When you hear the name "Rush Limbaugh" mentioned by liberals and the press, the adjectives "controversial", "polarizing", "bombastic", "inflammatory", and "shock-jock" are often mentioned. Actually, such descriptions are also used to characterize Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and anyone who opposes liberal policies and positions. Although these on-air personalities are generally regarded as the "Dark Side" of politics by Democrats, they also enjoy great ratings on the air waves.
I contend the reason they are condemned by the left is not because of what they say, but how they say it. After all, conservative doctrine is well known and rather predictable. Yet, people tune in regularly to get their daily dosage of conservative viewpoints. The difference lies in their tactics; whereas the liberal media is more covert in their spin on politics and world events (at least they like to believe they are), Rush & Company are more overt and unafraid of a good argument, some would even call it an "in your face" form of broadcasting. They actually relish a good challenge and welcome the opportunity to spar with virtually anybody. Whereas liberals like to spin their agenda using repetitive subliminal messages through the media, conservatives have become more proactive and animated in their discourse, which leads to better ratings.
Liberals have been orchestrating attacks against conservatives for quite some time; yet, when someone like Rush & Company openly fights back, the opposition is appalled and cries foul. Since they will not publicly debate Rush & Company, for fear of losing, the liberals vilify them through innuendo and sniping. Such attacks doesn't discredit or deter them one bit; In fact, it emboldens them. Any time the liberals openly attack them, on the air or in print, their ratings actually go up, not down, and fills their coffers. In addition to confounding the liberals, it puts them in a no-win situation with Rush & Company; if they attack them, they invigorate their ratings; if they do not, they suffer guilt by silence. Rush & Company, of course, are cognizant of this and know they have nothing to lose.
The Democrats only have three options to thwart Rush & Company; first, they can continue their program of vilifying the opposition, which only makes them stronger; second, they can publicly debate them, whereby they run the risk of losing an argument, or; third, they can completely ice them out by not recognizing them in any manner or form. As Oscar Wilde correctly observed, "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." Then again, Rush & Company has already developed legions of devoted followers. I'm betting they will simply continue with the first option.
I find it interesting that personalities such as Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews are not considered "controversial", "bombastic", etc. They can hardly be called newscasters as they openly spin liberal doctrine. Yet, they are not criticized by the press. Hmm...I guess what is good for the goose is not good for the gander. If you say you agree with Rush & Company, you are openly accused of being "as crazy as they are." Yet, the opposite isn't true.
One thing is for sure, Rush & Company is not going away any time soon and will continue to publicly gnaw away at liberal principles (and become rich in the process). I'm not so much convinced the left despises them as much as they are afraid of them. Regardless, whether you love them or hate them, it all makes for great political theater.
I contend the reason they are condemned by the left is not because of what they say, but how they say it. After all, conservative doctrine is well known and rather predictable. Yet, people tune in regularly to get their daily dosage of conservative viewpoints. The difference lies in their tactics; whereas the liberal media is more covert in their spin on politics and world events (at least they like to believe they are), Rush & Company are more overt and unafraid of a good argument, some would even call it an "in your face" form of broadcasting. They actually relish a good challenge and welcome the opportunity to spar with virtually anybody. Whereas liberals like to spin their agenda using repetitive subliminal messages through the media, conservatives have become more proactive and animated in their discourse, which leads to better ratings.
Liberals have been orchestrating attacks against conservatives for quite some time; yet, when someone like Rush & Company openly fights back, the opposition is appalled and cries foul. Since they will not publicly debate Rush & Company, for fear of losing, the liberals vilify them through innuendo and sniping. Such attacks doesn't discredit or deter them one bit; In fact, it emboldens them. Any time the liberals openly attack them, on the air or in print, their ratings actually go up, not down, and fills their coffers. In addition to confounding the liberals, it puts them in a no-win situation with Rush & Company; if they attack them, they invigorate their ratings; if they do not, they suffer guilt by silence. Rush & Company, of course, are cognizant of this and know they have nothing to lose.
