Posted on 10/16/2003 10:48:07 AM PDT by 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."
Uh, Jeff, when you mention Jim's name you could at least have the courtesy to "ping" Jim, which you did not in your reply #217. Also why did you feel so compelled to drag Jim into the arguement. He did not ask to be dragged into the arguement. If he is PO'ed at me, he would tell me himself.
JMO Jeff, but Jim is an adult and doesn't need Nanny Jeff(jmc813) to do his talking for him.
Yet you've selected a party which has placed dope policy at its vanguard.
Actually to be accurate the horse was never "shot". It dies of a heart attack, when Flounder shoots the gun(loaded with blanks) into the air.
Get your Animal House movie scenes correct, would ya.
No they don't, unfortunately that is the only issue that will get the press. Libertarians want true freedom for everyone. Libertarians don't attempt to tell a person what he can or can't do, so long as it doesn't hurt anyone.
To show any lurkers that y'alls argument that anti-WOD are liberal is bunk. No offense, but I feel a hell of a lot more comfortable siding with Jim on this than I would with you guys.
Crap, you're right. Considering I've seen AH about 50 times, I should have gotten that right. But you've gotta admit that Flounder was a liberdopian. Remember that one scene with the professor? "Can I buy some of that stuff from you?"
Sincerely, Nanny Jeff
Well if you are to take on it yourself to speak for Jim, why are you so afraid to ping Jim(which you didn't do again in your reply #226)?
Oh BTW, you do know that Jim has stated that he is against the total legalization of drugs?
Jim, I am sincerely sorry you got dragged into this, but Jeff(jmc8130) is the one who is hiding behind you and that started with jmc813's reply #217.
I can speak for myself, it seems that jmc813 can't.
If he chooses, he can explain why he thinks marijuana is more dangerous than the pain killers he was using. Perhaps William F. Buckley, Jr. can shed some illumination on the subject as well. He has represented a more reasonable approach on the subject in the past.
I'll throw one in to stir things up.
Should Rush have access to medical marijuana for pain relief?
JMO, but the crybaby is the one who can't speak for himself(jmc813) and hides behind others.
"If Kitty Dukakis were raped and infected with AIDS, should voters be able to decide whether she should get medical marijuana ?"
What does El Rushbo say to this?
Thanks for clearing that up... I couldn't care less, your right!!
Because he's a busy guy who has made clear in the past that he doesn't like to get dragged into arguments to referee.
Oh BTW, you do know that Jim has stated that he is against the total legalization of drugs?
So am I. I agree with him that we should end the Federal WOD and let the states decide their own drug laws. While reasonable people would consider this a conservative position, there are many here that consider it a liberal/loserdopian position to dare criticize Czar Walters.
I can speak for myself. Ask me my position on anything.
Then why did you jmc813, drag Jim into the arguement(jmc813 reply #217 of this thread) in the first place.
Whew dude, JMO, drop the Clintonian language, it only digs you a deeper hole.
Uh dude your reply #217 of this thread betrays your above italicized passage.
To show people that yes, you can be a strong conservative and think the Federal Drug War stinks. I'm just an anonymous schmuck on a web site. Who cares what I think? Jim is well known as running the greatest site on the web. How is quoting someone you respect "dragging them into" something?
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