Why Did Rush Limbaugh Do It? The Michael J. Fox Incident Will Haunt Him
Rush Limbaugh is a broadcast pioneer. He basically put conservative talk radio on the map. He has millions of listeners. Basically though there is a problem: If you disagree with him, you are dead meat. Rush has only one point of view and rarely entertains another. But sometimes even avid fans know when the King of Spin goes too far. This week he had such a day.
His attack on Michael J. Fox after Fox released commercials supporting candidates who favored stem cell research was as ugly as it gets, a growing sign that we live in a country where tolerance can be an ugly word.
Fox, who has Parkinson’s disease, recorded these commercials for individual candidates. Limbaugh was unhappy with the commercials In his broadcast, he said, :He is exaggerating the effects of the disease…he’s moving all around and shaking and it’s purely an act. . . . this is really shameless of Michael J. Fox…either he didn’t take his medication or he’s acting.”
Later in the day Limbaugh apologized. But the uproar over his remarks was a thunderous reaction of disgust that a man of his influence could be so callous and mean spirited.
I want to jump on that bandwagon with no regrets.
This reporter has been involved with the plight of the disabled for a long time. I have been on the board the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for 35 years. My mother had MS. Multiiple Sclerosis clients often have balance problems, among many other challenges. At times they are victims of some of the most vicious personal attacks, especially when they walk without steadiness and are often labeled as intoxicated, when they are just trying to make their way from one point to another. Parkinson’s patients have different challenges that are difficult to live with.
Many Americans still have a hard time understanding people with disabilities, but yet more and more are showing compassion.
Limbaugh, who has had an addiction problem, should know what it is like to have your own personal nightmare. The fact that he attacked a man like Michael J. Fox who is not afraid to fight for what he believes, is something he should regret.
People with microphones can affect the views of many others. That is the sad part of this story.
When fighting for your own political agenda is more important than exercising control, something is dangerously wrong.
The FCC has a war against indecency. What Rush Limbaugh did was not only indecent; it was a disgrace to the industry he represents.
Comments(3)
Limbaugh did not use common sense,or use good journalistic skills in his argument.On the other hand I do agree wih free speach. It may be more pertenant to find out how his listeners reacted to his opinion,and how many listeners he has. When people are outraged they can change the channel and inform the station of there disapproval.A loss of ratings I assume would mean a loss of air time.His listeners should be able to differenciate between reality and nonsence.If they cannot do this then we have a more serious problem than R. Limbaugh.
Let’s hope the listeners can figure it out.
I say shame on Rush Limbaugh. Larry, you are right when you say that he should know better after he went into treatment for perscription pain killers. Even if he felt the need to make the accusation against Michael J. Fox for faking his symptoms during the commercial, he didn’t need to imitate him and make a joke out of it.