Incredibly, right-wingers like Rush Limbauh are attacking Michael J. Fox as supposedly faking his Parkinson's symptoms in ads for several pro-embryonic-stem-cell-research political candidates. So, was Michael J. Fox faking it in the above interview as well? Is there a circle of Hell low enough for people like Rush Limbaugh, accusing someone with a serious illness of "exaggerating the effects of the disease?" As Washington Post writer David Montgomery puts it:
Possibly worse than making fun of someone's disability is saying that it's imaginary. That is not to mock someone's body, but to challenge a person's guts, integrity, sanity.
So true.
P.S. I wonder if George Allen, who opposes embryonic stem cell research that could cure Michael J. Fox, agrees with Rush Limbaugh's heinous comments. If not, I expect his campaign to condemn Rush Limbaugh immediately.
P.P.S. Whoops, I almost forgot that George Allen and Rush Limbaugh have a major mutual-admiration society going. Check this out from January 2006, North Carolina Conservative (NCC):
NCC: Rush Limbaugh has repeatedly stated that your political speeches are inspirational and remind him of President Reagan; what is your reaction to his praise?Sen. Allen: That is as high a compliment as I can envision. I like Rush Limbaugh GÇö he is an influential and smart leader. He is also entertaining. I find it relaxing to listen to Rush. It is a very high compliment to be mentioned by Rush, and to be mentioned with my political hero, the man who motivated me to get involved in politics, President Reagan. I was in law school, at the University of Virginia, when they asked me to become chairman of Young Americans for Reagan, which was my first experience in organized politics. Plus, Rush knows sports, and he knows football.
Ain't that precious?
Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign. The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.
But Limbaugh has always been crude:
Feminism was established to allow unattractive
women easier access to the mainstream.
- Rush Limbaugh
On July 14, 2003, ESPN announced that Limbaugh would be joining ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown show as a weekly commentator when it premiered on September 7. Limbaugh would provide the "voice of the fan" and was supposed to spark debate on the show.[33]On September 28, Limbaugh commented about Donovan McNabb, the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles:
"Sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go. I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve.
Limbaugh had to resign from ESPN for these racist remarks. That was in 2003. Allen spoke in 2006. Was Allen implicitly approving of those remarks?
If Rush Limbaugh has endorsed Allen for '08 then you know he's got major moral, integrity and character flaws. That endorsement alone tells me all I need to know about George Allen. He will never get my vote.
Just a few weeks ago, I attended the Parkinsons Action Network annual event here in Washington, at which Diane Rehm had a sit-down conversation Fox (before the awards presentation). Just watching Fox was such a unique experience - someone clearly in full control of his mind, passionate and eager to advocate for his positions, and yet with so little control over his body's motions. The Fox in this ad is the same person - determined, clear in his beliefs, and sadly, fighting a battle against a physically predatory illness.
I hope they roast Rush for this.
Voting Machines messing up the ballot in Alexandria, Falls Church, and Charlottesville.
It's being talked about all over cable news. Even Repubs are having a hard time defending the comments. I think because the ad is so powerful, they thought they'd use Rush to try to tap it down.
They need to show this everywhere. I'd love to see it here in Virginia. It really might open some eyes. And we would have Michael J Fox to thank.
In these situations the "us" can do no evil and any means is justified by the ends.
The "them" can do no good.
The "them" is completely wrong because there are only two possible conditions: right and wrong.
This explains the wild eyed support for our military until a soldier comes home and states he supports a Democrat. Or doesn't support Bush. Or doesn't support the war. By standing against the current philosophy of the Republican party that soldier becomes the enemy - and it's ok to trash a war hero, decorated soldier, or triple amputee.
And so it is no surprise that Rush and fellow Republicans do or say anything against someone like Michael J. Fox. He stands against them and is therefore an enemy. Being the enemy he can not be trusted. He must be evil. He must be wrong. He would do anything to see the forces of evil crush the forces of good.
I don't know whether they believe it deep inside or if it's merely part of the Republican effort to deceive their own followers into thinking such nonsense. Either way, it's pathetic.
But in the end it's all about keeping power. They will stoop to any low to keep their position of power. What used to be a difference of political ideology is slowly morphing into a fight against power obsessed leaders who will stop at nothing to retain power. And pray that it doesn't become a fight to maintain the democracy which we hold dear.
Make a "Stem Cell Challenge" list of all who oppose it and ask them one by one.
Q: Is there a circle of Hell low enough for people like Rush Limbaugh...
A: Personally suffering or having a child suffering from one of these illnesses.
Rush claims that "some people say" that Fox goes off his meds prior to appearing in the media. Well, I have heard that "other people say" that Rush Limbaugh is still addicted to pain pills, viagra, and cocaine.
Limbaugh's an overblown, unconscionable, cowardly blowhard and drug addict who never had a real job in his life and spends all his time pontificating and bloviating about other people for money. Other than that he's a swell guy.