On Rush, and others

WARNING: POSSIBLY BORING POST

Earlier today I was part of a spirited debate about the brouhaha surrounding Rush Limbaugh's bid to be part owner of the St. Louis Rams. Y'all know by now that I'm not exactly the red-state conservative I used to be, and I'm trying to figure out what it is that bothers me so much about Rush. Pardon me while I do a little introspection.

First, talk-show hosts of any media bother me because they do what they do to garner ratings. Before they are anything else, they are businesspeople trying to make a profit and don't mind being outrageous in the quest. That to me is a big waste of time. If you have to be ridiculous (as Rush so often is) to make a buck, then your product must not be that good. This goes for anyone, regardless of politics.

Second, extremists of mosts sorts bother me. For me, people like Rush, Ann Coulter, and the environmentalists who spike trees all fall into that category. The only type of extremism that I really like is this. Most everybody else makes themselves look like fools and in the process hurt their cause du jour more than helping.

Third, what bothers me A LOT about Rush is that he purports to be a Christian. Obviously, only God knows what is in people's hearts and I'm not about to judge whether he is or isn't. But it bothers me tremendously when people who claim to be Christians are so very vocal about things like how gay people/immigrants/poor people/pick your group are destroying the fabric of society and spend little to no time talking about acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. Rush has so many listeners and a lot more money than I'll ever see barring a Mega-Powerball win. Think what good he could do if he used his time, talent (nobody's debating the man's talent or intelligence), and money to show the love of Jesus to everyone he comes into contact with. People who use their fame to toot their own horn (does anyone doubt that Rush does exactly that?) apparently didn't get Christ's memo that 'whoever wants to be greatest among you must become a servant.'

There are plenty of people out there who make fun of other people groups - SNL and 'The Simpsons', to name a couple. They don't bother me the way Rush does, because neither purports to be Christian in any way.

Last, what bothers me most about him is that he personifies what I dislike most about myself, and that is hypocrisy. The areas of my life where I don't live up to my own standards. The times when I fail to love my fellow man (yes, even Rush) as much as I think we all should. The occasions where I fritter my time away on useless things instead of working on loving my neighbor as myself. The prejudices I discover in my own heart.

I still think Rush needs a good kick in the pants. I might need one too, though.