Rush Limbaugh Under Attack: But How Much is Enough?
A pot of controversy to the south, enveloping the most successful radio talk show host in history, continues to boil over.
Rush Limbaugh, the Conservative firebrand, who helms a daily show that boasts 20,000,000 listeners, oft referred to as ‘dittoheads’ , is in a considerable depth of hot water.
A young woman that spoke to members of Congress about reproductive health–and her belief for government support (imagine the nerve!), pushed Rush off his rocker.
“She’s a slut,” he declared, without a hint of sarcasm or satire. He meant it. “She wants to be paid to have sex,” he added.
And then the recriminations from everywhere, including such intellectual giants as Jane Fonda and Joy Behar.
Limbaugh, long a target of the unreasonable left (as opposed to reasonable Democrats like Leon Panetta and Bob Baker) has endured the wrath of a growing, cacophonous cadre of manipulators and false prophets that see the blood in the water and are hoping this will be it: they’ll get rid of Rush Limbaugh.
Well, it won’t happen. Not a chance.
Limbaugh could go down to one advertiser and it won’t matter. He’s made hundreds of millions (as has his stations and sponsors) when his words did and do make sense–as is often the case, that no amount of hard-blowing by the American far left will cast him adrift.
What gets me is the painful contradictions that the left win points on–but hurt America by.
Don Imus, another talk show giant, years ago, referred to a black girl as a “nappy headed ho’ and was rightly fired for it–only to be rehired later–and for more money, thank you. Only in America…
But when a barrage of black rappers and entertainers consistently call each other ‘nigger’ and use the possessive of THEIR women as ‘bitches’, I must wonder just what kind of world we live in. This is excused by suggesting it’s part of black culture. No it’s not. It’s called excusing racist epithets with lies.
Far left commentator Bill Maher, who really must rank as one of the more unqualified and vile creatures to crawl from green room to set, has often referred to Governor Sarah Palin as “a dumb cunt.” An assessment I find at least accurate–considering her insidious, extremist rhetoric, but would I say it? Of course not. Hillary Clinton to Maher was “a stupid fucking bitch” because she wouldn’t leave the Democrat’s presidential nomination contest in 2008 to give Barack Obama more lead time in fighting the Republicans (Maher is an unapologetic Democrat and super Obamabot). Again, Clinton’s credentials as a manipulative, lying, ill-tempered harridan are without question, but is referring to her as a ‘ fucking bitch’–in such summarily vulgar, wholly unflattering terms, really the discourse we should be harbouring in civilized society? And stupid? From Yale Law School. Oh yes, I forgot that self-proclaimed communist, wealth redistribution moron (I know this is redundant) and BC NDP friend Van Jones came from there too.
But I digress…
What examples are we setting for future generations???
We are in the age where fomenting hate is being passed off as political commentary, and this isn’t at all right. It’s one thing to go hard after someone–I do that here often. But no limits? C”mon.
Should Limbaugh be sanctioned? Of course. He’s apologized several times now and has lost five dozen advertisers, which I’m sure he’ll earn back or replace. But let him go back to work and fight the good fight for what he believes in. It’s not like he’s popping off like this on a regular basis (although he once despicably went after Michael J. Fox, mimicking Fox’s shakes due to Parkinsons–a moment far worse than this ‘slut’ business, IMHO).
This whole flap about his recent remarks makes me think, once again, of a modern day black hero named Dr. William Cosby, PhD. You knew him once as Dr. Huxtable or still as comedian Bill Cosby. His words on this type of talk are the words we should all live by. He speaks primarily of the damage blacks do to themselves, but has often branched out into speaking of how such obviously offensive statements as the ones foolishly uttered by Limbaugh, do not further anyone’s cause. The extremes drive such idiocy and telling a woman she has no right to reproductive choice is precisely the kind of stupidity that I just don’t know how to address adequately enough. It’s an emotional and personally conflicting enough issue for most level-headed people, without the added discomfort of referring to someone with an opposing view as ‘a slut’ because she believes that contraception or reproductive choice is safe for her.
