The Rush to Judge Rush Limbaugh
Dec 31st, 2009 | 28 responses
After noting on TMV that Mr. Limbaugh was taken to hospital suddenly, I see across the blogosphere that there are in various hamlets, outbreaks of some kind of madness regarding Rush Limbaugh, with some issuing the equivalent of “armchair fatwahs” against the man.
I think that’s wrong-hearted.
I know Mr. Limbaugh from prior associations through our books being neck and neck on the NYT bestseller list some years back, and we appeared on various networks at the same time, so we met more than once in the green rooms.
When a person is ill or hurt we can absolutely wish for the best possible outcome for them. There are serious changes and challenges that occur when we come close to the Spectre. I’ve had more than one serious brush with death myself.
In those times when you’ve glimpsed the skeleton-man, all bets are off as far as ego goes. For Mr. LImbaugh, fame has little persuasive force in banishing death. Fame is no currency to stave off disablement. Who you are and who’s your momma, matters little.
The strength to live is not posited in ego, hubris, pride, fame, or lust for whatever… The strength to live is rooted deeply in spirit, body, soul, and animating life force. Those are the aspects of our lives that have to come to the fore when we are health-threatened.
There will be learnings that come for many in times of health crisis. These new insights and directives may be kept private by the recovering individual, but in Mr. Limbaugh’s case will likely be far more than just publicly expressed or ‘p.r. gratitude’ to the helping professionals and Mr. Limbaugh’s ‘fans.’ There will be more to Mr. Limbaugh’s sense of spirit after, than before…
for in crises, many changes in viewpoints and attitude are required of a person who has been handed back their life.
While it is true, that some persons who have come back from a sudden near-death from cardiac arrest and other serious health issues, change nothing, become nothing more…
for Mr. Limbaugh in his current health challenge, it will be perhaps a hard call for him… having to choose between doing what others want him to do for them, and what his own heart and soul truly wants to do for his own life.
This is just my two cents worth. It’s not an apologia. It’s just a thought from one who has definitely been the subject of some of Mr. Limbaugh’s lashing out publicly, but also I’ve seen his humanity behind the scenes.
It is my prayer that that humanity he carries… be allowed to shine everywhere, that the scrunching his large heart down into ideas smaller than his soul, be relieved.
Ranting is not good for the heart. Broad and deep wisdom have always been the antidote to the too easy rant.
Some have spoken of ‘special costly treatment’ for Rush at the hospital in Honolulu, that his fame will “get him special perks,” that he is a huge user and abuser of health insurance, doctors, nurses, reimbursed medicines and surgeries.
But, I’d say instead, that in hospital Rush Limbaugh is not Rush Limbaugh the conservative talk host. In hospital he is just a human being who has been scared half to death, and whose Life Force is rallying for him with all the strength it can muster.
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28 Responses to “The Rush to Judge Rush Limbaugh”
Thank you, I've been trying to say much the same to others. You have phrased it better than I ever could.
Wonderfully put, dr. e. There are many who would benefit by reading this short piece.
Human Nature
for Carol Frost
“I’m not a nature poet,” she protested.
“Oh, yes, there’s nature in them, but what I’m
Concerned with always,” and her gesture stressed it,
“Is the human condition at this time.”
“And how’s that doing now?” I glibly asked.
“Are we improving, do you think, and have
We any hope our future’s not our past
And we’ll discover for our sins some salve?”
But she’d moved on to talk with someone else
Leaving me free to ponder my own question,
And so I wondered how we’d take the pulse
Of our humanity. I’ve this suggestion:
We simply have to ask of humankind
How kindly we’ve become, how love-aligned.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by TMV, david oneal. david oneal said: The Rush to Judge Rush Limbaugh http://bit.ly/6XrhKq [...]
If Rush survives he won't start being more forgiving, more understanding. He'll still be the same judgmental, nasty, selfish, hypocritical individual. No, I don't want him dead, but I do wish he'd just go away.
Good Grief.
