Camille Paglia Tells Drunken White House Frat Boys to Lay Off Rush

Camille Paglia Tells Drunken White House Frat Boys to Lay Off Rush

By Noel Sheppard (Bio | Archive)
March 10, 2009 - 21:41 ET

"The orchestrated attack on radio host Rush Limbaugh...has made the White House look like an oafish bunch of drunken frat boys."

So wrote Camille Paglia in another marvelous column published at Salon moments ago.

In her most recent installment, Paglia expressed increasing disappointment with Barack Obama who she believes has been "ill-served by his advisors and staff" that "have all been blindsided and overwhelmed by the crushing demands of the presidency":

President Obama -- in whom I still have great hope and confidence -- has been ill-served by his advisors and staff. Yes, they have all been blindsided and overwhelmed by the crushing demands of the presidency. But I continue to believe in citizen presidents, who must learn by doing, even in a perilous age of terrorism. Though every novice administration makes blunders and bloopers, its modus operandi should not be a conspiratorial reflex cynicism.
Case in point: The orchestrated attack on radio host Rush Limbaugh, which has made the White House look like an oafish bunch of drunken frat boys. I returned from carnival in Brazil (more on that shortly) to find the Limbaugh affair in full flower. Has the administration gone mad? This entire fracas was set off by the president himself, who lowered his office by targeting a private citizen by name. Limbaugh had every right to counterattack, which he did with gusto. Why have so many Democrats abandoned the hallowed principle of free speech? Limbaugh, like our own liberal culture hero Lenny Bruce, is a professional commentator who can be as rude and crude as he wants.

Readers are encouraged to review the whole piece.

—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.

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Way to go Camille

March 10, 2009 - 21:50 ET by Caligula

I just read her piece (I skipped the second part about Brazil). She has always been good for this, and if the libs know what's good for them, they might just want to listen to her. (Fat chance). I believe Rush has had her on several times as a guest, and speaks of her as a liberal, but one with some modicum of commen sense. Bravo to her, she is right on this one. But I'd rather see this whole thing blow-back into their faces. MUCH more entertaining.

Be sure to read the comments section

March 11, 2009 - 07:53 ET by Paul Atreides

those tolerant, compassionate, open-minded liberals are ready to have her tarred and feathered.

this is a fight the liberals can't win

March 10, 2009 - 21:55 ET by puredmashie

mostly because the fighting is being done in rush's arena. i suspect that steele and limbaugh had a brief phone conversation in which rush urged the republican leader to remain silent on the whole thing. they are all so busy digging themselves into a hole on this they don't realize rush is shoveling earth on top of them.

swing hard in case you hit it.

And another one ...

March 10, 2009 - 22:07 ET by slickwillie2001

Now Howard Fineman is wavering on Obammy: A Turning Tide: http://www.newsweek....

Only fifty days. How many are holding their fire for the hundred-day milestone?

My gosh, and I never

March 10, 2009 - 22:02 ET by dborschjr68

My gosh, and I never thought I would ever type these next words, but this liberal woman speaks like a common sense Conservative in her appraisal of this current WH.

I am not an expert on Camille Paglia. I read this article on Salon, but did not do any real research on her. However, her words were intelligent and wonderfully articulated.

I wonder, though, since she is a liberal, if Mr. Obama or one of his cabinet posse will read this article and pay attention, since she is one of them and not us.

Anyhoos, great article. I hope others read the whole thing, too, and not just the small piece captured above. She makes some great points.

F**K Socialism.

I'm not sure she is a

March 10, 2009 - 23:11 ET by Apache

I'm not sure she is a liberal exactly. Or maybe the left has just gone so way way left. I've read several of her articles and know a little about her. She's not a political hack. She seems to be that open minded thoughtful person that most liberals only claim to be. I doubt Obama would listen to her. It's not good enough to be a liberal or a democrat. Ask Jim Cramer. You need to praise the Messiah and try to work in a suggestion as you do it. Kiss his feet. I don't see that happening.