Limbaugh was wrong. Enough already.
And Cosby is right: we don’t promote a more open, civilized exchange of ideas and are thus missing the fora requisite to providing fuller passage to such issues into our consciousness.
Or the dialougue we are so desperately lacking to make this a better world by staying away from the kind of incessant hurt we see today.
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Tomorrow, Monday, prepare for the REAL story on ‘Telusgate’ and how the Premier considers her personal friendship with a major contributor to her political career more important than your tax dollars–SHE is responsible for what happened, and you’ll read about it here. And then we’re going to do a quick roundup on the breathtakingly embarrassing performance of both Presto! Manning and Christy Clark at the Manning whatever-BS-get-together late last week. Plus, I’ll give you the inside word on why CKNW are going to be falling even further. I warned them…but they didn’t want to listen…too bad, considering they have the best newsroom in BC, bar none.
All that tomorrow.
And later in the week, more on ‘The Atwal Affair’ (Christy doesn’t know him, yeah sure, but guess who came for dinner?) and absolutely more BC Rail/Basi-Virk.
So if you thought last week was a whirl-wind, hang on to your hats! Or whatever you’re holding…
Stay tuned!
Excellent commentary Alex, though I still don’t think I or yourself, should be paying for someone else’s birth control! If you can’t afford to play the game than maybe you should sit this one out, unless of course, you’re charging for it, and we all know what that’s called.
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One of Larry Bennett’s, Burnaby commandments “Thy shall love thy self more than thy neighbour”
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My dear, dear Henri – I didn’t know that you cared. Or is this just one of your masturbatory fantasies?
Actually, I haven’t the least interest or curiosity as to your vaunted concupiscence. In fact, such topics are, by their very essence, base, crude, and quickly boring and tiresome.
That said, I find the people of Burnaby to be quite free of such sordidness. And what municipality do you bless?
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Birth control is far cheaper than paying to raise a kid in the system.
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Yes, but is it more rewarding?
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Depends. I never wanted children and am quite happy with my decision.
It’s certainly cheaper, that’s for sure!
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Yes, Rush got a bit too colourful and bombastic (part of the attraction of his show), but Fluke is no innocent whatsover.
She is a 30 year old professional student, and protege of Nancy Pelosi. She could have gone to any college, but instead, chose a Jesuit school -on purpose-, to agitate and purposefully try to cause an issue with a school of religious denomination. She had no intention of anything else, and could have got her BC from any other post-secondary school that was non-denominational. SHe is going broke from her birth control? Oh, please already. Nonsense
She is agitprop defined.
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I don’t disagree.
My concentration was to stay away from her, lest I be accused of piling on, and concentrate on the contradictions of what the far left ignore (and often defend) and what they conveniently condemn.
Very good perspective you’ve offered here. Thanks!
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Apparently Alex, you wouldn’t be the only one “piling on”!
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I am glad that telus will not be geeting the naming rights. Alex, the people of BC paid have a bllion for that stadium. Why should telus get to name the stadium for a measly sum of 34 mil in total. If any corporation wants to put their name on that stadium, try 30 Mil a year!
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That’s because housing know the difference between ownership and sponsorship.
If Telus was enjoying the revenue generated, then you’d be right in demanding significantly more than their generous offer for the naming rights.
After I explain tomorrow, perhaps you’ll be less confused.
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Interesting commentary.
For the record Ms. Fluke did not testify before Congress.
She spoke at a press conference staged by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee to look like a congressional testimony. All organized by Pelosi.
Read Canada’s inimitable Mark Steyn herehttp://www.ocregister.com/opinion/fluke-343935-sex-right.html
For a long list of leftist slurs against conservative women see Kirsten Powers at the Daily Beast …
“Did you know there is a war on women?
