What ever happened to Laws protecting us against Slander? In this case, the Law should be enforced!

Mocking the handicapped or disabled is dispiocable: Christains should recall, “There but for the grace of God, goes I”

A thousand pardons: I meant to write Hondo instead of Honda. I wrote the reply in a WP program, which corrected the name, and I forgot to change it back before sending. No offence intended.

Honda-

I appreciate the passion of your commitment to what you believe, but I’m having trouble understanding some of your reasoning.

First of all, there has been little questionioning of Limbaugh’s “First Amendment rights to criticize political speech that he didn’t agree with,” and I certainly don’t see anyplace in the Ivins column above that says any such thing.  The angry reaction to Limbaugh’s comments have little to do with his criticism of Fox’s views on stem cell research, and a lot to do with his statements about Fox “exaggerating the effects of the disease,” and stating “He is moving all around and shaking, and it’s purely an act” in a way that is “shameless.”

Now you state that “Limbaugh never attacked Fox in a personal way”, But it seems to me that these statements are of a particularly personal nature.  None of those statements are about the content of Fox’s ad, they are statements about Fox himself. I think this is a very important distinction to make if we are all to understand what this controversy is all about.

Secondly, the moving about Fox displays in the ad is not from the disease itself, but rather from the medication. In his interview with Katie Couric, Fox is quite open and clear about this; he states: “”[s]ometimes,” the medication “kicks in too hard, and then you get what’s called dyskinesia, which is that rocking motion that I had when I did the commercial.”  It is my understanding that it is very difficult to control how one will react to these medications.  (I’m sure you could contact a local doctor with Parkinson’s patients, or even the National Parkinson’s Foundation, for more information about this.) I’ve watched some of the Boston Legal episodes with Fox in them: he certainly does move less, but he does shake quite a bit. The show is also heavily edited, and tends not to show him for extended periods of time, and was filmed over a much greater expanse of time than (it seems) the commercial was.  Given all of those factors, it’s not unreasonable to think that there would be a significant difference in the way he would appear in the TV show vs. the more recent ad.

Thirdly, Fox has also made an ad for Republican Senator Arlen Specter, whom he calls “my guy,” as well appeared with Republican Representative Mike Castle, so it seems to me that Fox is more advocacy oriented than politically oriented. He supports politicians who reflect his views, rather than on the basis of their party affiliation.

Finally, you mention that this ad is part of an “old and tired, tried and true liberal strategy to pick a “victim” of some sort to shill for the party line.”  It seems to me that politicians of all stripes and ideologies have exploited “victims” to their political ends: it is hardly a technique restricted to Democrats.  But it seems to me that this is not the case here; Fox is someone who is actively involved in advocating for this issue. He has, in fact, started a foundation to fund research.  I think we can all agree that someone who has established a foundation for a particular form of research is a reasonable person to advocate for candidates who represent their interests, regardless of their physical condition.

Hey, Hondo’s back a full of sprit.  Now, you are right, Rush Limbaugh has every right to say anything he wants, as do you.  However, as you so aptly put, that right also leaves the writer fodder for the masses.  Now, the fact you’re reading Ann Coulter leaves me no other observation other than you are in to dumb blondes or you looking for legal advice, pro bono.  Us liberal want to guarentee all your rights, more than I can say for the Right.  And, as far as finding a cause and running with it, how ‘bout the White House entering a country under the banner of weapons of mass destruction.  Or, how about that Contract With America they drumed up years ago.  Or, well, you get the point. Yes sir, I want you and everyone to have all of those rights the Constitution gives us, but most of all, I want you to remember, that door swings both ways.

