Ken Hamblin comments on Rush Limbaugh

Fox News Channel ^ | 10-11-03 | Ken Hamblin on the Rita Cosby Show

[Denver Ditdat]

It sure looks that way, Howlin. Rush's addiction is going to be fodder for discussion, opportunistic ridicule, and late night talk show jokes for a while to come. We'd do better to don a thick skin, ignore the hail of criticism that will be heaped upon conservatism in general, and keep the faith with our ideals.

Rush has a few knocks coming, and I'm sure he realizes that. After all, he has made his share of jokes at the expense of Marion Barry, Ted Kennedy, and others who have had substance abuse problems. To expect that the left (and even some conservatives) are going to keep silent just isn't realistic.

[ambrose]

BUT at the street level this creates LOADS of serious problems for people like me who argue the conservative cause.

How is that? Rush is an entertaining talk show host. His inner demons have nothing to do with the causes that he espouses.

[Right_in_Virginia]

The ratz are dancing in the streets

From the tone of many posts I've read, so are quite a few freepers.

[Morose Musician]

I heard Ken's remarks and found them both ludicrous and ungracious.

As Mike Gallagher said on "Fox and Friends" this morning, most rational people can make a mental distinction between a person's taking illegal drugs recreationally in order to get high and a person's taking legal prescription drugs for legitimate medical reasons and subsequently accidentally becoming addicted.

Rush was not snorting cocaine at parties for fun. He was taking a prescribed medicine to relieve significant chronic pain that was not remedied by surgery.

I refuse to entertain any notions that Rush was weak or that Rush is a hypocrite. I do not attach any particular moral component to Rush's situation.

He is just your basic overweight middle-aged guy with a bad back: an unfortunate American Everyman.

If I were Ken, it would behoove me to get down on my knees and pray that I would never have to cope with chronic severe back and neck pain.

[SnarlinCubBear]

I do think what Rush did was bad for conservatism, and was quite angry about his conduct at first. BUT, Rush is such a fixture on the radio, and how in the world could he say, "folks, I'm going on a 30-day hiatus to go into drug rehab, and then I'll be back."

Public figures like Rush have the likes of us feeling like we OWN him. We feel we deserve an explanation. He had to feel backed into a corner due to his status.

Perhaps full-on exposure was/is his only way to get the help he needs. So sad that he may have lost his hearing because of the medication.

Lots of sadness to go around.

Let's play nice.

[Miss Marple]

I will agree that it was NOT good for conservatism. Anyone who thinks this is no big deal is just plain not understanding what this means.

Rush will never again be asked to comment on mainstream networks. Any interview he grants will be consumed with talk about drugs. Any opinion he gives on air will be mocked by toads like Franken as "drug-induced." I also doubt that many officials will be interviewed on his program any more.

I am sorry he got hooked on pain pills. I wish he had not done so in Palm Beach County, and I wish he had checked himself into a clinic before the story broke in the Enquirer.

[Joe 6-pack]

11th COMMANDMENT ZOT!

[Howlin]

And what is going to happen when the other shoe drops and we hear all the facts?

[exit82]

Well stated.


Rush has generally been even handed and gracious, even to his enemies. It would be nice, though probably unrealistic, to expect that others would do the same for him when he needs it.

I sincerely hope that thirty days from now, Rush is on his way to full recovery and back in the EIB saddle. He'll have a new perspective for sure, but I think it will serve to make him a better person and a better voice for conservatism.

[Morose Musician]

Yes, Rush has made jokes about Ted Kennedy and Marion Barry, but their substance abuse is a result of hearty partying, not chronic pain.

[Joe 6-pack]

WHY FOR CHRISSAKES ARE WE SO WILLING TO BEAT UP RUSH?!?! IF YOU ARE A SENTIENT BEING, YOU KNOW THIS IS WHAT THE LIBERALS WANT. ARE YOU GOING TO CARRY THEIR WATER AND DO IT FOR THEM, SO THAT THEY CAN WASH THEIR HANDS, AND SAY THAT THEY WRE NOT BEHIND HIS DOWNFALL?

YOU PEOPLE AMAZE ME. KEN HAMBLIN HAS DISAPPOINTED ME FAR MORE WITH HIS WORDS THAN RUSH HAS WITH HIS ADMITTED ADDICTION.

[jammer]

Well said, as you always do whether I agree or not, and good luck to you.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Rush will never again be asked to comment on mainstream networks. Any interview he grants will be consumed with talk about drugs.

Not a problem. Rush rarely participated as a commentator on "mainstream networks". With 20 million listeners a day he didn't --- and won't--- need to.

[zook]

Oh my. Don't you know that conservatives are not allowed to have any human failings at all? Don't you realize that every single erring from the "true path" is an arrow in the heart of the conservative movement?

Haven't you learned that conservative leaders are supposed to march like automatons down the straight and narrow moral road at all times?

If *anyone* is being hypocritical, it's the self righteous band of fair weather, so called "conservatives" who are jumping on the crush Rush bandwagon. Unless, of course, they are all without sin.

[Consort]

Rush and Bill Bennett are damages goods, at least for the time being. It always looks worse for those who are perceived to be purist ideoloques.

[zook]

Right on.

[prisoner6]

His inner demons have nothing to do with the causes that he espouses.

Makes no difference. The ratz will kfeep pounding it...calling him a hypocrit...and ridiculing anyone who listens (ed) to him. It's not gonna be fun.

prisoner6

[Kwilliams]

Are you all going to trash anybody who thinks what Rush did was bad for conservatism?

Do you really think that Conservatism is that shallow? That a radio entertainer can truly change the political ideal of Conservatism?

[AlexW]

"Are you all going to trash anybody who thinks what Rush did was bad for conservatism?"

Well, conservatives are best at eating their own.

How many DemoRats jumped all over Clinton for what he did to
America? Damn few.

You pious conservatives can trash Rush all you want, but
he has done more for the conservative movement then any other single American.