Commentary: A eulogy for Rush Limbaugh

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Rush Limbaugh set the bar when it comes to being an example of what it is to be a man of God, a great patriot, humble and honest, as well as a man of great courage, integrity and passion and love for country unsurpassed. He lived his passion for his nation. Not only did he talk the talk, but he walked the walk. He was the benchmark in mainstream media for integrity. He may never be surpassed for his honesty and compassion for his fellow man.

What can one say about a national treasure, one of the greatest educators and communicators of our time? He was the Thomas Paine or the Benjamin Franklin of the 20th century.

Rush Limbaugh had the gift of communication. He could speak to the richest and most edified in our society with the same ease that he could speak to the common man, and did much to edify the American people.

It did not matter what your political standings were. He was able to communicate with every individual on a personal level. He was not afraid to take on those who did not share his opinion, and he did so with respect. One of Rush’s great talents was to exploit common sense, and he held the patent on it, and he did this through speaking without ambiguity. If you listen to Rush for any length of time, your common sense went up a few points every time. He worked tirelessly to put the common back into common sense, so that more people had that gift or talent.

He was an ambassador for liberties and freedoms. He knew the shortcomings of political ideologies throughout history, and he could see the failures of the political mechanics of today mimicking or following the footsteps of other failed political ideologies. And he could point out why a political philosophy or strategy was going to fail and the harm or damage that it would cause.

The deceivers in life did not like Rush. He spoke with a truth that cuts through their darkness, like the first beam of light in the morning, piercing the dark and brightening up the whole sky. He was an intellectual force to be reckoned with. What made him an amazing man was that he knew his own shortcomings and faults, and he did not hold anyone’s shortcomings or faults against them.

You could listen to Rush Limbaugh and come away with some knowledge that you did not have before. Listening to the man speak, I would hear him use words, and then I would go research those words to find the meaning. When I regurgitated these words to people around me, many times they would say, “What does that word mean?” and “How did you know that?”

So how do you define a national treasure when it’s gone? We were richer for having him in our lives. I hope and pray the American people have collected enough interest and dividends from this national treasure to enrich their life as it has enriched my life. Anyone who has taken the time to listen to Mr. Limbaugh speak has become richer in life in some way.

Rush Limbaugh loved America and its people with all of his heart — and with all of our faults — to his last breath, a true American hero. He was definitely on loan from God.

Godspeed, Mr. Limbaugh, traveling back home. You are a blessing from God. God bless you and your family, my friend, a true mentor to all.

Bill Sharpe lives in Lincoln.

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