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Patrick Kennedy and Double Standards
National Review Online ^ | 5/5/06 | Mark R. Levin

Posted on 05/05/2006 2:05:21 PM PDT by wcdukenfield

Patrick Kennedy & Double Standards 05/05 04:37 PM

I don't wish anyone ill, except our nation's enemies. It's a good thing that Patrick Kennedy is going back into rehab. But I am very angry.

For nearly three years we witnessed the persecution of Rush Limbaugh, who became addicted to painkillers resulting from back and neck problems. We witnessed leaks by prosecutors who spread lies about him being involved in money laundering, drug rings, and doctor shopping. But the media happily repeated them. Some mocked him.

Rush got help. He has been clean for years. And in most cases, when someone becomes addicted to prescription drugs for the first time, the matter is eventually dropped. Most jurisdictions have set up drug courts for this very purpose. But that didn't stop the state prosecutor in Palm Beach County from spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars pursuing Rush.

Early on, prosecutors claimed they had evidence of over ten felonies. They demanded that Rush plead guilty to some felony—any felony. He refused, always insisting on his innocence. So, they leaked more lies to the media, hoping to intimidate him. They seized his medical records. They gave his medical records to the media. The media took those records and turned them into graphics for television. Reporters and commentators were studying his prescriptions, discussing both the kinds and amount of medicine he had taken. They were beside themselves with glee. Newsweek, AP and the Palm Beach Post, Rush's local paper, were especially vicious, serving as lap-dogs for the prosecutors.

In court, Rush fought these people every step of the way—all the way to the Florida Supreme Court. He spent millions of dollars defending himself—despite the fact that he had been a first-time abuser, went to rehab, and was clean. And then last October, the lead prosecutor sauntered into court and in response to questioning told the judge—we have no evidence that Rush Limbaugh has committed any crime! None.

So, I am very angry. You will hear commentator after commentator speaking sympathetically about Patrick Kennedy and his addiction to painkillers. You will hear people say that he is addicted, he has a serious health problem, he deserves to be praised for his forthrightness today, and we should leave him alone. And many of these commentators will be the same people who were giddy in their ceaseless attacks on Rush.

I am angry at the double standard, where liberals are regularly treated one way and conservatives another. I am also glad Patrick Kennedy won't be abused as Rush was. But you can be sure that the next conservative with a problem won't be treated like Kennedy.

But there are some aspects to the Kennedy matter that require answers. If Patrick Kennedy, who is not a first offender, is addicted to painkillers, from where did he get them? And there are news reports that he had been drinking earlier at a Capitol Hill bar and alcohol was later smelled on his breath. So, why was the officer on the scene prevented by more senior police officers from performing a routine sobriety test?

I truly wish Patrick Kennedy well. But you bet I'm angry.


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Miscellaneous; US: Rhode Island
KEYWORDS: 109th; addiction; doublestandard; kennedy; levin; limbaugh; marklevin; mediabias; patchaquiddick; patches; patrickkennedy; rush
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To: wcdukenfield

Kennedy Crashes Car Near Capitol

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) crashed his car near the U.S. Capitol, and a police official said he appeared intoxicated. Kennedy said he was rushing to cast what he hoped would be a decisive vote on a matter of great importance.

Kennedy issued a statement after a volley of news reports stirred interest in the crash. "It is alleged that I was involved in a traffic accident at First and C Street SE near the U.S. Capitol," Kennedy said in his statement. "It has not been conclusively determined whether I was in the vehicle much
less driving it. There is no evidence that I consumed alcohol prior to the incident. I'm working with my lawyers to find the truth."

Kennedy's father, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) asserted that his son was the target of a rightwing witch hunt. "The same administration that is torturing prisoners of war has set its sights on my son," Kennedy complained. "When
police brought him home he had panties on his head and a dog collar around his neck. This is the Bush MO. I am more determined than ever to see this bastard impeached."

A letter written by a Capitol Police officer Greg Baird to Acting Chief Christopher McGaffin said Kennedy appeared to be staggering when he left the vehicle after the 3 a.m. crash. "Representative Kennedy said he was late for a vote," Baird said. "He kept saying he had to vote for Katharine. But the Capitol was dark and no meetings were in session."

Speculation is that it was Katharine McPhee that the young Kennedy was mumbling about. Ms. McPhee is a contestant on the "American Idol" television show.

