Posted on 10/12/2003 5:05:07 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
'There's nothing good about drug use. We know it. It destroys individuals. It destroys families. ... 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." -- Rush Limbaugh, Oct. 5, 1995, on the Excellence In Broadcasting network.
Rush Limbaugh's fans often tell me I don't have the right to criticize "El Rushbo" because I don't regularly tune in his program.
Granted, I often go weeks without listening to Limbaugh, but I do check out his show from time to time, and I have read his books, and I even pay to subscribe to his Internet newsletter, purely for journalistic purposes. ("Poor Diet? Lack of Sleep? Time to take your Stresstabs," read the ad on Limbaugh's home page last Friday.)
As I've said before, I disagree with about 90 percent of Limbaugh's positions -- but I do think he's a greatly talented broadcaster. No matter how much Limbaugh frets about "the media," he IS the media. He wields more clout, makes more money and has a larger audience than a dozen Michael Moores.
Still, I freely and gladly acknowledge that there are tens of millions of Limbaugh loyalists who are infinitely more familiar with his radio show than I am -- and to those dittoheads, I ask:
Is Rush the forgiving type?
Does his heart bleed for addicts and others who might be considered weak or lost or helpless?
How does he handle it when a public figure under fire minces words and says things like "Trust me" -- and then later confesses a very human weakness?
Does Rush say all people -- Democrats and Republicans, blacks and whites, straights and gays -- should be given a second chance?
Let me be more specific. If Al Franken (or Hillary Clinton, or Jesse Jackson) announced an addiction to painkillers and issued a statement about going into rehab, would Limbaugh publicly wish this person well and tell his listeners to say a prayer -- or would he mock their moment of darkness and use it for comedic purposes and political ammunition?
'I am no role model'
Even after the National Enquirer broke the story about Limbaugh allegedly purchasing illegal painkillers from a black market ring and even after the mainstream media confirmed that Limbaugh's name had come up in an investigation in Florida and even after Limbaugh tiptoed around the issue on his show, it was stunning when he told his audience that he's addicted to painkillers and would be checking in to rehab for 30 days after the show.
"I am not making any excuses," Limbaugh said. "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."
God bless Limbaugh, that's perfectly put, and I believe it's a sincere statement.
It's also a far cry from the man who once boasted, "I'll tell you everything you need to know. You never need read a newspaper again. I'll read them for you and tell you what to think."
We all live in glass houses
When the allegations about Limbaugh and painkillers first surfaced, a caller to his show expressed undying support and noted, "We all make mistakes."
I don't think that's the general philosophy of Limbaugh or his audience when it comes to his targets. It sounds a lot more like something a liberal caller might say to an NPR host, doesn't it?
But you know what, the last resident of this planet who didn't make any mistakes was named Jesus -- and the rest of us, conservatives and liberals and moderates, could all be a little more forgiving when our foes fall on hard times.
I'm going to tell you something most of Limbaugh's opponents will probably never admit. The dark truth is, a lot of us grinned from ear to ear when we learned Limbaugh might have some kind of substance-abuse problem. We abhor Limbaugh's arrogant stance on so many issues that we greeted this possible chink in his armor with pure glee. This was Bill Bennett squared, Newt Gingrich to the third power. There's nothing better than a hypocrite exposed!
We should be ashamed of ourselves. We're supposed to be better than that. We're supposed to be the bleeding hearts who feel the pain of those who are suffering. We're NOT supposed to be doing touchdown dances around an enemy who has been crippled.
"I ask now for your prayers," said Rush Limbaugh.
He deserves them. So do all God's creatures.
And while we're praying for Rush, how about another prayer that when he recovers and he's back at full strength, he finds it in his heart to be a little more understanding and forgiving when his opponents fall on hard times?
Dear Mr. Roeper,
This pretty much sums it up. Your point of view is the reason Rush and his legions exist.
...would Limbaugh publicly wish this person well and tell his listeners to say a prayer...
And thanks for reading FR to see what some FReepers are saying. Now please tell us what your troll name is.
Tim.
Of course, because of this, the left figures that Rush is fair game. But let's put it even more succinctly: 'Payback is a b*tch, and this is a two-way street.'
Mr. Roeper and his ilk would do well to watch themselves once Rush recovers.
Nope, he did once. He made some comment about a White House dog and then held up her picture. There's plenty of comment and verification on this incident, just do a Google search.
Of course Roeper make no distinction between recreational drug use and medical drug use. Of course Rush was not including "heart medication" and "pain relievers" in his statement.
The piling on continues.
This ol' horse is going to get tired getting trotted out by so many of Rush's detractors (in press and here on FR).
I've offered up some abusers like Jeb Bush's daughter who was addicted to Xanex (and had been in a deteriorating state). Now she never was a public figure, just the niece of the president yet libs had a field day attacking President Bush, former President Bush, Barbara Bush, and Jeb Bush over her addiction. Someone else will need to weigh in on what Rush's comments were.
Wasn't Tipper Gore hooked on some prescriptions (for depression or other things)? Did Rush lash out at her over this?
Did Rush go after Ann Richards for her alcoholism?
He had twice gone into rehab already.
Was he still having back pain? Did the doctor say, "you aren't positively responding to the medication anymore" or "you are building up a tolerance to the medication and eventually will get hooked" and stop writing prescriptions? Or did the doctor continue writing low dosage prescriptions which Rush exceeded (and needed an additional source for)?
Was the addiction mental or physical? Did he have cold sweats without it and nervous disorders or did he have muscle spasms and sharp pains?
Some on FR seem to be of the mind that he was just getting off on getting dosed by an opiate. This does not seem to be the case.
Christians are taught to hate the sin but love the sinner. Those who do not repent from their actions can be pitied but how can there be redemption if they refuse to change their ways or admit their mistakes (cough cough, Bill Clinton's sexual addiction).
Some of JFK's drug use was medicinal while it seems that some was not. It isn't so much that it was wrong for JFK to treat his backpain as it was dangerous to the security of this nation to get some injections, get doped up (for pain), and sit at the table with the leader of Soviet Russia.
It is also dangerous to operate heavy machinery on such medication.
Rush's radio show over those years (leading upto today since he is again seeking rehab) did not seem to suffer in a way detrimental to his ratings or the conservative position.
To sum it up, we need to get ready for a whole slew of vile gloating articles from the liberals, those "more-compassionate-than-thou" ninnys whose commentary will range from glee to sanctimony.
They don't understand why we love Rush, and they never will.
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