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Get Rush – That’s the Game
Newsmax ^ | Monday, Dec. 8, 2003 | Christopher Ruddy

Posted on 12/09/2003 6:01:34 AM PST by Maria S

Late last week, rocker Ozzy Osbourne admitted to a 42-pill-a-day addiction to prescription drugs.

Few could be surprised about the revelation. On his MTV show and in other public appearances the aging rock star has appeared incoherent and intoxicated.

Justifiably, California state authorities are going after the pusher. In this case, the state medical board is going after Osbourne’s doctor, though the physician denies any wrongdoing.

Still, no one is suggesting that Osbourne should be prosecuted for his prescription drug addiction, an addiction that started with normal medical treatment. Another sensational case that should have been treated similarly is that of Rush Limbaugh.

His prescription addiction case should have been written off weeks ago as nothing more than a case of prescription drug addiction.

But the Limbaugh story has legs – long ones. The long legs of this story seem to have been generated by a liberal media out to get the conservative radio host by any means possible, including pushing for a legal investigation that seems more like a political inquisition.

If Rush were treated like every other case similar to his, it wouldn’t even rate news time, let alone a legal inquiry.

The facts of this case are now pretty clear: Rush has had a prescription drug addiction that began as a result of a surgical procedure for back problems. Admirably, Rush has admitted the problem and, after intensive rehab, is attempting to save himself.

The facts came to light when Rush’s former housekeeper, Wilma Cline, sold her story to the National Enquirer. In early October, when the Enquirer story broke, it appeared as if the Palm Beach County state attorney, Barry Krischer, was planning to treat Rush like other cases of individuals found to be abusing prescription drugs.

Press reports indicated that the state investigation was focused not on Rush’s addiction, but on the larger issue of enablers and pushers, notably doctors and a wider drug ring that was doling out these drugs. But since then, Krischer has apparently had a change of heart about the direction of his probe.

Soon after Rush came out of rehab, ABC News reported that its “sources” close to the probe were saying Rush was being investigated for money laundering.

Though Rush quickly explained that he had been advised by his bank to withdraw less than $10,000 from his account each time he made a withdrawal, and over the course of years withdrew some $300,000 – not a large sum for a man of his wealth – it was more fodder for his critics.

To further prove that unusual lengths were being employed to hurt Rush, last week the state attorney’s office obtained warrants for Rush’s medical records, with claims – so far unsubstantiated – that Rush was doctor shopping for prescriptions.

Rush’s lawyer, Roy Black, appeared on the “Today” show this past Friday and expressed amazement that Rush is being treated differently from millions of others with prescription drug addictions.

“Have you ever watched people on television leafing through records, calling out the names of their doctors and a list of medications they were using?" Black complained. "The first person is Rush Limbaugh." "Why is Rush Limbaugh the only person who gets treated like this in America?" he added.

Black, of course, is a well-known liberal. He also is honest. Rush is being singled out for political reasons.

Krischer issued a statement Thursday saying that Limbaugh remained under investigation, but added that he "is presumed innocent at this time."

But clearly Rush is being treated differently. Even Geraldo, no Rush fan, said this weekend on his Fox News program that Rush was being singled out, unfairly. Geraldo quipped that if every senior citizen in the state of Florida who “doctor shopped” was prosecuted, there wouldn’t be enough prison cells in the state. Mike Walker, a columnist from National Enquirer, appeared on Fox News and agreed with Geraldo. Walker described the government’s actions toward Rush as “overkill.”

Not privy to all the details here, I am not going to pass judgment on Rush.

But I will pass judgment on the state attorney so far. When Rush is treated for a prescription drug addiction differently from anyone in history with a similar drug addiction, legitimate questions about fairness arise. So much of Rush’s problems have been clouded in charges and countercharges, bogus reports and the like.

They all start with the housekeeper, Wilma Cline, first portrayed by the National Enquirer as a victim of Rush. But it seems to me that she was much more of a classic enabler – a person who encourages another’s addiction. In helping feed Rush’s addiction, Cline collected cash from him. She also kept very careful records of her activities almost from day one. Was this to blackmail Rush? To sell her story to the National Enquirer? Or to help the police?

We do know that Cline first came to the tabloid some two years ago seeking to sell her story about Rush. When the paper’s editors told her she didn’t have a story until there was an official police investigation, she came back to them when that investigation was triggered.

Cline reportedly received a cool $250,000 for the dirt on Rush’s prescription drug addiction.

Cline, by going to the papers, also may have compromised the state’s inquiry into pushers and doctors doling out these prescription drugs for big money.

So much for the Cline-as-victim story.

But when word broke about Rush’s problems, it must have been welcome news to many prominent Democrats who see him as an obstacle in next year’s election.

My guess is that the news also caused these top Democrats to talk about how nice it would be if Rush could be toppled. Those thoughts may have percolated down to the local prosecutor in Palm Beach.

One clue that this was the thinking comes from Kendall Coffey.

Coffey is the former Clinton-appointed U.S. attorney in Miami, a Janet Reno ally who most recently served as Al Gore’s lead recount lawyer in 2000.

Appearing on MSNBC this week, the well-connected Coffey said he didn't think the state attorney wanted to prosecute Rush but apparently feels he has to. Why does he feel this way?

Surely there is no public outcry that Rush be prosecuted, nor would there be if Rush were treated like every other person who has had a prescription drug problem, admitted to it, and immediately went into rehab.

Clearly the prosecutors know that the drug problem alone is not enough to warrant legal charges against Rush, that’s why they are going on a fishing expedition to find something else.

To his credit, State Attorney Krischer has no history of politicizing prosecutions. Hopefully that record will continue.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 12/09/2003 6:01:34 AM PST by Maria S
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To: Maria S
Still, no one is suggesting that Osbourne should be prosecuted for his prescription drug addiction, an addiction that started with normal medical treatment. Another sensational case that should have been treated similarly is that of Rush Limbaugh.

I must have missed the occasion where Osbourne expressed the view that illegal use of drugs should be vigorously prosecuted and the illegal users should be imprisoned.

2 posted on 12/09/2003 6:14:04 AM PST by steve-b
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To: steve-b
I must have missed the occasion where Osbourne expressed the view that illegal use of drugs should be vigorously prosecuted and the illegal users should be imprisoned.

So, how a person feels about a law should be the reason to apply, or not apply, the law to that person?

3 posted on 12/09/2003 6:15:55 AM PST by FairWitness
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To: steve-b
Double standard! Does not matter what one "thinks" about the subject.
4 posted on 12/09/2003 6:17:50 AM PST by maeng
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To: Maria S
Great post.
5 posted on 12/09/2003 6:21:29 AM PST by Tribune7 (It's not like he let his secretary drown in his car or something.)
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To: Born Conservative
ping
6 posted on 12/09/2003 6:22:23 AM PST by Pan_Yans Wife ("Your joy is your sorrow unmasked." --- GIBRAN)
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To: Maria S
Naturally he will be a target. He has made a very good living going after every little word and deed the dems say and do. Now its his turn. Remember " People who live in glass houses "

Does that make it right? Nope, but it is reality. He wants to play in the big league so now he is in the game.
I still listen to him, but have a real problem feeling sorry for him. He stepped on a lot of toes over the years, what could he expect.
7 posted on 12/09/2003 6:22:52 AM PST by newdem
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To: steve-b
I must have missed the occasion where Osbourne expressed the view that illegal use of drugs should be vigorously prosecuted and the illegal users should be imprisoned.

So, you're not an advocate of prosecuting people for illegal use of drugs, you're just an advocate of prosecuting people for expressing political views with which you disagree.

8 posted on 12/09/2003 6:23:53 AM PST by Tribune7 (It's not like he let his secretary drown in his car or something.)
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To: Maria S
Black, of course, is a well-known liberal. He also is honest. Rush is being singled out for political reasons.

The War On Drugs - bred in Republican laboratories to nail the Bad Guys. Now it's loose and roaming around the country attacking woever it wants to.

9 posted on 12/09/2003 6:25:20 AM PST by BlazingArizona
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To: Maria S
If you listened to Rush yesterday, he was telling about the news media watching him. He sent out brownies to the news crew. Also, he was telling about the full moon and that he would be out on his patio smoking his cigar at a certain time last night looking at the moon so the news people could see him.
10 posted on 12/09/2003 6:29:06 AM PST by HoundsTooth_BP
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To: Maria S
I think 98% of the people are missing the real story here. Rush Limbaugh is the target of a sophisticated and hugely expensive smear campaign.

