Randi Rhodes is the Victim of a Violent Attack

[liberalla]

First online 'report' I've seen.

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.

more

http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/2007/10/randi-rhodes-i...

also this piece of good news~

"According to Elliott, Rhodes was resting in her New York City apartment and was not hospitalized."

Get well soon, Randi!

[TomClash]

1. 39th and Park?

Odd place for a mugging these days nt

[liberalla]

8. I'm in AZ, and don't know the city, but if they were looking

specifically for her, then you go where the victim is...

I really hope the attackers are identified and arrested soon. We need to determine if this was random or not. I have the sick feeling she was targeted. I hope I'm wrong.

[TomClash]

12. Let's wait for more facts

She might have known her attacker - or she could have been targeted - or something else.

39th and Park is near Grand Central Station.

[liberalla]

15. You're right. I hope the attackers are arrested soon,

so we get the facts and don't have to speculate.

[RB TexLa]

43. Nothing in the article says she informed the police

[liberalla]

74. Maybe I jumped to a conclusion, but if I'd been attacked and

had my teeth knocked out, I'd have called 911.

I wish we'd get a real report or news story on this. The mysterious silence by AAR just makes for incredible speculation.

[ProudDad]

125. Hell, now days unless you end up in the E.R.

the cops just send you a fucking form to fill out...

[liberalla]

102. * * * THIS JUST IN * * * new info at AAR blog!

from the AAR Spark blog by Nancy Scola:


Randi Rhodes

By Nancy Scola on October 16, 2007 - 11:38am
(Bumped. -- Nancy)

Here's what I have on Randi, from AAR:

October 16-NEW YORK-On Sunday evening, October 14, Air America host Randi Rhodes experienced an unfortunate incident hindering her from hosting her show. The reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded. Ms. Rhodes looks forward to being back on the air on Thursday.

http://www.airamerica.com/node/5528

[tom_paine]

105. That is good news. I am glad our worst fears have not been realized.

A speedy recovery to Randi Rhodes.

[liberalla]

109. Yes! Good news! ___________ But,

WTF was Jon Elliott talking about ?????

Hopefully we'll get the REAL story on Thursday from Randi.

Happy healing, honey!

[tom_paine]

115. It looks like Eliot got carried away, and in turn he gave many of us reason to get carried away.

No blame though. I am responsible for my own actions and words, as we all are.

And even though I did manage to, even last night, keep saying that we need to hold on and wait for more information (which we still do, IMHO, there is more to come on the specifics of the incident), I and many others let our speculations run wild.

I always say this can be forgiven to a certain degree because we live in a society trending towards totalitarianism with a Free, Vigorous, and Independant Press.

What does all of this prove? That we all have blind spots, and that we can all get carried away.. Of course, the reality of Bushies being mentally similar to Nazis doesn't make staying calm and collected after something like this happens.

Anyway, I agree in your wishes for a speedy healing for Randi.

[Breeze54]

134. AAR hosts have been attacked before and have had death threats!

So, I think the people speculating last night had good reason to!

------------------

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Randi Rhodes is the Victim of a Violent Attack

http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/2007/10/randi-rhodes-i...

Updated on October 16 at 8:50 AM; PDT. Update set in bold face italics

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-->

Attacks on liberal talk radio stations and their hosts are not a new thing. About a month ago a gunman fired a shot through a window at the studios of KPFT, Houston’s, Pacifica station narrowly missing a DJ who was hosting music show at the time. There is currently a $10,000 reward offered to anyone who identifies the shooter.

This is not the first politically motivated attack on KPFT. More than 35 years ago, the Ku Klux Klan blew up the station's transmitters twice within the Houston station's first year on the air.

Also, shortly after AAR morning talk show host Thom Hartmann, started doing talk radio (about four years ago), he was told by auto mechanic that there were several bullet holes in his car.

"To this day I don't know if somebody shot out my car as kids joyriding with a pistol or rifle... or was a warning or statement of displeasure about my radio show," Hartmann told TR. "I've gotten a lot of death threats and hate mail over the years - hate mail is pretty much a norm in this business - but nobody has taken a shot at me or my car since 2003."

Talk show host, Tom Leykis, who known to express liberal views on his daily "hot talk show" was assaulted outside a Seattle bar three years ago by agitated radio listeners.

According to the Seattle Times, a witness reported two men were involved in the incident:
"…One of the men said to Leykis, "I called your show once and you called me" a name. "You had no right to do that." Then a man standing to Leykis’ left kicked him in the face. The blow knocked him to his knees, leaving his right knee scraped and bruised."

Last year Stephanie Miller received a death threat from a nut case in Ohio named "Sock" Sokolowski. Here's what the letter said in part.

"As with Cindy Sheehan the best thing that could happen to you would be seeing some WONDERFUL activist sticking an AK-47 up your Glory Holes and sending you into eternity" ---
Miller called Socko during her show (yes, he actually included his phone number in the letter) and Socko claimed several times during the phone call that he didn't threaten Miller in the letter.

(Socko is not to be confused with Spocko, who is a liberal blogger who was threatened by ABC Radio's lawyers after he posted a list of advertisers to Lee Rodgers and Melanie Morgan's conservative talk show on KSFO-AM in San Francisco.)

Apparently, some right-wing critics of lib talk aren’t happy that conservative talk only accounts for 90% of the programming on talk radio. These whack jobs appear determined to whatever it takes to silence the opposing point of view.

Not surprisingly, the only talk radio host killed for his political views was a liberal. In 1984, two right wing extremists gunned down Denver talk show host Alan Berg. Berg’s tragic murder was memorialized in a chilling movie Talk Radio

[Kajsa]

128. *****RANDI WAS NOT MUGGED******

Let's get this out there.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

16. During the day that area buzzes but at night it can be very quiet. eom

[alteredstate]

147. Police Release Composite Sketches of Suspects in Randi Rhodes Assault

[onenote]

35. 39th and Park -- not really that odd a location for a mugging

On average, there is one aggravated assault per week in the 17th Precinct, which is the precinct that encompasses 39th and Park. And nearly 2 robberies per week. New York is not all that different than other major cities when it comes to crime, but it also isn't crime free.

http://gis.nyc.gov/ops/mmr/mmrmap.jsp

[TomClash]

112. That's because it encompasses Grand Central Station

Even in the middle of the night 39th and Park is a well-traveled, well lit area

[itcfish]

45. A Very Busy

area. Can't see that happening on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

[npincus]

69. article says it happened at night.

It's dark around there, ots of traffic but not many people out on the street on a Sunday night.

[itcfish]

48. Hey Tom

Funny, we are both using quotes from the Spanish Civil War.

[TomClash]

113. LOL! nt

[npincus]

67. I'll say...

although on a Sunday night there aren't many people out on the street (mainly residential neighborhood) and it's dark. But it is a strange place for a mugging; lots of traffic- toward Grand Central, Times Square, the Lincoln Tunnel.

[Gman]

68. That's what I thought

that's an upscale area. I would think it would be semi-safe, as safe as you can find in NYC.

If she was around 57th or further up, I wouldn't be so suspicious, at least the way I remember NYC when I was there.

[npincus]

70. Sunday night streets are pretty desolute over there

hardly anyone walking, it's dark, though there is a steady stream of traffic to Grand Central, Times Square, Lincoln Tunnel.

[ecstatic]

77. makes me not want to visit NY... what happened to just grabbing the purse

and taking off?

[KurtNYC]

79. that area is covered with dozens of security cameras

it is just south of Altria's HQ (formerly Phillip Morris) and Grand Central Terminal.

Footage probably exists but I doubt the MSM will cover this story because they would have to talk about who she is, AAR, etc.

[Vanje]

104. Random muggers dont target people with dogs. nt

[Just-plain-Kathy]

122. Plus, "Rhodes was wearing a jogging suit and displayed no purse or jewelry"...n/t

[dave123williams]

119. NYC is randomly violent, sometimes.

There's at least one psycho that pummels someone randomly every year. However, this doesn't sound all that random.

I wonder what she will say about the attack, what was said to her during it, etc.

I have no doubt that mere physical violence will never silence that particular lady.

To shut her up about this Administration, you'd pretty much have to kill her.

[SeattleGirl]

2. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it was deliberate, because of her views.

Last week she was going after the freepers pretty harshly.

[area51]

3. That's terrible. (n/t)

[SlingBlade]

6. Goddamed Freeper No Doubt !

[kevinmc]

4. To Send Get Well Cards ect ....

Ms. Randi Rhodes

C/O Air America Radio

641 6th Ave. NY, NY 10011

[ronnykmarshall]

63. Thanks ...

I'll pick a card up today.

Get well soon, Randi!

We await your boobies to be bouncing again soon!

[WilliamPitt]

5. Ah shit.

for the yellin' lady.

Heal quickly, RR.

