Rush Limbaugh Dies; Life Goes On; Preparing for Death

Sad event this past Wednesday, February 17:  the great Rush Limbaugh died of lung cancer.  I will miss his voice on the radio.

Perseverance, out latest Mars probe, landed safely on the red planet.  That was a relief since there is always the danger a probe will crash. 

I have been doing back to back tax returns for the past couple of weeks, too tired t post anything here.

When the tax season is over, I plan to start planning for my own death, by going through all my belongings and figuring what to bequeath, give away or throw away.  I am not in imminent danger of dying but at age 76 there is always that possibility.  I have kept diaries and journals since I was eleven years old and I would like to transcribe the best of the manually written ones into Word files to distribute to my kids and grandkids.  Most of the journals are already in Word format, but I want to go through them and delete or edit any comments that might hurt anyone close to me.

I really don't want to do taxes after this season.  I need to find a way to end it without totally pissing off my wife, who thinks we can keep doing taxes until we are a hundred years old.  It's time to downgrade our living style, sell this house in this ruinously expensive state and move somewhere  sane.

Next year I will be 77.  My dad died at 77, my older brother at 76, my younger brother at 72.   My mom died at 85 and I think I take after her.  If so, I will have to endure this existence longer than I would like.

A Southern Dilemma: How Not to Antagonize New Black Conservatives; Dealing With Dinesh D'Souza

Over at Twitter I am very pleased to see the number of black conservatives who have joined the MAGA ("Make America Great Again") movement.  I link to every black conservative I find.  However, I see many of them buying into Dinesh D'Souza's interpretations of American history, which I believe are flawed and downright dishonest.  I say that as a well-read Confederate descendant who regularly disputes the Northern Myth, that the North and the 19th Century Republicans fought the Civil War to free the slaves and make black people full equals in the American dream.

I generally avoid arguments with fellow conservatives on Twitter about this history, to avoid disunity in our support for Donald Trump, and to avoid hard feelings between us.  The here and now is more important than what happened 150 years ago; nevertheless, wholescale distortion of that history by D'Souza does grate on me.  He is insulting my ancestors, my family, and indirectly, me.  And he is not the only culprit:  recently Rush Limbaugh spouted some ahistorical nonsense, comparing modern Democrats to the Confederates of the 1860s.

Yesterday a prominent conservative listed all the sins of the Democratic Party.  I found his interpretation superficial.  Among other claims he made was that "Democrats started the Civil War."  No, Democrats did not.  They exercised their Constitutional and natural right to secede from a political union, much as the U.K. recently did from the European Union.  It was Lincoln and Lincoln alone who decided to go to war to prevent the South from leaving, and even plotted with his generals to push the South into firing the first shot at Fort Sumter, for propaganda purposes, as recommended by his Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Wells.

Some Republicans (like D'Souza) hate to hear it and even deny it, but yes, the two political parties have indeed changed sides since the 19th Century.  Lincoln's GOP was authoritarian, anti-Constitutional, believed the Federal government to be superior to the states, supported corporate welfare for Northern businesses, high taxes, and all sorts of political shenanigans to ensure the GOP's hold on power -- like illegally forming a new state, West Virginia, to give Lincoln more electoral votes, marching the army to the polls with orders to vote for Lincoln, shutting down opposition newspapers and jailing the editors, arresting and imprisoning thousands of people on suspicion alone, illegally suspending habeas corpus, and the list goes on.  Lincoln was the biggest tyrant in U.S. history, and he didn't care much for black people.

The Democrats of that time period resented and opposed the high taxes that fell mainly on the South, believed in a small and limited federal government that was the servant, not the master, of the states.

I am a Republican today because it is NOT the same party of 1860.  Race relations has little to do with it.  However, I am happy that black people are progressing in modern society, making more money, enjoying a better lifestyle, and more and more of them are becoming my allies and friends.

