Rush And Chong

Sierra Times ^ | Oct. 17, 2003 | Emiliano Antunez

[Wolfie]

Rush and Chong

Within a month's time, drug war supporter and conservatives’ conservative Rush Limabugh fesses up (only after being outed by a tabloid) about his addiction to prescription pain killers and 70s pothead icon Tommy Chong (the other half of Cheech and Chong) is sentenced to nine months in prison, not for possession of the evil weed, not for distribution of the enticing white powder, but for selling “paraphernalia.” America has definitely reached the boiling point of hypocrisy in its useless drug war.

Rush Limbaugh in his brief public admission to his addiction attempted to veil it with an excuse. Rush, claims that pain caused by an unsuccessful surgery drove him to addiction. This may be true, but coming from a person who has mocked others drug problems and even publicly supported their incarceration, his actions deserve more scrutiny.

Mr. Limbaugh has made a comfortable living from his radio talent, and he has used his bully pulpit to espouse and spread his views. His public views on illegal drug use are well known, and since he has profited from making his views public he now owes the public an “honest” explanation. There are many question yet unanswered; how can a public figure call for the incarceration of drug users, while privately consuming drugs illicitly himself? Will Mr. Limbaugh’s public stand on the War on drugs differ when he returns or will he simply try to explain away his actions (like a liberal)?

The cat is out of the proverbial bag, many Americans have known for years that the war on drugs is not about drugs. This drug war is a war by our own government on its own citizens, it has made mince meat of the fourth amendment, it has shredded the second amendment, it has given the government the power to peak into our finances, it has run rough shod over private property rights, it has turned our inner cities into war zones, it has turned non violent youths into criminals and in the process ruined countless lives.

Though most Americans hope that Mr. Limbaugh recovers from his addiction, many others also hope more importantly that he recovers from his duplicity. Will drug warriors blindly continue to support this defenseless war? Will they simply consider Rush more human and more worthy of forgiveness than a poor man busted for buying crack? Maybe the rules aren’t the same for everyone? Bush, Gore and Clinton all admitted to what were considered for them youthful “indiscretions”, but for the not so connected folks these are not youthful “indiscretions” but “crimes”, plain and simple.

Mr. Chong’s plight should concern all of us. He was convicted of selling “drug paraphernalia”, more specifically decorative pipes. Though one would suspect that most folks buying colorful; pipes from self professed “head” Tommy Chong to be packing them with marijuana and other illicit substances, Mr. Chong was not providing the pot nor was he packing their bowls with goodies. What constitutes “paraphernalia”? Today even glow sticks, bottled water and lollipops can be considered drug “paraphernalia.” What will be next: orange juice and baking soda?

We can only hope that these recent events will shed a light on all the stupidity and grief the drug war has caused. No one knows for sure whether Rush will quit his prescription pain killers after his rehab or if Tommy Chong will swear off the evil weed after his stint in the poky, but if our government doesn’t quit cold turkey on its drug war thousands upon thousands of innocent Americans will continue to suffer needlesly for many years to come.

[duckln]

Etu Brutus

[proud American in Canada]

"Hypocritical, you mean Like Rush getting on the WOD Bully pulpit, Preaching against drug users, and how they should be sent to jail, all the while he was using illegal drugs."


This is incorrect. The only statement against drug use of Rush's that people can come up with was from 1995. he had his back surgery and became addicted to a legal prescription medication after that. So no, "he wasn't on the WOD bully pulpit" while he was using a legal drug, a drug that at some point he may or may not have been obtained illegally (i.e. without a prescription).

[proud American in Canada]

"Rush was not a prescription drug addict"

He was at the beginning--he was prescribed pain meds after his surgery. At some point, we don't know when, he may have had to resort to obtaining that medication illegally.

[caspera]

Finally, his claim of constant pain is hardly consistent with his golf game.

Logic would suggest that he was taking the drugs in part so that he could do things like play golf without pain.

[StriperSniper]

what's the deal with orange juice and baking soda?

Baking soda is used to 'cook' cocaine to make it into a smokeable rock form. The only thing I can think aboout the OJ is that you can make a screwdriver with it. ;-)

[Spyder]

they should all just relax and listen to the old "Dave's not here" routine for hours with some good friends.

Love it!

Alternatively, we could strap them into a chair a la Malcolm McDowell in Clockwork Orange and alternate Cheech and Chong bits and movies and Rush blurbs with the Warriors-on-Drugs movies such as Reefer Madness. How long before they come around and realize perhaps the occasional joint or pain pill isn't as stifling to creativity as they believe it is.

As long as a 12yo ghetto child can make the money for his gold chains and Nikes by selling drugs and recruiting other 12-year-olds into the habit, the WoD will go on in perpetuity.

