http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-shireman/get-well-mr-limbaugh-but_b_408431.html
As of 3 p.m. Pacific Time today, Rush Limbaugh is resting comfortably in a Hawaii hospital and set to undergo "a complete medical examination" following his admission yesterday after chest pains while vacationing for the week.
Wikipedia put another nail in its "not always accurate" coffin by claiming late last night, through an anonymous poster, that El Rushbo had died -- which he, fortunately, has not. "The rumors of my assuming room temperature," Rush might say, "are null, void and moot."
I wish Rush well and a quick, well-monitored recovery. I understand, having gone through similar trauma that cost me me a good and successful radio job of long standing and community service some three years ago.
As one who put Rush on the air in my market (San Luis Obispo County, CA) as one of the first 15 affiliates or so of Rush, who had been such a hit on KFBK in Sacramento and then on WABC in New York, before building the Excellence In Broadcasting (EIB) Network into the empire it now is, I've listened, watched and studied Rush from several perspectives, none of which I'll go into here. That's not the point.
The point is in asking if you've read any of the "comments" areas of the online blogosphere, the newspapers, the broadcast media -- all who have made Rush "Breaking News" headlines or commentary/op-ed pieces today. Have you?
From TMZ.com to Radar.com. From Fox News, to the Huffington Post -- many people, all of them anonymous of course, have had a field day with their venemous hate-spewing about Rush and his "body of work."
Even those who know about "diets" have gotten into the act. I'm not sure if it's out of jealousy because Rush lost nearly 100 pounds this year (and many say, "too fast,") or if they are doing it as yet more criticism of a man who is, indeed, a legend -- like him or not.
The comments, be they from any walk of life, are frequently disturbing, frightening and uncalled for.
People asking for Rush's "passing." So very sad.
So, low and behold, after the story was posted here last night -- well before other media and trade publications had done their take on the events surrounding Rush's admission to the hospital, I got thinking ...
What would Rush do?
Without speculating on Mr. Limbaugh's medical and controversial health issues to date, I wonder how he will handle this frequently life-changing event -- especially on this, the last day of the tumultuous year 2009.
A year, that, politically, Limbaugh certainly had his disagreements.
I thought, "What Would Rush Do" -- if?
From an e-mail I sent to a friend of mine last night:
A major market broadcasting colleague shared an interesting thought with me last night, following word that Rush Limbaugh had been taken the hospital for "chest pains." He was listed in "serious condition."
My friend said, first, "What would happen if the paramedics had taken him to the hospital that President Obama was born in Hawaii? Wouldn't that be ironic?"
Yes, and it could have happened. But it didn't. Rush is in the island's big trauma center resting comfortably, we're happy to report.
Then the question that is, in my opinion, is the truest irony: "What would happen, since it is vacation time, that President Obama just happened to "stop by" and check on how El Rushbo is doing and to give his condolences? After all, the President talks to Republicans everyday."
Interesting questions.
Let's get right to the second one.
Having gone through similar maladys in differing forms, as have many of us here -- this is a "life changing" event.
Rush isn't there for "indigestion" or "heartburn." Not after losing over 80 pounds in a few months. No, this was worse.
I wouldn't be surprised to see some stents implanted, maybe even a bypass or three, maybe four. I know -- many of us have been there.
What would Rush do?
Check out the Huffington Post op/ed today, for example. Rush is a big boy. He can take it, we hope. But to kick someone when he's down with a potential heart problem? A potential life-threatening condition? Wow ...
Back to my email to my colleague:
They better have the monitors working and a nursing staff standing by with a crash cart.
I bet the President would be very generous and consoling.
I bet Rush would be, too. Honestly. I really bet he would be very appreciative and respectful.
Then, how do you do what Rush does and go back on the air in whatever time he gets back to lambast the President with his viewpoints that 14-million people a week have come to "trust"?
What a development that would be.
"Hey, imagine that. The President of the United States stopped by my room in Hawaii, stuck out his hand and wished me well. Pulled up a chair and visited with me for 20 minutes. The Secret Service stayed outside the door. Even the First Lady stopped by." And then, "But I almost wretched being in the same room with him." Nah. That's not Rush's style. (Is it?)
