I first heard Rush Limbaugh in 1989, not long after the national debut of his program. The charm and magic of the experience was in hearing beliefs I then held richly enunciated by the golden voice preaching into the golden microphone.
As my own political philosophies evolved far from the neo-conservatism Limbaugh embraced until his death, his show ultimately became a source of perpetual exasperation. But that's a point for another time. This isn't about me.
Rush claimed "talent on loan from God" likely in jest, but perhaps with a wink. For that is indeed what he had, and never was a voice more fashioned for Marconi's invention. If Paul Harvey was to radio what Frank Sinatra was to popular music, Rush was Elvis.
Without question, Rush loved his country, and considered America to be the gold standard among the world's nations. As much as he loved an America which no longer exists, he reviled those he blamed for its ruin, those pesky and misguided liberals who were mocked, parodied, lampooned and exposed as the hypocrites they are, for three hours a day.
And deservedly so.
Americans who play by the rules, work jobs, pay taxes and raise families are generally a tolerant, charitable and well-mannered lot. They mind and take care of their own business. But such Americans have targets on their backs anymore, as those who would assault and pervert what they hold dear bully their way down Main Street, ripping away at whatever is left of the nation's moral fabric.
Every neighborhood with a bully needs a hero who will stand up and push back. No prominent conservative had ever dared mock liberal false idols, exposing the sacred cows as empty suits. Rush barreled through the facades like a bull, one by one, and millions were liberated, laughing as he parodied the uh-Rev-er-end Jack-sonnnn, or Calypso Louie, Ruth "Buzzi" Ginsburg, Crazy Bernie, Maude Behar, Slick Willie, and on, and on, and on.
And who can forget the assorted "updates" which mocked hallowed Democrat tenets of faith, such as the environmental wacko update? As the sound of a chain saw felling trees blared in the background, Rush pulled the rug out from under such liberal scams as man-made global warming, the evils of the internal combustion engine, or the end of the world as predicted by algore. (His deadline for annihilation came and passed years ago.)
Rush believed in the fantasy of political salvation, finding his philosophical home in the Republican Party. The sad reality, however, was GOP power brokers held Limbaugh and his loyal followers in contempt. Of course, Rush knew this but politically, there was no viable alternative, at least in his mind. So, he rallied his troops to vote for Bushes, Dole, McCain and Romney, even though no one in this sorry lot had any affection for Limbaugh and his "Ditto-Heads."
Then came Trump. Conservatism be damned, Rush latched onto the populist candidate like a pit bull on a ham bone. For all of his unstated faults, Trump wasn't her, the woman whose name I will not print, so as to not soil this meager obituary for Millie's son.
What Trump did have going for him was his America-first mantra, his unapologetic, vocal support for traditional American icons: the flag, the military, law and order. Oh, and border security. And Christmas.
All this resonated big-ly with Rush. There was no space available on his show to discuss unhinged government spending, which dwarfed that of Trump's predecessor. We were in desperation mode now, the last round of the fight to save America, and as far as Rush was concerned, Trump was our only hope.
All politics aside, Rush seemed to me a very decent fellow, his mid-western values firmly ensconced by a set of solid parents. He was a man of enormous wealth, yet incredibly charitable. He had a love for big houses, fancy cars, Gulfstreams, golf and cigars.
Sounds like the perfect next-door neighbor.
Rush sold many products, the greatest of them being a daily dose of hope, consumed by millions of listeners who are now left with no equal to him. No one else had the natural gift for giving voice to what his devotees believe. As with Presley, Rush was a phenomenon, a stand-alone wonder for which there is no sequel. We will never see, or hear, the likes of him again.
There was life before Rush came on the scene, and life will continue. There will be a smattering of talk show hosts attempting to replicate him, but none will succeed.
America will continue in some form, as will life. But it will be a little duller, at least for three hours a day, five days a week.
It was a helluva ride, Rush. I'm glad my ears found you.
1 comment:
Awesome writing, Tim!
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