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Saturday
March 2010
13
Community Blogs
LIMBAUGH-ROBERTSON INDICATES?
Both right-wing evangelist Pat Robertson and equally right-wing radio squawker Rush Limbaugh have openly shared their similar opinion about the earthquake that ravaged Haiti. They both have been critical of the people of Haiti and in a real sense blame the people of that long-suffering nation themselves for much of their misery. Pat Robertson, receiving a backlash from the general American public, has tried to gloss over his insensitive statements, but remains critical of Haitians for their "deal with the devil," a total distortion of historical facts. Rush Limbaugh is proudly holding fast to his boasting and insensitivity.
These political bed partners share more than just their inhuman reaction to a catastrophe of monumental proportions. They are prototypes of the crude, cruel, inhuman, and unholy alliance that has been formed between the political right-wing and the fundamental religious pentecostals. Each group was out of power, on the fringe of American political and religious society. They parlayed their out-of-the-mainstream rants into a force to be reckoned with. In fact, they helped in forming a coalition of those two fringe groups and took control of the Republican Party. Not long ago, even the staunchest right-winger would have been embarrassed to be identified with either Limbaugh or Robertson. Today, their power-grab in American conservative politics has elevated them to center court.
Sure, Robertson's influence has waned since he ran for President of the United States on a right-wing ticket. Sure, his amazing charges and opinions have rendered him a somewhat old and out of touch hack. He has, for example, charged that the CIA should be used to "take out" the democratically-elected leader of Venezuela. That alone should have uncovered him as a wacko with no credibility. But he survives and still has quite a television ministry. And his ilk still holds power in the right wing of American politics.
Limbaugh, on the other hand, has used a different medium, radio, to garner a large following as he increases the craziness of the right-wing to new heights. His rants are never wacky enough to shake his ardent followers. Not even being caught at the Mexican border with illegal drugs lost him any of his legions. Limbaugh has a voice in both the Republican Party and the right-wing, and he struts it regularly.
As the craziness has grown, the rich tradition of conservative leadership has been turned on its head. Captured by this growing extremism, this power is growing, growing ominously. This is not the conservative party of Robert Taft or William F. Buckley. Those two gentlemen would find it an abomination if they were alive to watch this trashing of American politics.
The Democratic Party has chosen to react with too much of their own chicanery. In need of big money to run their political campaigns, Democrats have succumbed to some of the same craziness. Lacking moral and ethical backbone, Democrats have joined, rather than fought, the extreme right-wing game plans.
The result is that the two parties do not communicate with each other as conservatives and liberals did in the past. They see each other as enemies, void of any compromising value. They compete for too much of the same "protection money" of the extreme Mafia-like kingpins. They do their talking in private enclaves, in private rooms, away from scrutiny.
So, Limbaugh and Robertson, two wild and crazy guys, get way more attention than their immoral positions deserve. And you and I, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, are forced to play our insignificant roles and try to remain faithful to some legitimate ideology we used to call American politics. Those days are over. We are in a new place, and it continues to look more and more like a moral sewer every single day. Watch Robertson, listen to Limbaugh, the stench is overwhelming.
As usual, this blog puts things into historical perspective.
Always a pleasure to read, always informative.
The fact is, Jester, Limbaugh and Robertson are simply entertainers. Americans are smart enough to know that turning off the radio and television will throttle their revenue stream. Your problem is that Americans choose to be entertained by them and perhaps, get a different perspective than the more established media outlets. To you, they are a threat. To others, they provide a valuable service.
The moral sewer pipe you discribe is more a result of what comes out of Washington D.C. and Hollywood, then the EIB and the 700 Club.
Remaining faithful to American politics.... absurd.