[ronnykmarshall]

103. If you talk to her ..

Send out some DU love !

[NJCher]

7. It happened Sunday and I'm only hearing of it Tues a.m.?

Teeth out? That sounds pretty serious to me.

Sending good wishes to Randi that she feels better soon.

This is awful.

I'm with the posters who say to wait for more information but at the same time, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this was a planned job.



Cher

[liberalla]

13. No one said anything until Jon Elliott last night.

"Teeth out? That sounds pretty serious to me."

I know! Plus, she's had considerable dental work done over the last 18-24 months, as the listeners know. Now, she'll be needing more.

Just makes me mad. Damn!

[Botany]

9. Please wait until the facts are in before giving out blame.

But @ the same time Stephanie, Ms. Rachel, and others please be careful.

[Breeze54]

84. I blame the thugs!

And it isn't unreasonable, considering the political climate these last few
years, that someone might be angry at Randi or any liberal talk show host!

I mean, the RW attacked a 12 year old last week!!!

[B Calm]

10. She should think about carrying a gun..

[bdamomma]

49. or some mace.

[ecstatic]

78. Her dog was apparently useless. Now I see why some prefer pit bulls nt

[Berry Cool]

11. Oh, crap.

I haven't been too thrilled with some of her on-air behavior lately, but I sure wouldn't wish anything like THIS upon her. Hope she recovers quickly.

I'm also not going to jump to any conclusions. But jeez, that is scary.

[bbernardini]

14. Posts on the Freeper site wishing she had been killed begin in 5...4...3...

[liberalla]

17. courtesy of www.stephaniemiller.com

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

18. This doesn't sound like a mugging to me. Sending out healing thoughts to you

((((((Randi))))))).

BTW..I hope her dog is ok too.

[cooolandrew]

90. Yep the power of mass thought is strong. Imagine well being for Randi and DK 08.

[MethuenProgressive]

19. 5th Rec here

[never_get_over_it]

20. They knocked out teeth

went for her MOUTH - how much plainer can it get - someone was trying to shut her up - you know she is one of the mouthiest of "progressive" talk show hosts - and she has been on THE tv more than most - it seems pretty obvious to me - Mike Malloy and the others need to watch their backs....I put NOTHING past these people

[JNelson6563]

29. That's kinda what I thought too.

The fact that they knocked out her teeth speaks volumes. Sick bastards.

Julie

[Vinca]

21. People without jewelry or handbags usually aren't targets for muggers.

Given the presence of Big Brother in our lives, there must be surveillance camera footage somewhere. Any ATMs in the area? I'll bet anything she was a high value target for the wingnuts. Why haven't we heard of this in the MSM? Very strange. Does anyone know what happened to Simon?

[Ganja Ninja]

27. I hope there's something to catch this bastard.

It would probably be prudent to save all the hate mail that comes in.

[liberalla]

30. I've seen no mention of Simon, and assumed he was not hurt.

I hope that is true.

Your suggestion of checking for surveillance cameras is very good, and I would think that the police have thought of this. God, I hope there were witnesses or maybe someone with a cellphone camera. I hope Mark Green goes the extra mile, and spends money on investigators, added security and whatever is necessary to find these thugs and keep Air America talent safe.

They have kept it very hush hush. I hope Sam Seder talks about it and gives us an update on Randi today. He's filling in for her.

[Dorian Gray]

37. That's not necessarily true

I've had friends who were jogging be mugged for their watches. I don't think we should jump to conclusions and blame this on right wingers unless we hear differently from Randi. Muggings happen all the time in NYC, sadly, and as another poster pointed out, she wasn't far from Grand Central station. It's a relatively safe area, but that doesn't mean much in NYC. Most muggings happen in relatively safe areas.

[warrior1]

22. son of a bitch

Until we know who did this, I hope she gets well soon. This may be a hate crime.

[travelingtypist]

23. Move back to Florida, Randi.

You know you want to...

I'd lay odds she's on the next plane home when she gets well
and if she has to builds her own fucking studio in West Palm
if WJNO doesn't let her use theirs.

This makes me heartsick and at the same time pisses me the
fuck off. I want whoever did this found RIGHT NOW!!! The NYC
police department better not fuck this up.

[RebelOne]

34. Personally, I think South Florida is just as bad as New York.

That's why I moved from there up here to the Atlanta area.

[travelingtypist]

51. Randi has a house down there. She lived there for

15 years or something like that. I wonder how many muggings there have been
in her neighborhood there lately?

