Smugness (Rush)

townhall.com ^ | 1/29/04 | Emmett Tyrrell

[longtermmemmory]

It officially has gotten out of hand with the filing of an ethics complain on the prosecutor.

FYI for everyone:

It should really be noted the article gets FL Law wrong. First time users in Rush's situation would have been sent to drug court intervention. Treatment is followed by the case being dropped. No criminal record. This is the same as anyone else who has been caught red handed. (Rush has not been caught red handed. He was not survailed. No standard police procedure was followed to cultivate a user case.) There is no jail time for first time users. There is not even probation. It is actually a conditional pre-trial release program.

[My Dog Likes Me]

If you are in possession of OxyContin without a valid prescription, it becomes a "street drug."

Is this a "Don't you know who I am???" defense strategy? The fact that the conservative media hasn't rushed to his defense says more about Limbaugh than the conservative media.

[Polycarp IV]

Still, it is repulsive to see the rest of the press sitting quietly by. That Limbaugh, a first offender and recovering addict to pain killers rather than street drugs, is being unfairly harassed is clear to anyone but a political zealot.

For the most part, despite some seething Rush attackers, this Forum can hold its head high in this regard.

We love you, Rush. I've been listening since 1987, and I ain't givin' up on you now in your hour of need, not when you've personally built a generation of conservatives liberated from the vice grip of the mainstream media monopoly!

[ClancyJ]

The conservative media would not be in place but for a Rush Limbaugh. They should be fighting this. Yet, how many battles have we conservatives done nothing about?

[elhombrelibre]

At least Tyrrell isn't shrinking from the fight. And his new book on Hillary should be a scream.

[Polycarp IV]

If you are in possession of OxyContin without a valid prescription, it becomes a "street drug."

Rush was NOT using this medication to get high, or as a street drug. He became addicted due to failed back surgery.

Have you ever had a failed back surgery?

Ever treated someone who had a failed back surgery?

I have treated patients who have had failed back surgery. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Those who rage against Rush in this regard know nothing about the problems associated with treating chronic intractable pain and how it can destroy the patient's life.

[Balata]

You need to take your dog for a long walk.

[longtermmemmory]

It is not a "street drug" under the law. It is still a perscription drug.

[Polycarp IV]

Definitely. I understand the distinction; I'm licensed to prescribe it.

[My Dog Likes Me]

I read National Review when Rush was publicity coordinator for the Kansas City Royals.

I think his absence from FOX or other conservative cable shows is not for lack of invitations. Rush is too important for 20 minute, head-to-head discussions with smart people on national TV, you see.

[longtermmemmory]

no it does not become a street drug. It is still a perscription drug. It becomes aquired without a perscription.

Even the prosecutor is not alleging perscriptionless purchases.

[moonhawk]

He had a prescription, as far as we know...

Define "valid".

[My Dog Likes Me]

"Illegal possession of a controlled substance."

[ladyinred]

I am inclined to think that Rush is up against a political vendetta. Sorry, but first time "offenders" usually do just get rehab and probation. It is clear that this is not the case with Rush, that they have tried several different avenues to get him, including buying drugs from a maid, money laundering, and now doctor shopping.

It seems clear that they don't have enough evidence to convict him of any of these charges, so they are just smearing him now any way they can. Does it not strike you as odd that the charges kept changing?

Something stinks here, I wasn't so sure at first, but after all that has happened, I think this is all to bring down the voice of conservatism on the radio that they have been screaming against for so many years.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I am not sure it is that great of a pain medication.

In my wifes case with bone cancer in the lumbar, it seem to lose its effectiveness in a few weeks.

[My Dog Likes Me]

Why the conspiracy theories?

Prosecutors are, by and large, a pretty darn conservative bunch of people. Rush's attorney must have ticked them off.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That's the way I see it!

[ladyinred]

Why the conspiracy theories?

LOL I don't consider this a conspiracy theory myself. In fact if you recall, after this problem with Rush started, Ed Asner told Mike Gallagher that next they were going after Sean Hannity. Tin foil hat? NO, just the facts!

I know the power of the lefists to shape the story and the media response, since I have experienced myself as a member of Free Republic in Fresno.

[ladyinred]

BWT: This particular prosecutor is not conservative.