20 years of excellence

How could any conservative let this day pass without saying anything? Surely not yours truly, one of countless dedicated and appreciative “Rush Babies”.

Dad led me to Reagan and to Rush, and it was through the incomparable Rush Limbaugh that I found the rich and verdant fields of conservative thought, practice, optimism, and humour.

It is only sensible to put these two fine men in the same place: both live the principles of conservatism — of love for and faith in God; loyalty to and love for family and country; small government and relying on oneself; individual liberty; capitalism and a free market; the rule of law — and they did so every day. Wonderfully, through doing so, they both unapologetically taught us how to do the same as well, with charm, class, and very good humour.

The only difference is that Reagan warned Russia that we were about to commence bombing. Rush? He doesn’t bother.

For 20 years, Rush has been on the American airwaves giving leftists and RINOs coronaries, Monday through Friday, noon to three. More than that, though, for 20 years, Rush Limbaugh has been on the American airwaves encouraging, enlightening, educating, and yes, entertaining patriots from sea to shining sea.

Rush’s insight, accuracy, optimism and jollity seem truly endless. For this reason, he’s the most-listened to voice on radio and has been for some time.

Personally, I adore Rush, and have listened pretty faithfully to his program for nearly my entire life. I consider the man my political father, because he helped me understand and realize why I believe what I believe, why I adored and admired Reagan and the Founders so, and how to defend it all. He’s taught me, he’s kept me informed, and he’s made me laugh.

But I have to say that for me, the most important thing Rush has done is encouraged me and reminded me not to give up when I was on the verge of collapsing into despair. Countless times, I’d be sitting at my desk at the office, near tears — exhausted from the seemingly never-ending cycle of work and college, discouraged because of the way my hard work and loyalty was ignored or, worse, taken advantage of, wounded because I’d been twiced hired for a better position then told I couldn’t take it because they didn’t want to replace me, despairing of anything better, void of hope, my confidence destroyed. More often than I care to admit, I was ready to quit, to walk out, to give up in the face of adversity and despiteful use.

In these dark moments, I’d pray, of course…but all too often, too frequently for it to be coincidence, El Rushbo would launch into one of his incredible monologues about the ingenuity of the regular American, about our exceptionalism, about how very blessed we are to live in a free country where we can succeed at any thing we put our minds and shoulders to. Though I was sitting in a place where it was clear that my very hard work and dedication was going to come to naught, Rush’s words never, ever failed to inspire me, exhort me, restore my previously rarely shaken sanguinity. Never failed.

Only a man who sincerely believes such things can speak them and truly lift up tired hearts, shore them up for another long, hard drive to a constantly moving finish line. Though I dare say I owe Rush a lot, most of all I owe him a big “thank you” for bucking me up when I needed it most, for reminding me that winners don’t quit no matter how badly they seem to be failing.

One must keep on fighting, keep on struggling; after all, even the Bible says, “having done all to stand, stand“. It says “run with endurance the race that is set before us”. Sometimes…we won’t win. We will fall flat on our faces. The difference is whether we get up to try again, to fight another day, wounded and bleeding or not. No whining…just…get up. Try again. Life is really, really tough, but someday you’ll be all right. It’s worth the fight.

There’s really no doubt in my mind that during times when I was too agitated to even read my Bible, God would use Rush to nudge me, and doubtless legion others, to struggle back into the race with anticipation of things someday, somehow getting better. Without Rush, I sometimes wonder if I’d have learned to take courage at all, to choose to be joyful, to step out on a limb and start my own business.

Really, only a believer can have and maintain that sort of attitude. Only one who has lived their life by the principles they tout can speak them with such conviction as Rush does. In recent years, Rush has been more honest about his faith, and I’m glad of it. Besides, it sure explains a lot about the man.

So, thank you, Maha Rushie. From one harmless, lovable little fuzzball to The Harmless, Lovable Little Fuzzball…Thanks for 20 great years, and here’s to at least 20 more. I love you Rush, and thanks for all you’ve done. May your pursuit of excellence continue for as long as Old Glory continues to wave.

Oh, and Dad…thanks for introducing me to the man who supered the sounds of gunfire, animals screeching and bombs dropping over Andy Williams’ “Born Free” the very first time this animal-lover heard the EIB Network. I love you too.

(Yes, I totally ripped that off. Sorry, Rush.)

I have a challenge for you this weekend: instead of reading or listening to the tales of woe and misery our media is so good at propagating, read about a real, live, American Success Story. Read about a man who is unfailingly expectant and upbeat, who has met adversity head-on and without complaint, who has been an undeniably huge success professionally, financially and, if an angel named Clarence is to believed, endeared himself to millions who’d be honoured and delighted to call him “friend”. Instead of feeding on negativity and bad news, treat yourself to reading the stories and tales of warm admiration earned by a man who has definitely beat the odds from among these wonderful tributes, just a few among many, to a Real Man, A Living Legend, A Way…of Life.

Roy Spencer:

We don’t want a steady stream of bad news all the time. We don’t need a daily dose of new crises to wring our hands over. And in a country with abundant opportunities for success – where your creativity and ambition not only benefit you, but benefit everyone else – we sure don’t need our politicians telling us that we need them in order to be successful in life.

What Rush Limbaugh has provided this country far exceeds his lucrative income, the result of what Rush calls “confiscatory advertising rates.” For every dollar he has earned over the years, his encouragement to millions of loyal Dittoheads has surely generated much more in new wealth for us all.

…Rush is America. Its ideals and aspirations, work ethic and patriotism. A people who would rather focus on all that is right with our country rather than complain about what is wrong.

Jay Nordlinger, who, since Mr. Buckley and Mr. Snow and of course Mr. Reagan are gone, is now on the list of my living joys of humanity along with America’s Anchorman:

He is talented, witty, creative, informed, and smart as hell. People look up to him, and love him — and they’re quite right. When I was managing editor of National Review, I interviewed a lot of young people — interns and junior editors. I’d often ask, “How did you become a conservative?” Many answered — sometimes sheepishly — that they had listened to Rush Limbaugh. Some of them said that they had listened to him behind their parents’ backs.

…Rush is brave, tough, and unusual. He has faced adversity: addiction, deafness, slander and libel. And he has handled it all with unbelievable grace and self-possession. He is almost the antithesis of the modern American, in that he doesn’t whine, doesn’t make excuses — doesn’t blame other people. He is a warrior, and a happy one.

Also, he is incredibly warm and generous, as he has demonstrated time and again.

…I have long wanted to write a book on this American original, Rush Limbaugh. Maybe I will someday. And let us hope that he talks and lives forever. We need him. He is so gifted, and so extraordinary, and so cool.

Mary Matalin:

Rush is an American Renaissance man. Not only are his interests broad and deep, his expertise on myriad subjects legendary, his character is relentless — and most importantly — comprehensively and quintessentially American. He teaches us, reminds us, inspires us with his pitch-perfect, gut-level understanding and articulation of freedom and America’s unique role in leveraging it for the greatest progress in the history of the world. He epitomizes what we all aspire to be, both as citizens and individuals. His strength and fearlessness in the face of both collective cultural weaknesses and his own individual travails are seemingly unavailable to “mere mortals,” but he would insist he is nothing more than a product of what America uniquely produces.

Why is Rush so special? To paraphrase his beloved Ronald Reagan, all it takes for freedom to become extinct is one generation. We don’t pass it on through our bloodstream; we have to teach it to each generation. Each generation has one stand-out teacher and keeper of the flame; he is ours and we are grateful.

One more thing: he is damn funny.

Fellow Michigander Ted Nugent:

As C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Enemy occupied territory — that is what the world is.” In other words, we live in a target rich environment. No human alive has caused more angst and frustration to liberals, socialists and mangy hippies than radio trailblazer Rush Limbaugh. I’m glad he doesn’t play guitar.

With half his brain tied behind his back, for the past 20 years Rush has driven liberals batty while entertaining tens of millions by simply being who he is: a man of passion, patriotism, good cheer, principles, conviction and armed with a razor sharp intellect.

….Political labels aside, Rush’s core beliefs were given birth long ago by our Founding Fathers who harbored a fond distrust of an expansive federal government… Rush is in good company.

Rush knows that liberalism/socialism isn’t just wrongheaded (and wildly amusing), but is a dangerous political ideology that runs counter to the very underpinnings of liberty and freedom. He knows that liberalism destroys opportunity, smothers creativity and enslaves people. In order for liberty and freedom to flourish, the shackles of liberalism must be discarded.

…The Rush Limbaugh story is the American Dream personified. With a core set of beliefs on which to draw and an incredible work ethic, Rush set a course that has carried him to the highest peaks of the broadcasting universe. Still he continues to push the brass ring further from his own grasp, working hard to do better every day.

…Rock on, Rush.

Roger Hedgecock:

Every one of us faces adversity in life – tests of our determination to live our dreams and make our lives worthwhile and sometimes tests of our physical ability to make it. Rush has faced more tests than most people with determination, optimism and good humor.

Steve Forbes:

Rush Limbaugh is part of the trinity that made modern conservatism the most potent political and economic force in America.

William F. Buckley, Jr. provided the energetic intellectual foundations that turned conservatism from an angry xenophobic, often anti-Semitic fringe of American political life into a forward-looking, thoughtful, appealing movement that attracted an ever-growing number of adherents as the dysfunctional characteristics of big government became more apparent and the play-nice approach to the former Soviet Union invited aggression and disaster.

Ronald Reagan took a philosophical movement and made it the dominant driver in American politics. Reagan’s sunny disposition, his strong sense of direction and his effectiveness as President — both in reviving the American economy and winning the Cold War against the Soviet Union — demonstrated the power and rightness of conservative ideas and ideals.

Two decades ago Rush Limbaugh moved conservatism into the everyday mainstream of American life. He buoyantly, successfully took up the cudgels in the war of ideas, literally reaching millions of listeners each afternoon. He combined humor with penetrating but folksily-presented insights that skewered the left and positively promoted the right.

Burt Prelutsky agrees wholeheartedly with Forbes, by the way.

Byron York:

Limbaugh, now celebrating his 20th year as a national radio host, is single-handedly responsible for a movement on the part of some Democrats to revive the “Fairness Doctrine.” With origins in the earliest laws regulating radio, the Doctrine became, by the time a young Rush Limbaugh entered radio in the 1970s, a de facto ban on editorializing. Had the Reagan-era Federal Communications Commission not done away with it in the 1980s — it was a patently unconstitutional limit on the First Amendment rights of broadcasters — Limbaugh’s career would never have happened.

…So now, with Democrats once again controlling the House and Senate, we’re back to the Fairness Doctrine. And as wide-ranging and issue-oriented as this debate sometimes appears, it’s really all about one man: Rush Limbaugh.

…Rush Limbaugh will surely receive lots of tributes on his 20th anniversary. But none will be more sincere than the liberal effort to put him out of business.

The unsuccessful aren’t hated, y’all.

Brent Bozell III:

Finally, it is Rush’s humility. Sure, there’s the “Talent of Loan from God” and all that. But sit on his balcony, share a cigar, and engage him in private conversation. What emerges is the portrait of a man brimming with confidence but also awe-struck by it all: grateful for his friends, grateful for his career, and grateful for his country. A few years ago at a Media Research Center Gala I sprang him on stage as a surprise guest. The audience, 1,000 guests packed in the room stood but didn’t applaud. They didn’t cheer. They roared. Rush stopped dead in his tracks, turned and looked at me with genuine amazement. He simply hadn’t expected that reaction.

A wonderful little bit from Melanie Morgan.

He is a humble man; when President Bush, Bush 41, and Jeb Bush called into the show today, Rush the unflappable was clearly a bit flummoxed. He’s truly amazed and awed by his success, by the admiration, affection, and real love so many have for him. I can’t help but wonder how many times he sits outside with a cigar and wonders at it all.

Of one thing, though, Rush can be certain: he’s earned every iota.

Keep your stick on the ice, Rush.