What is the real answer in all of this? Was the shooter a radical political dissident? Was he a drugged out social reject? Just plain crazy? A combination or all of the above? Unlike the sheriff in Prima County, Arizona I won’t suggest an answer solely based on opinion regardless of contrary facts. However, I will interject that when these things happen it should be a reminder that there is evil in this world. I have seen no discussions of this. Is it too simplistic…too religious to touch? Whatever the avoidance of the tough subject of evil is, one cannot argue that it does not exist.

Did talk radio influence the killer? I don’t think so. But I believe evil influenced him. All we have to do is read his own words – he was definitely disturbed. The source of evil is also very real – Satan. If no one else will offer it up as a matter of discussion, I will. Instead the media will continue to point fingers and play the blame game pitting American against American. That’s the most frustrating part – no one outside of the shooter has responsibility in this tragedy. Yet our media will continue their little game and miss the bigger picture. That’s exactly how Satan works.

Let’s just go with the media though. Let’s follow their logic through and think what that would mean, and how would this be resolved? Suppose the shooter was influenced by talk radio, now what? Do we take all hosts off the air? What if someone kills their boss after becoming angry at work? Do we stop layoffs? What in the case of jilted lovers? Do we now outlaw dating? Where do we draw the line?

Illogical conclusions lead to illogical resolutions. Once again, this is exactly what the evil one does – twists, distorts, and lies. That influence is in this world. Directly or indirectly evil forces influence our surroundings, events, and even the people around us.
The answer in a time like this is to continue to be a light in the world. Turn to Jesus. Continue to pray for all those involved. Even pray for those who exploit tragedy for political gain.

This is an interesting little article. In a new unauthorized biography Rush Limbaugh refers to Bill O’Reilly as Ted Baxter – a character from the Mary Tyler Moore Show. The character was a vain goon newscaster type. Now I like Bill, and I’m a major fan of Rush Limbaugh as you all know. But I do think that Bill tries way too hard to “call it down the middle” and “lookin out for the folks”. He can also be a bit cheesy – check out some of his wonderful Factor gear – the Factor tote bag, even a welcome mat. All wonderful items I’m sure. But really the only person I can think of who needs a tote bag regularly is my grandmother on long distance trips. And a welcome mat? I’ve never understood them. Isn’t it kind of demeaning to wipe your shoes on something that you support?

Another note in the article is how Rush views his “competition”. He considers Hannity and Levin to be protégés. But considers none of them to be in his league, Glenn Beck included. Though in the past he has defended Beck, and Beck has even had Rush on the show at least once. (Phony Soldier fiasco) I know some people will think of Rush as having a huge ego, being full of himself, the usual stuff we hear. But that said the man is at the top of his game…still. He was the pioneer that paved the road for everyone else in talk radio. He continually puts out a quality product and brings in the most listeners and largest amount of advertising. Whether or not he has a big ego, he is telling the truth. He’s in a league of his own. There is Rush Limbaugh and then there’s everyone else. That’s not to detract from everyone else either. It’s just the way it is. I would say that there are a few levels below him. That second tier of broadcasters (on the conservative side) are Beck, Hannity, Levin, Ingraham, Savage, and I’d even put Andrew Wilkow in that group. The next level is Michael Reagan, Mike Church, Mike Gallagher, Rusty Humphries, Bill Bennett, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, and Hugh Hewitt. And even another level, Bill Cunningham for example I’d put in the bottom tier of the nationally known broadcasters.

We also get a peak into how Rush spends his money. Details about his lavish estate north of Palm Beach, Florida. Sounds pretty sweet! Critics will once again blab about how much money this guy has, as if it’s any of their business what he does or does not do with it. Most of these people probably don’t realize how much Rush gives away. His yearly telethon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is an example of that. There’s been at least one occasion where a caller had fallen on hard times and Rush made arrangements to buy her a new vehicle. There’s all sorts of stories like this. What we don’t hear about is what he gives that is kept private, which I imagine is considerable.

So here’s another example where someone will be smeared because of their success, when instead we all ought to take a lesson from Rush – hard work, ambition, dealing with failure, refining your talents, striving to be the best, endurance and perseverance, overcoming your faults. That’s success.

Rush Limbaugh is an AmeriCAN.

Go check it out and fill it out for yourself. Post your Final Four here. I’d like to see how yours comes out using the same field and match-ups.

http://www.bracketsmackdown.com/#/2053/