Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 201 next last
To: elcid1970

so like Vatican city without any holiness.

thanks.


41 posted on 05/05/2006 2:34:38 PM PDT by Rakkasan1 (lead ,follow or get out of the majority.start with our borders.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: OldFriend

I think Levin's anger is obviously at the outrageous double-standard of the media. I know mine is.


42 posted on 05/05/2006 2:34:42 PM PDT by greyfoxx39 (I LIVE in a border state, fine the employers and the illegals will go home!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: OldFriend
How many of us have been given a pass for speeding or some other infraction of the law.

Getting a stern warning from a cop for speeding is not the same as getting a pass for a DUI. If a cop let's someone they suspect of being drunk get back on the road, and that someone kills someone else, you can bet that (a) the cop will be fired, (b) the cop will be sued, (c) the police department/city will be sued. IOW, millions in taxpayer dollars could be paid out and many lives ruined for a wink and a slap on the wrist.

43 posted on 05/05/2006 2:35:47 PM PDT by randog (What the...?!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: P-40
Well, the case with Rush was different because (remaining sentence under construction): Other than that, the cases are similar. </sarcasm>
44 posted on 05/05/2006 2:36:27 PM PDT by conservatism_IS_compassion (The idea around which liberalism coheres is that NOTHING actually matters except PR.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: maryz


I agree.

Patrick, like his drunk fat dad, rates high on the sociopathic index.


45 posted on 05/05/2006 2:36:44 PM PDT by onyx (They're ILLEGAL! --- tough, FACTS DON'T MATTER.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: SerpentDove

He abused his authority and covered up a crime plain and simple.


46 posted on 05/05/2006 2:36:51 PM PDT by gunnedah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: wcdukenfield
Most jurisdictions have set up drug courts for this very purpose.

Wrong. Drug court is all about revenue.

47 posted on 05/05/2006 2:37:07 PM PDT by Sir Gawain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wcdukenfield
...the story has changed 4 times already
And now Dr Manny on FOX says the drugs he said he was using,are not the type to use for what he said they were being used for....now thats it's Friday, and no one reads the papers on Saturday...the REAL story will be found on page 43 under the ad for soft table top covers right next to doilies and other fun creations......


Doogle
48 posted on 05/05/2006 2:38:38 PM PDT by Doogle (USAF...8th TFW...Ubon Thailand...408thMMS..."69"...Night Line Delivery...AMMO!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gunnedah

I would like to know who advised the cops at the scene not to test him. That person should be fired. To begin with.


49 posted on 05/05/2006 2:42:03 PM PDT by georgia peach (georgia peach)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: OldFriend

Sorry forgot...

The police report, PDF file

http://rope.wrko-am.fimc.net/bulger/042506_accident.pdf

look especially for Image Description: Operator # 2


50 posted on 05/05/2006 2:42:03 PM PDT by AliVeritas (101st Glass Blowers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: wcdukenfield
The Bush girl's saw the inside of a courtroom for having a drink in a restaurant. Patrick gets a free ride after almost hitting another car.
51 posted on 05/05/2006 2:43:40 PM PDT by CaptainK (...please make it stop. Shake a can of pennies at it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: onyx
so what pain meds is he addicted to? Jack Daniels?

Doctor-recommended. Kennedy-approved.

52 posted on 05/05/2006 2:44:24 PM PDT by JennysCool ("I consumed no alcohol prior to the incident.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: wcdukenfield

I cannot believe that Levin is intimating that the MSM is biased. Everyone knows the MSM doesn't inject personal feelings and innuendo into their reporting and are completely objective. On top of that, it is common knowledge that Republicans are more dishonest than Democrats because Democrats are for the common working man and Democrats such as the Kennedys are beyond reproach.


53 posted on 05/05/2006 2:44:58 PM PDT by vetvetdoug
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JennysCool

LOL --- IIRC, the old bootlegger dealt in Cutty Sark scotch.


54 posted on 05/05/2006 2:45:34 PM PDT by onyx (They're ILLEGAL! --- tough, FACTS DON'T MATTER.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: AliVeritas

Sheesh, his handwriting looks like something rendered by a four-year-old.


55 posted on 05/05/2006 2:47:23 PM PDT by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: American Quilter; Snardius

Cynthia McKinney is far more likely to call a press conference to call attention to the difference between how she (a black woman) was treated and how Patrick Kennedy (a white man) was treated. And she will be flanked by Je$$e Jacka$$ and Al $harpton.


56 posted on 05/05/2006 2:56:37 PM PDT by Purrcival (Prayers up for Zac's Mom!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Army Air Corps

*** If he had a script for these for a while and knew what they can do, then why didn't he have someone drive for him? The whole story just stinks of a poor cover for reckless behaviour.***

Awww, but don't you see? The poor darling is NOW claiming that he doesn't remember ANYTHING about the accident. It was the MEDICINE that made him do it. /s

It didn't take them very long to come up with an excuse so that he won't be ticketed for DWI. (It's not my fault, it's the medicine. Sue the drug company.)

If you or I did it, no excuse would be acceptable.


57 posted on 05/05/2006 3:00:01 PM PDT by kitkat (The first step down to hell is to deny the existence of evil.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Doogle
Ambien and phenergan are not considered the addictive drugs. Kennedy is probably on hydrocodone or oxycontin, diazepam or another benzodiazepine.
58 posted on 05/05/2006 3:00:18 PM PDT by vetvetdoug
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: fabriclady

How to find a missing Kennedy? Look under the nearest pile of stenken fly blown fecal Matter.


59 posted on 05/05/2006 3:02:22 PM PDT by Ursus arctos horribilis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: onyx
Any idiot would know not to take ambien while driving. That stuff is pretty strong and will knock you out in just a few minutes.

I think he was drunk and used this excuse to cover his "problem."
60 posted on 05/05/2006 3:03:44 PM PDT by dhs12345
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 201 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson