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."

[CWOJackson]

Their numbers do seem to be dwindling more and more by the day. Over the passed couple of days, as they have been USING Limbaughs problem to attempt to further their holy dope crusade, I've seen frequent posts where people have announced that they are through with the LP. I haven't seen anyone saying this has made them a convert.

I guess it's kind of back to the grizzly anology. They're getting pretty rare, but the best place to see them is at a garbage dump.

[nsmart]

Marijuana smoking does decrease nausia.. that is fact. Deal with it.

[nsmart]

Look, as a libertarian, I do not think it a crime to ingest what you want.. Limbaugh is a hypocrite.. He wanted all those crack heads jailed. Now, when it is him, he is a hero.. Sorry, not true. He is caught on his own pitard

[BobS]

" But is some dude smoking a doob on private property your business?"

Of course it is! If you're smoking it up next door to me I'll lock my doors! Because I know you'll get the munchies and get thirsty and I want to keep my food and beer in my fridge intact, for my own chosen exploits.

The last thing I want is some red-eyed monster on my front door looking for food and beer! LOL! At least plan for you're needs!

[rdb3]

Marijuana smoking does decrease nausia.. that is fact. Deal with it.

Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. That's not my point. So you can keep your smarmy attitude. I simply pointed out your logical fallacy.

[CWOJackson]

Look, as a Libertarian I'm glad you're taking such a low road to try and further your holy dope crusade. I want folks to see what you people are really about.

And I'm sure Michael Moore appreciates your support.

[tpaine]

There is a line between where other people's business becomes mine. Once that line is crossed, there will be problems.
362 -bob-

---

Are you aware that we drew that line long ago?
-- If you don't interfere with my life, liberty, & property, -- I won't with mess with yours.
-- Very roughly, thats our constitutional contract..

Can you agree?

[altura]

Your hero/friend/cause would have died anyway, probably from a condition he caused himself.

[BobS]

Don't mind me when I answer the druggies. Been there, done that 20 or so years ago. I have a clearance now!

[CWOJackson]

"Dear Rush, I resent your politics. If you've read my rants about you and your brethren Talk Radio Lords Of Loud you know I am a flaming liberal whose stomach ties in knots when listening to the El Rushbo Excellence in Broadcasting network. That said.... You go, Rush! I'm with you." [Steve Young, self professed liberal columnist for Jewish World Review]

"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." [Joe Seehusen, self-serving LP executive director]

[BobS]

NO! I don't want you're stoned friends on chopped Hogs around me any more. I own a shotgun.

[Born Conservative]

[CWOJackson]

You know, with the exception of gun ownership, the LP is starting to actually have far more in common with Michael Moore. They have the same position on dope, on the President, on the War Against Terrorism, on the Republican Party, on immigration, on abortion, on prostitution...

Can you think of any other differences beyond gun ownership?

[Spunky]

I just heard on our news tonight the police were called to a house in my town on a domestic issue.

They found 300 marijuana plants in the basement.

Poor guy, after beating up his wife his HAPPINESS was taken away from him. </ sarcasm off>

[yoswif]

What those supporting the WOD fail to realize is that the drug laws can be applied however those in power wish them applied. How many DEA agents do you think would be on this case if Gore had won Florida?

[CWOJackson]

Psssst. That would apply to every law.

[Spunky]

"Marijuana smoking does decrease nausia.. that is fact."

When I was pregnant with my first child I was puking my toes up. I was told to eat soda crackers and that would take care of it.

Guess what, it did.

[tpaine]

There is a line between where other people's business becomes mine. Once that line is crossed, there will be problems.
362 -bob-

---

Are you aware that we drew that line long ago?

-- If you don't interfere with my life, liberty, & property, -- I won't with mess with yours.
-- Very roughly, thats our constitutional contract..
Can you agree?
387 -tpaine-

---

BobS wrote: NO! I don't want you're stoned friends on chopped Hogs around me any more. I own a shotgun.

---

Sorry bobby, I thought you were making an adult comment for a change at #362..
You're dismissed.. Run along back to your juvenile games with jackson.

[BobS]

"Can you think of any other differences beyond gun ownership?"

Nope. In all the social issues they are liberal politically. It seems with them there are no absolutes, as in no guidance even from our own consciences. I don't know why they don't follow Gramsci and just meld into the RAT party and pull them around just like the unions, blacks, alienated Jews, homosexuals+, and other subgroups of decadence.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"If he was a lower middle class hispanic who did exactly the same thing he would have been jailed long ago."

Si.