If Rush's intent is to get attention, then his addiction to oxycontin (or whatever it's called) was "good" and "constructive" on a par with his declaration that Fluke was a "slut."
And what if Rush's intent is none of the above? Rush has no "intent" or crusade going on - he is presenting his political commentary on the news of day from a purely conservative perspective.
It's clear to me you never heard the original show that sparked this debate, because if you had you would never have presented your absurd "antecdoctal" example.
READ THE POST I was responding to, dear.
Same thing with any politician, left or right, who states that an obese person is a "fat hedonist." An obese person is surely that by definition, as much as a promiscuous woman is a "slut" by definition.
A promiscuous woman can certainly be called a "slut," and the word accurately describes her. An obese person can certainly be called a "fat hedonist," and the term accurately describes that person.
But how smart would it be for you, me, a medical doctor, or ANYONE ELSE to use the term "fat hedonist" to describe an obese person with whom they have a dispute of opinion? About as smart as a political figure like Rush calling a promiscuous woman in the opposing political party a "slut."