How many of you think that the publishers of the Globe sat on the housekeepers story for 2 years and told no one?

It would not surprise me if the "Doctor Shopping" law in Florida was conceived and passed with the knowledge that Rush Limbaugh was addicted and likely getting prescriptions from multiple sources.

Rush Limbaugh is the most effective voice in the country for combating liberals. You don't think that that they would spare any expense in getting Rush? Think again.

The biggest story out of this entire episode will be the massive "get Rush" plan.
11 posted on 12/09/2003 6:29:36 AM PST by Bryan24
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To: Maria S
So? Is Tommy Chong still in the pokey for selling glass?

Not grass. Glass.

12 posted on 12/09/2003 6:29:48 AM PST by Jim Cane
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To: steve-b
I find it amusing that the El Rushbo defenders (Ruddy in this case) have no problem using Ozzy as a comparative.

Pretty embarrassing IMO.
13 posted on 12/09/2003 6:30:03 AM PST by mr.pink
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To: newdem
He stepped on a lot of toes over the years, what could he expect.

I imagine he did expect it and I don't hear him whining about anything.

Meanwhile, Ted Kennedy is still a U.S. senator and beloved by Dems and other socialists all over the world.

As is Al Franken (confessed druggie), as is Larry Flynt (confessed chicken-f*cker.)

Michael Moore ever smoke dope?

14 posted on 12/09/2003 6:35:15 AM PST by Tribune7 (David Limbaugh never said his brother had a "nose like a vacuum cleaner")
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To: mr.pink
I find it amusing that the El Rushbo defenders (Ruddy in this case) have no problem using Ozzy as a comparative.

Pretty embarrassing IMO.

Embarrassing is the way those that do not like Rush will use any excuse to criticize him.
15 posted on 12/09/2003 6:37:40 AM PST by HoundsTooth_BP
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To: BlazingArizona
The War On Drugs - bred in Republican laboratories to nail the Bad Guys.

Actually it goes back to the Wilson administration. (He was a Dem.)

16 posted on 12/09/2003 6:38:46 AM PST by Tribune7 (David Limbaugh never said his brother had a "nose like a vacuum cleaner")
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To: Jim Cane
So? Is Tommy Chong still in the pokey for selling glass?

I thought he was in for selling bongs.

17 posted on 12/09/2003 6:39:29 AM PST by Hacksaw (theocratic Confederate flag waving loyalty oath supporter)
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To: HoundsTooth_BP
Embarrassing is the way those that do not like Rush will use any excuse to criticize him.

It's even more embarrassing that a smart guy like Rush, who knows he's in the liberals crosshairs, none the less allows himself to be so easily trapped.
18 posted on 12/09/2003 6:41:31 AM PST by mr.pink
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To: mr.pink
Why aren't the anti-WODers also defending Rush? Why would you want to bring him down? It's been about a decade since he made any strong anti-drug statements?
19 posted on 12/09/2003 6:42:11 AM PST by Tribune7 (David Limbaugh never said his brother had a "nose like a vacuum cleaner")
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To: Bryan24
It would not surprise me if the "Doctor Shopping" law in Florida was conceived and passed with the knowledge that Rush Limbaugh was addicted and likely getting prescriptions from multiple sources.

The Doctor Shopping law was a response to a serious problem, people going to multiple doctors to obtain drugs and then reselling them. Unfortunately, the law was written so they only had to prove the part of obtaining the drugs to make convictions easier. The way the law any person switching doctors could be guilty of 'Doctor Shopping'. I understand the purpose of the law, but they wrote it to make it easier for law enforcement to get convictions. The actual law is as follows:

8. To withhold information from a practitioner from whom the person seeks to obtain a controlled substance or a prescription for a controlled substance that the person making the request has received a controlled substance or a prescription for a controlled substance of like therapeutic use from another practitioner within the previous 30 days.

So if you switch doctors in 30 days and don't tell the new doctor of your current prescriptions, you could be found guilty. The thing Rush has going for him is that the doctors he visited were different ailments (one for back and the other for his hearing), so he maybe in the clear because they may not have been for 'like therapeutic use'. Even if the overzealous democratic prosecutor gets a conviction, jail time would be unlikely.

20 posted on 12/09/2003 6:47:49 AM PST by Always Right
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