BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot

Subject: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST,Carol
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 12:57 AM

I got the book by Al Franken "Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot" for Christmas and would like to recommend it to every one!It is great!
next one he writes should be called "So is Bush", except change "fat, and insert "stupid"

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Mudlark
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 01:10 AM

Carol...I had a hard time containing myself, laughing hysterically while reading that book in the library. Franken is a very funny (and apt) writer. It's a book that should be put in the hand of every dittohead!

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Peg
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 01:30 AM

This Week with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts had Al Franken as a guest commentator last Sunday! So funny to see George Will squirm at all the frank humor but you could tell they all loved having him there...

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Troll
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 03:29 AM

He'll need to change the title. Rush has been on a diet since he got married and has lost a lot of weight.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Willie-O
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 06:13 AM

Being a big fat idiot is a state of mind.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: gnu
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 07:10 AM

Al's got a new one out but I can't remember the name.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: CarolC
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 11:43 AM

I have to agree, it's a very funny book. Franken was the first person who was able (with that book) to throw a little "entertainment" back at Limbaugh without being made into mincemeat in the public eye by Limbaugh afterwards.

Limbaugh seemed to occupy a much less prominent position in the public eye after that book came out as well. Thank you Al Franken.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 12:01 PM

CarolC, I don't know that I'd agree that Franken's book, good as it is (I loved it) is what ended Limbaugh's dominance. I think the rise of loudmouth, shrill sycophants of Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC had more to do with it.

But that aside, it is a good book. I also really enjoyed Michael Moore's "Stupid White Men" as part of my 2002 reading along these lines. Bizarrely enough, "Stupid White Men" is now in it's 9th month on the NYT bestseller list, and according to Moore's website, was the largest selling non-fiction book in 2002. His documentary "Bowling for Columbine" (which made my top 10 film list for 2002) is the most popular documentary ever released in the US, won the Cannes Film Festival award, etc etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Amos
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 12:21 PM

Add "The Bush Dyslexicon" to your inventory -- although it is chilling it is also very funny. Mark Crispin Miller updated it after the September 11th catastrophe.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 12:43 PM

Al Franken actually takes credit for Limbaugh's weight loss, noting that he lost weight only after Franken wrote the book. The cheap, physical appearance-based attack in the books title was, by the way, Franken's response to Limbaugh's attack on a young Chelsea Clinton, whom he called a "dog."

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: DougR
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 12:46 PM

Peg: I was under the impression that both Cokey and Sam left that show weeks ago. Are you referring to the show hosted by George how do you spell his last name? If so, I guess we saw the show through different eyes. I thought Franken made an ass of himself (just my opinion of course).

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 01:01 PM

Stephanapoulus.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Peg
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 05:07 PM

I had not watched the show in several weeks; I assumed George was just filling in for them. of course, the show used to be hosted by David Brinkley.

and of COURSE you thought Franken made an ass of himself, Doug; how could you say otherwise? I happen to disagree; he is one of the smartest political commentators out there.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 05:42 PM

I thought Franken looked woefully unprepared. He was in way over his head and he looked like a comedian (which he is) trying to make his jokes look like smart political commentary (which he was and at which he failed.)
Ugh. I think they learned a lesson. They might as well have had Alec Baldwin and Barbra Streisand on to comment.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: mack/misophist
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 11:29 PM

Fat people are stronger, more intelligent, and sexier than the average. Rush Limbaugh is an exception.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: gnu
Date: 05 Jan 03 - 07:12 AM

Forgive my ignorance, but to what office/district was Al elected ? Congress ?

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Suffet
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 06:49 AM

There are lots of good reasons for attacking Rush Limbaugh, but his size should not be among them. Also, calling Rush Limbaugh an idiot is offensive to real idiots.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 06:57 AM

How do they know to be offended ?

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Kim C
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 10:47 AM

How would any of you like being called a big fat idiot? Just curious.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 11:00 AM

I'd accept it. It would be accurate. I've been called a f**king obese tosspot before now, and plenty more.

