For those unfamiliar with the process, many states allow voters of any political affiliation to cast their ballot for anyone during the presidential primary season. Thus, an Indiana Democrat can vote for a Republican candidate in May, and vice versa.
Limbaugh, in yet another flurry of mostly unintelligent and brazenly ironic arguments, sounded off against the open primary system and charged RNC Chair Michael Steele with ridding the GOP of the possible onslaught of Democrats seeking to subvert Republican elections.
What is the term psychologists use?
No one can forget Operation Chaos, Limbaugh's infamous attempt to derail then-candidate Barack Obama's building momentum by encouraging Republicans to cross over and help nominate Hillary Clinton last Spring.
At the time, almost exactly a year ago, Obama was cruising through 11 straight primary victories; John McCain was already the presumptive GOP nominee, so the party could afford to shed some votes "for the cause." Many pundits believed Clinton a weaker foe.
There is some evidence to suggest the ploy worked, namely in Texas and Indiana. Texas voting statistics showed Clinton won the lion's share of cross-over vote, and she also faired very well in Indiana's rural, thus red, counties. Clinton edged Obama in both states.
Apparently, Limbaugh is now terrified that his cute little game, which might have won a few battles but ultimately lost the war, could now be used against the GOP in 2012.
While there was much gnashing of teeth at Limbaugh's hijinx, many Democrats will likely employ the tactics next time around. Obama won't have a primary fight, so Dems could wage a little chaos of their own and have a big hand in determining the president's general election opponent.
HYPOCRISY KNOWS NO HOME
Unfortunately, the "my rules apply to everyone but me" doctrine is owned by those on the left, as well. There is no greater example of this truth than liberals who insist on freedom of speech but are the very first to slap someone down when their sensitivities have been offended.
There is little more maddening to thoughtful, centrist Dems or liberal-leaning Independents than the senseless whining from weak-principled leftists who demand their voices be heard on any agenda they've set, yet will let loose the dogs of war when some crackpot calls basketball players "nappy-headed hoes."
Limbaugh again recently provided the chum by enthusiasticallly cheering for President Obama to fail. His statements, liberals complain, are tantamount to treason — Limbaugh hates America and wants the country to fail.
While Limbaugh may very well be the woman willing to let King Solomon cut the baby in half lest it not be her's alone, are his views really treasonous? Really?
During President Bush's 8 years in office, many books were written on the subject of "unpatriotic liberals" who wanted to destroy America. Psychotics such as Ann Coulter have penned their nonsense on the topic.
But now Democrats are in power, so it is they who decide who hates America.
"PATRIOTISM IS THE VIRTUE OF THE VICIOUS"
All of this makes for great theater and coffee house debate, but none of it remotely promotes the civil discourse and progression of this country.
You'll find no argument on this blog against the notion Limbaugh and his "ditto heads" — and seriously, only fools would proudly proclaim themselves so devoid of intellectual reasoning and thought as to blindly mirror a radio clown — have only their interests in mind. They are the Joker, happy to set fire to that which they cannot control and gleefully watch it all burn.
But how does becoming that with which you disagree elevate the discussion? How does the devotion of so much energy to proving the radical right looneys of the world aren't "real Americans" help the American cause?
Pointing out and discussing "unpatriotic" comments is, of course, necessary; evil ignored and left to its own devices is the scariest of subversives. The harm is not the acknowledgment of the lesser ideals of man, but the way in which those ideals are rejected.
If Dad witnesses a fool being a fool and uses a four-letter word to describe him, his daughter has learned less about that which she shouldn't do and more about nastiness and contempt of her fellow man.
But if Dad points out the foolish behavior and explains to his little one "why we don't do that," she has learned something that will help her grow and be an example to others.
Oscar Wilde's famous quote is well-taken: When will those who claim to love America use their patriotism as a constructive means for all and not the tip of a spear aimed at those with whom they disagree? When will adults stop speaking and thinking and reasoning as children? When will those who espouse a belief apply it to themselves?
With the greatest sense of hope, and likely naiveté, that time might spring from Obama's leadership.
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