Apache...

March 10, 2009 - 23:17 ET by dborschjr68

"She's not a political hack. She seems to be that open minded thoughtful person that most liberals only claim to be."

--------------------------------------------

Thanks for that, Apache. I will definitely search out some more info about her. I can always appreciate some solid common-sense these days.

F**K Socialism.

Apache... There would be

March 10, 2009 - 23:22 ET by bigtimer

Apache...

There would be NOBODY in the O crew who would even think for one second about including her to anything, anywhere, that was even remotely be connected to them...neither would have the Clintoon gang.

She's her own gal....a one man..oops...woman band.

Btw...Groups like NOW detest her to just give you an idea.

Apache.. Camille has been

March 11, 2009 - 04:51 ET by celator

Apache.. Camille has been in a war with the militant feminists and radical left wing elements of her party for many years. She is formidable and has a pretty large audience. She loaths Gloria Steinem, for example, and rakes her over the coals routingly. She is pretty reasonable and thoughtful.

Her weak point is that she seems to have difficulty reading male politicians accurately. For example, she was supporting John Edwards until. well.. you know. and she's still a cheerleader for Obama, as you can see from her article. So there's something odd about her assessment of politicians.

But she has great courage in confronting the wacko wing of her liberal cohorts, and makes them squirm. For that, she's OK in my book.

The Government cannot give to anybody anything which the government does not first take from somebody else. Dr. Adrian Rogers

Without disagreeing. . .

March 11, 2009 - 05:44 ET by WingletDriver

with anything you said about Camille, I'd like to point out that she doesn't seem to think that BHO is behind his poor performance--it's his staff. Her criticism of BHO is limited to listening to poor advice and appointing oafs.

Just another example of someone who doesn't know where the buck stops.

Exactly

March 11, 2009 - 08:40 ET by Caringwhiteguy

Those who drank the cool aid about the DIVINE ONE are still reluctant to criticize him directly. It's tough to say something when the subconscious says "please don't let anyone call me a racist" - - - and "please don't make me come right out and say I WAS WRONG. THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES".

I've been reading her stuff

March 11, 2009 - 09:22 ET by Eugenia

I've been reading her stuff since the early 90s. She definitely is a liberal but a thinking one -- a rarity. Her writing style is intelligent, precise and honest. She's basically a witty, intellectually honest person with literary prowess.

.

March 10, 2009 - 23:34 ET by MeowMeow

Rush has always spoken highly and with respect regarding Paglia. I think they were seated together -- as unlikely matches -- at a dinner and ended up hitting it off. It's very ebony and ivory, but I love that they can maintain a respect and friendship even though they seemingly disagree on some things politically.

Paglia remains true to her own beliefs and doesn't kowtow to conservatives, to be sure. But she's open minded enough to see when her side is decidedly wrong and she says so. I think this is why Rush likes her.

Obama: A glittering jewel of colossal ignorance. --RL

She reminds me of the

March 10, 2009 - 22:04 ET by MidAmerica

She reminds me of the democrats that used to run congress and got us safely through the Cold War. Now what used to be the democrat fringe is the democrat center.

So, the pen is mightier than

March 10, 2009 - 22:08 ET by d1carter

So, the pen is mightier than the Chicago thugs?

Do you believe in magic?

March 10, 2009 - 22:09 ET by metaphorsbwithu

Paglia did mention Rush's Barack the Magic Negro parody song with some derision, but I wonder if she is aware of the genesis of that Paul Shanklin tune.

As most everyone knows, the term "Magic Negro" was invented by L.A. Times columnist David Ehrenstein. The song was actually not aimed at Obama but leaders like Al Sharpton who were questioning whether then candidate Obama was "authentically black" and had paid his dues.