Kennedy spent time at a drug rehabilitation clinic before he went to Providence College. He has been open about his mental health issues, including the revelation that he has been diagnosed with "moonbat" disorder.

read more...

http://www.azconservative.org/Semmens1.htm


121 posted on 05/05/2006 4:14:16 PM PDT by John Semmens
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To: wcdukenfield

Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy's Congressional Offices:

407 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4911
Fax: (202) 225-3290


249 Roosevelt Avenue
Suite 200
Pawtucket, R.I. 02860
(401) 729-5600
(800) 392-5772
Fax: (401) 729-5608


122 posted on 05/05/2006 4:15:07 PM PDT by mirkwood (Gun control isn't about guns. It's about control.)
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To: last american

Yup... she spent that night in Jail, then went to court a couple months later, got sentenced to another 24hrs... but hey she got to pick the day she wanted to go back... lol. on top of that there was about $700 fine, lost her liscence for 6 months or a year (cant remember for sure) and this was just a first offense! like I said it was 8 years ago...
I thought DUI sentences were supposed to be harsher now than then... Surprised we have not heard anything from M.A.D.D. or any of the other drunk driving associations...


123 posted on 05/05/2006 4:16:05 PM PDT by AzNASCARfan
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To: aculeus
Never underestimate the cunningness of a drinker Kennedy.

Okay okay, same thing.

124 posted on 05/05/2006 4:25:20 PM PDT by Thinkin' Gal (As it was in the days of NO...)
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To: onyx
I had to think for a bit --- Guinness --- the beer or ale, NOT the book of records...lol.

Though no doubt one or more members of the clan must have a notation in the BOR by now ...

125 posted on 05/05/2006 4:25:32 PM PDT by MozarkDawg
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To: MississippiDeltaDawg


LOL! Likely so!


126 posted on 05/05/2006 4:31:51 PM PDT by onyx (They're ILLEGAL! --- tough, FACTS DON'T MATTER.)
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To: PistolPaknMama
Patty got up and got dress cause he "thought he had to vote". Now he says he doesn't even remember getting out of bed. So he remembers WHY he got out of bed but not actually getting out of bed?


127 posted on 05/05/2006 4:32:25 PM PDT by MozarkDawg
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To: dead

ROFLMAO


128 posted on 05/05/2006 4:45:45 PM PDT by rodguy911
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To: wcdukenfield

I'm like Mark Levin: Very angry. Only I'm angry at the conservative press. Lazy b*****ds. Where are the pictures of Kennedy's Mustang? We might be able to judge with some accuracy just how fast he was going when he crashed into that barrier, not to mention other clues we might be able to gleen from such photos. What's the conservative press waiting for, the liberal press to do it for them? Sheesh. Where are the pictures of the scene, the skidmarks, etc.? If Kennedy had been a juicy conservative target instead of a liberal scion, you can bet the MSM would be going over stuff like this with a fine-tooth comb.


129 posted on 05/05/2006 4:46:57 PM PDT by LibWhacker
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To: onyx
Phenegran is often taken to quell the effects of a hangover.
130 posted on 05/05/2006 4:47:05 PM PDT by rodguy911
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To: The KG9 Kid

I wish he would.With 93 octane as a mixer.


131 posted on 05/05/2006 4:49:02 PM PDT by sport
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To: wcdukenfield; holdonnow

Terrific analysis!


132 posted on 05/05/2006 4:53:59 PM PDT by Right_in_Virginia
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To: rodguy911
This is an old medication.
Newer meds do not have the tranquilizing effects.
But, of course, he wanted the effects.

Ambien and Phenegran were his excuses.
He says now that he is addicted to pain meds.
Neither of the aforementioned are for prescribed for pain.
133 posted on 05/05/2006 4:54:39 PM PDT by onyx (They're ILLEGAL! --- tough, FACTS DON'T MATTER.)
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To: fabriclady

People talk about politicizing 9/11, well the Kennedy's have never stopped politicizing JFK's death. This family is disfunctional and New Englanders better stop their worship over the Kennedy name.


134 posted on 05/05/2006 5:03:56 PM PDT by Alissa
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Comment #135 Removed by Moderator

To: Alissa

It all ends when Senator Ted dies. The next generation is not worth poop. Of course, he is not either, but he is riding on the deaths of his brothers.


136 posted on 05/05/2006 5:11:14 PM PDT by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
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To: wcdukenfield

I am angry at the double standard, where liberals are regularly treated one way and conservatives another.


Double standard?

Both got off the hook.

Neither suffered, both are still wealthy and powerful.


137 posted on 05/05/2006 5:11:28 PM PDT by WhiteGuy ("Every Generation needs a new revolution" - Jefferson)
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To: Ursus arctos horribilis


Right on!


138 posted on 05/05/2006 5:11:59 PM PDT by fabriclady
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To: willyboyishere


I agree. Too bad Ted Kennedy is such a slob.


139 posted on 05/05/2006 5:15:30 PM PDT by fabriclady
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To: Rakkasan1
Vatican city without any holiness.

That would be Vatican city, right?

140 posted on 05/05/2006 5:19:00 PM PDT by Onelifetogive (Freerepublic - The website where "Freepers" is not in the spell checker dictionary...)
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