The New York Times Rush Limbaugh Interview

Image from source, New York Times

Whether you love Rush Limbaugh or loathe him (I'd land pretty squarely in the latter category), the New York Times interview piece on him is a fascinating read. It's got a fairly straightforward approach--not too deferential, not overly complimentary--but it misses a big point. That being, Limbaugh has no respect for his listeners.

His fans think that his "dittohead" moniker for them, and many comments about them being "mindless slaves" are all in good humor. I think he means it. Why? Because even a brief listen to his show (or early morning updates) betray his tactics. He seems to start with a conclusion, and wrap a story around it. Gas prices are high? It's the Democrats' fault! And here's why. . .

If you are knowledgeable about whatever topic he is deconstructing, you can almost always find several places where he's deliberately misleading his audience, even outright lying. It is impossible for him to have any respect for his audience when he's expecting them to swallow a line of b.s., and believe it to be truth.

I know, I know, where are your examples, Mr. Greenlee? Transcripts, please? Sorry. Too much time spent blogging to go on a Google hunt right now. But I've got ears and I've got a brain. Examples are plentiful. Try MediaMatters.org for countless examples--with transcripts. If that isn't good enough, drop me a line, and I'll dig something up later, 'K? Thanks.

[Excerpt]

Late-Period Limbaugh

. . .I had come to talk to Limbaugh about his role in Republican Party politics. During the primaries he assailed John McCain as a phony conservative and apostate Reaganite. Despite Limbaugh’s best efforts, it now appeared that the Arizona senator would be the nominee. There was speculation that Limbaugh would not support him in November. . .

Read more at: New York Times