Ben Carson Gets Reamed by Politico, Politico Gets Reamed by Rush Limbaugh

Everyone knows the major media (and a lot of the minor media) are mere house organs for the Democratic Party.  They report whatever helps their candidates, omit anything that doesn't, and make stuff up about Republicans when they can't find any real dirt.

Politico, a left wing website attempted to smear Ben Carson yesterday, with a very biased and errant article.  In case you haven't, read about it at Rush's site here.

It's good that conservatives are finally fighting back at media bias, which has become quite extreme in the past eight years.  The left is absolutely determined to foist a form of fascism on us, and we on the right are equally determined that they shall not.  What happens when an irresistible force meets an unmovable object?  Whatever it is, it won't be pretty.

Powerline: "Democrats Get Their Crazy On"

Powerline has a great article on anti-South frenzy now being driven by the Democrats:  "Democrats Get Their Crazy On."

Rush Limbaugh is quoted, and Rush makes some insightful remarks on the controversy.  The left hates the South, because it is the most patriotic section of the country.

Read it here.

Rush Limbaugh Is IGNORANT of American History and the Civil War; My Rebuttal

Rush Limbaugh really showed his ignorance of American history and the Civil War today.  He voiced some feel-good myths that are easily refuted, and should be.

Here are his statements and my correction:

1.  The Founding Fathers only allowed slavery at the formation of the United States to appease the Southern states and encourage them to join the union.  The Northern states opposed slavery and hated it and wanted to get rid of it.

Horse feathers.  MOST of the Founding Fathers were slave owners or slave traders, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Patrick Henry.   Of the 55 men at the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention of 1777, no less than 30 were slave owners.

Twelve of the thirteen original colonies were slave states.  There was no significant opposition to slavery by the Northern states.  In fact, the Northern states were enthusiastically getting rich through slave trading.  For every slave they sold to the South, they sold 20 more to Cuba, Brazil and the West Indies.  Massachusetts, that great bastion of abolitionism, enslaved the Pequot Indians and sold them into slavery outside the continent.  Rhode Island built and maintained an impressive fleet of ships designed and used specifically for slave trading.  Northern textile mills used Southern cotton, planted and harvested by slaves, without any moral objections whatsoever.

Slaves were used in the North just as long as they were needed, and were then sold to the South once immigrants (like the Irish) were plentiful enough to replace slavery.

2.  Fifty thousand soldiers died in the Civil War to abolish slavery.  Not even close, Rush.  Over 600,000 soldiers died in the Civil War (estimates put the number at around 640,000).  At least 300,000 were Union soldiers. They did not fight to free the slaves, they fought to force the South back into a political union that they no longer wanted, for the usual reasons:  to maintain the ability to tax and rule.  For more details, see the scholarly essay by a university professor who actually knows what he is talking about:  Why the Civil War Was Not About Slavery, by Donald Livingston, Emory University.  The "fighting to free the slaves" myth was created after the war to give a false veneer of righteousness to Northern aggression.

So Rush, as someone who listens to you regularly, I must advise you to SHUT UP with regard to the Civil War and the Southern states, since you are wrong on the facts, and since you are alienating many Americans who are Confederate descendants, many of whom are conservatives.

BY THE WAY, Rush, I have defended you against liberal attacks on several occasions.  But when you are wrong, I will refute you.

Comedian Jon Lovitz Spars With Me on Twitter RE Rush Limbaugh

Jon Lovitz

Rush Limbaugh's Comments on the Robin Williams Suicide

A couple of days ago, Rush Limbaugh discussed how politics have affected the media's reporting of Robin Williams's suicide.  Rush stated that the media theme was that Williams killed himself because, in this society of ours, nothing can ever be enough, that all is darkness and despair.

A lot of leftist media outlets, especially Media Matters, deliberately distorted Limbaugh's comments about Robin Williams's suicide. They claimed Rush said Williams killed himself because he was a liberal and had a leftist worldview.   However, Rush was speaking about the worldview of the media, not that of Robin Williams.

