Bruce Harrell
Shared with Public
I had been out of the business for over 25 years. In the last couple of years working in radio, I had the dubious honor to sit and listen to the late Mr. Limbaugh to insert local commercials at the proper time. I developed a deep dislike of the man, not because of my being forced to listen to him, but because of his bellicose tone. I have said before and I will say again that I respect the ideals of conservatism as it was. Due to the efforts of Mr. Limbaugh, conservatism has morphed into something quite different than it was a mere quarter of a century ago.
The comments below eloquently lay out the case against the man behind the “Golden EIB Microphone” and those who have followed. Al Mayo is a working journalist. We have almost crossed paths, working for the same people at different locations at different times.
One other word. Despite my dislike for Rush Limbaugh, I do not wish for him or anyone else to have to die as he did.
Al Mayo
I’ve been asked to reflect on the life of Rush Limbaugh, although I’m not sure why exactly. Instead of an immediate knee-jerk reaction, I opted to step back and take my time.
He was a man who eagerly, selfishly and self righteously used hate, vitriol and belittlement in the pursuit of his goals, often synonymous with personal greed and the desire for notoriety and mass adulation.
There are many other true conservatives who have spoken for their beliefs with persistence and quiet intelligence; among them, Bill Kristol, David Brooks, George Will, Gerald Seib. Even more maverick, outspoken branding irons like Bill Buckley, Russell Kirk, John McCain, Jack Kilpatrick, Robert Novak and more marshaled facts and ideas to support their arguments, usually according respect to those in opposition.
Limbaugh had no respect for those with whom he “disagreed.” Simply an overpaid rabble rouser, like Father Coughlan in the thirties. Not a voice of reason, respect or intelligence. This was, after all a man who played party sounds and noisemakers when celebrating the death of LGBTQ Citizens from AIDS.
Limbaugh was, however, a trailblazing broadcaster alright, leading the way for the unholy bunch to follow; O’Reilly, Hanity, Glen Beck, Dobbs, Pirro, Bartiromo, and others. Virtually if not all of these on the Fox dime.
None among this latter group has ever allowed an alternative viewpoint, let alone a provable fact to interfere with their blind support for the former president, even when he knowingly lied (as with the election results) and and they knew it!
Morally bankrupt all.
*****
On the way home from church Sunday morning, I noted that someone had parked his camper at the corner of US 380 and one of the side roads. The camper was emblazoned with the legend, “Lets Go Brandon,” a phrase being used by Trump supporters as a substitute for the phrase, “F*** Joe Biden.” Of course, you already knew that. The phrase is all over the place.
After settling into my Sunday routine, I noted a post, and a response to that post made last year at the occasion of Rush Limbaugh. “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Limbaugh and the rest of the right-wing rabble have made hatred a key element in their political musings. An unfortunate legacy to say the least.
I’m just going to leave these comments here, allowing you, the reader, to draw your own conclusions.
Be Seeing You!
bdharrellauthor 