Mac, iPhone, and iPad user Rush Limbaugh today discussed Apple’s appearance before U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations regarding corporate taxes on his radio program that, since its inception on August 1, 1988, is the highest-rated talk radio show in the United States.
The 3-hour Rush Limbaugh Show airs daily on a network of approximately 590 AM and FM affiliate stations. The program is also broadcast worldwide on the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Network. A November 2008 poll by Zogby International found that Rush Limbaugh was the most trusted news personality in the nation.
From the live transcript:
As we speak, ladies and gentlemen, the Senate — some stupid, idiotic committee — is attempting to blame Apple Inc. for the deficit, for the national debt, unemployment, and tax fraud. (Ah, I should be careful!) The interesting thing is that nobody — and, by the way, the Senate committee chairman here of whatever this committee is, is Carl Levin. He’s a liberal Democrat from Michigan, but he has an echo. He has a Republican echoing everything he says.
That would be Senator McCain.
Senator John McCain is joining in this senatorial effort to crucify Apple Inc. over taxes. You want the truth? And, by the way, I could probably spend a half hour telling you everything Apple is doing tax-wise. I have spent a lot of time last night learning how Apple is using tax law. They’re not breaking it. Nobody, nobody — not Carl Levin, nor any of his witnesses, nobody — is accusing Apple of violating tax law. Yet they’re being persecuted today…
The only person on the committee defending Apple, and defending the concept of low taxes and limited government, is Senator Rand Paul. Apple Inc. pays more taxes than any US corporation. GE ought to be up there explaining how they don’t pay any tax on their multiple billion dollars of earnings. Instead, it’s Apple. Apple paid $6 billion last year to the US Treasury. To put that in perspective, that’s $16 million a day Apple paid in taxes. Apple pays 2.5% of all income tax collected by the US Treasury…
Apple is to the United States government what Clarence Thomas was to the civil rights coalition. How dare you get this big sidestepping us…
I’m just assuming that most of the people out at Apple are politically liberal, and so the question I’m getting is, “Rush, how do you feel? These guys are in their inquisition, and the president they supported and the Democrats they vote for are giving ’em hell today and attacking them and trying to destroy their company, destroy their image. Don’t you just have a little schadenfreude, Rush? Aren’t you just a little pleased to see this?”
I said, “No. I am totally frustrated.” This kind of thing totally frustrates me, that otherwise intelligent people can be this kind of wrong, and I’m wondering how these Apple execs feel. There’s one guy in that Senate committee that’s defending them — and to the left, this guy is a racist, extremist, Looney Toon, wacko, Tea Party kook by the name of Rand Paul. He’s the only senator in this committee defending Apple, the only senator on this committee defending low taxes…
You know, imagine this, folks: You have this bunch of senators who’ve demonstrated they’re totally inept at balancing a budget; they’re totally inept at administering the country in a reasonable fiscal sense. They can’t manage the nation. It’s horrible what these senators have done — and members of the House, too — and here they are preaching to the CEO and the CFO of perhaps the country’s most profitable corporation, the country’s most successful corporation.
They ought to be asking these guys at Apple for help. They ought to be asking these guys at Apple for their advice. But I know it’s all a game because most of these people at Apple support the very people that are ripping ’em today. Steve Jobs’ widow, Laurene Powell Jobs, just did an interview in the New York Times. She talked about how she’s gonna start doing more for climate change, gun control, and immigration. I guess it didn’t help. The Senate still went after her husband’s company.
Much more in the full transcript here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews readers too numerous to mention individually for the heads up.]
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Nobody on U.S. Senate committee laid a glove on Apple CEO Tim Cook – May 21, 2013
Senator Rand Paul: Senate committee ‘should apologize to Apple for bullying one of America’s greatest success stories’ (with video) – May 21, 2013
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Apple prepares for Washington onslaught: CEO Tim Cook isn’t taking any chances with senators looking to grandstand – May 21, 2013
Watch Apple CEO Tim Cook’s live testimony before U.S. Senate, starting at 9:30am EDT – May 21, 2013
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Never thought I’d say it but rush is spot on. REALLY never thought I’d say it, but so is Rand Paul.
