RUSH: I'M NO HYPOCRITE

New York Post ^ | 11/25/03 | JOHN MAINELLI

[kattracks]

November 25, 2003 -- A sneak-attack caller yesterday launched Rush Limbaugh into a defense against charges he was a hypocrite for demanding tough sentences for drug users while he himself was taking black-market pain killers. "It's not hypocritical because my behavior doesn't determine the value of right and wrong - nobody's does," Limbaugh told listeners.

[Harris]

1. I do not see the hypocrisy in Rush's statements. It would be one thing for Rush to say "drug use is wrong but what I did was ok". That would hypocritical in that he is seeking an unjustified exception for himself. He acknowledges the problems of his own behavior.

2. I have never jumped on anyone for using hemp anymore than I would criticize their abuse of tobacco, alcohol, Nyquil (the heroin of the over the counter medicines), gambling, too much time on the Internet, in front of a TV, playing golf. Please don't rely stereotypes to lump all of the million of Rush fans into pigeonhole that is helps you make a misguided point.

Reminds of 1994 election. Went to a meeting at the local Republican headquarters. There were bikers, nurses, anti-abortionists, and just about a complete hodgepodge of people. What a blissful life the left must lead being able to stereotype their adversaries while condemning the act of stereotyping. Where I come from we call that HYPOCRISY. Oh yeah only conservatives can be hypocrites.

3. I have listened to Rush beginning in the spring of 1989.

4. I do not overlook his faults. I am a fan but I do not worship the man. I see nothing wrong with having legal representation. This is especially so since I am an attorney. Also the man hasn't even been charged must less convicted. I personally don't think the drug abuse should be criminalized; it is simply not the best use of taxpayers money to solve what is a social problem. We don't need to encourage government to use our money in the least efficient way.

5. Since you have judged Rush and his fans, allow me to judge you. Your written opinion appears to be based entirely on the erroneous assumptions in your mind.

[Sam Cree]

I haven't heard him ask for special treatment.

[Harris]

1. I do not see the hypocrisy in Rush's statements. It would be one thing for Rush to say "drug use is wrong but what I did was ok". That would hypocritical in that he is seeking an unjustified exception for himself. He acknowledges the problems of his own behavior.

2. I have never jumped on anyone for using hemp anymore than I would criticize their abuse of tobacco, alcohol, Nyquil (the heroin of the over the counter medicines), gambling, too much time on the Internet, in front of a TV, playing golf. Please don't rely stereotypes to lump all of the million of Rush fans into pigeonhole that is helps you make a misguided point.

Reminds of 1994 election. Went to a meeting at the local Republican headquarters. There were bikers, nurses, anti-abortionists, and just about a complete hodgepodge of people. What a blissful life the left must lead being able to stereotype their adversaries while condemning the act of stereotyping. Where I come from we call that HYPOCRISY. Oh yeah only conservatives can be hypocrites.

3. I have listened to Rush beginning in the spring of 1989.

4. I do not overlook his faults. I am a fan but I do not worship the man. I see nothing wrong with having legal representation. This is especially so since I am an attorney. Also the man hasn't even been charged must less convicted. I personally don't think the drug abuse should be criminalized; it is simply not the best use of taxpayers money to solve what is a social problem. We don't need to encourage government to use our money in the least efficient way.

5. Since you have judged Rush and his fans, allow me to judge you. Your written opinion appears to be based entirely on the erroneous assumptions in your mind.

[Sam Cree]

I haven't heard him ask for special treatment.

[Harris]

1. I do not see the hypocrisy in Rush's statements. It would be one thing for Rush to say "drug use is wrong but what I did was ok". That would hypocritical in that he is seeking an unjustified exception for himself. He acknowledges the problems of his own behavior.

2. I have never jumped on anyone for using hemp anymore than I would criticize their abuse of tobacco, alcohol, Nyquil (the heroin of the over the counter medicines), gambling, too much time on the Internet, in front of a TV, playing golf. Please don't rely stereotypes to lump all of the million of Rush fans into pigeonhole that is helps you make a misguided point.