As usual, Molly Ivans doesn’t let the facts get in the way of a good liberal lie. Here are the facts concerning Limbaugh/Fox, and they are indisputable:
1. The commercials done by Michael J. Fox are political campaign ads. Politics is a contact sport, and it is perfectly acceptable to challenge the content of Fox’s comments.
2. When Limbaugh questioned the authenticity of Fox’s symptoms, as displayed in the commercials, he was basing his statements on two indisputable facts. First, Fox doesn’t display those symtoms on “Boston Legal.” By the way, Ann Crane, you think that Fox can “act” like he’s not having symptoms? What color is the sky in your world? Second, Fox freely admits that he voluntarily goes off his meds when testifying before Congress or speaking publically about Parkinson’s. He wants people to have an unfiltered view of the ravages of Parkinson’s.
3. All of the rending of garments and gnashing of teeth from the left over this “controversy” proves a point that Ann Coulter made in her latest best seller. It is an old and tired, tried and true liberal strategy to pick a “victim” of some sort to shill for the party line. Then, when criticism comes out from the right, liberals attempt to stifle that debate by saying that criticism of the “victim-spokeperson-political hack” is off limits. That used to be oh-so-clever, but not anymore.
4. Limbaugh never attacked Fox in a personal way. Limbaugh criticized the content of the Fox ads. He was right to do so, because the Fox ads were untruthful. Fox said that Republicans will stop embryonic stem cell research. That is a false statement. There is not one single GOP politician running for national office today who wants to stop ESCR. They do want to prevent federal funding, and they do want to keep ESCR from expanding, and they do want to stop human cloning. Also, Fox dishonestly failed to differentiate between embryonic stem cell research and adult stem cell research. The GOP is unanimous in supporting ASCR, but you wouldn’t know it from the Fox ad. By the way, if ESCR has produced zero medical breakthroughs and ASCR has produced 72 medical breakthroughs, why are liberals so hell-bent on expanding ESCR? Could it be that liberals are more interested in destroying embryos/unborn babies than they are in curing disease?
Summary—-Limbaugh said nothing untruthful, and he exercised his First Amendment rights to criticize political speech that he didn’t agree with. Fox made statements in a campaign ad that were untruthful and he must be held accountable, regardless of his physical condition.

How unique.  A man like Rush Limbaugh criticizing someone who doesn’t agree with his opinion.  Isn’t this the mouth that proposed death for drug users and their pushers?  I believe so.  Ain’t heard much ‘bout that one, huh?  Oh, by the way, Rush, you conection called, I’m sure you’re in need of a fix.

Most often addicts suffer from narcissism, delusions of grandeur and paranoia- They tend to think their own behavior is above reproach and often believe that all people have the capability to act in such a characterless fashion. I’m not surprised that Mr. Limbaugh would believe Michael J. Fox “faked” it. Look how long he faked not being a drug addict, at the same time criticizing other drug addicts. My ex used to make fun of guys who drank liquor- while he could toss back a case of beer a day-Insanity

Molly, you provide a real American narrative to the issues we face.  For the life of me I can’t understand why so many of my fellow Americans have submitted to the hate filled narrative of first Rush and Newt, and now the entire Republican noise machine, for so long.  November 7th is an important election in our nation’s history.

Will Americans continue to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by profit-motive politicians who see opportunity in perpetual war and shrinking civil liberties, or will we go to the polls to reclaim a nation of democratic rights, individual freedoms, and limited government, that, until Pres. Bush, has served as a beacon to the rest of the world?

Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer, but he strikes a chord with a majority of Americans who elected the current leadership twice.  If the folks that are posting to this site would get a wider read of news rather than what is presented on this very biased website, they might be able to form an opinion that was their own.  Rush Limbaugh is not the problem—-it’s the people that can’t stomach truth, and who are determined to promote their fiction until it seems like truth.  Wake up, Molly!  Austin is the next to last place to get a clue as to how the remainder of flyover country really is.  How about getting out of your protected bubble, and get a clue as to how the world really is.  If you look without your particular brand of opinion filters, you will find that the West is really under attack, and you are merely giving the real enemy comfort.  Pull your head out, and think for yourself.

I must respectfully disagree with you.  Limbaugh has no standards.  He is out to make a buck and feed his ego.  He found that he can do this my appealing those who share his lack of values.  He would turn tomorrow and attack the conservative right wing in the same manner he attacks democrats if he thought he could find a bigger audience amoung democrats than he has amoung republicans.  He was only smart enough early on to realize he could find more “didos” amoung republicans.

reading through these comments, which are mainly negative, and of course with good reason, only tells me that all these angry people have ALLOWED rush to push their buttons.  people like him thrive on negative attention, he must have very low self esteem, is insecure, low self worth, (among other things) because he builds himself up, by tearing others down. the only purpose i see in him, is to provide an outlet for your anger, which in turn leaves an emotional hangover for you.  with all the other stress in our lives, why add him to it. with all the other things going on in our world, wars, terrorism, crime, ect., just how important is he?

How dare the sick appear in public to plead for cures.  They’re exploiting illness!

Rush should leave the diagnosis to Bill Frist.

RUSH SLIMEBALL!!! Please don’t delete this. This bastard has a RIGHT to be identified by he word SLIMEBALL. Please identify this POS (piece of SHIT) by this SLIMEBALL designation, let the Whole World know what this greasy piece of meat is capable of.

Rush thinks he’s acting on the commercial when he’s exhibiting tremors. I read where a commentator said that when we see Michael J Fox on TV as in “Boston Legal” appearing somewhat normal, meaning with out all the tremors, that’s when he’s really acting. They have to often stop shooting because of his tremors. The tremors is his normal behavior.  I would have to agree.