Most commentators out there say things now and then that make sense to everyone. There are some liberal commentators that I find myself agreeing with now and then, though not normally on a regular basis. But those that can defend their ideas – there are many on both sides, and Limbaugh is among them – get my respect, if not always my agreement.
Agree even for commentators and political candidates. I am not for the extremes of either side. I’m of the logical middle and though registered Republican, I don’t just vote down party lines. I will vote for the Senator that I think reflects the most common sense for the issues of the day. (Problem is they PROMISE common sense then after they get in office they show their true colors.)
Damn it. I hate Rush Limbaugh and consider him a total fraud. But every time he says something about Apple, I agree 100%.
Fraud? Say what you will but the guy sticks to his guns. You know exactly where he stands. Fraud is the guy running the country from a golf course.
Fraud? The biggest frauds were the Senators who wrote the tax code from hell, the very same ones, who had the audacity to haul Tim Cook up before them, and demand from him some sort of explanation on why he was using the law THEY wrote to avoid paying their outrageous taxes! What a total farce.
billyjackblack and Lux, you are correct. Fraud was not an appropriate term to use when discussing Rush. He does stick to his guns on most issues. I just don’t agree with him on most of those issues.
Now, I really need to save the word fraud for the guy occupying the White House. He gives the word a whole new meaning.
Well said, Rush. Now, in the same two individuals stand out in defending Apple – Rush Limbaugh and Rand Paul. I did not hear from Michael Moore or Sean Penn or Matt Damon or and Democrat defending Apple. I wonder why not. Could it be be they are with Carl Levin and Barack Obama in believing all good companies should pay maximum taxes, except for GE, and GM and labor unions and Hollywood stars and studios. The “non-connected companies should pay everything to the government. Only Rush and Rand Paul stand up and defend Tim Cook and Apple. Now, the MDN left can begin attacking Rush and Rand for defending their favorite company – something their political heroes were not interested in doing.
Unbelievably ignorant.
What the hell kind of lame post is this? Go away and go fuck yourself on the way out.
Wow, what a well reasoned response there skippy.
I said exactly what I meant including the hostility. Jay Jay added nothing to the conversation and his rude attack trolling post got no love from me. Deal with it.
The self-inflated Hollywood bunch haven’t bled a drop of logical blood in years. Don’t expect it to bleed any now for Apple.
Absolutely ill-informed. First, Damon, Penn, and Moore are not elected officials and certainly were not on the panel, so why disparage them for non-comment. Hollywood pays a ton in taxes. California, a blue state, and New York, also a blue State, pay the lion share of taxes in this country. Wanna know where the lion share of those taxes are spent? They’re spent on social welfare programs in RED states, primarily SOUTHERN RED STATES — next time you want to be an ignorant ideologue, remember to thank your hated BLUE states for your unemployment check
I am from the “Southern Red States” and believe you me – the MAJORITY of people in these states would LOVE to see the social welfare programs diminished in scope! We do not want to prevent those in need from getting help; we would like to see the “entitlement” mindset stopped.
Say what you will of Rush but he’s a great defender and fan of Apple.
OK. So I’ll say he’s a drug addict.
Yeah, and Obama frequents Chicago bathhouses.
I understand you are an idiot but we actually know for a fact that Rush is a drug addict who circumvented the law to buy drugs. Interesting how well you know the term bathhouses though.
I know Obama went to bed at 5PM when the Libyan embassy was under attack and did nothing to help the four Americans including his own ambassador, who were then killed. And you are beyond an idiot – you are a pathetic defender of evil. And by the way, Obama did frequent the Chicago bathhouses. Its his release after a long day of lying, golfing and letting friends die.
Kent, the Messiah wanted Chris Stevens dead.
Rush admitted he had an addiction problem which takes courage and he got help for it. I know you are perfect and Jane never had to face an addiction problem and are blissfully unaware how addictive prescription pain medicine can be if you need to take some for an injury.
