In defence of Rush

[Emboldened Chimp]

Let me start off by saying that I hate Rush Limbaugh. His ideas are bankrupt; he's a liar, racist, homophobe and misogynist. With that said, I find it deplorable that there are people on this board willing to rejoice in his (alleged) drug addiction. It doesn't matter if we all hate the guy and the bile he spews every day: he is still a human being. And with that, he is prone to all the problems that can befall any one of us.

I say this because I have had to deal with people addicted to drugs: my best friend from home was addicted to cocaine, then later crack. And I'm no angel myself (though I was lucky to never get addicted to anything.) I guess my point is that we shouldn't take pleasure in someone else's pain and despair, even though we hate what he says and does. It's simply just not right.

(/rant)

[Padraig18]

1. I sympathize with his problem

Nonetheless, there is no denying that the man is getting payed back in SPADES for the pain HE has inflicted on others.

[Emboldened Chimp]

3. I guess

I'm not sympathetic if he broke the law (buying the drugs on the streets); for that he should pay. And certainly, there is a karmic aspect to all this. But I, for one, can't take pleasure in someone's addiction because I know how hard and painful it can be. I don't care who it is.

[DulceDecorum]

50. A pain in the arse

The best story concerns Rush Limbaugh, the ferociously bellicose radio personality, who allegedly had either "anal cysts" or an "ingrown hair follicle on his bottom". It is not my custom to mock others' ailments, but anyone who has listened to Limbaugh's programme can imagine the dripping scorn he would bring to the revelation that a prominent Democrat had skipped a war over something like that. Also, in his case, a pain in the arse is peculiarly appropriate.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,777567,00.html

[sleipnir]

54. More Defense of Rush, His COMMENTS THIS TIME

I can't believe the day has come for me to defend Rush Limbaugh, but it's here.

I agree that Rush is a hateful man, but his comments were, now hold on here, blown out of proportion. As a sports fan, white guy and occasional Eagles guy, I have to say that the reporters did go easy on McNabb early on after two horrific games. I will admit that I do root for McNabb, to some degree because he's black and I like to see diversity and watch the rest of the white-racist assholes cry out in the night over the conterversy. Now, I'm not sure if the reporters went easy on McNabb because of his skin color, it's entirely possible, and I think probable. Is it all right for Rush to say this on-air? Maybe out of taste, but nothing too horrific. It's not like he was advocating lynchings, the KKK and the like. For all of you look at the real Rush quote which was

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

The real comment isn't that bad, not worth being fired over. I hate to admit this but, Rush does know what he's talking about when it comes to Football. He does his research, he knows the game, and he's quite the fan I hear. I think his recent comment was probably on the money. SO, why are we so afraid to admit this fact....Why can't we openly dicuss race in America today?

We can only change what we acknowledge.

[Uzybone]

64. Are you serious????

Who went easy on McNabb? Sorry but you are full of it. He didnt get fired for one thing, he resigned. He doesnt know football, being a fan is not qualification enough for you to become a commentator on the game. That comment was way off the mark, maybe YOU took it easy on McNabb becasue he is black, maybe that speaks to your own prejudices, but sportswriters did not.

[sleipnir]

75. Yes, I am Serious

I'm not full of it, after two really, really bad performances, McNabb recieved some, but little critism. This comes from Philly, where if you screw up a bit, your done in the sports press. The Eagles fans "Boooed!!!" their own team when they lost! And the press didn't do too much for a guy with a 51 QB rating (horrible) for his first two games.

Now, as far as the resignation, that's just entertainment/poltical doublespeak for "Fired." DO you seriously believe the world's biggest mouth would resign over a petty comment? No, not hardly, he had to be forced out, Rush is too much of a hardened asshole.

As far as my own predjudices, I did not say I took it easy on McNabb. I was a huge vocal critic of his, though I still hoped he'd turn it around, because I do like to see black QB's and black coaches in the NFL. It helps to shake up and destroy racial sterotypes. If I think this, and I'm not alone here (two leftist football friends of mine agree) I'm sure that several of the sports reporters probably feel the same way.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see Rush go, but I hoped we could have kept him around for a little longer, hoping that he would say something really horrific and racist to nail his ass back and forth for an eternity.

[Old and In the Way]

96. Nobody's arguing that McNabb might deserve criticism for

having bad games. Rush could have made the statement that he's a crappy quarterback and you could either agree or disagree.

Where Rush blew it is on conjecturing that he received preferential treatment because he's black. That's total BS and way over the line. But this statement was quite important to Rush's worldview and his mistake was forgetting he was broadcasting outside of Dittoheadland.