1. Michael Fox is, after all, a Canadian. We live to be shat on by the U.S. If I had troops ...
2. Limbaugh is a fascist.

When Parkinson’s patients take their meds, they move just as Fox does in the ad.  When they’re off their meds, they tend to freeze up.

Had Limbaugh done even some marginal research prior to considering the spot, he’d not have come across as as so woefully ignorant.

But that’s a big “if,” isn’t it?  After all, Rump Leakage didn’t become the wealthy, influential person he is by sticking to the facts.

..|..

If anyone was watching Michael J. Fox was shaking from Parkinson’s two or three years ago, this disease usually progresses, of course Russ does not progress, such a thing is not possible for the concertative mind set, after all trashing people goes back 20 or 30 years, Swiftboat for Justice comes to mind. 

Marge from Vancouver, Washington

COMMENT #33965

Way back in the ‘90’s that “freaking sociopath” was invited to stand right beside that other freaking sociopath, Newt Gingrich, to celebrate the signing of “The Contract With (On) America.”  Apparently the Rethug party does not consider Rush to be just an entertainer. Remember, that so-called contract was THE Rethug accomplishment of the decade.  No, Rush is BMOC in the Rethug school of sleaze.

“Funny Ms. Ivins mentions Nancy Reagan. One is tempted to pull a Limbaugh and mention the possiblity that had not her “Ronnie” been afflicted with Alzheimers Nancy Reagan couldn’t have cared less about the disease and it victims. It is almost daring to suggest that but for her personal experience with this tragic illness Nancy Reagan would be, like a true Republican, spouting about how people of faith must endure what God visits upon them. Thankfully, I am not hearing this from the left. Some things are indeed sacred, at least to most of us.”

What an interesting take on diseases and their victims…....it is almost comical because most of our decisions that we make about how we deal with diseases, such as Alzheimers, come from our own personal experiences with such illnesses. Either our own or a loved one or a friend….Why else would we get involved?

Making something as tragic as Parkinsons, MS, Alzheimers into a political issue doesn’t surprise me about the Repuglicans. It didn’t surprise me that big fat idiot Rush said what he said because I’ve come to expect such rubbish from the trash team.

Consider the source, “Pills” Limbaugh.

I once saw, and heard, President Bush refer to Rush Limbaugh as a “Great American!” If Rush Limbaugh is a great American then I am embarassed to be an American.

As Bette Midler said, “Rush was always a moron, then he became an Oxymoron”

Yeah, it’s not like Rushbaugh has ever exaggerated or anything, and he’s surely an expert at medications and stuff. It’s all Michael J. Fox’s fault for getting sick. No, wait. It’s Clinton’s fault. I almost forgot. *EVERYTHING* is Clinton’s fault.

Gosh, that Rushbaugh can step outside without getting struck by a lightning bolt is the best evidence I know that there is no God.

the only sleaze around here is the tube of infested KY Jelly that you and your readers crawled out of. my best is that none of you bother to listen to him… only to yourselves talking among each other about what you think he said in those vacuous empty minds of yours.

Fortunately the only people who listen to the Huckster, oops I mean Rushster, are people like him. Anyone with common sense and decency dont waste their time with such trash.

Does no one understand that Limbaugh, by his own admission early on in his “career” in St. Louis radio, considers himself an entertainer (his words) before all else?

Disgusting, yes. Repulsive, certainly, but foremost a self-absorbed yet shrewd judge of just what people will swallow when it’s spoon-fed to their prejudices. He knows EXACTLY what he’s doing appealing to his listeners’ basest emotions.

It’s not about ideology, or any other higher-minded purpose. It’s merely his own satisfaction and aggrandizement that matters—period.

Freaking sociopath.

In the immortal words of Monty Python:

“It’s the end of Civilization as we know it!”

Sadly, it truly is…...........

Like so many, once great, civilizations in History before us, we are on the decline. And we have the same “elephants” to blame for the rise of their Sacred Trinity: Power, Hate, and Greed!

I wish that I could forgive them “...for they know not what they do.”

But they DO know what they are doing—- and they don’t care anymore.

And as the Truth is “...twisted by knaves” there are too many fools trapped into believing lies from a pack of liars!

It IS the beginning of the end.

by

Rush’s attack on Michael Fox proves two things.  First: He would not know the truth if it bit his backside and he does not care.
Second: It proves if anyone who might be heard says something contrary to Rush/Bush desires, the Republicans will attack, attack, attack with any kind of lie or fabrication they can dream up.

Just more shit shoveled at us from a leader of the crowd who used to tell us that there are absolute moral imperatives, and that it’s only the lunatic left that engages in “moral relativism.” 

Perhaps someone might find an opportunity to meet Rush in a dark alley and beat the living shit our of him, until he too can barely breathe, his body too shakes in uncontrollable paroxysms, and he too cannot even mouth the word “help,” let alone say it.  He might learn something, if his drug besotted brain is capable of learning anything. 

Now, would it be wrong to beat Limbaugh?  Perhaps, but as long as the assailant had a “legitimate” political agendum to advance and he apologized for it later, it would be OK.  Isn’t that the “moral” lesson we can take home in this instance from Mush Dimbulb and his asshole, right wing friends?

Limbaugh should live so long to develop Parkinsonism, Alzheimers or preferably to break his neck around c-5.

Rush Limbaugh is one of the most repulsive people I’ve ever seen or heard. I never listen to Rush or Fox but still have to listen to his defenders on liberal radio. For some reason liberal radio gives Rush defenders unlimited air time. When I hear them coming, I quickly turn off the radio and scrub down in the shower.

George Bush and the republican party has always had sleazy right wing talk show hosts such as Limbaugh,Hannity, and people like Ann Coulter do
their racist bigoted dirty work and then they distance themselves from it. These people will do and say anything to win a election, even steal it. Who really knows if our votes really count. One thing I know for sure. Republicans accuse Democrats of playing the race card While the Republicans are busy playing the racist card.

Limbaug is lower than a snake’s belly with apologies to all the snakes out there.

Its impossible to stoop to the same level as Rush Limbaugh without getting fleas.

To pick up on Repub logic - last year Cheney declared that the increase in attacks by Iraqi insurgents was proof that we were winning the war. (Sort of like a last gasp thing, I guess.)

By the same strange Repub token, Rush’s attack on a disabled person is proof that we Dems are winning the poltical war.  (Sort of like a last gasp thing, obviously.)

You’d think Rush’s losing struggle with the diseases of drug addiction, over-eating, and ego masturbation would give him some sympathy for his fellow human - instead he comes out with this.  As you say, Nancy Reagan is most certainly using her husband’s fame to forward her agenda on Alzheimer’s and stem cell research.  For every Ronnie Reagan, a high profile Republican with the best of health care, there are literally millions of men and women, mothers and fathers, grandmas and grandpas - with little or no health insurance and no long term care to speak of except to emotionally and financially drain their families as they slowly slip away. It is a tragedy for each family, whether it recieves media attention or not.  To see someone like Michael Fox - young, vibrant - in what should be the height of his career - shaking, trembling, all with the kind of dignity and intelligence that the Rush Limbaugh’s of the world can only dream of…it makes me sad and sick.  I hope this episode of Rush ‘verbal vomiting’ sickens everyone who heard it.  He is a dinosaur - lumbering around hurting people long after he should have joined the other fossils in the swamp.  They’re right about one thing - it is a new world with the need for a new vision - but they were drastically wrong in their choices.  Instead of bringing out the best in themselves - they chose to resort to this kind of garbage - sleaze and slime.  Not even the old smoke and mirrors we grew up with.  Just plain filth appealing to the lowest of natures - we deserve better - the whole world deserves better.  The American ideals of personal freedoms - of the basic dignity of the common man - are still very much alive, if a bit bloodied and bruised.  It’s not too late - but it will be difficult. Very difficult. Even a snake can still bite you when it’s head is completely severed from its body - but it can be done.  To take advantage of the Halloween season - I say break out the stakes and mallets and let’s get rid of these vampires.
Throw all the bums out - a clean sweep - and the new guys who do get in - we’ll be watching you closely.

Russ Limbaugh was always repulsive, Now he is even repulsiver.

Rush is repulsive. In SO many ways. Funny he attacks a medical condition for political use but used one himself to avoid Viet Nam.

  B

  http://b-political.blogspot.com/

Funny Ms. Ivins mentions Nancy Reagan. One is tempted to pull a Limbaugh and mention the possiblity that had not her “Ronnie” been afflicted with Alzheimers Nancy Reagan couldn’t have cared less about the disease and it victims. It is almost daring to suggest that but for her personal experience with this tragic illness Nancy Reagan would be, like a true Republican, spouting about how people of faith must endure what God visits upon them. Thankfully, I am not hearing this from the left. Some things are indeed sacred, at least to most of us.

It would make me very happy if Limbaugh was thrown out of the country. Preferably to Iraq,and I do not mean the Green Zone.