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."

[Moby Grape]

Ambulance chasing blowhards...The LP shows EXHIBIT # 2304 as evidence of why their membership will only fill the top floor of a phone booth.

[noprob]

What would it hurt, if there were no social programs for them to be coming to sponge up?

[space cadet]

400,000 Americans are not in prison for abusing presrcibed pain medicines or getting such pain medicines through the black market.

That's true. Many of them are in prison for possession of drugs less dangerous and less addictive.

[LouD]

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

Yes, but some of us have grown up in the interim. Idiot though I was, however, I would have had sense enough to not strike out three times.

What will he be after spending 7 years in the pen?

If he doesn't want to find out, all he has to do is not get stoned. I've gone 20+ years without getting stoned. It's not that hard, really.

[Petronski]

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

Ooooh. I's skeered.

[Joe Hadenuf]

I>Thank you for posting this. In case some folks weren't sure of the LP's priorities.

That's a real belly laugh.

While President Bush stands in San Bernardino California today giving a speech about the borders in Iraq, while San Berdo, (a major city) has been completely over run by people in our country illegally.

It's like going to a brutal hurricane disaster zone in America and talking about earthquake relief for Outer Mongolia.

Want to throw more Americans in jail for drugs? While our so-called leaders pander to millions of illegal aliens? Yeah, lets build more prisons for Americans while millions flood into our country illegally, while our so-called leaders stand winking and nodding.

You talk about priorities? LOL!

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

Unlike you, I am not a cheerleader for any party. I could care less. Between the dems and repubs, there is hardly any hypocrisy left to go around.

[Protagoras]

Barring real evidence

So you are saying he didn't do it? Or just that you don't know about the evidence they have. Including witness testimony. It will be fun to watch you hypocrites change your story as this one unfolds.

[steve50]

400,000 Americans are not in prison for abusing presrcibed pain medicines or getting such pain medicines through the black market. This drips with disingenuity.

Without a prescription they are not "prescribed" and thousands of people are in jail for obtaining them on the black market. Says alot about our drug warriors that they chose not to raid Rush to find the evidence of illegal possession of distribution quantity. The laws are for the peons, not the connected.

[CWOJackson]

Well Joe, you've tried that same post on several threads now and didn't find anyone who wants to play ball with you. Keep surfing and maybe you'll find someone. As for me, I prefer a tune with more then one note.

[k2blader]

Rush wasn't doing pot. So far he also hasn't been charged with doing anything illegal.

It seems the LP is saying folks who illegally use prescription pain meds are jailed as "equally" as folks who illegally use pot, cocaine, heroin, etc. But where's the evidence?

[Protagoras]

Ooooh. I's skeered.

Probably too high to be scared. The fact is, you are the same as Tommy boy. 'Cept he ain't a liar.

[cwb]

Hey...I'm a hypocrite. I take a legally prescribed narcotic for my pain and I still don't think they should be legalized. The potential for abuse and even death is very high. Until I hear details of when Rush developed his problems...and exactly at what time frame he made his anti-drug rants relative to this problem, I will with hold judgement.

I do find this is an interesting quote, however:

""But if that's the case, these politicians have spent decades tearing apart American families for their own political gain.""

That's interesting...because from what I've seen, it has been the abuser and addict who has torn apart his own family. From statistics that O'Reilly presented, 70+% of those involved in child-abuse and domestic violence, were those under the influence or addicts. I have a freind's father who is now in rehab for the X-time and his family has suffered through his lies and abuse for years. The final straw was when my buddies daughter walked in on grandpa with a needle sticking out of his arm. And even this hard-core addict, that I've talked to, is against legalization precisely becasue he has seen how it's destroyed his life and family. Sure he's a hypocrite...but being a hypocrite doesn't neccessarily mean you are wrong, either.

[CWOJackson]

Yes, expecting you to understand how due process works is a reach...I'll try to remember next time.

[Wolfie]

I don't know, I think Rush supporters have got it right on this one. I always say, "Do what you want, just don't get caught!"

[Protagoras]

But where's the evidence?

So you are saying for the record he didn't do it?

[Vigilantcitizen]

Locator.

[Protagoras]

I understand due process. And I also understand it has nothing whatsoever to do with true guilt or innocence. You understand that concept? It's a reach, but try.

[Mr. Bird]

Drugs are drugs are drugs... Cigarettes and alcohol included

You're statement is either dishonest or ignorant. I have no interest in either advancing the drug war or letting Limbaugh off the hook for any hypocrisy he may be found to have engaged in. But the government makes very clear distinctions between drugs, and the efforts to fight their abuse.

There is a legal distinction between "hillbilly heroin" (a nickname now voiced with relish by the Left and, apparently, Libertarians) and the real thing. There is no ongoing war against Schedule II drugs. We have not dispatched Special Forces to Wilmington, Delaware to thwart the pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The relevance of Limbaugh's situation to the WOD is tangential at best. Claiming otherwise weakens your case. The case against the War on Drugs is a strong one without people throwing red herrings into it.

[CWOJackson]

You just proved you have no understanding of due process. Remain with the LP...they need more like you.

[Petronski]

Probably too high to be scared. The fact is, you are the same as Tommy boy. 'Cept he ain't a liar.

LOL You mean this guy?