I want to end this week with one more note related to that most melancholy of subjects, the death of Rush Limbaugh. For a few years, I have been nursing a dream for a new model of radio and a show I wanted to do. The nice thing about Rush Limbaugh is that everyone knows there will never be another Rush. It gives those of us in talk radio permission to not be like him or do a bad impression of him, but to be ourselves. In fact, I dare say the people who will try to be like Rush will be the ones who are least successful. One cannot match Rush so learn from him, but do not try to be him.
Erick, I am sorry for your loss. I am sure that as a friend, you got to see sides of his most people don’t.
Having said that, Please just stay balanced!
That is what differentiates you from people like Rush, Hannity, or Carlson, whom only seem to see things in extremes, and find ways to defend the indefensible, and to attack even where there is nothing to attack. I tried to listen to them, and they made me question whether I wanted to be identified as a conservative... I stayed conservative and stopped listening to them, and eventually found you.
I feel like I lost the voice of reason in a world that hungers for reason and civility. But , I guess I’ll just keep hanging on your every word now! Thanks for being there. My other friend I never met. Peace out! 🙏
At the risk of being told to STFU, I want to give you a compliment.
You're absolutely right about Rush when it comes to radio. He knew radio cold and was the best there ever was. There couldn't have been a better mentor. And your larger point about conservatism moving forward is a good one. You're in a good position to be that mentor.
While Rush was a good mentor in on the technical aspects of radio as a business, he hasn't been a good mentor on conservatism for the last few years and perhaps a few more than that. As I reflect on my own relationship with Rush since I began listening to him in the early 90's which ended in my rarely listening to him, it boiled down to an increasing lack of integrity in his conservative message.
You on the other had work hard to maintain virtue, which is necessary for classical liberalism to be viable. Your virtue comes from your religion. That's fine. I don't think virtue is exclusively defined by religion but whatever. The point is politics without virtue is vacuous. One need only look at the left to understand that.
If classical liberalism is going to survive this existential test we need you. Let Rush rest in peace.
You're the guy on my right Erick - even though I am older than you by at least 20 years, when there is political trouble I listen to your show for your advice - and I appreciate you don't always say what I want to hear - but what we need to hear. Thanks
Amen and AMEN! When I first heard you I quickly found out that your voice and your face don't match. This was commonly said by Rush and about Rush and you even talked about it recently. That, my friend, is not the only thing you and El Rusbbo (had) have in common. Keep up the good work and carry the conservative torch!
Thank you for this excellent perspective. I must admit, when I heard Rush had died, I felt such a grief and sense of hopelessness for the future of conservatism, even though I have never been a regular listener of his. It seemed like the last straw, along with everything else that has happened in the last 3-4 months. He definitely is irreplaceable. But I do agree with you - keep going, one foot in front of the other...And pray a lot.
Feb 19, 2021Liked by Erick-Woods Erickson, Philip Swicegood
“Dude! That’s how you write right there!”—in my Will Smith voice at the end of I believe Bad Boys when Martin Lawrence took the wheel of the Porsche.
Anyways, I don’t even read all of your stuff, but my $7 a month I almost consider as tithing my friend. Many of us lost a voice that we turned the radio to to hear the counter cadence to the loud dominant beat of the main networks of CNN and FOX for me. You, you lost a dear friend who gets it!
You are going to be fine because I see you as continuing to be the you that God made you!
What a piece above, and you too have a great weekend!
I just got a chance to read this, Erick. And now we know you will be assuming Rush's time slot on WSB. So happy for you ... and for us!
Keeping blazing the trail, encouraged by your mentor. Praying for your success.
Very well written, thank you for staying true to the faith and your convictions through this tumultuous era. God will always be on your right :)
Erick, I am sorry for your loss. I am sure that as a friend, you got to see sides of his most people don’t.
Having said that, Please just stay balanced!
That is what differentiates you from people like Rush, Hannity, or Carlson, whom only seem to see things in extremes, and find ways to defend the indefensible, and to attack even where there is nothing to attack. I tried to listen to them, and they made me question whether I wanted to be identified as a conservative... I stayed conservative and stopped listening to them, and eventually found you.
I feel like I lost the voice of reason in a world that hungers for reason and civility. But , I guess I’ll just keep hanging on your every word now! Thanks for being there. My other friend I never met. Peace out! 🙏
At the risk of being told to STFU, I want to give you a compliment.
You're absolutely right about Rush when it comes to radio. He knew radio cold and was the best there ever was. There couldn't have been a better mentor. And your larger point about conservatism moving forward is a good one. You're in a good position to be that mentor.
While Rush was a good mentor in on the technical aspects of radio as a business, he hasn't been a good mentor on conservatism for the last few years and perhaps a few more than that. As I reflect on my own relationship with Rush since I began listening to him in the early 90's which ended in my rarely listening to him, it boiled down to an increasing lack of integrity in his conservative message.
You on the other had work hard to maintain virtue, which is necessary for classical liberalism to be viable. Your virtue comes from your religion. That's fine. I don't think virtue is exclusively defined by religion but whatever. The point is politics without virtue is vacuous. One need only look at the left to understand that.
If classical liberalism is going to survive this existential test we need you. Let Rush rest in peace.
You're the guy on my right Erick - even though I am older than you by at least 20 years, when there is political trouble I listen to your show for your advice - and I appreciate you don't always say what I want to hear - but what we need to hear. Thanks
God bless you for those words of wisdom.
I think you will take over. Good for you. Just stay little even though you are going to be big. Keep us close.
Amen and AMEN! When I first heard you I quickly found out that your voice and your face don't match. This was commonly said by Rush and about Rush and you even talked about it recently. That, my friend, is not the only thing you and El Rusbbo (had) have in common. Keep up the good work and carry the conservative torch!
Well said. He will be missed by many.
Thank you for this excellent perspective. I must admit, when I heard Rush had died, I felt such a grief and sense of hopelessness for the future of conservatism, even though I have never been a regular listener of his. It seemed like the last straw, along with everything else that has happened in the last 3-4 months. He definitely is irreplaceable. But I do agree with you - keep going, one foot in front of the other...And pray a lot.
You are a wise man. We will be looking to you to keep the conservative message relevant!
May be of interest...Rush's spiritual journey as related by his friend, Joel Rosenberg.
https://www.allisrael.com/rush-limbaugh-gave-his-life-to-jesus-christ-a-few-years-ago-and-it-gave-him-tremendous-hope-as-he-faced-his-toughest-fight
A friend sent me this link earlier today. It’s well worth reading and such an encouragement. Thanks for sharing here.❤️👍🏼
Thank-you for this link. Been praying for his salvation for years, great to see that prayer answered!
“Dude! That’s how you write right there!”—in my Will Smith voice at the end of I believe Bad Boys when Martin Lawrence took the wheel of the Porsche.
Anyways, I don’t even read all of your stuff, but my $7 a month I almost consider as tithing my friend. Many of us lost a voice that we turned the radio to to hear the counter cadence to the loud dominant beat of the main networks of CNN and FOX for me. You, you lost a dear friend who gets it!
You are going to be fine because I see you as continuing to be the you that God made you!
What a piece above, and you too have a great weekend!
I would be proud to meet you
Thank you for being there. For being a voice of reason amongst the unreasoned. Looking forward to listening to you for a long time.