Hush, Limbaugh
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
by John Weber
http://screambucket.com/
Once upon a time I had the opportunity to listen to a motivational speaker, a man hired to inspire a company's workforce to come up with new ways to cut costs, improve efficiencies and increase profits. Part of his presentation dealt with the idea that often, we don't know the water we're swimming in. In other words, we can't see our lives for what they really are; often a collection of bad habits and behaviors that only a step back or fresh eyes can detect.
A fairly stout man, he dressed all in black, a combination Johnny Cash\Darth Vader meets Hoss Cartwright; and he stood there, I thought, preaching to the converted with a palpable, inflated sense of self-worth. Surprisingly, he didn't seem witty or wise, but lowbrow and crude, nonetheless basking in sycophantic glory while the cheers of his faithful rained down. He "imitated" the President and all his supporters, speaking once like an aristocratic Brit and once with a lisp; the idea, I suppose, that Democrats are either pompous or gay. Either way, the CPAC mob ate it up, just a snippet, I gather, as to why the Grand Old Party's in shambles.
After a particularly smarmy comment, he'd do a strange thing, kind of a chest-level high-five\black power salute with some toady supporters sharing the stage. The problem though, is Limbaugh's not black. He's not a teenager or a jock and he's not from the hood. He's just some fat, un-cool mouthpiece with his finger on the kill switch; the type who always gets in the last word . . .then tells everyone how fair and open-minded he is.
Anyway . . .
They say everything important you learned in Kindergarten and one thing I've learned is to avoid people like Rush Hudson Limbaugh III. He sounded like a bigot and acted like a bully, the biggest lout in the room egged on by his "friends"; hard-core Conservatives treating him like a rock star, despite his comments and behavior. To me, though, an outsider looking in, he was more like The Drake. You know, the popular guy on Seinfeld who was only popular because everybody said he was? Then it turned out he wasn't.
And maybe Limbaugh isn't either, at least in the true sense of the word. See, I know he's been honored as the highest-paid/highest-rated man on U.S. radio. He's in the Radio Hall of Fame and regarded, by some, as the greatest talk show host of all time. But despite all his accolades, 62% in a survey reported an unfavorable opinion of him. No kidding; just ask his three ex-wives.
In much the same way, many regard Don Cherry, Canada's famous hockey bigot, as one of that country's great citizens too. So what? People gawk at crash sites. Doesn't make them popular . . . or correct, right or just.
Years ago, my father and I sat in a parked car, waiting to unload a truck that had been delayed by a snowstorm. My dad looked out at the blizzard and said, "You know, if aliens landed here they'd take one look around and get the hell out." Watching the CPA Conference, I felt the same way. I remembered that motivational speaker and found myself thinking: if Limbaugh's your rock star, you not only don't know the water you're swimming in, you're messed.
I logged off the convention, exercising a kill switch of my own. Hush, Limbaugh.
Better yet, shut up.
This Article has been viewed 245 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)I stumbled on your article and enjoyed it. You bring up some great points and I loved your fathers comment about the aliens--I live in the worst snow area in Ohio and I could really relate to that one! Anyway, nice job.Funny thing, Steve. My dad and I never agreed on much, but now, years after his passing, he's receiving all these favourable comments. He would have enjoyed that (as I do). Thanks.
"He's just some fat, un-cool mouthpiece with his finger on the kill switch; the type who always gets in the last word . . .then tells everyone how fair and open-minded he is."
I like this description of Rush. I like that you are much like me, stay away from people like him. I enjoyed this article and as Steve said, your father's alien quip. Rush should just hush . . . but I hushed him years ago. I don't listen to him but he's not making himself invisible, is he?
I enjoyed reading this. Thanks for sharing!Thanks, Avis (from a SearchWarp novice). I see you're a veteran writer and I certainly appreciate your reading (and commenting on) my article.
Rush is the whipping boy of the Democrats, and unfortunately he seems to relish that. The best response to him is to not listen to him, not talk about him, and certainly don't lambast him. He, like many extremists (including those in the Democrat party as well, don't kid yourself), love the attention.Let him rant, let him rave. If we ignore him then at the end of the day he will realize he's been on 'mute' this whole time and his contribution to society was . . . nothing.Perfect advice, Michael. I'm a political novice but of course I'd heard of Limbaugh. When I listened to him on YouTube I had to respond. Your advice (to ignore him) is better.Best unbiased remark I've heard in a long time about him and others on the other side of the isle and how to deal with em!
"He's just some fat, un-cool mouthpiece with his finger on the kill switch; the type who always gets in the last word . . .then tells everyone how fair and open-minded he is." This description could apply to many "fair and open-minded" Democrats as well. Let's be honest: When it comes to politics, very few on either side of the aisle practice what they preach.Absolutely, Anonymous. Republicans, Democrates, Communists, Greenies, Men, Women etc. etc. But that's not the point. The point was/is, I heard Rush Limbaugh--a man with a huge following--for the first time, and to me, he came off as the blowhard schoolyard bully. I didn't much care for him, though I guess some folks do . . .
John,Even if RL had something good to say, I'd miss it. I've tried to listen to him here and there, but overall he's so one sided, such a Rep. punch dummy that his one-sided rants bore into my sense of fairness so deeply I can't listen. I just can't get past his arrogance. And I say that as a Republican. It's people like Rush Limbaugh and George Bush who give the party a bad rap. We're not all foul mouthed, arrogant bashers. Great article.Thanks, Jeff. Can you believe one person commented that I probably didn't understand Rush so he "left me spinning". I understand him perfectly . . . as do you, it seems.Like most fans (fanatics) they are often blind as to the truth (ie: fans of Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Snoop Dog, etc.) and ignore or see the bad with those ever present rose glasses.
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