[quidnunc]

Rush Limbaugh as quoted in Reply 402:

My friends, admit it, all good humor is based in some element of the truth. If we can't laugh at ourselves sometimes, then we can't recognize we're not without faults, and we can't grow.

-snip-

I don't understand this notion that if you're a conservative, you can't criticize the president. I've always said, and I guess some people have a tough time digesting it, that I'm going to remain loyal and devoted to my ideals, not to people.

-snip

Sure, we poked a little fun at Bush in this parody, but it was harmless. It was just a good-natured little thing done with love and affection.…

So with this in mind what's the problem with our criticizing Rush Limbaugh under the same terms.

Is Rush to be held to be immune from the same sort of criticism and approbation which he believes it is his duty to heap upon Dubya?

If so then I say "Doofus, thy name is Limbaugh!".

[unsycophant]

You were making better sense in your earlier comments. FR is not nearly as 'kooky' as it used to be. It's been sanitized (thanks to plenty who share your pov and have been able to influence what is and is not acceptable). You must love it.

Rush is an entertainer, remember? He entertains with commentary, analysis, parody---whatever works on any given day. He's not obligated to toe the party line (although he mostly does) 24/7, and there is no rule that says he can't poke some fun at Bush or any other conservative whether they deserve it, or not.

Also: has it occurred to you that he might be using the absurd to illustrate the absurd(er)? Maybe his idea was to draw conservatives together and compel them to stand behind Bush and the GOP by giving us a dose of what is down the road. Maybe it was a lesson about tactics and thin-skin. It's going to get a lot worse as elections heat up, and when it does, Rush will be one of the first to defend the GOP. He'll go to battle with the radical left like he always does. Meanwhile, we will be busy bitching at each other about how Rush doesn't "get it". If Rush can manipulate us so easily, what's it say about our ability to cope when it's coming from the real enemies of conservatism? (Rush isn't the enemy.)