Limbaugh mocks Michael J. Fox political ad

[estranged4life]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15408508/

Conservative talk show host accuses actor of faking Parkinson's disease

By David Montgomery

Possibly worse than making fun of someone's disability is saying that it's imaginary. That is not to mock someone's body, but to challenge a person's guts, integrity, sanity.

To Rush Limbaugh on Monday, Michael J. Fox looked like a faker. The actor, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, has done a series of political ads supporting candidates who favor stem cell research, including Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, who is running against Republican Michael Steele for the Senate seat being vacated by Paul Sarbanes.

"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."

Limbaugh, whose syndicated radio program has a weekly audience of about 10 million, was reacting to Fox's appearance in another one of the spots, for Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill, running against Republican Sen. James M. Talent.

But the Cardin ad is similar. It is hard to watch, unless, for some reason, you don't believe it. As he speaks, Fox's restless torso weaves and writhes in a private dance. His head bobs from side to side, almost leaving the video frame.

"This is the only time I've ever seen Michael J. Fox portray any of the symptoms of the disease he has," Limbaugh said. "He can barely control himself."

'A shameless statement'
Later Monday, still on the air, Limbaugh would apologize, but reaction to his statements from Parkinson's experts and Fox's supporters was swift and angry.

"It's a shameless statement," John Rogers said yesterday. Rogers, Fox's political adviser, who also serves on the board of the Parkinson's Action Network, added: "It's insulting. It's appallingly sad, at best."

"Anyone who knows the disease well would regard his 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."

Fox was campaigning yesterday for Tammy Duckworth, a congressional candidate, outside Chicago, when he alluded to Limbaugh's remarks. "It's ironic, given some of the things that have been said in the last couple of days, that my pills are working really well right now," he said, according to a report on the CBS2 Web site.

After his apology, Limbaugh shifted his ground and renewed his attack on Fox.

"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," Limbaugh said, according to a transcript on his Web site. "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."

Then Limbaugh pivoted to a different critique: "Michael J. Fox is allowing his illness to be exploited and in the process is shilling for a Democratic politician."

'Hope to millions of Americans'
Limbaugh's shock at Fox's appearance is a measure of the disease's devastation, advocates say. Contrary to the charge that Fox might not take his medicine to enhance his symptoms, the medicine produces some of the uncontrolled body movements.

"Stem cell research offers hope to millions of Americans with diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's," Fox says in the Cardin ad. "But George Bush and Michael Steele would put limits on the most promising stem cell research."

Fox has appeared in ABC's "Boston Legal" this season. In his scenes, taped over the summer, Fox does not shake or loll his head as he does in the Cardin commercial, but does appear to be restraining himself, appearing almost rigid at times.

A source with direct knowledge of Fox's illness who viewed the Cardin ad said Fox is not acting to exaggerate the effects of the disease. The source said Fox's scenes in "Boston Legal" had to be taped around his illness, as he worked to control the tremors associated with Parkinson's for limited periods of time.

Staff writer Frank Ahrens contributed to this report.

© 2006 The Washington Post Company

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Dear Rush:

Please die!

Thanks,
Bwj.

[irishgrl]

Oh. My. GAWD. Rush Limbaugh really IS a walking whoopie cushion.

[SuzeQuze]

And this is not an actual apology!

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."

He really thinks that's big of him? He is a gasbag. An apology is "I'm sorry" not "I will apologize if I am wrong."

[mikeschmike]

Rush really gets bitchy when he runs out of his oxycontin, doesn't he? What a douchebag!

[Livia]

They were talking about this on the radio this morning - one of the deejays said, "Can he EVER open his mouth without inserting his foot? Does he say to himself, 'Hmmm, I wonder if my foot tastes like oxycontin...no, it's just a foot."

Then they talked about Back to the Future, and someone directed them here: Biff's song about life after Back to the Future.

[GypsySorcerer]

What an asswipe.

[golddustwoman77]

He must be back on the drugs, if he thinks that this is even close to correct! He always says things that are extremely cold when it isn't called for. He is so going to burn for that!

[skcin]

Wow, that's cold. What a dickwad.

[DrummerDeanna]

Just when I thought Rush could sink no lower (ok I never thought that) he says crap like this.

Words can't describe how disgusting I think he and what he says is.

[Musicman408]

I just think it is so sad. Really that is all that I can say.........

Much Love,
Ethan

[DavidMn]

I wouldnt even use his likeness on toilet paper to wipe my ass.

[carrie721]

that's right, the dude with parkinson's is faking it. it's the ones with oxycontin addictions who are the REAL victims ...

[DavidMn]

Whats really sad is he probably wont recive much retribution from his radio sponsers because he;s such a cash cow to them.

[SteveMacD]

Please, Michael J. Fox was totally acting. I've seen the ad, and he claims to be an American. Everybody knows he's from Canada. He's part of Canada's secret invasion of America. Though, this admittedly is the boldest move yet, getting directly involved in American politics. If we don't act now, it'll be all maple syrup, back bacon, donuts, Molson's, and hockey! It's time for Operation Leaf Blower!

[Janet]

I have seen this ad. RL----my mom used to be this big fan of his and now I hear his name and shudder. I agree...dickwad indeed.