I remember reading a novel once where a President determined to end the WoD. As I recall, eventually he was targeted for assassination by I forget how many groups (legal warriors on drugs as well as the opposition) as it would mean an end to their profit line.

[Dane]

I remember reading a novel once where a President determined to end the WoD. As I recall, eventually he was targeted for assassination by I forget how many groups (legal warriors on drugs as well as the opposition) as it would mean an end to their profit line

No doubt on the LP bestsellers list, which would translate to about what? A 100 copies or so.

Also JMO, Spydie, but not mentioning the name of the "novel" only perpetutes the "myth"(so assailed by the pot lobby on FR) that pot smokers are at a loss in the short term memory dept.

But you just keep on posting, you only prove the point more.

[gcruse]

While I agree with his sentiments, this misspelled swamp of poor grammar undercuts the author's efforts. Does Sierra Times employ editors?

[Dane]

This is incorrect. The only statement against drug use of Rush's that people can come up with was from 1995. he had his back surgery and became addicted to a legal prescription medication after that. So no, "he wasn't on the WOD bully pulpit" while he was using a legal drug, a drug that at some point he may or may not have been obtained illegally (i.e. without a prescription).

The Libertarians on FR are parrotting a Hillary worshipper(Ellis Hennican). He writes, IIRC, for the NY Daily News and is a Clintonite, also I have seen and heard him on Fox News and after hearing his natural speaking tone, most people libs, Pubs, demos etc. etc. would rather listen to nails being scratched along a blackboard, IMO.

[Dane]

Does Sierra Times employ editors?

Put your resume in. But that may get in the way of the knee jerk rants the Sierra Times seems so fond of.

[mrsmith]

It's a tough problem for society. Can't pretend drug use is hamless, can't pretend enforcement is either.
But not much can be learned from Rush's experience IMO.
Maybe just that medical narcotic use should be more closely monitored by physicians (not police- physicians).

"Open the pod bay doors, HAL"
"Who is it?"
"It's me! Dave!"
"Who?"
"Dave!! C'mon! Open the pod bay door!"
"Dave's not here."

-Cheech and Kubrick

[Dane]

Maybe just that medical narcotic use should be more closely monitored by physicians (not police- physicians)

Very true, but it seems that the AMA is very leery of policing their own, such as physicians who hand out oxycontin prescriptions like candy to get a kickback and don't care about spreading oxycontin addiction all around society, while hurting those people who are in general physical pain in the process, with their abuse of the prescription process.

[budwiesest]

Can't pretend drug use is hamless, can't pretend enforcement is either.

We'll all see just how harmless enforcement is if Rush is hauled off in a jumpsuit wearing handcuffs.

[AppyPappy]

You druggies are humorless. Ya'll need to take a bong hit and relax.

[mrsmith]

I was thinking along the lines of including a subsequent mandatory drug test as part of a narcotic prescription- not repealing any current laws

It would increase the cost and mean more work for the doctor of course. And would have to have an enforcement mechanism...

[Dane]

I think that depends on their politics.

And I think that deciding who should go to jail on a basis of their politics and wordly connections is hypocritical, ungodly, immoral and sinful.

Which is just one more reason I despise the wasteful, unconstitutional 'war' on drugs.

Huh I guess the fact that Rush didn't rob or do any other violent crime just zooms over your head.

Get back to me, when the National Enquirer posts the story about Rush beating up the grandmother living down his street, to get money for oxycontin.

No doubt you will post it as the God's honest truth, IMO.

[Dane]

Oh BTW, Big Midget(JMO, but the word "Mental" should be between "Big" and "Midget" in your screen name on FR).

Rush hasn't had the good life all his life, you do know that he had to declare bankruptcy, and was fired from radio 6 or 7 times, and how many times has Rush been charged with a violent crime during his lean years? 0, nada.

Of course you knew that, but didn't want to "report" that in your reply #56. That would get in the way of your knee jerk Libertarian drugs uber alles ideology.

[Dane]

Of course you knew that, but didn't want to "report" that in your reply #56. That would get in the way of your knee jerk Libertarian drugs uber alles ideology

Also Wolfie's, IMO.

[Americalover]

"Finally, his claim of constant pain is hardly consistent with his golf game."

"Logic would suggest that he was taking the drugs in part so that he could do things like play golf without pain."

Logic would suggest that he work within the law to control his pain. Think about what you are suggesting, that Rush violated Federal Law so he could play golf? Where is the personal responsibility there?

I’m just not biting. If Rush comes clean and does the truly courageous thing, which is be totally honest with the authorities and not hide behind Roy Black then I will have more respect for him than all of you combined. If he blames ANYTHING external from himself for his predicament then he has permanently lost my respect.