WSJ 10.17 Op-Ed by Rush Limbaugh

False comments, innuendo, all hiding behind a phony charge of racism is apparently the political capital of the day. This nation has long been a republic based upon constitutional law and human rights. "Life. liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are inherent rights due Rush Limbaugh, sadly they have been abrogated, trampled and dismissed by those miscreants who do not believe in free speech for conservatives and small business owners.

One does not have to accept the speech of Art Rooney or for that matter any past or present owner in the NFL to acknowledge their administrative expertise and love of the game. As the old Sunday School chorus still proclaims, "Red and yellow black and white they are precious in his site." Rush Limbaugh is as precious in his existence as is Joe Biden.

True, free speech allows critics to criticize and enunciate lies that have no basis in fact, yet NFL officials. media outlets, individuals, who succumb to this type of pressure, and adopt double standards, are at best midgets of principle, or at worst dishonest and unfit for executive level administrative leadership. Rush Limbaugh, has the right to speak, be evaluated by sports fans in terms of honesty and integrity. He also has the right to be protected from scurrilous lies and attacks especially from dishonest people who merely exercise ulterior motives at the bidding of national power elites.

The NFL should have spoken to power, instead they caved and crumbled to it in quick order. This miscarriage of basic justice is a serious matter for an administration and professional league that touts diversity. Apparently their definition of diversity does include conservatives, Missourians, talk show hosts, in fact all types of principled Americans. Mr. Limbaugh, is owed and should be the beneficiary of an apology from the, NFL, the perpetrators of this personal scandalous attack, social misfits and radical bigots who spread lies and vermin all over the nation in an attempt to eliminate his rights. We are Americans, this is America, and a major abridgement of free enterprise and free speech has occurred, a dangerous combination.

Dr. Alan Phillips
Bloomington, IL