Dear Rush, Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

I felt I had to write and thank you for something you recently said on the air. Many years ago I decided that listening to your ramblings was a very non-productive way to use my valuable time. Let's face it, in an attempt to continually extend your fifteen minutes of fame, most of what you say is a radio version of Fonzie jumping the shark tank on Happy Days. The term "jumping the shark" has now become a euphemism for the point when a show needs to be put to rest. It is a time when there is nothing new and interesting for a show to do so The Fonz "jumps a shark". In the world of radio, the same situation could be called "pulling a Limbaugh." I don't want you to get a big head because it could also be called "Coulterizing".

As I surfed radio stations on my way home from work a few days ago, I stumbled upon your show. I am embarrassed to say that I stopped surfing and spent about four minutes of my ten minute commute listening. You were discussing comments made at the UN by a variety of players. At one point you said that it sounded like something one of the Deranged Pseudo Columnists for the Huffington Post would have said. That comment is what I want to thank you for.

At that moment I thought you were speaking directly to me. I was asked when Huffington Post was created to contribute my thoughts and feelings when so moved. I am not terribly prolific and by my own admission only occasionally do I touch on the slightly profound. However, I still feel like I am one of those Deranged Pseudo Columnists you referred to. As that comment sunk in, I was thankful that is how you felt about me. I would be very distressed if someone of your questionable judgment and propensity for making statements with no factual basis said, "I really like what that Tom Gerdy guy had to say."

I am a carpenter and a building contractor. I find great satisfaction in creating and building. I am saddened by the fact that so many people in our world today spend their time doing nothing but tearing down. The real, strength, power and magic is in creation and construction. If the foundation of your fifteen minutes is based on destructive comments and tearing down, your house is on shaky ground.

As I conclude my Deranged Pseudo Columnist ramblings, I want to thank you for placing me on the other side of the spectrum from your destructive ramblings. I like it much better over here in the world of construction. I believe it was Ralph Waldo Emerson who used just eleven words to best articulate it when he said, "Tearing to pieces is the trade of those who cannot construct." Rush, it's time for you to do something constructive. There is no honor in being the poster child for this quote by Mr. Emerson.

Comments

[AvgJoe80]

"I am saddened by the fact that so many people in our world today spend their time doing nothing but tearing down. The real, strength, power and magic is in creation and construction."

I am saddened that so many people can't even accept the possibility that so much of what is coming out of Congress and the White House these days is, in fact, destructive -- "tearing down", in your words. But, unfortunately, many are blinded to this even being possible. I agree, this country's strength & power is rooted in its creation & construction -- and God's blessing. Much of what Rush is saying (once you look beyond the showmanship) is that what has been constructed in this country is being torn down. I know you, Tom. I hope you are not blinded to this. Now THAT would be sad.

[Estreet1964]

Are you serious?

The extreme rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh as well as that of his rabid rightwing cronies is exactly what is tearing down this country because it it polarizing things to the point where nothing constructive can get done.

[AvgJoe80]

No, it's not extreme rhetoric that is causing polarization. What is causing this "polarization" is simply a large segment of our population voicing their disagreement with the ideas and direction coming out of our federal government -- on the merits of the ideas themselves. I find it refreshing to see so many people voicing their disagreement with destructive ideas.

[Tom Gerdy - Huffpost Blogger]

Unfortunately his type of showmanship is a breeding ground for anger and hate. Many of our problems world wide are the results of people who ride on a wave of hate. I can't accept it today and never will be able to accept that mentality.

[MorganLF]

These are a few truisms that cannot be denied:

1) Bacon tastes good.
2) Jimmy Page is the greatest guitarist that ever lived.
3) "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas" is the funniest book ever written.
4) "Apocalypse Now" is one of the best movies ever made.
5) Being labeled a "deranged pseudo columnist" by a morally vacant, laughable gasbag, is a tribute.

[lgillooly]

Sadly, so many people have fallen for his destructive circular "logic". The powers that be realize how important it is to get millions of people in a state of cognitive dissonance so they can be easily manipulated. That is why Rush gets $50,000,000 a yr, while his company had to lay off over 1,000 people. We cannot progress or build new things because the same corporate behemoths want the status quo and they have hired masters at propaganda (Rush, Beck, Hannity, Savage, Coulter, O'Reilly and on and on)
Until we have campaign finance reform and bust up the media monopolies these fools will have a huge platform to spew their destructive propaganda with impunity.

[billhodges]

That is why Rush gets $50,000,000 a yr, while his company had to lay off over 1,000 people

I find it interesting that Rush's company laid off 1,000 people. He does not have now or ever had that kind of employee numbers. Where did you get those numbers from?

[punkingale]

They mean the company Rush works for. Whatever radio channel that's all over the country. Yes, it was on the internet several months ago that they had to lay off 1,000 people to pay Rush's salary.

[lgillooly]

Clear Channel owns over a thousand stations of which Rush is an employee. They had huge lay offs, but kept old Rush's millions so the propaganda could continue without interruption.

[Flavor]

Mr. Gerdy, you were so correct coming out of a loud mouth say what you want with no (fact) to back it up, from a person who is truely a nut but the one thing I disagree with you on is this, nuts cannot do anything constructive as you can see with him he does not know how. Thanks for the article!!!

[bigfated]

Well said, Tom Gerdy.

[DianneinCA]

You make perfect and simple sense, Tom. So of course the tro//s want you to move. It is too bad your advise will not be taken (to be constructive vs. destructive) but good that you made the effort.

[Tom Gerdy - Huffpost Blogger]

DianneinCA,

I am still convinced that there are more who believe in the constructive side. I am also sure if the constructive people lead the way, there will be some who will change their ways and come over from the dark side.

[Tom Gerdy - Huffpost Blogger]

Is the childlike game of 'Move if you don't like it' the best you can do? I don't care whether you think he is right or think he is an ass. I am just challenging people to quit the destruction if they don't have anything contructive to replace it. Seeing the problem is the easy part. People with vision and wisdom see and offer solutions and/or alternatives.

[Kevin Solarz]

i enjoyed reading this, thanks for sharing. i have much respect for ur field and can relate to the satisfaction u get from ur job. its good to see people working jobs for purposes other than wealth.