The Curious Case of Rush Limbaugh

I should likely make clear my affiliation. At the nascent stages of my political education, there were two people – William F. Buckley, Jr. and Rush Limbaugh. There are likely not too more different conservatives on the planet. One defines the intellectual, erudite and learned scholar of the political philosophy and the other defines the rather cartoon nature of radio and television entertainment. One spoke upon reflection and the other upon impulse. One’s objections were voiced in algonquinian verbiage and context while the other revels in the baseness and shoot-from-the-hip style that has earned him the reputation as one of the greatest radio broadcasters of all time. Yet, while the first of my mentors did not guarantee preciseness and economy of thought, the latter did not and has not guaranteed politeness and respect.

I understand what Mr. Limbaugh was trying to say. Unfortunately, that is not the point. The Democrats are really playing it up to mask their attack on the freedom of religion. That will keep the story going for a while. The 30-year-old woman seeking contraceptives from a private Catholic university that clearly does not agree with the practice has been turned into a small, frightened little girl, shocked and dismayed at the controversy and the vileness directed towards her. She is portrayed as an innocent who had no idea why her simple request of paid-for birth control would cause such a furor.

I get that the language towards her by Mr. Limbaugh was extreme. I’m a little confused at the people expressing outrage. Are these the same people who have heard conservative women called much worse yet expressed no outrage, barely even a peep of disagreement? Some writers have expressed and detailed the many cases of women like Michelle Malkin, Sarah Palin and others labeled in equal (or worse) ways. The recent death of 43-year-old Andrew Breitbart engendered a Rolling Stone piece by Matt Taibbi entitled, “Death of a Douche.” There was not much outraged there either though the conservative fire-brand left behind a wife and four small children who have to hear the pile-on and hateful rhetoric. No matter one’s opinion of him, I think we can all agree that the attacks are a bit beyond the pale.

I don’t mind people criticizing Mr. Limbaugh. He has it coming. However, it is the source of the criticism and the characterization of a patron saint of Planned Parenthood that dismays and confounds. Perhaps, at some point in the future, we will have the chance to view this without the hysterics and the hyperbole. Perhaps not.