A Message To Conservatives: "Your Silence About Rush Limbaugh Is Deafening."

MichaelGraham.com ^ | 12/24/03 | Michael Graham

[suspects]

A NOTE TO MY FELLOW CONSERVATIVES:

Your silence regarding Rush Limbaugh is excruciating.

I like Rush, too, and given that he and I have the same employer, I'm not exactly improving my career prospects by being consistent. It's a bad habit I picked up after years of listening to, and admiring, Rush Limbaugh.

And if we learned the lessons of Limbaugh (individual responsibility and the rule of law), how can we now agree to "Clintonize" ourselves defending him? A drug addiction is one thing, but blackmail? He's allowed himself to be blackmailed for years--the same years he was rightly pounding the stuffing out of the Clintons? And now he claims he's the victim of a politically-motivated prosecution?

What's next: "The b**** set me up?"

Of all the disappointing decisions Rush has made, these last two are the most disheartening. Consider for a moment what blackmail is: An admission that you know what you're doing is wrong.

The decision to fork over the cash is just that--a decision. It can't be any less difficult to make that decision than to decide to, say, go to your lawyer, spill your guts and spend a month in detox at Charter. So why not choose to do the RIGHT thing?

But that's not what Rush chose to do. He chose instead to continue, for years, to do the wrong thing and then--after he was caught--blame the consequences on the vast, left-wing conspiracy. As Rush himself said very wisely and correctly when Jim Carville made the same argument defending President O.J., "It doesn't matter what Ken Starr's politics are if you're innocent."

Bill Clinton wasn't an innocent victim of political vendettas. He was a perjurer and obstructer of justice who blamed others for his own lack of character and its consequences.

Which means, my fellow conservatives, that Rush Limbaugh is....?

I'm sorry, I can't seem to hear you. It must be that deafening silence again.

[DB]

I might say more if I actually knew something about it...

[The Raven]

Neil Boortz put out a (libetarian) challenge to listeners to name one person who was harmed by Rush.

[Thane_Banquo]

1)If you're being blackmailed, then you're the victim.

2)Unlike Clinton, Rush admitted his short-comings and sought help.

[Prime Choice]

[Clinton] was a perjurer and obstructer of justice...

Which means, my fellow conservatives, that Rush Limbaugh is....?

When Rush commits perjury and/or obstructs justice, I'll get back to you...

[garbanzo]

The Clintons were blackmailing people - Rush was being blackmailed - somehow this a morally equivalent thing?

[Tax Government]

How can anyone have an opinion yet? Half of the world would conspire to bring Rush down; let's see how things work out.

In any case, addiction to medication is by definition a need or craving that is strong enough to overwhelm one's willpower or the body's ability to do without it. A person who becomes an addict has a medical problem, and we need not to lose sight of that. Medical problems ought not to be criminalized. Perhaps Rush will become the poster child of drug decriminalization, by his own example. Worse things have happened.

[rhombus]

For my part, it's a wait and see strategy. Trying to equate Rush with Clinton seems a petty victory for liberals who also delighted in Newt's marital problems. For now they can feast on this (God knows they have little else on their table). I'll wait to see the outcome before I judge. Nonetheless, because Rush criticized Clinton and now he may have done something wrong does not invalidate the points Rush makes on his program nor does it absolve Clinton from using his office to try and fix a court case. Rush cannot be impeached because he holds no office. His political wisdom still holds despite his apparent lack of personal wisdom in dealing with pain.

[Bluntpoint]

How many folks in here for drug charges have have not harmed anyone?

How many have had Rush come to their defense?

[gunnedah]

I think everyone is waiting to see what comes out in court or what transpires.
It looks as though it is a vendetta but in all fairness Rush has opened himself up for it.
Lets see how the puzzle falls in place,it could quite well end his career but I suspect he has plenty of money to live on.
There are two things I think need to be taken into consideration if he is not found guilty.
If it is politically motivated and proven.
Also we must remember not to defend but remember,the Republicans always throw rheir own to the wolves when they are guilty,the Democrats never admit guilt regardless and always protect and cover. Just look at Memo-Gate.
I dont like this but it has become a political way of life and at times you have to fight fire with fire.Make them at least prove it before we convict him.

[Guillermo]

We've hardly been "silent."

There has been a ton of posts on here alone in support of Rush.

[CWOJackson]

The ones in the cells have been convicted of a crime. As far as I know Mr. Limbaugh hasn't.

[cpst12]

I think we should all give Rush the same understanding and sympathy that we know he would extend to anyone else that was found to be addicted to drugs and buying them illegally for years...

[Iowamerican]

Well Michael Graham listen closely. Rush Limbaugh is and was a human being in extreme pain. He made mistakes and he admitted as much. He did try twice before to quit the pain pills, but it's not easy. If he's ever charged with anything, he is entitled to due process.

He might or might not be, but I think it's highly probable that he is the subject of politcal vendettas.

[rhombus]

How many folks in here for drug charges have have not harmed anyone?

How many have had Rush come to their defense?

Drugs for pain, drugs for recreation, or drugs for profit? Can you be more specific.

Why is it Rush's responsibility to come to their defense? Did Bill Clinton come to the defense of people trying to fix court cases?

I expect Rush's biggest problem is he didn't get busted for pot -- then the liberals might defend him. Perhaps he can share a cell with Al Gore's son? Nah, neither one will see a cell. We all know this, is this even newsworthy? I guess because he's Rush.

[Mr. Bird]

Sorry, I have a problem. I make distinctions between the President of the United States breaking the law, and a private citizen who entertains for a living. Forgive my lack of outrage.

If Limbaugh turned out to be an armed robber, it still would not warrant comparisons to what Clinton did while in office.

Similarly, most people miss the point about Bob Livingston's resignation from the House. Idiots seem to think it validated Clinton, when it actually did just the opposite.

[Bluntpoint]

Drugs for pain? Both emotional and physical pain often lead to drugs.

Which person is weaker of spine?

[MEG33]

Rush was addicted to pain killers and clinging to his job.He made a terrible decision.I hope he stays clean and continues his career.He has disappointed many fans.He has disillusioned some and left himself open to accusations of hypocrisy.

He wasn't elected President.He doesn't have the position of Commander in Chief and he hasn't put the country through what the meaning of is is.I could go on.

He's an entertainer and has done our side great good by keeping our spirits up.I hope he can overcome.He has hurt himself,his reputation and fans.He has not hurt the nation as a President did.

[boomop1]

I have been pondering this for a long while , I've been with him from the start, disappointed is a good start I find that I am not as eager to listen. I am not going to toss him over this it isn't as if he went out and molested, raped or harmed the security of the nation by giving away secrets for money (a traitor)like the form scum bag in chief. Time will tell I've never been there (in chronic pain), been married twice does that count, so I don't know what he was going through.

Boom

[RightOnline]

Let me ask you a question, in all seriousness. Do you not see a difference between those who use illegal drugs for "recreational" purposes (often getting hooked, then committing crimes to feed their habits) and those like Rush who inadvertently become addicted to legal narcotics dispensed by doctors for legitimate pain management?