Diane Rehm rips Limbaugh a new one.

[Buzz Clik]

WAMU's Diane Rehm has been discussing the weekly news with a panel of guests, as is her custom on Friday. She directed the topic to Michael J. Fox and Rush Limbaugh.

For the first time in my years of listening to Diane, she put forward a short monolog and offered no opportunity for comment from her panel. She angrily chastised Limbaugh as being callous and insensitive in his feigned apology to Fox. Rehm, who has bravely faced her own health challenges, explained that she had the pleasure of sitting next to Fox at a Parkinson's fund raiser, and assured the listeners that Fox was not acting or exaggerating in his political ad. She then strongly urged Limbaugh to "get down your knees and beg forgiveness" from Fox for his hideous comments.

Beautiful.

[BOSSHOG]

1. limbaugh's parents failed miserably

If they are alive they have to be ashamed as they also would be of their other miserable excuse for a human being son. But, its their DNA he's carrying.

[Coexist]

2. you might enjoy this funny:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/10/27/82216/294

[BOSSHOG]

7. Very funny stuff. Thanks

I wonder how many little boys in the Dominican Republic have been victimized by limbaugh's viagra induced ticks!

[VeggieTart]

4. And Rushbo's brother is just as slimy

I've seen David Limbaugh's book on the display tables, but I can't quite recall the name right now.

[libertad]

3. I'm actually listening to her say that as I read your post.

I am glad she's speaking out. So many in the media have made such ridiculous comments, like Matt Lauer (Rush is just saying what many are thinking) and Katie Couric (couldn't you have filmed it on a day when your symptoms weren't so bad?), etc.

[Buzz Clik]

5. Couric. LOL! Subjecting her viewers to watching her colonoscopy is ok, but...

...Michael J. Fox showed questionable judgment?

"But she's so perky!"

[bluethruandthru]

10. Did she (the perky one) actually say that?

That is just despicable! How dare MJ remind people that their ignorance actually has real life consequences!

[Lurking Dem]

12. I got the feeling she asked the question

because dittoheads were asking it and she wanted to give Fox a chance to address it.

[libertad]

13. Yes. He replied that you never know when it will be a good day

or a bad day, or something to that effect, that it is not possible to plan it ahead of time. He said his mother was there when the ad was filmed and she was worried and said that his mom commented that she could tell that he was trying so hard to keep still.

[Critters2]

15. If Parkinson's is like Essential Tremor

(and I don't know whether it is in this respect), trying to keep still actually makes the tremors worse. My neurologist actually taught me how to "relax into the tremor", because tightening your muscles to hold them still actually increases the tremor. So, it's possible that he really was trying to stay still, and his body was fighting him. This happens to me, and it is most annoying!

[Critters2]

14. As someone with a tremor, but not Parkinson's, I can tell Li'l Miss Perky

that you can't go through life choosing to do things only one days when your symptoms "aren't so bad" for two reasons:

First, you can't predict when your symptoms will be bad. I've been nearly asymptomatic for months. Then on Monday, I had a meeting with several colleagues and my tremors were so bad that two people asked me if they could do something for me. Today, a slight tremor, but not as bad as earlier in the week.

Secondly, life goes on. People schedule things--things like filming a commercial--with a whole lot of considerations. Such things can't be scheduled around symptoms, mine or those of Michael J. Fox.

Katie Couric is an idiot.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Way to go, Diane! I missed her this morning. nt

[Buzz Clik]

8. You missed an excellent discussion...

Keep in mind that you can pick up the pick from the WAMU website about an hour from now:

http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/06/10/27.php#11769

[chat_noir]

9. Bill Hicks take on Rush Limbaugh (OMG)

Bill Hicks(December 16, 1961 -- February 26, 1994), opinion on Rush Limbaugh. Now considering Hicks has been dead for 12 years (God rest his soul, A Comic Master in the TRUE sense of the word), this serves to show that Limbaugh has a long history of being an arse. Course language but then I feel when discussing people like Limbaugh there is no other way


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EEkH_lC-tk

[Buzz Clik]

11. lol! It's been a long time, but that's a classic

Barbara Bush's pearls... yikes.

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. Hicks had Rush's number even back then

Even the 'gay' part. :rofl:

[spooky3]

16. She was right on target. Great job, Diane.

She used the word "insulting" twice and pointed out that he deserved respect because not only had Fox suffered, he had given back so much to help others--I think she said he raised $85 million for research.

If you will permit me one tiny criticism: I think one reason why she deviated from her usual modus operandi and spoke so forcefully is that she herself has suffered from a similar condition and could certainly understand first hand why what Limbaugh did was so despicable. It should not be necessary for someone to personally experience a negative consequence to feel strongly and take appropriate action. She has had guests on her show who have defended people who have done far worse than Limbaugh, who has yet to kill anyone in Iraq, for example, but seems to feel that she cannot, in the interests of serving as moderator, challenge them forcefully on these defenses, which often include lies and distortions.

[saltpoint]

17. I had the pleasure of hearing that first hour. Diane took aim at Rush

Limbaugh and hit her target square-on.

(Paraphrased): "Rush Limbaugh should get down on his knees and beg forgiveness of Michael J. Fox..." for the insensitive and dismissive remarks.

Zowie. Diane Rehm was rocking the rafters on Friday.

[mom cat]

19. I would never wish Parkinsons on anyone, but If I ever stooped so low,

you know who would be on the top of my wish list!