Posted on 01/26/2005 3:21:06 PM PST by writer33
Every once in a while, a person comes along that leaves an indelible mark on America’s soul, forever changing the country’s direction. This person makes such an impact that they change the balance of power in America, leaving a legacy that even historians will take notice. But what if that person was Rush Limbaugh? What if he passed away and we didn’t say how much we cared?
And as I stand crying at his eulogy, I admit I was wrong. Rush Hudson Limbaugh III was not "The Passion." He wasn’t the passion of conservatism, nor was he the very pulse, pounding through the veins of a nation. He was much more than that.
He was the embodiment of conservatism and American ideals, living the fullest of lives. To Rush, service to his country meant advancing the conservative agenda. This cause would forever change the course of events in America—a course that would ultimately place conservatives in power, promote liberty and establish a new media for the United States.
To understand Rush H. Limbaugh III, you only need to take a look at Ronald Reagan, Rush H. Limbaugh, Jr. and the patriarch, Rush Hudson Limbaugh. These men were largely responsible for creating "the most dangerous man in America."
Rush Limbaugh held Ronald Reagan "as one of the greatest presidents of all time and certainly in his lifetime." There was no greater president in the twentieth century than Ronald Reagan. He personified patriotism and all that America stood for. He conquered the Soviet Union, crushing the "Evil Empire," and loosening the communist jaws on the world without firing a single shot. He battled Russia, making critical strategic moves without launching a single missile or invading a single country. President Reagan’s policies allowed America to flourish while overcoming an enemy bent on taking over the world.
It was Rush’s belief that Reagan "was so effective, so effusively optimistic," that it spawned a personal hatred of the man. Rush H. Limbaugh III adopted those principles in his radio and television shows. Rush, like Reagan, held the notion that it is the American people, working together as individuals that make this country great. It was those fundamentals that threatened and then created the visceral hatred by liberals.
Rush felt that by limiting government and unshackling the American people—by giving them their God-given freedom—that no one can stop this great country. These beliefs were fostered by his father and grandfather, men that believed in the Founding Fathers and the indomitable human spirit.
In an excerpt of a speech given many times, Rush’s father, Rush Limbaugh, Jr. talked about the Founding Fathers. "Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war," he said. "Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his 13 children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another, the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Yet not one defected or went back on his pledged word. Their honor, and the nation they sacrificed so much to create, is still intact."
The speech, The Americans who Risked Everything, was included as an article supplement to the September 1997 issue of The Limbaugh Letter. In a forward to publishing the piece, Rush said, "I can think of no way to celebrate this nation’s legacy, than by publishing a speech written by my father. He delivered the oft-requested address locally a number of times, but he never saw it in print. My dad was renowned for his oratory and for his original mind; this speech is, I think, a superb demonstration of both. I will always be grateful to him for instilling in me a passion for the ideas and lives of America’s Founders, as well as a deep appreciation for the inspirational power of words…which you will see evidenced here."
Those fundamentals were passed from the patriarch, Rush H. Limbaugh, Sr. to Rush H. Limbaugh, Jr.—in turn—passing them to Rush Limbaugh III. Rush believed his grandfather’s values, integrity and dignity were largely responsible for allowing his family to live a Norman Rockwell painting for most of their lives.
In an April 9, 1996 broadcast of the Rush Limbaugh TV Show, Rush said about his grandfather, "He worked all the way through school. From grade school through high school—paid his way through college doing carpentry work, waiting tables, assisting Methodist ministers as best he could. His family was farmers. He plowed the fields every morning before school. It was that, I think, which gave him a strong physical constitution that enabled him to go through his life with such energy. He argued sixty cases before the Missouri Supreme Court. He wrote, in effect, the book on probate law in Missouri in 1955. He was an ambassador to India in 1958 at the request of the United States State Department. India was recently liberated and he was asked to go to lecture on American constitutionality and the legal system in this country. And he accepted all of these assignments and opportunities with great pride and great relish. He was a patriot. I last spoke to him a couple of months ago, and all he cared about was the future of the country…"
Those were the ethics handed to Rush Limbaugh III. Rush Limbaugh, Sr. executed his duties faithfully as well, in the hopes of a greater America. And in that noble effort, he passed his values and work ethic along. Rush took those principles and combined them with his God-given gift of speech. He took his ability to use words and put them to work for conservatism and America’s sake. He was a titan in the field of politics, yet remained humble to the very end. He was vilified for his positions. From abortion to Social Security, he remained optimistic, even when the assaults seemed insurmountable. Through terrible back pain, divorce and prescription drug addiction, he continued to fight socialism and retained faith in the greatest country in the world, America.
