When A Friend Is Maligned
When I was little, my grandparents used the word, "stock" an awful lot as in, "I don't put much stock in people that steal." I've become somewhat of a broker myself lately, as I find myself adding or subtracting stock in all kinds of subjects and people. One of the things I don't put much stock in is incivility. Something I do put a lot of stock in? Meeting people and gauging their character in person, which is why I am so utterly flabbergasted by the remarks of the Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin, who today referred to David Limbaugh and James Taranto as "Neandertahl Jerks," [her spelling].
The exchange happened on Twitter, for all the world to see, and I gather it centered on Senator Santorum in some fashion. I'll get to that in a moment, but first let me tell you a story that I haven't told on Ricochet. A little over a year ago, I had the pleasure of meeting David Limbaugh and spending some time getting to know him. My freight schedule took me right through Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and I had a few hours to spare.
As luck would have it, it was David's birthday. Nevertheless, he took time away from his family and drove out to a local truck stop (I'm limited in where I can bring a semi, so visitors typically have to come to me instead) to meet me. I found him to be a consummate gentleman. We sat there in the Huddle House, and he wanted to hear all about my story. And when the topic turned to politics, he was every bit as passionate and resolute as his brother is each day on the radio. Not belligerent, mind you, but truly engaging. And when he got wound up on the topic of Nancy Pelosi and her merry band of demolitionists in Congress, you could have heard a pin drop in Huddle House. I don't know if he was aware that we had a bit of an audience, so focused was he on the topic. And when the conversation turned to matters or morality, David Limbaugh was equally passionate and profoundly concerned with the direction in which the country is heading.
From the time we first shook hands to the time he humored me by climbing up in my truck to have a look-see at my house on wheels, my impression of him was consistent. Which is to say that I found him to be a conservative unafraid, possessing strong convictions, formidable in his ability to articulate core conservative beliefs, genuinely concerned about the country he loves, and as engaging and truly friendly a gentleman as I've ever met.
Oh yes,..and as regards Rick Santorum? Quoth Jennifer Rubin, "….His social views r unacceptable." One can almost hear Yul Brynner saying, "So let it be written. So let it be done."
Quoth me: I take up for my friends, and I don't put much stock in people that trash them. Jennifer Rubin's unfortunate characterizations say more about her than about the objects of her scorn.
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Aug '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
Jennifer works at the Washington Post, so it could have something to do with the food in the cafeteria there .
I have always found her to be quite insightful and unafraid. Her use of her bully pulpit during this pre-election period mirrors the arched backs of many of her compatriots at the National Review and her sister in arms, Ann Coulter. I think we can all agree that most of the time (save the past couple months) that we follow ,noddingly, most of what they opine.
It's a tough year for Republicans. With the clearest target in years, we can't seem to bring our A game due to the perceived power of the press and the rank n file Alinksyites on the opposing team. I think our leaders have lost faith in the people for a change.
Apr '11
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
I always thought I was a little old fashioned, but I didn't know I was that! old fashioned. I just want to say that the world could use a lot more "Neandertahl Jerks"
Jul '11
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
"Neandertahl Jerks," [her spelling].
Sounds like meeting David was awesome! I never knew he was so big though.
Your assessments of Rubin and her remarks are correct. I do not agree with all of Mr Santorum's social views but I find them completely acceptable for him to hold and espouse.
Oct '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
Well said, Dave. As usual. If anyone wishes to know why Jennifer Rubin receives so much scorn from Ricochet members, this incident is a prime example.
May '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
His views are unacceptable?
Not his governing philosophy nor his policy proposals, mind you, but his views. In other words,
"No Catholics need apply".
That's what Jennifer Rubin wants nailed to the door of the White House.
Oct '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
But I suppose that being from the country's largest red state - deep in the heart of flyover country - I'm the jerkiest of all Neanderthals.
May '11
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
Rubin seemed to have quite the crush on Santorum before she fell for Romney. Santorum's rise in popularity briefly rekindled the flame but then she read the interview where he tried to explain his wife's defense of stay-at-home moms and that set her over the edge. Obviously there is no defense for a woman choosing family over career in her worldview.
Tell me again why people have twitter accounts? You can have much more stimulating conversation here.
Jun '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
The biggest problem with cultural elitists is their lack of self-awareness. Go ahead, tell me you're better than me, but own it. Jennifer dishes out the condescension, but she doesn't like to own it.
Dec '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
I get the distinct impression that Republicans who would otherwise agree with much of what people like Sarah Palin and Rick Santorum believe about government policy and the direction our country should go nevertheless are terrified at the prospect of those politicians becoming our party's nominee -- not over policy or even values, but because those timid souls can't bear the scorn and ridicule from their bien-pensant neighbors. "Your party nominated that numbskull? That Neanderthal? That hillbilly?"
To paraphrase Burke, "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to be too squeamish and embarrassed to stand with the good men who will do something."
Sep '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
This is how some of Romney's prominent supporters have antagonized so many conservatives. When their message is "C'mon idiots, we're smarter than you are, get on the Romney train" they sound exactly like Obama supporters, except with "Romney" instead of "Obama". We don't like hearing that from elitist Democrats, so why should we like hearing it from Republicans?
Jul '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
She wants to play in the Big Leagues with the Big Boys and that's all she's got?
Perhaps she'd be better suited for junior varsity.
May '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
Over at the Corner, Artur Davis has a good suggestion for Santorum on this issue. A barrage of alarmist "reporting" on his "extreme" views is coming our way, and as VDH said in the podcast, a depressing number of people will not be able to distinguish an opinion that something is bad from a plan to make it illegal.
Davis suggest a major speech clarifying his stance on these issues and how they relate to his platform.
In case any of you want to know: I think fornication is immoral. I think lying is immoral. I think cursing and vulgar fashion lower the tone in society and degrade the common good.
Do I want the federal government to do anything about these problem? Other than stop encouraging them with tax payer dollars to Planned Parenthood, etc.? No.
Mar '11
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
Gosh, if Jenn really despises James Taranto that much, I guess I should be following him.
I interacted with Mr. Limbaugh on this site not too long after joining, and although that isn't as neat as coffee in Cape Girardeau, he couldn't have been nicer.
Jun '11
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
Rubin seems bright and occasionally interesting, but she veers all over the road. I've stopped clicking her byline...she's making me car sick.
Dec '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
Percival: Gosh, if Jenn really despises James Taranto that much, I guess I should be following him.
I interacted with Mr. Limbaugh on this site not too long after joining, and although that isn't as neat as coffee in Cape Girardeau, he couldn't have been nicer. · 2 minutes ago
You should subscribe to Taranto's Best of the Web tickler email that links to his daily blog on the wsj.com website. Or "like" the Friends of James Taranto page on Facebook. Best of the Web is a daily dose of analysis and humor and always worth reading.
May '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
I wonder if she has any idea that his views are shared by millions of Catholics, including highly educated Catholic women.
I mean, does she really not know that?
Dec '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
By the way, what were David Limbaugh's and James Taranto's sides of the conversations like?
Mar '11
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
I read Jennifer @ Commentary. Soon after she moved, I found she had drunk the DC KoolAid. In her defense, she is doing no worse than most of Congress in this respect.
Aug '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
This incident points up a challenge for the Santorum campaign. While he may bring in more blue collar votes he will lose many college educated career woman votes. Is it a wash or a net gain for him - that's the question.
Sep '10
Re: When A Friend Is Maligned
It doesn't matter how nice Limbaugh is actually. I'm not disputing your account, I like him plenty without meeting him and I am a good enough judge to make a decision based on his writings and his views as well as his friendly manner on podcasts. I'm not sure I like Jennifer so much, though.
[Ad hominem attack redacted] Edit: I can't remember what I said here. If anything.
And to take a page from feminist dogma, calling a man a neanderthal is kinda sexist. We never hear women called neanderthals, even though there were also women of that species(?). And there is some evidence that even though neanderthals died out if it weren't for them humans wouldn't be what they are today.
Edited on Feb 16 at 5:30pm