Disrupting Democracy: Rush Limbaugh Really Is a "Big Fat Idiot"
When comedian Al Franken wrote the book "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations" in 1996, he may have been half jesting. Maybe...
In 2008, though, my guess is that Mr. Franken, who is challenging Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) in November for his U.S. Senate seat, and most other Democrats (all?) would have no problem asserting their views that Rush Limbaugh really IS a "big, fat idiot" who disrespects American democracy and American voters.
Per the ABC News affiliate in Denver on Thursday, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh "made comments calling for riots in Denver during the Democratic National Convention this summer." Reports ABC7News:
"He said the riots would ensure a Democrat is not elected as president, and his listeners have a responsibility to make sure it happens." 'Riots in Denver, the Democrat Convention would see to it that we don't elect Democrats,' Limbaugh said during Wednesday's radio broadcast. He then went on to say that's the best thing that could happen to the country...
"Several callers called in to the radio show to denounce Limbaugh's comments, when he later stated, 'I am not inspiring or inciting riots, I am dreaming of riots in Denver.' "
And here's the scariest part: On the Denver station's website is a poll asking "Do you think Rush Limbaugh crossed the line when he hoped for riots during Denver's DNC convention?" Of 5,274 responses, 63% (3,613 votes) voted NO!
Just two days ago, I received an email from one of Limbaugh's Operation Chaos minions, ranting and raving:
"After reading your After Pennsylvania: What's Next for Hillary Clinton? article, I have a simple question. What happened to the Democrat mantra 'count every vote' we heard ad nauseam in 2000? You can only guess how the voters in the remaining states will vote in the Democrat primary yet you seem to be demanding Hillary quit before their votes are counted...." Every vote should be counted and you should be ashamed of yourself for advocating that those voters be disenfranchised in the remaining states. Have you no shame madam? Their votes must be counted!"
Operation Chaos is Limbaugh's smarmy, and apparently successful, effort to goad his supporters into disrupting state Democratic primaries through various means. Their best known tactic is to urge Republicans to reregister as Democrats and vote for Hillary Clinton... as they regard her as more easily defeatable than Barack Obama. And because it prolongs the chaos of the Democratic race.
I admit... Democrats often don't know how to fight such unimaginably despicable dirty tricks. We're left speechless and actionless, unable to grasp that people would ever believe such obvious lies and garbage. (Remember John Kerry and the conscienceless Swiftboaters?)
I deeply believe (and pray) that Americans know better this time, though. I fervently believe that Americans are thoroughly disgusted by the lies, cruelties and distortions, by the shamelessness and complete moral bankruptcy, of the Rush Limbaughs and Ann Coulters and their bullying ilk.
How do I know that? For one, by Limbaugh's own undisguised, unmitigated fear of Democratic party success in 2008!
It's all such a shame. Once upon a time, Republican voters actually listened and looked up to thinkers and leaders of great substance... the late William F. Buckley, Jr. to name one.
Today, they're reduced to being goaded into disrupting democracy by someone who is undeniably a "big fat idiot," to quote the future Sen. Al Franken.
Related Reading
Profile of Al Franken, Comedian and 2008 Senate Candidate
Comments
What a scuzzball. To quote the senator from the McCarthy hearings: Has he no decency?
“Once upon a time, Republican voters actually listened and looked up to thinkers and leaders of great substance…”
Hugh Hewitt is a very smart conservative intellectual.
He’s also a big fat drug addict. Apparently, when Limbaugh said that drug addicts should be put in jail, he meant poor black crackheads, not rich white prescription drug abusers. Yes, he got help, but only after he got caught.
Rush’s “Operation Chaos” backfired in Texas. Apparently, a lot of his followers like to blow hot air, but never backed it up by voting. They were in for a rude awakening when they found out that by voting in the Democratic primary, they became ineligible to vote in the Republican run-offs. Oops!!! And because of that, it looks like some very moderate Republicans will be running, rather than the more conservative opponents who couldn’t drum up enough votes in the run-offs, since their core voters had disqualified themselves by participating in Rush’s little stunt. Priceless!
I fully agree with the “minion” who said that every vote must be counted. Whether you like Hillary or not, the issue is one of fairness, not of who you would prefer to have in the White House. As a life-long Democrat, I proudly voted for Hillary, and I proudly stand by her decision not to concede defeat until the final vote was tallied. That is what democracy is all about.