Limbaugh mocks Michael J. Fox political ad
Conservative talk show host accuses actor of faking Parkinson's disease
By David Montgomery
Updated: 7:27 a.m. CT Oct 25, 2006
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.
To Rush Limbaugh on Monday, Michael J. Fox looked like a faker. The actor, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, has done a series of political ads supporting candidates who favor stem cell research, including Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, who is running against Republican Michael Steele for the Senate seat being vacated by Paul Sarbanes.
"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."
'A shameless statement'
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."
Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh said on his show that Michael J. Fox "exaggerated" the effects of Parkinson's disease in several political ads.
Fox was campaigning yesterday for Tammy Duckworth, a congressional candidate, outside Chicago, when he alluded to Limbaugh's remarks. "It's ironic, given some of the things that have been said in the last couple of days, that my pills are working really well right now," he said, according to a report on the CBS2 Web site.
After his apology, Limbaugh shifted his ground and renewed his attack on Fox.
"Now people are telling me they have seen Michael J. Fox in interviews and he does appear the same way in the interviews as he does in this commercial," Limbaugh said, according to a transcript on his Web site. "All right then, I stand corrected. . . . So I will bigly, hugely admit that I was wrong, and I will apologize to Michael J. Fox, if I am wrong in characterizing his behavior on this commercial as an act."
Then Limbaugh pivoted to a different critique: "Michael J. Fox is allowing his illness to be exploited and in the process is shilling for a Democratic politician."
'Hope to millions of Americans'
Limbaugh's shock at Fox's appearance is a measure of the disease's devastation, advocates say. Contrary to the charge that Fox might not take his medicine to enhance his symptoms, the medicine produces some of the uncontrolled body movements.
"Stem cell research offers hope to millions of Americans with diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's," Fox says in the Cardin ad. "But George Bush and Michael Steele would put limits on the most promising stem cell research."
Fox has appeared in ABC's "Boston Legal" this season. In his scenes, taped over the summer, Fox does not shake or loll his head as he does in the Cardin commercial, but does appear to be restraining himself, appearing almost rigid at times.
A source with direct knowledge of Fox's illness who viewed the Cardin ad said Fox is not acting to exaggerate the effects of the disease. The source said Fox's scenes in "Boston Legal" had to be taped around his illness, as he worked to control the tremors associated with Parkinson's for limited periods of time.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15408508/
_______________________________________________
This is a sad event to say the least. I have a close family member who has Parkinson in a bad way. There are now appliances implanted in his brain.
I stopped listening to Rush a long time ago; as his path is one-way-only-thinking. He will say anything to promote the far right. This attack on Fox is just one more example of his one-way-only-thinking.
This has hit the news in the UK too...... absolutely disgraceful as Michael J. Fox has always shown such dignity and fortitute in fighting this dreadful disease IMO.
Rush needs to back off of mcfly. ;D
Rush who??? I don't know no stinking Rush!!! :o ;)
As I've come to expect, the media is outright lying in this article. I've listened to Limbaugh's statements and they weren't even close to what this reporter "reports". Admittedly, I don't listen to every word on his program as it plays in the background when I'm working on other things, but it would be out of character for him to make fun of a disease. He DOES indeed take MJF to task for misrepresenting stem cell research in a non-medical ad. In fact his actual statement that I heard was, "he's either acting or off his medication", the latter of which seems to be the case in the ad. Rush even states that he totally understands why MJF would take himself off his meds before testifying to Congress on the his own experience with Parkinson's...that it is necessary in order to truly show the ravages of the disease. Rush's emphasis has been on the fact that this issue is about the ad's lying to the public about hopeful research (adult stem cell) supported by Reps and hopeless research (embryonic stem cell) supported by Dems, (IMOHO, to support abortion). One behavior that is consistent with the media is to misquote and to misguide....Montgomery seems to have that behavior down to a science. I personally think the world of MJF as an actor, don't know him as a person, but certainly don't believe him on his political position that Dems will cure all diseases and Reps will kill everyone....that's ridiculous and unsupported by fact.
And before anyone starts taking me to task for speaking out of my rearend on Parkinson's, you might want to come up and visit me and my dad, who is currently in long term care, (since June/06), with this horribly debilitating disease that has taken him from a very active outdoorsman, highly respected for his hunting/packing accomplishments, to an invalid that, just one hour ago during today's regular visit with him, could barely lift his arms while he writhed in bed with the pain of Parkinson's. I and my wife have spent the first 4+ years full-time caring for him and learning first hand how Parkinson's works and currently watch his decline daily.....like many other diseases, it's NOT the way any of use would chose to go.