[RebelOne]

66. Who knows? I was almost mugged in a very nice area

just north of Miami. Luckily, I was able to scream loud enough so that the creep ran away.

[travelingtypist]

71. And I bet Randi screamed in Central Park

and it did no good.

They really hurt her. It wasn't about robbing her. I
haven't heard if she was assaulted sexually, but that hasn't
been my impression. If it wasn't money and it wasn't rape,
then why?

I'm just saying that I think Randi will feel safer in her
own home. It'd be good for her mental health and her coming
PTSD to go home, even if it was in whatever other supposedly
dangerous place you can think of. It's her home and she's
going to need it.

[Cetacea]

126. I get that South Florida is much worse.

Mew York City has come along a long way. South Florida has growing crime rates if I remember correctly.

[John Kerry VonErich]

24. Lets not come to conclussions until we hear it from Randi herself.

Not even Elliot knows what went down except from what was told to him. And if it is a right wing job, then it is mallicious assault, but I kinda doubt it will be a hate crime since it is questionable that political beliefs qualify as such. If I'm wrong on that, someone help me.

[HughBeaumont]

25. I'm sorry, but the whole thing smells like a targeting.

Muggers generally go for people with obvious merchandise (i.e. wallets, purses, fanny packs, etc), and when going for it, it's hit, grab and run like hell. She had nothing on her? The missing of several teeth tells me that this was a beatdown, and not a hit-n-skip.

I say she was targeted.

Thankfully, she wasn't hospitalized, but the trauma still remains. Get well, RR.

[Raster]

31. Unfortunately, I tend to agree. A mugging tends to be a snatch and run,

or a threaten at gunpoint and run. Yes, by all means, wait until all the facts are in--but be prepared. And be cautious.

[Liberal In Texas]

26. Oh no.

I've been worried that something like this would happen. Mark Green needs to add a bodyguard division to AAR.

It's hard to believe that freepers would have the guts. One is reminded of the attack on John Lennon outside of his home.

What a world we live in.

to Randi.

[tom_paine]

87. Freepers have guts when they are five-to-one attacking an unsuspecting woman

Just like the Nazis before them.

[Ishoutandscream2]

95. Yes, I know we are lacking some facts

But this does look like (to me, anyway) a pissed off, agitated wing-nut (or nuts) who did this. Knocked out some teeth? Perhaps to shut her up. Wing-nuts, if you've heard Randi talk, the girl WILL NEVER STOP TALKING. She will be going after you goose-steppers again in no time. Truth always wins out over violence.

[mmonk]

28. Now I'm mad.

Real mad.

[Suziq]

32. Thom Hartmann . . . . .

From the attached link to the article - mechanic found three bullet holes in Thom's car.



Get well soon, Randi.

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. Poor Randi

I hope she is feeling better soon.

[Dorian Gray]

36. Awful attack

I feel awful for her.

I don't think it behooves us to think that it's a right wing hate crime, though. Sure, it's possible. But, I used to live in that neighborhood. While relatively safe, it's not unheard of that people might be mugged there.

[bunny planet]

38. I've always been concerned when she talks about what neighborhood she lives

in and reveals that she walks her dog with her ipod blasting. If some rw nutjob wanted to locate her it wouldn't have been too difficult. Please get well soon Randi.

[liberalla]

46. Funny you should mention that about the ipod - I've had the

same thought! Need to be aware of your surroundings.

Also, she always said she had to go outside to smoke, and I would think to myself - that's another thing people don't need to know... Just makes her easier to locate.

May her healing be fast and full!

[racaulk]

39. OMG

That's so horrible. I hope Randi is better soon. And I hope they catch the *sshole responsible.

[bluetrain]

40. Why is there still no more information on this yet?

[Ganja Ninja]

52. Because the police are probably looking for the guy that did it

and they don't want to give out any more information than necessary.

[liberalla]

60. Air America confirms Randi Rhodes was mugged

One 'new' bit to add, but in general there's a shocking absence of information

from Watching the Watchers:

By Rogers Cadenhead

"An Air America representative confirmed Tuesday morning that Rhodes was mugged. Calls have been made to Rhodes and the New York City police department's press office, and as more details become available they'll be reported here."

http://watchingthewatchers.org/news/1311/air-america-ho...

[Branjor]

156. The link you gave

says Air America DENIES that Randi Rhodes was mugged.

[goddess40]

41. to think I was whining about having to listen to Lionel twice yesterday

shame on me.