Paglia may be a liberal, and an admirer of Obama, and that is fine, but she is also intellectually honest, and I'd be curious to know if she is indeed aware of the targets of Shanklin's satire.

metaphorsbwithu

Uh

March 10, 2009 - 22:13 ET by Andante

I'm still hoping for a debate between UHbama, sans teleprompter and the "lovable fuzzball". Rush's CPAC comment about being able to give his speech without a teleprompter was priceless.

-------------------------------------

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Thomas Jefferson

Like I've said many of time

March 10, 2009 - 22:29 ET by bigtimer

Like I've said many of time during my years here in NBs...Paglia is one of the best.

Too bad millions on her side of the aisle haven't learned a thing from her wisdom, as they destroy themselves within...because they are...

...for that I say...thank God.

Agreed, bt

March 10, 2009 - 22:47 ET by KC Mulville

She's a must read. With most pundits, I get the feeling that they're all trying to sell a partisan agenda, or attack the other guy's agenda. With Paglia, I read a woman who reflects on her experience, agenda be damned. Even if I disagree on some points, I always look forward to reading her column.

And I like those reflections on her Brazilian trip. I'm sure she'll add some more, and I look forward to them.

Hi KC... Have you ever

March 10, 2009 - 23:04 ET by bigtimer

Hi KC... Have you ever listened to her speak to an audience? That is what got me hooked on her close to probably 16-17 years ago now...she was on something C-SPAN had going on, I was riveting by this liberal woman whom I had total different philosophies with ranting on and on..when I say ranting, she talks a mile a minute, but Yuh pay attention to what she is saying with her gusto and wit...she makes one think....

She's a different cat...I adore her...have said as such not long after I joined this site with others who knew who she was, and some who didn't...heck, back then I didn't even know what google was let alone a link...thank goodness for the other ten or fifteen that were here at the time who taught me along the way.

Yeah, Camille is the best...she really does make you think.

Haven't had the pleasure

March 11, 2009 - 00:43 ET by KC Mulville

I recently saw her on an old Charlie Rose show. The Charlie Rose shows are all on podcast and you can view them online. (God bless whoever thought of that idea!)

Paglia is a serious person, but she talks like Joan Rivers. ("Ohhhh pleeeeeease! Grow up!") I got a kick out of her. But it's funny, because her Salon columns show a very thoughtful person. Just goes to show, you don't have to talk softly and slowly to be a thoughtful person.

The Brazil thing...

March 10, 2009 - 23:00 ET by jakewashere

...is definitely worth a read. You wonder how many potential Daniela Mercurys have been stifled by the music biz in this country (and throughout the rest of the world) because they didn't let any concerns with image get in the way of their passion for their work.

And regarding the issue at hand, Paglia's a breath of fresh air in a field that is often distressingly short on intellectual honesty.

Citizen President?

March 10, 2009 - 23:21 ET by snaggletoothie

Paglia is usually worth reading. But I think she's wrong about the citizen president thing. Obama has never really been just a citizen who worked in his chosen trade or profession and then decided to take a little time out for politics. He has always beem a political operative or on the edge of being one. The most citizen-like thing in his resume was his work as a teacher of constitutional law. And, you know, those guys have the morals of a pedophile. And it was usually a part time gig for him while he forged ahead politically. It's a lovely romantic notion but it does not apply to Obama.

Paglia

March 11, 2009 - 00:18 ET by rockyracoon

I enjoy reading Camille's columns as she seems to be the only sane voice of the left/left of center, however better to read a sampling of the comments left on Salon after her article. There are some very delusional and insane people out there, who inadvertidley prove many of Rush's points.

Hey, Hey.

March 11, 2009 - 00:22 ET by ths0002

As a drunken frat boy, I am offended by this insulting and degrading comparison. You will hear from the ACLU and my lawyer on this one, Camille.

the people in the comments

March 11, 2009 - 00:46 ET by katainkent

wow on the worst day here on NB the comments don't get that bad. People are calling for her job and her life. And that is just the repeatable items.