The simple truth is that MJF is indeed exploiting his disease for political reasons....it's been done by both Dems AND Reps (Nancy Reagan w/ Ron's Alzheimer's)...this IS after all, the "silly season". I just wish the media and politicians would stop their lying about effective v. non-effective research and which side does it better.....sure would get a lot more accomplished towards a cure :( Rush's program as I have been able to catch bits and pieces of this week simply brings that to the surface....sounds like some of you ought to actually listen to it instead of the "trustworthy" media's slant.......what I heard was far from an "attack".
Sorry I heard part of the recording and what has been reported Rush said....
Well stated Kummok.
QuoteAs I've come to expect, the media is outright lying in this article. I've listened to Limbaugh's statements and they weren't even close to what this reporter "reports".
QuoteWell stated Kummok.
Well here is a vid of it.... see how "well said" it is now....that is of course if you dare to watch it.
http://www.whereistheoutrage.net/wordpress/
After watching Rush if this vid does not give you pause as the quality of person he is then nothing will.
Olds -
I vowed not to get involved in this, but thanks very much for giving the link to that video. It speaks volumes about what is going on these days. Makes m' blood boil.
Olds;
I'm going to continue not respond to what may be considered a political topic. Which I am surprising myself, at least to date.
But I can thank you for the link.
Guys,
If you *really* want to spin up, we can talk about all the propositions in the land of fruit and nuts (California). Not sure there is enough bandwidth to support the discourse. :D :D :D
As is usually the case with these topics, I am drinking at a distance...... 8)
Arcs_n_Sparks
Ahhhhhh. Thanks but no thanks. I'll just drink and watch at a distance.
ThanX for the clip Olds! I stand corrected....It was clear that RL said that MJF was "... exaggerating the effects of the disease..", then went on to say that he was either acting or off his medication. It is clear from that clip that RL lacks the information he would need to make such a statement. I can say from experience that, in my case, the meds keep the muscles from stiffening so that the limbs can bend and doesn't help the tremors that much at all. As far as being gentleman on the air, KJF is clearly taken the higher road. As far as credibility regarding his statements on stem cell research and the Dem v. Rep voting record, MJF, albiet a real gentleman on the air, severaly distorts the truth. Dems vote to support embryonic stem cell research and Reps vote against it, as a rule. This issue comes down to whether or not one believes in harvesting lives of the unborn....something about which Dems and Reps are seemingly doomed to be at odds forever.
Further, the MSNBC statements on an upcoming Rep ad featuring sportsman is a misrepresentation at best and an outright lie at worst. I've seen the ad and it is clearly an anticloning ad....something many of us with a specific take on the respect for life feel very strong about.
All in all, Olds, the ad set me straight on what RL said on Monday on his subscriber only video, (to which I don't subscribe....don't have time or interest to watch videos in the middle of the day). ThanX for that! The rest of the clip reminded me why I don't watch MSNBC for "news". ;)
Quotecome up and visit me and my dad, who is currently in long term care, (since June/06), with this horribly debilitating disease that has taken him from a very active outdoorsman, highly respected for his hunting/packing accomplishments, to an invalid that, just one hour ago during today's regular visit with him, could barely lift his arms while he writhed in bed with the pain of Parkinson's. I and my wife have spent the first 4+ years full-time caring for him and learning first hand how Parkinson's works and currently watch his decline daily.....like many other diseases, it's NOT the way any of use would chose to go.
I won't comment on the American politics theme to the thread as it is often difficult for those of us non-Americans to understand but I do want to express my dismay and sorrow about your dad, Kummok. I will not forget your kind words when I was grieving my father's death a year ago this month. I still have the picture you sent of you and your wife and father in better times. It is very hard to see a proud, capable man brought down by such a disease. Please know that I will be thinking of you and your family.
