Judge rules Limbaugh medical records to remain sealed for now

Associated Press ^ | 12-24-03 | JILL BARTON

[wallcrawlr]

A judge resealed Rush Limbaugh's medical records Wednesday, giving the conservative radio commentator's attorneys time to appeal his earlier decision allowing prosecutors to examine the files for evidence Limbaugh illegally purchased painkillers.

Palm Beach Circuit Judge Jeffrey A. Winikoff ordered the records remain sealed for 15 days while Limbaugh's attorneys pursue their appeal. Winikoff had ruled Tuesday that prosecutors could examine the records, but could not make them public.

[RS]

You missed my post 98 - caught and covered...

[freekitty]

I wonder during the current leaking if the number of pills Rush was supposed to have taken is a lie too.

[RS]

A synopsis of the records from one pharmacy he used is online, as part of the application for the search warrents - giving quantities and strength.

[Rightly Biased]

And Over Here

[cwb]

I am well aware of the power of this drug as I take it twice a day. What is left out of all these stories is the way people are misusing it. Yes, it is powerful...but a 20mg tablet is no more powerful than 4 percocets (same ingredients minus the APAP).

Here's the problem...people are intentionally beaking the "time-release" mechanism by crushing the tablet and releasing the medication all at once. If you happen to do that with an 80mg tablet, you will have taken the equivalent of 16 percocets...and if you are narcotic intolerant, be in for some trouble.

Oxycontin, when "taken as directed," is suppose to be less addictive because of the 12-hour mechanism that releases small amounts throughout the entire day...and keeps a constant plasma level for pain relief. The danger exists when the "patient" abuses this medication, which is a concern with any narcotic. The great thing about Oxycontin for the chronic pain patient, is that unlike the hydro/Oxy combos, Oxycontin doesn't have the added ingredients (like APAP and aspirin) that can cause severe liver and stomach toxicity when taken for long periods of time.

We've had MS Contin, Fentanyl, Dialudid and several other meds that are just as powerful and addictive as Oxy...hell, the Duragesic Patch (Fentanyl) is one of the most powerful narcotics in this country. I will say that Perdue made a mistake by labeling this narcotic as less addictive, which gave some doctors the impression that this could be perscribed for acute/short term pain...it shouldn't, since the hydros are all fine.

Unfortunately, when the word got out about crushing these tablets, junkies discovered a new high...but these problems also existed with the "patch" and MS Contin. The media has sensationalized alot of these stories and left out little details like alcohol consumption mixed with other ellicit drugs taken at the same time. I don't know the details of the people you knew, but I do know that alot of these deaths are kids who not only break the tablet, but take it in combination with other drugs.

Instead of being bed-ridden and chained to the house, this drug has helped me (and many) immensley...and I have had no ill side-effects for the 5 years I have taken it. Unfortunatley, the media won't tell this other side of the story.

[evad]

And just like in the 400-post thread I participated in on this subject yesterday, all the ranting and raving and hyperbole and seeing this as some kind of EEEEEVILLLL satanic plot brewed up in Hillary and the DNC's star chamber and fueled by the media is just tin-foil hat stuff by people who cannot divorce this issue from politics and the battle between left and right in this country, and who because of the Lord's work Rush has done for the conservative cause over the last 15 years would blindly defend him even if, as I said yesterday, he ritually sacrificed a virgin in the middle of Times Square on national television and then ran to the top of the Empire State Building, dripping with blood and waving a knife, and proclaimed himself the antichrist.

damn...I do believe that is the longest sentence I have ever seen.

Congrats..I'll check Ripleys to be sure.

[RS]

"Congrats..I'll check Ripleys to be sure."

Be sure to check under -
" the longest sentance that makes a whole lot of sense"

[evad]

heh..yeah. I understood and agreed.

[jellybean]

Re: #98

Maybe so - the lines below strengthen my arguement

ALL four of the doctors were able to make copies,
( seems like that would have taken some time and been a memorable "event" to the staff )

... yet none of them said anything to the lawyer before he just "decided" that they would not be able to treat Rush and added that to his demand.

My understanding of the word subsequent means after the fact. My interpretation of Mr. Black's comment is that he filed the emergency petition before learning that copies had been made. Apparently the Judge accepted his explanation.

The next line:

THE COURT: I see. I see. Okay.

[RS]

"My interpretation of Mr. Black's comment is that he filed the emergency petition before learning that copies had been made. Apparently the Judge accepted his explanation."

Sure and Lawyers don't lie about these things, and before learning the facts he ASSUMED and presented as fact that the doctors would not be able to treat the patient.

My best guess would be that lawyers make that claim as a matter of course in cases like this, knowing that they may be proved false, but that it's such a minor point that the judges won't care.

I wouldn't put it past the lawyers to specifically NOT find this out so that they can file this type of "emergency" claim.

[GB]

Hey, I got to rolling and forgot about the period key (LOL).

