As a limbaugh supporter...

[Bonegavel]

... let me be the first to say that if Rush is guilty of this drug shit (and it looks pretty promising that he is - on the radio he only said "no comment") and he doesn't bend over and let lady justice shove the law up into his duodenum, he will have lost all credibility with me. This sort of situation is exactly the kind of crud he has railed against.

I have been listening to him since 1993, and agree with him a large majority of the time. I am a huge conservative and I will be the first in line to nail his ass to the cross if he doesn't take his medicine over this.

I am hoping there is a good explanation for this mess, but he didn't give me the warm fuzzies while listening to his show on Friday. A man that is innocent would have said "These charges are absolutely FALSE and I will be exonerated in the end." He said nothing of the sort.

[GrantDawg]

I'm completely shocked by the charges and how he has responded thus far. I'd say the old "smoke, fire" adage may be true here. If he is found guilty of any charge on this (minor possesion, not even trafficing) his creds shot and he's toast.

[JPhillips]

Well obviously I'm no fan of Rush's politics, but let me also say thatif he is really addicted I hope the guy can drop his pride enough to get help. This can kill him, and most likely will if he refuses to deal with it. I wish he would shut the hell up most of time, but I don't have a death wish for him.

That being said, its hard for me to feel sympathy for him because he has spent years attacking people for drug addiction. If he came out and admitted his problem and apologized for some of the hateful crap he has said he would have my sympathy. Of course if he did that e would lose his audience.

He's in a world of trouble and I'm not sure that his quitting ESPN was really about McNabb or the drug problem.

ps- When I posted the Daily News story on Friday I really thought there was no way in hell this could be accurate.

[Axxon]

Glad to see the "compassionate conservatives" checking in. *sigh*

I hope the man gets the help he needs in putting his health and his life back together. In my job I deal with many people like him and in fact, I believe that prescription drug abuse is the worst form of abuse in regards to it's effect on society because of the drain it puts on the healthcare system. Still, I'm not ready to crucify the unfortunates who fall prey to the drugs.

Most don't start out to be rx drug abusers. Most are legitimately prescribed these at first and MANY doctors are slow to recognize that abuse may be beginning. It's really frightening to watch how easily our "frequent flyers" move from doctors group to doctors group for years before the well runs dry.

I wouldn't get holier than though either. Unless you're like me, one of the estimated 10% who has a codeine tolerance you could be a broken leg away from Rush's boat. Hopefully people will be more tolerant and understanding of your situation.

I don't envy him what he's going to go through but am glad he's going to get the opportunity before it's too late. He needs help and while this certainly seems horrible for him now, in the long run he's going to be better off.

I hope the impact on his family isn't overwhelming and that he can kick this thing and get his life back on track. I hope most of his "dittoheads" react in a better manner than exhibited here and cut the guy they so openly and honestly called a hero some slack.

Of course he's in denial. He is fighting the addiction AND serious jail time. I certainly wouldn't expect him to let anybody shove anything in just to please the fair weather freaks who called themselves fans. I don't mean anybody here per se but this isn't the first I've heard of the crucify him from his so called fans and I'm speaking generally.

All of this assumes that the allegations are true of course.

Damn, it feels dirty defending Rush. :D

Not really, I never had a problem with the entertainer.

Some of his fans though... lets just say they really scare me. :)

[Bonegavel]

Axxon, you never fail to amaze me. Please read my post again, and realise that I'm not talking about his addiction. I feel sorry for anyone that becomes addicted to drugs, legal or otherwise.

My point was, he better accept his fate and not take the Clinton approach, i.e., say or do whatever he has to in order to make this seem okay and "get away" with it. Wrong is wrong, and Rush knows this more than anyone.

You *sigh* an awful lot and probably could be avoided if you would simply read a bit more carefully, or maybe stop reading these sorts of posts with the "oh my, those poor misguided conservatives" preconceived notions. :D

When you live by the sword, you have to be ready to die by it.

[Axxon]

You have clarified what you meant in the second post. The--re's no notions or no amount of better reading will clarify:

"he doesn't bend over and let lady justice shove the law up into his duodenum"

That just doesn't naturally scream "My point was, he better accept his fate and not take the Clinton approach, i.e., say or do whatever he has to in order to make this seem okay and "get away" with it." :D

I really wouldn't be surprised though if at first he doesn't try the Clinton approach because remember, he's addicted and since he's not seeking help yet he'll likely still be in the denial stage.

The true test of his character will be after ( and if ) he seeks help and has had some time to sober up. That will be the time to worry about those judgements. Don't worry, if he's still is pulling a Clinton I'll be glad to condemn him right by your side. :D

[Axxon]

Dola,

Here's my problem with the whole law thing here. Rush has gone past what the law typically allows first offenders. He's looking at some serious charges if the reports are to be believed.

