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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
July 14, 2008
/ 11 Tamuz 5768
New Limbaugh contract inspires America
By
Kathryn Lopez
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
"There but for the grace of G-d go I." The phrase is usually a cautionary note. My neighbor's blunder could have been mine. My co-worker's illness could easily be my affliction. I ought to count my blessings. But the flipside of the phrase is pregnant with promise, and many Americans felt it when they learned that radio-broadcaster phenom Rush Limbaugh, who marks his 20th year "of broadcast excellence" this summer, is making media history with a new $400 million contract.
Sure, many right-wingers were happy just to know that "El Rushbo" is making more than Katie Couric. "That could be me one day," many surmise upon hearing news like that. With a little grace and hard work, maybe that kind of great success could be mine. Someday, that could be my son, if I teach him right. That sentiment an appreciation of what's possible in America, land of the free, which includes a free market is at the heart of the nonhardcore-Left reaction to the news.
There were, of course, complaints from the usual quarters. Ralph Nader took the occasion as an attention-grabbing opportunity, excoriating Rush with his keyboard as "the Kingboy of corporatist radio." On the Daily Kos Web site, as the news was breaking, one commentator declared, "the right has just bankrolled an eight-year radical right-radio attack on the presidency of Barack Obama." Besides ridicule and ill will, there was a lot of victory-declaring on the left-wing blogosphere and other media outlets, where the news wasn't taken as an acknowledgement of success and business acumen, but the Right conceding defeat: They'll need Limbaugh's voice because it will be all Left, all the time leading the White House and Congress come Jan. 20, was the premature declaration of victory.
That may happen, but I'm not giving up the fight yet. Heaven knows, Limbaugh goes on air nearly every day urging conservatives not to concede, but to fight; to focus on not just the White House but congressional seats this coming November, and battles long after. The host may not be a fan of John McCain, but he sees the existential threats American and human dignity face today and tomorrow.
As an Army lieutenant e-mailed me about the Limbaugh news, "Count me as one who is ecstatic about Rush Limbaugh and his big contract. I admit to being jealous, but in a positive way, since I know I have never deserved the kind of money he can generate. I hope he lives to be a hundred and gets more money every year until he checks out of the net. Anybody who begrudges his success has the right to see if they can do what he does better than he and knock him off his perch as the best radio entertainer around. Nobody so far even comes close; certainly no liberal or moderate."
This is how Americans tend to react. A recent Pew poll found that "being wealthy" is far from the top priority of Americans things like "having enough time to do things you want to do," "being successful in a career" and "having children." "Being married" rated in the top 50 percent, while "being wealthy" rates a 13 percent. Even though it's not the be-all, end-all for Americans to be rich, they are optimistic they could be and will be having that motivational hope, even when probably not entirely realistic. One 2000 Time magazine survey had 20 percent of Americans polled optimistic that they would someday be in the top 1 percent of American earners.
That was bad news for Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore in 2000, who attacked the top 1 percent. It's why McCain doesn't help himself with conservatives or the wide swath of American voters when he rails against executive pay, as he tends to. He's adapted Democratic rhetoric. While the Left tends to use "us and them" as part of their electoral strategy making Americans feel like victims who need to be saved by the government conservatives tend to try to capture the optimistic imaginations of Americans.
In this summer of high gas prices, imagine if McCain could talk about American exceptionalism, and, for example, embrace the opportunity that our discovery-spirit can present if we were to explore new drilling options in Alaska.
I don't know whether McCain will. I know he could if he wanted to. The Arizona senator and former prisoner of war has an inspiring personal story of national service and country "love," as a recent campaign commercial put it. I do know that Limbaugh inspires such things by words and example as one who has worked hard, fallen and gotten up again, making clear that we're all human, living in a country where the possibilities are endless. Excessive regulation, overbearing taxation, demagoguing about what Europe thinks about us these burdens and distractions hurt the civic morale and make the dream harder to achieve. Instead of patronizing, paternalistic governing by bureaucracy, if whoever takes the oath of office in January wants to protect and defend the Constitution, and let us otherwise live free in this great country full of citizens on the Left and Right, we'll be in good shape to keep dreaming.
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