Rush "apologizes"?

Question

Media falsely reported Limbaugh "apologized" for attacking Michael J. Fox
On October 24 and 25, a number of media outlets -- including ABC News, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Associated Press -- falsely reported that nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh "apologized" for recent comments he made about actor Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's disease. As Media Matters for America documented, Limbaugh alleged on the October 23 edition of his radio program that Fox's physical appearance in a recent campaign advertisement endorsing Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill for supporting embryonic stem cell research, in which Fox was "moving all around and shaking," was "purely an act." Limbaugh then added that "this is really shameless of Michael J. Fox. Either he didn't take his medication or he's acting, one of the two." But while Limbaugh also stated on October 23 that "I will apologize to Michael J. Fox if I am wrong in characterizing his

behavior on this commercial as an act," Limbaugh not only did not apologize, he defended his comments on his show the next day. Pointing to Fox's statement in his book, Lucky Man: A Memoir (Hyperion, April 2002), that he testified before Congress in 1999 "without medication," Limbaugh declared on his October 24 show that "all I said yesterday was: 'He's either acting or he's off his meds.' I was right. He was off his meds." Read

Answer 1

Apology? I will apologize "if" I am wrong?

Does anyone know anybody with Parkinson's? Have you seen the debilitating effects? It's awful, and looks a lot like Fox.

And what's the big deal about him not taking his meds before shooting the ad? He was showing what the disease *really* looks like.

Answer 2

To respond to the question, Rush said: "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, especially since people are telling me they have seen him this way on other interviews and in other television appearances."

The thing about Parkinson's is when the person takes their medication, the shakes can be controlled. Of course, he takes his medications when he's going to make public appearances or act on a television show. He may have taken less medication or not taken his medication his own to show the actual effects of his disease.

Rush is an idiot, but I don't think he realized that Michael J. Fox has ever moved that much (see Oscar Red Carpet, 1997). Rush is looking for ratings. He says what's on his mind. He keeps getting ratings and advertisers, so he won't go away.

Answer 3

Michael J. Fox has a disease which, if medicated in the extremely fortunate few for whom medication works, is rendered almost invisible to the untrained eye.. Fox opts for treatment when in the public eye or when doing a TV show like "Boston LegaL."

The ad was taped while he was NOT on meds....as you might well surmise anything potent enough to control all that visual activity MUST be potent indeed and the side effects as well...If there were a potential for a choice not as devastating while medicated or with no meds at all...well, what would YOU chose?

Answer 4

The real issue is whether the Democrats have exploited yet another less-fortunate person to make a political point. I could care less whether Fox did or didn't take his meds. The point Rush was making and the one I am trying to make is that the Democrats should be ashamed of themselves whether Fox was a willing accomplice or not. They did the same thing with Christopher Reeve. How would the dems react if the Republicans showed an aborted baby in an anti-abortion ad? You lefties need to get out of your Ivory Towers.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

M J Fox has succeeded in getting what he was after. He has again brought Stem Cell Research to the forefront just prior to an election.

Does he really "shake" that much... none of us know for sure. He may have skipped his medication for that commercial and maybe he didn't.

That fact is he does have Parkinson's and it is a very serious disease and he has gotten his message out to the people.

Answer 7

For the person whom said the commercial was fake, bla bla bla, it isn't, if you, like Rush Limbaugh, would have payed attention, he stopped taking his medication so the world could SEE and HEAR the real him, what he has to live with.
As for him using his disease for politics, I am not much of a political person, so I can't speak about that subject, but I do know, Rush Limbaugh took it a little too far, and his fat *** needs to get off his drugs for once! It was pretty low not just what he was saying, but he was mocking M.J.F, who low is that! Rush Limbaugh just needs ratings, and what a way to get them, pretty low and cruel, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, why did he have to pick on MJF...jack***.

Answer 8

They shouldn't report falsely like that on any topic. But I do think that Rush should be able to make whatever statements he wishes, because that's his opinion. It's no different than two political canidates making statements about each other, other than one has a disease. I have seen those advertisements and I have to agree. Micheal J. Fox has done many TV shows and I've seen him on the news and he appears much different than the advertisements (much less shaking and moving). I feel that was done to get people to empathize for him and to get them to agree with stem cell research (which I am for, BTW).

P.S. I know you asked about news stations falsely reporting, but that's a fairly straight answer: They shouldn't do it.

Answer 9

I was listening to that broadcast; Rush did apologies, it was in the next segment.

When Fox put himself in a political commercial he opened himself up to political attack. He cannot hide behind his celebrity and illness. If he wants to play politics he must be open to being attacked.

I have also heard that he deliberated failed to take his meds on the day of the commercial.

For disclosures sake I am a fan of both men.

Answer 10

Why do you pay so much attention to him? I heard his talk show on my car radio while I was travelling a few years ago - I honestly thought he was being a comedian. It took a while for it to dawn on me that the guy was actually trying to be serious. But really, are there serious people who take him seriously?
My views have varied from very conservative to moderately socialistic, but I have never imagined anyone could seriously talk like he does.