Yes, it’s true. Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, Bill Maher, Matt Taibbi, and Ed Schultz have been waging it for years with their misogynist outbursts. There have been boycotts by people on the left who are outraged that these guys still have jobs. Oh, wait. Sorry, that never happened…”
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/04/rush-limbaugh-s-apology-liberal-men-need-to-follow-suit.html
And now irony of ironies Maher has critiqued liberals for refusing to accept Limbaugh’s apology.
Yes let’s talk about women the way we would talk about our mothers. Nothing less.
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The committee was one of the House; therefore it was Congressional. That’s what I wrote: “members of Congress”…which they are.
I quite like Kirsten Powers. She’s a good writer and reasonable commentator for the Democrats. She makes a great deal of sense.
Maher is sticking up for Limbaugh because he knows his own corner is filthy. That’s why…
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Rush Limbaugh, Mahar, are nothing more than the 21st century version of radio “shock jocks”. They “earn” their ratings by saying outrageous comments to anger and stir the pot.
Somewhat similar to that sloth, Bill Good. He always seems to take the opposing point of view on common sense issues. “Christy’s a great gal !” ………Just to light up the switchboard.
The more controversial the better.
The “all mighty” advertising dollar rules.
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You are absolutely right nonconfidencevote, and every political and special interest group has spawned their own “News” outlet allowing only their own point of view to dominate. Its our job to separate the slite and the shite, and consume the good stuff. Its like bringing home roadkill.LOL. Sorry thats the redneck coming out.
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Limbaugh is a shock-jock piece of crap, depending entirely on the semi-educated for his popularity. It doesn’t matter WHO the woman is, she should never be called a slut or whore for presenting her opinion. Call her what she is, a professional agitator and Pelosi agent, tell it like it is. ALL MSM should be kicking Maher’s ass around the table, also. Same degrading, profane crap, just a different target.
Politics in the U.S. has reached sanitation sewer level. And with the introduction of robo-calling and the continued offensive rhetoric from Libs and Dippers, can this nation be far behind?
j
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One could easily argue that in many cases, we’re far ahead!
I’m not surprised people like Pat Martin are getting sued. For too long, the rhetorical garbage from both political extremes has been beyond the pale. It needs to stop.
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Amen, Alex…all the partisan attacks from either take away from the larger issues….we’re all squabbling and sinking with the ship while the economy teeters…
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Don’t forget his little “problem” with Rush’s Little Helpers……
Sorry, but any smidgen of credibility he had went out the window with that one.
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I know there are alot of people like Rush Limbaugh in the USA but after reading the comments on this blog I am relizing we have people that have no respect for women and no respect for the poor or any ethnic people I never thought i would seen that level of hate in this country.
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I don’t know where you saw HATE here. I certainly wouldn’t print it.
But I do agree, if extremist social conservatives had their way, the end result would be innocent young women in their baths, wielding coathangers….
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I’ve never wasted my time listening to the political ranting and raveing of the Limbaugh type same as stern or imus ,but everyone has heard of this and it’s just another sign as to how low some people go to garner attention , these people are what i call attention whores.wether she was right or wrong doesen’t matter , his responce got him all the attention in the western world ,and all of it negative
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Fair enough. Some very good observations.
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Are naming rights put out to competitive bidding so that the public gain is maximized? If not, why not?
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Doesn’t always work that way since very few folks could shell out millions per year.
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great column alex.
your insight is very astute
i just got back from driving to reno i stopped and had the pleasure of many a discussion.
the consensus is rush was wrong and stupid just move on to more important issues.
the news media in both canada and the us has lost their way
gone are well thought out and factual reporting for the most part
in is the sound bite
do we blame cnn, fox corus radio shaw media etc
the answer is yes and no
we must blame our selfs for allowing it to happen and shame on corporate media for putting profit before jouranalism
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Right. That’s correct.
Glad you enjoyed your trip. God bless.
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@Harry Lawson
Here is a perfect example as to how low our Vancouver media has stooped…here is a segment from this mornings illustrious Bill Good, CKNW show
11:30 – 11:50
“PILLOW TALK” WITH THE OTHER WOMAN…
“Mistress Anonymous” workshops that she says empower women to change. What is she hearing in these workshops? And what exactly happens at a mistress anonymous meeting?
Now I ask all of you, is this the heavy hitting great journalism we are all looking for?
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Truly pathetic. They’ve lost the plot, so now it’s sensationalism that sells. Absolutely inane.
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when i heard pillow talk i thought it was going to be about all of the reporters and spouses that are in a conflict of interest with crispy…..oh well
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LOL!
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Please you don’t have to stick up for that guy, he always manages to crawl out of the depths of the stinking sewer on his own. This is the guy who railed on for years about throwing drug users into jail for life… before he was caught buying and using himself and then gets off with a slap on the wrist. Next he gets caught on his way home from a junket to a pedophile sex haven with a bottle of viagra in his possession which wasn’t in his name and he gets off on that too. Any of the poor drug users he carried on about would have been doing hard labour for decades. The difference being that poor drug users don’t have big money and big republican buddies.
You’re so right in one respect though, both sides really need to tone it down. I’m craving good unbiased truthful investigative reporting. Pretty much impossible to come by in this age of media consolidation and cutbacks, so I guess that’s why its a disappointment in a good blog like yours when you take on for a disgusting pig like Rush Limbaugh.
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1) I didn’t support his position–I CONDEMNED IT! Re-read the post. You clearly missed it.
2) The accusations about Limbaugh being at some sex haven are total garbage. More nonsense created on the internet. Sorry, it’s a fact.
3) The doctor shopping he did for his addiction to pain medication was examined throughly and he received a punishment NO DIFFERENT than any other first time offender.
4) I, too, think his addiction issues made him a hypocrite while he was launching appropriate attacks against harm seductionists, etc.
5) I like having you here, but you need to stay away from rumour when you post please. Thank you.
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Bill Cosby is a Ed.D., not a Ph.D.
Just thought you’d like to know.
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Oh, well thank you. Duly noted.
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Let’s get one thing out of the way quickly: Bill Maher’s sexist comments are inappropriate and no one is defending him. Bringing him up as a “but the left does it too!” is a straw-man of the worst sort. He is a sleazebag.
Limbaugh on the other hand deserves no sympathy – his views are barbaric and contribute to the violence against women that pervades society. He didn’t just make an offhand comment – he called her a slut for arguing for INSURANCE (NOT tax dollars) to cover birth control, one reason being that for a substantial proportion of women birth control is used for medical purposes that have nothing to do with sex. He then proceeded to call her a prostitute, and say that she should be required to film herself having sex for men to watch.
This was not a slip of the tongue, this was vile hate-speech directed towards this student. He followed this up with a non-apology, in which he was sorry for selecting an insulting word choice – not for denigrating her personally or suggesting she should provide sexual stimulation for him in the form of videos.
Whoever she is, whatever she’s supporting, this sort of bile from a person who directs the opinions of millions of listeners is downright repulsive. This blog is usually entertaining, but anyone who calls for Limbaugh to be forgiven is dead wrong – at least until he offers a proper sincere apology and withdraws his view that testifying before congress in support of women’s reproductive rights is equivalent to being a slut and a prostitute.
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So, let me get this straught: Maher’s comments that Clinton is a “stupid fucking bitch” and Palin is a “dumb cunt” don’t ramp up violent rhetoric against women?????
Go give your head a shake and come back when you’re prepared to make sense. What an absurd position to take.
You believe Limbaugh made those comments with the intent of promoting violence against women–without a stitch of evidence proving that was his intent but Maher gets a pass even though he’s done it on multiple occasions.
Mindless.
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