1225: The passing of the great gift of Rush Limbaugh. @ConradMBlack

Published: Feb. 26, 2021, 3:21 a.m.

Image: Rush and Kathryn Limbaugh. Screen grab.   Conrad Black, @ConradMBlack (https://twitter.com/ConradMBlack) , publisher, littérateur, biographer, commentator; the National Post; in re:  The passing of Rush Limbaugh, the broadcaster and wit who died too young of cancer. He was on air throughout his illness, and credit to him. “Speak no ill of the dead” the basic rules of decency are thrown out as a prelude to  hurling abuse at anyone who supported Trump. I was appalled at what Al Franken  said and was. dredging up from thirty years ago: the notion that Rush was a homophobe and a racist, which he clearly was not.  I disagree with him on some matters—the whole birther thing was nonsense—but it wasn't malice, and he wasn’t a malicious man. He was fundamentally pro-America and in favor of a united America mindset, not xenophobic; just determined to make America an better and more just place. He certainly mocked people with whm he mocked, but not at all I a nasty way.  What's been said is in appalling taste, as part of mad, pathological hatred that knows no limits and is unencumbered by any sense of self-discipline.   During Clinton, derogation of Rush was because he spoke of Clinton’s misbehavior; now, thirty years later, who could decline that?  Limbaugh was married several times, but overall  was a clean-living man. He also was generous, and never pretentious; was extraordinarily modest given how successful he was.  Malicious and unjust attacks.  Limbaugh was a genius at stand-up comedy, although in front of a microphone.  It was generally good-natured humor.  Once, concerning the Million-Man March by Minister Farrakhan, Leon Panetta was asked a question and responded by saying nothing actually on the matter; Limbaugh played Panetta’s words and at each instance [of weasel-wording] said, ”Waffle,”  “waffle,”  “waffle.” It was hilarious.