphia, MS 1964 and the Bushie Sheriif said, "Oh no, we have no ideas who did this or if these filthy hippies are evn missing."

I will be THAT skeptical...no less and no more as the situation deserves.

[Ian_rd]

57. link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3030377&mesg_id=3030377

[slackmaster]

46. Wow, now there are multiple assailants!

They specifically assualted her mouth, as in "shut the fuck up you Liberal bitch!".

Rather mouthy ones, too.

;-)

[YareweinIraq]

19. NY is a Blue City

Why would anyone want to attack Rhandi?

[Bucky]

43. You might want to remind Amadou Diallo about that

He seems to have forgotten that you can't be attacked by Gestapo like thugs in New York City, too.

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. I wish we can determine if this was a right-wing attack.

If it is tied to any right-wing group, it would suggest to me that our civil war has just moved up a notch, from a war of dirty tricks and words from the right-wing, to physical violence.

[Greenwood]

21. Very sad. If you look at statistics, though, it was a random act.....

by some scum bag who had done this type of thing before. Speedy recovery wishes to her and hope she is back on soon.

[Cooley Hurd]

25. ...but Randi's a high profile critic of the Bush admin.

...not just some stockbroker walking her dog. As we've witnessed in the past, critics of the Bush admin are dealt with harshly.

[Zodiak]

33. I fail to see how statistics proves anything

...and we don't know who did it yet, do we?

I reserve judgement until more info comes out, but from what I heard nothing was taken save her keys and typical muggings do not feature having your mouth smashed in. If it was a classical mugging, it was a particularly violent one and the perpetrator got away with nothing, which brings motive into question.

[leftynyc]

23. Wow - 2 blocks from Grand Central Terminal

I work very close to that corner - it's a very safe neighborhood - actually right around the corner from where that steampipe exploded. Any word about what time this happened? Prayers for her quick recovery.

[Evergreen Emerald]

24. oh how awful!

my thoughts and prayers are with Randy and her family.

[zulchzulu]

35. I looked on her site and didn't really see anywhere to send her flowers...

...or whatever.

There is nothing like getting mugged to make you feel violated and deprived of just being able to live your life. I wish her and all around her the absolute best to make it out of this tragic event.

[LuvMyPorsche]

37. Rhodes Lawyer and NYPD report story BOGUS

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/10/16/2007-10-16_air_america_host_randi_rhodes_wasnt_mugg.html

[zulchzulu]

38. Ed Schultz was reporting that she fell down and wasn't mugged

I don't care either way. I just hope she's fine and wish her the best in getting better.

[RFKJrNews]

53. Wildly conflicting reports

OK, Jon Elliot, her co-worker at AAR said she was mugged and brutally beaten. He said this on the air. Where did he get his information?

On the other hand, we get a totally different version from the NYDaily News today:

"A police source said Rhodes never filed a report and never claimed to be the victim of a mugging. Cops from Manhattan's 17th Precinct called her attorney, who told them Rhodes was not a victim of a crime, the source said.

Rhodes' lawyer told the Daily News she was injured in a fall while walking her dog. He said she's not sure what happened, and only knows that she fell down and is in a lot of pain. The lawyer said Rhodes expects to be back on the air Thursday. He stressed there is no indication she was targeted or that she was the victim of a "hate crime.""

There's a mighty big difference between taking a fall on the sidewalk and getting the holy crap beaten out of you. Something about this just doesn't pass the smell test.

Without engaging in speculation, I can only say that if she was indeed "intimidated" that night, it is not surprising she would not file a police report and would instead say, "Well, I'm not really sure what happened. I think I just fell while walking my dog."

I'm not saying this is the case with Randi - I'm just saying that this sort of thing has been known to happen. Ever seen how quickly a witness in a court case changes their testimony after being paid a visit by Guido and his gang?

Whatever happened here, get well soon, Randi.

[rasputin1952]

56. Please see here, from LBN:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3030377