Rush Limbaugh and Kathryn Rogers: Why Elton John Played Their Wedding

Wall St. Journal ^ | June 08, 2010 | Zev Chafets

[Steelfish]

JUNE 8, 2010 Rush Limbaugh and Kathryn Rogers: Why Elton John Played Their Wedding

By Zev Chafets

A lot of people were unpleasantly surprised to learn that Elton John, one of the world’s most proudly prominent gay entertainers, played at Rush Limbaugh’s Palm Beach wedding to Kathryn Rogers last Saturday night. Evangelicals voiced dismay that a pious fellow like Rush would give legitimacy to the libertine Sir Elton. Limbaugh-haters jeered at what they considered el Rushbo’s hypocracy.

This demonstrates that even after more than twenty years on the radio, not everyone understands who Limbaugh actually is.

For starters he is not, and has never pretended to be, a member of the Christian Right. As a young disc jockey he invented a fictitious faith healer, “Friar Shuck” who saved people over the radio for a hundred bucks a pop. Shuck is gone now, but Rush’s show still has a rakish, sometimes impious edge. His fans know he was an Oxycontin addict who spent time in rehab, that he unapologetically appreciates “adult beverages” and beautiful women and that his Sunday devotionals take place in the Church of the NFL. As his good friend Roger Ailes once told me, Rush lives the way Jackie Gleason would have lived if Gleason had been rich enough.

On some social issues, like abortion, Limbaugh is a conventional conservative. On others he sounds a lot like Barack Obama. In an interview last summer he told me that he regards homosexuality as most likely determined by biology, considers other people’s sex lives to be none of his business and supports gay civil unions. I’m pretty sure that Elton John’s sexual orientation never even crossed Limbaugh’s mind.

[tumblindice]

I have listened to his show once, about 5 minutes worth, while in my car while waiting for an appointment.
I don’t understand why he’s such a big deal.*

[chris_bdba]

It’s funny all of the liberal head that are exploding over this? They completely misunderstand us. I don’t hate gay people just because I don’t think they should have more rights than I have. I grew up with Elton John’s music so can understand why he played for his Wedding. Why is no one on the left questioning why Elton agreed to play? he’s the one who sold out for a million dollars. :)

[Responsibility2nd]

I don’t know Rush’s take on gay marriages, but I assume he’s for it.

Not much difference - morally - between adultery, divorce and remarriage and homosexuality.

[Free Descendant]

When I was in college, and a liberal, I remember having such a negative view of Rush...he has an image of being hateful and mean in liberal circles. Then when I got older and listened he’s actually very afable. I moved west some months ago and now can listen to “progress talk” radio. With some exceptions the left wing talk guys are way meaner and dirtier and hatefull than anyone I’ve heard on right wing radio.

[machman]

I’ve been listening to Rush for almost 20 years. I remember when Freddie Mercury died of AIDS, Rush mocked him by playing “Another One Bites the Dust”, and sort of insinuated that he got what he deserved.....I didn’t like it then, or now, but I still love Rush....and Freddie, and Elton..... (I can’t help it, I’m a child of the 70’s...)

[Canedawg]

Limbaugh-haters jeered at what they considered el Rushbo’s hypocracy.

Are there no more proofreaders at the WSJ?

[Freddd]

The article just said he’s o.k. with civil unions. Didn’t call it gay marriage.

[fatima]

Why?

[srmorton]

Rush often says that it takes about six weeks to “get” his program. I have been listening to him for almost 20 years. If you are a conservative, you will agree with at least 95% of what he says. You will also learn a lot, not because he tries to indoctrinate his listeners, but because he is incredibly well-informed and can back up everything he says with the truth. If someone does find that he is in error and points it out with the facts to back it up, Rush is always careful to correct his mistake.

[steveo]

lmao

[hinckley buzzard]

I have listened to his show once, about 5 minutes worth... I don’t understand why he’s such a big deal.

Your comment pretty well answers itself, swee'pea.

[ottbmare]

I have listened to his show once, about 5 minutes worth, while in my car while waiting for an appointment. I don’t understand why he’s such a big deal.

You don't understand the inherent contradiction on those two sentences? Of course, if you've only listened to him once for five minutes, you would not understand why he's such a big deal and why 15-20 million of us listen to him. More would listen if they could get to a radio while on the job.

[Thrownatbirth]

He did it simply to tweak the Left. Their reactions are hilarious.

[Free Descendant]

Why?

To me conservatism is about minimal, responsible and constitutionally limited government and regulating marriage is just not within the domain I see.

As for Christianity...I don't like mixing something base and wordly like politics with something divine. By the way we engage society you'd think concern about homosexuality was a core tenant. Obviously it is a sin but we should be engaging the world by sharing the message of Christ, not by using his name for political movements. In my very humble opinion...

[Responsibility2nd]

Civil unions, gay marriages, divorce and remarriage.

Same thing.

(Isn’t anyone gonna argue with me?)

[GeronL]

Evangelicals voiced dismay that a pious fellow like Rush

What??? Pious?? What are they talking about? I have heard no Christian right outrage. I have never thought Limbaugh was part of the Christian right.

[LibLieSlayer]

He is still on the cutting edge of societal evolution. ;-)

LLS

[True Republican Patriot]

Dumb is as Dumb does! Your Loss! You probably see James Carville as a great Philosopher.....:-)

[fatima]

Thanks Free Descendant.

[GeronL]

Rush HUDSON Limbaugh