Rush Limbaugh: Sexist or adorable fuzzball?
editor
Last night Barbara Walters interviewed Rush Limbaugh as part of her "10 Most Fascinating People" special, and she could barely contain her animosity towards Rush for that unfortunate Hillary aging comment he infamously made earlier this year, blurting out, "What's with you Rush?" This erm, hard-hitting moment in television journalism was followed closely by, "Who is the real Rush?" to which he responded: "I am a harmless, lovable little fuzzball...I am the most unthreatening, tolerant, lovable guy you could ever meet." Uh huh.
Now, I'll admit it, Rush Limbaugh is not winning any points from me with enthusiastic claims like, "I love Sarah Palin!"--he defended his admiration by saying that she only seemed "uninformed in one interview," and I would LOVE to know which one, out of the many interviews where she proved herself to have less civic knowledge than your average grade schooler, he was referring to-- and alluding to this terribly polarizing, mythical idea that there is a "battle between the elites" and those who are not in this country, uttered from a man who makes more money than millions of Americans. But what has always, and continues to infuriate me about Rush is his blatant disregard for women, despite the fact that he drools over Governor Palin, whom he consistently refers to as a "babe."
There are numerous well-documented examples of Rush's backwards views on women, (and don't even get me started on the various racist remarks he has also made). Remember that time Mr. Limbaugh said that women who protest sexual harassment “actually wish” to be sexually harassed? Cute. Or when he said "women still live longer than men because their lives are easier," and the moment where he stated that New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd comes across as "miserable" and said, "Must be a guy. Isn't it always a guy when a woman's unhappy?" Of course, there's his repeated use of the term "femi-Nazis" on his show, and the fact that he calls the National Organization for Women (NOW) the "National Association of Gals" (his acronym: "NAG") instead. And oh yes, as Barbara mentioned, regarding Hillary Clinton's presidential nomination prospects, he had the audacity to claim to his audience of millions, "Will Americans want to watch a woman get older before their eyes on a daily basis?"
It may be noted here that he has also repeatedly used the phrase "testicle lock box" in association with the senator, ahem.
To be fair, if you look at the context in which Rush was speaking, as he indeed defended himself to Babs when confronted on the issue, he wasn't being as overtly misogynistic as was portrayed:
"I want you to understand that I'm talking about the evolution of American culture here, and not so much Mrs Clinton," Limbaugh had told his audience that fateful day. "It could be anybody, and it's really not very complicated. Americans are addicted to physical perfection, thanks to Hollywood and thanks to television."
That's shamefully true. But given Rush Limbaugh's record of blatant sexism, I find it hard to sympathize. I was, however, taken aback by his claim that he's just a sweet and lovable guy, and a bit tickled at Barbara Walters' subsequent closing with "Rush, you darling fuzzball, say something nice about the next President of the United States." And let me be clear: Personally, I have no problem with conservative commentary. However, I do take issue with prominent radio hosts launching repeated attacks against women. For that, perhaps I'm just another "femi-Nazi."
You weigh in: How do you feel about conservative America's highly successful shock jock? Is he a sweetheart as he claims, or an enemy to the female sex?
See also:
Barbara Walters' 10 most fascinating people
Sex(ism) and Politics: McCain's choice of Sarah Palin
How did you feel about Hillary's concession speech?
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From the Community…
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 2:06pm PST
Report Abuse10 years ago my best friend asked "how can you listen to Rush? He's such a sexists pig" I told her to listen to him for at least 6 weeks then we'll discuss. She's an advid fan to this day. I vote sweetheart!
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 2:35pm PST
Report AbuseHow about the biggest a---- that ever walked the earth. I can't belive what garbage this pig spews.
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 4:10pm PST
Report AbuseRacist,Sexist Person.
He speaks what alot of people think though, so, he is one of the representatives for the lowest common denominator.
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 4:29pm PST
Report Abusei agree with stefooch...i'm a rush baby (been listening since i was little-now i'm 24) and love tuning in wherever i am!!!
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 4:38pm PST
Report AbuseI agree that he spews sexist (and racist) material. He is so incredibly ignorant. Seriously, women want to be sexually harassed? That is one of the most ridiculous things I have EVER heard. Any time a woman speaks out about inequality, she is automatically assumed to be some male-hating horrible person by Rush. Just because I want to be treated as equally competent as men doesn't mean I hate men (I love many men). I dislike sexist people, like Rush, but it has little to do with his gender but rather his ignorance. I hate that people even pay attention to that guy. Lovable and tolerant? NO WAY!
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 4:44pm PST
Report AbusePUKE! Adorable fuzzball? Are you kidding me? He must have meant that sarcastically. I don't know how anyone can stand to listen to him.
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 5:30pm PST
Report AbuseThe ignorance in some of these comments is astounding but not surprising. I am willing to bet my house (paid off in full) that most of the ignoramuses above who claim Rush to be a sexist, bigot, racist or homophobe HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO HIS SHOW. They take their info from the left-wing spew machine such as Colbert, Leibowitz (Stewart) and who's the other jackass....Huffington. Get a clue people, the only way you can cast a credible critique is to tune in and give up your closed-mindedness. Until then, we will just laugh at you as examples of a "colossal, glittering jewel of ignorance".
And don't give us the overly offended attitude, if you had a clue you would know that most of the time, Rush is being sarcastic. Sarcasm is the best approach when dealing with leftists. I use the same approach at The Meat and Potatoes Blog.
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 6:17pm PST
Report AbuseThanks for filling us in Meat and Potatoes (sarcasm).
Yes, I have been unfortunate enough to actually have listened to Rush, I do understand the concept of sarcasm, and I am intelligent (I am getting a PhD and all), all of which mean that I do not like him. It seems like you equally hate people of the "left-wing spew machine" and having to deal with leftists. That's fine. People on both sides of issues that spew rhetoric rather than a thoughtful analysis of evidence seem rather stupid to me. Although maybe Rush can't think straight being doped-up on those pain killers and all...
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 6:22pm PST
Report AbuseI fail to see why Rush was included on her list of fascinating people. In fact, I found many of her choices uninspired and old news(Tom Cruise, Sarah Palin, the pregnant guy). Rush is an opportunist who prays on people's fears using racist, sexist and inflammatory commentary. When people of the stature of Barbara Walters interview him, it t legitimizes his ignorance and he is undeserving of such limelight.
I am starting to quesiton Walters' judgement these days; she may be past her prime. Her comments in her book about her affair were tabloid like and her catty comments about Star Jones and Rosie O'Donnell seem beneath her. But then again she did hire Elizabeth Hasselbeck. So maybe I have been giving her more credit these past years than she really deserved.
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Posted by Fri Dec 5, 2008 6:36pm PST
Report AbuseI personally don't listen to him or any talk radio, but the few things I hear about him amuse me, very entertaining and people isn't that why we listen to the radio anyways. This is a great Country and we want to keep it that way. I think I'll start listening to him. He is like a little round fur ball. GO RUSH
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