Hey Limbaugh, fuck off

In light of recent comments by former Senator Rick Santorum and this video of Rush Limbaugh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnfwVRA7lz4 I decided to do a post on racism in America. Quite frankly there is nothing that either of these men can do to justify their actions nor to convince me or any other rational person that these are not hatred-filled racist ejaculations. As I ponder why, in 2011 in the most prosperous and powerful nation on the planet, one built by immigrants and people of all different cultures and backgrounds, so many are still racist I cannot conceive a simple answer. It honestly hurts me to see things like this. Even worse still is the fact that most people are not as outraged as I am. Have we resigned ourselves to bigotry? Is it now acceptable to have any views you want? What enables people like this to hold such power and authority while eschewing such ignorant, hateful speech in America?

I can't help but believe politics plays a role. The fact is that the far right seems to be proud of their bigotry. They use it to rally support among their most conservative supporters. Consider the "Tea Party." While they would never admit to being a racially motivated group, one has to wonder why through all of our presidents and political swings throughout the country's history, why now? Has President Obama taken away any freedoms? No. Has he threatened to? No. Is he the outlandish extreme liberal that some paint him to be? He's never shown signs of it whatsoever. On the continuum of presidential political leanings (anyone who is actually educated in Political Science) would say he's in the realm of Reagan-Clinton. So what is the unique thing about this administration that would start a political movement that would gain such broad appeal and even moderate political power? Oh wait, he's a black guy. He's certainly not our first Democrat to hold the office. He's not the first to want to give health insurance to all citizens. Not the first to want to end tax cuts for the wealthy. But he is the first minority president. The fact is inescapable., even to those who do not wish to admit it.

Back to my original thought, though. Rush Limbaugh is an enormously popular radio personality. Vastly influential in conservative political circles. Yet this is not the first, or second, or third, time that he has shown his ignorance and prejudicial views. In the past he's mocked Al Sharpton's speech. He even mocked Michael J. Fox for an incurable disease not of his choosing. Now he mocks not only the leader of China, but all people of Asian descent. He remarked that he had no idea how anyone could understand Chinese or Japanese, and that he thought it sounded all like one word. Well guess what, Rush? Nearly a third of the planet understands it. However, what I can't understand is how someone can be so proudly ignorant and hateful. Yet many people, millions to be exact, hang on his every word. Probably some of you reading this. Ignorance is nothing to be proud of. Neither is racism, bigotry, or intolerance. It's not funny, its shameful. Personally, I am ashamed to be an American. I am ashamed because this kind of behavior is not only tolerated but encouraged by so many. In a rational society this man would be an outcast. But instead he's a multi-millionaire, political heavyweight. What is wrong with our society that makes this kind of thing possible? I'd like for some comments or thoughts about this, because quite frankly, it blows my mind.