America owes talk host Rush Limbaugh a debt of gratitude, Libertarians say

LP Press Release ^ | October 16, 2003 | Libertarian Party Press

[noprob]

The entire nation owes radio broadcaster Rush Limbaugh a debt of gratitude, Libertarians say, because his ordeal has exposed every drug warrior in America as a rank hypocrite.

"One thing we don't hear from American politicians very often is silence," said Joe Seehusen, Libertarian Party executive director. "By refusing to criticize Rush Limbaugh, every drug warrior has just been exposed as a shameless, despicable hypocrite.

"And that's good news, because the next time they do speak up, there'll be no reason for anyone to listen."

The revelation that Limbaugh had become addicted to painkillers -- drugs he is accused of procuring illegally from his Palm Beach housekeeper -- has caused a media sensation ever since the megastar's shocking, on-air confession last week.

As the Limbaugh saga continues, here's an important question for Americans to ask, Libertarians say: Why are all the drug warriors suddenly so silent?

"Republican and Democratic politicians have written laws that have condemned more than 400,000 Americans to prison for committing the same 'crime' as Rush Limbaugh," Seehusen pointed out. "If this pill-popping pontificator deserves a get-out-of-jail-free card, these drug warriors had better explain why."

Given their longstanding support for the Drug War, it's fair to ask:

Why haven't President George Bush or his tough-on-crime attorney general, John Ashcroft, uttered a word criticizing Limbaugh's law-breaking?

Why aren't drug czar John P. Walters or his predecessor, Barry McCaffrey, lambasting Limbaugh as a menace to society and a threat to "our children?"

Why aren't federal DEA agents storming Limbaugh's $30 million Florida mansion in a frantic search for criminal evidence?

Why haven't federal, state, and local police agencies seized the celebrity's homes and luxury cars under asset-forfeiture laws?

Finally, why aren't bloviating blabbermouths like William Bennett publicly explaining how America would be better off if Limbaugh were prosecuted, locked in a steel cage and forced to abandon his wife, his friends, and his career?

The answer is obvious, Seehusen said: "America's drug warriors are shameless hypocrites who believe in one standard of justice for ordinary Americans and another for themselves, their families and their political allies.

"That alone should completely discredit them."

But there's an even more disturbing possibility, Seehusen said: that the people who are prosecuting the Drug War don't even believe in its central premise -- which is that public safety requires that drug users be jailed.

"The Bushes and Ashcrofts and McCaffreys of the world may believe, correctly, that individuals fighting a drug addiction deserve medical, not criminal treatment," he said. "That would explain why they're not demanding that Limbaugh be jailed.

"But if that's the case, these politicians have spent decades tearing apart American families for their own political gain. And that's an unforgivable crime."

[noprob]

He wasn't hurting anyone by being an idiot... Hell he may have grown out of it and become a productive member of society... Now we'll be taking care of him for the rest of his life, while he sits in jail learning how to tie our courts up with bogus alwsuits and claims.

That's about all you learn in jail, how to get away with crime..

[Protagoras]

I don't know, I think Rush supporters have got it right on this one. I always say, "Do what you want, just don't get caught!"

They are saying something different. They are saying if you can't prove it, it never happened.

Unsolved murder victims are still alive I guess.

[LouD]

So you are saying he didn't do it? Or just that you don't know about the evidence they have. Including witness testimony. It will be fun to watch you hypocrites change your story as this one unfolds.

Neither - Just that it is premature to claim a double standard in his case, when we don't even know if a case exists. Did he break the law? He says he did. Does that automatically mean he will be charged? Not unless the state has compelling evidence that he has broken the law.

They don't just up and charge someone because they read a story in the Enquirer. Once the story broke, I assume that any physical evidence was long gone, so searching his house probably would not have resulted in much. Moreover, in this country, you can't get a search warrant based on an Enquirer article - So they would need probable cause. Without both physical evidence and witnesses, they will likely not be able to successfully prosecute a case against him.

[Protagoras]

Don't post your picture on the internet, it's unwise.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Well Joe, you've tried that same post on several threads now and didn't find anyone who wants to play ball with you.

That's what happen when their hypocrisy comes to bat and strikes out......It's easy to fan um when their teams are so lousy....

[CWOJackson]

Then perhaps you should try a new bat...you sure aren't hitting many with your current one.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Heads up, not heads in sand......

[hosepipe]

One those things that makes you go Hmmmmmm.
Does anyone get the feeling that "drugs" are WAY more important to Libertarians than "TREASON" ..... and sedition which they may not even recogize as crimes....

[k2blader]

Please read the entire post.

"Where's the evidence" was in reference to the claims that folks who illegally use prescription pain meds are jailed as "equally" as folks who illegally use pot, cocaine, heroin, etc.

And I'm not saying such evidence doesn't exist--just that I haven't seen it yet and would like to. Would you have any?

Re. Rush's guilt or innocence in terms of illegal activity, you can put me down as a solid "I don't know".

[Protagoras]

I don't care if they even charge him much less convict him. As far as I'm concerned his stupid behavior has no effect on my rights.

But he either did it or he didn't, it has nothing to do with the law. A concept lost on many apologist two face warriors here.

[Petronski]

You should ship the instructions to the Libertarian party, they might like it.

[Cold Heat]

Mr. Towelie says:

"Don't forget your towel!"

[Wolfie]

There is no ongoing war against Schedule II drugs.

Somebody better tell all those folks arrested for cocaine possession.

[Protagoras]

Re. Rush's guilt or innocence in terms of illegal activity, you can put me down as a solid "I don't know".

Or alternately as in denial. He has admitted to being addicted. A smidgeon of imagination might make you wonder if he just forgot to mention on air that he obtained all the drugs legally under prescription.

[LouD]

Not two faced at all. Let me state, unequivocally, that what Rush did was wrong. However, that does not make other users of illegal drugs (or abusers of legal drugs, for that matter) right.

I've seen the effects of drugs on people, families, and careers, and less of that is better, believe me.

[Mannaggia l'America]

The Bushes and Ashcrofts and McCaffreys of the world may believe, correctly, that individuals fighting a drug addiction deserve medical, not criminal treatment," he said. "That would explain why they're not demanding that Limbaugh be jailed.

If Rush could have been obtaining those prescription drugs legally at the level he was taking them, would he have any incentive to seek treatment at the time he did?

There's not a dime's bit of difference between the Libertarians and the Democrats....

[Mr. Bird]

Excuse me, schedule III. Although I don't think the white stuff in a baggie is something the feds consider even remotely medicinal. I had topical cocaine used (in my nose, in fact!) and that stuff was potent. Basically numbed my whole damned face.

[Protagoras]

I've seen the effects of drugs on people, families, and careers, and less of that is better, believe me.

Then the only thing we disagree on is how to lessen it. And whether it's worth giving up my rights to keep your friends from screwing themselves up.

[noprob]

There's not a dime's bit of difference between the Libertarians and the Democrats....

That is completly wrong... LP members want less government, that is all. Were sick of being treated like children who can't save money, who can't stay off drugs on their own.. I am sick of both parties blowing my hard owned dollars on idiotic programs that don't work.. that's all...

[Wolfie]

OxyContin (oxycodone) and Cocaine are both Schedule II drugs. So is Vicodin (hyrocodone).