A New Low For Limbaugh

Posted on October 25, 2006

Rush Limbaugh has reached a new low with his latest bit of appalling behavior. On his radio show he made fun of actor Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's disease. Fox has taped ads for both Democrats and Republicans who support his main issue, which is promoting federal funding for stem cell research. In the current ads, Fox is clearly suffering the jerky movements which are the hallmarks of his disease. The ad is difficult to watch -- and quite effective as Fox makes his case for stem cell funding. Limbaugh imitated Fox's manner in a buffoonish way, then accused Fox of acting or deliberately not taking his medication to look worse on camera, which are ludicrous accusations according to Parkinson's experts. The medication he takes actually causes the movements: if he doesn't take the meds, eventually he would be unable to move at all.

Keith Olberman has the story. Watch the video of self-confessed drug addict Rush Limbaugh making a total ass of himself.

The Washington Post reports:

Possibly worse than making fun of someone's disability is saying that it's imaginary. That is not to mock someone's body, but to challenge a person's guts, integrity, sanity.
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"He is exaggerating the effects of the disease," Limbaugh told listeners. "He's moving all around and shaking and it's purely an act. . . . This is really shameless of Michael J. Fox. Either he didn't take his medication or he's acting." Limbaugh, whose syndicated radio program has a weekly audience of about 10 million, was reacting to Fox's appearance in another one of the spots, for Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill, running against Republican Sen. James M. Talent.
But the Cardin ad is similar. It is hard to watch, unless, for some reason, you don't believe it. As he speaks, Fox's restless torso weaves and writhes in a private dance. His head bobs from side to side, almost leaving the video frame. "This is the only time I've ever seen Michael J. Fox portray any of the symptoms of the disease he has," Limbaugh said. "He can barely control himself."
Later Monday, still on the air, Limbaugh would apologize, but reaction to his statements from Parkinson's experts and Fox's supporters was swift and angry. "It's a shameless statement," John Rogers said yesterday. Rogers, Fox's political adviser, who also serves on the board of the Parkinson's Action Network, added: "It's insulting. It's appallingly sad, at best." "Anyone who knows the disease well would regard his movement as classic severe Parkinson's disease," said Elaine Richman, a neuroscientist in Baltimore who co-wrote "Parkinson's Disease and the Family." "Any other interpretation is misinformed."

Reaction in the blogosphere has been swift and very, very negative. When even the polite, friendly (and non-political) gossip site Popsugar leads with a blog entry entitled "Rush Limbaugh is an A**hole," that's when you know you've offended just about everyone.