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.

[yonif]

http://www.premieretalk.com/

Rush Limbaugh Statement on Prescription Pain Medication Stories
New York, NY – October 10, 2003 –Rush Limbaugh today issued the following statement on his radio program:

"You know I have always tried to be honest with you and open about my life. So I need to tell you today that part of what you have heard and read is correct. I am addicted to prescription pain medication.

I first started taking prescription painkillers some years ago when my doctor prescribed them to treat post surgical pain following spinal surgery. Unfortunately the surgery was unsuccessful, and I continued to have severe pain in my lower back and also in my neck due to herniated discs. I am still experiencing that pain. Rather than opt for additional surgery for these conditions, I chose to treat the pain with prescribed medication. This medication turned out to be highly addictive.

Over the past several years I have tried to break my dependence on pain pills and, in fact, twice checked myself into medical facilities in an attempt to do so. I have recently agreed with my physician about the next steps.

Immediately following this broadcast, I am checking myself into a treatment center for the next 30 days to once and for all break the hold this highly addictive medication has on me. The show will continue during this time, of course, with an array of guest hosts you have come to know and respect.

I am not making any excuses. You know, over the years athletes and celebrities have emerged from treatment centers to great fanfare and praise for conquering great demons. They are said to be great role models and examples for others. Well, I am no role model. I refuse to let anyone think I am doing something great here, when there are people you never hear about, who face long odds and never resort to such escapes. They are the role models. I am no victim and do not portray, myself as such. I take full responsibility for my problem.

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 deeply appreciate all your support over this last tumultuous week. It has sustained me. I ask now for your prayers. I look forward to resuming our excursion into broadcast excellence together.”

http://mfile.akamai.com/2493/wma/premrad.download.akamai.com/2493/rushlimb/101003_rushstatement.asx

http://download.premiereradio.net/rushlimb/101003_rushstatement.mp3

http://mfile.akamai.com/2493/wmv/premrad.download.akamai.com/2493/rushlimb/101003_rushstatement_video.asx

http://download.premiereradio.net/rushlimb/101003_rushstatement_video.wmv

[arete]

to a war enemy under physical torture would be a hell of a lot worse because the person being tortured would have sold out his friends, putting his own needs above those of his countrymen - but I'd -still- feel sympathy for him! Getting addicted to pain meds is like breaking to torture

Somehow I just can't relate what you are rambling on about to anything having to do with a pompous arrogant radio windbag turned junkie.

Richard W.

[oceanview]

If he has pain, and needs the drugs for pain, its no different then someone who needs drugs for high cholesterol. Are people "addicted" to Zocor?

Now, I will quickly add that in the Rush case, the quantity and the means used to obtain them are in question, but let's see what the explanation is for that.

But its not like someone who uses them to get high.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

There is a doctor on Fox every Sunday, can't recall his name. He advocates use of pain killers, even addictive ones as being preferable to living with pain. There was an older lady that called in to the Kimmer show on WGST after Rush's show, she admitted she was addicted to pain killers as there is nothing else that the doctors could do for the pain. She said she would do anything to get the pills if the doctor cut her off.

[WackyKat]

Uh, he admitted it when he got CAUGHT ! This isn't some teary-eyed first timer admitting the error of this ways. This is a HYPOCRITE who owes all his fellow dopers an apology !

You've got that right.

The Rushies are twisting themselves into pretzels trying to salvage their image of their hero.

[Dane]

Yes, it was his best PR move now that his cojones are in a legal vise.

If he has so much "courage" why didn't he tell the public on the two previous occasions he went into detox?

All I can figure, is that you are a Hillary minion. Rush is going through some mental anguish now, and all you can do is pile on, while Rush is asking for our prayers and forgiveness.

Rush is facing his demons, and more power to him, I say. Rather than going the Clinton route of denial and ruining innocent peoples lives who were in the path of the Clinton demons.

[MrLeRoy]

"Let's all admit something." [...] "There's nothing good about drug use," he was saying. "We know it. It destroys individuals. It destroys families. Drug use destroys societies.

Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs. And the laws are good because we know what happens to people in societies and neighborhoods which become consumed by them.

And so if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/994400/posts

[jimt]

I've been listening to Rush consistently since April 1990. I cannot recall him ever forthrightly addressing drug addiction. Not once.

