Rush Limbaugh Speaks at Sojourners' Mobilization to End Poverty

[HopeForPeaceNow]

Freaked me out at first... this is great!

Do you guys know the joke he started the real CPAC with?

He was debunking the notion that he is vain, then he told a joke where the punchline was that...

... when God wants to feel important, He sits in Rush's chair in heaven.

So much pity for this man.

[ntbcbilly]

Someone needs to look at the studies breaking down the percentages given to charity between liberals and conservatives.

[TzzX78]

FUNNY VERY FUNNY STUFFF

[eddyvideostar]

REORGANIZE.

[THE1CALLEDJ]

Hilarious!!

If a person didn't know who Rush was before seeing this one may think Rush is a genuinely compassionate person.

But we all know better.

He's a poison for the minds of the ignorant.

[mavrek47]

How come Flush Dimbaugh NEVER mentions the FACT his brain's been poisoned & eaten away by MILLIONS of Oxy-Contin? ~S. Hannity

[Mangina9000]

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that

shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your

garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and

the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat

your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for

the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped

down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud...

[Mangina9000]

I also find it strange that you feel that Rush Limbaugh, who advocated violent infiltration of poor minority neighborhoods to weed out drug trafficking, is somehow free from having to serve the same sentence because he has half a billion dollars (and is white and talks like an American is supposed to, etc.). This is a form of class warfare if ever there was one. Rush Limbaugh, of his own accord, also believes we should tax the poor. Obviously, in his mind, this is a tax fairness issue.

[abdulmuhib]

Wow. This was actually really moving. I understand it's satire, but it was also filled with hope- it's what I would one day hope to actually see from Limbaugh.

[altarofego]

Sojourners - From your editing computer to God's ear.

[StashBurners]

Keep it up Rush. Id love to live to see the destruction of the republican party. GO LIMBAUGH/THE PLUMER 2010!!!!

[stuntmasta305]

LOL that is so funny.

[2oldstroke]

I'm so glad Sojourners isn't like those right wing Christian organizations that try to push their political views on us while neglecting the gospel.

Oops wait a minute, am I at the right web site?

[jedidad72]

you TOTALLY got me on this one, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

[drrocketanski]

Well, we might note that he has raised a lot of money for and sits on the board of directors of a charity that supports the children of military or law enforcement officers who have been KIA. (Look up The Marine Corps-Lawn Enforcement Foundation and check out the Directors).

But nevermind that...keep swallowing what the media says about him and continue to judge in ignorance. Sojourners has, so I'm confident you can, too.

[WonderingAloud2]

Sadly, Rush's speech didn't need to be edited to demonstrate that he sincerely cares about the poor. I'm very disappointed to see Sojourners make this unfair attack.

[FigurinItOut]

What has Limbaugh done for the poor, let them listen to his radio show for free?

Limbaugh is the man who was fully in favor of hefty bonuses for executives of a near-bankrupt company. Forgive me if I don't imagine him doling out soup in a bread line anytime soon (unless his parole officer makes him do it).

[WonderingAloud2]

The information is out there if you want to look.  Rush doesn't make a point to blatantly trumpet what he does and gives, which I think is respectable (and maybe even biblical).

Does he have a different solution to ending poverty than Sojourners' solution? Yes. However, how is it fair to say that because his view is different, he doesn't actually care about the poor?

Listen to his CPAC speech all the way through. It forced me to let go of some of my preconceived notions about him.

[FigurinItOut]

I've spoken out against Rush Limbaugh a lot lately, but here's my history with him.

When he was first on radio many many years ago I thought he was pretty entertaining. He talked about a lot of topics in a funny, unique way. Then all of the sudden everything became "Hate Bill Clinton." His one-sidedness was new to me, and I constantly said to myself "How can this one man, Clinton, be ALL bad and Bush Sr. be ALL good? His bias was so obvious it really got me to LIKE Clinton. (see part 2)

[FigurinItOut]

Part 2 - I'm happy I voted for Clinton. I've observed Limbaugh getting more and more arrogant and one-sided. His bias is so obvious I can't imagine anyone taking him seriously. You talk about listening to his speech, but I already KNOW his opinion can't be trusted. It's like Limbaugh tells you to love apples instead of oranges, then he presents a million ways to slant you to his way of thinking. It's a dangerous type of hate speech. The Nazis were very one-sided, weren't they? (see part 3)

[FigurinItOut]

Part 3- Okay, last point. I was recently reading about Limbaugh's personal life and I see it as a gauge of who the man is. He abused drugs to the point of destroying his hearing, he finalized his third divorce, he's gaining serious weight, etc. We ALL go through our problems, but before I listen to someone I say "Consider the Source." If someone tells me what I need to do to "be happy," can I honestly look at that person and see that they're happy? Should I listen to them? With Rush it's NO WAY!

[FigurinItOut]

Personally, I wish Rush the human being a happy life. Professionally, I can't stand him.

[WonderingAloud2]

I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with Rush. He's not a perfect man, that's for sure. His arguments are slanted, yes but what else is the point of an argument but to convince one of your views?  I think it is very dangerous road to compare Rush to the Nazis. I don't always agree with the man, but, wow, that is a serious accusation.

However, I still don't understand why having a different solution to ending poverty than those at Sojourners means that he doesn't really care about the poor.

[FigurinItOut]

I don't mean to compare Rush to the Nazi atrocities, I just mean the Nazis convinced a nation to think a certain way while discarding any opposing perspectives. I read where the Goebbels, the Nazi minister of propaganda, said it was a "small matter" to convince the masses of their way of thinking.

Rush's dittoheads disturb me sometimes. Some of them seem to parrot everything he says without really thinking about it.

[WonderingAloud2]

I think any time you deal with pundits (on both sides), you find that they discard any opposing perspectives and that a lot of the most ardent supporters of them will parrot without thinking, Rush's included (especially?). Still, pundits (on both sides) can sometimes have something worth saying. Sometimes.

[FigurinItOut]

I have to add, you sound like someone who is thoughtful about the things you say and do. When a person has that quality, I don't care who they admire or listen to. It's refreshing to hear the sense of openness!

(I try to be open-minded, but sometimes I'm like my father. He'll go on a rant and there's no stopping him!)

[WonderingAloud2]

Here, I feel that Rush has been unfairly made a whipping boy for having a different opinion. I first became interested in Sojourners because I was tired of the Christian Right acting this way. It is disheartening to see that the other side isn't any better. I wish both sides would see the value in the other views.

I enjoy honest and open discussion on most any topic. It's hard to find interlocuters who will engage in a discussion without it turning into name calling, and I thank you for that.

[Mangina9000]

"I still don't understand ... means that he doesn't really care about the poor."

It is part of the doctrine of "greed is good" to "not care about the poor," in the sense that the they believe that the poor are there because they deserve it. It is a doctrine evolved from Calvinism, Randian Objectivism, a fear of those below one taking over (i.e. oppressors getting their "comeuppance") among other things. It exists to cleanse them of their materialistic sins, and is not rooted in love.

[WonderingAloud2]

I really didn't hear that in Rush's speech (or in other research I've done on Rush). In fact, he basically said the opposite. He said the poor were poor often not by their own fault. He did not say they deserve being poor. He claimed that there is a difference between helping the poor by giving them money and supplies and helping the poor by giving them opportunities to rise above their circumstances. I don't see how the latter means you don't care about the poor.

[Mangina9000]

"He claimed that there is a difference between helping the poor by giving them money and supplies and helping the poor by giving them opportunities to rise above their circumstances."

While I don't doubt the superficial aspects of conservative ideology, that is not what makes them conservative-- Nobody likes the idea that people will be jobless, hungry and unskilled, but when you refuse to be proactive when people are starving to death in front of you, that is "not caring about the poor."

[WonderingAloud2]

My research consisted of listening to Rush's CPAC speech, as well as listening to other segments I could find by him. I also researched some of his financial records which demonstrated many donations to charities, many of which work with the poor. It seems to me that the actions of this man are that of someone who cares about the poor. Granted, it is a different way than relying on the federal government, but what's wrong with that?

[Mangina9000]

"Granted, it is a different way than relying on the federal government, but what's wrong with that? "

I don't doubt that Republicans\conservatives volunteer their time and donate money to charity. It's wonderful that Rush Limbaugh takes the time to donate $5000 to a charity ball. The fundamental precept is that this voluntary display of "charity" should be enough to cure society's ills (individuals decide where help is needed). That was the experiment, and it failed.

[WonderingAloud2]

And here's where you and Rush would fundamentally disagree. Rush would claim that the claimed experiment never happened, as the government was involved the whole time to the detriment of the experiment and you would say otherwise. You both could tell complex, compelling stories making your case, using historical facts. However, both stories are from people who care about the poor. One thinks the government hinders the process and the other thinks that government helps. Both still care.

[Mangina9000]

I understand where you're coming from. Of course, nobody thinks that they are doing bad things, and nobody would ever admit that they were walking in "sin." You are right that both of us would use historical arguments to back up our cases, but there's a very clear and real reason based on very clear and real events in recent history that explain why Krugman won the Nobel prize and David Friedman is not going to find a plate at the White House dinner table for the next 8 years.

[Mangina9000]

Also, we did experience a long period of history where there was no income tax and our nation lived in accordance with 19th century liberal ideals (liberal in the 19th century sense). This time was known as the Long Depression. The failure of government intervention came during Vietnam, when many social programs failed to address the plight of populations that had been toiling and floundering since manumission. This, the classicists said, is reason why gov't intervention was wrong.

[WonderingAloud2]

Now we're getting into whether or not Rush's view is right, and not whether or not he cares about the poor. THAT is the discussion that I'd like to see Sojourners having with Rush. Then ideas are being engaged and people can be challenged and learn from each other.

Throughout this thread, my concern has been with the defeating of a strawman. It may feel good and bring about laughs, but ultimately makes you look worse than your opponent, because you don't actually engage them. (cont)

[WonderingAloud2]

I just want fair representation of the views of others, even when there is disagreement. In my life, I've spent more time arguing for fair representation of the views of people like Sojourners than for the views of Rush. However, until each understands what the other one is actually saying, they often argue right past each other and both sides end up looking bad because to an outsider, it's clear they're completely missing each other. (cont)

[WonderingAloud2]

I'd really like to see liberal and conservative Christians sit down with each other and really listen to each other, and maybe we could form a united front in Christianity working to eliminate poverty regardless which party is in charge of the government as opposed to mocking each other and tearing each other down.

[Mangina9000]

First of all, I really admire your commitment to mediation and understanding. It is a rare and noble path to take in life. However, I do not think Limbaugh is terribly concerned with the kind of dialogue and mediation that you are referring to. Anybody that writes a book called "How Liberals Are Waging War Against Christians" is a person who is interested in capitalizing off of fear and intolerance, not coming to any kind of common understanding.

[WonderingAloud2]

I agree that Rush definitely comes across as not wanting to dialogue. Maybe if he found a liberal who was genuinely willing to dialogue in that way, he'd consider it. I don't know. I don't know the man. I think more often than not, both sides would be completely caught off guard by someone truly wanting to dialogue instead of arguing past each other and might actually listen.

Just to be fair, I do need to mention that his younger brother wrote the book you're referring to, not Rush himself.

[Mangina9000]

"Christianity working to eliminate poverty regardless" There are plenty of bipartisan\non-partisan efforts to help people, but these are not in the realm of Rush Realm, these people are beneath the floorboards, quietly keeping our society together in the soup kitchens of churches, the offices of social workers, the hidden halls of NGO's and government grant offices. Not in the imperium of pearled gowns and cigar rooms and charity as status symbol you will find in Rush Limbaugh's world.

[roboparks]

society's Meaning of "charity"

Is wrong. In a Biblical sense its acually known as Grace that word was translated "charity" in the KJ ;Americans have bent reality of Grace.

Grace is not "charity"

You can be charitable but not Graceful.

Rush is a example of that.

[Mangina9000]

You can be charitable but not Graceful.

Rush is a example of that."

You're totally right. I am going to attempt to buy $30,000 of illegal drugs right now. God bless you for your showing me the way, you incompetent, ignorant, worthless human being. God am I glad you morons will be eating it for the next oh, 8, 12, 16 years? :)

[roboparks]

Because Big bussiness gets money from the Goverment why not people?

[Mangina9000]

That being said, could you tell me the sources of your research on Rush Limbaugh? I'm very curious.

[WonderingAloud2]

Also, it seems incorrect to claim that "refus(ing) to be proactive when people are starving to death in front of you" is an essential part of conservatism. I've met both liberals and conservatives who are very proactive in taking care of the poor. They may have different approaches, but that doesn't mean one doesn't care about the poor.

[Chick6517]

Definitely a good video! I always see so many nonsense videos on you tube now. Most of them are pretty funny, but it's nice to see these kinds of videos once in a while.

[Georgestratigos]

April Fools....lol

[andrewbary]

Rush just got Pwned by Jesus lovers.

[cris8249]

Thank God! I got an email from Sojourners yesterday, and I was appalled to see that Limbaugh was going to speak. I wouldn't walk across the street to listen to that man. I can't tell you how relieved I am.

[zoecarnate]

Nice!!

[CurrentRocks]

This is genious! How could Rush get mad at this?

1. he can't rebuke a video that makes him sound like a compassionate guy who cares about people. If he does, he's a jerk who blatantly disregards those in need.

2. if he doesn't bash the video, he's been owned by "liberal" "tree-hugging" "(insert other label)" "(insert another generic label)." PERFECT

[jamiebrs]

Awesome. I wonder if he actually will see this.

[tmamone83]

You know, when I first read about this on the blog, I actually believed it! Then I got to the part where Rush started quoting Kanye. You got me good!

[hopperd1]

THIS was really well done.

[aikido7]

Good on you, Rush! Looks like you're honestly working your 12 Step program.

[pickles01]

Oh shoot! APRIL FOOLS HAHAHA

[pickles01]

Why si this so edited? Is the full version available online anywhere?

[witness2history]

If only...