Merton and Friends Weblog

Yesterday, while traveling back from The Merton Center  in Louisville, a must-see for anyone who is a true “Mertonist,” my wife and I happened to run across the Rush Limbaugh radio program. We listened for a while to the voice of true conservatism, a man who has been responsible for advocating much of the division that we have politically in this country today. To him, if you are not a conservative, using his definitions, you are wrong – end of story, not gray areas.

For much of the program, he assaulted those who disagree with him including Senator Obama while praising the warmongers, Bush and McCain for “telling the truth.” But then a fellow named Jacob from Texas called and began praising Rush for who he is and how much he means to the recent college graduate. Rush was so excited, hearing all of the praise and jumped at the chance to give the essence of what he would say at a college graduation if he were invited to do so, which apparently he never has. Enamored by the young man, Rush then said, “You deserve a graduation present, what do you want?” It took a minute for Jacob to respond, but he finally said he would like to have an Apple Computer.” Wow, I thought, this is a chance for the millionaire talk show host to really be benevolent, but no, he said, “Well. that is something you can buy, instead I’ll send some barbeque products your way.”

When Limbaugh did this, and let the air out of the balloon, it truly showed his true colors. Instead of digging into his pocket for the $1000 or so the computer would cost, he used sponsors products that don’t cost him a thing. This is the kind of artificiality that Thomas Merton abhored, the hypocritcal nature of people who wear a mask that presents a false self when the true one is hidden from biew. And the amazing thing is that Limbaugh is so immersed in himself, so egotistical, so arrogant, that he will probably never realize how he acted. One thing I am sure of, Merton would love to sit down with him, and give him a good talking to about the fact that such behavior is the very reason Limbaugh and people like him never experience true freedom in their lives, true joy, the ability as Merton would say to act Christlike with every aspect of behavior.

When he thinks about it, I will bet that Jacob sees through Rush’s actions as well. People may wear a mask, but it is not difficult to see right through it.

If you wish to comment, please click the comments or no comments icon below.