Posted on 06/12/2004 11:46:05 AM PDT by NotchJohnson
Conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh announced Friday that he and his wife, Marta, are divorcing.
The Limbaughs "mutually decided to end their marriage of 10 years" and have "separated pending an amicable resolution," according to a statement released by Limbaugh's publicist.
The couple shared a $24 million oceanfront mansion in nearby Palm Beach, from where Limbaugh often broadcast his daily three-hour show.
Spokesman Tony Knight said the matter was personal and declined further comment.
It was the third marriage for both Limbaugh, 53, and his 44-year-old wife, who were wed May 27, 1994, at the Virginia home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Thomas officiated the ceremony.
The past several months have been difficult for the politically and socially conservative Limbaugh, who announced in October that he was entering drug rehabilitation because he was addicted to prescription painkillers.
At the same time, West Palm Beach prosecutors announced they were investigating whether Limbaugh illegally went "doctor shopping" to obtain the pills. The practice refers to visiting several doctors to receive duplicate prescriptions of controlled narcotics.
Limbaugh, who has not been charged with any crime, has repeatedly fought back against the charges and negative publicity he's received over the matter.
Last month, he took out full-page ads in two Florida newspapers to attack prosecutors for mounting what he called a politically motivated investigation. He also regularly lashes out against prosecutors and reporters and defends himself during his show.
The criminal case against Limbaugh is on hold pending a decision from a Florida appeals court. It will decide whether the seizure of Limbaugh's medical records, which were taken by investigators in November, violated privacy laws.
Prosecutors say they need the records to determine whether to bring charges against Limbaugh.
It's getting harder and harder to reconcile his behavior with his rhetoric.
How is that? If she wants to leave him what is he supposed to do?
Reagan got divorced. Divorce is not a moral failing. It is only an admission of a bad judgement call.
This is true. This marriage was the third for Marta as well. She's probably got some hefty baggage of her own as well.
Pretty broad brush you just stroked paint on with there....
Divorce not a moral failure? The breach of a solemn oath is no big deal? Three times?
Both my parents have been married and divorced twice. Believe you me, it did not happen because they were virtuous, nor innocent.
Rich people are supposed to get married and divorced, it's America's #1 source of wealth distribution.
One person can be making a solemn vow to the spouse and to G-d, and the other one can have a different take on it entirely.
However, that one gets divorced does not necessarily imply that he or she has poor morals. Many people get divorced because of physical or verbal abuse, addiction, or other similar situations over which they have no control.
For example, my mother filed from divorce from my father. He wanted to remain married. However, he was also the one who was abusive. In her instance, divorce was the moral decision, because it ensured a much better life for herself and her children.
Oops. Make that "filed for divorce."
And beaten to death.
Now Rush will probably be happier. These things don't happen overnight. I'd just like to say that "I need Rush". Many a day he has saved me from kicking a liberal. He does it for me.
If she wants to leave him, and he doesn't want to break up his marriage, the word you are looking for is "no."
"No, I don't want a divorce. I can't keep you from leaving, but I won't make it easy on you. I don't believe in divorce. We promised to stay together through thick and thin, and this is just one of the thin times. It will get better. Whatever your problem is, we can work it out. Stick around, the best is yet to come."
I can see why we needed this thread too - I'm sure there'll be all kinds of new insights.
I want a divorce.
I've never been married, so I don't really know how these things really work, but I am led to believe that your suggestion is one of those "works in theory" things...
I find it rather odd that she waited exactly 10 years to file for divorce. 10 years is the magic number for attaining several benefits from your mate.
No divorce is amicable. Some are just less acrimonious than others. Keep in mind that this was a civil marriage, and should have at least the standing of so-called "civil unions" which have been so universally despised in certain intellectual circles. Marriage itself has come to be so devaluated that the state of connubial bliss is losing its meaning.
If it cost a couple million dollars and took six months to a year to get married, and ten bucks and three days to get divorced, an awful lot of marriages would never have taken place. Or a lot more consideration would have gone into them.
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