He's addressed it numerous times, particularly in the context of libertarians. He's always been pro WOsD. He's made numerous "...dope smokin', maggot infested..." snide remarks about various individuals and groups.

He's been caught with his pants down. Or more accurately, with the pill bottle in his hand, by his dealer with the cigar box, turned narc.

[zoyd]

Please tell me whose lives, Rush has ruined, other than his own and Marta's. Did he break into a house with a gun, shoot an old lady, and steal money?

So, Mr. Drug Warrior, are you making the case that peaceful drug users who do not violate the direct rights of others, should be allowed to lawfully ingest drugs?

So you're okay with coke addicts snorting to their heart's content, as long as you're not harmed by it?

This would be quite the reversal of your previous position inre: the dangers of drugs to society, both directly and indirectly.

What about the profits Rush bestowed upon his dealer? He made a drug dealer rich. He also induced (allegedly) his housekeeper to engage in illegal behavior. That's some harm being committed -- sucking in others to support his addiction.

In addition, the now-wealthy drug dealer is an example to kids in his neighborhood, that selling hillbilly heroin makes you rich, and you get to sell it to rich people.

Rush is helping to destroy a nation with his promotion of the illegal drug trade.

And you're sitting here, defending him???!?!??!?!

Ah, the world is upside down.

[lonevoice]

Last these are prescription drugs. I know of one woman who must take oxycotin every day in order to function. If the pain can not be addressed, it literally may be impossible to stop taking the pills.

I can't imagine any way that this can possibly be medically addressed. What you say is true, I fear. And very sad.

[kittycroft]

For 30 day facilities the rate is less than 30% recovery.

[WackyKat]

We support Rush. Compassion seems to be something that only people with heart have

Too bad Rush has never shown much for his fellow dopers.

[Qwinn]

Okay, just to state my position: I think that people who don't find any distinction between pain meds and recreational use are both wrong, whether they're on the pro-WOD or anti-Rush side of the argument.

I never really got any impression from Rush that he was all hot on the war on drugs either. Never seemed to me to be even an unimportant theme with him. Far as I can tell, he would've only had a problem with someone on drugs if they thought the government owed it to them to support their habit.

And note, I'm not a regular Rush listener. I could easily have missed something. I check out his website pretty regularly tho, and never read anything about him promoting the WOD.

Me? I think the number of people in jail for marijuana use is insane. I favor it's full legalization. As for other drugs, I favor decriminalizing the use but not the dealing of it.

Qwinn

[mhking]

Rush is helping to destroy a nation with his promotion of the illegal drug trade.

Huh!? 1+1=4?

[MrLeRoy]

What is a "mental meal ticket"?

The phrase is self-explanatory, IMO.

I have no idea what it might mean.

[MinuteGal]

Thomas Paine wrote about the summer soldiers and the sunshine patriots who wobbled and deserted during the "time that tries mens' souls".

Rush, whether it's summer or winter, sunshine or darkness, I'm with you through your tribulation. My prayers for your recovery are from deep inside my heart and soul.

Leni

[Skooz]

Well, you know how it is. When people who fail in life because they are congenital losers see someone who is successful, they seethe with envious rage. Then, when the object of their jealousy falls and is shown to be human, they kick him when he is down with glee.

It's the closest thing the pitiable souls have to an accomplishment. It's all they have in their pathetic, miserable existence.

[sbnsd]

How does it feel to be perfect? I'm very tired of people who NEVER have a human frailty, or at least won't admit to it. Rush came forward today in the most public way that he could. I admire him for it, and pray for his recovery.

Ditto. I agree completely.
Does anyone have an address where we can send cards? If you do, please freepmail me with it. Thanks.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

What a brilliant thought. I bet that took a lot of effort. You should get some rest now.

[jimt]

The Rushies are twisting themselves into pretzels trying to salvage their image of their hero.

Don't get me wrong - in many ways he's a hero of mine as well. He was instrumental in torpedoing Hillary Care, changing the balance of power in Congress, publicizing the sins of Komrade Klinton and the witch - many, many things. While I respect that, and won't forget, he's also been a major hypocrite on the WOsD.

People who try to excuse that have to turn themselves into pretzels, because unacknowledged hypocrisy by our side is nothing less than inexcusable.