We have all had enough of the Rush Limbaugh – Sandra Fluke episode.
However, we just cannot help — or restrain — ourselves and just keep writing about it, making political hay, scoring points, moralizing, pontificating, sermonizing (well, you have a thesaurus, too) about it — including yours truly.
One of our contributors, after clenching his teeth, “chomping and bucking like a race horse trapped inside the starting gate,” finally succumbed and sounded off. But he promised that it would be “the last word” on Rush Limbaugh and Sandra Fluke.
I hope that Rick Bayan breaks his promise and enlightens us a little more, because his “last word” on this sordid affair was one of the most eloquent and reasoned I have read thus far.
That does not mean that I agree with Bayan one hundred percent.
For example — judging from my friends and acquaintances who are “addicted” to the Limbaugh show — I am not sure that “Rush’s “dittoheads” are “mostly battle-scarred lower-middle-class and working-class stiffs, overwhelmingly white and Christian, who have routinely been denied entrance to elite colleges and institutions” and who suffer of other aatacks such as “snarkery,” mockery, snobbery and marginalization from the Left and others.
One of our readers rightly comments:
I too enjoyed the piece but I take issue with the suggestion that intolerance for [Rush Limbaugh’s] views and the views of his supplicants is some sort of “snobbery”. Those who react to RL with distaste do so because the man has been shameless in exploiting the fears and ignorance of his fans (for twenty-some years now) and has done incalculable damage to our sense of unity as a people – from the citizen level the highest places in govt. This isn’t just an “entertainer”, this is toxic person whose legacy has been dark and ugly and long-lasting. If only it was mere “snobbery” inspired his critics…
In his closing paragraph, Bayan urges us to get inspired and compete with Rush for the hearts and souls of all those marginalized Middle Americans: “They’re not an alien species, after all… they’re our brothers, uncles and cousins. They’re Americans. They’re us.” I would totally agree with Bayan IF the “marginalized Middle Americans” category were expanded to include — as I have commented — “the Angel Rodriguez’, the Puertorriqueños, the Latinos, the minorities, the gays and lesbians, American Muslims, etc.” (I could add the feminists, the poor and many other disadvantaged)
But, regardless, it is a good start at including “marginalized” Americans in our efforts to win the hearts and minds of all Americans.
Now to my perhaps confusing title, “Rush Limbaugh, Heal Thyself.”
Many have described Rush Limbaugh as one of the most brilliant men of our generation — and they may be correct.
Limbaugh describes himself as having “talent on loan from God,” and as working with “half his brain tied behind his back” just to make it even. Perhaps a little exaggerated, but an effective metaphor.
Can you imagine how powerful, noble and valuable his message would be if Limbaugh decided to compete for the hearts and soul of all American, not just “marginalized Middle Americans,” but all “our brothers, uncles and cousins” since they are all Americans, all are us.
Sadly, if Limbaugh did so, he would not be the most talented and best paid “entertainer” in America.
Sadly, if Limbaugh healed himself, he would lose 90 percent of his loyal audience — he would no longer be “Rushbo.”
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.