Rush Limbaugh is an ASS-Medically speaking, of course

The Washington Post reports that actor Michael J. Fox, in the throes of a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, is campaigning for Democratic Party candidates this year, and Rush Limbaugh doesn't like it.

Fox recently cut advertisements in support of embryonic stem cell research and against candidates who oppose it.

Relying on his vast medical knowledge and training, talk show host Rush Mr. Limbaugh came out swinging:

"He is exaggerating the effects of the disease," Limbaugh told listeners. "He's moving all around and shaking and it's purely an act. . . . This is really shameless of Michael J. Fox. Either he didn't take his medication or he's acting."

To quote Bugs Bunny, “what an imbesile [sic], what an ultra maroon.”

Expert opinion suggested that Mr. Limbaugh’s knowledge of modern medicine is not as great as implies.

"Anyone who knows the disease well would regard [Fox's] movement as classic severe Parkinson's disease," said Elaine Richman, a neuroscientist in Baltimore who co-wrote Parkinson's Disease and the Family. "Any other interpretation is misinformed."

Limbaugh later reluctantly apologized via a web page transcript…:

“Now people are telling me they have seen Michael J. Fox in interviews and he does appear the same way in the interviews as he does in this commercial," … "All right then, I stand corrected. . . . So I will bigly, hugely admit that I was wrong, and I will apologize to Michael J. Fox, if I am wrong in characterizing his behavior on this commercial as an act."

…but changed his focus, saying :

"Michael J. Fox is allowing his illness to be exploited and in the process is shilling for a Democratic politician."

Unsurprisingly, Mr. Limbaugh’s medicinal knowledge is limited to matters regarding prescription medicine, and clearly not to be influenced by common sense. It is not unusual for Mr. Limbaugh to presuppose his own omniscience on political matters big and small. However, one would think that perhaps Mr. Limbaugh would check with physicians before venturing an opinion outside his experience. Instead he assumes to know what he is talking about, and presumes to judge others, making himself look tres stupido.

Why does this bother me? First, I have enjoyed Mr. Fox's work for years. His talents have afforded me many hours of entertainment, and I am saddened by his condition. Second, politics is not making mud pies. We can advocate for the causes we want within the limits of the law and our abilities and our opportunities. If Rush Limbaugh is angry about these ads it is because he knows they are going to be effective, not because he has concerns about Mr. Fox being "exploited".

I think we should probably pity Mr. Limbaugh, as clearly he is suffering from his own debilitating condition. I imagine the medical term is something:

Assumptive
Stupidity
Syndrome

Unfortunately, in a man of Limbaugh’s years there is normally no treatment. However, he could start by inviting Michael J. Fox on his show, apologizing in person, and then allowing Fox to talk about the effect of Parkinson’s disease and what people can do to help end it.