The Democrats only have three options to thwart Rush & Company; first, they can continue their program of vilifying the opposition, which only makes them stronger; second, they can publicly debate them, whereby they run the risk of losing an argument, or; third, they can completely ice them out by not recognizing them in any manner or form. As Oscar Wilde correctly observed, "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." Then again, Rush & Company has already developed legions of devoted followers. I'm betting they will simply continue with the first option.
I find it interesting that personalities such as Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews are not considered "controversial", "bombastic", etc. They can hardly be called newscasters as they openly spin liberal doctrine. Yet, they are not criticized by the press. Hmm...I guess what is good for the goose is not good for the gander. If you say you agree with Rush & Company, you are openly accused of being "as crazy as they are." Yet, the opposite isn't true.
One thing is for sure, Rush & Company is not going away any time soon and will continue to publicly gnaw away at liberal principles (and become rich in the process). I'm not so much convinced the left despises them as much as they are afraid of them. Regardless, whether you love them or hate them, it all makes for great political theater.
Keep the Faith!
Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.
Tim Bryce is the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
For Tim's columns, see:
http://www.phmainstreet.com/timbryce.htm
Tune into Tim's new podcast, "The Voice of Palm Harbor," at:
http://www.phmainstreet.com/voiceph.htm
Copyright © 2009 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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Comments: 110 ( 5 removed by Tim Bryce )
I find a lot of drama involved.
Agree on the shock jock comment!
It takes all for the world to go round.....
The liberals hate Limbaugh and company not because they "are more overt and unafraid of a good argument, some would even call it an "in your face" form of broadcasting." They hate Limbaugh and company because Limbaugh and company have zero ethics, zero intellectual integrity, and zero honesty. They make things up, they say things that are absolutely false, and they do so solely to rile up their audiences.
And they do so not out of any honest and rational ideological beliefs but solely to make money. They know that if they argue honestly they will not stir passions much and will have okay ratings. But if they manufacture some controversy with some ridiculous exaggeration of a truth, or simply make up something, they can get people falling all over each other to buy their books, increase their ratings, enhance the carrier's revenue, and thus line their own pockets. If they suddenly felt they could make more money being ultra liberal they would do it in a second.
So, no, liberals don't hate these guess because of their "in your face" style. They hate them because they are dishonest and have no qualms standing against the interests of the United States just so they can laugh at their listeners while cashing the checks those same listeners put in their pockets.
Thanks for the confirmation, David.......but we all already knew that.
So is your position that you think lying and hatred should NOT be vilified? How does one rationalize being in support of lying, intellectual dishonesty, and lack of integrity?
If Rush weren't so laughable I'd take him seriously. He's representative of the radical right believers who say one thing and live the opposite. The left doesn't have to bother attempting to destroy him, he's doing a good job of it all on his own. He may not ever go out of business, but his money isn't the measure of his character. He's not out to "save America", he is in it for himself. He is a big mouth who thrives on attention. He says what radicals want to hear. It's the silent deadly ones we should fear.
A dog never barks before it goes in for the kill.
Wait a minute, now.....are you referring to Limbaugh or Obama??
If we are to believe what David claims....He is NOT a liberal!
Even though he seems to understand them intimately, even though he lashes out against the same things that Liberals lash out at, even though he responds with the same vitriol as a liberals do!
Shouldn't we take him at his word that he isn't really a liberal?
His post however is the perfect example of the point of Tim's article if you just take the term liberal out of it.
Phew!! Thanks for clearing that up, Peter......
For a second there I thought David was actually exercising some of that integrity thing he was talking about........
Berf - So do you support lying and intellectual dishonesty? Clearly you support the latter based on your comment.
I find it interesting that so many Limbaugh supporters have no problem with his dishonesty. I also find it interesting that none of them seems to notice that Limbaugh and Coutler and the others are laughing at them as they deposit their checks.
