# Rush Limbaugh and the institution of marriage. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 12, 2004, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910 "2004-06-12T00:22:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/21 "2004-06-12T02:01:30Z")
On the one hand, I’m sorry his marriage didn’t work out. I know how much pain there is in such relationship beaking up. OTOH, I do see the irony. He has been mimicing Bush’s “sanctity of marriage” line for a while. One has to ask, how much sanctity can there be in your marriage if you’ve been divorced 3 times? Perhaps it’s not the “holy state” as much as it’s just a legal contract and allowing gay folk to enter into it may not be the death knell the right has been claiming. ---
**Author:** ![Lando\_Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f17d59/32.png) [@Lando\_Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lando_Griffin)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/22 "2004-06-12T02:14:49Z")
> [@Early Out](#): > > See “hypocrisy: _noun_.” Still confused? If so, there’s no helping you. Oh, don’t worry, I see the irony. But sometimes I just get tired of **Reeder’s** conservitive bashing, especially when the OP takes the intellectual low road of “I guess you just can’t please a woman.” However, I do enjoy a well-written Republican bashing thread… ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/23 "2004-06-12T02:19:16Z")
> [@Lando Griffin](#): > > …especially when the OP takes the intellectual low road of “I guess you just can’t please a woman.” Truth be told, I had considered chiming in with an observation that this would free Rush to marry his true love, that fine individual he met as he experienced his deliverance on a canoe trip down a river. But I decided that would be too low-road, so I didn’t do it. Oh, wait. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/24 "2004-06-12T02:55:22Z")
I am confident that no one has changed their opinion of Rush Limbaugh because of this. Or anything else, for that matter. Tris ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/25 "2004-06-12T03:27:36Z")
I’m convinced that 80% of his self-absorption is radio schtick. But the 20% that that leaves is still way too much for anyone to live with. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/26 "2004-06-12T03:48:09Z")
> [@Dr. Lao](#): > > Liberal pundits don’t tend to expound much on family values either. This speaks volumes, too. I agree with this statement, BTW, and it saddens me. I think pundits on all sides should be expounding on family values, because many families across America certainly are in crisis. Advocating certain things that would strengthen families, though, might run the risk of angering parts of a fragile liberal coalition. Addressing this, then, takes a politician of great courage, and we all know how rare that beast is. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/27 "2004-06-12T05:00:38Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > This speaks volumes, too. > > I agree with this statement, BTW, and it saddens me. I think pundits on all sides should be expounding on family values, because many families across America certainly are in crisis. Just out of curiosity, what “values” are you talking about and in what way are families in “crisis?” > [@](#): > > Advocating certain things that would strengthen families, Things like…? > [@](#): > > though, might run the risk of angering parts of a fragile liberal coalition. Addressing this, then, takes a politician of great courage, and we all know how rare that beast is. Oh, yeah, it really takes balls of steel for a politician to bang on about the the importance of family. You almost never hear them do it? :rolleyes: Seriously, what the hell “values” are you talking about that it takes so much courage to advocate? ---
**Author:** ![Daisy\_Mae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/28 "2004-06-12T05:18:29Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Just out of curiosity, what “values” are you talking about and in what way are families in “crisis?” > > Things like…? > > Oh, yeah, it really takes balls of steel for a politician to bang on about the the importance of family. You almost never hear them do it? :rolleyes: > > Seriously, what the hell “values” are you talking about that it takes so much courage to advocate? You know, the stuff Rush holds so near and dear… anti drugs and stiff penalties for those who violate drug laws, the sanctity of marriage while he’s ass deep in dissolving his own 3rd marriage… stuff like that. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/29 "2004-06-12T05:24:46Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > This speaks volumes, too. Yes, it speaks volumes for the liberal pundits who understand that “family values” is code for a political agenda which does not wish to recognize the validity of family compositions outside the heterosexual marriage with children model. ---
**Author:** ![spectrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@spectrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spectrum)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/30 "2004-06-12T05:34:03Z")
> [@Lando Griffin](#): > > Uh-huh. Because liberal pundits _never_ get divorced, right? :rolleyes: Rush at least weekly belittles the inherent humanity of gays and lesbians by calling us threats to the “sanctity of marriage,” while pissing all over the institution all by himself. I’d say that deserves a pitting. ---
