U.S. conservative radio provocateur and Trump ally Rush Limbaugh dies
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - Provocative and polarizing U.S. talk radio luminary Rush Limbaugh, a leading voice on the American political right since the 1980s who boosted, and was honored by, former President Donald Trump, has died at age 70 after suffering from lung cancer, his wife said yesterday.
Limbaugh, who pioneered the American media phenomenon of conservative talk radio and became an enthusiastic combatant in the U.S. culture wars, disclosed in February 2020 that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. In a statement announcing his death, his wife Kathryn Adams Limbaugh said, “Rush’s love for our country, and for all of you, will live on eternally.”
Limbaugh’s appeal and the success of his top-rated daily radio show arose from his brash and colorful style, his delight in baiting liberals and Democrats and his promotion of conservative and Republican causes and politicians. His show became nationally syndicated in 1988 and quickly built a large and committed following, making him wealthy in the process.
He was loathed by liberals. Detractors such as Democratic former Senator Al Franken - a former comedian who wrote a book titled “Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations” - criticized him as a divisive figure who distorted facts.
Trump, a former reality TV personality with a showman’s instincts who pursued right-wing populism during four years in the White House, awarded Limbaugh the highest U.S. civilian honor - the Presidential Medal of Freedom - during his 2020 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
First lady Melania Trump placed the medal around Limbaugh’s neck after her husband lauded him as “a special man beloved by millions of Americans” and “the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet.” Underscoring Limbaugh’s divisiveness, some Democratic lawmakers were heard groaning “oh no” while House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one of his favorite punching bags, sat in stony silence.
Trump, a Republican, honored Limbaugh a day after the radio star announced his cancer diagnosis. Limbaugh at the time said he planned to continue doing his program “as normally and as competently” as he could while undergoing treatment.
I must say that daily I am more and more appalled by what we have in this country for a political opposition. More specifically, the stalwart figure that pretends to be some semblance of an Opposition Leader. What we have, from all appearances, in this country is a sleeper of an opposition, as best embodied in the form of the opposition leader. Formless, he is; contented, too, to let other people carry the weight. I refer to that media article where the opposition leader is beside himself with joy in letting Dr. Vincent Adams speak about gas flaring; that is, there is nothing left for him and his group to say (KN February 17). In the army that would be tantamount to dereliction of duty (gross and unprecedented dereliction), and a case for the stockade. As an indication of my utter disgust, I tender that the stockade is just too good for the likes of what we have masquerading here as an opposition from the leadership on down. I must wonder who they are dancing with and in which chambers. For clearly, what we have from the Opposition Leader is pure “nonsense on stilts.” It can be from that paltry and pathetic offering on the budget to gas flaring to oil in general to the PPP government’s increasingly blatant prowess and engagements with what is destructive to this country, and nowhere more so than how the PPP leaders prime the pump for financial crookedness starting from now.
Editor, as I share all of this, I take the opportunity to remind the Leader of the Opposition, and all citizens, that the essence of that role is not that of a monk. To be clear, I have no use for an opposition that is only about reflexive objection and criticism for the sake of going through the motions, and leaving something for the record. But there is so much that strikes the brow and consciousness of the governance excess, and which is allowed to get away and flourish. Like the COVID-19 cash stimulus that creeps up by the billions. Like the firing of competent and clean public service professionals. Like the insulting treatment and standards meted out in parliament to the party’s representatives. No amount of financial collaboration could make right those insults to intellect and soul; indeed, to standing among peers. Clearly what we have today is a disgrace for an opposition starting with its hamstrung leadership, and one that grows more hobbled and helpless by the day. The opposition leader is not allowed to put himself out to pasture (step down and save face). The opposition leader is not permitted the extended bliss of unending long leave. If that is what is appealing, then throw in the towel and let ‘Auntie’ Volda lead the way forward. She is sure to be better.
Sincerely, GHK Lall