RUSH: Travis in western Kansas. Great to have you on the program, sir. Hello.
CALLER: Hey, Rush. How are you today?
RUSH: Good, sir. Thank you very much.
CALLER: Rush, I know you’ve heard it a million times but it really is a thrill to speak with you and I don’t think that you realize how much of an inspiration you are to millions of us across this country. There’s a very short list of people that have had a profoundly positive effect on my life, and you, sir, are right there at the top of that list.
RUSH: Well, I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you very, very much. I very much appreciate you saying that.
CALLER: If we contrast the message that you’re giving us every day — self-sufficient, self-reliance, get out there, do what you love, be aggressive, be bold — if we live our lives by the principles that you are espousing, we’ll all be successful. If we listen to those, the liberals out there that are beating us down, tell us we can’t do it, everything is against us, you know, this country is going to be headed in the wrong direction. I don’t think you realize what an inspiration you are to so many of us, you know. You’ve always been there, and I don’t think that I would be where I’m at today without some of the things I’ve heard you say through the years.
RUSH: Well, I do appreciate that. I’ve had people in my life about whom I’ve felt that way so I know how you feel. I was always excited when I had a chance to tell ’em, you know, the positive impact they’ve had on me. Now, most people would be filled with false humility. ‘No, no, no, I haven’t done anything.’ But I’m willing to accept your compliment because I know you mean it.
CALLER: Yes, I certainly do, I really do from the bottom of my heart. I was in an industry. I was a loan officer in a bank, was not terribly happy with it. I was good at it but not really happy, and part of the encouragement that I’ve taken from listening to you all these years gave me the encouragement to step out and do something that I truly love, and, Rush, I’ve never been happier. I’ve never looked back. I’ve never worked harder, and you’re a big reason for part of that success.
RUSH: Well, I appreciate that. What are you doing?
CALLER: I am a professional gun dog trainer. I train those dogs that run around in the fields and find birds and then us, you know, terrible hunters go out and shoot ’em. (laughing)
RUSH: Now, that, to me, is just fabulous, quintessentially American. Here is a guy, folks — undoubtedly working in the bank, loan officer, this is part of some formula. This is what you did. Wherever he lived, this is the kind of job that you sought, job in the community but what he really, really liked was working with dogs. But to tell people that, I mean, they might laugh at you. ‘A dog trainer? They make jokes about dog trainers in movies.’ The guy finally did it. Now he trains dogs that run around in the field and find birds when people are out there hunting. He’s doing what he loves, working with dogs he loves. That’s absolutely fabulous. I’m glad you called. I really am, Travis, thank you so much, and continued good luck to you. Remember, luck is where preparation meets opportunity, and you obviously prepared yourself for this. You created the opportunity out of necessity. Bam! You struck gold.