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Post by artraveler on Feb 4, 2020 9:17:08 GMT -8
Rush Limbaugh
Yesterday 3 February 2020 Rush announced that he suffers from a serious illness, lung cancer. For nearly 40 years Rush has been the target of leftist media and the icon of conservative values. Over the next few months he will only hoist his show when he is able. No doubt, the progressives, Hollywood, media and democrat party, will take this news as good news and promptly celebrate in the streets, at least metaphorically.
I first heard Rush in Sacramento CA on KFBK in 1982. His show was on in the midmorning. It was like a breath of fresh air in Sacramento. The liberals were shocked, clutched their pearls, and predicted the end of democracy as we know it. In part, they were correct it was the end of domination of radio by democrat affiliated talk. Conservative radio talk, when it was on at all, was relegated to the hours of midnight to 5AM. Here was a major regional station giving a conservative airtime during the day. Kudos to the station management that chose to take a chance on a radical new format.
I met Rush a few times before his show went national. A friend did a financial afternoon show on KFBK and I would occasionally stop by to shoot the shit. Rush was there and was included in our conversation. In private he was much the same as on the air, opinioned and demonstratable as conservative, nothing false or fake on air or off. That is, I believe, his greatest asset. Joe Dokes, Sally Soaks and all the folks could feel that Rush could speak for them, had their hopes and dreams in every word.
Several years ago, Rush admitted an addiction to painkillers and the result was an almost total loss of hearing. He had hearing implants and continued his radio show. He overcame his addiction and found a method to carry on. This is not the end for Rush, I have no doubt he can overcome and survive this cancer. I wish Rush the best and a quick recovery. He has been a friend, on the radio, for almost 40 years G-d bless.
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 4, 2020 9:40:00 GMT -8
I can recall the first time I heard Rush. I believe it was in 1988, i.e. at the beginning of his national broadcast journey. The show bragged Rush already had a national audience of 50 or 60 stations.
In any case, I was driving a car in Reno, which I was visiting for business. I tuned into some channel and heard this guy talking politics and culture. After a short time the question "Who is this guy?" rang out in my brain. I then thought, "He sounds like me." And another thought that ran through my head was, "There are others out there who see things the same way I do."
Hearing Rush for the first time was a little like remembering where you were when Kennedy was shot or when Armstrong stepped on the moon. It sticks with you forever.
At the time, I was living overseas so I could only hear Rush when I visited the USA. But since moving back here, I have tuned into his program most days. In August of last year, The Rush Limbaugh Show started its 32nd year. At that time, and several times since then, I have wondered how much longer Rush would go on and who or what would replace the hole his retirement or death would leave. I guess I will now see.
I happen to believe that Rush is extremely important for the conservative movement and is irreplaceable.
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Post by timothylane on Feb 4, 2020 10:14:32 GMT -8
A friend of mine who worked where I did (he got the job through me, which is odd because in a way I got my job there through him) heard Rush Limbaugh on a job site and started listening to him even in the office. That's how I encountered Rush, I think in early 1992, and started listening. I later watched his TV show, though I had to tape it and watch the next evening because it was on so late. (This led to problems from my videotapes being continually retaped over.)
One of our FOSFAX subscribers actually made it to "Rushstock" (Dan's Bake Sale) and told me about it at an SF convention. He was later con chairman of Windycon in 1997, and invited Elizabeth and me as Fan Guests of Honor. That was fun, though he wasn't there to see it. He had been diagnosed a month or so earlier with pancreatic cancer and spent the convention in the hospital, dying a couple of months later.
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Post by artraveler on Feb 4, 2020 21:50:44 GMT -8
President Trump gave Rush the Presidential Medal of Freedom during the SOTU. Watching Rush there reminded me of a story he told of his father and grandfather, both lawyers in his home town. His father wanted Rush to attend college, which he only did for a semester. A part of his father seemed to believe Rush would never make something of himself. Tonight was vindication for Rush. I had the distant feeling that his smile was for his father and grandfather. Is this a great country, or what?
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Post by timothylane on Feb 4, 2020 21:55:41 GMT -8
That was nice, and Melania seemed to be pleased as she put it around his neck. He had already announced it, but not where and when it would actually be placed.
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 4, 2020 22:07:41 GMT -8
Rush has raised something like US$50 million for research into finding a cure for lymphoma/leukemia. Who knows how much he has raised for other charities? I am sure the number is large.
As Brad may recall, I do not hold Rush up as a great example of personal morals, but I do believe he is a kind person who puts time and effort behind causes that he believes in.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 5, 2020 8:35:46 GMT -8
That is a very cool thing. And here’s hoping Rush can overcome his current obstacle. There are a whole lot of people pulling for him, including me. In the reality TV show that is now called “The State of the Union,” it was good to see Rush receive The Presidential Medal of Freedom. Still, I remain of two minds about Rush Limbaugh. I agree with Kurt Schlichter that Rush inspired a lot of people and was often the one and only conduit out of the immersive cult of liberalism. My other mind has nothing to do with him being impolite, harsh, or indelicate. In fact, I think he should have brought back his “Caller Abortion” shtick. Perhaps my lament has nothing to do with Rush, per se. The lament is that 99% of people who listened to his show likely did not implement his ideas. That is, he was a way to vent and to stay sane while trapped inside the liberal bubble at work or wherever. It bothers me not that he is a polarizing figure. That is a signal of his success. We ought to be polarized away from the Communists. What I truly loved best about Rush, and what he seemed to go off of in his later years, was his articulation of conservative philosophy. I had tuned out of his show these past years because it just seemed like more screeching tit-for-tat Facebook wars. The Daily Drama, incarnate. Still, this is the time to put apart any petty differences and pull for Rush. He’s a force of nature and a unique talent…a talent on loan from God. Let’s hope God will renew. |
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 5, 2020 8:39:27 GMT -8
That’s a good point, Mr. Kung. I cringe thinking that he gave Elton John a million dollars to perform at his wedding. But he has raised a whole lot of real money for some worthy causes. And that is a hell of a lot more useful than these idiotic Communists who go around “raising awareness.” Hard cash, not “awareness,” is what these causes need.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 5, 2020 8:41:11 GMT -8
That was nice. And your Cultural Observer will note the maternal touch when, after successfully navigating whatever clasp they had for the medal, she turned Rush back toward her and lovingly adjusted the metal on his chest.
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 5, 2020 8:59:22 GMT -8
That was a nice touch. I also liked it very much that she and Rush shook hands and did not hug. They showed decorum.
Another one of the many changes I noted when I returned to the USA was that everybody seemed to be hugging everybody else, often for the smallest things. I found this new-found affection everyone, seemed to have for everyone else phony, a false affection. I save hugs for my family and some very good friends, maybe small children. Everyone else gets a handshake. (If they deserve it.)
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 5, 2020 9:07:31 GMT -8
I can understand that. While I have tuned into Rush more often than not since returning to the USA, there was a period I cut back on it, but for a different reason. It had to do with his apparent softening on core conservative issues. Furthermore he wasn't pointing out some basic truths about humanity and the left that needed to be said.
This changed when Trump came into office. And since then, Rush has even started saying many of the things we said at ST years ago. He should have been hammering away at these things for decades, but better late than never.
I guess Rush, being an entertainer, didn't want to get too far ahead of his audience. Conservatives now understand that the left is not made up of a bunch of well-intentioned, misguided people. It is full of malicious villains who want to destroy our culture, who wish to control and hold back humanity.
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Post by artraveler on Feb 5, 2020 9:11:56 GMT -8
It occurred to me this morning that Rush did not receive the award for himself, but for the American people who have listened to him for almost 40 years. Rush was standing proud for all of us. It was a very touching moment.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 5, 2020 9:16:09 GMT -8
Agreed. Hugs have been devalued. They’re way overdone. Still, one wonders if “false affection” could fall into the category of today's version of civilized behavior. Better than a high-five. Better than, “What’s up, mother-f*****?”
There’s a great Seinfeld episode around that. Everyone in Jerry’s apartment building began giving each other hugs. Jerry opted out and soon was a social outcast. But certainly this was a phenomenon he noticed back in the 80’s or 90’s.
And it’s when the hug is expected that it becomes annoying. I’ve found myself hugging people I otherwise never would have. But once a hug is initiated by the other party, what is one to do? One becomes somewhat of a hug hostage.
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 5, 2020 9:20:28 GMT -8
I love the sentimentality of that. Well said. The cynical part of me is still waiting for my check from his stash of millions.  |
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 5, 2020 9:20:34 GMT -8
It could be, but it takes things too far. Simple respectful behavior should suffice. PDAs can get too physical and create uncomfortable situations. Imagine some lout giving another man's beautiful wife a bit more of a hug than appropriate. As I have said before, the wisdom of the ages has generally figured out what works and what doesn't.
I have found myself in similar situations and find them annoying. The false familiarity is irksome. Another such American custom is calling everyone by their first name the first time you meet. Or the way 18 year old waiters address my wife and myself with "Hi guys." I like a little proper distance in most social interactions.
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 5, 2020 9:21:48 GMT -8
Then we must come up with a new word for it, Mr. Kung. Let me nominate “frivilized behavior.”
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 5, 2020 9:26:45 GMT -8
Rush lives in a different universe. The odd thing is that he has very humble beginnings and yet navigated over to the jet set. He feigned (if that’s not too strong of a word) common-man virtues while paying Elton John a million dollars to play at his wedding.
So he morphed into an entertainer from a crusader and made mega-millions. I can’t fault him for that. But neither am I motivated to tune into the show and play make-believe that it is other than what it is.
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 5, 2020 9:29:15 GMT -8
I like it. Frivilized behavior is something that devalues personal actions and confuses participants. A hug used to signal actual affection and a certain closeness between the parties involved. Today it means no such thing. It is another thing which has been devalued by leftist ideas of equality/etc.
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 5, 2020 9:29:20 GMT -8
Quite honestly, Mr. Kung, You may have something there. After playing catch-up for a number of years while listening to Rush, it is arguable that we exceeded him. And so all I was hearing was “blah blah blah” and not much new to inspire or inform. I’m sure you’re right. Read my post previous to this. It makes sense in this regard. Entertaining has different requirements from informing.
And, honestly, this is why I find Mark Steyn a breath of fresh air. He is more apt to get down to brass tacks. Michael Savage (mostly out of professional jealousy) would dismiss Rush as "the golfer." But there is at least a tiny bit of truth to that.
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Post by artraveler on Feb 5, 2020 9:35:17 GMT -8
Rush talked often, on air and off, about his father and grandfather, both lawyers, who thought his lack of college education would not serve him well. As he stood there in the House chamber, addressed by the President, given the highest award a civilian can receive, in front of millions of his fellow citizens and applauded by members of both houses of congress and the president. I felt the satisfaction and humility of his father and grandfather.
Good luck Rush stage 4 cancer is not a positive, and the future is unknown. G-d blesss
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