Limbaugh: Armageddon Redux

From Think Progress, we learn that FatBoy Limbaugh has re-purposed his patented fire and brimstone rant. The Hatriot ...

talked about the volcanic eruption that’s affecting air travel over much of Europe, saying it was “God speaking” in response to the passage of health care [...] God may have replied. This volcano in Iceland has grounded more airplanes — airspace has more affected — than even after 9/11 because of this plume, because of this ash cloud over Northern and Western Europe. At the Paris airport they’re telling people to head to the train station to catch trains out of France, and when people get to the train station they’re telling people, “There aren’t any seats until at least April 22nd,” basically a week from now. It’s got everybody in a shutdown. Earth has opened up. I don’t know whether it’s a rebirth or Armageddon.

This reminds me of a childhood story - The Tale of Chicken Little.

And this is where I draw the line.

It must be that I'm one of those pacifist Canadians, still living (in my heart and mind) in that Canada that Jonathan Kay says we're best rid of, thanks to the ReformaTories.

I would not wish an untimely death upon the likes of Rush Limbaugh.

This US guy would, and explains the reasons why. He also has some astute observations about Sarah Palin.

Though Rob Kall pulls back from his punch with this conclusion:

The thing is, my wish is probably moot. Limbaugh surely has great health coverage and will, unlike the tens of millions he'd withold insurance from, get the best health care available.

And what about that pesky little thing called karma?

One could reflect on whether the judicious application of the Christian Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." - might satisfy the goddess Kali.

Fabricated ... huh?

Has the US rightwing conservative media, including FoxNews which is basically infaux-tainment, finally jumped the shark? Or perhaps it actually happened when I wasn't paying attention. Or perhaps this little brouhaha is a variation of Poe's Law?

Rush Limbaugh is attempting to purchase a NFL franchise. In response to this, CNN and others have publicized a great number of racists quotes attributed to Limbaugh. Mark Steyn claims that these are all fabrications and challenges those who are repeating this information to provide documentation that Limbaugh actually uttered pronouncements such as:

Limbaugh called illegal immigrants an "invasive species." Referring to an April 1, 2005, federal court ruling that prohibited shipping boats from dumping of ballast water containing "invasive species," including some types of mollusks, into U.S. waters, Limbaugh described illegal immigrants as an "invasive species" that U.S. courts willingly permit to enter the country.

Limbaugh repeatedly calls Native Americans "Injuns." Media Matters for America documented at least four separate instances of Limbaugh using this slur on his program.

More, much more from Media Matters.

In response to this documentation, Steyn sneers:

"So where are these racist soundbites? Where's the audio? Where's the transcript? Name the year."

Poe's Law at work. It would be testerically funny, if it were parody.

Organ-ized Socialism!

What is that, depicted above?

1) A spotted dick.

2) A microscopic view of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in situ.

3) A greatly magnified view of those bits of Rush Limbaugh that he imagines threatened by the Satanic Scissors of Socialism.


But seriously folks. This latest insanity from a man who couldn't catch a view of his genitalia without a mirror, a flashlight and a block-and-tackle hoist is the convergence of 1) inflammatory lies about health care reform, 2) Birthers' loathsome hallucinations about Obama and 3) the Republicans' deepest fears regarding the loss of their political potency.

Limbaugh: You'll pry my foreskin from my cold, dead hands

If you had to whip up a too-good-to-be-true story for the right-wing pundit class to freak out over, what elements would you include? There would have to be, of course, an element of command-and-control socialist-fascist invasion and regulation of the most private parts of our lives, in the name of some spurious "common good." But that alone is a little pedestrian nowadays, so you'd want to add a nice dollop of male sexual neurosis to really kick it up a notch. Then add just a hint of racial fear and beat to a froth.

From here.

Bonus: It appears that the more rightwing Republicans unintentionally parody themselves, the more material they provide for The Onion to exploit - brilliantly, as always.

A purveyor of hate speech.

Shane Murphy, the second-in-command aboard the American merchant ship seized by pirates, lashed out at Rush Limbaugh for the talk show host's racial characterization in discussing the rescue of the ship's captain by the Navy. Murphy ... called Limbaugh a purveyor of "hate speech."

From here. As Limbaugh's tin star rises in the firmament of tea-baggers, Joe-the-Plumber wannabes, disgruntled Republicans and assorted religious fundamentalist rightwingnutter neo-cons in the US, a number of individuals and organizations are sensing a sea-change and are lambasting the porky talk-trash radio host.

Murphy will be branded a “RINO,” or a tool of liberals, or a liberal himself — or, worse ... someone who is just too dense to get Limbaugh’s humor, sophisticated wit, cutting-edge satire, insightful political perception and brilliance of analysis.

Republicans who keep defending, enabling, and apologizing for Limbaugh’s shtick are indeed tolerating it. Each time we do a post critical of a Limbaugh comment we get lots emails, often bordering on the abusive, and quite often with the same accusatory tone filled insinuations as Limbaugh’s broadcasts. Almost all say those of us who criticize Limbaugh and how he has lowered the bar on serious debate and sandbagged bipartisan cooperation and respect in this country “just don’t get it.” The fact is: Democrats, independents and Republicans who don’t approve of Limbaugh’s brand of rhetoric DO get it.

As for Limbaugh's favourite props, sexism and misogyny ... let's hear it from our Tennessee feminazi sisters:

Speaking of sexist creeps who pollute the public airwaves with misogyny, there are rules against broadcasting offensive garbage during the hours when children are the possible audience. But it is perfectly acceptable for sexist swine like Rush to use the public airwaves to defame and denigrate women and girls at any and all hours of the day. Women will never attain equality while it is acceptable, and even profitable, to pollute the culture with misogyny!

The Young Limbaugh, terrorized by his audience.

Thanks to Canadian Cynic, we link you to this archival recording of Rush Limbaugh from 1990. The misogynist, rightwing religious fundamentalist homophobe was confronted by pro-choice and gay rights activists. His response was to have the audience removed.

As CC notes, this experience likely shaped the once-and-future-reactionary gasbag's decision to forego live audiences and to broadcast from the hermetically-sealed safety of his media bunker.