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."

[tpaine]

Sue?
Whatinhelyoutalkinabout? -- Goofy..

[BlazingArizona]

People don't like it when a person is on the ground, begging forgiveness, and someone is kicking them in the groin and that is exactly what the Libertarians on FR are doing to Rush.

This Libertarian (and yes, that's big-L) is not interested in reaming Rush. I wish him a speedy recovery, and a return to broadcasting. I like his show. To me this whole affair is an object lesson in how the WOD threatens us all. Obviously Rush went public with his confession because he was "contacted" by Florida law enforcement and given notice that an "investigation" was underway.

I'm sure that someone of his intellect has wasted no time in acquainting himself with some of those cases in which those who crossed the drug warriors have lost everything. I know one of these people myself. Now Rush has found that he could be one of them.

[CWOJackson]

No, that would be Harry Browne but I believe Disney already has a copyright on that name.

[tpaine]

I started saving their press releases following 9/11.

Three years ago the LP made some fairly modest gains in our area by setting up information tables outside of a couple of Walmarts.

Next time, some of their press releases will be printed and distributed next to those tables.
-cwo-

---

You need some professional help jackson.. You obsession is getting serious.

[Mr. Mojo]

Gotta get me some popcorn for this one...

Brownies for me .....cooked with a special butter.

[CWOJackson]

Yes, I am serious.

[tpaine]

Harry Browne?

Whatinhelyoutalkinabout? -- You're getting more goofy by the minute.

[nsmart]

Way to go! Rush may never return to the air. Ever thought of that?

[CWOJackson]

"You're getting more goofy by the minute."

There you go again, confusing me for Harry Browne.

[ellery]

There are first-time non-violent drug offenders convicted of possession only in federal prison.

[tpaine]

Do you really see ~libertarianism~ as 'evil'? Or is it the LP?

[Mr. Mojo]

behave like a pack of unkept jackels pushing their dope agenda.

Actually, it's a "mind your own business" agenda. .....and one I agree with.

[nsmart]

http://www.november.org/razorwire/rzold/10/1008.html Read this one.. typical trade off .. one set of laws for the elite .. another for the peons. Rush is elite.. so probably no charges.. sadly.

[nsmart]

http://www.november.org/razorwire/rzold/10/1008.html Some never caught with drugs or money are in for life.. Figure that one out.

[CWOJackson]

Interestingly enough, a liberal commentator for the Jewish World Review did a piece on this today. He admitted right up front that he opposed Limbaughs politics but in this ordeal he was pulling for him all the way. Class act.

Compare that with these people who call themselves conservative. We get to post 342 before an LP'er expresses quick sympathy for Limbaugh then quickly get's back onto the dope theme.

[CWOJackson]

I have not doubt you agree with it. Keep up the solid work.

[BobS]

This is pretty sick of Libertarians, who can't distinguish between pain and crack-heads. There is a large difference between real pain and kicks. I know. This is the position of the LP? Bad, narcissistic people. Kick them to the curb, preferably on Skid Row in L.A.

[CWOJackson]

They are behaving like the trailor trash of American politics.

[BobS]

No compassion for the human condition at all, either. Just a sterile definition of politics. Pretty sick, once you think about it.

[Mr. Mojo]

And you, conversely, support the "sticking your nose into other people's business" agenda. Very un-American. And those types of people usually meet a grizzly fate.