Posted on 02/07/2020 6:33:27 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
When President Donald Trump bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on ailing right-wing, talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh at the State of the Union, it wasn’t just a feel-good moment for his conservative base. It was also a gesture of thanks to a (fellow) media personality who helped set the stage for Trump’s astonishing political success. Limbaugh’s brash and boorish persona, and his belief that white, male cultural centrality is, to quote the title of Limbaugh's first book, “the way things ought to be," paved the way for the political rise of the bombastic media performer currently sitting in the Oval Office.
In fact, Limbaugh’s entire career can be seen as an extended prelude to Trump’s climb to the pinnacle of power. Limbaugh was initially skeptical of Trump’s candidacy in 2015. But when he saw the electricity and excitement of Trump’s rallies, Limbaugh quickly climbed on board. No wonder: The radio personality saw something very familiar in the way Trump connected with supporters. In 2016, then-presumptive Republican nominee Trump vociferously attacked Hillary Clinton, earning a knowing wink from Limbaugh. “Trump can say this as an outsider,” the radio host said.
What Trump's and Limbaugh's rhetorical appeals have in common is the way they identify and target specific enemies that (allegedly) are making it harder for blue collar Americans to prosper. It’s much easier to direct people’s anger downward (or sideways) than it is to describe and try to address systemic problems like the impersonal forces of global capitalism. It’s much easier to bash Democrats or Mexicans than it is to critique decades of conservative economic and social policy.
Convince enough people that you’re truly on their side, and you can end up president — or with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
JACKSON KATZ, PH.D., is internationally renowned for his pioneering scholarship and activism on issues of gender, race and violence. He has long been a major figure and thought leader in the growing global movement of men working to promote gender equality and prevent gender violence.
It’s only controversial to leftards who do not grasp the fact that there are people who do not “think” as they do.
Controversial to whom?
William F. Buckley — ‘Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.’.....................
Trump ...... doing anything............ was controversial — and .........impeachable.
“...critique decades of conservative economic and social policy...”
“...problems like the impersonal forces of global capitalism...”
In other words, Katz is a communist bastard...
Past Presidents have given this medal to many celebrities.
None of ‘em stormed the beaches at Normandy.
Translation: He’s gay.
NEVER heard of the guy. His “scholarship” is simply swimming with the tide and being a bit better at it than bunch of other fake intellectuals. Rush swam against the tide every day for over 30 years and educated a generation of patriotic Americans.
RUSH deserved it, glad he received it.
If you want “controversial” awards - take a look at the Kennedy Center honorees.
I thought it was great that he had it done in the chamber of Congress so the entire country would see it and it would not be covered up by the media who is now complaining about it.
What a snarky piece. Perhaps if these leftist folks would escape from their tiny bubble of ‘elitist friends’, and venture out into the rest of the country, they would better understand what has happened to this country, and why Donald Trump was elected POTUS.
They all loved Trump before he beat Hillary...it is as simple as that
Mar-a-Lago: Inside the Gates of Power at Donald Trump’s Presidential Palace
n Mar-A-Lago, the reader will learn:
* How Donald Trump bought a property now valued by some at as much as $500,000,000 for less than three thousand dollars of his own money.
* Why Trump was blackballed by the WASP grandees of the island and how he got his revenge.
* How Trump joined forces with the National Enquirer, which was headquartered nearby, and engineered his own divorce.
* How by turning Mar-A-Lago into a private club, Trump was the unlikely man to integrate Palm Beach’s restricted country club scene, and what his real motives were.
* What transpires behind the gates of today’s Mar-A-Lago during “the season,” when President Trump and assorted D.C. power players fly down each weekend.
In addition to copious interviews and reporting from inside Mar-A-Lago, Laurence Leamer brings an acute and unparalleled understanding of the society of Palm Beach, where he has lived for twenty-five years. He has written an essential book for understanding Donald Trump’s inner character
It’s amazing that after all these years people still don’t understand either Rush or Trump and thus are left to resort to lies about them in an effort to defeat or slow them down.
Their studied ignorance is good news for patriotic Americans though.
Robert Redrord got one. The hero of...nothing.
*LOL*
Another hate-filled snowflake. So boring.
Google these awards and check out the airhead actors (but I repeat myself) that have received it.
Rush outthinks these cretins with 99+% of his brain tied behind his back.
Controversial for Rush to receive it?
My Obamahole.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.