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
I never suggested doing *anything* with him.
Hope he's boat leaves soon......
BWAHAAAAAAAA!!!
Ahmen!
Many of these leakers are the very same people responsible for lynching Newt Gingrich, Trent Lott, Livingston & a host of other good conservatives whose names I no longer can recall.
Yup, & their only *probable cause* for throwing 'em all under the bus?
The indictment(s) of their -- supposedly -- sworn enemy, the 'Rats & their sycophant media quislings!
Sorry, but there's absolutely no reasoning with the type of cannibal the left has fashioned of those who'd insist they "support" conservative politics these days.
See ya in Honduras, pal.
...you're buying. {g}
You know better than that, I hope.
Is [that] what's actually going on in America today; because, isn't (the lack of) personal responsibility really at the very crux of any such "feel good" argument, Mud?
Reread what you wrote & let us speak of this again, OK?
"...if Rush pauses mid-sentence, I've gotta pretty good record of finishing his thought."
:)
...& I'll testify to that, too. {g}
You were right on the money.
Anyway, I think getting addicted to prescription painkillers as a result of back surgery is a lot different from using an illicit drug such as cocaine. It's not like he started on the stuff for a kick. Isn't it the libs who always talk about addiction being a sickness, not a sin?
Correct.
Rush addressed the allegations about illegal activity only obliquely, therefore we just don't know what really happened.
"At the present time, the authorities are conducting an investigation, and I have been asked to limit my public comments until this investigation is complete. So I will only say that the stories you have read and heard contain inaccuracies and distortions, which I will clear up when I am free to speak about them.I suspect the National Enquirer story is not 100% accurate; it will be a guessing game at this time to ascertain whether Rush bought drugs illegally or not.
I think we're OK here Lockbar.
The fact that Rush is addicted to painkillers doesn't change that fact that a limited government constitutional republic as delineated by the founding fathers is the greatest political system in the history of mankind. Clinton and the democrat socialists are still WRONG!
Wow. bad comparison there sonserae. How about comparing Rush to the leading liberal/socialist commentator that helps form public opinion - instead of the impeached President?
.
.
Oh that's right - there isn't any.
Which is it?
My guess (I Am Not A Doctor) is that since it's an opiate-derived medication, oxycontin has effects similar to heroin and supresses appetite.
Snidely
It appears that they were.
On yesterdays program when he first came on he said he was really tired. Throughout the program he kept mispronouncing words.
Today as he started the program he was mispronouncing words also. Instead of saying Malibu he said Balibu.
I knew something was up, but I had to leave and missed his confession.
No one here wished the allegations of Rush's drug dependency were true, but some of us were objective enough, not blindly loyal to Rush, to see there there was likely some veracity to the story, whether it came from the National Enquirer or not.
And what everyone is missing here, is the only reason Rush revealed all this, is because he got BUSTED!
Good luck Rush.....
I'm here and I offer you my apology for accusing you of having precognitive powers based merely on media reports. Given the fact that you were correct, you now have the right to bash Rush for being addicted to pain-killing medication all you want....
Have at it Adams......
no I didn't, If I was implying anything, it certainly wouldn't have been a life form as high as a weasel..........
FWIW, I apologized to adams but I defer the same to you because I have a problem with assh..es who are orgasmic in seeing good people succumb to the same addictions that you would think nothing of partaking in if you were in the same situation........
Having said that, the only regret I have in this whole situation is the inability to meet Rush's detractors face to face, especially you..
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