Drug Rush Limbaugh to listeners: I belong in jail!

Reason ^ | October 17, 2003 | Jacob Sullum

[MrLeRoy]

Wod_list (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/involved?group=124) ping

[Question_Assumptions]

If you want to argue that the War on Drugs goes too far and that we should be trying to treat users instead of jailing them, I'd agree with you. But if you want to argue that we should legalize the manufacture and sale of these drugs, I don't agree with you. I'm not a fan of the War on Drugs but I'm not a fan of the other extreme (no regulation), either. And if you give many people a choice between what we have or legalization of all drugs, a lot of people are going to pick what we have now.

[F.J. Mitchell]

# 42. DITTO.

[Question_Assumptions]

If you want marijuana to be legalized (something I'm currently sympathetic to, despite the fact that I don't drink, don't use drugs, and don't smoke), you need to (A) detach marijuana legalization from the legalization of other drugs, (B) propose appropriate regulations (such as those that govern the use of alcohol and tobacco), and (C) address the concerns that those who are against drugs have against this substance without being patronizing or dismissive. And please note that most people do not see marijuana, pain killers, valium, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs as equivalent substances.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[F.J. Mitchell]

WE have abortion now too. The war on drugs, is the abortion of those who managed to escape the womb alive.

[mil-vet]

Why is this even worth discussion? Old vacuum cleaner nose (I did not have sex with this woman) 'toon got a free pass, as does almost any liberal socialist pondscum (LSP) in America, so all of a sudden this is a big deal?

Oh, lost my head; I forgot about the double standard:

1. For Conservatives:

Values are respected, do not change with the calendar or situation, and accountability is a way of life.

2. For LSP:

Anything goes anytime it is desired along the lines of "if it feels good, do it", and if someting turns out badly it's GOT to be mistaken identity or someone elses fault (NO accountability).

Rush is taking responsibility and is not making excuses or trying to blame anyone else. He's got more class in his little finger than any LSP ever had in their entire being.

Hurry back, Rush! Your substitute hosts do an excellent job, but we miss your particular flair!

[Always Right]

Rush has an incurable disease, the disease of addiction.

Addiction is incurable???? I guess no one has ever quit alcohol, smoking or drugs. I don't even buy that it is a disease. Drug addiction is a condition, one that is partially self-inflicted. Rush is addicted to a particularly harsh drug and will need our prayers and a lot of hard work to beat it, but if anyone can beat it is Rush. Rush is partially to blame for his condition, and I am sure he would be the first to admit that.

[k2blader]

I think some Libertarian-types are using Rush's situation to attempt to advance their anti-"WOD" agenda because they're using/trafficking in illegal drugs themselves.

By pointing their fingers at Rush they hope to somehow "justify" their own criminal behavior.

[SJSAMPLE]

I dont like mind altering drugs (except alcohol - there's my hypocrisy). But I've come to realize that, just because I don't like something, doesn't mean is must be prohibited. I still have qualms about the influx of drugs that "legalization" would create, but the problems associated with "criminalization" cannot be overlooked, either. A popular word is "decriminilazation", which is still a little confusing to me. I don't want to give federal, state or local governments the ability to pursue individuals (adults) in the privacy of their own homes just because they like a drug other than alcohol or whatever their doctor is foolish enough to prescribe.

[Sir Gawain]

lol

[SJSAMPLE]

Addictions ARE incurable.
Once an addict/alcoholic, always an alcoholic. The honest ones can admit that freely. They know that they'll never be free of their addiction, but they can take comfort that their are not letting their addiction continue their suffering. That's why they refer to themselves as "recovering" alcholics and addicts.

[TopQuark]

Many thanks: the completion of the quote does make a huge difference. I do not listen to him much and have not heard him speak on the issue, but this quote certainly fooled me in the form it was given.

Thank you again for your nice post.

[dennisw]

But what has Rush said about drugs in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2003?...I am sick of seeing those same couple quotes from 1995.

Rush Limbaugh rarely if ever talked about drugs and the so called war on drugs. But lets not let these facts get in anyone's way. Rush could have predicted this is what talk about his drug use was going to be like. If he weren't such a public figure and conservative "icon" he would have cleaned up sooner

[Always Right]

Addictions ARE incurable. Once an addict/alcoholic, always an alcoholic. The honest ones can admit that freely.

I suppose we are all gay too, we just don't admit it....

[F.J. Mitchell]

Until all drugs are legalized, sold over the counter and taxed, they will always be a source of great profits that make billionaires of drug lords, criminals of users and paupers of law abiding tax-payers who pay for the whole damn stupid thing.

Being illegal, doesn't make drug usage less prevalent, but instead makes providing drugs to the users extremely profitable for those who deliver them, while driving users into all kinds of crimes to earn the cost of their habit.

THe war on drugs is the best thing that ever happened to organized crime. The Dons of Drugdom wake up in a cold sweat after a nightmare that drugs have been legalized and taxed, and the taxes are funding education of non-users, treatment of users and for searching their vile asses down and putting them away forever.

[proud American in Canada]

"But what has Rush said about drugs in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2003?...I am sick of seeing those same couple quotes from 1995."

me too!!!! jeesh...

[Orangedog]

The commerce clause of the Constitution grants congress the authority to regulate the drug trade. All other drug laws belong at the state level. Do you acknowledge that states have the authority to regulate drugs?

The commerce clause grants congress the power to regulate commerce that crosses from one state to another. Yes, the states do have the right to regulate the drug trade within their respective borders by means of their state constitutions and laws as long as they doesn't run afoul of rights granted to individuals by the US Constitution. The Interstate Commerce Clause has been bastardized over the last century to grow federal power.

[proud American in Canada]

"Following the Florida case is MUCH more important than this WOD boxing match."

Very well said. These Rush threads are quickly becoming as obnoxious as the Kobe threads.

I love your tagline, by the way.

[ellery]

"We're not sure whether he will be charged," a law enforcement source told CNN earlier this month. "We're going after the big fish, both the suppliers and the sellers."

This is a lie. A quick google turned up these two recent references from Florida -- this, from by no means a comprehensive search.

In addition, Sheriff’s detectives arrest 28 St. Lucie County, FL residents on prescription fraud, “doctorshopping” and other drug-related offenses. http://www.stluciesheriff.com/annual-report/2001/ar_2001_11-15.pdf

In July, 24 people were arrested as part of a drug sting in St. Lucie County, where law enforcement and pharmacies cooperated to disrupt an informal distribution network. Most of the 24 who were arrested were once legitimately ill or disabled and living off Social Security or veteran’s benefits that enabled them to get prescriptions. FDLE Office of Statewide Intelligence Prescription Drug Abuse – August 2001 http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:NiC8jgWB6LcJ:www.fdle.state.fl.us/OSI/CrimeBriefs/RxAbuse.pdf+oxycontin+arrest+statistics&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

I pray Rush is treated compassionately, medically, not criminally. I pray his case is the catalyst for all people suffering like he is to be cleared of criminal charges.