Posted on 01/02/2010 3:36:33 AM PST by Schnucki
Like millions of conservatives in the United States I was very relieved to hear that Rush Limbaugh has made a full recovery after being rushed to hospital earlier this week suffering from chest pains. But I hope also that millions of liberals will share the same sentiment, both out of compassion as well as respect for free speech, even though they may disagree with his views.
Limbaugh may well be one of the most politically despised figures in the eyes of the Left in an increasingly polarized America, but his opponents should acknowledge that he plays an important role in helping make the United States the great open democracy it is. In a US media market that is still largely dominated by liberal newspapers and television networks, conservative talk radio serves a vital function in maintaining a kind of balance of power in the distribution of news. With tens of millions of listeners it also provides a major voice of opposition for those who may disagree with the policies of the current administration and its political allies who dominate both Houses of Congress.
There has been a disturbing tendency on the part of the Obama White House to wage war against news outlets it disagrees with, notably Fox News as well as leading radio talk show hosts. With an estimated audience of between 14 and 25 million according to The Washington Post, Rush Limbaugh is a hugely influential and tremendously patriotic voice of protest in the face of an intensely partisan administration that does not take very kindly to dissenting views, and which often seems to expect the media to kowtow to its agenda. Freedom of speech, even in a free society, must never be taken for granted, and Rush Limbaugh’s role as a prominent defender of it, is a
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.telegraph.co.uk ...
Great words from the UK.
Thanks for posting them.
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RE: Rush - rerun(s) of Rush on radio now: WGBT FM/HD1 cc
Eden, NC http://www.rushradio945.com/mediaplayer/?station=WGBT-FM&action=listenlive&channel_title=&referringsite=streamingradioguide.com
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