Given how unforgiving and narrow mined you re I hope that neither you nor anyone close to you ever has to face an addiction problem. Got forbid that you ever have children who face such problems as I’m sure they will never be able to turn to you for help or compassion.
Rush also said the following things BEFORE he got CAUGHT:
“if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up”
AND..
he said that he didn’t “buy into the disease part of it”. He said people are “making a personal choice” to do drugs and they should be held responsible for it.
AND..
Lets not forget that in order to get his drugs, this EXTREMELY rich man sent his housekeeper to prescription shop for him and then LIED about that too.
In short, a Fat, Lying, Hypocrite. To think you riech-wingers hold this man on a pedestal.
How’s that for adding to the conversation?
To borrow your own words for a moment: Go away and go fuck yourself on the way out.
IS? you mean “was” past tense. I understand he got help for the problem. Which is more than many do. And there is no help for Levin, maybe he needs some drugs.
Remember “once an addict, always an addict”
Doesn’t mean he’s still taking.
We respect Rush for getting the help he needed.
And so are many great,not so great and just average people thru out history.Medical professionals say its is a disease. But you and a lot of others use it as a cowardly slur. OH.. I think also Rush is a jackass for some of the crap he says… just like you..
He had a drug problem and got help for it. Clearly you have never had any problems and are perfect which is why you can judge him and lecture the rest of us. Must be nice to be so perfect.
yes it is nice.
I’ll call you a cab instead. You’re a Cab.
To the committee: before preaching to Apple on taxes and making problems for a company that most Analyst already get wrong at so many levels- how about fixing your own damn problems that you created!
The US government’s house looks like a pigs pen and they have the time to focus on a company that is actually run like a company should be……damn their ignorance, arrogance, and more of the tax payers money down the drain. 😡
“The US government’s house looks like a pigs pen and they have the time to focus on a company that is actually run like a company should be”
Couldn’t have summarized it better.
As carefully as Tim Cook tried to explain the situation, it appears that Levin was incapable of understanding, and also that he had little knowledge of how or why multinational companies or other nations deal with foreign taxes. And McCain didn’t even understand App upgrades, let alone taxation. Pathetic!
Oh, Levin understood perfectly. He just didn’t give a shit about facts in the midst of his witch-hunt.
-jcr
That’s cause McCain forgot his daily vitamin shot, and his case of ensure. And his hearing aids.
Then there was this.
.
Damn nice! He said it so well. I couldn’t catch the hearings live but after seeing this I don’t need to see anymore. I doubt that anyone could have said it better. From what I have read Apple wasn’t attacked as viciously as I thought it would be. I loved when he said (basically) that it was nothing but a chance for politicians to showboat and grandstand. He may get the first larger iPhone when it comes out!
There was a lot of common sense and absolute non-sense in the hearing today. I lean left but I really liked what I heard from the far right and not so much from the left.
Then there was this. (without the imbedded player)
.
Our politicians make leeches look like saints.
Fuck Rush Limbaugh and the defective human beings that listen to him.
And doubly fuck the people who put the degenerate Obama in office so he could watch while his ambassador died while issuing an order for the military to stand down, and then ordered the IRS to harass political opponents. The same Obama who now uses the DOJ to tap the phones of reporters. Fuck all the shitheads who elected this evil disgusting pervert to be our President.
Mind your language. What are you doing to make your country better, rather than just complaining and blaming?
I am replying in kind to a an ignorant slur. I am truly sick of people who think they know everything but are unaware of the details of how four Americans were needlessly denied basic security then allowed to die by our current President. Or how he uses the IRS to destroy political opponents. Or how he tramples the First Amendment by using all the invasive machinery of government to illegally track and intimidate reporters. He is a thug from Chicago and nothing more and his supporters support his thuggish tactics and I won’t stand by and be silent. Te same thugs buddies yesterday put on a show trial of Tim Cook and Apple and the only people that defended Apple are conservatives who don’t care about political correctness or intimidation. Not one Democrat defended Apple, which is a bastion of liberalism and probably contributed to the campaigns of the obnoxious Democrat tyrants who were running the show trial.