Media Matters originated the smear and sent it out to other media, who simply repeated the distortion as if it were fact.  Even the Washington Times got in on the act, with their headline "Rush Limbaugh:  Robin Williams Killed Himself Due to Leftist Worldview."

The usual mouth-foaming outrage immediately poured forth from the left, damning to hell Rush for saying such insensitive, awful things.  Except that he didn't say what they claimed.  I know, I heard the show live.

I listened to the original live broadcast, and I understood what Rush was saying, and I never took it as a criticism of Robin Williams or his politics.  Rush was criticizing the media's reporting of the suicide, not the suicide itself.  Rush was talking about how leftist thought affects their media reporting, he was NOT implying that Williams shared their worldview or that Williams killed himself because of that worldview.  Rush's motivations were clear:  he felt the leftist spin on the suicide might encourage others to emulate the deed and take their own lives.

Some media are reporting Rush's rebuttal today, but the execrable Huffington Post states that Rush is "walking back" his statements about Robin Williams, implying that the original distortion was fact and that Rush is now retreating from his original words.  Despicable.

I will criticize Rush myself, though.  When discussing the recent death of a much-loved public figure, a commenter is walking into a minefield.  Great care must be taken in any comments, as people are bound to react emotionally.  Rush did not voice any empathy for Williams or express any regret at his passing.  Such niceties are the oil that lubricates the machinery of social commentary.  It's called tact. It's called diplomacy.

Further,  he ought to have known the left would distort and misstate his remarks.  He should have emphasized that he was talking about the dark worldview of the leftist media, and not Williams's reasons for suicide.  He should have been clearer in his remarks, and he should have emphasized what he meant and didn't mean.  This was very careless of Rush.  After all of these years on the radio, he should know better than to leave himself open to such a predictable distortion.

Here are the pertinent links:

Transcript of Rush's Original Remarks

Transcript of Rush's Rebuttal to Leftist Charges

Rush Hints at a Romney Route as Momentum Builds

Rush Limbaugh says he doesn't want to say what he really believes about the election on November 6.  He's afraid it would be too positive, too soon.  He doesn't want to give anyone an assurance that may turn out to be false.

However, Rush cannot figure out any scenario where Obama can be re-elected.  Obama has lost his messianic status, and the lost magic of 2008 can never be recaptured.  One more good debate by Romney should seal the deal.

I too have a feeling that things are far worse for Obama than the media lets on.  As Romney noted, Obama can change his style and his strategy but he cannot change the truth about the last four years.  Obama is going down.

Human Nature and the Path of Least Resistance; or Why So Many People Are Democrats

Both Romney and Rush have this week discussed human nature and its effects on human freedom.

I too have thought about this, and here it is:  The Stogie Theory of Human Nature

Human beings have a tendency to take the path of least resistance, to do what is easiest in the short run, to indulge now and let tomorrow take care of itself.  Consider:

1.  You're fat as hell and know you should go on a diet.  You encounter a banana cream pie in the fridge and the wife's out of town.  You have two choices:  (A) ignore the pie and keep trying to lose weight, which is hard and painful and awful, or (B) say to hell with it and pig out, which is delightful, fun and thoroughly enjoyable.  Scratch one pie.

Approximately 8 of 10 humans will take the path of least resistance, which is choice B.  They're known as "fat slobs."

2.  You have health problems and your doctor prescribes an exercise regimen.  You can do one of two things:  (A) Get up 5 AM, put on your jogging suit, and run a mile before getting ready for work, but that is clearly not fun, the bed is so warm and comfortable, and what do doctors know anyway? Or, (B) Say to hell with it, pull the covers over your head and go back to sleep.

Around 7 of 10 people will choose Option B. They're known as "victims of heart attack."