Reminds of 1994 election. Went to a meeting at the local Republican headquarters. There were bikers, nurses, anti-abortionists, and just about a complete hodgepodge of people. What a blissful life the left must lead being able to stereotype their adversaries while condemning the act of stereotyping. Where I come from we call that HYPOCRISY. Oh yeah only conservatives can be hypocrites.

3. I have listened to Rush beginning in the spring of 1989.

4. I do not overlook his faults. I am a fan but I do not worship the man. I see nothing wrong with having legal representation. This is especially so since I am an attorney. Also the man hasn't even been charged must less convicted. I personally don't think the drug abuse should be criminalized; it is simply not the best use of taxpayers money to solve what is a social problem. We don't need to encourage government to use our money in the least efficient way.

5. Since you have judged Rush and his fans, allow me to judge you. Your written opinion appears to be based entirely on the erroneous assumptions in your mind.

[Dane]

I've known a couple combat vets that did themselves in. I'm not sure what was going on in their minds but I do know they sure as heck were not "cowards"

Hey if you want to compare your combat buddies to Kurt Cobain and Mitch Snyder, be my guest, but JMO you are insulting them by comparing them to those two.

[Betteboop]

Rush has said that there are things he can't talk about now because of ongoing investigations, however, when the time is right, he will tell all (and he has in the past) and clarify alot of misconceptions. He has implied that there are people out to get him (my paraphrasing)so he will not say anything now.

He has been pretty up front with us (I'm a listener since his 2nd day on the air in NY) all along and I believe him.

[dwilli]

Will you feel the same way if Roy Black is cutting a deal with the Florida prosecuters as we post?

I have the feeling that is what is going on.

[backhoe]

And frankly, the feeding frenzy over Michael Jackson has pushed Rush's thing off the front page.

Yes, the 24/7 News Feeding Frenzy has some saving graces... and it looks like the Sniper Verdict will drive MJ off the front burner. Thank God!

[Sam Cree]

"Will you feel the same way if Roy Black is cutting a deal with the Florida prosecuters as we post?"

I think he is well within his rights in hiring the best attorney he can find, yes. The ability to do so is one of the rewards of success, IMO.

Do you think he should be appointed a public defender, instead? Or that private attorneys should not be available?

[dwilli]

No I would do the same thing in his situation, but that denying that he will get special treatment is naive.

[mhking]

I learned a couple of phrases in my youth...

So did I: "Don't beat a man when he's down."

He's been a critic of drug abuse and abusers in the past.

Since that point, he himself has become an abuser.

This is certainly a statement of fact.

If you'll note, his criticism ceased once he began to have a problem himself.

But that point aside, he is merely human. He has erred, and is seeking to end that cycle of behavior -- no matter HOW he began to seek help.

Now, if he did not learn from this experience; if he did not change his earlier opinion of drug abusers who are caught in the same cycle that he has been caught up in, then perhaps I could find hypocracy in his actions.

But we have not seen that same criticism presently.

He has said that he would address the issues once he can; I presume that would be once the police investigation has concluded and his lawyer permits him to speak of it.

I can respect that. I can respect a man who admits his past errors and sins and sets out to correct them.

It seems that you (and many others) find him hypocritical, simply because he got caught up by his addiction and did not seek help until his addiction was exposed by others. He does not walk on water. It is sad that there are many who criticize him because he doesn't.

And to go back to the original arguement, no, I don't "get my thoughts" from Rush. On the contrary, I disagree with somewhere around a third of what he says. When I disagree with him (or with any other conservative for that matter), I make no secret of it. But I do not take that opportunity to use that disagreement as an excuse to bludgeon them with it.

[Betteboop]

Harris
Be careful......don't hit that "Post" button more than once. Patience is a virtue!! :)
bb

[Greg Weston]

>>Hey if you want to compare your combat buddies to Kurt Cobain and Mitch Snyder, be my guest, but JMO you are insulting them by comparing them to those two.<<

That's just plain silly. The only comparing that was being done was by you about all the people who take the "cowards" way out.

[pageonetoo]

"Give the man credit. He's done more for modern conservatism than any other one person -- save Reagan, maybe."

Admitted that has some truth, but that is not a good justification for accepting his lies!

The term "sheeple" has been used here, today, and it may have some relevance. It symbolizes a group that will accept, as truth, anything from their "leaders" mouths.

An acceptance of Rush's behavior, and willingness to forgive him, is certainly a good, Christian trait.
But, in the Scriptures, there is a requirement that a person "confess" his sins, in order to achieve that forgiveness. When the underlying actions are presented with "justification", they are just adding more lies.

Rush is a good guy, I'm sure. I have driven down the highway, with tears in my eyes, laughing at his Gorby, feminazi, enviro-whacko (etc.) updates. I have been alerted to vile things being done by the pinkos and the watermelons.
He has been fabulous at exposing the hypocracy of the left. He has gained immense notoriety for his successful career. BUT, he has also given great ammunition to his (our/my) enemies.
I am not sorry for him, I still think he is a good entertainer, and am glad he is on the RIGHT side, but will continue to maintain that HE IS A HYPOCRITE.

[bvw]

Yeah. It's an overly low degree of self-criticism. That's what hypocrit means from it's word formation roots. Clearly Rush suffered from it, in addictions such self-criticism becomes completely shunted out, impossible. Therefore by root-meaning any addict is a hypocrit.

In popluar use, in it's modern politiczed meaning? No. He's no hypocrit, for the reasons he gave and more. In that meaning "hypocrit" means a person who "Tells othersbut not himself to do one thing, but then, himself, does another opposite, or against what was the loud telling."

So, in the sense of the drug USE, the "pill popping", as the caller poked out .. Rush is NO hypocrit, in that modern sense of the word, for there is evidence he was, himself, attempting to moderate and/or eliminate his addiction and abuse of the drug.

Then yes, he is a hypocrit, too. In the sense that he HAS called for the antithetical to Liberty fines and jail time for users of non-government approved drugs. Banned drugs. Yet now, he cowers before the Prosecutors, running from that very rod he called to be swung against others.

We are adults, we are supposed to be free. We CAN and MUST be allowed to make our decisions regading drugs, and there simply no Federal charter, no charter of authority for the Feds to ban adults from using drugs. Sure there might be some amount of Federal Interstate commerce regulation far shorter of a ban, and excise taxes of punishing levels to boot. But not a ban.

We can best deal with addictions if the addicts can come forward for treatment free of the fear -- which makes them hide, makes them secret, makes them practical hypocrits, even -- of the fear of criminality, of arrest, of jail.

And in that regard, YES. Rush is continuing to be a hypocrit.

Let him speak for Liberty! Against the Federal HYPOCRISY of the drug bans -- some banned, others not -- yet all should be allowed in some non-overreaching regulated fashion.

Let him speak for Liberty! Against the odious "money laundering" regulations that even in these Terror War Days are far too ruining of Liberty and Respect.

Liberty! Speak for Liberty!

[Dane]

That's just plain silly. The only comparing that was being done was by you about all the people who take the "cowards" way out.

So do you condone suicide? Are you saying that I can't judge Kurt Copbain's weakness as cowardly especially when he left a baby behind. A baby without a father, now?

JMO, suicide is a selfish cowardly act. Are you saying people shouldn't speak out against it?

[dwilli]

I also began listening to Rush back when his first hour
was directed to NYC but broadcast nationally.

He was funny, entertaining, had fun with the show.

Now He and his hardcore followers think they are policy makers at times.

His hardcore follers will not admit that Rush did not 'fess
up. National Inquirer 'fessed up for him. I am afraid his
short stint in rehab was damage control.

[pageonetoo]

"His hardcore follers will not admit that Rush did not 'fess
up. National Inquirer 'fessed up for him. I am afraid his
short stint in rehab was damage control."

DITTO

[Lee'sGhost]

Rush certainly nailed it with his right and wrong comment, and I'm glad he's standing his ground.

However, I do hope at some point his addiction will better enable him to understand nicotine addiction. While he may have been one of the lucky few who was able to quit smoking with little effort, there are millions who are not so fortunate. For most people, cigarettes are as addictive as heroin. Understand that and it will certainly influence your opinion on smoking issues.

Let's hope he is that honest.