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."
Actually, I am. You're wearing a gray shirt right now, right?
Oh well, this is to good to pass up, but how does it feel to be the "hypocrite" of the Libertarian creed of "rugged individualism" on FR.
Pretty good, I guess. I'm a good looking dude and chicks dig me. Could be worse I suppose.
I've gotta scoot and get home before Survivor comes on. Before I leave though, here's a litle something just for you...
"I'm in favor of ending the war on drugs at the federal level." - Jim Robinson, 05/03/2003
"if we didn't arrest so many drug users, maybe the prisons wouldn't be so full" - Jim Robinson, 8/27/2003
Because drinking is socially acceptible.. the question was which is easier to get?
Where were you on post #187 which said exactly the same about the WOD and drugs?
"The WOD is wasting too many resorces we need to devote to fighting terrorism, and costs society far more than legalized drugs would.
Costs more than legalized drugs would? What's that? Who says? But that statement goes unchallenged by you.
Why don't you try putting it back into practice then as part of the WOD?
Prohibition and the WOD are responsible for the general contempt in which a large part of the population hold the legal system.
Prohibition of alcohol and drugs are almost entirely responsible for organized crime in America, with all the evils it has brought.
People have a right to destroy their lives without a Nanny State getting in their way.
So9
I can find plenty of "nutballs" in any party. I'm going with the one's who are closest to my mind set. I'm tired of seeing all of our money absolutely wasted by these pretentious lawyers, acting like they are doing good for the people, while only looking out for there political gains...
I could possibly swing back to the republican side, if they would run businessmen, they just keep running lawyers.. A true business man wouldn't let his company money be wasted by idiots...
I've gotta scoot and get home before Survivor comes on. Before I leave though, here's a litle something just for you..
Interesting that you "scooted" home so fast without providing links in your reply #281.
But why should I be surprised. It seems that "Survivor" rules your life.
JMO, and you can call me any name you like, but your life seems extremely vapid.
Exactly my point. Teen marijuana use would increase if it were legalized because it be would socially acceptable for adults.
To answer your question: Teens say marijuana is easier to obtain.
You're comparing the cost of Prohibition (which lasted for what, about 13 years?) to the cost of alcohol abuse for, I guess all of recorded history. You may be able to convice yourself that this is sound reasoning, but I doubt anyone else here will buy that crap.
That toothpaste is out of the tube. Instead, why don't we learn by it?
This Rush Limbaugh situation should be a clarion call to all you junkies who can't face a morning without some little white pills. Here's a concept -live without a crutch - stop whining.
Mr. Limbaugh, I had a back injury and it hurt, too. I kept going and stayed active. I didn't have surgery and I didn't take pills. My back still hurts sometimes but I have a physically demanding job and I do my job every day. Toughen up. Flush the painkillers, for God's sake!
When did they gain any ? if it was left up to them we would have 10 times the dopers we have now and fifty times the special interest in government screaming for more of OUR money.To buy free drugs to make more dopers
And, IMHO, they wrote and ratified a pretty respectable Constitution.
I'm saying, in my opinion, the annual cost of Prohibition was less than the annual cost of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, rehab, detox, lost wages, hospitalization, etc. We can also compare annual deaths due to Prohibition vs. annual deaths due to alcohol, including DWI deaths.
You can't tell me that someone strung out on speed that's been up for four days straight is as safe as your average stoner.
If they do something that harms another individual, lock em up, otherwise what harm are they causing society? We can't throw someone in jail because they might hurt someone.
I'm afraid that if Rush kicks the addiction, he's still got the back pain to deal with and that is going to make things difficult right there.
Your right, Rush may need drugs for pain, maybe he needs them to relax. I really don't care what reason he or anyone else has for using drugs, it's their business, not mine.
Newsflash, Libertarians don't accept ANY special interest, we don't want your money. All a true Libertarian wants is control of their own life.
I'm presonally sick of 47% of my money going to some form of government in taxes, most of which I don't appreciate having to support.
What would you spend the other 47% of your paycheck on? Send your kids to private school, would you spend it to educate kids to the dangers of drugs? Would you save it for retirement? My point is, I want to control where my money goes.. I don't like how they are wasting it on BIG GOVERNMENT programs that do absolutely no good.
At least with a Libertarian society, you could spend some of the 47% more money in your pocket on programs that could teach kids the dangers of drug use...
Besides no one knows if it would go up at any faster rate than it currently is.
Now it's opinion, eh? A little while ago it was unassailable fact. Does "veracity" have any meaning or value to you at all?
I'd be very interested in the answer to that question, along with the answer to this one: should the law be changed to make sure people who illegally procure and use prescription drugs to which they first got addicted b/c of medical need cannot be sentenced to prison?
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