by Len Hart, The Existentialist CowboyFree speech is not free! It is paid for with responsibility! Rush Limbaugh, however, has made a career of "...yelling fire in a crowded theater" when, in fact, there is NO fire! Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.'s decision re: Eugene Debs means that Rush has routinely exceeded the limits of free speech. But the Holmes decision was fallaciously applied to Debs; Rush, by contrast, is defined by shrill cries of 'fire' when --in fact --there is no fire!
We might tolerate Rush if the Fairness Doctrine were restored. His opponents would at least be heard. They are sure to be more intelligent, articulate and even entertaining; the nation would be better for it!
How long would Rush last if he had to compete in truly free market, if he were compelled by law to be responsible as I was compelled as a working broadcast journalist in major U.S. markets? I was expected to be responsible and professional; but Rush lives down to lower expectations, lower standards. He is expected, even encouraged to be irresponsible, outrageous, dishonest and boorish!
We might tolerate Rush had he ever made a good faith effort to inform his audiences with respect to real issues as opposed to his constant demoguoguery, his fussilade of lies and ad hominem attacks, propaganda, strawmen, distortions, outright lies and --most egregiously --bigotry and/or racial slurs most notably those about black athletes and, specifically, the great quarterback Warren Moon et al.
If an intelligent man like Eugene Debs --whose only crime was that of exercising his conscience i.e, opposing the U.S. entry into WWI --could be imprisoned, then Rush, who has exhorted treason and bigotry in response to phony threats and strawmen, should be held responsible for having abused 'privileges' that the rest of us had --at one time --enjoyed responsibly as 'rights'. Why is Rush given 'license' when, in fct, the rest of us are DENIED the benefits of 'free speech' by having been denied access to what had publically owned airwaves. Rush is prescisely what the GOP had in minded when, under Ronald Reagan, the Fairness Doctrine and the Communications Act of 1934 were rescinded, media 'de-regulated', a GOP code-word for consoidating the ownership of media into very few and very corporate hands.
Debs was courageous and smart --a man of integrity! Rush is slimy and stupid --a charlatan! Debs spoke truth to power! Rush misleads the poor and gullible for profit! He is a corporate kiss-up, a coward, a stooge who peddles propaganda for profit! Debs accepted responsibility for what he had made of himself and was prepared to accept the consequences. Rush is a coward who blames all on 'niggers', poor people and 'liberals, LIBERALS, LIBERALS!!!“When we are in partnership and have stopped clutching each other's throats, when we have stopped enslaving each other, we will stand together, hands clasped, and be friends. we will be comrades, we will be brothers, and we will begin the march to the grandest civilization the human race has ever known.” --Eugene Debs, American ActivistIt is time for Rush Limbaugh to GO!
8 comments:
Certain people are put in certain places to say certain things to give the appearance of opposition, when in fact no oppositions exists at all.
We can Put harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Henry Waxman and a host of others into the category. Rush is not his own man. He's a manufactured puppet designed exclusively to foster division.
Divide and conquer is the motto. It works wonderfully in politics and we can see it like clockwork every 2-4 years when the election-type-things come around. Suddenly it's 'healthcare, social security, gay marriage' until after wards then it's back to business as usual.
While I hate Rush, the only difference between him and Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid or Jane Harmon is that he works in the spotlight. The other cockroaches stay in the dark doing their dirty work. Rush has an insatiable ego as well as likely an appetite, but I digress.
All that said, I never watch him or listen to him and I've only ever gotten his bilge through 3rd party sources.
But if Rush left, someone would replace him just a quick as you could say propaganda. Lets face it, MSNBCCBSABCCNN HAS to have a pitchman.
Amerikagulag
Nice piece, Len. I'm glad to see you're back in action.
BTW, Limbaugh was for government social programs before he was against them.
Years ago, Limbaugh revealed on his radio show that he once collected jobless benefits. He lamely tried to defend this by saying his wife "made" him go file for benefits.
Now, Limbaugh has "seen the light." He is, of course, against any and all government programs for the jobless and the poor. Indeed, he has praised recent GOP efforts to cut jobless benefits.
And you know what the worst part of this story?
By today's talk rado standards, Limbaugh is actually well-informed and moderate, compared to the new generation of extreme hate-mongering Nazis.
Mark Levin, for example, makes Limbaugh look like a reasonable fellow, by comparison. I recall listening to one Levin program a few years ago in which he passionately defended torture.
These are sick, sick people.
Blogger Marc McDonald said...
Years ago, Limbaugh revealed on his radio show that he once collected jobless benefits. He lamely tried to defend this by saying his wife "made" him go file for benefits.
Indeed! Everyone is for benefits when they are receiving them. I think the human brain needs to be re-wired! Lately, I am a-thinkin' we may be doomed!
These are sick, sick people.
Indeed! Certifiable nuts jobs! I have harassed the YouTubers who post Limbaugh vids. I have challenged Limbaugh to debate me! It's a no lose deal for me! If I go on his show, I win for showing up! But --there is no chance he would bite!
But --I was on radio from age 12! I don't wish to sound vain, but if Rush dared try to SHOUT ME DOWN I could EASILY rattle the speakers LOL LOL LOL
I was getting concerned that you hadn't posted for a while. Glad you're still doing what you do so well.
In this corporate/military state we find ourselves in, you become wealthy for spewing hateful bile while the truth tellers and patriots are thrown in solitary confinement and subjected to torturous conditions without being charged with a crime. But don't dare call it by its name.
Great piece. I’m struck by the bogus King hearings on Muslim ‘extremism’ that wishes to impugn all Muslims, when in fact such a hearing could take place on the intentionally hateful ravings of one person, Rush Limbaugh.
intotheabyss said...
In this corporate/military state we find ourselves in, you become wealthy for spewing hateful bile while the truth tellers and patriots are thrown in solitary confinement and subjected to torturous conditions without being charged with a crime.
American failures re: education (best exemplified by TX under the GOP mis-rule) are legion. Why? Simply --the GOP benefits from ignorance and various education failure! The most obvious example is Texas position re: high school graduations; TX trails the nation! The GOP benefits in a Texas two-step: 1) crime INCREASES 2) the CORPORATE OWNED prisons are BIG contributor/supporters of the Texas GOP!
Peerless Cynic said...
Great piece. I’m struck by the bogus King hearings on Muslim ‘extremism’ that wishes to impugn all Muslim
You have brilliantly summed up the GOP way! I say --FUCK THE GOP! I no longer believe in 'free speech' when it is EXPLOITED by LYING IDEOLOGUES who will --when they gain the power --OUTLAW 'Free Speech'! They will do it with with another BULLSHIT decision from Anton Scalia, the high court's resident BULLSHIT artist, liar and asswipe!
Mr. Limbaugh sounds very entertaining. Your commercial has me strongly intrigued. Where can I find him here in Dallas?
By the way, Fox News is far more dangerous than Rush, as more moderate thinkers give Fox credibility it does not merit. Many would denounce Rush as “out there,” stick to real news, a bucket in which Fox News is included, even though Fox is nothing more than a campaigning machine for the GOP.
Some would say then how can I claim MSNBC is news? I do not need to determine if MSNBC is equivalent to Fox or not (I think it is not). Either way, were I able to note a lack of real journalism in MSNBC, that would do nothing to soften my charges against Fox.
John Myste said...
Mr. Limbaugh sounds very entertaining. Your commercial has me strongly intrigued. Where can I find him here in Dallas?
Dallas is most certainly the most conservative, reactionary, right-wing city in the U.S. If you cannot find Limbaugh in Dallas, you cannot be serious!
By the way, Fox News is far more dangerous than Rush, as more moderate thinkers give Fox credibility it does not merit.
I've written reams re: FOX! Both are the results of the GOP assault on the 'Fairness Doctrine' (google it) and restrictions on the number of broadcast outlets that could be owned by a single entity --be it individual or corporation.
While I hate Rush, the only difference between him and Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid or Jane Harmon is that he works in the spotlight.
The difference is --Rush is on the wrong side of the wrong side! There is only ONE party in the U.S. --the RIGHT WING PARTY. What would you say if there were REAL opposition, say, communist? Would you pee your pants! I think you need to grow up.
Either way, were I able to note a lack of real journalism in MSNBC, that would do nothing to soften my charges against Fox.
Disrespectfully, JUNIOR, you don't know what 'real' journalism is.
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