A Note To Rush Limbaugh

boblonsberry.com ^ | 10/3/03 | Bob Lonsberry

[shortstop]

Believe me, Rush, I know what you’re going through.

That may sound presumptuous, but it’s true. I have an idea of what the crushing of a dream feels like, of what it’s like to be on the evening news, of how your stomach sinks when the most intimate aspects of your life are headlined in the paper and laughed at on the radio.

I know what it’s like. I’ve been through it.

And I have good news.

You’re going to be fine. The things that are precious to you are still going to be with you when this is done. The truth will still be the truth, you will still be you, and the world will go on.

The sun will come up; you will survive. Life is good. Remember that and drive on.

It’s been a tough week. On Sunday, you said an NFL quarterback was a media sweetheart because he was black. By Wednesday that had cost you your TV job. Then on Thursday, word leaked that you might have a drug problem, and had spent four years scoring OxyContin from your housekeeper.

When it rains it pours, huh?

Here’s what I think about where you stand.

First, you shouldn’t have resigned. I am sure you did so because they said they’d fire you if you didn’t, but it wasn’t the right thing to do. What you said was stupid, not racist. And by cutting and running – instead of making them fire you – you accept a new public standard that essentially forbids white people from discussing race. When you quit you’re not a victim of the thought police, you’re an accomplice. You’re admitting you did something wrong.

And you did nothing wrong.

Granted, I don’t think most people would agree with you.

There have been black NFL quarterback stars for years. This is McNabb, not DiMaggio or Koufax. There’s nothing pioneering or unusual – anymore – about his race or ethnicity. And you don’t get into the Pro Bowl through affirmative action.

But sports analysts say dumb things all the time. Your problem was you are white and you mentioned race. And your ESPN career is gone. Badabing, badaboom.

Now some wonder if you will lose your radio job as well.

It would be ridiculous if you did. And it would be ridiculous if any stations pulled your show. I think your listeners – of every race – understand. And they know your heart.

It’s not about twisting five seconds worth of audio, it’s about the totality of a person’s character and career. And you’re not a racist.

But you might be a junkie.

That’s what Wilma Cline, your former housekeeper, says. She says that for four years – until the spring of last year – she illegally kept you in prescription painkillers. Supposedly Oxycontin, Lorcet and hydrocodone.

That story’s coming out today in the “National Enquirer.” Most of the details were in yesterday’s New York “Daily News.” She said she taped your last two buys, and that once she gave you more than 43-hundred pills in less than two months. The claim is also that an intermediate passed her $200,000 to keep quiet – just before she went to the police.

She also claims you went to detox twice, most recently a little more than a year ago.

Well, that’s got to hurt to see in the paper, doesn’t it? And, if it’s true, it’s got to hurt to have that in your life.

I’m sorry.

But if that’s the way it is, that’s the way it is.

Should you quit your radio show? Should you give up your career?

Only if you want to send the message to every other addict out there that they are useless and ruined and ought to jump off a bridge.

But if you believe you can lick it, if you believe you can lay bare you soul on this matter to your audience, if you believe you still have something to offer, then you should stay on the air.

Personally, that’s what I think you should do.

Personally, I think that the millions of Americans struggling through addictions of their own would be strengthened by the humble example you now have the opportunity to set. If there is healing power in saying to a small room of people, “My name is Rush and I’m an addict,” imagine what power there could be in saying that to a nation.

It’s going to be hard, Rush. That OxyContin is a devil sweeping across the country. So are the other addictions people face – the cocaine and crack, booze and sex – and if we fired everybody who was an addict we’d have a lot of empty jobs.

It’s going to be hard, Rush. You’re going to have to go on the air and lay it all out. And you’re going to have to ask for forgiveness and support.

And here’s my prediction: You’ll get both.

Because people care about you. Anybody can bash the Clintons, but your gig is being America’s friend. A great, blustering, opinionated, funny friend. At least that’s how I see you. That’s why I tune in.

That’s why I’ll keep tuning in.

Stay the course, Rush. Your work isn’t done yet. Your country and your audience still need you. Don’t let the hurt of today keep you from the work of tomorrow.

I know what it’s like. I’ve been through it.

And I have good news.

You’re going to be fine.

[shortstop]

If you recall, Lonsberry was fired last week from his Rochester, NY and Salt Lake City radio job becaused he made a "racial" reference to to a Rochester politician. Another loss to political correctness.

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[MEG33]

This is a great letter to Rush.Thanks for the post.

[gridlock]

It’s been a tough week. On Sunday, you said an NFL quarterback was a media sweetheart because he was black. By Wednesday that had cost you your TV job. Then on Thursday, word leaked that you might have a drug problem, and had spent four years scoring OxyContin from your housekeeper.