3.  You're an alcoholic and know you should "go on the wagon," but man, you really need that martini or three after work.  For stress and all that.  You can do two things:  (A) Join Alcoholics Anonymous, admit you have a problem, hide your shaking hands, and walk the painful path to recovery, or (B) Highjack a Jim Beam truck and swallow the evidence before the cops arrive.

Around 8 out of 10 problem drinkers will choose option B.  They're known as "drunks."

4.  You would like more money, benefits and goodies, and there are three ways you can get them:
(A)  Take night courses to improve your job skills, work longer hours, and delay gratification until you can find a better job; but that's difficult and painful and no fun at all (B) Rob a liquor store, but you might get killed in the process or sent to prison if caught; (C) Vote for "progressive" politicians, who will steal the money, benefits and goodies from more productive citizens and give them to you; and you won't feel guilty because the "progressive" politicians will also supply the rationale for why this is just and "fair."  (Heck, if the politicians do it, then it's not theft at all.)

Approximately 5 out of 10 Americans will choose option C.  They're known as "Democrats."

Summary:  Human nature is to always take the easy way out, to live for the moment and let tomorrow take care of itself.  When offered two or more choices, people will invariably choose the one that is easiest, cheapest, or has the most calories -- and in politics, many if not most will generally vote for the guy who promises the most "free" stuff.

Joe Biden Pushes Grandma Off a Cliff! (Photoshop)

This image was inspired by Rush Limbaugh's commentary this morning.

Months back, the Democrats ran a below-the-belt political ad, depicting Paul Ryan pushing "grandma," an old woman in a wheelchair, off a cliff.  Ryan, the Democrats lied, wanted to destroy Medicare, and the imagery supported that lie.  Ryan, of course, wants to reform Medicare, which is currently on track for bankruptcy in twelve more years.  Without reform, Medicare will disappear for lack of money.

In actual fact, it is the Democrats who want to destroy Medicare by distorting the real issues involved.  Without reform, it is the Democrats who are "pushing grandma off a cliff."  But Democrats just can't help themselves.  When an opportunity arises to scare seniors, Democrats will scare the seniors in order to get votes.  Honesty is not a consideration and there is no long view:  simply win the next election, stay in power as long as possible, even at the cost of Medicare and Social Security going broke.  Grandma is merely cannon fodder for the next election cycle, as far as Dems are concerned.  "Grandma" is not their worry or their concern -- their only motivation is retaining power.

This grandpa, however, isn't fooled.  Don't you be either.

Harry Reid: Slimy, Unethical, Pathetic Little Man

I have often noted Harry Reid's utter sliminess as a human being.  He's a ruthless liar, a bitter little man.  He told lies about Rush Limbaugh some time back.  Rush had denounced "phony soldiers," referring to the several leftists who never served in the armed forces, but pretended they did for political reasons.  In other words, they lied -- must be a thing with Democrats.  Reid tried to create a false public impression that Rush had denounced real soldiers, and disingenuously wrote a letter to Rush's employer demanding that Rush be forced to issue a public apology for demeaning the armed services!

It was typical Democrat demagoguery, a dishonest and ruthless misrepresentation of the facts.  Reid hoped to create another Democrat fake scandal, knowing full well the true facts all the time.  The little man's scheme blew up on him and he fooled no one.

Now Harry Reid's telling lies about Mitt Romney.  "Someone" told him that Romney "hasn't paid taxes for ten years."  The only person who could know Romney's tax situation would be his accountant, and an accountant is sworn to secrecy about such matters.

Harry Reid is a senator from Nevada because of the powerful unions there who support such trash.

I don't have to create any new Photoshops of this small-minded creep.  Here are some I have created in the past . Use them if you like.

Sorry for the crude lingo in the second image, but it so perfectly sums up Harry Reid's worth to humanity.

