Rush Limbaugh: The Origin of "Ditto"

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It is with full knowledge that I have a peculiar skill lacking in many progressives that I frequently listen to spacey right-wing radio talkers. I never feel changed by it, a bit irritated at times, but not changed. I find it interesting to find out what the other side is thinking (or being told to think). Now that Limbaugh is the defacto head of the GOP it is imperative that at least a portion of progressives are listing in on the lunacy. Why should we be caught by surprise by whatever dung Rush and the army of Rush wannabees are spreading over the public airwaves?

Way back, when he started going national, Rush took many more phone calls from listeners. Invariably, every call started this way, "Hi Rush, I agree with everything you say." Rush, having slightly more intellect than his callers would sometimes stutter over this. Eventually he started correcting the listeners and admonishing them to say "Ditto" instead. He told them that this was just to save time, but there were a couple of instances early on when he admonished people that they couldn't possibly be a thinking human being and agree with everything another person said, but eventually the time saving argument won out. They callers couldn't quite grasp the more nuanced explanation.

Over time Rush redefined the whole "Ditto" thing as a sign that the caller was a high-minded patriotic American. So the typical Rush listener hardly noticed as Rush very slickly moved his callers to an expression he preferred and then adjusted that expression to gloss over its original intent. What was created to cover the dull minds of his listeners became the proud calling card of his uber-patriotic drones. The truth is they still agree with everything he says, even before he says it. It takes real intellect to form your own ideas.

[Atticus]

1. I actually recall the first time I heard this shallow, mean-spirited bag of pus on my car radio.

He opened his program with that "talent on loan from God" bullshit and then assured listeners that "If you don't know what to think, I'll tell you!"

I could not imagine anyone becoming a fan of this arrogant and cowardly hatemonger.

Limbaugh has unquestionably spearheaded the "sheepification" of the American people.

[MarshalltheIrish]

2. He is definitely the original

As rabid as the likes of Ann Coulter and Glenn Beck can get, Limbaugh will always be the worst for me. He's not only been at it the longest (going back to his crap TV show and hilariously failed attempt at hosting Pat Sajak's program), but he reaches such a large audience of dullards it's downright scary. What's bad about these types isn't just that they embody the worst elements of American politics, but seek to legitimize them for the masses. I really feel sorry for my friends that love these people. I wonder, "Do they even realize how much they're duped by these greed-crazed lunatics?"

[unpossibles]

3. I've listened to him too

although usually cannot stomach it for more than 10 minutes or so; his annoying voice aside, I just get sick of the bullshit and overtly misogynistic, anti-information double-speak.

[freesqueeze]

8. You've listened too....

"Hi unpossibles"

Welcome to the curious-but-still-sane support group. 10 minutes is more than enough to figure this thing out. To me his popularity means that some of us must listen just to try to understand this sliver of "Ditto-Head" Americans.

[classysassy]

4. The brain dead

deserve their own hero,but they should be kept in cages to protect the sane.

[Enthusiast]

5. "Mega-dittos, Rush!"

Disgusting fat fuck.

[h9socialist]

6. Yeah, I like to hear how far his stupidity has progressed . . .

. . . the guy is dangerous only because there are so many semi-intelligent white folks who think that El Rushbo actually knows what he's talking about. The man has absolutely no concept of what it means to look at both sides of an issue. He is what Frank Zappa once called "an over-educated shithead." What ever education he has is rendered useless by his closed-mindedness. Consequently, he has no credibility -- except with the really stupid, or with other closed-minded people. That's where the term "ditto" is most poignant.

I would also point out that "ditto-head" makes one sound like a programmed automaton, NOT a rugged individualist. The paradox is close to Ayn Rand's little right-wing anarchist group, which she ironically called "The Collective." Marx certainly was even more correct than he realized when it comes to the inherent contradictions of capitalism.

[thesquanderer]

7. He's not over-educated

Rush has only a little more than a high school education.

Which is not to say that he is not bright, just that he is not in the over-educated category.

And actually, I think he probably *does * have a concept of how to look at both sides of an issue... but chooses not to, or at least not to discuss it. There is no financial incentive in it. He is, after all, honest enough to admit that his show is what it is because it's what he's paid for. It's a shame he doesn't seem to care about the damage he does in the process.

[freesqueeze]

9. As an over-educated one myself

I must add that one does not need the organized education system to be educated (or over-educated).

[freesqueeze]

10. Very interesting comparison to Rand

Another blindly dedicated right winger with a unexplainable large following of ditto heads. Apparently her and Rush had a lot in common: image, approach and unapologetic reactionary politics. I understand that one of Rand's novels is required reading at my local high school. hmmmmmmmm.

Here's a line from and web page that could as easily apply to the corpulent Oxycontin addict: "Rand manipulated those around her to develop an intellectual circle solidified through intimidation and philosophical bullying."

See full page here <http://www.politicsandculture.org/2010/05/24/reconstructing-ayn-rand/>