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.

[Cathryn Crawford]

He wasn't working the system for fun or profit, it was for relief of pain.

Good point.

[DollyCali]

Rush thread ping to ATRW

Hi MHK !!! long time from situation room threads!

New situation ..

Pain in ones back is different for everyone & we should all be careful to laugh it off & minimize the problem.

I have severe back pain..Been progressively worse for 20 years...Onset about 40 years ago.... but I also have an active life.

Answer is lots of over the conter meds. People who say one can live with the pain, don't know what they are talking about. 20 years ago I went from moderate to heavy user. do I like this? not particularly. But I like the pain much less.

My brother who has had similar problems has had two back surgeries & both have made the problem worse. SOme get good results .. others get disasters. Running to the knife for an quick fix is not always the correct thing to do.

His answers aren't easy. If he successfully gets off the meds the problem of the pain is still there(as was addressed by several posts prior)

My thoughts on Rush is that if anything there is probably been a dulling effect of his mind / show. Heaven help the RATS when he no longer has half his brain tied behind his back...and is free from this demon.

*G*

Prayers to our friend in conservativism - Rush.. may he through this find God in a new and meaningful way... I feel certain that there will be people in his life in the next few weeks who will be there for him in the spiritual as well as medical & emotional sense.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

LIBERAL COMPASSION:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=160185

Disgusting...simply disgusting.

[A CA Guy]

The addiction was very likly caused in the hosital due to surgery. I doubt it was for recreation, I think it was extreme pain that made him take the many pills.

There is no easy answer for him in the future.

[Badray]

I was hospitalized a year ago with an infection that abcessed. It was a very large abcess involving a sensitive area. The first thing the docs offered me was morphine. I laughed. I told them that for 3 weeks, I managed the pain with aspirin and I wouldn't need anything stronger.

The next day after surgery (34 one inch incisions into and around that sensitive area with drains installed for irrigation) I awoke and my whole body felt like it had been rubbed raw with a wire brush. I asked for the morphine then. The next day, during the first post surgical exam by the doctor, he ordered another shot (not morphine again, but I can't remember the drug), and the next day it was Darvocet. That was it. I wouldn't take anything else even though I was in for another week.

I didn't really feel the need for anything stronger, but was also very mindful of the possibility of getting hooked.

I too wish Rush the best. I'm sure he'll come through this and be better than ever.

[anniegetyourgun]

The Prez is a compassionate conservative (unlike many here on FR who only pass themselves off as conservatives, but are meaner than stink). He has also dealt with his own addiction in his past, and is an overcomer. I suspect he would only want the same transformation for Rush. So do I.

[snopercod]

Looks like Deep In the Hurtgen Forest is back...

[mhking]

Drudge and the slimeball "reporter" for the Enquirer who broke the story are due to be on Buchanan & Press tonight at 6P ET on MSNBC.

[Nov3]

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?

I cringe when I see people basically say Rush will beat this by force of will!! My will was broken 10/12/1984

[wayoverontheright]

Rush will defeat this because he refuses to be a victim.

[Skooz]

Disgusting...simply disgusting.

But not at all surprising, is it? They are truly a vile, loathsome, repulsive sort of offscouring.

[ExpandNATO]

It is a strange coincidence but big breaking news always seems to occur when he is not there (including the September 11th hijackings).

IIRC, from Rush's call to his own show from that day.

His absence during September 11th was a consequence of the hijackings. When all the planes in the sky were told to set down, he was on his private jet and it was not allowed to return home. As a result, Rush could not broadcast, since he was not in New York and could not drive to the Florida studio on time either.

[Qwinn]

I actually do have sympathy for people caught up in what ARE some rather inane drug laws. My point so far has not been to claim that our drug laws don't need work - they DO, and a lot. My point has simply been that there is a real and marked difference between prescription drugs for pain and recreational drug use.

I don't buy the "physical pain = spiritual pain" analogy either. I've known people who have great reason to have a ton of spiritual pain but who deal with it with strength and fortitude. They don't let what happened to them -get- to them. In effect, through their religion or simple optimism or whatever, they don't -feel- that kind of pain. Spiritual pain is one that one can cure oneself. Physical pain cannot be escaped no matter how hard you wish or how good your attitude is - it is relentless and inescapable by any other means.

Qwinn

[mhking]

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?

Sounds like a personal problem to me...

[cake_crumb]

"I'm sure he'll beat this and come back, better than ever. Unfortunately, there are those here who are upset with him, since he doesn't walk on water."

Just look at what some did with Bill Bennett and the gambling. I pray Rush has the strength to overcome this, day by day.

I broke my back in 1984. I broke my neck in 1989. I can relate to his problem with painkillers. I only avoided becoming an addict because my young kids and my job required me to be 100% mentally aware all the time...which also means 100% aware of the chronic pain. It just depends on the individual and on their ability to handle their particular pain. I use a lot of mental tricks - and physical tricks - to deal with it. This is probably what Rush will have to learn to do.

[blackie]

Thanks, I ride in this 425HP Ford F-150 SVT Lightning pickup when not on the Suzuki ~ old curmudgeon's like to go fast, too: :)

[ValenB4]

Why is it sad?

[Belial]

Rush will defeat this because he refuses to be a victim.

Yes, and at least this puts to rest all the tinfoil stuff about Rush being setup in some Democratic conspiracy.

I guess he won't be collecting all that libel cash I heard folks talking about.

[A CA Guy]

Also a great move to cut-off any criminal investigation.

He's in a clinic for his addiction now due to severe illness.
So what does that leave the police to chase down?
A fellow with a bad medical condition took all these extra pain pills for excruciating pain. Tried even twice before to stop and has now put himself in a 30 day program.

This just blocked the investigation. He is taking care of his problem and his problem existed due to a reasonable reason, so this was a good move.

When Rush comes out he'll tell the police he was in extreme pain and in desperation. He was out of his head on one level and went to a doctor and clinic acknowledged and is attempting to fix the problem.

Good move all around for Rush.

[Sofa King]

Hell, there were times (before the implant) when I forgot that he was effectively deaf.