Offender: Rush Limbaugh on the Rush Limbaugh Radio Show

Media Outlet: Aired on radio stations nationwide 2/25/10 - syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications

The Offense: To illustrate the need for health care reform, Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) told the story of a woman who wore dentures that had belonged to her late sister. Rush Limbaugh called it the "sob story of the day" and joked, "what's wrong with using a dead person's teeth? Aren't the Democrats big into recycling? . . . So if you don't have any teeth, so what? What's applesauce for? Isn't that why they make applesauce?"

NOW's Analysis: Other conservative media outlets also made light of this story, but Rush, not surprisingly, wins the award for lack of sensitivity. It doesn't matter to Rush that this woman (and people like her) could be in his audience. Or that people really are suffering in this country because they can't afford decent health care. Rush is a lost cause, but maybe his listeners should pause for a moment to consider whether their hero really cares about anyone other than himself.

Conservatives like Rush will do anything to block health care reform, including misinforming the public and mocking real people who are struggling under our current system. The fact that such a contemptuous man is still on the air is a sad commentary on the state of radio in the U.S.

Take Action: Contact Lisa Dollinger at Clear Channel and let her know what you think about Rush's comments: lisacdollinger@clearchannel.com

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, February 26, 2010

More offenders in : Media Activism, Radio, Media Hall of Shame, Economic Injustice

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