You get used to it, most of it is true anyway

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Nerd
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 11:29 AM

What infuriates me about Rush Limbaugh is not that he is an idiot; in fact, I doubt if he is really an idiot at all. He is, rather, willfully uninformed and downright dishonest. He doesn't say outrageously distorted things about the state of the environment or the character of politicians because he doesn't know better, he does it on purpose to mislead people, bolster his morally bankrupt politics, and (most importantly) make himself a lot of money. That said, Al Franken's book is hilarious. I especially like the full title, which is

Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot, and other observations.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST,A. Nonnie-nonnie
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 12:40 PM

I get the very strong impression that almost NOBODY here has listened to much of Rush (other than Doug) because if you did you'd know that he NEVER states obvious untruths. That simply isn't an effective style anymore. His modus O. has been to shine a microscope on the misdeeds of liberals and democrats, while quickly excusing and dismissing the bad deeds of his own guys and gals. he seeks out conservative black talk show hosts to sub for him when he's on vacation, hence giving the impression that he was probably all for having a "Martin Luther King" day, and when one of his guys is really up the spout (like Trent Lott) he simply never mentions them again. Do you remember the last time he mentioned Newt Gingrich? No, I'm afraid Rush's appeal is not based on lies, but 'half-truths', and if you can master that skill you can go a long way.

A. Nonnie-nonnie

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 01:23 PM

I'm listening to him RIGHT NOW!

As I do whenever I can, as well as to subscribe to "The Limbaugh Letter".

Don't be so sure that he gives Pres. GWB. or other Republican Politicians a complete pass when they roam astray; he's ripped the Adminsitration a new one on several occasions (and taken a lot of flak from loyal Listeners for it) over, among other things, passing the "Campaign Finance Reform" debacle and caving in on the Conservative agenda advanced during the Presidential Campaign.

Rush is in NOOOObody's pocket, folks.

Having said that, I feel that he occasionally goes a little overboard with his shtick, like the "Environmental Whackko Update Theme Song" with him laughing over the sounds of chain saws and trees crashing down, or the music to "Born Free" mixed with gunfire and fake screeching. He regularly states how preposterous it is for "the Left" to express the idea that all Conservatives / Republicans actually WANT to destroy the Environment, pollute the air & water, or poison our Children. I don't know any who do either; but I wonder if his extreme satire in this issue might not give some people the wrong impression.
Some people take Rush way too seriously, and get all offended; he seems to just love it when they do.

I certainly don't agree with him all of the time, nor does he expect us to - but I have found over the course of several years that information is available on his program which may take weeks or months to seep through the "Mainstream" Media, and is generally reliable.

One technique Rush uses quite effectively is humor; he has a way of cracking you up while he's making a point. This, I opine, is one area that the "Left" would do well to examine, as every time I see one of the left's spokespeople on the media - Al Sharpton, Tom Daschle, Jessie Jackson, Cue-Ball Carville, etc.. - they all look constantly angry. Distressed. As if somebody just dropped a porcupine into their shorts and set their hair on fire. Except in James C.'s case, where they put a porky on his head and set his... oh; never mind; you get the picture.

Several Politicians have sucessfully mixed humor with the serious issues at hand from time to time; a couple who come to mind are Abraham Lincoln and Huey Long. Both of whom were ultimately shot... hmmm...; coincidence I'm sure.

People get sick of being bored and indignant all the time; I wonder if that (besides the moral and credibility issues) has been part of the Democrat's trouble of late?

How many talk shows do you know who get calls from a sitting Vice-President, Speaker of the House or Chairman of the Dept. of Defense?
Lots of people pay attention to what Rush has to say these days; hey - try it; you might like it too!

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Mudlark
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 02:04 PM

"try it;you might like it"...

Feminazis, the "myth" of global warming, etc. I don't think so. And since so much of this guy's "humor" depends on crudely putting down those he disagrees with, I think he should be able to take it some of what he so "liberally" dishes out.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Cluin
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 02:11 PM

Rush Limbaugh couldn't rip a wet paper bag a new one. And the extent of his humour is shrugging and pasting that shit-eating grin on his face, going "Am I right? Am I right?" Read Franken's book. Politics aside, it shows what a lame personality Limbaugh is.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 03:26 PM

"And since so much of this guy's "humor" depends on crudely putting down those he disagrees with..."

