American Idiot

We apologize, sassosphere. 

The Sassistas! just can't help themselves. 

Yesterday, while commenting on Jerseysista's terrific post about Green Day's last two albums, we got wind (from Flannista's oldest blood sister) of Rush Limbaugh's spin on why Gov. Sanford strayed so far from his wife, not to mention, reality.

It's President Obama's fault.

A week ago today, Flush said this on his radio show:

All this hope and change . . . Obama is trying to kill spirit.  People are saying screw it before Obama takes away their money . . . their houses.  This is almost like, I don't give a damn, the country's going to hell in a hand basket, I just want out of here.  [Sanford] had just tried to fight the stimulus money coming to South Carolina.  He didn't want any part of it; he lost the battle.  He said, what the hell.  I mean, the federal government's taking  over . . . what the hell, I want to enjoy life.  The point is, there are a lot of people who spirit is just . . . they're fed up, saying,  "To hell with it, I don't even want to fight this anymore, I just want to get away from it."

So Gov. Sanford fled to Argentina to get away from Obama's stimulus package.  Hmmm.  The Sassistas! think that the governor was more concerned about stimulating his own package. 

But you know, we could be wrong.  So sassosphere . . . open our minds.  Fuel our comsassion.  We mean, what the hell?   We don't give a damn.  We don't even want to fight this anymore.  We just want to get away from it . . . all this hope and change.  Damn this hope and change!  It's killing our spirit!  Screw it.  We want to enjoy life.

How would you flush Limbaugh?

Comments

[Westsista]

Oh, for goodness sake. This guy lives in an alternate reality. He's just too dreadful for words.

And Sanford . . . although he also seems to be floating in some sort of limbo state where its ok to say ANY crazy thing, I'm actually starting to feel sorry for him. I think he should give up politics and move to Argentina. I'm serious.

And by the way, sassosphere - sorry that I've been AWOL. A combination of lack of sleep, low energy, stress overload and adjusting to a new work situation. Ugh. Hoping things are getting a little lighter now . . . xoxoxo to all.

[Flannista]

WESTSISTA!!!!!

I can't tell you how many of your beloveds in the 'sphere were asking about you. Wish I could whisk you to that island where PEACEsista spent the night below the eagle's nest.

Thank you so much for taking a moment to post a comment here and also on Jersey's terrific post yesterday.

I'm with you, I think Sanford ought to give up politics and move to Argentina to be with who he terms his "soul mate."

And what can I say about Limbaugh? Let me direct anger directly: He's an American Idiot. Thank God I can vent my anger toward him through music as there is clearly no arguing with him. Noway's son might be onto something where Limbaugh is concerned.

[Flannista]

Yesterday, Ruth Marcus, a columnist wrote a terrific editorial called, "Jenny Sanford, Role Model" that summed up precisely my thoughts about her. Here's a portion of that:

*****
I have to confess to, and apologize for, having preconceived notions about Jenny Sanford that turned out to have nothing to do with who she actually is. I heard "wife of conservative Christian governor," saw the picture of her with those four well-groomed boys and figured her for someone who wouldn't have the spine to stick up for herself.

Boy, was I wrong. She is as smart as Elizabeth or Hillary -- trade the law degree for an investment banking vice presidency (Lazard Freres) -- and may be tougher, too, at least when it comes to husbands.

What I admire most about Sanford's response is that she has apparently concluded -- correctly so -- that the person who is humiliated by her husband's affair is, in fact, her husband, not her. And so she is not standing by his side, but she is not hiding in a hole, either.
*****
Here's a link to the entire editorial:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/30/AR2009063003046.html

I'm still stunned by what Sanford inappropriately shared during yet another rambling interview, this time with the Associated Press, that he was "trying to fall in love again" with his wife. I agree with the writers of Washington Post's, "Reliable Source":
*****
"Run, Jenny, run! Trust us, you do not want to spend the rest of your life waiting for someone "trying" to fall back in love with you.
*****

[Flannista]

I'm kind of curious about Flush's spin on all the affairs he had (while married) during the Bush administration.

