What a great tribute Steve Forbes gives to Rush Limbaugh in his recent column in Forbes Magazine. In all the years I've read Forbes, this is the most generous praise I've ever read from Steve Forbes. Truly the Cape boy who's made a difference!

Mount Rush-more

This summer the Rush Limbaugh Show celebrated its 15th anniversary. There's hardly an individual in business, finance, academia, entertainment or politics who's had this man's global impact.

Limbaugh has reshaped the political landscape. His persuasive discussions of issues and his well-aimed missiles against liberals were a critical factor in the 1994 elections, in which the Republicans ended the Democrats' 40-year dominance of Congress.

The GOP takeover of the Senate last November was in no small part due to Limbaugh's broadcasts. He's not overtly partisan; the issues speak for themselves. What liberals hate to acknowledge is that millions of Democrats are among Limbaugh's happy campers.

Limbaugh succeeds because of the Reaganesque understanding of how to attract, persuade and move a mass audience. Carpers and critics think Limbaugh's shows are rants, appealing only to malcontented white males. These folks aren't listening. He combines serious talk with irreverent humor. He knows how to educate, raise hackles and then release tension with a good laugh, at the expense of his always tempting, always deserving targets.

This master of the radio universe also understands business. His books, newsletter, Internet site and, of course, radio show have made him one of the richest men in America. Limbaugh knows how to make money and, all too rare in this world, how to multiply it.

Rush Limbaugh is a true pioneer. Before him, radio talk shows had plenty of guests. That's a rarity on Limbaugh's show; instead he mixes in call-ins. Experts never believed such a format could hold an audience's attention for hours on end. A gifted pro, Rush does that with seeming effortlessness. He also turned what had previously appeared to be the radio-scheduling equivalent of a desert -- the afternoon, instead of drive time -- into a highly and intensely listened-to segment.

In the words of the traditional Scottish saying (which is now environmentally incorrect), our wish for Rush is: "Lang may yer lum reek." ("Long may your chimney smoke.") Steve Forbes, Forbes Magazine

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Brother David Limbaugh (author and lawyer) and cousin Steve Limbaugh Jr. (Missouri Supreme Court judge) were also in the news last week.

David's new book, "Persecution," officially hit the book stores Monday. The local Barnes & Noble has had the book out for about two weeks and will have a book signing there, tentatively scheduled Oct. 9. We'll review the book at a later date, but the publisher anticipates higher sales than David's best seller and first book, "Absolute Power." I would imagine all churches and active Christians will want a copy. David's been all over network TV this week.

Steve Limbaugh is one of two finalists for 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge, which would be more recognition for his even-handed and disciplined demeanor which, among other traits, has brought him the support of Missouri Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ron White (a black leader) as opposed to Jerry Hunter; a highly qualified black lawyer of the prestigious Bryan Cave law firm in St. Louis.

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I attended the recent public dedication of the Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Lab. Tributes went to director Robert Briner, whose persistence got the lab to its present status with the help of original state funding by then-state Sen. Al Spradling Jr. and the donation by Pat Tlapek of the current building and location.

Over a $3 million equipped facility with additional funding from the federal government through the efforts of U.S. Sen. Kit Bond and the late U.S. Rep. Bill and now Jo Ann Emerson.

With a staff of six full-time employees and several graduates and undergraduate students, the lab currently serves some 90 different law enforcement agencies.

We will miss Briner, who plans to move to Asheville, N.C., where he has taken a new position as scientific director of Keystone Laboratory.

Gary Rust is chairman of Rust Communications, parent company of the Daily Dunklin Democrat.