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."

[jmc813]

That isn't the GOP driving them away...that is the LP driving them away.

I understand that. My point is if some of those turned off people end up in the GOP, therefore increasing the voice of the RLC Republicans, I think it's great.

[tpaine]

You also supported DITHF, - didn't you?

[jmc813]

You also supported DITHF, - didn't you?

What's DITHF?

[CWOJackson]

Ah...I'm with you now. (Quick, more Columbian.)

I can't say that's a bad thing and the ones they are driving away are those who tend to be far less wrapped up with the single issue.

[Protagoras]

There is no credible evidence (as of this moment) that he used a substance illegally.

So you are saying he obtained the substance legally? It's so much fun to go circular with you folks. LOL

[Protagoras]

tagline: (Hating Democrats doesn't make you a conservative) May I borrow that?

Sure, with attribution on an annual basis. :^}

It's the second one that I have written that has been taken up by others.

[tpaine]

'Deep in the Hurtigan Forest' was a stateside army medic who posed as being a highly decorated combat team leader serving overseas back in '98.

He and his toadies at FR had people sending care packages to deeps 'troops'.
There are a lot of very convincing phonies on the web, walter..

[Protagoras]

"Further more, I apologize to k2blader, kidd and other Freepers that I've insulted while attempting to make this implication"

Your delusions run very deep. LOL

I only apologise for a wrong done. That didn't happen. Anyone who takes your positions insults themselves.

If you can state this, I'll drop it.

Why would I care if you drop it. It's fun watching the contortions.

[noprob]

Private programs only work where there is private interest...and that isn't universal.

Yes, but at least only those that do think it is a problem will be paying for it, not people who don't beleive it's a problem...

[noprob]

You're in luck. There is a group that does all of that. Try the Constitution Party. To them, the drug issue is a states issue, not a federal issue. Thus there is little focus on drugs on the national platform.

I like them too!!

[biblewonk]

Why does this need a barf alert?

[jmc813]

This is the first I've ever heard of the dude.

[biblewonk]

I agree with everything you are saying.

[bassmaner]

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?

Exactly my thoughts yesterday when I heard ol' High-Rollin' Bill on Sean Hannity's radio show spewing the same tired old drug warrior crap about how dangerous MJ is. And absolutely no comments about El Rushbo's situation, of course.

With that said, I send best wishes to Rush for a speedy recovery. Unlike many Americans who do not share his fame and fortune, he probably won't have to serve jail time even if he is prosecuted. Hopefully this will be a step towards opening his eyes (and the ears of his 20 million listeners) to the dangers that the War on Drugs poses to lives and liberties of all Americans, not just "maggot-infested, dope smoking FM types".

[CWOJackson]

"Yes, but at least only those that do think it is a problem will be paying for it, not people who don't beleive it's a problem..."

It doesn't work that way because your problem can bleed over into my community and become my problem.

[tpaine]

Hmmm, thats right, -- I get confused because you know all the players here so well -- yet you've only been here for 18 months or so..

Maybe 'sharky' could jog your memory. Lets see if his persona can be recalled..

[sr4402]

Let's see, libertarian: Give up on war on drugs, abortion on demand, homoxual nation, sex with children, everyone for himself. Hmm.. not a pretty sight. Glad our founding fathers, thought up a representative goverment and some founding principals or we would have been there long ago.

[CWOJackson]

I once saw a debate at Pacific Lutheran University where a libertarian society was developed using a similar model as Plato's Republic.

As the society developed it got more and more difficult to sustain unless the participants went to ludicrous levels.

[headsonpikes]

The founding fathers were fine, in their time, but...they HAD no concept of 2003.

I thought the 'living Constitution' crowd hung out at DU.

I guess Pubbie socialists have to land somewhere...have you tried countryclubnannies.com?

[CWOJackson]

Naw, I value reality too much. You might try it sometime...and you might even be able to learn how to make the time stop flashing.