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.
I could read it. And he states the car hit the vehicle barrier head on, not brushed it as is now being stated by some news reporters.
There is a pass, then there are the Kennedy passes, passes, passes, passes, etc adnauseam.
Ambien 10mg is the strongest dose offered and I have taken two to get to sleep. It's not strong, IMO, but all sleeping aids should never be taken by a person who intends to drive.
I don't know what meds he swallowed, but I'm willing to wager he washed them down with booze.
"A vatican without holiness"
A statelessness within a stateless city!
our insurance has NEVER gone down...
Well, I have never been caught DUI and my ins has never gone down either.
Patrick, like his drunk dad - mom ain't in too good a shape either
I believe the Trust Fund Kids are getting a cut from every Guinness sold as well.
He says he doesn't remember anything.
Blacked out.
And my son got a DUI in the Pentagon parking lot - right at the limit (.08?).
Federal judge gave him 60 days in jail, $750 fine, could not own or operate a motor vehicle for two years, alcohol class (another $300), loss of license. Lost job. Lost wife.
Do I feel sorry for the little privleged Kennedy bastard. What do you think?
I had to think for a bit --- Guinness --- the beer or ale, NOT the book of records...lol.
Me too. Why did they proscute Rush and not this guy?
Once asleep it's good.
But never knocked me out.
You're a big guy?
I am not a guy and I am tall, but not overweight.
There are things in this world that deserve our righteous anger, Kennedy getting away with anything is not high on my list.
Hard to figure.
The sad thing is that Patty Kennedy will get reelected again just like Daddy did. And as far as we know there's not a dead girl in this incident. It just makes you want to beat the snot out of whoever votes for these retarded, arrogant idiots.
These people do not work for us. We work for them. 104(0 form).
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