Were you this outraged the 13 times U.S. diplomats were attacked and killed during the Bush Administration?
Yes, like these:
January 22, 2002. Calcutta, India. Gunmen associated with Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami attack the U.S. Consulate. Five people are killed.
June 14, 2002. Karachi, Pakistan. Suicide bomber connected with al-Qaida attacks the U.S. Consulate, killing 12 and injuring 51.
October 12, 2002. Denpasar, Indonesia. U.S. diplomatic offices bombed as part of a string of “Bali Bombings.” No fatalities.
February 28, 2003. Islamabad, Pakistan. Several gunmen fire upon the U.S. Embassy. Two people are killed.
May 12, 2003. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Armed al-Qaida terrorists storm the diplomatic compound killing 36 people including nine Americans. The assailants committed suicide by detonating a truck bomb.
July 30, 2004. Tashkent, Uzbekistan. A suicide bomber from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan attacks the U.S. Embassy, killing two people.
December 6, 2004. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Al-Qaida terrorists storm the U.S. Consulate and occupy the perimeter wall. Nine people are killed.
March 2, 2006. Karachi, Pakistan again. Suicide bomber attacks the U.S. Consulate killing four people, including U.S. diplomat David Foy who was directly targeted by the attackers. (I wonder if Lindsey Graham or Fox News would even recognize the name “David Foy.” This is the third Karachi terrorist attack in four years on what’s considered American soil.)
September 12, 2006. Damascus, Syria. Four armed gunmen shouting “Allahu akbar” storm the U.S. Embassy using grenades, automatic weapons, a car bomb and a truck bomb. Four people are killed, 13 are wounded.
January 12, 2007. Athens, Greece. Members of a Greek terrorist group called the Revolutionary Struggle fire a rocket-propelled grenade at the U.S. Embassy. No fatalities.
March 18, 2008. Sana’a, Yemen. Members of the al-Qaida-linked Islamic Jihad of Yemen fire a mortar at the U.S. Embassy. The shot misses the embassy, but hits nearby school killing two.
July 9, 2008. Istanbul, Turkey. Four armed terrorists attack the U.S. Consulate. Six people are killed.
September 17, 2008. Sana’a, Yemen. Terrorists dressed as military officials attack the U.S. Embassy with an arsenal of weapons including RPGs and detonate two car bombs. Sixteen people are killed, including an American student and her husband (they had been married for three weeks when the attack occurred). This is the second attack on this embassy in seven months.
The house voted against funding extra security in Benghazi – you do understand that, right? You do understand that under President Bush the equivalent of 13 Benghazi attacks and deaths occurred in US embassies and consulates overseas? Where was the outrage? You need to step say from fix news and re-enter reality son – cuz you sound fucking crazy.
I was at the docks near my place a while ago and there was a youth catching crabs there. He had caught quite a few and was dumping them in an open bucket. I asked him if he was worried that they would just climb out? He replied that “As soon as one starts climbing out, the others just drag it back down.
This story seems like what the Republicans are trying to do to Apple because they dare to become successful.
amazing…do you have even a shred of conscience, 313?
As usual, you don’t explain yourself and just pick on my posts. Do you have any thoughts?
your hypocrisy is self-evident to anyone that can read…you are without honor, conscience or wit.
PS – I have no doubt that you’re an authority on catching crabs.
I had to ask the youth because I don’t know about crabbing but you seem to be a real crab.
It is funny how well you describe the way most readers feel about your comments.
got this in the mail today:
May 21, 2013
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
Canada K1A 0A2
Mikhail M. Botvinnik, esquire
2013 Natasha Fatale Circle
Whattsamatta U
Pottsylvania
71189
Mr. Botvinnik:
Thank you so much for your recent inquiry regarding the deportation proceedings of 313c7ro from Canadian soil. Let me take this opportunity to update you on the status of the current legal attempts to expedite the exile of this schmuck from our beloved Canada.
