Rush Limbaugh: Open Line Friday [Confirms Some Aspects of Drug Story, Checking In To Rehab]

[I Am Not A Mod]

A thread for those listening to today's show.

[Wiser now]

I don't think our modern medicine understands how to treat pain or back problems effectively. Having suffered with a herniated disk, I can tell you I have hung on to the bedpost and screamed. The nurses at the local ER thought I was already addicted to pain killers. I have had one of my babies by natural childbirth, and believe me, I'd rather have another baby.
The day my surgery was finally scheduled, my surgeon wanted to call the surgery off because the medication "cocktail" I had been taking was working and I could function most of the day after taking Flexeril, Naprosin, and Vicodin! I know people who live in severe pain because they aren't good candidates for surgery.
My son-in-law is scheduled for back surgery after Thanksgiving, and the father of another son-in-law is recovering from back surgery. After three weeks of recovery the pain is returning. One of my cousins lives in a brace.
Back problems are more prevailent than breast cancer, but guess where all the hype and money are?

[TheDon]

Rush is just LUCKY. He's already got the money to buy his drugs, loads of it. But he isn't any different at bottom from any other junkie. He is no longer in control of his life.

Lucky? I doubt he's feeling lucky at this point. As for his wealth, I think luck had little to do with it.

Some, not just you, are trying to create a moral equivalence between Rush's addiction to pain killers and addiction to recreational drugs. They are quite different, both in the reason they started taking the drug, and why they continue to take them.

An addiction to a pain medication, initiated by a doctor prescription, for relief of pain cannot be equated to the first instance of taking a recreational drug to get a euphoric feeling. To make those equivalent is absurd.

As the pain medication user builds up a tolerance to the pain medication, it becomes less effective in reducing the pain for which they are taking the medicine. They may need a larger dose to continue receiving the same pain relief. If the pain goes away and they continue to take the medicine because they have become addicted to it, then you can say they shouldn't be taking the medicine any longer, but it would be unfair to say they should be looked down on.

When a person takes a drug for recreational purposes, they are acting foolishly. They are taking a tremendous risk. One choice, to take the drug the first time, can lead to the end your brother had.

I'm sorry for your brother, but do not think that every case has to turn out that way. As you can read on this thread, there are many success stories. And I think we will soon be adding another one about Rush.

[headsonpikes]

...Rush did not open up to us on his own...

No, he didn't confess without a little 'encouragement'.

As I said earlier...You may be a piece of work, but you're a consistent piece of work.

[Dane]

I lost my own brother to drug addiction. I know first hand what Rush and his family are going through. I have deep sympathy for him, as for his family, as for the millions of addicts, rich and poor, black and white

Nice try at a dodge RB, but you outed yourself with your last sentence in your reply #222 of this thread, which is in bold and italics below.

But I do wonder why all this sympathy for rich, white, Republican junkie, and utter indifference to the plight of all those others caught up in our insane and inane drug laws?

Your above italicized and bolded phrase is texbook DU, IMO. The callous class warfare argument used at it's demagogic best, IMO.

[Skooz]

The operative words are perceived to be.

[headsonpikes]

...Rush did not open up to us on his own...

No, he didn't confess without a little 'encouragement'.

As I said earlier...You may be a piece of work, but you're a consistent piece of work.

[A CA Guy]

He was addicted due to excruciating pain for a severe back and neck injury.

This not exactly recreational use. Sounds more like desperation for pain relief.

[Qwinn]

"Bill Bennett, Rush.... It always looks worse for those who are perceived to be purist ideologues."

As opposed to leftist ideologues, who are immune to any criticism because the only "purity" they can imagine is in government, not in individuals.

Like I said - "Hypocrisy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue." I'd rather give everyone the right to stake out a moral position, EVERYONE, rather than act like no one can criticize anyone else. No duh, everyone has flaws.

There's something far worse than hypocrisy - and that is actively sponsoring and condoning evil. What's worse than hypocrisy is getting actively self-righteous about what you're doing wrong and blame everyone else for your actions.

Rush didn't do that. Bennett didn't do that. Clinton did.

Qwinn

[Sofa King]

The leftists have ALWAYS been attacking Rush. And to face prosecution he would have had to purchase the drugs illegally. Where, exactly, in his statement does he say that he was doing that?

[Rebelbase]

"Expect NO sympathy from the natering nabobs of negativity."

Exactly. And watch them make fun of all postitive support Rush gets from his listeners and conservatives....people who genuinely care about others. Upset with us because we don't kick Rush to the curb and throw him out with the trash.

[WackyKat]

He never condemned gambling. Far as I'm concerned, there was absolutely nothing even -remotely- hypocritical in any "moral high ground" Bennett staked out.

That's because Bennett only attacked other people's vices.

Bennett never condemned gambling because it was his preferred vice. This sophistry in the service of hero worship is really tiresome.

[LittleJoe]

Drug addiction ruins lives, and more people don't seek treatment because they fear the consequences of admitting to illegal acts.

You are 100% right. Joe Sixpack is screwed if he has an addiction. He risks losing his job and his freedom.

Rush has done nothing to disappoint me. His truth is just as relevant with a drug addiction as without.

This cloud does have a silver lining. Rush can now speak openly about addiction and bring some sanity into this debate.

[justshe]

Thank you so much for your transcriptions.

Rush never claimed to be God.....and it would appear that those who listened to him and ascribed those God-like attributes to him, now feel it acceptable to abandon him in his hour of need.

My heartfelt prayers to God that he will sustain Rush and Marta in their time of need. God, please soften the hearts of those who have forgotten there can be only one God, and help them to remember their humanity.

[old-ager]

> Damn. Praying

Cursing and praying at the same time?

[anniegetyourgun]

Thank you for your testimony about being a new creation in Christ. My guess is that the Lord has been trying to get this one's attention for many years. Rush needs to stop testing God's patience, get on his face before the Holy One, and admit that he is not his own master. That's my prayer - that Rush will come to the point of understanding that there is no strength within himself that will be sufficient.

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12

[Bluntpoint]

Some, not just you, are trying to create a moral equivalence between Rush's addiction to pain killers and addiction to recreational drugs. They are quite different, both in the reason they started taking the drug, and why they continue to take them.

Many so called "recreational" users begin taking drugs for pyscholocical reasons. Heavy drinkers and drug abuses are often labeled "recreational" users when in fact they are merely self-medicating their mental problems. Both Rush and "recreational" abusers need help and prayers.

[sissyjane]

God bless Rush! Please pray for him and his wife. He's our voice and I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

[weegee]

Laura Ingram has her own syndicated show (on another network) so I doubt that she would sub. Ann Coulter is available.

Michael Medved has a show and used to sub but I don't know if he is syndicated.

There are other female conservatives who could be put in there (there are even some FReepers who got on Politically (in)Correct several times); the question for any sub (male or female) is can they cover 3 hours by themselves? Those who are authors/columnists stand a better chance.

I imagine that usual subs, Walter Williams and others will again take the microphone and they each may get most of a week with one or two hosts just taking the mike for a day.