I think his punishment is going to be excessive because he had enough money, power, etc, to be caught soon enough. I feel he deserves the benefit of the law that all first offenders get, namely drug councelling, rehab, comm service etc and given a chance to redeem his life. If he screws up again, then hit him.

This won't likely be the case if he was buying that many pills. I don't say he shouldn't pay for what he did but I think he's going to be paying for being Rush too and that I don't really like.

[CamEdwards]

After reading most of the media reports out of Florida, I'd be shocked if Rush faces any charges.

From the Palm Beach Post:

The chance of criminal charges ever being filed against Limbaugh is next to nil, say criminal defense attorneys who have handled numerous drug cases.

And some local lawyers say they are hearing from sources within State Attorney Barry Krischer's office that Limbaugh -- who lives in a $24 million mansion on Palm Beach -- will indeed not be charged.

Sources also said Limbaugh won't even be questioned by law enforcement officials, unless the commentator chooses to cooperate on his own."

and from Newsmax (yeah, I know, consider the source, but the article in question was summarzing other articles from mainstream media.

James Martz, the prosecutor who heads up the Palm Beach County, Florida task force investigating the Limbaugh case noted that police never actually caught the talk star purchasing any drugs. "Shy of that, we have very little leverage in the state system," he told the Palm Beach Post.

Martz said he is more interested in finding the heads of drug distribution cells rather than going after alleged low-level prescription drug users like Limbaugh.

...What about the wire worn by Cline's wife Wilma, Limbaugh's housekeeper who told the Enquirer that she taped their last two drug transactions?

Apparently the recording is more legally problematic for the Clines than it is for Limbaugh. Attorneys told the Post that if Mrs. Cline did tape Limbaugh without his knowledge, she committed a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

What more, prosecutor Martz said such an illegally obtained recording would be inadmissible in court.

How about the emails supplied by Cline that purportedly document Limbaugh's drug deals?

Martz told the Post that any such evidence is of little value because it's difficult to actually verify who sent the email."

[kcchief19]

The fact that Limbaugh probably won't get jail time isn't a new development -- that was reported in stories appearing on the wire from the very beginning, with officials cited as saying that while he is being investigated, the targets are the dealers. As is typical in any case like this, as long as Rush cooperates and rolls over on his dealers, he'll be fine.

The most pathetic thing in all this to me, however, is that he ditto-brains will refuse to accept the fact that their hero is a drug addict. I'm sure the right-wing media will portry this as a liberal conspiracy or draw a differentiation between prescription drugs and illegal drugs or both.

The wheels are already in motion. I listened to a few minutes of his show Friday (tell me how closed minded I am again?) and you can see it. I was amazed that while Rush was quick to play the imaginary liberal-bias-in-the-media card on the McNabb flap, he was very noncommittal on this even going so far as telling his fans that there will be stuff coming out of this that they don't want to hear (i.e., he's a drug user). But the callers picked up the slack, blaming McNabb, the drugs and Arnold's bimbo eruptions on the liberal media. Rush did get in a few swings about how liberals called Reagan racist because he hated the homeless.

[Cringer]

Originally posted by kcchief19


The most pathetic thing in all this to me, however, is that he ditto-brains will refuse to accept the fact that their hero is a drug addict. I'm sure the right-wing media will portry this as a liberal conspiracy or draw a differentiation between prescription drugs and illegal drugs or both.

Ok, i can't stand Rush, or any "Conservative" radio host (with the exception of Glenn Beck who is fairly entertaining). But i do listen to Rush atleast 1-2 times a week, kinda happens when you're a trucker wether you like it or not. So i don't dislike the guy because of what i "hear from others" or just the general perception people have of him, i honestly dislike him for his views and ideas.

With that said, I HAVE A HARD TIME imagining Rush jonesin' for his little blue babies as he called them. I think it is true from his reaction, and still can't picture this guy poppin pills....i have literally tried to picture him doing it and i can't....him freaking out cause he needs a fix....just seems odd. I understand being addicted, but wonder how he got started on it, thats the only thing i'm curious about. I know a guy like Favre got hooked because of his job and trainers/team doctors tossing them to him like candy........but from what i heard on Howard Stern, who had a guy from the National Enquirer on, was that he just started asking the maid for pills out of nowhere when he found out her husband was getting some............just seems weird.

[pjstp20]

Didn't he have some procedure done to fix his hearing? May he got addicted to them from that. Allegedly addicted I should say.

[Cringer]

Originally posted by pjstp20
Didn't he have some procedure done to fix his hearing? May he got addicted to them from that. Allegedly addicted I should say.