This is horrible. At this point with the way the police seem to be going all fascist on us I hope they even try and find who did this.

[negativenihil]

42. get well soon randi!

so terrible...

[bdamomma]

44. oh shit, that is terrible, best wishes to Randi. Get well.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

47. Thoughts and prayers go out to Randi

I've listened to Randi since she was a local host here in Florida. I even met her once at an event and she was so sweet to me. Randi's one of the biggest reasons I am so politically active today.

My thoughts and prayers go out for a speedy recovery to The Goddess!

[The Witch]

50. RANDI ................ *sob*

get well soon!! we love you!!!! :sigh:

[derby378]

53. Ohmigod...

Get well soon, Randi. We're all pulling for you.

[Annces]

54. How awful

What a terrible thing to happen.

[Cooley Hurd]

55. I hope we get to hear Randi's side of it soon...

She, better than anyone, can tell us if SHE thinks it was a random crime or if she was targeted.

Please Randi, get well and get thee back to the mike!

[KaryninMiami]

56. This is horrible- even worse if it was deliberate and it very well might have been.

Get well soon, Randi- our thoughts are with you!

[libnnc]

57. OMG Randi

A baseball bat? How many muggers use a baseball bat?

[Boxerfan]

58. The Freeps are having a little orgy of gloating/hate over this...

I googled an article up...
http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/2007/10/randi-rhodes-i...

Then I started reading the comments. It's a sick commentary on the riech wingers-

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

59. Violence always pleases them. Especially when visited upon those who point out

their flawed logic and foolish ways.

MKJ

[bdamomma]

61. they just hate the truth.

[cascadiance]

82. Too bad Domino Harvey still isn't alive now...

Maybe she could go up them and ask THEM if they've ever had a face job or not, and subsequently pay them back appropriately before bringing them in!

Frickin bastards!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

72. I read, and posted a response of my own...

which reads:

"Until further evidence comes out, I'm going to assume it was a random, non-political attack on Randi. My thoughts and prayers go out to Randi for a speedy recovery.

As for some of the utterly disgusting comments from consevatives on this board, let me just say this:

Your radio hero is a drug addict. Most likely--given the known addictive tendencies of oxycotin--he is still a drug addict (I doubt one month in rehab was sufficient to cure all of his ills.) It is not out of the realm of possibility your radio hero has been under the influence while on the air numerous times. He will tell you what he thinks, tells you not to dare look up the truth from anyone else but him, and then laughs all the way to the bank knowing he has made one more sucker that day.

Your literary hero is a nasty, anorexic harpy who simply says the most outrageous of things to get herself attention and on the news. She is not speaking truth to power--she serves no good reason other than to shock the public with her ugly, bigoted statements, all in the hopes it will sell one more book.

You can say all the hateful things you want about Ms. Rhodes, but it will not change the fact that when you got to sleep every night, your emperors have no clothes. They are hucksters with the most serious of personality disorders, and they use you, and you let yourselves be used by them. Sleep well."

[LibDemAlways]

62. It is relatively easy to find out

where someone lives. I used to work part-time for a homeowners insurance company that subscribed to a data base of property records. You only needed to put in a name and state and you could learn a lot.

If Randi wasn't carrying a purse and was just out walking the dog, she was either the victim of a random attack by a deranged person or the victim of a deliberate attack by a deranged stalker. I hope the cops do a thorough investigation and I wish her a full and speedy recovery.

[Stephanie]

64. It's fishy. That is a highly unlikely area to be mugged.

I was just at that corner on Saturday night. There are two W hotels on that block. I used to work one block away from there at 40 & Park. Park is full of high-rise office buildings, there are some brownstones on the side streets, it's basically a sleepy place at night. This story doesn't sound right.

[KurtNYC]

81. plus someone walking their dog doesn't tend to have

money, jewelry, etc. Just house keys and a bag for the poop.

[onenote]

111. and it turns out you are right -- she wasn't mugged. or attacked

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Stephanie]

116. thanks!

the story just didn't make sense. a purse snatching or pick-pocket maybe, but a violent mugging? didn't sound right.

[Xenotime]

65. This is a hate crime

The right has been looking to silence her. The fact that she lost teeth is just a sign that they were looking to shut her up. Don't give in, Randi. Be strong. They may be able to get away with calling troops phoney but this will not stand.

[Orsino]

75. Beat me to it. n/t

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

80. What if it was a random mugging?

A guy in NY attacked a person on the subway with a powersaw last year - didn't take anything.

[EstimatedProphet]

91. How dare you try to cheapen Randi Rhodes suffering!

This is clearly an attack designed to instill terror, so that we will relinquish all our civil liberties and live in a refrigerator box.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

93. I was just getting mine out of the basement

[onenote]

110. are you feeling even a bit embarassed about leaping to conclusions?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[KneelBeforeZod]

152. Ironic ...

>> but this will not stand.

An ironic turn of the phrase given new information. Ha!

Seriously, though - I hope she feels better soon.

And - I hope people on this board take heed and stop going from zero to "hate crime" in under two seconds. Sometimes bad things happen ... people get hurt, people get mugged, people trip and fall over ... and there's still not necessarily a right-wing conspiracy.

Sometimes it is just bad luck. Get well soon, Randi.

Z

[slackmaster]

73. That's terrible

I hope she makes a quick and complete recovery.

I hope the police catch the perpetrator, and that he is sent to prison for a long time.

I hope people won't jump to any conclusion about a political motivation behind the attack without adequate evidence to support it.

[NorthernSpy]

98. delusional psychos are one of the hazards of a job in radio or tv...

... whether politics are involved or not. So no, we shouldn't leap to conclusions.

I have a sister in broadcasting. She's got some disturbing stories.

[AspenRose]

76. This is awful.

Hope she gets well soon.

[bunny planet]

83. I'm trying to send flowers directly to the stations offices. Anyone know the floor

they are asking for it on the florist site, and a phone number.

never mind, I found it, and used the phone number they give out for call-ins

[Julius Civitatus]

85. Don't jump to conclusions: I live in NYC, and it's a crazy place

Please note that, while I don't discard this may have been a deliberate attack from a right-wing radical, muggings and beatings in NYC are still a very common reality. Seriously, after nutjobs like MIchelle Malkin even stalked a 12-year old for political purposes, I believe those people are crazy and desperate enough to do anything.

Nevertheless, random violence in NYC happens all the time. It is one of the nasty facts of living in New York, "a city with a very high concentration of douchebags", as me and my friends use to say. Let me just tell you about four cases in my immediate surroundings. These cases took place within the last four years alone:

• A friend of mine, female in her 30s and pregnant, got beaten up on broad daylight by a junkie as she was leaving work. The bastard broke her nose with a punch, then kicked her while she was down. Fortunately, she and the baby came out ok from that ordeal.
  
  
• An artist friend of mine (painter), was randomly picked by a bunch of thugs for a "gang initiation" ritual, and beaten in the middle of Union Square on a Saturday (pretty busy area, lots of people around). He got 12 stitches in the skull as a consequence.
  
  
• A coworker was picked and punched on the face by some random thugs in the subway.
  
  
• Myself: one morning in my way to work (about 8:30 am), a young fellow in his early 20s came to me, pretty deranged-looking, out of the blue grabbed me by the throat as I was coming out of the subway, pushed me against a wall and started screaming that he was going to "kill me for disrespecting him". I had no idea what he was talking about; I had never seen him before, but he was seething, absolutely furious, either batshit crazy or high on something. Then as quickly as he did this, he ran away and dissapeared. I called the police. They never found him, but was told this type of shit happens every day.

New York can be a very dangerous and violent place, and this violence tends to be quite random at times.
I wish a speedy recovery to Randi, and hope they catch the freaking bastard who did that to her.

[femrap]

86. Typical freeper....

attacks a woman because he's too much of a coward to attack a man. I hope he/they is caught and jailed.

[NorthernSpy]

100. we don't know that it's a freeper -- it could be pretty much anybody...

There are lots of possibilities. Lets not wrong anybody by jumping to conclusions.

[slackmaster]

133. Or maybe even...

Nobody.

[cooolandrew]

88. Randi doesnt scare easy she'll b back twice as determined. As long as she don't get panic attacks..

.. from this. Slow breathing Randi calms the nerves. As long as we walk emnating love we're always safe.


"fear is the rootof allevil" Zinn "if they try to silence you speak outmore"

[Sneaky Sailor]

89. I hope she is feeling better

Maybe "the man" wont have the balls to go after her twice...

[SharonRB]

92. Get well soon, Randi

We love you!

I look forward to seeing you here next month.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

94. Randi - I hope you get well quick. It breaks my heart to hear about this.

If there's one thing that freaks me out about living in NYC it's random violent crime. You never know when something like this could happen.

