This is a thread to share little unknown information about yourself or interesting stories about your life: a brush with fame, a crazy college stunt, a crime you committed, a famous relative, an unusual talent, an interesting incident traveling, a funny anecdote about anything, a once in a lifetime experience or an intriguing story.
I'll begin.
It was 1996 and I had just watched the opening ceremonies of the Atlanta Olympics. If you saw that ceremony you will recall the surprise athlete who emerged to light the torch: Muhammed Ali. It was a touching moment seeing the once great Olympic gold medalist and three-time heavyweight champion of the world standing there, holding the torch, trembling from the effects of his Parkinson's disease. Bill and Hillary Clinton were there in a presidential box witnessing the event.
The next day, Bob Costas, the NBC host of the Olympics, had the Clintons in the studio for a short interview. He mentioned the powerful imagery of Ali lighting the torch. BC said, "Yes, I was touched by the moment. Later at a private party I asked for someone to bring MA to me so I could talk with him. When they brought nhim to me I said 'Muhammed, tonight the world witnessed the reconciliation of Muhammed Ali with America.'"
When I heard it I was incredulous. Immediately I saw through the pretense of the president and understood that the statement had more to do with himself than Ali. He was essentially saying, "Hey, Muhammed, we both dodged the draft during the Vietnam War and America forgave me and elected me president. I know how it feels to be perceived as a hero in spite of dodging the draft. America has now forgiven you. Now we're a part of the same club."
I had worked the next day at the church where I youth pastored and had called my wife to come and pick me up so I could go home (we were down to one vehicle). While I was waiting on her to pick me up I was listening to Rush Limbaugh. I had decided to try to call and share these observations about the Clinton interview. I had tried to call in before but never got through, always getting a busy signal. I called the toll free number and kept hitting redial as over and over I kept getting a busy signal.
All of the sudden instead of the busy signal, I got through! A few ring tones and then the voice of Bo Snerdly answers "The Rush Limbaugh Show. What do you want to talk about?" I told him. He started laughing and said, "You've got to be kidding! Okay, hold on a few minutes."
I waited while I listened to Rush pontificate and talk to other callers and go to commercial breaks. I had plenty of time to think of how I would greet Rush with a "ditto". Finally after about 15 minutes, Rush said, "Back to our callers, ______________ from _______________, go ahead." I came in with "Mega One God,
Acts 2:38 dittos, Rush!" He said, "Whatever that means!"
I proceeded to tell him my observations about the opening ceremonies and Clinton's interview the next day. He had not seen them. I said, "Without President Clinton saying so, he was essentially saying that America had forgiven him for dodging the draft by electing him president." Rush responded, "He didn't have to! That's what makes him so slick!" Then he went on a diatribe about how self-serving and narcissistic Clinton was, how that Ali had been forgiven by America long before for his dodging of the draft, how pathetic it was for Clinton to take advantage of a crippled, ailing and aging athlete to prmote himself.
I had one other observation I wanted to share but while Rush went on, I was disconnected. I couldn't believe I had been on live radio with Rush Limbaugh.
The funny thing was I got a phone call later from some preachers that were out at the District campground working in preparation for a Minister's and Wives Retreat and listening to the show wanting to know if it was me. Some time later my presbyter told me he was listening that day and wondered if it was me. Another time my District superintendent also said he was listening that day and heard me on the show. (Which prompted me to inform him and my presbyter respectively that I had watched the Olympics from my aunt's house not my house in case they were concerned whether I had a tv or not---LOL!)
I know a guy who always greats me at conferences and meetings if we run into each other, "The only man I know who has ever been on the Rush Limbaugh Show!"
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