It is my understanding that Hitler was nice to pets and loved his girlfriend…
Dr E, your compassion, perceptiveness, and intelligence are a blessing to us all.
hitler/ not the same scale of comparison DQ
When having compassion for scorpions, be aware that they have stingers filled with lethal venom that they would use on you in a nanosecond, even in their death throes.
Tough-love is the kindest form of compassion for some people. Liberals hate to hear this..lol..
I,ve tried to comment so many times to Dr. E so this time I will just practice…it won,t make it anyway.
I don,t like Rush Limburg but wish him recovery,maybe he will be more sensible once he is well?
I dont mistake being kind for weakness Sil. Strength and kindness can go together. Fierceness and kindness can coexist. I have living proof. So do you. So do we all.
happy new year Sil.
“…maybe he will be more sensible once he is well?”
hold that in prayer; it's a good hope.
dr.e
And pigs will fly…
Rush will not change after his hospitalization. That having been said, I have not commented anywhere on him because of this and really have nothing to say. I have as much concern for him as he has for those I know who don't fit into his idea of the perfect American. I despise him for the damage he has willfully done to public discourse and the many lies he has told on his show over the years. But I also refuse to take any pleasure in his suffering. I just try to ignore him.
thanks Jim, for your always down to earth views… that arent eager to contribute to the swill. May the New Year bless you Jim, and bless us all.
dr.e
'and pigs will fly'
you know DQ, you are often very funny. Have you thought of doing standup? seriously understated overstatement is an art. Happy New Year DQ. Keep that sense of humor going.
dr.e
Dear Rush,
They don’t really get it. It’s fun to talk and stir things up, to tell the truth from your perspective and get paid for it. I know people hate you for the things you say, and now I share that with you too. I know you know I was channeling you, your show, and even the angry listeners, the ones you love to tease and diss, especially Halfricans and Feminazis. We all need to laugh at stuff and the humor has to come at someone’s expense. I know too that even though you say these awful hateful things, inside, you are just as you describe; a soft lovable fuzzy ball. And we all know that kind of tenderness and vulnerability has to be protected externally by something.
I haven’t wished anyone dead for a long time. Growing up with 3 siblings, we regularly wished each other to drop dead, sometimes in spite, someone revengefully, but in the moment, truthfully. In fact we did it soooo much, that I think we learned that wishing it so didn’t make it happen. We were not so powerful. Actually quiet impotent. It took years to find out who really had the power to send another to their death. It was fun to wield that kind of power but now I need to shake it off. It would be an interesting turn of events if I ended up on the hospital bed beside you, having to have death wish removal psycho-surgery.
But I know you know that was not my intent and I know too you wouldn’t let such a prohibition stand in the way of getting your point across. I know you were channeling me when you cynically warned that Kennedy would use his own death as a ploy to move healthcare reform forward. Some would say crass or undignified, ditto, dude, well done.
Know this: You are getting support from interesting quarters, some are just Christian, some are female, others just think kindness works best even against the ones who wouldn’t exercise kindness in their behalf. Some say they know you in a waiting-room-kind-of-way. Others say they have pressed your flesh. Some think that all you are is the radio talk host. Even I know better than that.
I’m not sure if they are right, if kindness is the helpful choice or if that could work as an aide to your healing. Somehow, I think in your case it is just as likely that your fighting spirit, your desire to live, could be better awakened by sending a signal that the Halfricans and Feminazis were holding candlelight hate vigils in the parking lot, visualizing your pounding heart slowing down. Plus Ann Coulter is pacing outside waiting to take your place, to sit in that extra wide chair, and speak through the same golden microphone. If that doesn’t get you up and about, nothing will.
Best wishes Rush for a speedy recovery, remember hatred is as much a motivating force as any, and we need you to keep us on our toes.
Ps: Don't worry about me….I already know I am forgiven.
PPS: apparently, I’m not the only one inspired to darken pages in your honor, here’s a couple of samples:
Deaf Rush Limbaugh's Macaronic Blues
Daniel Nester
Soon I'll hear your voices, people,
and you'll sound like Donald Duck.
I'll hear every car horn honk,
every plink and plunk and plonk.
