Yesterday, I wrote about a rather disgusting and ignorant tirade by Rush Limbaugh about Michael J. Fox, in which Limbaugh accused Fox of either faking Parkinsons's symptoms or purposely not taking his medications before taping an ad in which he supported a Democratic candidate because she supports stem cell research.
Advice Goddess gives us more perspective with an excerpt from Fox's autobiography that explains how difficult it is to balance the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease with the side effects from the medications necessary to treat it. Fox describes this as a "constant vexation for the P.D. patient, especially one as determined as I was to remain closeted."
Michael J. Fox did a session on "Inside the actor's studio" (coincidentally scheduled for rebroadcast on Bravo on October 30th) a while back. IIRC, it was a two-hour interview, and partway through he had to excuse himself so that he could go and take another dosage of his meds.
The difference before and after was pretty significant.
I think without doubt, MJF wants or isn't afraid to show that, while we do have treatments for Parkinson's disease, they don't erase the disease process, and what you end up with is a trade-off between problems from the disease and side effects of treatment.
I'm sure that as he looks at his future, given the age that his symptoms started, given the progression already, he can easily foresee that he will run out of options, based on what we have now. Thus the importance in his mind of stem cell research, thus his efforts to combat those who he sees as a roadblock to stem cell research.
Perhaps Rush should also castigate Nancy Reagan for being in favor of stem cell research, and "using" the late president in this way.
The definitive statement on RL was made long ago, and has been repeated many times. If anyone knows for sure who said it first, please report back.
Q: What's the difference between Rush Limbaugh and the Hindenburg?
A: One's a flaming Nazi gasbag, and the other's a dirigible.
Not that I hang out with the Hitler comedy zombie, mind you.
As is becoming usual, Keith Olbermann nails the story, including a video of Limbaugh as he made the comments -- not for queasy stomachs -- a video Fox made during the 2004 campaign -- for Arlen Specter -- and a discussion with Air America host, Sam Seder.
It's available at
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/10/25/olbermann-gives-us-the-visual-…
Fox News finally has a report on the controversy, of course Limbaugh's comments (and he himself) were white-washed.
Was he exaggerating, as one radio commentator suggested?
Fair and Balanced my ass.
Apparently the Fox ad can really be shown to be affecting people
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/8880.html
which may be why Limbaugh has retreated from his apology and is now saying that he meant every word of what he said and would say it again.
Btw, the 'answering ad' has also changed some opinions. See comment #10 for someone who had been rooting for the Cardinals but now is rooting for the Tigers. I really want to listen to when Suppan is introduced, and hear the booing I hope he gets.