[laweeks]

The excuses for Rush's disgusting behavior sound so Clintonesque that I cringe when I hear them. Only a scoundrel should reap such a weak defense as "sympathy." In ALL the many years I heard Rush, not ONCE did I ever hear him mention back trouble . . . NEVER. And, knowing two people personally who've had serious back trouble all their lives(neither one of which is a junkie), I still find it hard to believe he'd play a back-twisting sport like golf. Sorry, but only the Clintons deserve the "yeah-but" defense that Rush has been getting. It's so sad to see conservatives collapse like this.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Seconded. The author of this piece should wipe off his chin.

[Ghengis]

And, knowing two people personally who've had serious back trouble all their lives(neither one of which is a junkie), I still find it hard to believe he'd play a back-twisting sport like golf.

I have two compressed discs in my neck. Two surgeons wanted to remove the discs and fuse three vertebra. I was prescribed vicodin, percodan and percocet for the pain. I can't use my arms, held aloft and forward, for long periods of time without intense pain and numbness in my arms (makes driving a lot of fun).

I regularly practice Ju-Jitsu, boxing, lift weights, ride bicycles, hunt, camp, golf, etc. I only took the precribed pain medication for a very short period of time because I didn't like the fuzzy feeling it gave me in dealing with reality. In dealing with the pain, I chose to deal with it.

That Rush regularly played golf does not mean a whole lot.

[lormand]

Having came from a troubled past and overcame it by hard work and disipline, all influenced partially by Rush, I would have to say that your view on Rush is chilling.

[Cubs Fan]

WHat "Yeah but"?

The guy admitted he is an addict. He did not get his addiction partying with ne-er do wells, he got hooked from treatment of chronic pain, something quite understandable. He did not deny deny deny when caught like Clinton did. And He did what an addict should do and checked himself into rehab. I don't know what more could or should be expected from him.

Look being a conservative is not never making a mistake. for if it were there would be no conservatives at all, including you I am quite certain. Being a conservative is saying "oops, I shouldn't have, but I F*&^ed up, I admit it and I'm going to better from now on."

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

In ALL the many years I heard Rush, not ONCE did I ever hear him mention back trouble . . . NEVER.

Apparently you didn't listen enough, because he has mentioned his back problems over the years. I used to listen to Rush every single day and not miss a minute of the show. If I couldn't listen to the whole show, I'd tape it. I did that for about eight years. The past few years I've listened a bit less, but not much. I might miss an hour every week or so. I'm a major Rush addict, no pun intended.

He most definitely has mentioned his back problems. Take it from someone who HAS listened to him for eleven years.

[cwb]

First you say this:

"Only a scoundrel should reap such a weak defense as "sympathy."

Then in your very next sentence you say this:

"In ALL the many years I heard Rush, not ONCE did I ever hear him mention back trouble . . . NEVER."

Wouldn't Rush be guilty of seeking the very sympathy you accuse him of by mentioning his back trouble. Just because you didn't know about it doesn't mean it didn't exist.