And you'll sound like Donald Duck–
one voice, indistinguishable, under God.
Every plink and plunk and plonk.
Comprised of pitches and lengths,
One voice, indistinguishable, under God.
It was like free jazz there towards the end,
Just comprised of pitches and different lengths.
Soon I'll hear your voices, people,
every immigrant, businessman, pundit.
And you all sound like Donald Duck.
All Bow Down Now
by Elaine Magliaro
Higgeldy Piggeldy Limbaugh the swine
Thought he was Tarzan, swung from a vine.
With his pink fleshy fists, porky and plump,
On his flabulous chest, he started to thump.
Rushy then stood like god Thor at the podium.
He railed at Obama in a speech filled with odium.
He thundered. He ranted. He jumped up and down.
Now he struts like a king with the GOP crown!
I can't even believe that somebody would actually present this goofy premise that there could even be a “rush to judge” Limbaugh!
Not like we haven’t had two decades of absolutely undisputable evidence of this man's arrogant hatred against the misfortunate and even the very idea of social justice ever existing anywhere on earth.
I remember, many years ago, listening to Rush refute the idea that Republicans were against welfare. I was on my way to lunch, so I heard only part of it, but in the end, he basically said that Republicans support everything, but they support it more responsibly. He sounded like a mouthpiece for the Republican party, not much more, not much less.
I liked the fake commercials, but that's about all. If you hate Republicans, you hate him; If you like Republicans, you like him. After that, he's an entertainer. As a fellow human being, I wish him well.
Oops! Spirasol i accidentally pushed the like instead of reply.
I don't often read Deepak Chopra but i find his take on Rush to be one that resonates. . .
” Rush Limbaugh is dead weight when it comes to finding a solution to anything. Like Sarah Palin, his spiritual bride, he lurks in the shadow of the human psyche, expressing the dark anger, resentment, jealousy, and vindictiveness that society can never escape. And yet, the next time you tune into Limbaugh's censorious circus of insensitive scurrility, give him a kind thought. As far back as Mark Twain, the American character has been ornery. We secretly love rascals, bank robbers, tricksters, swindlers, hell raisers, and outlaws. And when we feel so inclined, we laugh at them. Rush Limbaugh may represent a toxic form of entertainment — and the bile he spews bears no resemblance to true morality — but the fact that America makes room for him is something to be proud of. I don't pray that he goes away. I pray that we can keep laughing, even if our grin is crooked, at the pranks of the eternal shadow who is our companion for life, whether we want him or not.”
Reading your reaction to Rush i could not help but think of several of Friedrich Nietzsche offerings.
“Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”
“Be careful when you fight the monsters, lest you become one.”
” Man is the cruelest animal.”
” What else is love but understanding and rejoicing in the fact that another person lives, acts, and experiences otherwise than we do…? “
” Only sick music makes money today.” (Here we could substitute the world talk.)
” But thus do I counsel you, my friends: distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful! “
” You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
Spirasol, if this is the voice you need to bring forth for your soul's to birth a dancing star, let it spew forth.
I really did not care for the last couple of poems because they fell into the realm of cruelty, but i do think you are a gifted poet and often appreciate your comments here on TMV. Blessings for the New Year Spirasol
Dear OS, If you read my last post, you would have noticed that I do not shy from embracing the monster, and do so. It is altogether possible that the next dragon I meet i choose not go up against it firey breath, but instead find some way to dance with it. I will trust the moment to decide. But I reserve the right to not be always on the side of political correctness. Our shadows are many things, can express many things, not always evil, but it can also cause us to strike out unconsciously. I wrote what I wrote in full consciousness and choose not to apologize for it. As I try to make plain in my last post, if there is anyone who would understand my original intention, and the intention of the other poets, it would be Mr. Limbaugh himself.
