Our Opinion: Selection raises lightning rod at Capitol gallery

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

House Speaker Steve Tilley has raised a lightning rod at the Capitol with his plan to honor bombastic radio personality Rush Limbaugh.

Advertisers are fleeing Limbaugh’s talk show after he characterized law student Sandra Fluke as a “slut” and a “prostitute.” Those comments came after Fluke joined the controversial, national debate concerning President Obama’s plan to compel health insurers to cover contraception.

Limbaugh has apologized, but the firestorm continues and now has spread to Tilley’s plan to induct Limbaugh into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

The hall within the Capitol honors notable Missourians with a bronze bust and description of their contributions. Inductees are selected by the House speaker and costs are funded through private donations. Tilley estimates each costs about $10,000.

Tilley said his selection of Limbaugh was made about three months ago. The speaker’s most recent inductee was Negro Leagues baseball player Buck O’Neil and another announced future inductee is Dred Scott, the slave who sued unsuccessfully for his freedom.

Tilley and Limbaugh both hail from southeastern Missouri, and the speaker on Monday defended his choice, pointing out a radio talk show host “is going to say things that are provocative and controversial.”

We understand moderation may be a road to media oblivion in talk radio. In contrast, provoking controversy attracts listeners who applaud or disdain the host’s point of view.

Tilley said he is proud of Limbaugh’s accomplishments, but failed to enumerate what they are.

We concede Limbaugh is an accomplished showman and manipulator, but — other than personal fame — what contributions has he made to Missouri?

We find it reprehensible that his deliberate effort to provoke controversy has descended into personal attacks against people willing to join the public discussion on important, timely issues.

Nominations to the Capitol gallery traditionally have been the province of the House speaker.

Limbaugh’s nomination raises a question of whether additional input or criteria is desirable for induction into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

More like this story

rambleon39 1 year, 2 months ago

Rush Limbaugh - Beavis and Butthead meet Joseph McCarthy.

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

Was not Samuel Longhorne Clemens a political satirist in addition to being an author/river boat captain? He said and wrote some provocative things (some censored on this website); some that public schools have either censored or flat out banned. How is writing literature so foul to someones sensibilities a contribution to Missouri? Did not Thomas Hart Benton shoot a man to death on Bloody Island? Is this not "bombastic"? Mr. Truman dropped two nuclear bombs on other human beings (and rightfully so) resulting in the surrender of Japan and the death of thousands of civilians including woman and children. My point is some ugly/unpopular things were committed by our fellow Missourians on their way to achieving their status as a hall of famer. How is Mr. Limbaugh any different? Why is the standard different?

"All large political doctrines are rich in difficult problems -- problems that are quite above the average citizen's reach. And that is not strange, since they are also above the reach of the ablest minds in the country; after all the fuss and all the talk, not one of those doctrines has been conclusively proven to be the right one and the best." - "The Privilege of the Grave," Who Is Mark Twain? That's my 2 cents, for what it's worth. I despise responding to the paper in fear of their use of [sic] in my comments.

BubbaD 1 year, 2 months ago

The difference? Clemens is characterized as a humorist and he was disappointed in politicians of both parties. Rush is associated with a single party and is often hyperbolic and mean.

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

"hyperbolic and mean." -- That is subjective and opinion, just like Rush's show.

lovemykids 1 year, 2 months ago

If you think that Rush is half the man Truman was, I suggest you unplug yourself and learn to read.

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

Very profound comment Mr. Chase. I am trying to start dialogue, you asked a question you already know the answer to.

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

Limbaugh was the 1992, 1995, 2000 and 2005 recipient of the Marconi Radio Award for Syndicated Radio Personality of the Year (given by the National Association of Broadcasters), joining the syndicated Bob & Tom Show as the only other four-time winners of a Marconi award. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1993.

respect 1 year, 2 months ago

If he is so famous to Tilley let him put the Bust (or Butt) in southeast Mo. and keep it out of the state capitol TOTALLY embarrassing this state!

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

I'm not embarrassed, I am in the state. Oh, that's right, I don't think like you therefore I do not count.

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