Posted on 10/07/2003 5:37:58 AM PDT by jimmccleod
Limbaugh's Secret Life By Carol Devine-Molin October 6, 2003
We conservatives are all saddened by the news that Rush Limbaugh is being investigated by law enforcement authorities for illegal buys of prescription painkillers. If accounts being bandied about the media are accurate, then Limbaugh: a) has procured tremendous amounts of highly addictive narcotic medications from his pill-pushing housekeeper Wilma Cline, and, b) is likely to be subjected to arrest. Oh, by the way, dear Wilma sold her hot celebrity story to The National Enquirer for about four hundred thousand dollars. Am I surprised by the overall situation? Yes and no.
Given Limbaugh's outstanding analytical mind and sharp wit, it's difficult to believe that he's constantly in a drug induced state. Who is more articulate and funny than Limbaugh in the world of political commentary? Nobody. However, the hard truth is this: Among entertainers, media personalities and politicos, substance abuse exists in epidemic proportions. For that reason, many conservatives have quickly moved beyond denial and are prepared to hear the worst of it. And I think the majority of conservatives will continue to be compassionate and supportive toward El Rushbo as long as he embraces rehabilitative efforts.
Limbaugh is clearly the most influential conservative of our era, with a radio audience of up to thirty million listeners each week. He's probably converted more Americans to the conservative persuasion than any individual except Ronald Reagan. Understandably, Limbaugh's myriad political foes rejoice in his current troubles. Al Franken and the radical Left are ecstatic. If the tabloid piece largely pans out, Limbaugh has provided his enemies with significant ammunition in efforts to discredit and silence him. But will those hostile to Limbaugh ultimately succeed in ruining him? I doubt it. His current woes are definitely a setback, but not insurmountable. I would state one pivotal caveat. The only individual who can really bring down Limbaugh is Limbaugh himself. Conservatives will maintain solidarity with Limbaugh if, and only if, he dedicates himself to being clean and sober. However, if Limbaugh continues to dabble in drugs, his legion of fans and listeners will slowly drift away.
Although most people are focused upon Limbaugh's legal circumstances, much more is at stake. Drug addiction is a life-threatening condition, which requires proper intervention. Reports indicate that Limbaugh had been rapidly detoxed twice, but returned to drugs both times. Of course he has to undergo another detoxification, and not of the dubious "ultra-rapid" variety that is completed in 24 hours. But what about follow-up care? I'm referring to a program of drug treatment to prevent relapse. Importantly, with relapse there's always the specter of overdose and further physical deterioration. And Limbaugh will have to fight his addictive inclinations for the rest of his life - that is the nature of the beast. It's encouraging to note that many radio and television personalities, such as Don Imus and Larry Kudlow, are succeeding in their day-by-day recovery efforts.
The drugs taken by Limbaugh - OxyContin, Lorcet and Hydrocone - are terribly dangerous by all accounts. Never mind that they cause a host of emotional side effects including paranoia and mood swings. Now, it's coming to light that at least two of these powerful painkillers are linked to sudden hearing loss. In other words, it's conceivable that Limbaugh's deafness was caused by his own addictive behaviors. If that turns out to be the case, it's not only tragic but speaks to the incredible grip of dependency created by these drugs. On some level Rush Limbaugh, like all substance abusers, has self-destructive tendencies. That's his private business, and his responsibility to explore through counseling. For addicts, arrest is often a good thing since the Court system forces them into essential treatment. Roy Black is a very adept criminal attorney who understands these issues. If Limbaugh is charged with a crime, certainly mandatory drug rehabilitation would be part of the plea bargain. I doubt that Limbaugh would be made to serve any jail time.
As to The National Enquirer article, I read it. And I found it to be credible, rife with details that demonstrate the severity of Limbaugh's substance abuse problem. Limbaugh had at least one other drug supplier besides Wilma Cline, referred to as his "FedEx" connection. Apparently OxyContin is Limbaugh's drug of choice. And law enforcement authorities are in possession of a couple of tapes, and a bunch of emails, that substantiate the claims made by Wilma Cline and her husband regarding Limbaugh. The Cline couple cut themselves a very nice deal with the people at The National Enquirer that are experts at marketing
The first time I even heard a peep from him, was during somebody's standing up in front of the class and their beginning to speak; when he said, "F_ck you."
His timing was perfect and often would bring down the house.
By chance, he had landed in among friends (but how could he know that well enough?); everybody in the class knew immediately, that his difficulties were, while a little difficult to deal with at first, still harmless, meant nothing, and to be set aside in order to proceed. There were no complaints.
He chose, however, to drop out, because, as best as I gathered, he was sensitive to the problem and no matter how accepted, he could not overcome the slight turn of the head that is an instinctive reaction to "out of the ordinary outbursts." As I said, his timing was perfect; he had a great sense of humor, it seemed, but he could not be sure that the class was laughing at his material, instead of at him.
A little more time to observe him, and let sink in this new part of life; some time to adjust, would have been nice.
And I like to think that he might have tried and tried again until he found the speech class through which he could achieve the victory, there, that he sought.
Yet no one took offense; and no one made offense.
I was sorry to see him not return to the class.
A present-day "liberal" would have made a mess of it, by zealous pontificating on how "insensitive" and "meanspirited" we all were --- political thought policing that of course, was utterly unnecessary.