T2
I am truley sorry for those of you that choose to believe the uneducated biased media. Having a loved one similiar to Kummock that has suffered from Parkinsons(and died)I understand(although not completely cause it wasn't my own Father)how Kummok feels and relates to this disease. To my knowledge, limited as it is there is NO and I repeat NO proof, NO foresight, NO nada, NO nothing, NO not a spec, No NOTHING that embrionic stem cell research will help anything with this disease or any other related disease. Matter of fact there is no evidence that this type of research helps any disease of any type(unless it is your own cells). I am truley sorry as I wish it could but ALL the evidence is in mature adult stem cells PERIOD. This is a hard post to follow as I consider many of you friends but I can not continue to participate in a forum where my own values are questioned and where I feel the choice between life and death are drawn. My Sister in law had to have a Midterm or partcial birth abortion due to food poisioning a few years back. The fetus had died but basically would not abort so this procedure had to be done in order to save her life. It sickens me to think after reviewing this medical procedure that any person thats life wasn't in jepordy could have this done. So I guess I leave you with this thought. Again in my limited knowledge cause I'm as country as they come do you support a party that believes in these types of abortion for so called medical advances(look it up I promise you will never be the same)or do you believe in life where there is one? This draws a line in the way I vote and live PERIOD. I wish you all well and continued happiness in your pursuit of perfectly smoked foods. I bid you all a farewell.
Sometimes honesty and good taste can't sit on the same shelf. I don't think Limbaugh said he's faking
Parkinson's disease , but exaggerating the symptoms for political and promotional value.
Getting Parkinson's didn't make M.J. Fox a saint.....Just in search of a cure , which he wasn't , before his ailment. But Limbaugh should know better and act better.
And when did Michael J. Fox become an american???????? I don't think he did. But he called himself an American ??? ???
We have great people all over this world in every country. But why do so many travel to America , become wealthy and famous , and still say we're wrong and who to vote for ?
Not tryin' to ruffle any feathers...............just beeping it REAL
Coyote
P.S. I too have lost family members to vicious deseases. ALS , Pancreas cancer (my grandmother and father)
Even while they were fighting and dying they were against butchering of humans...even the unborn.
Dang, Big Smoker.....this is just discourse amongst friends and fellow smokers. We are going to agree and disagree on many things, none of which are worth leaving over.....yer too valuable to the smokers to lose over to this particular thread. I don't usually throw a dog into these off-smoker discussions, but occasionally " jes cain't hep m'sef". Such was the case this time and I feel that I gained as well as contributed. I sincerely hope that you don't check out from the forum permanently. You and I ride the same trail on this one but could be on opposite sides on a different one, BUT I can't benefit from your knowledge and experience if you're no longer around. :(
I too have had friends/family experience the loss of children and it sux and ain't "supposed" to happen that way. I am sincerely sorry for your sister-in-law's devastating experience....my youngest daughter lost one of her twins and the other was born 2 months premature (doing GREAT now!), and our best friend had to carry her unborn child around for the last two months, to term, knowing it was dead. I, (and other forum members!), understand and share your commitment to children, born and unborn and it SHOULD be taken to the voting booth....it should also be proclaimed/discussed amongst friends such as those on this forum. You can't do that if you're gone....soooo, I hope that you go smoke something, perhaps have a cool porter, rethink, and get back in the trenches... ;) ;D
ThanX to all for the kind words about my dad. I can tell you that he is at peace with God on this and that he has taken this disease head-on like he does a grizzly, with bravery and realism.....the grizzlys have never won against him, but this disease will, at least here on earth. He knows that but he would NEVER allow himself to be healed at the cost of an unborn child.
ThanX to Olds also for giving the opportunity for discourse with this thread....I just hope that the politics of who-dissed-who doesn't fog the real issue of whether or not to harvest children for personal use....reminds me of the old Soylent Green movie :o (Can you smoke Soylent Green?!?!?) ??? ;) ;D
QuoteI am truly sorry for those of you that choose to believe the uneducated biased media.
I'm a little lost here. It sort of sounds as if you are upset with the messenger rather than the message. I'm having a hard time placing that vid of Rush into the category of "uneducated biased media."
QuoteI wish you all well and continued happiness in your pursuit of perfectly smoked foods. I bid you all a farewell.
I posted about Rush and his comments to show just how far some people will go in effort to reach their own end. This thread is not about addressing the question of whether destroying human embryos is morally defensible. It is about an ugly attack by Rush on Fox's person.
I can only guess that you are a follower of Rush and as such watching that vid of him must have been a real let down--that this is an emotional time for you. However, don't let that be the reason for your leaving. If you do go you will be missed.
Olds
Big Smoker
I agree with you 100%. Your info on stem cell research is accurate. It was confirmed to me personally by a Doctor friend, as I had lost my mother a few years ago with Parkinson's, and was concerned about the progress and latest research. Thanks for your moral stand as well. You are blessed!