You've supported and practiced lying and intellectual dishonesty for as long as we've been exchanging pleasantries here on Gather.
I don't see why you should be so opposed to others practicing what you do so prolifically.
You can't name even one example.
I don't see why you should be so opposed to others practicing what you do so prolifically.
I have never supported dishonesty. In fact, many of my posts are designed to expose the dishonesty of others. Which of course you know quite well.
So, Dan, explain why you defend the dishonesty and lack of integrity of Limbaugh. Explain (again) why you think it is okay that Hannity deleted sections of an Obama quote and then attacked Obama for not saying the very things Hannity had deleted. Explain why doctoring a video is needed to make your case.
In fact, explain why you feel it is necessary to lie rather than present an honest case. If your case is so virtuous, should not it be easy to make an honest argument in favor of it?
Sure I can!
"I have never supported dishonesty."
Many of your posts are the epitome of dishonesty David, it's just that you think it justified and thereby you give yourself absolution for being dishonest in your posting.
Every time you attack someone by mischaracterizing what they post so as to demean them is a personal dishonesty of the highest level.
But you think it O.K. because you don't like them and what they say.
You may not be a liberal David but you are a liberal at heart.
I say let them have at it and we can return to making the World a better place!
--A Great Right HYPE! That is all they know!
That's not real success.
Obama has achieved his success through Lies, he is a politician, And no one can believe that after 20 years of sitting in Rev. Wrights pews that there is no hatred there.
Name them.
Since you're apparently such an expert, how many times did the Obamas attend Trinity Church in 20 years?
What sermons did they hear?
He's a politician, his lies are too numerous to list.
But you could start with his presidential campaign promises.
I don't know the answer to those questions....do you in Obamas defense?
and
I don't know the answer to those questions....do you in Obamas defense?
In other words you don't have any evidence. You merely make an accusation with no support because it fits your ideology. That's dishonest.
Which is why I will no longer be commenting on this thread.
Bye
Obama's 158 Lies
First 100 Days, 100 Lies, Blunders, Gaffes and Abuses of Liberty
Obama's Top Five Health Care Lies
Some easy ones:
No one making less than $250k will see his/her taxes go up. Right.
He didn't know what Rev. Wright was preaching (slept through sermons for 20 years, I guess...and never looked at the newsletters or web site either)
Lied about the importance of ACORN in his life, as well as the importance of Ayers.
So many lies, David. So many, many lies.
Preferably a WHITE one to prove you are not a bigot.
Of course the 'if you don't like Obama and his policies you are a bigot attack' must come around in discussions like this......But that is what Liberalism is all about isn't it.
Attack and malign those who you disagree with.
Is that it? You don't know?
Usually, not knowing something doesn't stop you from making a statement.
I totally disagree. Far too often though conservative delivery of their view points is frequently "in your face" their views are skewed and far too outlandish more often than not. I have asked myself why is it that so many of the conservative pundits seem to want to club you over the head with what they believe. What I find quite a lot is that many of them "USE" news events as a way to deliver their "OPINIONS" yet call it news. Further more I find conservatives are more apt to simply lie or severely stretch the truth about an issue more often than other pundits. As a result they have a more powerful affect on those who tune in to their comments nearly exclusively thus creating a truly combative environment. Those who soak in much of the conservative views become insolent when others can't believe they fell for such nonsense and try hard to defend their ofttimes skewed view of an issue caused mainly by the conservative pundits.
Case in point is Rush's recent comment in response to some challenges against his involvement in the purchase of the St Louis Rams foot ball team. After years of a battery of him calling black sports players all sorts of not only unflattering names and accusing the sport of overtly promoting one black quarterback and calling the sport a sort plantation for blacks he denied that he has any prejudice in himself. He claims not to be racist. If that is not an example of skewed information broadcast by him I have no idea what else could be. He spent years spewing racist views yet now deny he is racist.