But try to prove that life exists beyond the reach of the Democrat Party that lays claim to all force feeding, without which, the advertisment states that we will all surely be doomed!
That guy may never have made it through a class, but he had class for trying, and we did not need a political officer to tell us how to behave.
Now, there I've gone and done it! I've belittled the employment of state officials!
It just comes out of me.
Enquirer Held (Rush) Story for Two Years, which would place the Enquirer's knowledge of the story in September, 2001, about the same time that Rush probably first went to the House Ear Clinic.
There is no doubt in my mind that someone in the House Clinic called at least the LA Times and maybe the Enquirer.
So we have a probable violation of medical ethics here as well.
Good point. An example of such a person is Hillary Clinton.
The Rodham is just frosting on your cake.
I never believed anyone who used an intial as a middle name.
It's open season on Rush, but I'm not buying any of it.
He may be an establishment Republican, but he's our establishment Republican.
Others that jump on the "Get Rush Bandwagon" are either from the extreme left or are RepublicRATs.
No, I'm not dense. You're just doing a lousy job of articulating your point of view (must be a language barrier of some sort).
I'm amazed that you accuse me of "blind allegiance" to Rush Limbaugh when you've obviously jumped on the National Enquirer's, and mainstream Media's bandwagon. Have fun embarassing yourself!
Two out of how many? What is the National Enquirer's record for accuracy? How many times has "the Enquirer" been sued for touting bogus stories as news? If I remember right the Enquirer lost a huge lawsuit to Joan Rivers by reporting that she "drove her husband to suicide."
Personally, I'd be embarassed to try to make the case that the National Enquirer is a legitimate news source. I suppose some people just don't know any better.
Whenever Rush starts up blathering about golf, football, or any other matter having nothing -- whatsoever -- to do with politics?
I realize he's either having to deal with a slow news day, or, he's simply sick-to-death discussing politics.
That said, I calmly reach over & turn off the radio.
I've become very good at detecting if & when he's *slipping* -- after years of listening -- so can make a determination of our *future* within minutes of his going on the air.
If I permit myself to be sucked into his -- perfectly understandable -- lapse(s) of creativity, as I used to routinely do in the past?
It'd only serve to piss me off moreso than I already am; &, of course a condition of hightened pissedoffedness ain't *good* for me, y'know. {g}
As for your pal's acquaintance afflicted with TS, who, "No matter who addressed him" blurted out, "F_ck You(!)"??
Given the overwhelming abundance of empty-headed blabbermouths spawned by these times that guy very well might be the most prescient person any of us may ever know.
One truly blessed with & possessed of *the gift* for cutting right to the chase.
Certainly entitled to an honorary degree in "Rhetoric," anyway.
Wouldn't you think?
Now about Rush Limbaugh's alleged illegal drug use; &, *ignoring* the tremendous quantities he's been accused of injesting, per day?
HA!!
Don'tchu have to [really] wonder why if someone had been "wired" & there's supposedly exists all manner of other incriminating "evidence"?
Why hasn't the man already been -- long ago -- arrested, taken into custody and put into the justice {spit} system for adjudication?
If any *part* of this is true, minimally it sounds -- to me -- like certain law enforcement agencies (unk) have been quite derelict in their duties if, they had knowledge of any illegal drug usage/sales/trafficing yet, failed to act in an expedient fashion thereby permitting a dangerous druggie to run amok?
It might've behoved all who were responsible for starting this bullcocka to remember, shit rolls downhill.
~yea.
Beyond all the baloney swirling about this *scandal*, there's really not much anyone can believe from the pathetic likes of the *Enquirer*; or, any other leftist sewers for that matter, the LASlimes not withstanding.
I'll wait to see what transpires after this thing resolves, & then make up my mind about Rush for myself.
"Simply saying that the outrage and sanctimonious criticism is, as usual, coming from sources whose closets probably contain many more skeletons than Limbaugh’s – with some of those bony creatures probably packed in there in sardine-like fashion."
Is that *precious*, or what?!
Thanks for another "joanie-f *classic*."
...that one'll have me smiling all day long.
Rush said that he would give the details, which ever way they unfold.
I trust that he will do exactly that.
If he did in fact purchase some meds on the black market, he did himself a disservice, but has not commited any crime.
As I have also stated, addiction to these drugs indeed comes with legal a necessary use. It is something that all of us that use the oxi class painkillers deal with and it is not exactly fun.
It requires some real self control to go through withdrawls to get off the stuff when and if it is no longer needed. The withdrawls last 3-5 days and it is pretty much a miserable experience.
fortunately for me, I have done it a few times but it is difficult. It is not near as bad as heroin however.(went through that back in 69-70)
My point is that these allegations must be exaggerated or untrue. If they are based on some truth, then Rush has a problem that can be corrected and it should not take away from the person that he is.
Addiction to prescription pain drugs is not a wrong, it is a result of using them. Abuse, on the other hand is a wrong.
I do not believe that Rush is a abuser.
Well, it's obvious that I'm wasting my time here trying to point out the fallacies in these accusation to such a dedicated Rush Limbaugh hater! Please keep me informed of other news worthy events from "the Enquirer." Things like alien landings, Bigfoot and Loch Ness sightings, and the ever popular Batboy! You know the things that the National Enquirer "scoops" all of the mainstream Media source on.
That cuts both ways, Bub!
$400K is much better than being paid $370 per week for unpleasant work. Free market at work! Rush should approve.
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.