DEAR EDITOR:

I am stunned and disappointed to read an opinion submitted that identified Rush Limbaugh as a patriot — a gross misuse of that term. The man was an actor and a bully who was paid handsomely and provided a wide platform to spew disrespect, cruelty and lies.

One of his favorite insults was “libtard,” a blend of the words “retard” and “liberal.” This is patriotism? Maybe someone could explain that.

There is a great problem in this country with those who identify abusive behavior as patriotic. At the very least, his name calling would get a kindergartner punished. While his listeners are admiring his clever words, his backers are smugly sowing seeds of hatred and division.

Who do you think actually pays for this and what is the true purpose of manipulating Americans to hate each other? How does this help us as a country?

I do wonder, just a little, if his heart and eyes were opened as he faced death, if he realized how much anger he nurtured, how much counterproductive negativity he promoted.

CELESTE SINISTRO

Boardman