RADIO TITAN'S DEVOTED 'DITTOHEADS' WILL STAY TUNED

New York Post ^ | 10/11/03 | DAM BUCKMAN

[kattracks]

October 11, 2003 -- RUSH Limbaugh's loyal listeners are unlikely to desert him now that he's admitted to an addiction to painkillers. That's the word from talk-radio experts, who say Limbaugh made the right move when he 'fessed up on his radio show yesterday.

[alloysteel]

Legally prescribed pain medications can do MUCH to relieve the tension and limitations imposed by constant and sometimes excruciating pain of crushed or damaged nerve centers, and are very much a part of the therapy of treatment.

If you haven't been there, or been up close to someone who has, weigh your remarks carefully.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

If you love Kurt Cobain that's fine, but he really is just another dead doper.

[ConservativeMan55]

Prayers for Rush all around.

[slimer]

I would like to point out that a world of difference exists between people who deliberately choose to use drugs in pursuit of thrills and people who become dependent on drugs through a medical crisis.

I'm glad you made this point. I hope that people will consider this distinction BEFORE arriving at a conclusion.

[truthandjustice1]

What books have you written? Can you provide a link?

[Brian Allen]

<< I would like to point out that a world of difference exists between people who deliberately choose to use drugs in pursuit of thrills and people who become dependent on drugs through a medical crisis. >>

[Notwithstanding that Mr Cobain's problems with drugs also began with prescribed "medications" for the chronic pain that lead to his death] Rubbish!

<< While we have the greatest medical system in the world, we do not have good answers for people who are in constant pain. >>

We do have the answers but refuse to act on them.

And we have let the DEA's and others of the feral-gummint's moronic jack-booted thugs have authority over physicians and pharmacists.

For Example: When used in the treatment of chronic pain Diamorphine is not addictive, permits the user to retain full use of all of his mental and emotional facilties and is extremely efficatious in pain control.

<< And, those of us who have pain-free bodies cannot imagine what it is like to be in constant distress. >>

Really? Since having received multiple injuries in a 1991 plane crash I wouldn't know what it's like to be free from pain -- so should I take your word for that attempted rationalization?

Nah.

I don't think so.

<< The opiate-like drugs provide relief to lives which become not worth living without that relief. >>

Perhaps true -- but nonetheless an attempt to rationalize and to justify CRIMINAL, not medical, behavior.

For what it is worth I believe Absolutely that the only real "drug crime" is Prohibition -- and is committed only by governments.

But insofar as all of the drug laws are on the books we must abide by them even while hating them and doing all we can to get them off the bloody books!

Maybe, had he not moved outside of the Law, that could have been a worthwhile pursuit for Mr Limbaugh?

{Also see [ost #20]

[kdmhcdcfld]

Maybe this experience will change Rush's tune as to how drug users are punished or rehabilitated, but I really think Rush was referring to hardcore users of cocaine, crack, heroin, and other illicit drugs when he made those comments over the years.

One has a choice when it comes to the use of those drugs ("Just Say No" worked for me), but becoming hooked on medication after being prescribed by a doctor is another story.

[Ferret Fawcet]

Rush made me feel like I was one voice among millions.

It sounds silly, but it empowered me. I knew it wasn't "just me".

Then I found Free Republic and found my place in the "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy". I was home. *big grin*

At any rate, thanks for everything Rush. We'll be there when you get back. God Bless!

You speak for me as well. He will come back with both barrels blazing, since he won't have "half his brain tied behind his back" anymore.

I hope we can somehow get the mailing address of the facility where he'll be staying so I can send him a note of support.

[FrankR]

The difference is, except for Rush himself, no one was hurt in support of his habit.

While there is still the question about his method of obtaining the drugs, the fact remains that we're not talking about outlawed drugs such as crack, marijuana, or cocaine.

I have a family member who was hooked on pain killers, and compared to them, Rush wasn't affect by them at all. My relative would stay in a stupor, hardly able to construct a sentence, or even stay awake. I'm an avid listener of Rush, and I've never heard him sound anything other than alert, cohesive, and ... brilliant.

