I’m thinking that I need to express much sympathy for Rush Limbaugh for being blocked by a powerful coterie of professional football investors from becoming a minority owner of the St. Louis Rams. Rush speaks well enough for himself.

Some of us think that he speaks too much about himself. Rush must have an associate who researches to find every mention of his name by well-known TV commentators so as to show how much impact he has on political issues despite his overweening egotism. Rush remains the most-listened-to radio talk-show host on the air today.

Let me disclose that I, irregularly, tune into Rush’s program. I am greatly disappointed that he does not exercise more restraint over his frequent profane and vulgar language. I try to tune out the bad stuff, in order to find out what Rush believes liberal left politicians and their supporters may be trying to impose on America. (I mean things beyond restrictions on smokers and taxes on the super rich, both of which affect Rush personally.)

Rush claims that he is always right 99.8 percent of the time. I rather doubt that figure. But I agree that he should have been allowed to invest a bit of his wealth to become a minor shareholder in the St. Louis Rams football franchise.

The door was slammed in his face when some of the biggies associated with professional football, along with a few team players, declared that he was too controversial to have a place at their table.

It was alleged that Rush was racially prejudiced, largely based on a comment he made during a short stint as a sports analyst on ESPN six years ago. In a discussion about the performance of Philadelphia Eagles’ star quarterback Donovan McNabb, Limbaugh said, “I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.” The NFL and the media would not wish for anyone to accuse them of racial favoritism. So, of course, Rush was soon pushed off ESPN.

I have heard no racist comments from Rush during his programs I have heard. He does not agree with some of the ideas of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and calls attention to the benefits these gentlemen reap stirring their mix of racial issues and liberal politics. But Rush also satirizes a good many other liberal celebrities. So?

Keith Sigler

Joplin