Posted on 06/26/2006 7:04:47 PM PDT by Retired Chemist
MIAMI, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Roy Black, Rush Limbaugh's attorney, issued the following statement today in response to several inquiries by the media:
While going through routine Customs inspection of luggage at Palm Beach International Airport upon his return from an international trip, Rush Limbaugh was detained by customs agents after they noticed a non-narcotic prescription drug, which had been prescribed by Mr. Limbaugh's treating physician but labeled as being issued to the physician rather than Mr. Limbaugh for privacy purposes. After a brief interview, Mr. Limbaugh was permitted to continue on his journey.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The pills were in the original container given to him by his doctor.
If its a bottle of viagra thats one thing, if its crack cocaine or a case of downers thats another
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.
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.
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
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?
Hint: Read Marine Inspector's posts. He's an adult.
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.
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!
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.
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.
You've got mail!
As have I!
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