October 02, 2003
Time Will Tell on You
Vernam was lucky enough to visit Edinburgh this week, the first time I've been to Scotland. Had a spectacular view of the castle from my hotel and drove to Sterling and Glasgow through bucolic countryside. Almost as good is that I was far away from Chicago when the Cubs won the first game of their playoff against the Braves. And even sweeter was returning to the U.S. and learning that uber-blowhard Rush Limbaugh has got himself in a mess o' trouble. I'd hate to have missed this.
My first overseas trip was in '92, and the brief Perot mania (the media's and not his, which is permanent) broke out in my absence. It was weird being away when something so singular was happening -- a legitimate third party candidacy for president. (Be careful what you ask for, you third party types!) That was the same spring when Johnny Carson went off the air. I was never a fan, but it just felt wrong to be away when he stepped down. This is an odd form of nationalism, where you don't want to miss out on big, communal events, no matter how silly.
So what a privilege to share the guilt-free schadenfreude prompted by Limbaugh's apparent junkiedom. It will be fun watching him blame the liberal media for his downfall. What a self-pitying ass.
Before it gets lost in the shuffle, his comment about Eagles QB Donovan McNabb should be noted as the ranting of a paranoiac. The trouble with this country is that black folks get all the breaks: R-i-g-h-t. C'mon, take two athletes of equal ability, one black and the other white. Which one will the media promote? Who has more disposable income to buy magazines, black fans or white fans? I like how McNabb said no apology from Limbaugh would be sufficient, because the statement obviously expressed the bigot's true feelings, as anyone who has listened to his show could attest.
Limbaugh and Karl Rove both having to lawyer up . . . Yes, a very good week to be American.
Posted by Vernam at October 2, 2003 07:26 PM