That is an example why so many on the left hate those like Rush. Has not a thing to do with how he delivered his opinion. He can shout, whisper or speak in tongue his words provide a basis for dishonest opinionated crap which can do no less than confuse the issues as apposed to providing legitimate discourse.
Once again, Marilyn and her entitlement programs.
"I contend the reason they are condemned by the left is not because of what they say, but how they say it."
They could sing it and it still would be crap. They make stuff up to rile up their zombiefied fans and keep them frothing at the mouth.
"After all, conservative doctrine is well known and rather predictable. Yet, people tune in regularly to get their daily dosage of conservative viewpoints. "
What do these people have to do with conservatism? In fact, what do Republicans have to do with conservatism? Not being a daily listener myself ( I tune in weekly and listen until the first big lie, which usually takes a few minutes), I don't why people listen to this crap, but it certainly isn't news.
"Rush & Company are more overt and unafraid of a good argument, some would even call it an "in your face" form of broadcasting. "
Argument? These guys NEVER have dissenting views on their shows, and if they do, they belittle them, ridicule them or attempt to disparage their viewpoints, not with facts but with insults. Why do the chosen brainless masses who listen to Limbaugh call themselves dittoheads? It's because it means "Oh Rush, thank you for not making me think!"
"Whereas liberals like to spin their agenda using repetitive subliminal messages through the media, conservatives have become more proactive and animated in their discourse, which leads to better ratings."
Subliminal messages? Can you give me an example?
The consolidation of media and the near monopoly of radio giants like ClearChannel has much more to do with rightwing ratings than any intrinsic proactivity on the part of the frightwing talkers. ClearChannel owns EIB: when they come into the market, they drag Limbaugh along with them.
"Since they will not publicly debate Rush & Company, for fear of losing, the liberals vilify them through innuendo and sniping."
In the real world, it's just the opposite. Every time one of these frightwing talkers comes out of their holes, they get creamed. When was the last time any of these cowards was on "Hardball", "Ed Schulz" or "TRMS"? The answer is NEVER. They can't defend their positions with logics and facts. They rarely appear outside of their own platforms. And they NEVER appear on shows where someone uses the same tactics on them as they use on their very occaisional guests.
You greatly overstate the supposed fixation between the liberal left and the frightwing hate machine. Those people may have great ratings among their base, but they don't convert anyone who still has active braincells. It is a fact that people who are conservative get their "news" from fewer sources than people who are more mentally active.
If you want to worship the big druggie, the crying man and the coward fine. I think it's funny as hell.
Your post is spot on! The responses here are evidence of that.
So it's not surprising you would stalk me and come out to support lying and intellectual dishonesty.
Sure sounds a lot like liberal whining to me! LOL!
So about once per week we end up all on the same article, last week it was one of Poliwonkies.
No one ever bothers with that South Dakota dude.
And the right doesn't?
Actually, if people would be honest we could get some things done. The Limbaughs of the world are not honest, and we lap it up because we are afraid to be honest.
They Hate anyone who slows down or blocks their socialist progressive agenda and will attack them with everything they have.
That's probably true, but this post is about Limbaugh and his cohorts who lie. Do you support lying?
You didn't see George Bush go after MSNBC, which is more to the left of center than Fox News is right of center.
Can you name any outrageous lies told by MSNBC about Bush? I do recall that MSNBC pulled Olbermann and Mathews from being the "news reporters" on political coverage because they were being too politically biased in their reporting. Can't remember Fox News doing the same.
It's an old tactic of the left. Destroy anyone who gets in their way.
Oddly enough, the left just changes the word to "right" and uses the same line. What does that tell you?
And a points whore!
Great that is just what we need to expand our intellectual pursuits!
In you face? Kinda like standing right behind a horse's ass when he sh*ts is more like it.
Seriously, I could not read anything after that sentence. My family has lost a brother because of Rush Limbaugh. I do not feel like giving any credence to anything about the hateful man.
Which is why I will no longer be commenting on this thread. 10:35am EDT
Since Dan E has chosen to pollute this thread, I will no longer be commenting. 10:36am EDT
I wonder....Has he really gone?
Very funny to hear them whine, 'they are attacking us."
Detention camps
Killer flue shots
Communist/Socialist take over
Never mind the racism and misogyny
Guns, get guns arm up, bunker down. "Do something"! Say these poor whiners.
Hold tight on to your dream, The next election will deliver you a nightmare!
The nation has changed dramatically! The nation now realize that the "change" promised by Obama never came!
All you got was the same ole same ole!
Guantanamo still there!
Iraq we are still there!
No taxes on anyone making less than 250K not gonna happen, he and his are trying to find ways to tax everyone to get more money to pay for his porkulus bill.
Maybe you are one of those who think the chill going up your leg is more important than what he does, but I guarantee you that you are in the minority and many will not vote for him again.
The TEA Party protests are just an example of where this country is headed! They will give the Republicans another chance in the next election, the Dems will lose a lot of seats in the next election and the Republicans may even gain the presidency back in the following.
Conservatives outnumber liberals 2 to 1 and we are mobilizing!
I hope you and the tea bag party keep believing that.
And keep pushing the agenda you are pushing.
Problem is. . .in my view only of course, you are all history, go look in our classrooms,
and universities.
Do you see many people like the tea bag gun toters?
I see a lot of Americans who are concerned at the direction of our country!
But if you are looking at the institutions of liberalism that our universities have become, then you are NOT seeing a real representation of America!
You are however seeing liberalism at it's worse! With conservative speakers shouted down at every opportunity and having to be escorted by security across the campus due to death threats by liberal students!
You must be referring to President Obama speaking to Notre Dame last spring?
::smacks own Head:::Oh those were conservatives!
Which incident were you speaking of. Uh can we keep it in the last 18 months.
Yes Cena, President Obama DID speak at Notre Dame!
He was NOT shouted down! The conservatives did not take the stage in protest.
"Uh can we keep it in the last 18 months."
Why the qualifying time frame Cena?
Do you think that people who deny others their right to free speech should some how be absolved of their transgression after that time frame?
Are you willing to Pardon Bush and Cheney simply because their perceived wrongdoing took place more than 18 months ago?
No? I didn't think so!
Cofounder of the Minuteman at Michigan State University
I've listened to Limbaugh a few times. I don't find him very entertaining. The late William Safire was much better because he was actually clever.
If the left really hates hate why do they engage in it so much?
I guess the hatefulness by the conservatives has blinded too many.
And another 10 4 U!
And funny thing about this article, it's a conservative posting it -- asserting the left dwells on their gods. I mean, really, do you need Daddy Obama's permission to turn on your boob tube and watch your favorite clown show? I certainly didn't ever look to Bush's opinion when I was picking out an opera.
Right Julia...Johnice?
"The great right hype".....pretty lame Johnice...Pretty lame! LOL!
Do you have Saturday's powerball numbers? Since you're such a great prognosticator, I figure you could help a brother out, you know what I'm sayin' ?
Despite David's ego and self importance driven thinking that I stalked him to your article. The simple fact is that I knew by the title of your article (as I'm sure you did to) that it would draw a great response from the liberals and since I love doing verbal battle with liberals I decide to come and play!
And to my pleasure I saw my favorite person David was here!
Great post.
Liberals lie as much as anybody!
Why object to only conservatives who lie?
Answer:
You support the liberals who lie!
Creativity isn't you strong suite is it Johnice?
Ever hear of a liberal blowing up a domestic federal building filled with children just to make a paranoid political point? No, didn't think so. The radical Right are in love with hate and inciting hatred in the gullible and unstable for the sake of a greasy buck. The radical Left are fair game simply for their views. What's most pathetic is the cat-behind-the-couch way the RR think if they deny it nobody will see it and, if they do, who gives a rip! "I got mine."
