Rush Limbaugh Just Shut Up!
Posted: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
by Peggy Butler
PSB COMMUNICATIONS
"You're like a dull knife Just ain't cutting You're just talking loud And saying nothing."
-From the song "Talking Loud and Saying Nothing" by James Brown- Generally, I try to steer clear of radio pundits, who shove conservatism down listener's throats like a lollipop.
However after hearing Rush Limbaugh's tirades, I can no longer maintain my silence.
Prior to the Supreme Court's appointment of George W. Bush as commander-in-chief, Rush opened his show with the slogan: "America Held Captive," sarcastically implying that the Clinton Administration had held Americans under lock and key for eight years, with no hope of escaping. However when Bush was elected, he thought W. was the greatest thing since pizza, and praised the man to high heaven, even when the economy was tanking. How sweet!
But as Limbaugh has learned over the years, hiding behind the freedom of speech facade, to voice your opinion on a variety of subjects, is bound to create controversy. That is why his detractors argue, although the Missouri native has the right to speak his mind, if a liberal talk show host brow beat Bush, the way he use to slander Clinton, he would have been yanked off the radio. But the Sultan of Trash Talk continues to spew his hatred as his audience grows.
Last June in my role as the eternally inquisitive journalist, the name Rush Limbaugh kept popping up. Some of my Caucasian co-workers call him the "best" radio host over the last 20 years. When asked why they thought he was so good, they couldn't give me an answer. Moreover, when I inquired about some of the issues their "hero" talks about, they quickly changed the subject.
Then I discovered a pattern; all the folks singing Limbaugh's praises are what Black Southerners characterize as "stone cold red necks." They are combative, conservative and believe in preserving the rights of White people. So of course, a man of Russ's stature would fall right into their way of thinking.
Forever the instigator, I decided to do a little investigation of my own, and asked Blacks how they felt about this desipicable motor mouth. You should have heard some of the responses. "The man is the biggest racist in America," one man argued vehemently. Other comments of interest were: "I wouldn't listen to the dummy, even if someone paid me a million bucks." And there were more comments, but they were too obscene to print.
After hearing all this, I knew I had to see what everyone was talking about, so I decided January 26, 2009 would be my official introduction to the notorious Mr. Limbaugh.
As I have been told, the show begins with his bashing of President Obama. Limbaugh was quick to point out that although the majority of Americans view Obama as a unifier, he insists the president is not. Come on Rush, the man has been in office less than 4 weeks, and you've already got your drawers wedged between your ears. Are you that petty? Or does the fact that a man of biracial heritage occupy the White House send you into hysterics? Dang, get a grip Nooky Doe!
Oh by the way for those folks who say that Limbaugh is lashing out in retaliation at the president, based on Obama's statement that he told the Republicans on Capitol Hill, that if they want to get along with Democrats and his administration, they should stop listening to Rush, don't even go there!
This invigorating comment occurred when Obama invited GOP leaders to the White House to discuss his stimulus plan.
Speaking in a quiet voice, the president said, "You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done". Oh, my, that must have really set the Fangel Miffler of conservatism off. That is why, no matter how successful Obama may be in the future, Limbaugh is never going to give him any credit. For example, even if Obama restores the economy and balances the budget, similar to when Bill Clinton left office, he will never part his lips to say one positive word about the president. How moronic!
After bashing the president, Limbaugh lapsed into his monologue, which consists of the usual right-wing rhetoric his listeners have come to love. Listening to this man, I could not help but detect the hatred spewing from his mouth.
As we all know, there are many conservative talk show hosts; the names Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly immediately spring to mind; but none are as extreme as Limbaugh. Yes, I know some people say he does things to provoke liberals, and inspire his listeners to conservative hysteria, but I have the feeling that he is extremely dangerous.
Also, I have been told umpteenth times by Limbaugh supporters, that if people don't like what he has to say, they can change the radio dial. Realistically, I know that turning off the radio is one way to tune out Limbaugh. But in the 15 minutes I listened to him, the more I realize he must be stopped from casting his moral values on other people.
To voice your opinion is one thing, but to slander and dehumanize individuals and certain ethnic groups is barbaric at best, and no one does that better than Rush Limbaugh.
That is why he must be stopped from spreading his propagandist lies. So, what's the next step? Get this pompous jerk off the radio now! Any takers?
This Article has been viewed 984 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentsInteresting article, Peggy. Where I live the best news radio station is also the station which airs Limbaugh so I am constantly having to switch radio stations during the middle of the day to keep from having my intelligence insulted. (Is there really a debate of whether or not "Barack the Magic Negro" is offensive?) Sometimes I try to let it slide until I, like you, want to scream "Just Shut Up!"There is the issue of tolerant people having to be tolerant of intolerant people. Even they have a constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech. I'm not saying that Rush is narrow-minded. I think he's a brilliant entertainer exploiting the fearful and narrow-minded. This leads to the other side of the coin: If there is a large percentage of the population which is very fearful of those they perceive to be not like them, and Rush exploits those fears, isn't that kin to screaming "fire!" in a crowded theater? At some point, that line is crossed, though I'm not sure where that line is.
The title caught my attention. You certainly have a way with words, Peggy. Very interesting reading. Loved it.
I could not agree more. After reading your article, I tuned into his show, and was surprised to find the local hardware store was one of his sponsors. I have shopped there for years. I went in, spoke to the owner, and told him I would ot shop there again. A small step, I know, but I had to do something.
