[governsleastgovernsbest]

Let's try to imagine that instead of Rush, the person whose doctors records were being searched was one of the Today Show's liberal faves.

The liberal would be treated as a returning hero, a role model and an inspiration for millions of Americans. [By now he would undoubtedly have announced the formation of a charitable foundation, and the show would have broadcast the web page and phone number to help solicit donations.]

Any investigation of such a person would be cast as a McCarthyite witch hunt and attempted character assassination. The name of John Ashcroft and the dread Patriot Act would be darkly invoked.

Instead, Rush is described as facing "serious charges," and the fishing expedition against him described as a "specific subpoena."

The liberal spin machine never stops whirring.

[Skooz]

Excellent analysis. I agree completely.

[BluH2o]

Rushbo was a reassuring light in eight years of Clintonista darkness ... he's still the best spokesman for conservatives, head and shoulders above others that have emerged in recent years. However, if you do what Rush does for a living you had better be above reproach in your own personal life ... or enemies will find the chink in your armor and exploit it. That is exactly what is happening now ... for that Rush has no one else to blame but himself. It was incredible folly on his part to allow himself to be put in this situation. He will pay a steep price in credibility with his listening audience, he may never fully recover career wise.

[Let's Roll]

If I had Rush's resources, the Palm Beach County DA would have his personal life turned inside out. That's the Roy Black interview I want to see.

[Little Ray]

Lets imagine it was you or me.
We'd already be in jail.
Rush is getting special treatment, but it is mostly beneficial. He has a good lawyer and the money to keep him on retainer, but Rush is getting special treatment and it is to his benefit.

Of course, you are right. If this Kommunist Katie Kouric, she'd get a party and there would be no talk about prosecution.

[an amused spectator]

After years on the Free Republic, I've come to the conclusion that America has way too many laws. The government is capable of gigging anybody for anything. Many Americans would be surprised to find out that they themselves are unprosecuted felons.

We tipped over the edge with the Lautenberg Amendment, and it's been going downhill at a faster and faster pace since then. It's beginning to appear that many prosecutions are for the purpose of revenue enhancement, and others are for political gain.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Note that an hour or so after this thread was posted, the AP has put out a story reporting on Black's appearance on The Today Show:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1034492/posts

Not to toot one's own horn [well, perhaps a subdued note or two!], but for the fastest, freshest take on liberal bias on The Today Show, stay tuned to Free Republic!

[GOPJ]

bump

[AD from SpringBay]

Let's try to imagine what would happen if someone (an independent prosecutor, for example) managed to get Bill Clinton's medical records. The trumpets would peal from the media towers in New York and privacy legislation would already be written.

[70times7]

I have a theory that I put together just after Rush went to rehab, and some of the recent events seem to fit.

I have speculated that the "cleaning lady" bit is without merit, and that she may even have sold Rush's private information on order to take him down. It would be easy to obtain Rush's prescription drug usage by opening the medicine cabinet and taking notes while cleaning. Given this, it would not be a long stretch for her to add that she sold him medication. If she was hired to "expose" him she would have to go to authorities in order to protect herself from prosecution while still bringing him down. It also makes no sense to me that he would buy illegally when he has the legal means to obtain the drugs he needs (or wants).

I suspect this is where the investigation is now. Since the prosecutor has nothing of substance with her he is now fishing for other ways to bolster this non-case.

One last note; I have a close friend in Virginia who has a very messed-up back from an auto accident. He uses oxicontin daily, and works with a doctor who is an expert in pain management. This doctor has told him that pain management is a relatively new field of medicine with many misconceptions. He claims that one of the biggest problems for patients that continue to suffer pain if that they are under medicated.

[Lando Lincoln]

ping

Lando

[Hildy]

How about Winona Ryder? They caught, her red handed, with prescription medications from different doctors. Did they continue the investigation? Think not. However, shopping Drs. is against the law.

[Lockbox]

...the abuse of prescription drugs that has killed at least 2,000 Floridians, most in the past two years.

Though state law recognizes that others besides the victim may share blame for these deaths, authorities seldom hold anyone but the victims accountable.

Pain patients and doctor "shoppers" who amass pills and illegally sell some for quick cash often aren't tracked down and prosecuted.

Abuses of prescription drugs `demand response' from government agencies

Posted December 3 2003

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-drugmain4dec03.story

[capydick]

Continued Black "They're trying to publicly embarrass him and ruin his radio program. He shouldn't be treated differently because he's Rush Limbaugh."

Mr. Black really needs to step up the rhetoric here. I would suggest that this is about PAYBACK from liberals and Dems. Their interest is not in seeing that the law be followed (re:Clinton) but, that the real motive here is taking Rush out of the political dialogue before next years election and, PAYBACK for the damage he has done to the RATS and their media bretheren.

[Mo1]

Holt: "You say this is a fishing expedition, but the subpoena is specific."

In a word ... Yep!

If this was a liberal .. these so-called media/press people would be screaming that Ashcroft was out to get them

If Rush's medical records should be public record ... then about about they release Clinton's medical records

[familyofman]

Roy Black & Mark Geragos (whacko jacko) sure are sounding an awful lot alike. They're trying to ruin my client's career.

[longtermmemmory]

I have said this before but I will ad it here:

They are desperate to find some charge to place Rush outside the jurisdiction of Drug Court. A drug court case would only achieve a dismissal and treatment.

The financial crimes department of the State Attorney's offices is spearheading the rush "investigation".

They Palm Beach Democrats want a full criminal court case not a drug court case. They will charge in that direction with that goal regardless how flimsy the evidence.

[Scenic Sounds]

Black: "Of all the millions of people addicted to painkillers, have you ever seen their doctors being subpoenaed?"

I have. The times I've seen it, though, the target of the inquiry was the physician or physicians involved.

Rush isn't going to lose his show over this. His audience understands what happened to him and how he became an addict. Is there any evidence that any great number of his fans have left him over this?

[harpo11]

Your comments make good solid sense. I wonder how the snotty libs reacted to the news of JFK's drug usage and apparent dependency?

Now I wonder if one of the reasons Bill Clinton kept his medical records a secret is because he has used painkiller drugs as well among other things? I often wonder how he was able to endure knee surgery without any sort of painkiller if we are to believe his so-called media hyped bravery?

[Consort]

Unfortunately, Rush is damaged goods and may wind up serving time. His situation is a hugh boost for the new Liberal radio/media network being launched and he, along with Bush, will be prime topics 24/7 on the Liberal talk shows. He did this to himself and to us at the same time.