I don't enjoy coming across as hammering Rush in these threads. It's just that if he hadn't opened the door with his behavior, this wouldn't be an issue. There would be no openings for all his enemies to smell blood and go after him like piranha going after chum.

Also, those who are blindly defending Rush and refuse to see this situation in any terms other than political aren't helping him, they are enabling him. And they aren't helping the conservative cause either. Because even though he HAS been on a roll since coming back, he remains damaged goods in the general scheme of things, except among the true believers, and is getting even more damaged the longer this lingers and doesn't go away. And that's going to make him an albatross, not a help in 2004.

IMHO, it is in Rush's best interest, personally and professionally, is to stop being confrontational. Because ... and I can hear the shouts now, "NOTHING'S BEEN PROVEN, THEY AIN'T GOT A THING ON HIM, IT'S ALL LIBERAL GARBAGE" so this is my .02, worth about as much ... my sense is that they have him nailed and the more he pushes this, the more chance there is of the end game being much worse than if he'd just shut up and take the hit and get on with his life.

[GB]

Thanks, you cleared up some misconceptions, and I'm happy to see that you're getting relief. The people I mentioned were crushing the pills and injecting them, BTW. And I'm aware of all the other stuff you mentioned. Basically, if it's out there and you can get ****** up on it, people will abuse it, which is a sad reflection on our society. And with apologies to all the libertarians out there ... whom I've debated extensively here ... I simply cannot support abandoning the war on drugs and taking a hands-off, it's their business approach if people want to get ****** up, because the reality is when that happens it's not just them or their bodies and/or souls, it has the potential to affect the rest of us.

FYI, the main reason my co-worker was afraid to have the Oxy in their house was the fear of being robbed. There was a burglary at a local pharmacy a while back. The thieves took all the Oxy and nothing else. Left everything else untouched, including some money that hadn't been deposited. They only wanted the Oxy.

[RS]

"There was a burglary at a local pharmacy a while back. The thieves took all the Oxy and nothing else. Left everything else untouched, including some money that hadn't been deposited. They only wanted the Oxy."

Exactly the kinds of activity that Rush supported when he was buying his pills from the maid...

[dread78645]

My understanding is that Florida considers "doctor shopping" to be an offense when there is no medical condition but the person is showing a pattern simply of seeking drugs.

Yes.

If there IS a medical condition, and a person goes to different doctors seeking help, then that is not Dr Shopping

Incorrect. They are investigating whether if Rush honestly informed the other doctor(s) of the prescriptions that he was already taking. The underlying medical condition (or lack of) doesn't enter into it.
You had it right in your first statement: "a pattern ... of seeking drugs".

That seems reasonable to me that a person should be permitted to visit any doctor/doctors they want. It's basic freedom.

Yes, but if the issue is "drugs", us proles aren't free. "(Freedom? Whatcha' gonna do with Freedom?)"

It's like being told you can only go to Lowes if you have a home repair need. You can't go to Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, Carters, etc......that would be "construction shopping."

There's not a War on Home Repair. (yet)

[dread78645]

I don't think Rush's ego will let him capitulate here. And that is what is going to be required to make this go away. Capitulation to people he probably despises, and more public embarrassment and humiliation. And as much as I love him, I don't think he's got it in him to do that.

True. The other thing is by rolling over Rush will lose his "bona-fides" in the eyes of many right-wingers. That won't help his radio show.

[RS]

"Only thing is, though, I don't think Rush's ego will let him capitulate here. And that is what is going to be required to make this go away. Capitulation to people he probably despises, and more public embarrassment and humiliation."

I don't think its a matter of ego - I think he knows exactly what full disclosure will cost him in terms of money, status, social contacts and such and will do whatever it takes to preserve what he can of his lifestyle.

If there is any way he can call into question any of the charges against him, no matter how far-fetched it might be, he knows that there is a certain percentage of his supporters that will stick by him.

He is no fool and knows full well that some of his supporters ARE "mind-numbed robots".

[ConservativeMan55]

Sorry for the late ping on this. I've been at work all day and just now got home.

[blackie]

Rush Will Persevere!

[woodyinscc]

Great post.!!

Heck, I have been a fan of Rush's for over 10 yrs. I think the media would like nothing better, then for this to escalate up to a red hot boil. I think they are hypocrites, why should we follow suit?

[Robert_Paulson2]

THE BASTARDS were probably already opening them for photocopying and forwarding to democrat organs before the first order authorizing them to "see" them was even opened.

Are you kidding?
These folks are Satan's minions.
Rush is an addict. Says so.
End of story.
He is in treatment.
The witch hunt if it ends will become "governor bush and the bush administration in Washington DC has blocked prosecution of one of their cheif political supporters and proponents..."

That's what's destined to become reality.
If they cannot find anything on him, they will say they were obstructed and continue to slur his name. If they are blocked from finding anything they will blame the Justice department or Governor Bush.

What's the downside for dems on this?
There is none. So whatever the results, they will run with it.

My question is, Who is NEXT?
or better, What would best deter the perpetrators, a new law?

Or a severed horsehead under the christmas tree?