Posted on 10/11/2003 11:42:39 AM PDT by dpflanagan
BEFORE THE TOP 10 LIST - A STATEMENT REGARDING RUSH LIMBAUGH Yesterday, October 10, 2003, was the day that we all heard the sad truth of Rushs addiction to prescription pain medication. Of course, rumors have been rampant for a week now, ever since the story appeared in the National Enquirer. The flames were fanned when Rush, rather than denying the story, commented on the air that he would respond only after the legal ramifications were understood. At that point, many of us who have been his loyal listeners over the past 15 years knew that at least part of this story was true.
As for myself, I chose not to comment publicly nor write any commentary until Rush did indeed offer his own response. Im glad I waited, because, though, he did acknowledge his addiction, I was encouraged by his statement. Though the radical left has reacted to this story with remarkable glee, including truly despicable and un-presidential (no big surprise there) comments from the french-looking John Kerry, Rush offered no harsh response to any of that. Instead, he gave us the straight story and did exactly what liberals do not do; he took personal responsibility for his situation and for its remedy. Here is part of his statement:
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. Rush Limbaugh, October 10, 2003
Now, lets turn our attention to our friends on the far-distant left, many of whom greeted this news with unbridled joy. These, of course, are the nitwits who consistently paint drug addicts as victims and who love to attack conservatives for their lack of compassion. Yet, when Rushs story broke, where was their compassion? The typical response to my question is something like, well, Rush was always acting to high and mighty and telling us that he was right all the time... Well, guess what, Rush WAS right all the time, and thats why liberals hate him.
Even though Rush never planned for this to happen in his life, I think it completely appropriate, as well as ironic, that Rushs predicament once again exposes the false compassion of the left. If the liberals were TRULY compassionate, and if they REALLY believed that addicts were victims, they should have shown some kind of support for him, or, at the very least, remained silent. Instead, you hear statements like Kerrys where he commented during a presidential debate, no less, that one way to solve your prescription drug problems would be to hire Rush Limbaugh, and comments heard from Ed Asner and others hoping that what happened to Rush would soon happen to Sean Hannity and other conservative talk show hosts.
Even during a time of personal turmoil, Rush has indirectly shown exactly how right he is about liberals; and that too I find encouraging. I have no doubt that Rush will deal with his personal crisis and return to the airwaves better than ever. The vultures on the left think they have a feed coming, but Im confident that what theyll have is only more disappointment and frustration.
Rush is right, and hell be back! Now, on to the Top 10!
THE TOP TEN EXCUSES YOU WOULD HAVE HEARD IF RUSH WERE A LIBERAL Yesterday, Rush Limbaugh admitted his problem and his responsibility in an admirable way. But, what if it were a liberal who was found to be addicted and then had to make a public statement to his/her fans? Here are the top 10 liberal excuses you might hear:
10) Before I comment, Ive invited Jesse Jackson to say a few words...
9) I think this morality play from the right is just reprehensible!
8) Well, first let me point out that I served in Viet Nam...
7) It depends on what your definition of pill is.
6) You can read all about it in my scintillating psuedo-autobiography, on sale in December.
5) I have just two words on this issue... Big Pharmaceutical!
4) I never had a pill-popping relationship with that woman... Ms. Cline!
3) This is all part of some vast right wing conspiracy.
2) The B*!ch set me up!!!
And now, the number one excuse.... Drumroll please!
Yes, its true that I bought the pills... but I never swallowed them!
David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com
Well, I'm sorry, but that's not rationalization, those are facts. The addiction Limbaugh is suffering under and the crimes he is alleged to have committed are light years away from something like cocaine both morally and medically. If someone wants to say he's still as pure as the driven snow, then that's stupid rationalization, but making a distinction between his situation and a junkie or drug dealer is just plain reality.
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