Posted on 10/10/2005 4:38:23 AM PDT by cyborg
Three weeks ago I lost my father. His health had deteriorated for a number of years, but the last few months things had been improving. And then one morning he couldn’t breathe. By the time my mother called 911 he was gone. After getting the phone call, all time seemed to stop. Nothing mattered. I sat there stunned, wondering why it had to happen now. Why didn’t I have a chance to say goodbye?
There are pivotal moments in everyone’s life. It had become abundantly clear that this was one of those moments. I could only hope that I was the kind of man that my father had aspired me to be. Did I work hard and face my responsibilities? Could I really say that my life had been successful to this point? In the midst of contemplation, came an unobtrusive voice from the radio pronouncing and teaching conservatism.
This voice—calming and reassuring—handed down his daily lesson, giving me the answer. The voice came from the man I’d come to respect and admire. It came from the man that created a family within conservatism. It came from the man that had been educating me for thirteen years. The voice came from Rush Limbaugh, a man that ripped me from the jaws of liberalism and gave me a new, exhilarating and optimistic path in life.
For thirteen years, I watched, listened and read everything Rush Limbaugh created. The more I listened and read the more I began to understand the principles handed down by our Founding Fathers. Rush Limbaugh gave me a tutorial in conservative principles and taught me how to use those principles to acquire knowledge and achieve success.
Prior to Rush Limbaugh’s entry into my life, I had no other contact with conservatism. His daily lessons were invaluable to my maturity and my conservative growth as a man. Rush hadn’t replaced my father, but had opened my eyes to an America I never knew existed. He grounded me in unemployment, capital gains and overall basic macroeconomics.
He instructed me to fight liberalism as found in the Declaration of Independence: “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
He made me laugh on September 16, 1992, when he debuted his television show with a blue dot in front of his face. He made me cry upon the broadcast after the passing of his mother. More importantly, he invited me into his conservative family in 1992 and I have never looked back. He bequeathed to me an education in Constitutional Studies 101 and I have been forever grateful. I can never repay him for his liberating gift. If I were to cut a check tomorrow, there is no amount of money that could reciprocate an equivalent gesture of the gift I received. So, in an excerpt of an essay, January 27, 2004, in response to the outrageous claims of the liberal Florida prosecutor, I wrote:
Make no mistake. Rush Limbaugh is still “The Passion.” He is still the passion of conservatism, the very pulse, bounding through the heart of a thriving nation. He produces life, optimism and a love for America with every broadcast of his show, scoffing at liberalism and giving us his interpretation of conservative truth. His brand of ideology shakes the very foundations of liberalism. He follows in the footsteps of giants, such as George Washington, William F. Buckley Jr., and Ronald Reagan, promoting the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He broadcasts affectionately trying to steer growing government towards the ideals of the Constitution.
He believes that Americans with limited government are better Americans. He believes that Americans shouldn’t murder babies in the womb. He believes that judges shouldn’t legislate from the bench. He believes that tax cuts are good for the economy. And finally, he believes safe Americans living free are the best Americans of all.
Boldly he pronounces the lies of liberalism and asserting daily doses of truth. With resounding conviction, he echoes the sentiments of the Founding Fathers, evoking the wrath of those who oppose him. “The Passion.” His passion forces him to carry the torch of liberty and justice, inflicting backlash, lies, and corruption at his doorstep. The compassionate liberals, those that believe in fair play and equal justice, will do almost anything to berate him.
Mildly he sits and passes on his message, his passion, his views, his legacy. He passes on a legacy of truth, justice, and the conservative American way. He hands his gift down day after day, show after show. He will live as one of the greatest men in conservative history correct 98.5% of the time. There are few men in history that have received the same award as President Ronald Reagan. There are fewer men that could go on day after day under the scrutiny he faces.
And there are only two men that could’ve changed my life for the better. One was my father, the other Rush Limbaugh. These two men have had indelible impacts on my life, granting me a moral and conservative compass that guided me, and continues to guide me through life’s journey.