If you are referring to Timothy McVeigh (sp) Then I give you Bill Ayers and the "Weather Underground Organization"
They bombed public and private buildings.
Difference is, I don't remember anyone from the Republican party supporting McVeigh or palling around with him after wards.
The far left
1. don't vote
2. form new parties, Peace & Freedom, Greens.
No deaths from the Weather underground. Don't think I approve of what they did or what they believe,
just because I think you are being dishonest.
You will though, it is the way for conservatives.
Conservatives and Republicans think both McVeigh and Ayers should pay for their crimes!
Liberals and the Democrats revere Ayers as a celebrity.
Your "the far left doesn't vote" argument is empty, liberals and the Dems endorse ideologues like Ayers.
Liberals and the Democrats revere Ayers as a celebrity.
Your "the far left doesn't vote" argument is empty, liberals and the Dems endorse ideologues like Ayers."
---A Great Right HYPE!
I don't think you know what a Liberal is.
A Democrat is liberal, but all liberals are not Democrats.
Democrats get elected, now and then so does A Peace & Freedom and Green.
I want you to please show me where A Democrat, Peace & Freedom, or Green calls Ayers and The Weathermen "heros" add to that, Peta nuts, the environemntal extremists, and a few others. See that is the difference,
These people are not Democrat, they don't claim us, we don't claim them.
YOU say we consider them to be heros, I say that is an outright lie.
And Johnice? It was the Republicans that wanted McVeigh off the hook - imagine, an American anti-government terrorist! The anti-government right wing couldn't stand the comparison. And they didn't want to take time out from derailing Clinton's agenda...
A little learning is a dangerous thing. Get some more!
I did?
Well Sort of!
"It was the Republicans that wanted McVeigh off the hook"
Really! I'd love to know more.....got any more Scientist Sarah?
"Despise." Now THERE'S a word that fits my opinion of Rush, Hannity, Beck, et al. They are despicable (can you say that word without hearing Sylvester the Cat in your mind's ear?). They lie, loudly and often, and they take a statement that's true, and misapply it so it sounds like a lie. They spend almost ALL their debate capital on ad hominem argument rather than factual debate. They ridicule loudly, science (and just about everything else they don't understand). All these things are viciously intellectually dishonest, but the greatest reason to despise these people is that they have branded me an "Enemy of the STATE!" THIS appears to underlie ALL the rest of it. We dare suggest that we have a better, more workable, albeit not ENTIRELY Capitalistic, way to govern the country and solve this economic mess (as only ONE example), and their response is to brand us evil. To claim we are "Socialists" (apparently the new communists). To equate our political endeavors with a DELIBERATE attempt to do this country harm. In point of fact, I've heard both Rush & Sean say specifically that we have NO OTHER AGENDA but to destroy the USA! And no motivation but to watch this country die.
We aren't intimidated. But all the whining from the right seems to indicate they, Conservatives, are.
Do try to catch up!
Sometimes if they get an inarticulate liberal they let him through then proceed to slash and burn him.
Hannity does this the most often, and Savage uh and Levin.
"ALL of the Talk Conservatives screen their callers."
Ahhh...and you are informing who about this obvious fact? Did you just find this out?
Wow how enlightened you both are! Most people would never have thought that entertainers would screen their calls.
LOL!
Gosh! I guess I would be informing...Tim Bryce?
Of course, callers are always screened for whether or not they are going to stick to topic, be obscene, etc. What is different about Rush and his ilk is that he screens for people who disagree with him.
Glad you agree he's an "entertainer" and not, say, a commentator or LOL a newsman.
Tim loves Rush so much that he even looks like him! Remarkable what these people will do to emulate their heroes.
Some of the comments were so nasty and obscene that I just had to delete them. Then they became so bizarre that I had to shut down the comments altogether.
The one thing I did pick up from the comments is the stereotype that conservatives are obsessively hateful people. I found this most interesting, particularly since they did none of the name calling in the comments.
Again, I sincerely thank all of you for your participation, both pro and con.