[nowayasista]

Rush is perhaps the best example of an idiot. I will not include American in that for respect for the Nation. Though truly the best way to direct anger toward Rush is never to listen to him, never mention him and when others do just say, "who are you talking about"? Sanford different deal, but he was not household name two weeks ago and now he is. He is a public official. That's why he keeps blabbing. He loves the attention.

[Westsista]

Hey noway, Sanford was a household name in THIS politics-crazy house. I don't think he loves the attention - I think he's truly lost. But boy, you got a great point about Rush. He's like Tinkerbell - if we don't clap for him, he'll disappear.

Such a pleasure to be here, Flann. I missed . . . everything and everyone.

[Flannista]

I see your point, noway, about Flush; and West, I love your reference to Tinkerbell, though I'm going to change it to Stinkerbell in Flush's case.

You may not believe this, noway, but I don't listen to Limbaugh at all. I was shocked that my oldest blood sister (who is so sweet and kind) was so disgusted by this statement from Limbaugh. We share a common concern about it in that our parents' day seems to be centered around Flush's daily four-hour (?) radio diatribes. When it comes to political issues or current events, I hear Limbaugh in my parents' opinions, like they've been bitten by a vampire and all the open-mindedness has been sucked out of them. And they are adamantine in their positions. I could see my parents shaking their head in agreement about Flush's spin on Sanford. They don't get out much, and I worry about how small and closed their world has become.

So, it is personal, I must confess. My parents know more about Flush's life and opinions than they do my own.

[Flannista]

I remember once asking my parents about Limbaugh's own marital infidelity and numerous affairs. My dad's response:

"They didn't happen in the White House."

[Chrysosistah]

Yeah, I'm with Noway, I don't pay him any attention and wish no one else did, either. He's a nutcase. And I was able to very innocently give that answer ("Who's that?") when a new friend advocated for Sean Hannity a few years ago. They quit communicating shortly thereafter.

Actually, that's the bad part of these very partisan, alternate-reality mouthpieces. Their fans tend to use them as touchstones for whether you're "one of them". Like some freakin' "Invasion of the Body Snatcher" remake, except it seems to just take their minds....Pod People!! Arg! They're here already! You're next!!!

[Flannista]

Vampires or Body Snatchers, Chryso. My parents are Pod People and it's hard to witness.

[dcsistah]

Have any of you seen this: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/05/21/limbaugh_obsession/index.html

Rush Limbaugh is obsessed with anal sex. Seriously. The man has to be the worst kind of self-loathing closeted gay man: the kind that takes all that hate and spews it outward. He is evil.

I'm sorry your folks listen to him, Flannista. And i hope more than anything that they no longer hurt you in any way. Which means your expectations of them drop to zero, you have compassion, and keep your distance, emotionally.

As for Rush and those who listen to him, i feel that there's a great struggle going on in our country right now, and its an open question whether we move progressively and compassionately forward to do the necessary work and bridge building and sacrifice. Or dissolve into warring factions with walls around us, hissing at the other fortresses.

i woke up with a headache today and its sucked all the good humor out of me. but i'll be back in the sassosphere later and check in, and hopefully it will have revived. the good humor, not the headache.

dcsistah

[Flannista]

Read the Salon article, dc. Was disgusted and saddened all at once.

You're right, I need to drop my parental expectations to zero, have compassion and keep emotional distance. I helplessly slip into being a little kid sometimes.

I appreciate your building bridges or building walls challenge. Perhaps posting about Limbaugh was similar to building a wall so I could hiss at other fortresses. Makes me no better than Limbaugh on one level.

On the other hand, he really pisses me off, and I wanted a safe place to vent. Maybe others can find the good humor about him. At the moment, I can't, though thinking about him with his head up his butt helps.

[Justista]

Limbaugh is the hope for the future of America. The Chair of the RNC has to apologize to him, the "base" adores him and the rest of America knows, but doesn't say, that he is a maniac! Keep on talking Rush, keep on getting Republicans to apologize to you and act like you are the leader, then maybe (absent some giant Democratic #@!$ up) we can hang on long enough to fix some things.

[Flannista]

Preach it, Justista!

Undoubtedly there will be some giant Democratic screw-ups, but as long as Flush maintains the spotlight, perhaps they won't be very noticeable. I worry, though, that his venom could somehow contaminate the atmosphere, like a poisonous gas that puts more and more of us into a stupor.

[PEACEsista]

This morning I tried discussing Rush with the eaglet, who didn't seem to know who I was talking about. S/he remains happy and free.

My mom is sleeping in today under grey skies. She doesn't know about Rush either and based on your experience, Flann, I think it's better that way.

[Flannista]

It's better for us all that way, PEACE.

I wish you could send us a photo of where you are. Do you know how to download one onto your computer? If you do -- or any of your relatives have an iPhone and can email me an image -- I'd be happy to post it in the 'sphere. Sounds heavenly. Just heavenly.

[Flannista]

WOW -- take a look at this, sistas and mistas!

PEACE just sent me an image of the island where she spent the night. This is where she kayaks every day while visiting her mother.

If this ain't an anecdote for Flush, I don't know what is. Heavenly. Just heavenly:

http://www.sassistas.com/sassistas_our_dish_on_the/2009/02/heavenly.JPG

[Jerseysista]

Beautiful!

[Flannista]

Jersey just very graciously emailed me separately with this observation:

"Flush may indeed use this as an anecdote seeing that he can use Sanford's Argentine trip as an anecdote for Obama’s excesses but I think it might be better us to use Peace's picture as an antidote for Flush’s excesses, yes?"

Uh . . . yes, smarty pants.

[Jerseysista]

Why, thank you. My jeans are quite smart, if I say so myself.

[Flannista]

I think Gov. Sanford could use a pair of them smart jeans, Jersey.

JUST the jeans.

[half-a-sista]

I take exception to the description of LImbaugh as a self-loathing, closeted gay man. It is my obsession with words. At the very worst he may be a homosexual, closeted and self-loathing too, but definitely not gay. Kinda like Ann Coulter being a self-loathing, anorexic, closeted feminist. She isn't a feminist.

I hear that Obama is responsible for Ensign's slip of the penis, introduced Ted Haggard to methamphetamines and the male prostitute, let Michael Jackson become the first victim on his proposed health plan, and has rented the White House out for a fundraiser for the Taliban...joking of course. His detractors blame everything on him. I'm not surprised when I hear anything about the new president and then I don't believe it.

I say, "Let the Republican Party eat itself." At the same time, I have a concern that without a real Republican party, America's antiquated two-party system will die and be replaced by splinter groups that can't beat the Democrats when they need trouncing. (NOTE: I would like to see a multiple party system in place.)

[half-a-sista]

I read the Salon article. It was quite funny in making its point about his obsession with the anal opening on men and women. I think part of it is because he spends so much of his time with his head stuck up his ass looking at his rectum. That would explain a lot.

I liked him better (which wouldn't take much) when he was addicted to painkillers. I think his asshole liked him better too.

[half-a-sista]

Read the piece about Jenny Sanford. I appreciate what she said, but how does that translate into action. Her husband has made, yet more, admissions of crossing the line, but not doing the deed with five other women. She told him not to go to Argentina and he did...over Father's Day weekend. He has come home with his penis tucked between his legs (for the moment) and wants to fall back in love with his wife. How lovely!

Jenny appears ready to give it another try with a man who admits that Miss Argentina is his soul mate. Poor Jenny, a poor second to the woman he loves.

[Flannista]

Dear, dear, half-a: I laughed out loud at a couple of your points about Flush. I'll let dc defend her comments about him being a closeted gay man, though I can see why you would take exception. Ann Coulter is no feminist, that's for sure, but she can certainly thank the feminist movement for what she wields today.

I think the jury is still out about Jenny Sanford. I don't think she sees herself as "Poor Jenny." I think she realizes how lost her husband is and is probably behind closed doors planning a graceful exist. At least I hope so. But there are four boys to consider. Just wish her husband would stop comparing himself -- in public -- to King David. I get the comparison, but for gawd's sake, just shut up about it.

Why can't he keep his mouth shut? I think it's about more than needing attention. I think he needs some serious psychological help.