[orleans]

96. ed schultz is talking about this at the opening of his show

thom hartman didn't say a word!

i thought thom would, he didn't and i switched to schultz and he was in the process of discussing this. he is sending his best from him and wendy to randi

[liberalla]

101. Sounds like only the non-AAR talkers are discussing it.

Ed, Stephanie, Bill P. (maybe more but these are the ones I've read about)...
Well, except for Jon Elliott who was the original source for the story.

I wonder if they are keeping quiet about this at the request of the FBI or something. She had received an anthrax threat (around the same time as Olbermann, if I remember correctly), and they were mumm while the FBI investigated the threat. She only talked about it AFTER the fact.

Hmmm...

[LSK]

127. thom is way over in Portland, maybe he doesnt have details

[eek]

97. sounds not unlike "The Brave One"

if you've seen the current Jodie Foster movie,The Brave One, Randi's attack * sounds sorta like the scene that set the plot in motion.
Copycat thuggery?

Poor lady.



* based upon what few details we have so far

[0007]

99. Get well babe and come back and knock 'em dead!

[NorthernSpy]

106. ... or not (new info)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Catherine Vincent]

107. That's scary.

Get well soon, Randi.

[dogindia]

108. Anyone heard how Simon the pup is?

[ScreamingWhisper]

114. Apparently she wasn't mugged after all

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

How could communication wires get that crossed?

[Lena inRI]

117. RANDY. . .WEAR A HAT PIN LEFT SIDE OF CHEST AT ALL TIMES. . .

. . .one of those old-fashioned 4 inch jobs. . .so when someone attacks from any side. . .automatically whip it out and thrust it into attacker's balls.

Advice I cherish from a dear NYC friend who had to defend herself on the subways and streets many times. . .ya know, especially during packed rush-hour trains. . .

I'm glad Malloy packs a gun and you now may be thinking of doing same. . .your military training would help prep you for this self-defense.

Yet, doesn't cost anything to have the ole hatpin backup. . .guns can be turned around against you, too.

Sending you a steady stream of healing thoughts and concern, Randy. . .

Hope you got a really good look at the ratbastard so you could ID him soon. . .



BWAHAHAHAHAHA! I just posted my advice the same time as above post says she wasn't mugged. . .what a laugh on me!!! On all of us!!!!

Oh well, Randy, I still recommend the good ole hat pin. . . ya never know! LOL!

[NorthernSpy]

118. yes, self-impalement would have helped the situation...

Randi was not attacked. It seems that she fell and hit her head while walking her dog.


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

[flyarm]

120. RANDI WAS NOT MUGGED!! ED SHULTZ JUST READ FROM AIR AMERICA..GO TO THEIR WEB SITE AND READ !!

AIR AMERICA HAS RELEASED A STATEMENT THROUGH RANDI'S LAWYER..RANDI WAS NOT MUGGED!


from AAR:

October 16-NEW YORK-On Sunday evening, October 14, Air America host Randi Rhodes experienced an unfortunate incident hindering her from hosting her show. The reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded. Ms. Rhodes looks forward to being back on the air on Thursday.




FLY

[liberalla]

129. Yes, I know! * * * THIS JUST IN * * * new info at AAR blog!

I posted it up thread at 9:41am, post #102, trying to make it stand out, so people would see the new info.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

I wonder what Jon Elliott will be saying tonight? He was the sole source for the mugging story. Where did he get that? Things are not making sense.

Most importantly, Randi will be back soon! Wishing Randi a quick and complete recovery!

[Johnny Appleseed]

121. that's too bad, but she is a tough lady

being a vet and all, and I'm sure she'll be back.

[debbierlus]

123. I don't know if this was a targeting for her political views, if it was they picked the wrong lady

Randi is NOT the type of woman who will go away & cower. She is one tough cookie.

Randi, I will send you light & love. We are there for you, always. So sorry for this brutal attack.

[flyarm]

124. RANDI WAS NOT MUGGED!!

RANDI WAS NOT MUGGED!! ED SHULTZ JUST READ FROM AIR AMERICA..GO TO THEIR WEB SITE AND READ !!

AIR AMERICA HAS RELEASED A STATEMENT THROUGH RANDI'S LAWYER..RANDI WAS NOT MUGGED!


from AAR:

October 16-NEW YORK-On Sunday evening, October 14, Air America host Randi Rhodes experienced an unfortunate incident hindering her from hosting her show. The reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded. Ms. Rhodes looks forward to being back on the air on Thursday.

[slackmaster]

130. BREAKING!! Mike Nifong to file charges agains the real mugger

[TX-RAT]

131. LOL

Having a slow day?

[slackmaster]

132. If someone not being mugged is a top news story

Then yes, it does seem to be a little slow.

[slackmaster]

135. I hope those of you who jumped to the conclusion that a RW attack occurred realize

Just how foolish you look now.

This thread is being linked to all over the Web at this very moment.

Thanks a lot.

[eleny]

139. Given the initial information, there's no reason for anyone to feel foolish

A vicious attack is just what it is. And speculation about who might have done it, if the initial information was true, is up to the imagination.

But don't worry - your personal reputation is intact.

Frankly, I'm not so nervous about what people think of me. And that includes you.
............ ..................

[slackmaster]

140. You're a little slow on the uptake today, eleny

Keep reading.

[eleny]

142. I understand that she fell

Big deal that earlier - before people got the news - they were worried and speculated. and if people are still responding to the original posting, so what.

I'm bristling over your attitude that we have to live up to your standards. Frankly, I don't care if this thread is all over the net. There have been suspicious deaths over the years. Both the left and the right speculate all the time. I'll call it human nature. If it bothers you, there's not much you can do about it but ride this one out.

[slackmaster]

144. Bristle all you want, I just enjoy watching the circular firing squad that DU becomes so frequently

[eleny]

148. You fired a shot yourself

So I suppose you weren't really serious about sounding like a pompous net nanny. Please take the last word if you wish.

[KneelBeforeZod]

150. When Republican sidewalks attack ...

Any word on the party affiliation of the contractors that built the sidewalk?

Z

[slackmaster]

155. Probably the same people who built George W. Bush's coffee table

[Semper_FiFi]

136. This is just awful! I doubt that this was only a "mugging".

She is very vocal about her opposition to *. Repubs are a violent lot. They are angry that they were wrong about the piece of sh*t who sits in the White House, so one of them took it out Randi.

k&r

[Misc]

141. Mugged?

It's sad if she truly is injured from the fall that she took, but isn't it true that she wasn't really mugged?

[KansDem]

137. "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"

On October 4, 1986, as <Dan> Rather was walking along Park Avenue in Manhattan to his apartment, he was attacked and punched from behind by a man who demanded to know, "Kenneth, what is the frequency?", while a second assailant also chased and beat him. As the assailant pummeled and kicked Rather, he kept repeating the question over and over again. In describing the incident, Rather said, "I got mugged. Who understands these things? I didn't and I don't now. I didn't make a lot of it at the time and I don't now. I wish I knew who did it and why, but I have no idea."

wikipedia

Sounds like these two events are eerily similar...

[AikidoSoul]

138. Sickening! Best wishes to Randi for a speedy recovery N/T

[Imagevision]

143. Lou Dobbs and Chris Mathews don't find this to be a news-worthy item...

[slackmaster]

145. Someone fell and got hurt

Doesn't sound newsworthy to me either, unless maybe it's George W. Bush.

Then we can make fun of him, speculate that he must have been drinking, etc.

[onenote]

146. they don't find the non-attack on Randi newsworthy? My goodness.

What next. They dont' report that Al Franken wasn't attacked?

[slackmaster]

149. AL FRANKEN WASN'T ATTACKED?!?!?????????!!!!!!!

CALL CONGRESS RIGHT F***ING NOW!

[HomerRamone]

151. Why would the other host on Air America have said what he did?

Something fishy here...

[slackmaster]

154. Very fishy indeed

[sandrakae]

153. HAS SHE BLAMED JOHN KERRY YET?

[maddezmom]

157. locking

most current update here:
Attorney for radio's Randi Rhodes disputes report of NYC mugging
1:49 PM EDT, October 16, 2007
NEW YORK - An attorney for Air America radio personality Randi Rhodes is disputing on on-air report by a colleague that the liberal talk show host was attacked on a Manhattan street.

~snip~

Elliott's account of the incident, however, was contested Tuesday by Rhodes attorney, Robert Gaulin.

Gaulin confirmed that Rhodes was injured after she was floored by someone _ or something _ as she strolled the streets of Manhattan's Murray Hill district around 8 p.m., but wasn't sure herself what sent her tumbling to the pavement.

"She hit her head on the street and was disoriented," Gaulin said. "She's not sure what happened. She didn't see anything." He added that she never reported the incident to police.

Air America released a statement saying that "the reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded."

Air America's vice president of programming, David Bernstein, said Rhodes missed her shows on Monday and Tuesday, but hoped to be back soon.
more:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny...