I am no Rush Limbaugh fan. I used to be a semi-fan ten years ago when he was just a goofball who offended PC sensibilities, but I tired of his antics not long after Clinton was elected. Then for a while, after feeling betrayed by Clinton, I started listening to him again, then I got disgusted with Limbaugh and quit. Besides, how can you stand listening to all those commercials?
On the other hand, the hysteria thrown his way often struck me as every bit as irritating as he himself. That such a clown should create so much controversy says a lot about how shrill our politics have become.
Having said all this, I must say the man has done a great interview with historian Victor Davis Hanson, and if you haven't read it yet, you should. Yes, whether you're "conservative" or not, it's a really excellent interview with a very learned and highly influential man. It goes on for several pages, and all are worth your time. We're undergoing a fundamental shift in our politics, which are going to look nothing like they did over the last 10+ years.
The two-party system is already undergoing a radical shakeup, but it's funny: if history is a guide, in 10 or so years we'll still have Democrats and Republicans, they just won't look much like they do today. Hanson's got his finger on the pulse that change.
Thanks to Ara for the link.
* Update * - Gary Utter found me the link to this excellent Boston Globe piece on Victor Davis Hanson. I knew about the article but couldn't find the link, so thanks Gary!
Rush is okay, if you listen to him for the humour. The Lovely Susan and I make a point of tuning him in for our drive to work, and we spend half our drives laughing our butts off.
Meanwhile, here is another fascinating article/interview with VDH...
http://boston.com/dailyglobe2/145/focus/The_farmer+.shtml
I have very little use for Rush, but I did enjoy the interview transcript.
Favorite quote: [it]"Turns out that an American with sunglasses and listening to rock music, naming his tank “Anger Management” is a much, much deadlier guy than a suicide bomber."
Heh...
I prefered listening to the G-Man (G Gordon Liddy) when he was available in the south central Wisconsin radio market. Liddy actually allowed his call-in listeners to talk at length. He was educated, cultured and experienced in governmental affairs. Moreover, he took the rap for the Watergate break-in with never a whimper, no complaining, no explaining. Totally unlike the weaping and wailing little rats who made up Nixon's extended White House political staff.
Rush, on the other hand, interrupts and cuts off callers, using them merely as radio stage props to sustain his monologues. On the other hand, Rush's writings are high quality, and he cannot interrupt you while you are reading them.
But mostly, I'm not ANYONE'S dittohead. As most of you who have been reading my posts probably have figured out by now.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
I had no clue that he existed at the time, but I almost ended up taking a double major in comp. sci. and classics at Fresno State, where I'm sure I would have had Hanson as a prof.
I originally only read page 3 of this, as that's where your link goes Dean, going back now to re-read the whole thing.
Hanson gives me hope that those of us from the Valley can turn out ok. :-)
Aaack! I wish I'd noticed that sooner. Thanks for spotting that, Dave. I've fixed it.
dsl angebot dsl dsl dsl tarife dsl flatrate isdn xxl dsl bestellen dsl dsl flatrate dsl dsl dsl angebote 1&1
I enjoyed reading this thoughtful article. Great work.
Interesting, well researched and informative, but I'm not sure I totally agree