OK, folks. Economics and Business Administration 101 time. Businesses make money selling product to folks. They generally pick various target markets. They then pick stations, papers, and media outlets, to get the message to that audience. Obviously they saw something in Rush's demographics that appealed to that need. I usually go to the local Guitar Center when I need something quick, or if I am after music software, or equipment rack's, ....... paraphanelia stuff. I never buy instruments from them, as the prices are nothing special, and the level of knowledge of the sales staff is run of the mill, there is virtually no after sale support, and luthier is a word in the dictionary to most of them. Add to the price issue, and you see what I mean. I suppose if I saw something that was a good value I would consider it, but I just don't go there often. It is usually when I can't make it to Elderly.

As far as Rush goes.........

There is not one soul on this forum who is more opposed to most of Rush's positions. I find him to be, for the most part, shallow, demagogic, and lacking substance in terms of his policy views. Conversely, I find him very entertaining and witty, in terms of his image. And in terms of self promotion, he is a wizard. This is a man that was a miserable failure in most of his ventures in life. But when he realized he was onto something with his talkshow, he exploited masterfully. He understood that Americans could care less about any facts except those which reinforced their preconceived notions about "how things should be". Folks these days, Democrat and Republican (USA sense), Conservative and Liberal, just don't seem to like true, enlightened debate. They prefer to let themselves get comfortable with what's in front of them, and then search for folks that will make them comfortable with that. Rush is the poster child for this distressing trend. We Americans are the worst of the bunch when it comes to this. We tend toward shallow, "make us feel good about ourselves", kind of media. We ignore the lessons of history that teach us that when the citizens of great powers start to believe that their way is the only way, it is the beginning of the end. Soon we begin to alibi our actions in the world, by mouthing things like "We are a God fearing nation" as if to imply that God only favors us. We begin to take unilateral action, as if the rest of the world should simply be quiet and submit to our obvious economic, intellectual, and moral authority. Within, the loyal opposition begins to fragment into factions of a thousand different viewpoints, hence weakening itself and leaving significant population groups voiceless in any effective way. Examples of this can be seen in any number of historical regimes. Greece, Rome, Germany, and on and on.

I would never boycott them because they advertise with Rush. Smart move on their part. I don't do much shopping there, because I prefer quality shops with great staff and service.

I would rather beat Rush in the arena of ideas. If you don't like Rush, and decry his popularity, then look in the mirror. The problem is that he appeals to a lot of folks. It is not his fault that we haven't found an effective voice. It is ours.

A liberal Mick