Skip to comments.
Rush Limbaugh Returns From Rehab (Some excerpts of the transcript from the show)
AP ^
| 11-17-03
Posted on 11/17/2003 2:02:28 PM PST by steppenwolffe
NEW YORK - In his first broadcast after undergoing rehab for addiction to painkillers, Rush Limbaugh reassured his radio listeners Monday that he hadn't been turned into a "linguini-spined liberal."
The conservative commentator exited last Wednesday from what he called "five intense weeks" of treatment for his addiction.
He told listeners that his ordeal would not affect his radio program. He said there was more about his experience that he wanted to tell but could not.
"I've not been phony here," he said. "I've not been artificial on the program. I was all of that elsewhere. I was all that other places, but not here. And all of this will reveal itself."
Limbaugh had not appeared on the air since Oct. 10, before going into a rehabilitation program in Arizona.
Limbaugh had said he started taking prescription painkillers when a doctor prescribed them following spinal surgery. Back pain stemming from the surgery persisted, Limbaugh said, so he kept taking pills and became hooked.
A law enforcement source in Palm Beach County, where Limbaugh owns a $24 million oceanfront mansion, said last week that Limbaugh's drug use is still under investigation by the state attorney's office.
In the past, Limbaugh had decried drug use and abuse on his bluntly conservative show, arguing that drug crimes deserve punishment.
On his broadcast Monday, Limbaugh denied he was guilty of any hypocrisy in his attitudes toward drug crimes.
"I was a drug addict from about 1996, 1995 or whatever, to just five weeks ago," he said. "The truth of the matter is I avoided the subject of drugs on this program for the precise reason that I was keeping a secret."
He called the experience of rehabilitation probably the most educational five weeks about himself that he had ever spent.
"I have to admit that I am powerless over this addiction that I have," he said. "I used to think I could beat it with force of will. I used to think that I would be different, but I'm not."
He profusely thanked his audience for standing by him and said he came to realize how important his program was to him.
Limbaugh, whose show reaches some 600 markets and about 20 million listeners a week, was broadcasting from a studio in Manhattan. The industry trade publication Talkers magazine predicted his audience was probably about three times its normal size for his return.
"He's slightly reinvented," said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers. "He's the same basic Rush that people have come to know very well, with a new element to it as an unknown that increases his value as a radio property."
Harrison said he was struck, in listening to Limbaugh's return, at how important the show seemed to him.
"With his will and his talent, that indicates he's going to be around for a long time," he said.
He remains a polarizing figure. A new Gallup poll conducted earlier this month found that 34 percent of Americans hold a favorable review of Limbaugh, while 51 percent view him unfavorably. The poll of 1,004 adults, conducted Nov. 10-12, found 35 percent of conservatives now have a negative view of Limbaugh.
Limbaugh gave up his job as an ESPN sports analyst Oct. 1, three days after saying on the sports network's "Sunday NFL Countdown" that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed. The drug allegations surfaced around the same time.
Since Limbaugh left the show, his spot has been filled by several guest hosts, including Tony Snow, Walter Williams and Matt Drudge.
Much of Limbaugh's bluster returned intact on Monday.
"I know the sky probably seems brighter to you no matter where you are," he said. "The air is cleaner, the water is purer, and it's not because of the environmentalist wackos. It's because I'm back, right?"
And after talking about his rehab, Limbaugh turned to a familiar subject - attacking Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: limbaugh; rush; welcomeback
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-56 next last
To: steppenwolffe
In the past, Limbaugh had decried drug use and abuse on his bluntly conservative show, arguing that drug crimes deserve punishment.
I'm still waiting for one of these critics to cite a date in the last five years where di did this - at which point I'll go pull the tape and POST a link to that particular program ...
2
posted on
11/17/2003 2:07:47 PM PST
by
_Jim
( <--- Rush speaks on gutless 'Liberalism' (RealAudio files))
To: steppenwolffe
Welcome back, old friend.
3
posted on
11/17/2003 2:09:10 PM PST
by
Imal
(It is better to go to war than to have it come to you.)
To: _Jim
I'm still waiting for one of these critics to cite a date in the last five years where di did this... You 'n me, both! I'm a fairly faithful listener. My job affords me the opportunity to listen to the bulk of his broadcast week. I can honesly say that I can't remember Rush speaking about drug laws, or their enforcement.
4
posted on
11/17/2003 2:11:31 PM PST
by
Tallguy
(I can't think of anything to say -- John Entwistle in "The Kids are Alright")
To: Tallguy
I notice that they presented some of those quotations without an ellipses indicating that they left out portions. Example: "I was a drug addict from about 1996, 1995 or whatever, to just five weeks ago," he said. Here he said something to the effect that "I am still and always will be an addict." "The truth of the matter is I avoided the subject of drugs on this program for the precise reason that I was keeping a secret."
