Nationally syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts recently published an op-ed piece in which he mocked Rush Limbaugh’s failed attempt to become a part owner of the St. Louis Rams. His opposition to Limbaugh’s entry into the NFL appears to be due to more than just the racist remarks Limbaugh has made over the years. It also seems that he begrudges Limbaugh the success he has achieved in radio broadcasting because it has come in an unconventional way. To me, that smacks of elitism.
Pitts’ sarcasm makes it clear that he’s not too thrilled with the fact that Limbaugh bucked convention and “somehow managed to climb to the top of the media pile” despite the fact that he dropped out of college. Why, people are supposed to put in their time and take a more scholarly route to becoming “one of the most popular and influential voices in the national dialogue” – or so Pitts seems to believe.
From Pitts’ viewpoint, Limbaugh’s success is undeserved and illegitimate because he is an interloper who entered the party via the back door. Pitts considers him to be the proverbial skunk at the picnic. In addition, Pitts accuses Limbaugh of “avarice” because of the millions of dollars he has been able to earn from his popularity. Since when does money automatically invoke avarice? Or perhaps it’s one’s method of earning money that automatically produces avarice. Somehow I doubt that Pitts would have made the same assumption, had Limbaugh earned his fortune as a great scientist, doctor, or community leader.
Now let me make it abundantly clear that, although I’m a conservative-leaning libertarian, I’m no fan of Limbaugh or any of the other wing nuts of the conservative movement. I’m just not into wild-eyed conspiracy theories and absurd accusations, no matter which side of the political spectrum they originate from. Mr. Limbaugh’s broadcasts are nothing more than cacophony in my world. However, I do respect what Mr. Limbaugh has achieved, and it bothers me that people like Mr. Pitts resent him for it.
In America, success is not reserved just for the erudite, the attractive, the proper, and the conformist. I’m glad it’s that way. Otherwise, I would have been left behind from the day I was conceived. And it doesn’t matter to me how one achieves success, as long as it’s done legally and ethically. In the immortal words of Al Davis, the owner of that other pro football team that used to reside in Los Angeles, “Just win, baby.”
Rush is not a wing nut, but you are a jackass.
Posted by: Dallas | October 29, 2009 at 06:09 PM