
Radio show host Rush Limbaugh responded harshly to critics who have accused him of being seditious with his words. In other words, Limbaugh has been accused of causing acts of rebellion and disrespect for authority by those who are unhappy with the recent actions of the federal government. Limbaugh responded directly to the accusations, saying that:
"Like the millions of citizens who've peacefully risen up and attended thousands of rallies in protest, I seek nothing more than the preservation of the social contract that undergirds our society," Limbaugh wrote. "I do not hate the government, as the left does when it is not running it. I love this country. And because I do, I insist that the temporary inhabitants of high political office comply with the Constitution, honor our God-given unalienable rights and respect our hard-earned private property. For this I am called seditious, among other things, by some of the very people who've condemned this society?"
Limbaugh has quite a few critics, including former President Bill Clinton, who compared the Right Wing climate today to that which existed right before the Oklahoma City bombing committed by Timothy McVeigh in 1995. Limbaugh responded by stating that Clinton had opened the door to additional violence in America with his words:
"Bill Clinton ... just gave the kooks out there an excuse to be violent," Limbaugh told his audience. "He just offered them an opportunity to be violent."
Limbaugh also stated that those in the Tea Party movement love their country more than either Bill Clinton or Barack Obama. "A clear majority of the American people want no part of this. They instinctively know that the Obama way is not how things get done in this country," said Limbaugh. "They are motivated by love. Not hate, not sedition. They love their country and want to save it from those who do not."
Here's the deal with Limbaugh's words, as well as others on the right wing who agree with him, yes, his words are quite seditious, as he and FOX News do a very good job of bringing out the worst in America. There is no better way to get a thousand angry, violent and threatening e-mails in your inbox than by appearing on FOX News. That's why I stopped appearing on the network three years ago.
On the other hand, Limbaugh has a right to express his discontent with the federal government. I protect his right, because I would like to have the same right when I am not happy with the actions of the government. The idea that we can shut down the Tea Party movement just because it has become a threat to our power is incredibly undemocratic and one of the reasons that democracies like our own do not maintain their freedoms for very long. We must be strong enough to earn and protect the liberties we claim to deserve.
But the interesting "double game" of American politics is that we all understand what I am saying here. The Democrats who attempt to argue that right-wing attacks are illegitimate fully realize that they'd be doing the same thing if they were Republicans themselves. The Republicans who obstruct Democratic activity and act as though the world is falling apart also know that if they were in power, they'd be running the government in nearly the same way as the Democrats: pushing their own legislation through and not giving a damn about who disagrees with it. So, part of the game is to pretend that the other side is playing the game unfairly.
Let's be clear: The right is not going to stop protesting, holding tea parties and fighting the Democrats for power. The best thing that liberals can do is fight back, mobilize and learn some organizational techniques from the political geniuses on the conservative side of the ball. Limbaugh, unfortunately, must be identified as one of those geniuses. (The man doesn't make $50 million per year for nothing.) He has found his niche, and he's going to drill it. And if you were in his shoes, you'd probably do the exact same thing.
Welcome to the world of politics.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book, 'Black American Money.'To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 

Comments: (98)
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By: rasfanta on 4/26/2010 4:32PM
rush limbaugh represents the epitomy of american white privilege. this is a man that never even graduated from high school. He is an ignorant man who does not try to hide just how ignorant he is but because he has the right color and has been given the right platform, he has been legitimized. americans should demand the removal of this illiterate but he represents a large segement of ignorant americans who have been deliberately kept ignorant in order for special interest to have their way with this country. this country was raped. limbaugh is a distraction that we should not allow to exist. his job is to keep americans divided.
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By: eldohill on 4/27/2010 11:57AM
i could not agree with you more nor could I have said it beetter thank you
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By: ella davis on 4/27/2010 12:23PM
I agree with you. I am adding my take on Limbaugh. He grew up in a well to do family which lays the back ground for his arrogance and strong sense of entitlement. White priviledge is inbred in this country. He is a self loathing, in the closet Gay Man who has discarded three wives. The latest is under contract with pay not to talk about his life.( So I read) In his twenties was arrested for soliciting male prostition in PA. (Can no longer find it. erased from web site.) Being gay is not the issue. His homophobic vile rhetoric is. Just like he called addicts scum bags until he was outed as one. Self loathing has to be fed. His outrageous remarks reflect the depth of self loathing. I wonder if there is a pesonality disorder called pathological liar in play as well. He reminds me of that bigot, racist, homophobe Herbert Hoover. We learned he was a closet, self loathing Gay man. It is said his assisant was his lover for years. I digress.
Let us hope that Limbaugh and his ilk will fall on their own petard(s). Sadly, there will always be others to replace his race hating tactics.
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By: LINDA C on 4/27/2010 6:45PM
You are right on target. I couldn't have said it better myself!
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By: Robbie on 5/13/2010 12:16AM
"rasfanta," "eldohill," and "ella davis:" You go, girls! It's people like this man, who "never even graduated from high school," who, for instance, would misspell "epitome," "segment," "interests," "better," "privilege,' and "personality," and who would have no idea what hyphens are for ("well to do," "self loathing," "in the closet"), who never capitalize proper nouns such as "America," or people's names, who have no understanding of how and where to use punctuation, who use the word "that" ("...a distraction that we should not allow....") in place of "who," who live to spread completely unsubstantiated rumors and lies ("Can no longer find it. erased from web site."), who don't even know the difference between Herbert Hoover and J. Edgar Hoover, and who mix metaphors (such as "falling on one's sword," and "hoisting one's petar'd"), who are speaking for the rest of the illiterate masses! Heaven help us all!
"Linda c:" In light of the above, I can only assume that you were being facetious.
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By: Todd on 5/13/2010 11:27AM
I am in love with you. This is what happens when sad, pathetic and ignorant high school drop-outs get ahold of some of them internets ;). Although thank goodness our country allows them to vote or Obama would never have been elected...
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By: D on 5/26/2010 10:37AM
YOU BLACKS, ALL YOU DO IS COMPLAIN AND COMPLAIN AND WHITE AMERICA IS SICK OF YOU AND GIVING YOU HANDOUTS FOR SITTING ON YOUR LAZY ASSES AND RUINING . GO START ANOTHER GANG YOU LOSERS. HEY DADDY, AFTER YOU GET YOUR FAT PIGS PREGNANT, STAY HOME AND RAISE YOUR CHILDREN . YOU ALL SUCK
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By: CharliJ on 4/26/2010 4:30PM
I thought Rush was moving ? What's the hold up ? Other then that, his kind has nothing to say I want to hear other then.. "I'm NOW leaving the country... Good BYE.
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By: shanika on 4/26/2010 6:03PM
This may be one of the most reasonable posts you've ever made. I'm a little taken aback. Rush has said some unnecessarily extreme things in his day, but more often than not, I find myself agreeing with him. I never tuned in during Bush's days, but I have heard that he was just as willing to put the fire to Bush and other Republicans as he is to Democrats.
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By: CW on 4/27/2010 10:37AM
You and I will probably be the only two people responding who feel the same way. It is quite unpopular to be black and not agree with the Democrat party. I too believe the direction the Obama administration is taking the country in is the wrong direction. I am already feeling some effects from the passage of the health care bill. My employer is gearing up for the time when all of the proposed changes are mandated.
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