Unfortunately, at this time, we have not been able to find another sovereign nation to accept him as a citizen. Somalia expressed some interest, but recently declined due to what they diplomatically described as “if Libya won’t take that fucktard, we sure don’t want him.”
We shall endeavour to bring this plague upon our nation to a successful conclusion.
Highest regards,
Stephen Harper
Prime Minister Of Canada
Wow. That is a clever post. I didn’t know you had it in you. I applaud your imagination and effort. Thanks for the laugh.
you’re most welcome, socialist fucktard.
It that some kind of leotard that you engage for group intercourse? There must be some kind of honour and respect in your character. Try to bring it out more often.
Yes – the Republicans, like Committee Chairman Carl Levin, who ran the show trial. And Clair McCaskill, the Democrat senator from Missouri. Republicans defended Apple. Democrats said give us all your money, because we don’t have enough in our $4 trillion annual budget, with $1.5 in deficit each year.
I figured someone could find a few Democrats to lump in here. I am just pulling your chain. Sorry if I got you. The Democrats are just looking for money here I think and need to stop picking on successful companies and treat them all the same. Equality and justice for all.
You said intercourse. Not just plain intercourse but group intercourse.
I’m telling your mother.
You “figured someone could find a few Democrats to lump in” there? The rudest, nastiest bag of hot air leading the charge of the hanging jury we witnessed yesterday was a Democrat. The main defender with common sense, Rand, was a Republican. Am thoroughly disappointed in McCain more and more. Glad he never had my vote.
Exactly. They are like the big dumb school bully who spent all his lunch money but is still hungry, and so is now going to grab the hard working kid, beat him up and steal his.
Deficit continues to be drastically reduced under Obama – from where it ran under bush – you do realize that, right? You’re a fucking parrot of neo con radio and Fox News – have you any thoughts of your own on the matter?
Sorry, but Levin–a HUGE Democrat–was leading the charge here trying to score political points at Apple’s expense.
McCain, a Republican, who I normally agree with, was also blabbering complete nonsense.
Evidently you chose to ignore the part that said the leader of this witch hunt was Carl Levin, liberal DEMOCRAT from Michigan. Go spout your rhetoric somewhere else, or at least be honest. Levin (D), McCain (R). I’m sorely disappointed in them both.
Read my subsequent comments. It seems that I got you too.
Sorry, I missed the /s (sarcasm) tag at the end of your post.
Admitting you have a problem trolling is the first step to getting help.
“It seems that I got you too.”
Your psychotic NEED to get again under the skin of another human being, while building yourself up, is truly SICK!
Beyond your Wild West lack of counseling and judging by your avatar image, have you ever worked at the Bates Motel?
That catatonic stare, the misdirection of blame and personal responsibility that never applies to you. Sorry to say is sick!
Yes, you will respond to my post because you cannot sleep at night without the last word misguided word.
I could not give a rat’s ass … bring it on!
Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Voters like Apple. Voters hate Congress. Hopefully, voters will remember Levin and McCain at election time. It is way past time for them to go home. In fact, term limits would fix most of the country’s problems…hmmm, change one law and fix everything by eliminating career politicians and thereby lobbyists, etc., etc. I won’t hold my breath.
If anything, I’m more supportive of Apple and less supportive of non-USA made products such as Samsung.
I LOATHE Rush and, generally speaking, disagree with Rand (and Ron) Paul but they hit the nail on the head with this one.
What an unnecessary embarrassment.
smh
World wide tax avoidance is a big problem. I do not lik corporations to rule the world, with only their shareholders as people to account to. It is a complete rewind.
go to North Korea
reading your post that’s your ideal society.
there are no ‘evil’ tax avoiding private corporations there.
of course in exchange there’s occasional mass starvation …
He is absolutely right.
It’s a smokescreen.
Get Apple/Starbucks/Amazon/(Your company of choice) before a committee and SHOUT at them for NOT breaking the law.
It’s so much easier than changing the tax laws.