It is unclear to me why the minor outpouring in Rush's Defense. The error I have made falls into the category of codes, not explicit ones that I am aware of. Apparently DR. E and he are personal friends or MAFP (mutually admiring famous people). I recall she defended him in the past as well and not with the hidden condemnation in Chopra's rendition. How that could mix in a glass of water is hard for me to drink though it teaches. Also that some of our contributions would be considered swill and others not, points to behavioral shaping. Some of us get applause, some get good will, and some are ignored or invisibly backhanded into silence. Perhaps that is just the nature of Blogs. As for cruelty, it is ever present and comes in many forms. One only needs to open the eyes. I will keep my eyes peeled as to who might be the coded acceptable target for derision……..than we can all join in and denounce together in one voice.
Your quotes are beautiful, but I think they miss their mark. their must be some quotes about speaking your truth, the value of black humor, and calling a spade a spade. Otherwise your thoughts are complementary and I offer you the same in kind. May the light find you each and every day. Oh here's a quite that guides me:
The Beloved sometimes wants
To do us a great favor:
Hold us upside down
And shake all the nonsense out.
But when we hear
He is in such a “playful drunken mood”
Most everyone I know
Quickly packs their bags and hightails it
Out of town.
~ Hafiz ~
Spirasol maybe i neglected to add this one Nietzsche. . .”"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.”
Your voice is your own and you often show us it comes from someone with an intact heart. . .You asked about the “minor outpouring in Rush's defense”, you call it political correctness. If i remember correctly the revolt to political correctness is one of Rush's big platforms? I am not for sure my comment about cruelty has to do with PC but will contemplate that one, maybe so. Rather think it was something i was attuned to even as a pre-schooler, something basic, ingrained in the soul, “don't kick someone when they are down.”
I read your words and do understand the sentiment, but overall like you said, it put Rush's face on you not so much because of the words but because of the timing. The line between Political Correctness, censorship, and soulfulness can be hard to navigate.
You have a voice for activism and it seems to me successful activists merge the strength of their voice, passion of their heart, and an innate timing for the greatest benefit. Just thinking outloud truly it is all a dance and i daily trip on my own toes.
Peace and Honor
sparrow
As they say in Avatar: I see you…………….and feel seen. Thanks!
Oh please.
NON FUNDING is not responsible. Its turning your back.
For fellow human beings….I wish him DEAD!
It would be my honor if Mr Limbaugh did drop by and read all the comments,some very acid,some seeming to respect Dr E. or a few somewhere in the middle concerning Rush. Personally years ago I listened to Rush L. because I was naive at the time, than as time went on I realized how different I felt when during this election period I got a whole new take on him. I quickly learned that he is far to the right, infact extreme. Than felt sorry for the man when I could almost sense his self-made image to the Republican plateform;a rise among those who agree with him on whatever comes out of his mouth,his idiotic rant at times makes me laugh while I fix our dinner, so it comes to mind to turn him on for my laugh for the day altho at times I am less amused when he takes his ideas to the limit when I think of the millions I hear tune in to hear him. If anyone were to take him at his everyword, Sarah Palin would be president and he somewhere in the Cabinet…but its safe to say most know its just a Limbaugh radio talk show akin to that other extreme mouth-piece Beck who also has issues in his past. I don,t see him changing altho his heart could use some rest that he puts an awful strain on to be ring leader on his show…Come On Limbaugh Get Real for once. if you do read TMV.
I guess I was little too subtle: I meant he really didn't say anything. He was really good at compressing one minute of information into an hour.
As for wanting him dead: why? Do you really think that no one would replace him? So you hate Rush, and you hate Republicans — we got that. Republican and Democrat are pretty meaningless labels in the first place. I think you had too much to drink last night, or maybe too little. Maybe you just hate things that begin with “R”. I'm testing that by rambling and ruminating.
One because he is a liar.
Two, because he doesn’t define conservatism, he creates his own definition of conservatism for people dumb enough to swallow it. His divisive propaganda has destroyed any hope for partisan consensus and thus wrecked the social modernization of our country. He has divided our nation more than any other single human being. He has made it excusable to turn your back on other Americans, acceptable to commercially abuse them, and, perceptually logical to hate those whom even need help in the first place. Most of all, because he hates me, a Democrat, having stated it many times…
…and that is reason enough.