He just had that ear thing not to long ago and from what i understand the claims to be is that this whole thing started years ago, ironically (as the story went) about the same time he started losing weight. There is also some connection of extreme abuse of pain killers leading to ear problems/hearing loss.............those two things, the weight and the ear thing, at first seemed to perfect for the story to me, but now i'm kinda buying it after he pretty much confirmed it, for me anyways

[Bonegavel]

Heard the same thing Cringer, and that is also probably why he wouldn't give out his weight loss "secrets" on the air. He always made a big deal about his losing weight, but he would never let the cat out-of-the-bag. I guess he couldn't.

My whole point with this thread is basically to throw back at him EXACTLY what I know he would throw at somebody like Clinton. Trust me, the last thing I thought I would be saying about Rush is that I would "nail his ass to the cross." But if there is one main theme that runs throughout his shows, it is that Personal Responsibility is Job #1. That is something I was taught long before I ever heard his name, so that is something that is engrained in me.

If he truly is addicted to drugs, that is tragic in itself (i just sat through the Courtney Love E! True Hollywood Story, and these people prove that more than anything) but if he truly wants to hammer home his own points, he should do what he can to "attone" for breaking the law, if this story proves to be true.

[Travis]

Originally posted by BoneGavel
I am a huge conservative and I will be the first in line to nail his ass to the cross if he doesn't take his medicine over this.


Something tells me in his case that won't be a problem, literally anyway.

[Axxon]

I agree with you BoneGavel. I too am a believer in personal accountability. I may differ because I feel you only owe that to yourself not your fans but still, if you preach it you should walk the walk.

I'm not sure how he's going to go on this one honestly. He's not in denial mode yet but he's not saying anything either. He may be waiting to see how much comes out before he says anything or he may have to be silent on lawyer advice. It's too early for us to tell.

One thing for sure, all america will be watching.

[Bonegavel]

No doubt Axxon, and he preaches it (personal responibility) so much that, I must admit, it was actually the catalyst for this post. And don't get me wrong, this problem doesn't lessen his message, because, IMHO, he is right on just about every subject. However, character does matter (another mantra of his) and he better show character in spades during the coming weeks/months of this investigation, or it will *taint* him horribly and it will be hard to listen to him.

At the very least, this will probably have the same effect on him as Divorce did on Howard Stern. Notice that Howard doesn't interview people like he used to when it comes to divorces and such. He used to be brutal, and now he hardly mentions it. The same thing will probably happen to Rush.

The pot calling the kettle black is another left-wing media conspiracy because of their desire to see black cookware do well in the kitchen.

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by BoneGavel

At the very least, this will probably have the same effect on him as Divorce did on Howard Stern. Notice that Howard doesn't interview people like he used to when it comes to divorces and such. He used to be brutal, and now he hardly mentions it. The same thing will probably happen to Rush.

Or how Montell Williams stopped being so harsh to cheaters after he cheated on his wife and left her for a woman he met in the hospital.

I feel for Rush. Drug addictions are hard to kick, and many people have fallen into the pain-killer trap. He is definitely going to lose the respect of some of his listeners. Without a conviction, I don't know how serious an affect it'll have overall.

[astralhaze]

Rush lost his credibility with me long ago. This only confirms it. What a complete phony. Much like Bill Bennett and Dubya Bush, it is far too easy for people to preach one thing and practice another.

[Subby]

Originally posted by BoneGavel
I am a huge conservative... Try the grapefruit diet.

[Havok]

Originally posted by astralhaze
Rush lost his credibility with me long ago. This only confirms it. What a complete phony. Much like Bill Bennett and Dubya Bush, it is far too easy for people to preach one thing and practice another.


lol.... i knew 1 left wing loney was gonna jump in here and say something rediculous eventually :)

at least everyone else on this thread who disagree's with Rush or his politics spoke rationally. You just felt the need to take a shot at him for no apparent reason.

Good Job!

[Bonegavel]

Originally posted by Subby
Try the grapefruit diet.

**DING**DING**DING** you win the hidden message prize! I was wondering when the fat jokes were going to hit, and I'm surprised it took so long.

[Butter]

Originally posted by Havok
Good Job!

I think the word you're so desperately scrounging for is:
Mega-Dittos!

[astralhaze]

Originally posted by Havok
lol.... i knew 1 left wing loney was gonna jump in here and say something rediculous eventually :)

at least everyone else on this thread who disagree's with Rush or his politics spoke rationally. You just felt the need to take a shot at him for no apparent reason.

Good Job!

For no apparent reason? How about ranting on and on about personal responsibility and how drug addicts should be punished harshly while popping pills like a New York sophisticite? What exactly about my statement was ridiculous? He said one thing while doing another, hence he is a phony with no credability. Seems to be simple logic.

[Havok]

So its already been proven that he's been poping pills??? because a M A I D !!! said so??? So i guess Kobe is also guilty?? talk about a Rush to judgement. And you obviously don't listen to Rush's show very often. He doesn't say.... "SENTANCE ALL DRUG ADDICTS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOREVER!!!!" thats just what some Left wing Columnist would have you believe. Listen to his show before you bash him. He is tough on crime, but he doesn't believe that if you screw up once in your life you should be banished from socitiy.

P.S. Dammit! I promised myself i wouldn't get into these arguments anymore :(

[astralhaze]

Originally posted by Havok
So its already been proven that he's been poping pills??? because a M A I D !!! said so??? So i guess Kobe is also guilty?? talk about a Rush to judgement. And you obviously don't listen to Rush's show very often. He doesn't say.... "SENTANCE ALL DRUG ADDICTS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOREVER!!!!" thats just what some Left wing Columnist would have you believe. Listen to his show before you bash him. He is tough on crime, but he doesn't believe that if you screw up once in your life you should be banished from socitiy.

P.S. Dammit! I promised myself i wouldn't get into these arguments anymore :(

Sure sounds guilty to me and it does seem to fit. I notice I am the only one you are taking issue with on this point. Several posts before mine implied his guilt.

As for not listening to his show, you assume that I haven't because....

[albionmoonlight]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/10/10/rush.limbaugh/index.html

Hopefully, he can get through this and then use his forum to help and inspire others who are in his situation.

[andy m]

Originally posted by albionmoonlight
http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/10/10/rush.limbaugh/index.html

Hopefully, he can get through this and then use his forum to help and inspire others who are in his situation.

what, the situation of being a racist fuckwit?

from cnn:

It is estimated that nearly 20 million people listen to Limbaugh's show daily.

these are the people that need to come off drugs.

[Cuckoo]

Now, why haven't I added andy m to my ignore list yet?

[Subby]

Originally posted by Cuckoo
Now, why haven't I added andy m to my ignore list yet? Because you are such a complete dimwit fucksnort that you don't even know how to make it work?

[Cuckoo]

Originally posted by Subby
...complete dimwit fucksnort...

Wow, I haven't been called that in at least a week. :D And Subby doesn't even know me socially...

[Blackadar]

I always figured that the only way Rush could shovel that shit was to be on drugs.

[rexallllsc]

Will he realize that the War on Drugs is a joke now? Or will he follow his own advice and go to jail (as he said addicts should be met with jail time).

What a scumbag.

[QuikSand]

As far as the actual content of his public statement admitting his addiction, I thought it was very articulate and its message about role models was right on.

[Ksyrup]

I have it on good authority that fucksnorting is quite painful.

[Bonegavel]

Well, well, well. In the past Rush has mentioned that Drug users need jail etc. etc. If he wants to maintain credibility and consistency, he needs to ask for a jail term. Because that ain't gonna happen, he will obviously need to change his stance a bit on the subject of addiction.

Rush haters can delight all they want in this (i don't blame them one bit if that is their take), but, if they truly are as "open minded" as they like to point out, they will, instead, delight in the fact that Rush has finally "seen the light" on a subject near and dear to their hearts. And, by proxy, he core listeners will have their eyes opened to a subject they have long daemonised as weak and in need of punishment.

To go a step further, what baffles me about this whole thing is the fact that there is a law that pretty much says this sort of activity is illegal. Ok. But, if they are (and they are) stating that they don't go after the users, but rather the dealers, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW MAKING THIS ILLEGAL?

For christ's sake, we let people sue Tobacco companies (a legal product) because they failed to heed a warning clearly stated on the product, but we don't prosecute people for illegally obtaining script meds? I am truly baffled.

[Killebrew]

Gosh, I sure do hope Rush Limbaugh is going to be alright, my nightly prayers to Jesus and company will go out to him. These PC uptight days make things difficult enough on racist fucks like Rush without serious drug problems added to the mix.

[Glengoyne]

He does lose quite a bit of credibility. I listen off and on to his show, I guess when the opportunity and my mood coincide. He pretty much can't take that Self-Righteous Posture he often does when ridiculing Democrats/Liberals. Ted Kennedy comes to mind.

I have long described Rush as the smartest man I have ever encountered that doesn't believe half of what he says.

[astralhaze]

In all seriousness, I wish Rush nothing but the best. I hope he truly does realize that he has a problem and can make the sacrifices and put in the hard work required to overcome this illness. As a recovering addict myself (nicotine), I realize how difficult it will be for him. I have zero respect for the man and am his polar political opposite, but that doesn't mean I wish him ill-will. Hopefully this will make a lot of people realize that drug addicts need help, not jail.

[Glengoyne]

Originally posted by astralhaze
Hopefully this will make a lot of people realize that drug addicts need help, not jail.

A little jail wouldn't hurt though. Would it?

[daedalus]

What astral said. I can't stand the dude but I do hope he gets the help he needs and get well. This sucks for anybody and their family.