Bill Maher Comments on the Rush Limbaugh Drug Addiction Story

Bill Maher ^ | 10-13-03 | Bill Maher

[ambrose]

engaging in crime, taking public assistance, etc.

If Rush bought these drugs illegally, he committed crimes and he also used to be on welfare. These are facts.

[Lexington Green]

Holy crap! I find myself agreeing with Maher - and I can't stand the twit. Wrap me in a cold, wet sheet til I feel better.

[jaz.357]

"...And we both deserve the same treatment: compassion!"

Well we "ALL" deserve Compassion.

Lets hope some of your far left "jerk off buddies" take your advice!

[Dick Vomer]

Jeez, I'd wish he'd just shut his pasty faced, zit scarred, cake hole.

I think that Rush got hooked on drugs.... a lot of folk including our current President said that they've had a problem with alcohol or drugs and are dealing with it by leading productive, meaningful lives.

Do I think drug users should go to jail..... nope, unless they kill, maim, steal or otherwise accept that if they do stuff "under the influence" then, they chose to be under the influence and have to accept the consequences of their actions.

Being addicted to drugs is a punishment to the addict anyway.... the life even though seemingly "having it all" is filled with the knowledge that you are living a "lie" and are a hypocrite. That no matter where you go, who you've become that your true master is the addiction. No family event, no great achievement, no personal triumph supercedes the addiction and the addict's perception of reality. ....Sad

I'm sure that Rush's life is not going to suffer in the long run and this may have been a blessing in disguise. Living a lie is just bad for your mental health, spiritual health and physical health.... and wouldn't that be the sweetest revenge of all...... a healthier, funnier, sober Rush.

[ambrose]

Holy crap! I find myself agreeing with Maher - and I can't stand the twit. Wrap me in a cold, wet sheet til I feel better.

Ditto!

He's right! If we stop focusing on kicking Rush when he's down, and instead focus on ending this insane War on Drugs, we might accomplish something. Maher is up for that. What about the rest of you?

[playball0]

The whole meaning of being addicted is that you can't choose. Only when sober can one choose. Back pain perscriptions left him addicted. He cound not stopped on his own.

I don't see the moral issue yet. I don't remember Rush moralizing on those "bad" addicted people.

[BlueNgold]

But Reagan whiffed.

That is where I stopped reading .....

[mrsmith]

"When it comes to Rush and pills, an analagous situation would be Reagan and guns. After Reagan got shot, what an opportunity to change that debate on guns! "

Yup. That's how stupid people think.
Stuid people believe. The more emotion in concepts and constructs the more useful they find them.
Disinterested consideration is frightening- there is no surety that it will lead to comfortable conclusions. For the stupid it usually doesn't.

Rush will maintain his considered opinions on the drug culture and drug laws. He will not allow himself to be portrayed as a victim.

[Servant of the 9]

As much as I oppose the WOD, there is a big difference between starting on a chemical because it was suggested by a doctor in response to chronic pain after botched surgery, and simply "liking" it.

I oppose the WOD, and I love Rush, but getting hooked on your original doctors prescriptions for pain are almost as rare as walking on water. Any reputable doctor will cut you off. I think we can presume Rush could afford a reputable doctor. Once you start shopping for unethical doctors or housekeepers with a connection, it is because one way or the other, you like it.

I took oxycontin last year after shoulder surgery. It is very hard to quit because if feels good, but I don't think it is any more addictive than tobacco.

So9

[Almondjoy]

What facts am I asserting that aren't known?

There isn't a difference between those two. If you abuse anything in life you choose to abuse it.. you choose not recognize you have a problem... you choose not to deal with it.

That's why if someone does cocaine once in their life they aren't an abuser while if someone takes pain medication over their prescribed amount then they are an abuser.

[jimbo123]

Empty our pockets Mr. Maher. Your taste for nose-candy is well known.

[Crispy]

"He choose to become addicted to them and he choose not to do anything about it until he got busted for it"

I doubt he chose to become addicted. That is like saying somebody chose to get in a car accident. Of course he should of done something about it sooner. That can be said about smokers that get lung cancer. They should of stopped smoking sooner.

[Almondjoy]

I'm not making it a moral issue.. I could care less about the morality of it.

The fact is Bill is right. Drug abusers are drug abusers.. whether it be legal or illegal substances. Without varying degrees. Rush is as bad as a heroin addict.

[Almondjoy]

Oh yeah.. you mean those two times he went and quit the program? You mean those two times he went into the program on an out patient basis? Oh you mean the two times he went into the program and choose to relapse?

[Thoro]

And Rush, if you don't see it that way yet, let me put it like this: When you're furtively meeting people in parking lots and exchanging ANYTHING in cigar boxes through car windows - OK, that's a drug addict.

I'm sorry. No matter how many times I hear or read it, this part of the story does NOT pass the smell test. I'm also a bit dismayed that everyone that's making comments about this story is downplaying that the maid's husband has been reported to be a small time con.

[baltodog]

I build planes.
I don't want the person next to me messed up.
I don't want to fly on a plane built by a person who was messed up.
There is alot that is missing from the legalization argument on both sides.
I say decriminalize certain drugs. But don't get torqued at me when I pull a no-notice U.A. on you and you end up getting fired.
As far as Rush goes -- I wish him the best and pray for his health. I feel somewhat betrayed, but then again, I'm glad I'm not in his shoes. He's a great commentator, just like Robert Downey, Jr is a great actor.
I've been trying to kick smoking for about 10 years with no success. I'm not about to criticize someone else's drug abuse.

[Almondjoy]

See that's where you are wrong. He choose to be addicted. Just like alcoholics choose to be alcoholics. He knows he was doing too much... he choose not to do anything about it. No need to doubt the truth.. addiction is a choice.

[ambrose]

Duh Denial Isn't Just a River in Egypt (TM).


Seriously... I think we need an "Al-Anon" 12 Step Program on the Free Republic.

[ambrose]

Duh Nile Isn't Just a River in Egypt (TM).


Seriously... I think we need an "Al-Anon" 12 Step Program on the Free Republic.