Now that Rush is gone, America will forever miss him. In America, we seem to forget how important people really are. We have a tendency to lash out at our own, despite their success or all they’ve accomplished, never embracing them when we should. You’ve heard, "He’s not on his game today. He’s boring, not the same old Rush. He’s just not as good as he used to be."
Those mutterings are from Americans that long forgot what America was like before Rush Limbaugh’s broadcasts. Would America have survived the liberal assault without him? Thank God we never had to find out. He prevailed, cutting the heart of socialism out of this country. And he did it very simply, by endorsing a conservative agenda, an agenda that propagated liberty—spreading like a wildfire through the "New Media." The fire grew until the mainstream media was brought to its knees.
The man responsible was Rush Hudson Limbaugh III. It all began in 1984, in a radio station in Sacramento, California. The work ethic, values and principles—those values actually held by the majority of the American people—had finally been validated in a broadcast, a huge voice on the "Golden EIB Microphone." If history is kind—and it will be through God’s grace—it will not just judge Rush Limbaugh as a great man, but judge him as a man responsible for breaking the grasp of socialism on America. It will judge him as a man that helped found the new truth.
We’ve often heard, "Conservatism works. Every time it’s tried." And we are here to thank you, Rush, for your greatness. We’re here to thank you for The Way Things Ought to Be and See I Told You So. We’re here to thank you for keeping us sane during the Clinton administration, for battling liberalism, socialism and tyranny. We’re here—at your funeral—to thank you for The Rush Limbaugh Show, The Limbaugh Letter and for the Rush Limbaugh Television Show.
I would personally like to thank you for changing my life, for giving me the confidence to pursue my goals, never giving up when things looked bleak. Thank you for remaining optimistic through your darkest hours and for giving me that same optimism. Thank you so much for adhering to the principles of the Founding Fathers, for supporting the troops and for your love of America. And thank you, most of all, for your humor, your gentle nature and your never ending belief of capitalism. You were an inspiration to millions of Americans. Thank God you were there when we needed you the most.
You were a truly great man. It’s a shame I didn’t tell you sooner.
But whenever I wanted to advance conservatism, I thought of your words. And it did work, Rush, every time it was tried.
Well, 9/11 was a long time ago and the debt has gotten a whole lot worse. Maybe Limbaugh needs to start telling us the truth, not just going along with this spend and spend administration.
It used to be dems who liked to spend our tax dollars, it appears the GOP is far outpacing them. We need to let them know we're tired of this out-of-control spending and we want them to reign these guys in!
Don't count on GW to use his veto power. It's not his money, it's ours.
Don't make me get my belt out. I had to drive home from work, stop and get the mail, etc...You know...normal living stuff.
Now go ahead and fire away. I've got you people too spoiled.
I agree. Just a reminder of the good work he does. Nicely written though! Where did you get the research material? Hope ya get his mention, if not a spot on his show!
Now let's not start this. I really didn't write it for recognition. But I know you know that. In regards to research, I'll never tell where the sun don't shine. :)
That's for sure. And thank you for the compliment, difference maker. I appreciate it very much.
Thanks for those well said words. They're perfect.
just finished reading PJO'Rourke's latest, at
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1327433/posts
...'Yet think how important the Tenth Commandment is to a community, to a nation, indeed to a presidential election. If you want a mule, if you want a pot roast, if you want a cleaning lady, don't be a jerk and whine about what the people across the street have--go get your own.'
parallel thinking, and I like it!
Well written and spot on.
A mere mention of Rush's name to a DUmmy generates a cringe, a dismissal, a rebuttal, a tirade... The fact that Rush is THE primary lightning rod for the entire Left speaks volumes.
I love Rush. Thanks so much for writing this.
A fitting tribute to one of the all-time great Americans! Rush has done more to advance the cause of conservatism than anyone I know. The uniqueness of his style is just a beautiful thing to behold. Those who are put off by what they interpret as too much ego fail to see the delightful humor and tremendous wit that Rush uses in sharing his wisdom. I am forever indebted to him for he not only makes the complex understandable, but he makes it memorable as well. Thank you for recognizing a true American hero.
Thank you for the compliment. Would you like to be on the ping list? I only ping my original material.
Amen.
Thank you for reading it. That's much more important.
Thank you for listening to him. Otherwise, he wouldn't be on the air. Me...I just want to advance conservatism. No credit needed here. But the comments were really nice. So thank you.
Thanks, but no more ping lists for me. If you write it, I will see it.
Good enough.
shtick also schtick or shtik ( P ) Pronunciation Key (shtk)
n. Slang
A characteristic attribute, talent, or trait that is helpful in securing recognition or attention: waiters in tropical attire are part of the restaurant's shtick.
An entertainment routine or gimmick
(I looked it up in trying to describe some of Imus's outrageous statements.)
I had to look it up myself..I meant no offense.
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