The forces of hate in America fell a lot quieter on Wednesday after right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh died after a battle with cancer at the age of 70.
Several media outlets, including mainstream outlets are eulogizing him as if he was a worthy American hero and patriot. But Rush Limbaugh was neither.
Ironically glorified by a Republican Party that lectures us on the sanctity of marriage, it was his fourth wife Kathryn who announced his death in a statement that is both cringe-worthy and laughable.
“Rush will forever be the greatest of all time. Rush was an extraordinary man. A gentle giant. Brilliant, quick-witted, genuinely kind. Extremely generous. Passionate. Courageous. And the hardest working person I know,” she said. “From today on, there will be a tremendous void in our lives, and on the radio. Rush encouraged so many of us to think for ourselves. To learn and to lead. He often said it did not matter where you started or what you look like, as Americans we all have endless opportunities like nowhere else in the world.”
“On behalf of the Limbaugh family, I would personally like to thank each and every one of you who prayed for Rush and inspired him to keep going,” she continued. “You rallied around Rush and lifted him up when he needed you the most. I am certain, without a shadow of a doubt, if he could be here today, he would be. He loved you, and he loved this radio program with every part of his being. Instead, we know our Rush is in heaven, encouraging everyone in the same we he did on earth. In Rush’s honour, may we all continue Rush’s mission in our individual lives and communities. I know all of you listening are terribly sad. We all are. I’m terrible sorry to have to deliver this news to you. God bless you Rush. And God bless our country.”
Limbaugh deserves no such praise. He rose to the top of right-wing radio by perpetuating racism and sexism in our society. He enabled and repeated the kinds of conspiracy theories that directly resulted in the Capitol insurrection on January 6th. He viciously attacked women’s rights, demonized the free and reduced school lunch program that feeds millions of hungry children, and fiercely defended disgraced former President Donald Trump.
He was not “extraordinary.” He was not “brilliant.” He was not “generous” or “gentle.” He was certainly not “kind” or “courageous” or a “hard worker.”
Rush Limbaugh made a living whining. He made his living spreading propaganda. He made his living hating other people and inciting Americans to hate other Americans. He divided this nation.
When Limbaugh announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2020, it may have been the first time people actually rooted for the cancer. That’s because Limbaugh himself has been a human incarnation of cancer his entire miserable life, a life that Trump chose to honor with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an award that has now been forever tainted.
There should be no celebration of Limbaugh’s life. He should be forgotten and cast into the dustbin of history. It’s bad enough he stained America in life. He shouldn’t be allowed to stain in it death.
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