LOL

March 11, 2009 - 06:22 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls

Wow, there's a whole lot of hate going on over there. So much for embracing diversity. I think the democrats should change their slogan to 'Embracing Perversity'.

Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.

Kind of dispels the myth

March 11, 2009 - 09:09 ET by moderncommentaries83

Kind of dispels the myth (as if it wasn't dispelled already) that liberals are about tolerance and diversity, huh?

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam

I don't care what she looks

March 11, 2009 - 02:35 ET by mostlymoderate

Frat Boys are not as annoying as Obama's administration.

"President Obama = Lack of Hope and Confidence

March 11, 2009 - 02:24 ET by DoktorFranken

"President Obama -- in whom I still have great hope and confidence . . ."

Camille, Camille, Camille. You lost me in the first 11 words. You didn't even complete ONE SENTENCE. I used to think you had a brain but after reading your last few articles I am beginning to wonder.

BTW, Camille, how's your retirement doing? Are you going to have to work until you die like I will? Wouldn't it have been better and cheaper to have Hussein give every man, woman, and child one million dollars to get us back on track? Or don't Leftists think?

Dithering Funk

March 11, 2009 - 06:56 ET by Red Jeep

"If Rush's presence looms too large for the political landscape, it's because of the total vacuity of the Republican leadership, which seems to be in a dithering funk." Love Paglia’s use of words. Dithering funk sums up the Republican Party which has been in a dithering funk for years.

It is amazing how a woman as smart and insightful as Paglia backs Obama. Unexplainable, I guess.

Best paragraph of the

March 11, 2009 - 08:17 ET by moderncommentaries83

Best paragraph of the piece:

And I'm sick of people impugning Rush's wealth and lifestyle, which is no different from that of another virtuoso broadcaster who hit it big -- Oprah Winfrey. Rush Limbaugh is an embodiment of the American dream: He slowly rose from obscurity to fame on the basis of his own talent and grit. Every penny Rush has earned was the result of his rapport with a vast audience who felt shut out and silenced by the liberal monopoly of major media. As a Democrat and Obama supporter, I certainly do not agree with everything Rush says or does. I was deeply upset, for example, by the sneering tone both Rush and Sean Hannity took on Inauguration Day, when partisan politics should have been set aside for a unifying celebration of American government and history. Nevertheless, I respect Rush for his independence of thought and his always provocative news analysis. He doesn't run with the elite -- he goes his own way.

I may not agree with all of her politics, but Paglia hit the nail on the HEAD here. Absolutely, 100%, out-of-the-ballpark smash of the hypocrisy of Rush's critics.

Thank you, Ms. Paglia, for having the decency and nerve to defend a private citizen against political smears orchestrated by a "frat boy" White House.

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam

O + O = .....

March 11, 2009 - 09:21 ET by Pilgrim1949

Wonder if Ms Paglia will catch her share of grief for daring to compare the obviously virtuous (just observe the pigmentation) of Oprah with the pasty-lilly-white hue of the oppresser-class (just observe the pigmentation) Rush?

Well, knowing the foaming-at-the-mouth Kos-like kiddies, I'm sure this intrepid and daring-to-be independent thinker will be shredded for daring to voice/write thoughts contrary to the KoolAid drinkers. I mean, the gall of not adhering to the purity of The One's policies and tactics. A faithfully practicing lib would surely get the vapors just contemplating such apostacy!

The Messiah and the Mizz -- Obama and Oprah -- are bookends for the left's library of wisdom.....a shelf that's remarkably empty between those said bookends. Containers for a vacuity of acuity.

O + O = ____

Can we non-fuzzy-math-educated fill in that blank?

From what someone said

March 11, 2009 - 10:25 ET by moderncommentaries83

From what someone said above, the comments at Salon call for her job and her head for daring to question Obama. So she's being shredded for daring to speak her mind against the liberals.

Contrary thoughts are decidedly not part of the diversity liberals champion. For some reason, the definition of "diversity" seems to be narrowing down to anyone who thinks like a liberal. That's it.

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam