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."

[Bob J]

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[BobS]

So what are you're REAL LIFE experiences?

[CWOJackson]

Hi Luis.

Oops, almost forgot this was an LP press release thread.

High Luis?

[Luis Gonzalez]

No one is jailed for becoming addicted to a drug.

They are jailed for purchasing, possesing, or selling illegal, controlled, or restricted substances in violation of the law.

[CWOJackson]

Maybe the LP could team up with Moore for his next movie, "Bowling for Limbaugh".

[Luis Gonzalez]

Not anymore.

Been clean for years now.

It works if you work it.

[CWOJackson]

Ah, but the LP'ers believe Limbaugh should go to jail because he confessed to being addicted, and by logical extension (yes, I know, logical and LP don't go well together) he obviously broke the law getting his drugs...AND the National Enquirer says he broke the law.

Now that is a pretty open and shut case for many of them.

[nsmart]

I'm a grandmother who has never tried homo sexual sex or illegal drugs. I'm also a libertarian and do not believe in meddling in what others decide to ingest. Tagging libertarians as druggies is desperation.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"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."

Nausea from pregnancy is temporary. Nausea from cancer, Leukemia, and other terminal diseases isn't.

[Luis Gonzalez]

He confessed to being addicted after being outted as having illegally purchased drugs. One can't admit to using illegal drugs and be "not guilty" of at least possession.

The Police investigation is ongoing in Palm Beach County.

If anything comes of it, we will not hear about it (if we hear about it at all) until Rush gets out of treatment.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I'm a grandmother who has never tried homo sexual sex or illegal drugs."

Well dear, don't despair...it's never too late.

;-)

[CWOJackson]

Psssst. I hate to point this out to you grandmother, but the LP press release is all about attempting to justify the legalization of drugs because Limbaugh has admitted to being addicted to pain killers. With the exception of one brief and partial expression of sympathy for Mr. Limbaugh, the posts by LP'ers on this thread have been about dope.

You don't think that would influence the opinion of readers do you?

[CWOJackson]

Any prosecution would hinge of actual evidence though. If they have any and prosecute him, given his prior record and a first offense, it probably would be limited to probation and community service.

[ellery]

A quick google turned up these two recent references from Florida -- this, from by no means a comprehensive search.

In addition, Sheriff’s detectives arrest 28 St. Lucie County residents on prescription fraud, “doctorshopping” and other drug-related offenses.
http://www.stluciesheriff.com/annual-report/2001/ar_2001_11-15.pdf

In July, 24 people were arrested as part of a drug sting in St. Lucie County, where law enforcement and pharmacies cooperated to disrupt an informal distribution network. Most of the 24 who were arrested were once legitimately ill or disabled and living off Social Security or veteran’s benefits that enabled them to get prescriptions
FDLE Office of Statewide Intelligence Prescription Drug Abuse – August 2001
http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:NiC8jgWB6LcJ:www.fdle.state.fl.us/OSI/CrimeBriefs/RxAbuse.pdf+oxycontin+arrest+statistics&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[BobS]

Rush will be back stronger than ever. He just got himself into an insidious habit that seemed normal in his own time. There are other cures for pain. Acupuncture works extremely well with others I've known. At least the Chinese had 3000 years to develop it. My gal says she's going in for a hormonal imbalance. I told her I would like to be a silent observer for her next treatment. I will ask questions later on, in another room. I'm interested. I have pain of my own.

Rush will come ROARING back. We all know his personality. He's a doer! Once those toxics are out of his body and his mind gets used to his body, he'll probably be even more lethal than he ever was to liberals! Just watch!

[nsmart]

Rush may NEVER be back.. Not to his show

[CWOJackson]

I agree that he is a remarkable person who seems very capable of facing challenges, and I do hope he gets the help he needs...but I'm not sure whether I want him to come back or not.

I was struck by something someone else said on another thread. Limbaugh has been living a very active life, one that probably left little time for him to just relax and spend real quality time with his family. It appears his wife didn't even know about his trouble.

Maybe this whole thing will give him a different perspective on life. He might use this as an opportunity to perhaps take his life in a new direction. I would not be disappointed if he dropped the radio show and actually spend some serious time writing...but something a little deeper. And also spent more time for himself and his family.

But I seriously doubt he's going to come out of this as the national spokesman for the LP. Not after he sees their get well messages of love and concern.

[Ches]

Any prosecution would hinge of actual evidence though. If they have any and prosecute him, given his prior record and a first offense, it probably would be limited to probation and community service.

With a good lawyer I doubt he'd even get that. Of course, if he had to rely on a public defender they could easily plea bargain it down to six months in the Huber dorm, two years probation and a $10,000 fine. Everyone would be happy and walk away with a paycheck while the schlub in the Huber dorm had to pay the court costs. IMHO

[nsmart]

Part of this therapy is to break down the ego.. this will be a terrible experience for Rush.. Sadly. I don't envy him.

[tpaine]

Go bother someone else booby..