5
posted on
11/17/2003 2:15:22 PM PST
by
Ingtar
(Understanding is a three-edged sword : your side, my side, and the truth in between ." -- Kosh)
To: steppenwolffe
<< I was a drug addict from about 1996, 1995 or whatever, to just five weeks ago .... >>
Translation, Mr Limbaugh: 'I AM [He IS, that is] a drug "addict."'
["Addict:" A word invented by those unable and/or unwilling and/or determined not to be responsible for their own actions -- and for the consequences of those "own-actions."
6
posted on
11/17/2003 2:17:17 PM PST
by
Brian Allen
( Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God - Thomas Jefferson)
To: Tallguy
My job affords me the opportunity to listen to the bulk of his broadcast week. I wore out the heads of a 3-motor 3-head Dokorder 7" reel-reel tape deck (in the earlier years) doing "tape-delayed replay" followed by the use of VHS recorders using the audio track only ...
7
posted on
11/17/2003 2:20:48 PM PST
by
_Jim
( <--- Rush speaks on gutless 'Liberalism' (RealAudio files))
To: steppenwolffe
And after talking about his rehab, Limbaugh turned to a familiar subject -
attacking Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy.HaHaHa!
8
posted on
11/17/2003 2:21:54 PM PST
by
rface
(Ashland, Missouri - Praying for Rush's and Marilyn's, and Kassia's recovery)
To: Brian Allen
I know that Limbaugh HAS and WILL continue to accept responsibility for his actions
9
posted on
11/17/2003 2:24:06 PM PST
by
rface
(Ashland, Missouri - Praying for Rush's and Marilyn's, and Kassia's recovery)
To: rface
The Maha Rushie hasn't been turned into a bleeding heart liberal by his rehab. Our enemies must be groaning with anguish! ;-)
10
posted on
11/17/2003 2:24:20 PM PST
by
goldstategop
(In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
To: steppenwolffe
He sounded confident & strong. I am sure that the criminal investigation that is "underway" has to wear on him.
So glad he is back & now is reflecting that it was worthwhile & hopefully a successful experience. He is a strong man & now is his test.
Thanks for thread Steppenwolffe
11
posted on
11/17/2003 2:28:35 PM PST
by
DollyCali
(Authenticity: To have arrived.)
To: steppenwolffe
Its great to have you back, Rush. We all support you and missed you while you were gone.
To: steppenwolffe
Is anyone else a bit concerned because there has not been one peep about Marta? That would be a real bummer. It sounded like when he got out of rehab he went to NY, not Florida or am I jumping to conclusions?
I didn't hear all 180 minutes of the show so if he did talk about her please, please tell me/us.
To: steppenwolffe; ConservativeMan55
ping
14
posted on
11/17/2003 2:35:52 PM PST
by
Lando Lincoln
(God Bless the arsenal of liberty.)
To: steppenwolffe
"With his will and his talent, that indicates he's going to be around for a long time," he said. Tom Daschle: "I am saddened. Deeply saddened."
15
posted on
11/17/2003 2:36:25 PM PST
by
Cobra64
(Babes should wear Bullet Bras - www.BulletBras.net)
To: steppenwolffe
Rush bump!
16
posted on
11/17/2003 2:37:42 PM PST
by
dixiechick2000
("A memo to all you liberals: The party's over. I'm back!!!"-----Rush Limbaugh)
To: steppenwolffe
Did he mention whether he still suffers from pain, and how he might deal with that in the future?
It won't be narcotic pain pills.
Or was it simply a case where he became addicted to the narcotics, and pain no longer was the driving force?
17
posted on
11/17/2003 2:44:37 PM PST
by
Dog Gone
To: Allen In So Cal
Is anyone else a bit concerned because there has not been one peep about Marta? yep
18
posted on
11/17/2003 2:50:29 PM PST
by
rface
(Ashland, Missouri - Praying for Rush's and Marilyn's, and Kassia's recovery)
To: Allen In So Cal
Is anyone else a bit concerned because there has not been one peep about Marta? It's been in the back of my mind for awhile now - and I don't recall him saying anything today ...
19
posted on
11/17/2003 2:58:38 PM PST
by
_Jim
( <--- Rush speaks on gutless 'Liberalism' (RealAudio files))
To: steppenwolffe
I wish he would have said more about "The Memo."
He had most likely the biggest non-Rush audience today than he ever has and Rocketfella needs to go.
However, I did enjoy the show today what I heard of it.
Welcome back Rush!!!
I love to hear other voices, but it's always good to have you home.
20
posted on
11/17/2003 3:06:38 PM PST
by
Only1choice____Freedom
(If everything you experienced, believed, lived was a lie, would you want to know the truth?)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-56 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson