Pubdate: Sat, 25 Oct 2003
Source: Item, The (SC)
Copyright: 2000 The Item
Contact:  http://www.theitem.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1105
Author: K.D. SINGLETON

HOW WILL LIMBAUGH 'SPIN' DRUG HABIT?

I wish that I could find a reason to feel sorry for radio talk show host 
Rush Limbaugh because of what is going on now in his life but as of this 
writing, I have not.

Feeling sorry, caring deeply, having compassion and helping fellow human 
beings who, for a variety of reasons, have fallen into bad luck or on bad 
times is the Christian thing to do.

To this point, my humanness, better known as my weakness, is getting in the 
way of what should be my ability to forgive those like Rush who have for so 
long shown no concern, sensitivity or care for others who like himself gave 
in to weaknesses or habits that became debilitating or self-destructive, 
whatever the reason.

I used to listen to Rush every day as I left work for lunch. He, I must 
admit, is one of those individuals whom you are drawn back to even if you 
do not agree with him. He is/was a "lightning rod" as many have described him.

Let me hasten to say that I never listened to Rush because I liked his show 
or agreed with him but because I wanted to be informed about what those who 
love him were attached to and excited about.

Many days, I would become so upset with Mr. Limbaugh's intolerance, 
indifference, insensitivity and open anger at those who could not break 
away from their "habits" or "pull themselves up by their own boot straps" 
that I would just turn off my radio.

Over the years, Mr. Limbaugh's intolerance for certain individuals who had 
fallen into poverty, developed addictive habits, i.e., drugs, alcohol, 
etc., was visceral, unrelenting and unforgiving. His favorite expression 
about these kinds of things was, "I don't get it."

Well, now it's my turn. I don't get it! How could someone like Rush preach 
to others about their vices while at the same time abusing prescription 
drugs himself? How can his 20 million-plus radio audience ever see him in 
the same light or believe him again? This question is, however, rhetorical 
because I am aware that there are those who, no matter what the case, will 
believe certain charismatic characters who have the skills to entrance 
their audiences, casting a spell over them that leads them blindly into 
their "make-believe worlds." Rush was/is this kind of person with countless 
converts in his flock. Many of these individuals would follow Rush no 
matter what he did.

The Enquirer, a tabloid newspaper that many of us question at times, was 
the first to expose Mr. Limbaugh's "extra radio (Golden EIB Microphone) 
affaire." A former housekeeper at his $30 million Palm Beach estate exposed 
him and outlined how she was involved in the dispensation of prescription 
drugs such as OxyContin and Hydrocodone to Rush.

Mr. Limbaugh's "secret" drug habit and allegedly illegal acquisition of 
these drugs speaks volumes to what lots of people feel in this country. If 
you are rich, famous and powerful, the law does not apply to you in the 
same way as it would to someone who happens to live on the wrong side of 
the tracks, is poor and politically benign.

One of the first things that Mr. Limbaugh did upon hearing that he was 
being investigated by the authorities in Florida was to retain the famous 
defense attorney Roy Black of Miami. This was a smart and wise move on his 
part but also it raised questions in my mind as to his guilt when he was 
asked about the charges after speaking recently to the National 
Broadcasters Association in Philadelphia. He said, "I did not know that I 
was being investigated but will cooperate fully with the authorities." If 
anyone is familiar with Rush, when last have you heard him, without contest 
or discussion, agree with anything. He is not this kind of personality! I 
will, however, give him credit for knowing when to "hold" and when to "fold."

Mr. Limbaugh has spoken out many times against the use of drugs on his 
shows and has suggested that drug users are "violating the law and should 
be convicted and sent up." I now wonder if he still feels this way since he 
could and should be "sent up" if found guilty.

We all know that the famous radio show host's chances of being convicted of 
drug charges, however, are about as real as finding beachfront property in 
the Sahara Desert. It is a sad fact that in America, money, power and 
political influence will get you out of just about anything and Rush has 
this trio of ingredients and much more.

Notice how he is framing his defense. He is coming out in major newspapers 
saying that he had checked himself into rehab drug centers at least twice 
before and after the current charges, he has voluntarily checked himself in 
again for a period of 30 days and is quoted as saying that he is taking 
"full responsibility for his problem."

Anyone who knows how the legal system operates is aware that if you get 
ahead of the game by doing what Rush is doing, there is more sympathy and, 
in his case, this will be multiplied many times over because of his power 
and influence. He is trying to demonstrate to the authorities that he is 
"taking charge" of his problem and is being proactive rather than reactive. 
I do not criticize Mr. Limbaugh's tactics but it just points up how some 
can get away with crimes while others have to spend years behind bars for 
the same thing. What kind of justice is this?

It has been my conviction for a long time that Rush and several others like 
him, have made a "religion" and "art form" out of bashing a certain segment 
of the American society, a behavior that has made them multimillionaires. I 
choose to call this kind of exercise "premeditated manipulation of the 
mind" and legal scamming of those who let others think for them. Rush is a 
genius at this and has a bank account to prove it.

I feel little sympathy for characters like Rush who preach morality from 
their "untouchable" platforms while themselves engaging in behaviors for 
which most of us would be imprisoned.

My next questions are these. Where are the Republican "moral cops" when you 
need them? Why is there no more local or national outcry about Rush's 
behavior from those who are so quick to condemn others who fall into 
similar situations in their lives?

One of Rush's favorite statements as he sat doing his daily broadcast 
was/is, "As I sit here holding this letter with my 'cigar-stained fingers' 
.. etc." (This statement is designed to poke fun at those who are after 
the tobacco industry in this country.)

Mr. Limbaugh now has stains, not only on his fingers but on his character 
which turn hypocrisy into absurdity. It will be interesting to see how he 
will "spin" this for his converts so that they can continue to support his 
drug addiction, rich lifestyle and lucrative assets.

K.D. SINGLETON
Sumter
- ---
MAP posted-by: Perry Stripling