I wonder about the timing of the Thursday smear. We know how the 'Rats love to kick people when they're down. I would not be at all surprised if the 'Rats had the drug story in the hopper for some time, and timed the release to provide a one/two punch.

Remember the Clinton connection. Zuckerman at the Daily News is a old cards-playing buddy of Bubba, and Bubba's lawyer is the in-house consigliere for the National Enquirer. These two outlets have been the source of numerous Clinton plants over the years. It's kind of a "Communication Stream of Conspiracy Commerce", if you will.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Plus there's power in numbers. 20 million listeners aren't going anywhere.

[Mamzelle]

sharp piece of writing. This guy needs to do a book.

[familyofman]

Rush - don't play victim and try to say this is a "left wing " conspiracy against you. Stand up, don't be a crybaby wimp and play the role of victim. Stand proud & tell it like it is, never back down. Fight unto the end - no one respects someone who won't face their enemies to be respected. Fight fire with fire.

[fightinJAG]

bump

[Vote 4 Nixon]

Rush is being destroyed before our very eyes. When you are a hard line conservative theres nowhere else you are allowed to go. If you are a left leaning democrat any perversion is acceptable to the world. It makes me remember how we lost Nixon,Gingrich,and so many other of our right wing champions.Once they crossed the invisible line the shit hit the fan. The sad thing is that all of them did it to themselves. It isnt the race thing that will get Rush but the drug use if it is proved true. The question of the day is who will pick up the torch?

[Valin]

Your problem was you are white and you mentioned race.

So many people say we have to "confront" race, bring it out of the closet talk about it. But it appears to your humble servant that this is code speek for white people to flog themselves over the actions of a few and excuse the actions of some blacks.
Sorry, I refuse to play that game.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Rush - don't play victim and try to say this is a "left wing " conspiracy against you.

Unless of course he is innocent. I can't beleve the number of pills. How do you take that many and not end up in the hospital? Sounds like his housekeeper was trying to account for the pills that actually went to a number of customers. Like maybe she would get a lighter sentance if she was simply an enabler of one person instead of a pusher for many.

[nygoose]

Don't you think your comments are a little premature to say the least?

[slimer]

That OxyContin is a devil sweeping across the country.

This is an example of why people who need pain relief do not get adequate treatment. This particular drug is very effective at relieving pain but doctors are highly regulated in prescribing it (a class II drug).

Why? Because of its "potential for abuse". What's the problem with this? Because some people abuse this drug, everyone has to suffer for it.

[NTegraT]

Some of those people shouldn't have resigned either "Nixon,Gingrich,and so many other of our right wing champions." Guilty or not, Rush has a lot to give. We weren't following HIM so much as the message and the messenger does not make the message.

[Matchett-PI]

DRUDGE REPORT **Exclusive**

President Bush expressed support of radio star Rush Limbaugh in conversations with top staff on Thursday, a senior administration source told the DRUDGE REPORT.

"Rush is a great American," the president said of the beleaguered host, who has championed the conservative movement for decades. "I am confident he can overcome any obstacles he faces right now."

Like President Bush, I am confident, of that, too.

I especially like and agree with his use of the word, "ANY".

[Just mythoughts]

Gee, that black coach that claimed that "WEATHER CONDITIONS" affected how players of different races perform still has his job.

Oh, I forgot only "SOME" can talk about "THINGS" that affect people of different races.

Rush was exposing how PC'd the media has become and part of the reason is there is a blackmailer the Rev. Jackson running around and collecting his shake down from deep pockets.

[rface]

Should you quit your radio show? Should you give up your career?

Only if you want to send the message to every other addict out there that they are useless and ruined and ought to jump off a bridge.

But if you believe you can lick it, if you believe you can lay bare you soul on this matter to your audience, if you believe you still have something to offer, then you should stay on the air.

Personally, that’s what I think you should do.dittos

[MamaLucci]

I've been telling my hubby for years that this country is headed for civil war
between the races. There is a LOT of anger simmering just below the surface.

[TaxRelief]

Rush,

Do the Ramsey thing and surround yourself in lawyers. Remember: everything you say can and will be used against you. Don't even mention these allegations on the air.

We will continue to admire and respect whether you popped illegal painkillers or not. We don't need to hear your "side of the story".

[Prolifeconservative]

Everone needs to reminded of the way in which Rush handled his hearing loss.

He didn't wine, complain, feel sorry for himself, or let anyone else feel sorry for him, or give up. The man dealt with it head on like so many other things. In a matter of time, he was right back to his media gig and doing just fine.

The way in which he handled his hearing loss was demonstrative of his true conservative convictions.