What a terrible mischaracterization of Mr Limbaugh. I used to listen to the guy but I no longer do since I can't stand his willingness to defend the corrupt Republican party, but your characterization of him as some racists is morally bankrupt and vile. I am a proud brown Mexican and I know as a former listener that Mr Limbaugh is far from a racist. Please have some decency and attack him on more substantive issues, not some fabled racism. As a minority myself, I get tired of other minorities using the color of our skin to smear others they disagree with. There are more intellectually honest and valid criticisms of Mr Limbaugh you could address, but instead you stick to the old race card. Not cool. For the record, President Obama is as corrupt as President Bush, there are very little differences between the two parties. I would like to add that I did enjoy your style of writing but your substance leaves much to be desired. Please think as a free individual instead of just pulling the Democrat party line.Be tolerant of her opinion. I did not hear her say anything about a Democrat or whatever. However, she is speaking of a voice rippling with subtile separatism and racism. Sometimes it is valuable to take one's own evaluation, and I am sorry also to hear that you may be one that calls Limbaugh, "a great American." Hint, we have gotten this far with his mentality and look at us. In my old age I have learned that the unjust is always eaten from the inside and you can see the turmoil in their countenance.
No President has every had it easy. It's part of the game.
Peggy, you are so correct. The over-aged drug addict and seperatist along with his "Subtile" racism believes: "The religion of Humanism says there is no right or wrong, thus there is no sin. He thinks that sin is an error of the mortal mind and that corrected thinking will end the problem. Man should be free to do whatsoever gives him pleasure and fulfillment without any restraint." What he is saying is: "Man is doing that which is right in his own eyes, and his eyes are free to do it." With the exception of President Obama. The President opened the book that has been closed for the masses. The greed ones are coming out of the woodwork. Thank you for your article.
Heh, was told that Obama said that we needed to shut Rush up so I googled it and came to this poorly written piece of tripe.Rush has nothing against black Americans, liberals like you whose first loyalty is to anything but America don't want to see it. Rush may be bombastic at times, and even I, a conservative will admit that sometimes he will have an ego trip but come on. Rush is a good American, at the very least because he supports the Constitution and is against Obama and his socialist and anti-America agenda. Even you liberals should at least appreciate a public figure who supports the Constitution but you don't, because in the end it comes down to you truly not being an American.This article is just a tongue in cheak piece of writing that shouldn't be taken with any seriousness. She is still hung up on the fact that she is black, Obama is black, and we finally have an African American (Shouldn't he just be an American?) in the White House.I'd also like to point out that I am surprised by how uneducated your commenters are. Go out and research guys and see whats going on. Rush isn't the real enemy, Obama and the far left are. Maybe you are a socialist, but at least you can be an educated one that at least can back up your argument with some level of intelligence.I really don't understand your average liberal. I really don't.I'm white with a BA in sociology and an MS in mental health counseling. Rush is a huge bigot, short-sighted and is rabid towards anyone who doesn't share his conservative views. This article is not intended as tongue in cheek commentary. Tongue in cheek is a style of humor, Peggy is writing with sincerity. Also, conservatives throw the terms "liberal" and "socialist" around like they are vulgar concepts. Look up "liberal" in the dictionary. Then look up "conservative." As for socialism...countries leaning that way tend to be the happiest in the world because they feel a sense of community as a result of a common investment in one another's health and well-being.Hi:When you read a comment that you agree on in its entirety, the only thing left to say is, RIGHT ON!Josef:Isn't it great to live in a country where we are free to express our opinions, whether we agree or disagree? I'm sure you agree with that statement,don't you Josef?Best Wishes!
YESSSSSS! I am a BIG taker, Peggy! Thank you for this essay. Your words are astute, elegant and honest without spewing any hatred. Thank you. -Jess M.Jess:Thanks for the kind words. Honestly, just the sound of this bigot's voice, makes me want to throw up.Best wishes
Why does he never adress call President Obama "president" just Obama. Every caucasian politician is given their title. Any suggestions??Hi:The reason he doesn't refer to Mr. Obama as president, is because he just can't fathom the idea, that a man of biracial heritage, occupies the White House. Not surprisingly, this observation, not only applies to Rush, but other people of European origin, who REFUSE to acknowledge that this man is acually commander-in-chief. How sad!
What I find most upsetting about Rush, and I do listen to him often, is the lies he tells. I'm not talking about saying something that he can't possibly know is true, which he does, but the outright lies that, because it's Rush saying it, his listeners will believe without a doubt. That scares me. Why do I listen to Rush? To understand what the millions of "ditto heads", those brainless sheep/people are thinking. I clearly remember the same kind of vitriol when Clinton was in office and it upset me as much then as it does now. At the risk of sounding just like RL, I think the right cannot stand to not be in control or have the power. They are like spoiled little children who only want their way and don't care about the needs or wants of others. Has anyone else noticed that the way he describes the "elite left" is really a perfect description of those who lean to the right?Ms. Martin:
I can't believe it, finally, I'm hearing from someone who actually listens to Rush, and realizes the man does lie, and often. Because of how I feel about this self-righteous dork, I won't waste another minute, commenting on him.
As for you, your remarks keep controversial writers like me, on my toes.
Thank you, thank you
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