That is the reactionary conservative's view of the world, though. We see that very MO in many of the Mudcat conservatives. They are intellectually incapable of critical analysis, much less changing their minds when they are proven wrong. Why else do you suppose Limbaugh is constantly screaming "Am I right? Am I right?"

As for the DougR sorts of "compassionate conservatives", or the KimC sorts of "Libertarians", they usually exhibit such extreme passive aggressive tendencies, they are easily dismissed by anyone who thinks critically, regardless of where their opinion falls on the conservative/liberal spectrum on any given issue.

I find that people who label themselves or others almost exclusively as "(l)Liberals" or "(c)Conservatives" or (r)Republicans or "(d)Democrats" has much too simplistic a worldview for their opinions, much less their labels, to be meaningful in any way. It does, however, demonstrate an inability to cope in a world where people think for themselves, rather than allow themselves to be dictated to by those who espouse the myopic ideology that makes them feel most comfortable and secure. Conformists of any political persuasion will do this rather willfully. They will conform in order to avoid the pangs of doubt they feel when one of their ideological emperors expresses opinions with which they deeply disagree. And it is that dynamic which leads down the primrose path to fascism.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST,Claymore
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 03:37 PM

Recently I saw Franken on a talk show (either Charlie Rose or Larry King - wasn't paying enough attention) when Franken actually apologized for the personal comments about Limbaugh. He apparently did not know of some problem involving Limbaughs hearing loss??? I don't listen to Limbaugh, but apparently this was in the news recently.

Also, while I don't know much about the man's influence, I do recall Sen. Dashcle making some comment about Limbaughs comments causing Daschle to fear for his life and to seek bodyguards???

I suspect that more than one person on both sides has an exaggerated sense of their impact/importance, right up there with Babs and The One Hundred Twits...

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Kim C
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 05:57 PM

I've been described as a lot of things, but never passive-aggressive.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 07:31 PM

Kim: Then you haven't had time to figure out what passive agressive means. I was on the receiving end of it enough on the domestic front to *finally* figure out that all it means to its (non-professional) users is that you're not doing as you are told.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 09:52 AM

From the Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology:

"Formerly listed among the personality disorders in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the passive-aggressive personality type has been described by a number of psychologists and psychiatrists, including Karen Horney, Karl Menninger, and Wilhelm Reich (1897-1957). Its main distinguishing feature is indirect resistance to the demands or expectations of others through stubbornness, forgetfulness, inefficiency, procrastination, and other covert means. Rather than refusing outright to perform a task, the passive-aggressive person will do it badly or procrastinate until the deadline for its completion has passed. Passive-aggressive people, at one time called "ill-tempered depressives," are also generally moody, discontented, and critical of others, and they tend to see themselves as victims, feeling that they are singled out for bad luck and ill treatment by others. In their interpersonal relationships, they are unable to find a healthy balance between dependence and assertiveness.

"Passive aggression also refers more generally to a type of behavior not limited to a certain personality type and characterized by the covert expression of aggressive feelings one is unable or unwilling to express directly. Passive aggression may be expressed in a variety of ways, including tardiness for an event or job about which one has negative feelings or poor performance of a task one resents."

I'm sorry, GUEST, but that doesn't describe me at all. Those who know me well (and that doesn't include you) will tell you that I am anything but covert about my feelings. And I don't see what it has to do with Rush Limbaugh, Al Franken, or anyone's political stance.

Now. I remember Al Franken from his SNL days, and I do think he's a witty and perceptive man. I think the title of his book is mean-spirited, but I probably would enjoy reading it.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Nerd
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 11:15 AM

Nonnie-nonnie,

I HAVE listened to Rush Limbaugh and he ALWAYS states obvious untruths. The problem is, you have to be well-informed for them to be obvious. His schtick on the environment is an excellent example. Anyone who is really an environmental scientist will tell you he's wrong. But there are many industry lobbies employing people who call themselves "environmental scientists" who are really professional debunkers of environmentalist projects such as conservation. They are paid by oil and timber companies, through think tanks with names like "the green earth group" or "help the planet" which are really anti-environmentalist. Rush quotes these people like they're from REAL environmental studies programs.