Can you imagine such a scene?
"Yeah the POTUS asked my opinion, asked me, your Little Fuzzball, El Rushbo, about the attempted terrorist attack, how I felt about the Secretary of Homeland Security, just how I really felt about healthcare reform and, well, what the hell was I to say? -- Get out of my room Mr. President?"
I'd pay big money to see that meeting, up close and personal. And I bet it would be very gracious and well meaning. Not quite one of those, "Look, you do what you do, but we can still be friends," kinds of things. I think it would be more awkward than that. None of that pat-on-the-back and "What happens between the lines stays between the lines." What credibility would Rush have after such an outpouring from President Obama? Just sayin'
I mean, there's obviously some bad blood there, but just imagine the grin on the President's face walking out of that hospital room.
"You know, Rush, some of the commenters online in story after story are saying some pretty mean stuff about us -- and I just wanted to show that there is no hard feelings, but do get well and I'll check up on you . OK?"
What would Rush do?
In a way, I'm afraid of what will happen if the President doesn't send flowers, a card or pays a visit. "The President just doesn't care." Oh, dear.
"He hates Republicans. He hates half of America. He hates me, El Rushbo. Tough. I can give it right back."
But if things are life-threatening to Rush and he has a "come-to-Jesus" meeting with his heart, "What Would Rush Do?"
Would his fans be disappointed or angry? Would Glenn Beck be his replacement? Would Bill O'Reilly return to the radio airwaves?
Let's see if this plays out.
President Obama giving a "shout out" wouldn't be as effective. Nice, but not as effective. A bedside chat, however, would do the trick.
As the late singer, Sam Cooke sang so beautifully back in the day, "A Change Is Gonna Come."
Happy, or at least, a Healthy, Safe and for Radio -- hopefully -- a Prosperous New Year.
And Rush, our best and get well, soon.
Now, as Dr. Laura said, "Go do the right thing." And go take on the day, Rush.
As of 3 p.m. Pacific Time today, Rush Limbaugh is resting comfortably in a Hawaii hospital and set to undergo "a complete medical examination" following his admission yesterday after chest pains while vacationing for the week.
Wikipedia put another nail in its "not always accurate" coffin by claiming late last night, through an anonymous poster, that El Rushbo had died -- which he, fortunately, has not. "The rumors of my assuming room temperature," Rush might say, "are null, void and moot."
I wish Rush well and a quick, well-monitored recovery. I understand, having gone through similar trauma that cost me me a good and successful radio job of long standing and community service some three years ago.
As one who put Rush on the air in my market (San Luis Obispo County, CA) as one of the first 15 affiliates or so of Rush, who had been such a hit on KFBK in Sacramento and then on WABC in New York, before building the Excellence In Broadcasting (EIB) Network into the empire it now is, I've listened, watched and studied Rush from several perspectives, none of which I'll go into here. That's not the point.
The point is in asking if you've read any of the "comments" areas of the online blogosphere, the newspapers, the broadcast media -- all who have made Rush "Breaking News" headlines or commentary/op-ed pieces today. Have you?
From TMZ.com to Radar.com. From Fox News, to the Huffington Post -- many people, all of them anonymous of course, have had a field day with their venemous hate-spewing about Rush and his "body of work."
Even those who know about "diets" have gotten into the act. I'm not sure if it's out of jealousy because Rush lost nearly 100 pounds this year (and many say, "too fast,") or if they are doing it as yet more criticism of a man who is, indeed, a legend -- like him or not.
The comments, be they from any walk of life, are frequently disturbing, frightening and uncalled for.
People asking for Rush's "passing." So very sad.
So, low and behold, after the story was posted here last night -- well before other media and trade publications had done their take on the events surrounding Rush's admission to the hospital, I got thinking ...
What would Rush do?
Without speculating on Mr. Limbaugh's medical and controversial health issues to date, I wonder how he will handle this frequently life-changing event -- especially on this, the last day of the tumultuous year 2009.
