I remember when kids would play basketball at the local courts, someone would always bring their own ball. The kid with the ball thought they had special powers. They would try and bully the other children into picking them on their team, even if they stunk at the game of basketball. The kid with the ball was often very arrogant. They always forgot one important principle…just because you bring the ball to the court, does not mean you will win the game. The Republicans have the majority in Congress, they have the ball. Unfortunately though, just like the kid on the court, they feel like they deserve special entitlements even-though they are losing the game. Just like the kid with the ball, they throw tantrums and fits when they are losing. They are losing on public policy issues, they are losing in Iraq, they are losing on border control, and soon they will be losing elections.

One of the Republican responses to all of this losing is a loud mouth, eccentric talk show host named Rush Limbaugh. The whole time President Clinton was in the White House, Limbaugh complained about everything he did just for the sake of argument. Now that President Bush is in office, Limbaugh defends everything he does even if it is wrong, because he is more committed to the Republican Party than he is integrity. Both parties have turned up the heat in the upcoming elections because they know what is at stake, the control of congress. People, famous and wealthy, are all coming out to support their favorite candidates in hopes of swaying voters. Enter Michael J. Fox, an actor best known for his role in “Family Ties” and “Spin City.”

Fox appeared in an ad in support of stem cell research that encourages people to vote for the candidate that believes in it, Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill. The ad has been playing during the World Series. Although Fox is a known conservative and Ronald Reagan is one of his heroes, due to his current bout with Parkinson’s Disease he is in favor of stem cell research even-though most conservatives are against it. Rush Limbaugh, on his nationally syndicated radio show that he has in spite of all of his drug abuse and legal troubles, criticized Fox for the commercial. If Limbaugh would have simply disagreed with his politics, it would not be an issue. Limbaugh, however, made implications that Fox exaggerated the effects of his disease for the commercial.

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Limbaugh has clearly crossed the line. Here are some of his direct quotes from his radio show concerning the commercial:

“And it’s purely an act. This is the only time I have ever seen Michael J. Fox portray any of the symptoms of the disease he has.”

“This is really shameless of Michael J. Fox. Either he didn’t take his medication or he’s acting, one of the two.”

“Michael J. Fox is using his illness as a way to mislead voters into thinking that their vote for a single United States senator has a direct impact on stem cell research in Missouri. It doesn’t, and it won’t.”

“Michael J. Fox is allowing his illness to be exploited, and in the process is shilling for a Democrat.”

I believe that Mike Myers created a greedy, fat character in Limbaugh’s honor in Austin Powers! The ridiculous assumption that someone would fake or exaggerate an illness for political gain could only come from someone like Limbaugh. Michael J. Fox has a right to stand up for what he believes in and I commend him for putting his passions above partisanship. Limbaugh could actually learn a lot from Fox. It is a clear insult to Fox to suggest that he is over exaggerating his movements or purposely missed taking his medication for the purpose of this commercial.

Limbaugh obviously did take his pain killer of choice before he made this ignorant statement. Another ironic fact about Limbaugh’s statement is Fox’s medication causes the “exaggerated” movements that he experiences in the commercial according to media reports. Limbaugh is just an example of a kid with the ball throwing a tantrum because he is losing the game. The Republicans are fearful of what may happen in the upcoming elections and they are stooping to the lowest levels in response to that fear. Since when did bashing Americans with disabilities become a part of the conservative agenda? I thought they were too busy fighting against affirmative action, programs for the poor, immigration and social programs.

Limbaugh should remember an important Biblical principle…”He who is without sin, cast the first stone.” Limbaugh has problems with addictions and legal troubles, but the Democrats have never reached to the levels of character attacks that he engages in. It is funny that many Republicans from Foley to Limbaugh are quick to cast stones with all the cracks in their houses from all the stones that have been successfully thrown at them with reason!

“Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us worthy evidence of the fact.” -George Eliot

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance — it is the illusion of knowledge.” -Daniel Boorstin