Uncle Jaque,

it's very interesting that you point out Rush's "good point" that conservative republicans don't WANT to harm the environment, but that you are troubled by his obvious glee in destroying the natural world. The fact is that many conservative republicans don't care if they destroy the environment. Here's why: the conservative wing of the republican party right now is heavily supported and funded by two big big groups: 1) big business such as oil and timber and 2) fundamentalist Christian organizations.

Big business needs policies that destroy the environment because the American economy rewards only one thing: profit for shareholders. If profits are down but the company is helping keep the earth green, the directors will fire the CEO and hire someone who will make them money. Therefore the pressure from business lobbies will always be anti-environmentalist. To the extent that the party is directed by the business lobby, it cannot protect the environment.

Fundamentalist Christian organizations are interesting, because they reject the entire premise upon which environmental sciences are based. They don't believe there is a limited quantity of fossil fuels that was created by eons of dying plants and animals. They believe that the earth is only about 10,000 years old, and that petroleum was put in the ground by God to help Man in his endeavors. They do not believe that God would let us "run out" of anything truly crucial, so they believe that when the time comes the lord will provide; either more fossil fuels will be discovered, or there will always be enough time to transition to new technologies that use other fuels. It's a sort of faith-based pathological optimism. Thus, to the extent that a party is dominated by fundamentalist Christians, environmentalism will be irrelevant.

On the other hand, there is a small group within the fundamentalist Christian support structure who DO want environmental catastrophes to occur, because this is part of biblical prophecy. When global environmental catastrophes arrive, they believe, they will be taken up by the Rapture and saved while the rest of us heathens burn. The anti-Christ will come, and Armageddon will happen, but they'll be watching it all from celestial La-Z-Boys. You might think this is a kook fringe, but think about the success of the "Left Behind" series of novels, which is all based on this sequence of prophecies. There are plenty of people who really believe this stuff.

I am, of course, aware that there are MANY Christians and Christian groups that support the environment, so please don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that environmentalism is incompatible with Christianity, only with fundamentalism that rejects science.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 11:54 AM

Call me crazy, but if God created everything, didn't He/She create science too?

I enjoy talk radio because I like listening to a variety of opinions on different issues. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't.

We should be skeptical about the things we hear in the news. It's up to us as individuals to educate ourselves and be well-informed. Whether or not you like Rush Limbaugh, or any other talk show host, such programs stimulate thought and discussion, which can't be all bad.

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: CarolC
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 12:01 PM

I tried to get some clarification about a couple of aspects of conservative philosophy and thought over on the "Any conservatives on Mudcat?" thread, but nobody's answering me over there. Any of the conservatives on this thread want to take a stab at answering my questions?

Any conservatives on Mudcat?

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Nerd
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 12:12 PM

KimC

What follows is not MY viewpoint, you understand, it's an explication of the fundamentalist Christian perspective. So here goes.

In a word, no. God did not create science. Humankind created science, and we were guided not by God but by Satan. Most science is in fact part of the deluded search for knowledge that began when Adam and Eve ate the fruit of tree of knowledge of good and evil.

All true knowledge is to be found in the bible. The only acceptable science, then, consists of analyzing nature to reveal the truth of the bible or creating technology to fulfill the destinies revealed in the bible. Other sciences, such as evolutionary biology, were inspired by the devil to lead people astray.

Now it is true that God made Satan, but that does not mean that by following Satan you are following God. That's a whole nother topic, as they say...

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 12:22 PM

Well, Nerd, I'm not a fundamentalist, so thanks for the clarification.

I tend to agree with Baxter Black, whose Baptist upbringing conflicted with some of the things he encountered in veterinary school. His conclusion: "God made the earth in seven days, but that was Cowboy time." ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: Nerd
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 12:37 PM

You can always count on a Cowboy Poet, Kim C! Baxter reconciled evolution with Genesis in just twelve words--imagine the time we could have saved if everyone just listened to him!

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 01:33 PM

Liberals must resort to name calling & charachter assasination when they can't refute the facts, which is what Rush uses to make his points

Subject: RE: BS: Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot
From: TIA
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 01:59 PM

Joe, I'm a regular listener, and I must say you can't possibly be one. If you were, you'd know that Limbaugh lives on name-calling (feminazis, environmentalist whackos, liberal mushheads,...on and on and on).