It is important to understand that the government claims there is not enough money to pay government workers one year’s salary for one year’s work. At the same time we have the resources for an almost infinite amount of extra congressional hearings, we have money to sick the IRS on conservative non-profits in hopes of getting political payback for Acorn, and the trying to give away entitlements to ILLEGAL ALIENS to hopefully buy future votes. We need term limits on all elected offices.
Bravo Rush! (“Hi-Tech Lynching” ; )
Bravo Paul Rand! (“Bullying” 😉
at least someone has the f’g cojones to express something in our non-democracy where everything is policed & due to political correctness no one can talk anymore.
Apple is the only or main company we have in the U.S. that
1. is in the Black
2. is inventive
3. we CAN be proud of
it’s practically the only firm with Made in USA label we can be proud of, because everyone in the world loves or respects it.
show me another U.S. firm with so much cash, no debt, influencing more than 1, let alone 7 industries, spending $1B+ per Q on R&D!, having any vision or soul at all etc.
Show me another U.S. or foreign firm that defies gravity & is recession-proof?!
for that reason, us Americans who are naysayers, who mock Apple, deride it, believe and wish its gloom (Schadenfreude), who spread fud on it, we who invest so much energy in destroying it, whether anal-ysts or media or gov. witch hunt it & falsely accusing it, bullying it etc., we should be ashamed! why break up the best of america?!!? are we that moronic, neurotic, psychopathic, self-loathing, self-destructive, stupid or are we the world’s most jingoistic, religiously fanatic morally, to shoot ourselves in the foot like this?!
Apple did nothing wrong.
ALL its competitors play with taxes and if anything Apple does it all legally!
As much as Apple is not about suing more than inventing lately – it does it only because of its legal (copy) rights!
anyway, if all of the bullies & bitchy witch hunters, would get a life, get laid instead of fuck others, if they can do better than Apple in their own poverty, then let them talk again, but walk your god damn talk 1st!
let Apple be.
it’s the Best America has!
if you wish to break something, break your own heads.
i can not believe our gov. is so stupid & unrealistic.
instead of hunting Apple, why do they not shut down all the Banks & Pharma & Oil firms who abuse 1001x more than anyone else?!
Paul Rand MDN article:
Read more at http://macdailynews.com/2013/05/21/senator-rand-paul-senate-committee-should-apologize-to-apple-for-bullying-one-of-americas-greatest-success-stories-with-video/#d00ZhkFiX4G37b6R.99
Paul Rand for President! … America, you can do it!
Ah, yes, definitely. Let’s put Rand Paul on the Republican ticket in 2016. With statements like his take (as an ophthalmologist) on health care:
With regard to the idea of whether you have a right to health care, you have to realize what that implies. It’s not an abstraction. I’m a physician. That means you have a right to come to my house and conscript me. It means you believe in slavery.
It will be McCain/Palin all over again…
😆
Yeah – that statement makes perfect sense. Do you have a problem with it or do you expect the medical profession to act as slaves for you?
If you think Paul’s statement is logical, you’ve got serious critical thinking and comprehension problems.
Wow. Something coming from Rush that is factual and honest and not all about hate mongering.
I never thought I’d see the day.
Spread the hate Rush, spread the hate.
In re: Rush Limbaugh and Rand Paul: proof that even a broken clock is correct twice a day.
Nice image there with the text Mac Daily News.
Yupp, this was a strange hearing since no one actually accused Apple if breaking the law. But why Apple really was there was to explain if they lived up to the spirit if the law. That is as important as the law itself. And according to Apple they do. I think they should take notice at the senate how much taxes Apple is paying in the US. More than any other corporation. This is no Starbux or Amazon in the UK storey and yes as Rush said it is probably GE that has some explaining to do. And what these senators don’t seem to get is that the money Apple for over seas was earned over l seas so I have no idea what they mean by “shifting profits”. There is a big world outside the US where you can earn money. They seem to forget that. I think it is important that companies are honest and pay taxes in the spirit of the law too but Apple should not be staged up there. They should continue these hearings with some other companies. Start with GE. Would be interesting.