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December 27, 2013 by kmabarrett

A man must be both stupid and uncharitable who believes there is no virtue or truth but on his own side.

— Joseph Addison

[Musta been talkin’ ’bout Rush Limbaugh… — kmab]

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Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes | Tagged Joseph Addison, On Politics, Philosophy, Quotes, Rush Limbaugh | 4 Comments

4 Responses

on December 27, 2013 at 12:32 pm | Reply Marie Hunter Atwood

I totally agree, Kevin and yet where Limbaugh is concerned, don’t throw out the ‘truth’ because you don’t like the source. I’m told “truth is eternal no matter where you find it.”(Remember the baby and the bath water>)
- on December 28, 2013 at 9:42 am | Reply kmabarrett
  
  Hi Marie,
  We will have to agree to disagree. I have only ever listened to Limbaugh, in the original, twice. More precisely, twice for one hour each time. The first so I could say I had actually listened to him in the original, and the second (a different day) to confirm the first day was not an aberration. I have never heard an honest sentence come out of his mouth – either on his show or in his frequent quotes. Even when he is “almost” accurate with some of the “facts”, he will twist what he saying so it is somehow either hateful or degrading towards someone – usually women, Democrats and / or minorities. He is an entertainer, not a news provider. As long as some folks find his form of entertainment enjoyable, he will continue his act. When they don’t, he will change with the tide.
  
  I have heard the same about “truth” and have found that, unfortunately, it is not true, or more precisely, “accurate”. Facts are facts, but “truth” is interpreted and relative. This is the nature of observation and the observer.
  
  Give me a William F. Buckley, Jr., a George Will, or a John Dean any day of the week. When I listen to Hannity or Limbaugh, it saddens me to think how I was once a proud conservative (Democrat first and always, but still conservative).
  - on December 28, 2013 at 3:28 pm | Reply Marie Hunter Atwood
    
    Okay, let’s agree to agree. Limbaugh and Hannity are of the same cloth. Both lambaste their listeners with that “only I know the truth” attitude. Their style is revolting and it drives lots of dedicated democrats, republicans and independents away from their opinions. But that is sort of the point I wanted to make. People who speak emphatically on a topic of which there are lots of differing opinions speak from their own viewpoint which means it is relative to their own particular situation. Unless we do away with free speech there is a need to see if there is any value in opposing opinions (which I agree can’t come from Limbaugh or Hannity because they don’t speak reasonably). So reasonable people listen to each other, then reasonable people co-operate to learn which side carries the most weight and then reasonable people choose that direction to resolve their difference. Can we understand how it seems to that it even though we can’t agree with It totally? This in my opinion would do away with the party, do or die. It isn’t the party that needs to make all of these decisions and we have allowed it by electing by party instead of by standards. You are correct to choose a Buckley or a George Will, not that I agree with all of there positions either, but if I hear what seems a truth from any of them, I won’t discount it because of ‘whence it came.’ That’s the baby and the bath water I was talking about. Examine & Think. It requires more than the American public is willing to give anymore, I am afraid.
    - on December 29, 2013 at 8:47 pm | Reply kmabarrett
      
      Hi Marie,
      I wholeheartedly agree with you on freedom of speech in the market place of ideas. I also agree this is not Limbaugh nor Hannity’s role in modern political discourse. They are not presenting either new or thoughtful ideas.
      
      In any case, I almost never agreed with Buckley or Will, but I was / am almost always willing to consider their opinions / positions because they are (were for Buckley) intelligent and thoughtful men who serve(d) America and not simply “the dollar”.
      
      I am always willing to listen for truth, no matter the source. As we are both part of the “American public”, I think I may be less afraid than you.
      
      Have a happy (and safe) New Year!