While this editorial cartoon resembles Rush Limbaugh it could stand for any fringe person who is given a pulpit to spew lies and hatred. I must give credit to Jammer has written several interesting posts lately, the most recent title gave me the line of Flatulence in Broadcasting (a take off of Limbaugh’s Excellence in Broadcasting Network) which inspired this cartoon. Notice the acronym is F.I.B. Also interesting are Jammer’s posts on hatred and how the fringe becomes the mainstream. The only real error that I saw in the last post is that he only focused on the right fringe, while the left is alive and well (they just don’t get as good of ratings).
One difference though is when Olbermann spews lies and rants, he is is percieved as representing the left but not the Democratic Party. When Limbaugh does it, he is viewed as a party leader? How did this happen? Michael Steele and the moderates need to take back their party from the fringe elements. The fringe represents a small portion of the party yet are getting all the press.
The problem is when a person on the fringe of your beliefs is given a microphone and allowed to talk. Are YOU going to let that person talk for you? Because if you do and say nothing when you disagree with thier words or actions, the fringe is percieved as the Mainstream. When the first Tea Party rally happened in Cincinnati, there were a handful of people who held up nasty and sometimes racist signs about Obama. Who do you think got the press? And while there were some in the crowd who told them to take it down, there were others who chose to ignore it.
You have two choices in that case, either disassociate yourself from the group entirely or stand up when someone is misrepresenting your opinion. If you don’t, their opinion becomes your opinion in the minds of others. There are plenty of websites, that I no longer like to comment on anymore because the owners allow political bile to go beyond discourse. I am all for freedom of speech but remember that YOU control your website. You allow this to happen on a regular basis and their views will become the perception of your beliefs.
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You’re correct: I did fail to point out the hypocrisy of the left as well. And that’s my fault alone. I think I was so pissed after reading Limbaugh’s rant on Haiti, I got a bit of tunnel vision. Olbermann is capable of spewing his own brand of hate with little regard for the truth, and I have no problem pointing that out. Both sides have the cadre of embarrassing pundits, and both sides would do well to call these people out.
I think you know I am not afraid to voice my opinion on any subject, and give, what I think anyway, is a fair and balanced opinion, unlike that TV station that claims the same thing, but is no where close. That’s what makes it so important for those who do blog to make their beliefs and positions known. Only by doing so can we take the mikes out of the hands of the fringe and put it back in the hands of the people who really make this country work: Main street Americans.
Thanks for the post. Great job and love the cartoon.
That is why I appreciate your perspective. Not all the time will be agree but you never come across as holier than thou in your approach.
What? You’ve never seen me walk on water? Well, okay, it was frozen, but . . . .
That’s nothing. I can walk on water. Call me the puddle jumper.
Outrageously hilarious. Funny stuff!
Thanks MJ!
People should definitely think before they speak. If it doesn’t sound right then, it’s not gonna sound too cool later. Hindsight is great, but you can’t un-ring a bell.
I go by the policy, if I wouldn’t say it to your face, I am not writing it on the internet.
*gulp* Wait a minute … all this stuff I’ve been typing … it’s on the internet?!
oops
I guess I’ll just have to deny most anything/everything! 😉
I received an “Obama Status Survey” in the mail this weekend from some Republican group. Every single question was worded in such a way to place fear in everything the President and the Democrats have done or are trying to accomplish. It was garbage and a total disgrace.
I have recieved them from both parties. Well maybe not the party but someone acting as if they were a representative.
Ah, so farts are on your mind today I see…..
You make a good point. I think we are sometimes afraid to speak out, of not being “nice’.. how does one retort to the likes of Rush or Pat Robertson for that matter?
Simple. If you are a blogger and tend to agree with some of the pundits and say so in your posts, it is up to you to denounce them when you feel they have crossed the line.
Hear, hear! Thanks for that! I am always up for more fresh air and you are an air freshener!
By the way, wow, great caricature of Rush and Beck! Awesome!!
Beck??? Where was Beck??
Hey thanks for the assigned avatar! LOL! Hey, wait a second – is that a caricature of me!? Waagh!
Unless you give yourself one, then the master will assign you one.
I love this post -very thoughtful piece. I fully agree with the point that we ought to stand up when they do not represent what the populace stand for. I think we find it cool sitting back and watch them act crazy and claim they represent good thinking people.
It’s one thing when it is looked at as entertainment. It’s when people take that entertainment to the street and use it as a mantra and no one checks em for it.
I have no political agenda what so ever ( I pretty much hate them all) . There are friggin fruitcakes on both sides. So I would like to think I could acknowledge a good decision when one is made and ridicule the dumbass ones without being called a right wing or a left wing. This is what was so interesting thing about Ted Kennedy, love him or hate him, he tried to do what was right despite his political agenda.
Psst Bearman, I would get your little Bear butt off IE6 that’s where the malicious code originated 🙁
http://www.news.com.au/technology/french-government-calls-on-internet-users-to-abandon-internet-explorer/story-e6frfro0-1225821078692
IE6 is on my work puter. Let them deal with the virus issues. I told them to get it off a thousand times.
Hilarious, Bearman!
The worst part is that I think I recognize that guy…
I am sure you probably dated a few guys who talked out of their ass.
Unfortunate for me I live in Rush Limbaugh’s Home town there are townsfolk that speak highly of him, but as I listen to people more and more they just think he is a bag of hot air
Your Good will only is good up to a point with people.
Classic Bear, I love it.
ty
The ultimate speaking out of one’s arse, brilliant. Add a few piles for full effect?
Gomer pile???
Ain’t it great to live in a country where we have the right to disagree with everyone and talk and write about it.
It would be better though if everyone just agreed with me..haha
I don’t get too political that often, but the last line in the word balloon is priceless! Vicodin anyone?
Don’t hear Rush talk too much about drug addiction being a choice anymore.
Love the picture.
Reminds me of Archie Bunker.
To the moon Alice…wait..that was someone else.
Re: Where’s Beck??? Oh, really, you’re right; somehow I see them as the same in my mind.
haha..
THAT IS THE BEST PICTURE OF RUSH THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN! WHAT AN ASS HE IS! GOOD JOB, AND A NICE WORK!
way to go jammer5 for the excellent tag line and WHAT A GREAT CARTOON bearman! ooh that smell, can’t ‘cha smell that smell? fantastic!