Oh my Lester, your humanity is overwhelming. You are absolutely right about Robertson. He, obviously, screwed up big time with his comment and will and has suffered for it. Justice served. However, I believe your jealousy of Rush and the Democrat jealousy of Rush is evident on a daily basis. Yes, he is the spokesman for the conservatives in this country, which, I might add, are larger in numbers than the liberal class. Rush is 5 years ahead of the Democrats and that is why they hate him. It is unfortunate that the Democrats haven't heeded his advice. Had they, they wouldn't be in the dire situation they are in today. Oh yes, and Rush has probably contributed more cash to Haiti relief than any person in your entourage of liberal friends. He makes a lot of money and he spends on humanitarian efforts yearly, so please don't try to deminimize the man who is outspoken, yes, an entertainer, yes but one who brings to light the disgust and corruption of politics. And he does it to both sides but obviously concentrates on the Progressives. My opinion has been expressed as has yours. Now, I wait patiently for the hate and bigot comments rather than rational opinion.
I might add, the only "trashing" of American politics is taking place with this corrupt administration. Face it and admit it. How America survives this fiasco is anyone's guess but it isn't going to be pretty.
No demeaning comments as Forgotten Man and Gordy level above. Rising above the attacks, may I ask you why not a word about smuggling drugs by Rush.? No word about his being tossed out of K.C. for absurd actions.? No actual reference about his generous contributions to Haiti, even poor people are scraping to do that. Entertainment? To demean people who have just suffered a horrible tragedy...to call for the U.S. govt. to "take out" a democratically elected leader of a nation because one does not agree with him? No words from you two guys about that. Hmmm. I wonder why.
well, just read the stuff Gordy and Forgotten Man write.
Their views are clear. Judge them for yourself.
Meanwhile, thank you, Mr. Schultz for your historical perspective and your laveling charges against both the Dems and GOP.
Entertaining? Oh yes, disparaging remarks about poor people who just experienced a devastating earthquake sure is entertaining. Calling for the U.S. govt. to kill the elected leader of a nation is very entertaining. Saying before he was in office for one day that he hopes the President of the U.S. fails...how entertaining.
Finding Limbaugh's craziness in the words of elected U.S. Senators and Congresspersons verbatim is amazingly entertaining...I guess it is beside the point that his words are loaded with lies and distortions.
With that kind of "entertainment," I'd like to hear Limbaugh's and Robertson's take on the Holocaust or concentration camps. That would be very entertaining for Gordy and Forgotten Man, I guess.
Mr. Schultz, your blog fortunately cuts through all this inhuman insanity...AND WE KNOW IT!
Well, at least we got opinion! Thank you!
How selective you are, Gordy, in your comments. Nothing about Limbaugh's being charged with "pharmaceutical fraud" [which he agreed to the charges] for smuggling drugs from Mexico. A perfect word is "fraud" for Limbaugh. Now come up with your response to this particularly instead of trying to diffuse everything with lies and distortions. Pray for the people of Haiti, not criticize them as Limbaugh does
You are wasting your time debating the relative "merits" of Rush Limbaugh and/or Pat Robertson. Anybody who does not clearly recognize the low-lifes, liars, cheats, and frauds that they are, will never be convinced that the world is round or that the earth is not the center of the universe.
Lies and distortions? Explain please! Rush and drugs, no doubt. Like many in the public arena, he did use them for his pain and has kicked it. It doesn't excuse his actions but as he has kicked the problem he becomes more of a man than most who don't. And believe me, there are plenty of those. Let's not forget that the American government has spent millions in Haiti to assist their growth. That was under Clinton and I call that a good thing. Problem with it, as in many countries, is that the money doesn't trickle down to the people. As usual, America and American people will do more than any other nation in the world. Oh, that's right, Hugo Chavez sent ONE airplane with supplies. We will be there a long time and our petty discussion of Rush Limbaugh will get you nowhere. He is a winner while you people resent his money and eye opening political coverage. He doesn't get a $400 million contract for 5 years for nothing. Steven, you are so right. It is a waste of time trying to add rational thought to irrational people. All of you should be proud of the liberal saying (if you are liberal) "A liberal is one who will give away money that he doesn't own." Boy, thus bunch is getting an A+ for that.
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