Limbaugh needs some duct tape.

[Steff]

http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/lim...S00010000000001

 

Limbaugh Says Fox Exploited Disease

Talk Show Host Rips Stricken Actor for Campaign Ad

CBS News, AP contributed to this report

 

(Oct. 24) - His body visibly wracked by tremors, actor Michael J. Fox appears in a political ad that was the subject of widespread discussion on Monday after conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh claimed Fox was "either off his medication or acting."

 

A victim of Parkinson's disease, Fox speaks out in the ad for Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill, who supports embryonic stem cell research.

 

"I think this is exploitative in a way that's unbecoming of either Claire McCaskill or Michael J. Fox," Limbaugh said on his syndicated show.

 

On his Web site Tuesday, Limbaugh appeared to back away from his accusation.

 

"All I'm saying is I've never seen him the way he appears in this commercial for Claire McCaskill," says Limbaugh. "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, especially since people are telling me they have seen him this way on other interviews and in other television appearances."

 

"As you might know I care deeply about stem cell research," says Fox, who has struggled with Parkinson's disease for more than a decade. "In Missouri you can elect Claire McCaskill, who shares my hope for cures."

 

McCaskill has made support for the research a key part of her campaign to unseat Sen. Jim Talent. The Republican incumbent opposes the research as unethical, saying it destroys human embryos.

 

The new ad debuted prominently Saturday night during Game 1 of the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers and will continue airing statewide this week, a campaign spokeswoman said.

 

Debate over stem cell research looms large in Missouri, where voters are considering a ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to protect all federally allowed forms of the research, including embryonic stem cell research. The scientific study holds promise in the search to cure diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

 

"Unfortunately, Senator Jim Talent opposes expanding stem cell research," Fox says in the 30-second spot. "Senator Talent even wanted to criminalize the science that gives us a chance for hope."

 

Talent's campaign called the ad a false attack.

 

"Senator Talent supports medical research including stem cell research that doesn't involve cloning or destroying a human embryo," said Talent spokesman Rich Chrismer.

 

Earlier this year, Talent withdrew his support for a Senate bill that would ban all embryonic stem cell research and impose a million-dollar fine and jail sentence on violators. But he opposes the Missouri ballot initiative, claiming it would "make cloning human life at the earliest stage a constitutional right."

 

 

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Infants in TherapyAll Eyes on Ohio as Election NearsMore College Grads Living With ParentsNukes for Sale? Experts Sound AlarmsCan Iraq War Vets Win for Democrats?Supporters of the state referendum deny that assertion, noting the language of the proposed constitutional amendment explicitly bans human cloning.

 

McCaskill, running even with Talent in the latest polls, hopes to get a boost from aligning herself with support for the ballot measure, which recent polls show has the support of 58 percent of likely voters. Backers of the measure have raised nearly $29 million toward its passage, the costliest political campaign in Missouri history.

 

Fox's ad urges voters that "what you do in Missouri matters to millions of Americans. Americans like me." The ad ends with a picture of McCaskill and her voice approving the message.

 

A native of Canada, Fox became an American citizen in 2000 and has been politically active for Democratic causes. He campaigned for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race and lobbied Congress to lift President Bush's restrictions on funding for stem cell research.

 

 

There is video of Fox at the link.

[NUKE_CLEVELAND]

I saw the ad myself and I actually think Limbaugh is right. My grandmother had Parkinsons really bad and even when she was off her meds she didn't shake like that.

[Jenksismyhero]

What's telling for me is that the local stations in Chicago were covering some speech he was giving here in town just a couple of days ago. Except for the occasional jerk he looked fine.

 

It's pretty obvious that the ad was an attempt to garner any sympathy possible. I think it's yet another sh*tty campaign technique that's a perfect example for whats wrong with this country's political system.

 

That being said, I think my fellow Republicans are absolute morons for not allowing stem cell research.

[NUKE_CLEVELAND]

What's telling for me is that the local stations in Chicago were covering some speech he was giving here in town just a couple of days ago. Except for the occasional jerk he looked fine.

 

It's pretty obvious that the ad was an attempt to garner any sympathy possible. I think it's yet another sh*tty campaign technique that's a perfect example for whats wrong with this country's political system.

 

That being said, I think my fellow Republicans are absolute morons for not allowing stem cell research.

 

 

I have mixed feelings about stem cell research but for the Democrats to have Fox get on television and put on an act like that in support of their candidates and causes is just utterly shameful.

[Steff]

I saw the ad myself and I actually think Limbaugh is right. My grandmother had Parkinsons really bad and even when she was off her meds she didn't shake like that.

 

 

 

When he testified in front of congress 3 years ago he had to be helped to walk he was shaking so bad. Apparently he did not take his medication then, and perhaps didn't take it now. It's to prove a point.

 

However, calling his condition an act is disgusting and Rush has no room to talk about being on the "up and up" coinsidering he is a drug addicted hypocrite.

 

 

 

 

 

I have mixed feelings about stem cell research but for the Democrats to have Fox get on television and put on an act like that in support of their candidates and causes is just utterly shameful.

 

 

 

For you to call his condition an "act" is worse, no?

 

And I do think Fox shoulders the blame on this. He choose not to take his meds to show the severity of the disease.

[Texsox]

When he testified in front of congress 3 years ago he had to be helped to walk he was shaking so bad. Apparently he did not take his medication then, and perhaps didn't take it now. It's to prove a point.

 

However, calling his condition an act is disgusting and Rush has no room to talk about being on the "up and up" coinsidering he is a drug addicted hypocrite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For you to call his condition an "act" is worse, no?

 

And I do think Fox shoulders the blame on this. He choose not to take his meds to show the severity of the disease.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Gotta agree with Steff on this one.

[NorthSideSox72]

And I do think Fox shoulders the blame on this. He choose not to take his meds to show the severity of the disease.

 

That's the key point right there. Fox chooses, at times, to not take his meds, to get his point across. You can like or dislike that, and there is certainly some issue-specific motivation on his part. But this isn't "The Democrats" doing something. Heck, the Stem Cell issue splits both parties anyway.

[StrangeSox]

That's the key point right there. Fox chooses, at times, to not take his meds, to get his point across. You can like or dislike that, and there is certainly some issue-specific motivation on his part. But this isn't "The Democrats" doing something. Heck, the Stem Cell issue splits both parties anyway.

 

I'm not sure why people attacking this ad are saying that the Democrats are 'using' Fox.

 

Fox has strong opinions on the issue and wants to get his message across.

[Rex Kickass]

Except the symptoms that Michael J Fox is showing are symptoms of taking his medication, not being off his medication.

 

Michael J Fox cut a similar ad for GOP Senator Arlen Specter in 2004.

 

But I guess he wasn't acting then.

[Queen Prawn]

I agree with Steff and Tex. My grandfather had that in its beginning stages and shook (I remember looking at his hand on his cane watching him have trouble handling the cane because of it).

 

He might not have been on his drugs, but sometimes that's what you have to do to get people's attention.

[jasonxctf]

instead of listening to Dr. Rush Limbaugh's assessments of Fox's shaking, why not listen to the handful of actual doctors (not just those who are chronic pill poppers and real life drug addicts) who have come out saying that even while taking their medicine, it is not uncommon for Parkinson patients to shake like that for hours at a time.

 

Rush is a sick fu*k and anyone who actually listens to him should be ashamed of themselves. period.

 

and if this sounds harsh or childish, try watching your uncle die slowly in front of you for years from Parkinsons.

 

Soxtalk removes unnecessary, objectionable material.

[Rex Kickass]

Again, Michael J Fox's tremors and exaggerated movements are a symptom of the medication he's on.

[Jenksismyhero]

Jason--

 

My problem with it is it's dirty politics, both by Fox and by the Dems (who were whole-heartedly behind the idea i'm sure). I think the Repubs campaigning for anti-abortion should create a video with a pile of dead fetuses on the ground, cuz hey, it's reality.

 

No one, included Rush, is downplaying the severity of Parkinsons. He's just calling into question using that as a means to get votes. I don't think it's a huge deal myself, but I consider it another negative aspect of our political system which is all about sensationalism versus talking about the issues.

[Balta1701]

No one, included Rush, is downplaying the severity of Parkinsons. He's just calling into question using that as a means to get votes. I don't think it's a huge deal myself, but I consider it another negative aspect of our political system which is all about sensationalism versus talking about the issues.

I wonder if he had as much of a problem in 2004 with the pro-Bush ad using a 16 year old girl who lost a parent in the WTC attacks.

[Steff]

Again, Michael J Fox's tremors and exaggerated movements are a symptom of the medication he's on.

 

And your medical degree is from where...?

 

And yes, I'm being an asshole because the fact is that you don't know s*** about MJF's symptoms or how HE reacts to the medication he takes.

 

As ignorant as calling his appearance an "act".

 

According to MJF himself, his shaking at the '02 hearing was a result of NOT taking his medication.

 

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-69090060.html

[NorthSideSox72]

OK, let's all take a deep breath before we post. Discuss, don't diss.

 

This is a tough topic, and some of us have a personal stake.

[Steff]

OK, let's all take a deep breath before we post. Discuss, don't diss.

 

This is a tough topic, and some of us have a personal stake.

 

 

I apologize if my post seemed attacking, It was not intended to be and moreso a matter of fact and reminder that unless you know or spent some time with MJF that comments are opinions. Obviously some here have first hand exp with the disease but just because one person doesn't have one symptom doesn't mean others don't as well.

[Balta1701]

And your medical degree is from where...?

 

And yes, I'm being an asshole because the fact is that you don't know s*** about MJF's symptoms or how HE reacts to the medication he takes.

 

As ignorant as calling his appearance an "act".

 

According to MJF himself, his shaking at the '02 hearing was a result of NOT taking his medication.

 

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-69090060.html

The Washington Post ran with this statement a couple days ago in its print edition.

An official of the National Parkinson Foundation said movements like those exhibited by Fox are the result of taking medication to treat the disease, which would otherwise result in rigidity.

 

“When you see someone with those movements, it’s not because they have not taken medication but because they probably have taken medication for some time,” the official said. “If you don’t take the medication, then you freeze.”

Other relevant bits from that article aside from just a statement from a national organization:

"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.

 

....

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.

Link to the partial online version. Edited October 26, 2006 by Balta1701

[Steff]

Balta, take it up with MJF. He's the one that stated the opposite. I would guess he knows his reactions to the medication.

[Balta1701]

Balta, take it up with MJF. He's the one that stated the opposite. I would guess he knows his reactions to the medication.

If you didn't notice, there was a Fox quote in there. And I wasn't referring to anything but this particular ad, which I thought was the whole point.

 

If anyone wants to like Mr. Limbaugh even less btw...it turns out his show is not just broadcast over the radio, there's also video available of his show. And he does a real nice insulting head bobbing to go along with the statement about the ad. You can watch it, and also watch another recent interview with Mr. Fox, Here.

[Jenksismyhero]

I wonder if he had as much of a problem in 2004 with the pro-Bush ad using a 16 year old girl who lost a parent in the WTC attacks.

 

 

I didn't know about this, but yeah, I have the same opinion.

 

I just hate all political ads really. Talk about the f'n issues, stop sensationalizing everything. You reduce voters to uneducated people by making them choose based on emotion than by intelligence. All that ad did was tell voters: 'look at me, I shake a bunch, isn't it terrible? If you vote for X you can stop this sad thing from happening.' Give people statistics about how many people can be helped, give them examples of what stem cell research can do. TELL THEM THAT FETUS FACTORIES WONT OPEN UP AS A RESULT OF ALLOWING THE RESEARCH. Don't sensationalize the disease and get sympathy votes.

 

Further, the ad can be misleading. You all have a problem with Bush and his 'you're either with us or against us' mantra. To me this is Fox saying 'you either feel sorry for me and want to help or you get enjoyment from my disease." The Rebub candidate in that race isn't pro-Parkinsons. He/she is opposed to the means used to fix the problem.

[Steff]

If you didn't notice, there was a Fox quote in there. And I wasn't referring to anything but this particular ad, which I thought was the whole point.

 

If anyone wants to like Mr. Limbaugh even less btw...it turns out his show is not just broadcast over the radio, there's also video available of his show. And he does a real nice insulting head bobbing to go along with the statement about the ad. You can watch it, and also watch another recent interview with Mr. Fox, Here.

 

 

I didn't. Thanks for pointing that out.

[NorthSideSox72]

I apologize if my post seemed attacking, It was not intended to be and moreso a matter of fact and reminder that unless you know or spent some time with MJF that comments are opinions. Obviously some here have first hand exp with the disease but just because one person doesn't have one symptom doesn't mean others don't as well.

No prob Steff. It wasn't directed at you or anyone else specifically. The thread just seemed to have a head of steam going in a bad direction, and I wanted to keep it under control.

[Texsox]

Let's see Rush believes Fox is wrong for not taking medication.

I guess all that counseling Rush was ordered to attend about abusing prescription drugs is working.

 

So far no one has accused Fox of exaggerating his condition. Whether he was on or off the drugs he would seem to be portraying the worst case scenario.

[FlaSoxxJim]

So far no one has accused Fox of exaggerating his condition.

 

No. Limbaugh did. When he said FOX was acting. Or am I missing something?