Rush Limbaugh to Have Sculpture in Missouri 'Hall of Famous Missourians'
There is a growing outcry over plans to sculpt a bust of Rush Limbaugh in the Missouri capitol's "Hall of Famous Missourians" after comments the radio personality made concerning Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke last week.
The sculpture has already been commissioned by the Missouri House of Representatives and the work is to be completed by E. Spencer Schubert. The announcement appeared on the artist website several weeks ago and was covered by the political Web site Fired Up! Missouri, according to The Washington Post.
Limbaugh grew up in Cape Girardeau, Mo., and was chosen to have his likeness sculpted. He will join other famous people from Missouri including President Harry Truman, Mark Twain, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Dred Scott.
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The sculpture will be funded through private funds raised by Missouri House speaker Steven Tilley. According to St. Louis Today, the sculptures cost $10,000 each, and the funds are raised through the speaker's annual golf tournament.
Missouri Democrats have pledged to stop the sculpture; however, given that it is being paid for with private funds, it is unclear what action they will be able to pursue.
When speaking to the media on Monday Tilley asserted his belief that Limbaugh deserved to be in the hall: "It's not the Hall of Universally Loved Missourians," Tilley said. "It's the Hall of Famous Missourians."
Limbaugh, though, has not held art in high regard given his comments on his show back in March 2010. Limbaugh discussed the idea of an artist not having to have a real job in order to keep their health coverage.
Democrats "are fighting for you not to have a job and still have health care so you can pursue your entrepreneurial risk of writing, painting, taking pictures." Limbaugh said. "It's just such a pain in the rear end to have to have a job."
The bust is scheduled to be completed in May.