**Author:** ![spectrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@spectrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spectrum)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/31 "2004-06-12T06:13:36Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > This speaks volumes, too. How so? You do realize what “family values” means, don’t you? It’s NOT an inclusive term. It doesn’t include gay families, it doesn’t include families with only a single parent, it doesn’t include families that live outside the “Christian” norm. It is not the place of any politician to dictate to me and my family what “values” we should have. Bill Clinton said it in 1992: “We don’t need the government telling us about family values. Our families have value.” (not a precise quote) The family values movement is actually very anti-family. It draws lines and ascribes value only to the shrinking notion of Ozzie & Harriet with two kids and a dog, in an America, to be figurative, where most people have cats. > [@](#): > > I think pundits on all sides should be expounding on family values, because many families across America certainly are in crisis. Yes, and it’ll obviously help these families to pass hate laws that harm homosexuals, how? Because that’s the current big stick in the “family values” golf bag. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/32 "2004-06-12T07:01:02Z")
Not that I particularly give two toots about Limbaugh’s marital situation (it’s a private matter, folks), but IIRC, his first two divorces came about because he was foolin’ around with someone else while married. Wonder if that’s the case here? As for divorced liberals, I’ll just note that Al Franken, the Limbaugh of the left, is still married to his first wife. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/33 "2004-06-12T07:39:01Z")
> [@furt](#): > > Well, I hardly think he was planning on the Reagan thing … but releasing it Friday afternoon? Oh, yeah. Not to attempt to douse the fabulous Rush-flamefest here, but could it be, just possibly, just maybe, that Marta is moving out of the Palm Beach manse this weekend so the announcement was meant to pre-empt one of the neighbors calling in a tip to some media outlet when they see the moving truck waiting for admission past the gate? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/34 "2004-06-12T07:43:16Z")
> [@spectrum](#): > > Rush at least weekly belittles the inherent humanity of gays and lesbians by calling us threats to the “sanctity of marriage,” while pissing all over the institution all by himself. I’d say that deserves a pitting. I listen to him one or two days a week, and that is not the way he puts it. He is not a very religious man, and I’d be very surprised to hear the word “sanctity” leave his lips unless speaking of Reagan. His M.O. is more mockery and derision than fearmongering. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/35 "2004-06-12T11:50:51Z")
> [@niblet\_head](#): > > Yeah, but most people don’t get divorced _three times_! Sounds like he’s addicted. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/36 "2004-06-12T12:40:52Z")
> [@Mr. Moto](#): > > This speaks volumes, too. > > I agree with this statement, BTW, and it saddens me. I think pundits on all sides should be expounding on family values, because many families across America certainly are in crisis. > > Advocating certain things that would strengthen families, though, might run the risk of angering parts of a fragile liberal coalition. Addressing this, then, takes a politician of great courage, and we all know how rare that beast is. I don’t think so. It doesn’t take any courage to address family values. It takes courage to live family values and let others live their family values. ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/37 "2004-06-12T13:00:11Z")
Accessible, affordable health care for poor families - that would take great courage. Real tax relief for the poorest families, not the richest corporations - that would take great courage. Trusting people to form their own stable family units as they see fit - that would take great courage. Badgering people because they are not living up to some cockamamie, outdated, artificial, idealized, sugar-coated, pseudo-religious, Lawrence Welk vision of American society - all that takes is meddlesome, holier-than-thou fervor. And it is unwelcome. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/38 "2004-06-12T13:00:39Z")
> [@Early Out](#): > > See “hypocrisy: _noun_.” Still confused? If so, there’s no helping you. > > By the way, Rush is not a “pundit.” Rush is just a loudmouthed ass. Rush is allowed to have his own opinions on family values and drug use. When his actions don’t back up his opinions, he’s a hypocrit. Do as he says and not as her does. By the way, **Early Out** , your last two sentences would make a great sig. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/39 "2004-06-12T13:12:32Z")
> [@yosemite](#): > > …It is one of those things. Sometimes it’s because one or more of the parties messed up big time, but sometimes it’s not. > > Since I have no idea _why_ Limbaugh is getting a divorce, I really have no opinion about what this says about him. True, but to paraphrase Wilde, losing one marriage is a misfortune, losing three smacks of carelessness. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2004, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910/40 "2004-06-12T13:27:53Z")
Hmmm. . . . Having to shell out money to both Roy Black and a future ex-wife. Good thing he got that really sweet contract a few years back. He’s gonna need it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-and-the-institution-of-marriage/249910.md?page=3)