Trump giving Rush Limbaugh the Medal of Freedom was controversial — and fitting

NBC ^ | Feb. 7, 2020 | Jackson Katz

[artichokegrower]

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.

[artichokegrower]

Limbaugh’s unparalleled popularity owes a great deal to his willingness to say things — especially misogynist, racist and homophobic things —

Rush’s audience is much more diverse than the participants in the Democratic debate

[Sacajaweau]

Limbaugh’s been around for what....30 years?? He didn’t just start when Trump took office.

[albie]

Some have gotten this confused with the Medal of Honor. Not the case

[CottonBall]

Not going to bother to read this - all it does is bash Rush and Trump.

[Sacajaweau]

You’re right...Medal of Honor is strictly Military Personnel.

[windsorknot]

NBC? Just another branch of the Democrat Propaganda Empire.

[conservative98]

Obama giving Bob De Niro the Medal of Freedom was a waste of time — and stupid

[reg45]

What else do you expect from NBC?

[gcparent]

And Ellen G.

[cdcdawg]

Trump doing literally anything is “controversial”. So what?

[LIConFem]

Just another sickening hit piece. Predictable as it is despicable.

[Liberty Valance]

...and out come the long knives of the media. These people have absolutely no idea what makes America great or even an inkling of the history of it’s founding ideals.

[CottonBall]

Or even what is in a book that they have pretended to read.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

brash and boorish persona
white, male cultural centrality
bombastic

Those words and phrases in the opening paragraph tell me all I need to know about the author and his theme.

[Steve_Seattle]

When I think of Limbaugh, "brash" isn't the first word that comes to mind. I haven't listened to his show in quite a while, but what I remember is that he explained and analyzed things, and he was very good at predicting Democratic sloganeering and Democratic behavior. Yes, there was the "feminazi" schtick, but that's no worse than what the left routinely does.

And - speaking of "brash" - wasn't Muhammed Ali one of the most brash personalities we've seen in the last 50-60 years, and wasn't he idolized on the left? Being brash is never viewed as a fault if you're on the left.

[dfwgator]

And - speaking of "brash" - wasn't Muhammed Ali one of the most brash personalities we've seen in the last 50-60 years, and wasn't he idolized on the left? Being brash is never viewed as a fault if you're on the left.

Ali supported Reagan.

[exDemMom]

Rush’s receiving the medal was a wonderful moment. His look of surprise—although he knew he was getting it, he did not know it would be presented at the SOTU—was a pleasure to behold.

This article, however, misses the entire point. This is written by someone whose only knowledge of conservatism is the insulting mantra that all liberals spout and cling to in order to never have to challenge themselves on why they believe what they believe. No point in reading the whole article.

[artichokegrower]

Obama giving the Medal of Freedom posthumously to Harvey Milk. Not good.

[Vaduz]

The left hates Rush because he deals in their greatest fear TRUTH and FACTS they can’t spin that only lie about it.

[Steve_Seattle]

True, Ali was actually more conservative than many believed, but he first became an icon on the left for opposing the Viet Nam War, and that was the image that stuck for many on the left.