Brother Bill
Being in broadcast radio for the last quarter century, trust me on this.
People like Fox make millions and millions making the world a stage........
People like Limbaugh make just as much , pissing folks off by shooting holes
in their play.
In short , it's show biz !!!!!!!!!!!Sprinkled with a dab of reality once in a great while. Oh, by the way I checked . M.J. Fox received Duel Citizenship in 2004
to campain and vote for John Kerry................
Let's Smoke'em All,
Coyote
Quote from: Oldman on October 27, 2006, 01:38:04 AM
.....This thread is not about addressing the question of whether destroying human embryos is morally defensible. It is about an ugly attack by Rush on Fox's person.
I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one Olds. You might have
intended your post to be just about one entertainer's dis of another during the silly season, but that's like saying that the Twin Towers is really about what kind of windows were in the Towers. I don't believe that all the ancillary lies in the video are about Rush's opinion about Fox's appearance.....the dis is just the bait...it's the mistruthes about stem cell research that filled the majority of that vid....it was indeed, IMHO, 2 % truth on the Monday "exaggerating" statements between actors (MJF 1 - Rush 0) and 98% uneducated biased media opinion on the stem cell research debate (MSNBC 100 - Truth 0 :().
Distilled to its essence, this thread and the foundational issue IS indeed about the ongoing debate between Libs and Cons on respect for unborn children.....too bad we can't interview the unborn in a Rep ad and see what MSNBC would have for an "educated, unbiased report" :o
The media attention combined with personal debates around the country on this matter is worth
millions.............From the Fox campain endorsement ad to the rude response from Limbaugh........
Very well planned from the very beginning.............and very successfull!!!!!!!!!!!
Coyote
OK you all beat me up.. I'm done here... to bad this did not happen yesterday as I would have saved myself the monies I just spent to renew the chat room... not to mention the recipe site.
Several of you took a Rush bashing of Fox and now have turned it into a suck-up job for your hero Rush...
Well I'm out of here... better places or at least more honest places to contribute my time too.
Cya at the polls... I'm a R voting D!
Smoke on and good eating!
Olds
Olds;
Don't believe for one minute that there are not others who agree with you in whole or at least part. I understood the nature of your post, but like I've stated in the past, I'm not going to partake in posts once it turns into a wedge issue. I'm sure there are many who feel the same.
In closing, for every argument there is an effective counter argument, with the data to support opposing positions.
Let it be known far and wide, I am not a Rush fan by any means. He may raise a good garden, but to me, the seeds get lost in the fertilizer. I think actors and news
entertainment folks should stay out of the political endorsement arena.
All the public know about these folks are the roles they play. A-C-T-I-N-G
They are pros who would never smoke their own food ;D The Chef would do it.
I have yet to vote a straight ticket , it won't happen this year either :-\
Smoke on,
Coyote
Quote from: coyote on October 27, 2006, 04:45:09 PM
.....I think actors and news entertainment folks should stay out of the political endorsement arena......
Amen to dat brudda! And it would seem that all we, the unwashed, can get from the "news" anymore is just that.....ENTERTAINMENT. ;) :D
Gotta admit my own thick skin is probably due to too many years scraping spent lives up with a spatula, but this thread is now invisible to me....I thought it could be a good discourse but too many taking it too personal....don't want to be party to that....I'm gonna go smoke something....the polls! ;) ;D
This thread is a perfect example why this kind of crap should be posted on other forums. What has been gained by it? Now two long time contributors to this forum no longer want to be a part of it.
Olds, as a long time contributor, you should realize nothing is gained by debating politics here. Color it anyway you want, but your recent threads, and your links to politically biased websites, were politically motivated, and your last comment that you are voting Democrat this year is clear indication of that. Olds, you started this, and now that others don't share your opinion, you want to take your ball and glove and go home.
The one question I have though is, where is Chez in all of this? He was quick to address the issue of politics when Kummok posted about America's fishing days being over, http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=4077.0 and also blasted TomG in another thread when he mistakening thought Tom was putting a political spin on the thread, but has not commented at all about this thread, or any of the other politically motivated threads that Olds has begun a habit of posting.
So Chez, my request to you is, moderate this forum and do so consistantly. Politics and assault weapons have no purpose here, period. The comments you made below, Chez, are right on.
Let's make it happen.
Quote from: Chez Bubba on September 25, 2006, 06:18:51 PM
Let's not turn this into a political forum & just keep to discussing smoking & stuff. Those of you wanting to banter with the enemy I'm sure know of plenty of other places to do so.
Nothing can turn good friends into "idiots" faster than politics or religion. I have no desire to try & moderate the heated discussions that are bound to occur.
Besides, you're tempting me to express my opinion & just make it worse! ;D
We're all here for a reason, let's remember what it is. :)
Kirk
Bubbagump
See guys, this is why I hate it when threads turn political. It turns the discourse from a common recreational passion into an arguement about core personal values & beliefs. That, combined with the lack of voice inflection from typing, result in a stupidly volatile situation.
When it comes down to something true to your heart, or something you have personal experience with, everybody, no matter which side of the lake you live on, tends to over-react. I think everybody just needs to go have a cold one & get back to talking smokin' tomorrow.
Email me if you have a comment, cause I'm shuttin' this one down. :-[
Kirk
What the hell, it is Friday night!
You're entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts .
Republican voters are divided on embryonic stem cell research, according to a survey of 800 conducted by pollster David Winston, who also conducts surveys for the Republican leadership in the House and Senate. 25% of Republicans said they wanted no government funding of the research, 33% favored the limited funding Bush offers, and 36% wanted expanded funding to cover research on leftover embryos at fertility clinics. The Winston poll was sponsored by a group of centrist Republicans, The Republican Main Street Partnership.(Wikipedia)
I have no with problem Christian Scientists not taking medications or Jehovah Witnesses refusing blood bank products. Fortunely, if they are minors, they should and do become wards of the court and rationality prevails. And I would applaud any and all adult Evangilicals who, on the of bases of religious convections, denied themselves or their relatives of legal majority, the benefits of potentially life-saving therapy derived from embryonic stem cell research.
Keep your religion out fo my science and I'll promise to keep my science out of your religion :)
QuoteI've done some research into the "mark of the beast" v.s. things like IDs and chip implants, Boxer. Based upon my research so far, I currently believe that the national ID isn't the "mark", but it certainly desensitizes younger generations into a dangerous acceptance of such "human inventory/control" programs, which certainly take us in that direction.
Kummok, It's time for more research Amigo ;)
I, of course, am still drinking at a distance......... 8) 8) 8)
Arcin' & Sparkin'
Quote from: Arcs_n_Sparks on October 27, 2006, 05:38:23 PM
I, of course, am still drinking at a distance......... 8) 8) 8)
Arcin' & Sparkin'
Arcs - You are a riot. :D :D :D
Quote from: Arcs_n_Sparks on October 27, 2006, 05:38:23 PM
I, of course, am still drinking at a distance......... 8) 8) 8)
Arcin' & Sparkin'
Tryin' to keep up with you Arcs.
And we all do have at least one thing in common. Let's enjoy the reason why we're here in the first place..
Funny too funny.You guys need to smoke some meat or what ever the hell else ya got.Lets move along here.Who has my next beer. ;D :D ;).IMO .Wheres the pork butt.Put on some chickens.If i wanted c span or cnn or larry king i would have clicked my mouse.Lets get back to smoking.See i do make sence once in a while. ;D
Dang, you guys type a lot faster than I do! ;D
BG, I am a member, just like you, that happens to have a few extra powers. I have them because I volunteered back when the forum was started to try & bring some order to what was a totally unregulated, unorganized, ignored mess.
The reason I come here is to "talk" with folks such as you, is to share my knowledge, and learn yours. However, my life has certain priorites.
1. My wife.
2. My real job. Chez Bubba is just a hobby thing.
3. My dog.
4. Chez Bubba, returning phone calls & packing orders after I get home from #2.
5. The forum.
I don't come here every day, sometimes not for days at a time. I wasn't even going to come here tonight except I got a disturbing email. Thankfully Bradley now has taken an interest & sees value in this forum & I don't have to delete the porn posts.
BTW, I think "blasted" is a bit of an exaggeration. I think my public apology to Tom explained exactly how we both felt and share mutual respect for one another. You can actually have good conversation with someone who doesn't subscribe to everything you believe. 8)
So I guess I cannot honor your request for consistancy, as I will always be inconsistant in my visitation. If anybody wants it, they're more than welcome to take over my "job", the pay is great. ;)
Kirk