Of course, the liberals will have a field day with this information, and "druggie" will be attached to his name (by the liberals and the media) for a long time to come. However, none of this information changes his observations on liberals, politics, or American in general. He has a keen insight on what is going on, and has shown us all where to look, how to identify a liberal and deal with them.

He has generally made the mainstream press a laughing stock on most matters, leaving them preaching to the (liberal) choir.

Yes, this will pass in time. But, while it is true that countless other famous people have had drug problems, i.e. JFK, bill clinton, roger clinton, et al, just remember that when a conservative does anything remotely similar to a liberal, the press will make it seem like the end of humanity as we know it. Ignore them.

I hate the fact that Rush has opened himself up like this, but are we going to let 15 years of "wonderful" be erased by one personal mistake? He's 'fessed up, and is taking steps to do something about it...do you know what I'd give if I could get my family member to do the same?

Just remember, liberals and the press are going to jump on this, in the hope that they can "ruin" and discredit Rush. Well, again - the "left" already hates him, so no net loss there. And, anyone who has listened any time at all, and believes in him, will still agree with his teachings about liberals, et al.

I think the most effective thing WE can do, in addition to our prayers, is to FLOOD any publication and/or broadcaster who trys to slam Rush on this, with hundreds of emails and letters supporting RUSH. We need to let them know that their "piling on" is doing no good at all. FR is a perfect forum to pass the word when a "discouraging word" is head from blockheads like Rather, Brokaw, et al, and we can flood the mail to them.

Keep the faith.

[yoe]

Bump!

He'll come back ... stronger and better than before !...and we'll be here listening to this American Treasure of Truth!

[Sam Cree]

"Rush always said with half his brain tied behind his back ... he wasn't kidding !"

Ha! good post ... and I usually disagree with you.

[Sam Cree]

From the article:

"That's the word from talk-radio experts, who say Limbaugh made the right move..."

What the hell is a "talk-radio expert?"

[esoteric]

You have some serious anger issues. Try compassion. It'll lighten your load.

[pickemuphere]

Legally prescribed pain medications can do MUCH to relieve the tension and limitations imposed by constant and sometimes excruciating pain of crushed or damaged nerve centers, and are very much a part of the therapy of treatment.

Maybe I'm missing something. How can Rush blame back pain, one wonders, when he played golf so often? The golf swing is a violent, twisting motion--there's simply no way someone in severe back pain could play golf.

Some of you need to face facts: Rush enjoyed the effects of Oxycontin and the other opiate-based pain medications. He used these pills to get high, not to relieve pain.

[Freebird Forever]

He will come back with both barrels blazing

There is a precedent for this.

Mr. Favre kicked a vicodin habit, then went on to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory and earn back to back MVP awards.

[SerpentDove]

>>Mr Limbaugh is professionally dead. <<

It seems to me you're dancing on his grave a little prematurely.

[Vinnie]

ust remember, liberals and the press are going to jump on this, in the hope that they can "ruin" and discredit Rush.

Exactly right.

This weekend the libs are going to pile on in an attempt to destroy him.

After he comes back they will simply sneer and chuckle whenever his 'analysis' of a subject is mentioned.

I'm not sure he will ever have the same influence again.

This has disappointed me in much the same way Bill Bennett's gambling habit did.

But my prayers are with Rush.

[FITZ]

The golf swing is a violent, twisting motion--there's simply no way someone in severe back pain could play golf.

Maybe with enough pain-killers they can. Really you don't know what it is like to be inside another person. If he just wanted to be high, then he could have taken meth or cocaine. His addiction was to painkillers --- I think most people who get addicted to painkillers started out with pain.

[johnnyb93]

The difference is that Cobain never held himself up as an arbiter of what is right or moral. Another difference is that Rush is not dead yet.

[FITZ]

are that Mr Cobain was not a bloody hypocrite, would never have referred to Mr Limbaugh as "just another dead doper" -- and is also physically dead.

Didn't Cobain put a hole in his head or hang himself or something like to to kill his own self? Of course he can't call Limbaugh "another dead doper" because Cobain is the one who is dead.