Rush Limbaugh isn’t just a man behind a “Golden EIB” microphone. He’s an inspiration to America and Americans. He’s an educator of optimism, conservatism and capitalism. He emboldens people from coast to coast, battling the mainstream media bias that exists in our country today.
In Rush’s broadcast, October 7, 2005, he said about William F. Buckley, Jr., “His reputation is there; there’s no question, but the best thing I guess I can say, is he was like a second father to me in the terms of learning and being inspired and wanting to emulate someone in terms of knowing as much as there is to know about something, being conversant in it, being persuasive.”
In those words to William F. Buckley, Jr., Rush Limbaugh epitomized my feelings for him. Had it not been for Rush Limbaugh’s indirect intervention into my life, I might have voted for Bill Clinton in 1992. So, to this day, I still have my mentor and my educator, and I can never thank him enough for pulling me threw one of the darkest hours of my life.
And yes, Rush Limbaugh is still “The Passion.”
Political Satirist Chris Davis is the author of Elective Decisions and In Defense of Liberty, two political thrillers from the Whiskey Creek Press.
Condolences to Chris.
Chagrin for the "compassionate" conservative's current Court choice.
Blessings.
Carolyn
BUMP!
Thanks for the ping.
Make no mistake. Rush Limbaugh is still “The Passion.” He is still the passion of conservatism, the very pulse, bounding through the heart of a thriving nation. He produces life, optimism and a love for America with every broadcast of his show, scoffing at liberalism and giving us his interpretation of conservative truth. His brand of ideology shakes the very foundations of liberalism. He follows in the footsteps of giants, such as George Washington, William F. Buckley Jr., and Ronald Reagan, promoting the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He broadcasts affectionately trying to steer growing government towards the ideals of the Constitution.
It's very difficult to put into words my passion for Rush, but Chris has done it. As long as I have been listening to Rush, every time I turn on the show I find myself marveling at his brilliance, and the energy with which he illuminates the issues. He always finds the nugget of wisdom, the essence of a topic. The one that makes me say "a-ha!."
My condolences to you and your family.
I started listening to Rush locally, before he went national, while I was still in HS. He taught me the greatness of Reagan conservatism and for that I owe him a debt of honor.
Chris, beautiful essay. Deepest condolences on the passing of your father. Cy, thank you so much for the ping. Both of you are among the main reasons I keep coming back to Free Republic.
Great Chris Davis essay on a great man!
Superb Stuff ~ Bump!
Thanks for the ping and post cyborg. My prayers to a good Freeper and my condolences. I'm so sorry.
Thanks for the ping cyborg! Loved this...this is a keeper.
Rush is beautiful and so are you for articulating it so well. Sorry you lost your dad. I lost mine at age 94!!!
When times are hard, it's comforting to hear a positive message from someone you respect, someone who has had both failure and great success in his life (as Rush has, and he makes no bones about that.)
By the way, my uncle, Ed Linn, who was a very successful writer/novelist, and a FReeper, turned me on to Rush, many, many years ago. I remember the conversation very clearly, for some reason. The time, place, etc.
Chris, my sincere condolences for your loss. Nice essay!
(thanks for the ping Cy!)
I remember my own dad (WW2 marine, MSU grad, Army 1st Lt., retired Detroit police Executive Lieutenant) back in the late 60's professing the threat of the commies (HaHaHa, dad is a paranoid wacko!)
Didn't take me long in the army to figure out dad was right.
At least I can say that the one positive aspect I had on his life that was recognized was the fact that I turned him on to Rush and from that day forward dad was a diehard listener be it here in Michigan or when they wintered in Arizona........
Good essay, Chris, thanks.
Thanks for the ping.
Great piece, wonderful tribute. Thanks for the good fight.
My sincere condolences and best wishes to Chris and Family.
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