BACKLASH: Attack on Rush Limbaugh Fails Miserably; Sleep Train Begs to Be Reinstated

Last week we witnessed the latest staged leftwing attack on Rush Limbaugh.  After Rush lost his temper for five minutes and referred to a leftist activist in derogatory terms, he was noisily denounced by the usual leftist transmission belts as a hater, a misogynist, the radio incarnation of Godzilla breathing fire on the fleeing hordes in Tokyo.

The activist was Sandra Fluke, who has made it her cause celebre to force Catholic institutions into adding birth control to their health coverage of employees and, in Georgetown University's case, to students as well.  After Rush referred to Fluke as a "slut," the mainstream media, a longtime house organ for the Democratic Party, saw an opportunity to finally take Rush down.  Now was the time to marginalize or even destroy the greatest mouthpiece for conservatism since Ronald Reagan or William F Buckley.  The usual Democrat smear campaign thus ensued, causing several of Rush's advertisers to flee his program lest their products be associated with the controversy.

Yes, these advertisers severed their relationship with Rush, but in so doing, severed their relationships with his millions of loyal listeners.  I won't be using Carbonite or Pro Flowers in the future, but thanks to Rush, I already own a Sleep Number bed.  I heard about it on his program and bought one a few years back.  Without Rush, it is doubtful that I would have ever known about the bed.  This was not an inexpensive purchase.  The bed cost us $2,000.

Now Sleep Train mattress company has realized their mistake and have begged Rush to take them back.  Sorry, kids, no can do.  It's one thing to momentarily panic at the latest Democrat smear campaign, but Sleep Train denounced Rush when they pulled their advertising.  Maybe Rush wants to make an example of them.  In any case, I approve.

Read more about the backlash here.

I Definitely Won't Be Buying Carbonite

Sandra Fluke is an alleged college student who spoke to the media about the necessity of a presidential-mandated health insurance coverage for condoms.  This was after President Zero mandated the coverage, over the objections of Catholics who oppose birth control on religious grounds.

I heard Fluke's dishonest statement on the radio, in which she lamented the terrible suffering and unhappiness caused by the lack of free condoms for whoever wanted them.  My first thought on hearing her specious speech was "Liar!"  I got the impression of a liberal who was reading from a script, reciting a memorized phony speech intended to justify and support Obama's latest abuse of power.

Rush Limbaugh referred to Fluke as a slut, but said he did it only in jest.  Nevertheless, he apologized.  However, Carbonite, one of Rush's sponsors, couldn't pass up the opportunity for posturing and dropped Rush in order "to promote a more civil discourse."  More civil discourse my ass.  The Democrats and the left have been spewing the most malicious venom for years, lying like hell and slandering everyone to the right of Kim Jong Un as a racist, a hater, someone who wants to kill Democrats by putting hidden messages into campaign maps.  This by leftists who openly call for assassination of Republicans, expressing hope that Republicans will die soon and expressing joy when they actually do.

I will never buy Carbonite.  I will never recommend Carbonite.  If anyone brings up the subject of Carbonite, I will advise them to buy something  else.

Update:  Lawrence Auster received a message from someone who witnessed the Democrats working from a false script to push their policy objectives.  Read it here.  That's the thing about Democrats:  they lie.

Newt Gingrich's Nasty Temper Disqualifies Him as a Presidential Candidate

Newt Gingrich is mightily pissed off.  His star was rising in Iowa and he was the front runnner.  Then Mitt Romney ran negative ads about Newt and the latter's poll numbers plunged.  Now Newt wants revenge and has adopted the language of the left in pursuit of a scorched-earth policy against Romney.  Howie Carr of the Boston Herald (hat tip VFR) has called Gingrich a "suicide bomber" and a "kamikaze."  The description is apt:  Gingrich wants to destroy his enemies even if he must destroy himself in the process.  Carr writes:

When Newt got into the fight last year, many suspected he wasn’t really a serious candidate, that he was just trying to freshen up the aging Newt “brand,” to jack up his speaking fees. I guess not. The Club for Growth called his comments about Mitt “disgusting.”   The only group that might want him as a speaker now is the Occupy Wall Street Alumni Association.

It is becoming clear that Gingrich cannot win the Republican nomination for president.  But if he can't have it, nobody can.  Rush believes that Gingrich is solely focused on revenge, and like an angry bull he doesn't care what damage he inflicts on capitalism or the Republican party.  With Gingrich, it is now personal, and Romney must pay.

Read "Gingrich Goes Perot on Romney."

Newt has shown that it's all about him -- and that he doesn't have the thick skin or temperament it takes to be President of the United States.  

Watch Rush Limbaugh on "Family Guy" (Video)

Here's the Seth McFarlane "Family Guy" cartoon that ran on Fox last night.  It features Rush Limbaugh and Brian the dog.  Limbaugh gives liberal Brian one of his books, and Brian becomes a right wing firebrand overnight.

The cartoon has more conservative stereotypes than it does liberal.  It had digs at George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, but hardly mentions Obama.  Was it funny?  Sort of, but like most things liberal, it wasn't really balanced.  All the jokes are anti-conservative, though muted.  McFarlane, the producer of the show, is a flaming liberal, but he held himself somewhat in check for this episode, probably as the price of Rush's participation.  Per Rush today, McFarlane reports being deluged with hate mail from the left for "making Rush look good."

The Limbaugh Rule: Vote For Most Conservative Candidate in the Primary

        
In days of yore, William F. Buckley invented a rule for primary elections:  vote for the most conservative candidate who can win.

Rush Limbaugh has come up with a new rule:  "In an election year when voters are fed up with liberalism, you vote for the most conservative Republican in the primary -- period."

I agree with Rush, and that was the point of my previous post on Christine O'Donnell:  let's support real conservatives in the primaries and take our chances in the general election.  We will no longer support RINOs, period.

Right now the nation is thoroughly disgusted with socialist-liberalism and are ready for a change, perhaps a large, sweeping change.  The door has been opened for a strong move to the right in American politics, and we must make the most of a historical opportunity.

Let's stop our slow retreat in the face of statism and counterattack.

Happy Wedding, Rush Limbaugh!

Rush Limbaugh is getting married tomorrow, on June 5, 2010.  Rush has been married before, but maybe this wedding date will be as good for him as it has been for me and Mrs. Chomper.  We were also married on June 5th, 34 years ago, in 1976.

Good luck Rush.  Try and make it work this time.  Wives should not be traded in every few years like used cars.  I know.  I tried kicking Mrs. Chomper's tires yesterday and she bashed me over the head with a stew pot.

Tomorrow my band is throwing a big party where a lot of local musicians will jam, eat, jam, drink and jam.  It should be a lot of fun. Maybe I will post some pictures of the event.

Foxy Lady: Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron, is Miss America 2010

Caressa Cameron (right and below), a 22 year old beauty from Fredericksburg, Virginia beat out 52 other contestants to be crowned Miss America tonight. Cameron deserved the honor: she is sizzling hot and sings like a pro. She sang "Listen" from the musical "Dreamgirls," revealing an amazing voice.

Rush Limbaugh was one of the judges. A video of Rush dancing at the event is embedded below.

Rush Limbaugh's New HD Video Cam

Subscribers to Rush Limbaugh's 24/7 club can now watch Rush live in high definition.  I often listen to Rush on my computer but today decided to check out his new HD video cam.  It is amazing.  The quality and size of the video stream are greatly improved.

At the right is an actual-size screen capture I made of Rush's broadcast today.

Rush Limbaugh in the Hospital

My wife and I were at a pre-New Year's Eve party at the Coconut Grove in Santa Cruz last night.  I checked my Iphone and saw an email telling of Rush's apparent heart attack and trip to the hospital.  I worried about him last night until I went to bed around 2 AM.  It was a relief this morning to see that he is resting comfortably and that his condition is stable.

Get well soon, Rush.