Rush Limbaugh's Attorney Roy Black Responds to Media Inquiries

Yahoo news ^

[shempy]

...should show some form of discretion in cases like this.

Exactly! Driving 56 mph in a 55 mph zone is against the law, but only an ass of a cop would pull you over for it. Walking outside the crosswalk lines is illegal.

I just cannot fathom why customs would waste their time detaining and reporting to local authorities something as minor as this. Confiscate or just throw away the pills and move on.

Either way, the lefties are going to try to run with this one and it will backfire on them like everything else. It is such a perfect contradiction to the fit they are throwing about violating the privacy rights of terrorists. Meanwhile, Rush will have more listeners tomorrow than he has had in quite a while.

[JeffAtlanta]

And when the CBP Officer got fired, would you and the rest of United States rush to his defense and help him get his job back?

Yes it is and it's not a good idea - especially when flying. I've done it in the past before I was aware of the rule and everything was fine, but you never know when you will end up with the wrong inspector.

[paulat]

Actually the lesson is to avoid contact with government employees with police power at all costs

I beg to differ...

The LESSON is to understand you are under scrutiny...especially travelling to the Dominican Republic...and don't be an idiot.

[Postal Worker with a gun]

What the posters here are saying is that there are 2 sets of rules, one for the rich and famous and another set for the rest of us.

Leaving all name/personalities out, you have a person with a drug abuse history in possession of prescription medication without a prescription for it. All he has to do is get his doctor to say he was authorized to have it, otherwise he is in violation of the law. Should the state give him a pass just because he has money and is well known? I can well imagine what would happen to a working stiff like me if some cops found drugs in my 18 wheeler.

[JeffAtlanta]

Sorry, quoted the wrong post. I was responding to your post, Jim, where you asked if it was a bad idea to travel with the daily planner pill containers.

[JeffAtlanta]

The LESSON is to understand you are under scrutiny...especially travelling to the Dominican Republic...and don't be an idiot.

The pills were in the original container given to him by his doctor.

[woofie]

I can well imagine what would happen to a working stiff like me if some cops found drugs in my 18 wheeler

If its a bottle of viagra thats one thing, if its crack cocaine or a case of downers thats another

[Marine Inspector]

no one got fired.

No one got caught.

The difference being, that when you traveled, your an unknown and the officer does not have several supervisors and other officers watching the inspection.

When Rush or any other celebrity travels, their is lots of scrutiny by everyone in the area, both supervisors and other officers.

I'm not saying an officer won't use discretion, what I'm saying is, if he gets caught, CBP would rather fire them then deal with any press.

This isn't the old Customs service; this is DHS / CBP and they have elevated the art of firing officers to new heights.

[OKIEDOC]

LIBERALS ARE SUCH HYPOCRITES

I agree with Michael Reagan that it is easy to hate liberals.

Heck, most liberals do not even like each other.

I have been criticized in the past for being heavy handed with Democrats.

The leadership of the DNC are low life scumbags.

HowWeird Deaniac is the Chief Muck Diver, floating like a lazy piece of feces in the Democrat Septic Stink Tank.

God help us and our children should these morons ever get back in a leadership role.

Man, Woman and Child will not be safe from all the nasty payback that will come their way in the name of diversity and compassion. sarc

[JeffAtlanta]

What the posters here are saying is that there are 2 sets of rules, one for the rich and famous and another set for the rest of us.

No, what some of us are saying is that law enforcement officials should demonstrate some common sense discretion. What do you think about students being expelled from school because they brought a plastic knife to school and it was considered a weapon? It's zero tolerance zombie government employees that turn a innocent situation into a federal case.

And by the way, if you were found with a bottle of viagra with your doctor's name on it in your 18 wheeler, only the most asinine of cops would care in the least.

[goldstategop]

Viagra is NOT on the Controlled Substances list. Its a legal drug. I can't believe they detained Rush over Viagra. Over a potential narcotic, yes. But not the sex aid pill. Its absurd.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[JeffAtlanta]

When Rush or any other celebrity travels, their is lots of scrutiny by everyone in the area, both supervisors and other officers.

Is it really that rare for a celebrity to travel overseas though? I would think that Palm Beach would see a celebrity almost every hour.

I really respect your posts on illegal immigration and I think that you may have gotten the wrong idea on this thread about what people actually mean. Of course we want customs laws enforced but, as with all law enforcement, with common sense discretion.

Serious question because I don't know the answer. Are customs officials allowed no discretion at all when it comes to inspections?

[paulat]

Hint: Read Marine Inspector's posts. He's an adult.

[OKIEDOC]

Damn good thing this was not Cynthia The Greatest McKinney coming back.

She would have knocked these inspectors on their butts and then played the race card.

[Postal Worker with a gun]

What it is does not matter, possession of a controlled substance without the proper authority is against the law.

First thing Law Enforcement does is run your ID on their database. When it pops up that you have a history of drug abuse, they look there first. The actual possession may only be a misdemeanor, but violation of his current court ordered restrictions open a lot more serious charges up.

[Marine Inspector]

Are customs officials allowed no discretion at all when it comes to inspections?

In reality; no. Most of us do try.

As an example; Products from Cuba are banned from import.

The most seen item is cigars. Now, if we find Cuban cigars (while searching your luggage in the secondary area) we will allow the person to abandon them and then destroy them.

But, what you will not hear (at least at my port) is a Customs officer on primary ask, "Are you bringing any Cuban cigars into the country."

There is a reason we don't ask!

[JeffAtlanta]

Thanks! That was a very informative post.

What sort of discretion do you guys have on a situation like Limbaugh's? By discretion, I don't mean ignoring the law, but more along the ability to give warnings, etc.

[Postal Worker with a gun]

So you are saying it is OK to break some laws as they are about something minor.

Having Law Enforcement selectively apply laws based on who the violator is is also wrong. And believe me, I have met plenty of asinine cops.

[Marine Inspector]

You've got mail!

[Marine Inspector]

I have met plenty of asinine cops.

As have I!