Limbaugh's school of hard knocks for other guys

Palm Beach Post ^ | Sunday, May 9, 2004 | Frank Cerabino

[KneelBeforeZod]

me and some friends went to a "Rush Room" back in 93 or something. when he still was cool. now he is just a shill

guess he didn't see the rest of the photos, which mexican tv channels have been showing

[Torie]

Sure except that while presumably Kerry thinks he is fit for higher office, I think he is unfit for lower office, and thus a fortiori, unfit for his current office, much less higher office. I am sure I have made it all clear. :)

[A Jovial Cad]

Destro, you make an excellent point--for the 18th century. Hell, I admire Alexander Hamilton so much that I named one of my sons after him. I, too, often wish we could go back to that fine time, without all the grubbiness of the leftist rabble to deal with. But we live in 2004. Would you rather Al Franken, instead of Rush, dominate the airwaves in modern America? As Lincoln once famously said: "we must work with the tools available to us."
This is the hand our generation has been dealt--I'll take Rush over Franken (or any other similar filthy liberal) any day of the week dominating our airwaves. And ask for seconds[mixing Metaphors, sorry]. Plain and simple.

[Destro]

Our founding fathers would have been appalled at political talk radio - letting the mob voice an opinion without reasoned debate and discussion.

They signed on to an amendment guaranteeing that very thing.

Yup. And would have viewed as rabble rousers men like Rush to be kept at arms length from teh political process. I am sure George Washington - who warned us against partisan politics - would have shunned him.

Rush's demagoguery (which I enjoy) has more in common with the democratic traditions of Athens then the republican ideals of our Fathers.

[A Jovial Cad]

*Did you mean to say "in total," or "pro tanto?" Inquiring minds want to know*

Ha, ha. What I *meant* to say is *In Vino Veritas*. Latin conjugations were always my strong suit, but English is *still* my first language.

[John Lenin]

Face it, Rush has a personality that just offends some people no matter what political party they belong to. If you don't like people who talk about their success you probably won't like Rush. I let it go in one ear and out the other but still get something out of his shows. If nothing else it is nice to hear a media person who isn't so liberal. Before FOX there were no alternatives to liberal programming.

[Destro]

The only reason Rush dominates the airwaves over Franken - as my marketing professor once ecplained - is that the Rush types mic it up and take opinions that are designed to piss people off - either at something or at the DJ. Liberals can't piss people off - they feel bad about it.

Rush is there not to prove a point through discourse but to get people pissed off enough to listen.

I is probably true that more liberals listen to Rush then conservatives.

Ever see the movie Howard Stern's Private Parts? In it the radio guy asks about the ratings - thinking that Howard pissing people off turns off viewers - it turned out that those that hated Stern listened longer - why? because they wanted to hear what he had to say next.

It is all a gimmick and I am suprised we are all getting hot and bothered over a radio show. Like arguing which circus clown is funnier.

[John Lenin]

The founding fathers made sure that voices like Rush's couldn't be stopped. What's your point ?

[Destro]

See #224 - I did not say they would have banned him and you aretaking my coversation with another out of context in our discussion of political tracts of the 18th century and talk radio of today. When was the last time you had a discussion on political tracts from the 18th century?

[John Lenin]

You don't like him, don't listen, but don't come in here and inusult everyone that does listen to him. Grow a brain dude.

[A Jovial Cad]

Hardly "laughable"--but go right on slamming "talk radio" and Rush and all the rest. The only people smiling are people whom Hamilton would've absolutely detested. Roll Call? Why I'm just delighted to be of service!
What would the Founder's have thought of 1. Hillary 2. Kerry 3. Teddy Kennedy 4. Tom Daschle 5. Pete Stark 6. Barbara Boxer 7. Nancy Pelosi 8. James Carville--*should I go on*?-9. Al Franken. 10....
You get the point, I hope. You're making the classic "the perfect must be the enemy of the good" argument here (just thought I'd throw in the observation that I'm *really* on your side here, if you'd stop and think about it, at the end of the day, BTW).

[Ken H]

Yup. And would have viewed as rabble rousers men like Rush to be kept at arms length from teh political process. I am sure George Washington - who warned us against partisan politics - would have shunned him.

That's pretty much true of leaders today. Cheney occasionally comes on for a brief interview, but by and large it's Rush and his listeners.

Rush's demagoguery (which I enjoy) has more in common with the democratic traditions of Athens then the republican ideals of our Fathers.

He is a pretty good defender of the Constitution, especially the First and Second Amendments.

[KneelBeforeZod]

speaking of people who talk about their own success. Did you ever hear Ken Hamblin. Not only did he talk about his success, he was always talking about people who didn't like him talking about his success. I did like listening to him though.

then he held out for more money...and that was that. Guess he has more time to fly his plane and take his boat out.

[Destro]

What is wrong with both of you? I listen to Rush. I like Rush-I also listen and like Howard Stern.

What I slam is the notion that Rush is important. He is just an entertainer. In other word s the only true listener of Rush is he who thinks Rush is qualified to be president?

Rush is brilliant in one area I must say - analysis of the media and media spin - on that topic I think Rush is on par with expert analysts.

[John Lenin]

After what you have said about him you embarrass yourself by admitting you listen to him. You know how many times I have listened to Al Franken ? Zero !

[Destro]

I am talking about style of discourse - not questioning Rush's rights - just resemblence of style.

[John Lenin]

Bill O'Reilley is on at the same time, listen to him. Talk about a blowhard.

[Destro]

So you prove my point for me. Liberals are boring because they don't piss people off. Rush is fun because he gets you going one way or the other. Rush is fun - not informative.

[A Jovial Cad]

Look, we're arguing over the philosophical equivalent of *how many angels can dance on the head of pin?* at this point. I'd wager that you and I, Destro, probably would agree on 99.9% of every issue that's ever faced humanity, period. Don't know that for sure, but anyone who admires Alexander Hamilton is certainly on to something, in my book. On this one minor point, let's call it even, and a night. Agreed?

[John Lenin]

I listen to Rush because a lot of times he has the inside story on things and 95% of the time I agree with what he is saying. The fact that he is also entertaining doesn't hurt.