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."

[Petronski]

Lies and false accusations are the tools of fools and those who cannot make an intelligent comment.

Tell that to the Doobertarian party spokesman.

[Protagoras]

Criminal charges are usually dependent on real evidence,

So you predict no charges? You are saying he didn't do it? Please remember that if so.

[LouD]

Rush uses drugs, my cousin uses drugs... SAME THING!!!

Nope. Your cousin uses drugs, after having twice been caught and convicted for using drugs. If he does it again, you're right - he is an idiot.

[M. Peach]

Is this supposed to be a parody?

[nadlo]

ditto

[1Old Pro]

So, how many folks here believe Rush Ted Kennedy should be sent to prison, if the allegations against him turn out to be true?

Add me to that list. There is no statute of limitations on manslaughter. And if Kennedy is too weak to admit his guilt he deserves the public to mock him as the coward he is.

[wimpycat]

That's ok; we do not value the respect of hypocrites...

Good! Then, if people who don't agree with your logic are hypocrites, and you don't value the respect of hypocrites, then you people will stop posting this sort of garbage in an effort to garner the support of hypocrites. Because, if you're not trying to enlist the support of hypocrites to your cause, you must be simply doing it to annoy hypocrites.

...Unless, of course, you don't mind the support of hypocrites, as long as they agree with you, which, of course, would make you a hypocrite.

[Moonman62]

What a great way to make your case. Post large, bandwidth-consuming, irrelevant graphics. That's a sure-fire way to get people on your side all right.

He doesn't need to get people on his side. It's the LP, which measures its support with zeroes to the right of decimal points, that needs to get people on its side.

[Trailerpark Badass]

You can't argue that all poisons should be legal because some already are. That's specious. Our country has been harmed enough by tobacco and alcohol - we don't need more poisons competing on the marketplace.

Arguing for utilitarianism as a guiding principle of governance is specious.

[Protagoras]

OOps, you just became a trafficker for drug accessories. Report to federal prison, your cell is right next to Choong's.

[CWOJackson]

You're on the right thread to beat your usual drum. The LP is in favor of completely open borders and unrestricted immigration.

[wimpycat]

Rush uses drugs, my cousin uses drugs... SAME THING!!!

How many back surgeries and/or herniated discs has your young cousin had?

[Tall_Texan]

So you're defending a self-described "idiot" who doesn't learn his lesson after the first two arrests? And yet you see nothing wrong with legalizing something that contributes to his idiocy?

Please explain.

[CWOJackson]

Barring real evidence, or Limbaugh waiving his Constitutional right against self incrimination, it would be very difficult to charge him with anything.

You do remember due process don't you?

[jerseygirl]

No stats here- just several observations. Initially, people are not jailed for being addicted to prescription pills; they are jailed for the behaviors they engaged in to obtain the pills (prescription forgery, calling in prescriptions pretending to be a health care worker, stealing medications at work, even doctor-shopping in some cases). Many prescription addicts have no criminal history For first offenses, if they are lucky, they tend to get probation.Then, if during that period of probaton they are tested and found to be using drugs or alcohol,a jail sentence may or may not be imposed

[Joe Hadenuf]

I don't give a damn what their for....

[CWOJackson]

Of course you don't...you're only concerned with your one issue. Sorry, it doesn't concern me today but if you keep surfing you might find a thread that entertains it.

[noprob]

He's now 19, we were all idiots then...

What will he be after spending 7 years in the pen? I hope he's still the good hearted kid I knew growing up, but I doubt it...

He will be completely different, it will be lucky if he makes it out alive.

I suppose you think this is justice!! Hey the Taliban used to cut 14 year old kids arms off for using opium...

Let's just cut there arms off, I think that will be more lasting and less damaging..

[Protagoras]

While President Bush stands in San Bernardino California today giving a speech about the borders in Iraq, fund raising for his reelection campaign.

There I edited for you. :^}

[Wolfie]

That's a nice one, but a tad pretentious. I'm more of a DIYer: