As a Christian, I will be first to admit that lying isn't always a sin. Bearing false witness is something else. Also, it is very possible that he wasn't as aware of his voice changes as everyone else. Or he wanted to keep it quiet. I agree he could have said he was having trouble with his voice, that probably would have quieted everyone down very quickly. But he didn't. So sue him. I find it amazing that people went ahead and quit listening just because he wouldn't acknowledge their perception of his vocal changes. How overly sensitive is *that?* Everyone's entitled to a *little* huffiness when their privacy is invaded *without due process* by a bunch of strangers who are, for all practical purposes, able to do *nothing* about the situation.
And all those people who insisted that Rush sounded 'just fine' are now proven to be victims of wishful thinking and self-delusion.
That's nice, make us all out to be nutcases now, just because we didn't make a big todoo about his occasional change of timbre or whatever. I was aware of them. I notice that my voice changes from week to week. I especially noticed him slurring... almost like he was very tired or had drunk a few beers. But I didn't feel like I *NEEDED* to know his health problems, nor did I feel like Rush had any obligation to tell anyone until he decided it was time. After all, it's not like he was running for office.
Listen, I had a similar situation happen to me this summer. It was all I could do to keep things quiet just to protect myself from embarrassment. (Ok, I had a breast reduction - didn't want guys I know to look and see if they noticed a change.) This presented a dilemma because I needed someone to watch my kids for two days *and* help me out in the house for a couple of weeks, without having it spread around to church ladies and their husbands. Not that I minded the women knowing, but if I asked them to help, they would probably have to tell their husbands why they were helping me. That is what I was uncomfortable with. In any case, the comparison is that I wanted my privacy about it, and Rush must have felt similarly. He didn't want to drag it out, wanted to get as much info as possible before breaking the news. That's certainly understandable. What *isn't* understandable is people's rude insistence that he agree with them on everything (even something so minor in the grand scheme of things as the sound quality of his voice). What is weird to me is how many people derive so much satisfaction from *him* acknowledging their point of view. As if their being convinced of something means he must be convinced of it too, or they're insulted. Give me a break.
You didn't have to worry. Its not a proceedure a man has any appreciation or understanding for -at all. :)
No, he didn't lie. He said his voice was just fine. (It is). He likely didn't notice any changes brought on by medication.
I am more proud today of the fact that I stood by him when you "votes" and other bashers were whining about Rush, when in fact he was doing an incredible job of merely showing up for work, likely blitzed on meds.
Finally, to confirm what Terriergal says, I know personally someone who has a serious, incurable, usually degenerative disease who doesn't publicize it precisely BECAUSE people start to treat you differently, even if you don't change in your physical abilities at all. Friends of this person suddenly didn't "hang out" any more when they found out. Tough diseases, like Parkinson's or MS, or other unnamed illnesses are harder on friends sometimes because they, out of guilt or pity---neither of which are appropriate---don't know how to act.