A year, that, politically, Limbaugh certainly had his disagreements.
I thought, "What Would Rush Do" -- if?
From an e-mail I sent to a friend of mine last night:
A major market broadcasting colleague shared an interesting thought with me last night, following word that Rush Limbaugh had been taken the hospital for "chest pains." He was listed in "serious condition."
My friend said, first, "What would happen if the paramedics had taken him to the hospital that President Obama was born in Hawaii? Wouldn't that be ironic?"
Yes, and it could have happened. But it didn't. Rush is in the island's big trauma center resting comfortably, we're happy to report.
Then the question that is, in my opinion, is the truest irony: "What would happen, since it is vacation time, that President Obama just happened to "stop by" and check on how El Rushbo is doing and to give his condolences? After all, the President talks to Republicans everyday."
Interesting questions.
Let's get right to the second one.
Having gone through similar maladys in differing forms, as have many of us here -- this is a "life changing" event.
Rush isn't there for "indigestion" or "heartburn." Not after losing over 80 pounds in a few months. No, this was worse.
I wouldn't be surprised to see some stents implanted, maybe even a bypass or three, maybe four. I know -- many of us have been there.
What would Rush do?
Check out the Huffington Post op/ed today, for example. Rush is a big boy. He can take it, we hope. But to kick someone when he's down with a potential heart problem? A potential life-threatening condition? Wow ...
Back to my email to my colleague:
They better have the monitors working and a nursing staff standing by with a crash cart.
I bet the President would be very generous and consoling.
I bet Rush would be, too. Honestly. I really bet he would be very appreciative and respectful.
Then, how do you do what Rush does and go back on the air in whatever time he gets back to lambast the President with his viewpoints that 14-million people a week have come to "trust"?
What a development that would be.
"Hey, imagine that. The President of the United States stopped by my room in Hawaii, stuck out his hand and wished me well. Pulled up a chair and visited with me for 20 minutes. The Secret Service stayed outside the door. Even the First Lady stopped by." And then, "But I almost wretched being in the same room with him." Nah. That's not Rush's style. (Is it?)
Can you imagine such a scene?
"Yeah the POTUS asked my opinion, asked me, your Little Fuzzball, El Rushbo, about the attempted terrorist attack, how I felt about the Secretary of Homeland Security, just how I really felt about healthcare reform and, well, what the hell was I to say? -- Get out of my room Mr. President?"
I'd pay big money to see that meeting, up close and personal. And I bet it would be very gracious and well meaning. Not quite one of those, "Look, you do what you do, but we can still be friends," kinds of things. I think it would be more awkward than that. None of that pat-on-the-back and "What happens between the lines stays between the lines." What credibility would Rush have after such an outpouring from President Obama? Just sayin'
I mean, there's obviously some bad blood there, but just imagine the grin on the President's face walking out of that hospital room.
"You know, Rush, some of the commenters online in story after story are saying some pretty mean stuff about us -- and I just wanted to show that there is no hard feelings, but do get well and I'll check up on you . OK?"
What would Rush do?
In a way, I'm afraid of what will happen if the President doesn't send flowers, a card or pays a visit. "The President just doesn't care." Oh, dear.
"He hates Republicans. He hates half of America. He hates me, El Rushbo. Tough. I can give it right back."
But if things are life-threatening to Rush and he has a "come-to-Jesus" meeting with his heart, "What Would Rush Do?"
Would his fans be disappointed or angry? Would Glenn Beck be his replacement? Would Bill O'Reilly return to the radio airwaves?
Let's see if this plays out.
President Obama giving a "shout out" wouldn't be as effective. Nice, but not as effective. A bedside chat, however, would do the trick.
As the late singer, Sam Cooke sang so beautifully back in the day, "A Change Is Gonna Come."
Happy, or at least, a Healthy, Safe and for Radio -- hopefully -- a Prosperous New Year.
And Rush, our best and get well, soon.
Now, as Dr. Laura said, "Go do the right thing." And go take on the day, Rush.