That doesn't translate to having lost his head.
he's been respectful in that disagreement, and has a right to it
Yes he has been respectful, but still appeasing the kook, knee jerk right who have been running roughshod on the FR threads today.
Rush knows where his bread is buttered(basically from the kook knee jerk right) and is trying to thread the needle, IMO.
"Running roughshod" means "expressing your opinions".