Tom Brady has had a couple of bad games, too....if Rush had made the same statement that he is receiving special treatment because he's white, that would equally be absurd and outrageous.

Rush's incite was no different than if Lester Maddox had made the same observation...the only difference is Rush is a so-called "national treasure" and has the blessings of the covert rascists that allow this vile man to pollute the airwaves.

[bearfartinthewoods]

45. karma is a drag

but i'm not screwing up mine by jumping on him for this.

just for this though..he's still an ass .

[Bandit]

55. "Payed back in spades" ~ Not yet he isn't but he should.

I can only hope he gets paid back in spades. You reap what you sow.

[Bucky]

karma vs poetry

I don't really believe in karma. You can do evil in the world and it may or it may not come back to you. If it does come back to you, I will sometimes call it "karma" or "God gettin' ya", but really it's just poetic justice.

When he went deaf, what Rush got is poetic justice. He did ill in the world. He caused others to hurt by leading talk radio in the demonization of the political left (and the political center, for that matter). Going deaf wasn't really, IMO, a result of his bad deeds and ill intentions. It was just misfortune.

When he self medicated and took prescription drugs sans a note from his doctor, getting caught was not a misfortune. Nor was it karmic retribution. He dug his own grave. If his car crashes on the way to rehab it'll be bad news. I'll try my hardest not to laugh.

But when he gets canned because he's spent a whole career being a racist idiot and finally goes to far... well, I can just laugh it up. The drug addiction is ironic, but not all that funny.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. Yes but when a liberal or a Democrat gets into this type of.....

situation, people like Rush attack and smear them!!!

No Pity!

:nopity:

[Selwynn]

5. Great - so lets just prove we're NO BETTER THEN

/sigh

[Evil_Dewers]

27. Selwynn

Rush is a man who has become a multi-millionaire by personally attacking those he hates because of their politics (us). The Republicans have been handing us our asses because we don't fight back. I'm tired of being nice and being ignored/taken advantage of.

[Selwynn]

35. That's fine - demonstrate you're no better

Stoop to their level. Don't demand an elevated level of statementship in politics, instead let your frustration win and go for the cheap laugh, the short satisfication, the empty revenge.

[Evil_Dewers]

40. go for the cheap laugh, the short satisfication, the empty revenge

I'll take the win. The Dems need a scummy Lee Atwater/Karl Rove type to fight fire with fire.

[Selwynn]

42. Wrong.

Democrats need to care more about being right than acting wrong and wining.

[Evil_Dewers]

47. Democrats need to care more about being right than acting wrong and wining

That is a recipe for "loser."

Your Pollyanna, saccharine view of the world is sweet, but artificial.

[Selwynn]

56. It is a recipe for ...

Being a patriot. What difference does it make if you win by standing for everything your opponents do?

You want to win at all costs, go join the republicans. They care more about being in power and staying in power than they do about justice, or standing by the principles and ideals the nation was founded on, even when its tough.

I want to win, but I also want to be right doing it. And I'd rather lose and be right than win and be wrong.

[Evil_Dewers]

70. Don't talk to me about patriotism, sweety...

The Repukes have corrupted the meaning of that word just like they've besmirched the word "liberal."

We can't afford to lose anymore. The country is going down the toilet.

Are you sure you are on the right board?

[Selwynn]

78. No I'm not sure...

With people like you here..

What difference does it make if "we win" if we sacrifice everything good about being "us" along the way?

[BeachBuckeye]

92. Yeah, right!

Fight them with kid-gloves and get our asses handed to us again in 2004. Forget it! If we fight them with powder puff tactics they'll bury us and we'll end up being their servants. Sorry, but now is the time to kick them square in the balls over and over again.

[Selwynn]

97. What's the point of wining...

if you sacrifice everything worth wining for along the way?

The point isn't just to win, its to do and be.

[noiretextatique]

please..."we" didn't start this shit

people like rush DID. fuck him...he is reaping exactly what he's sown :nopity: and he is NOT a politician and certainly no statesman.

[Selwynn]

62. So now we're down to grade school level?

But Mom! He started it!

The problem in politics is that by the time an opposition party takes power, they've become everything they hated in the party before them.

I for one would prefer to differentiate or selves from the horrible attitudes of our opponents by taking the higher, more mature and more decent road.

I pity Rush, I don't gloat in his problems.

[noiretextatique]

68. is he a poltician?

or is he a private citizen? is he a part of the rw distortion machine, or is he some "innocent?" please...as i said...he brought his on himself :nopity: i will absolute RELISH AND REJOICE in what i hope will be his DEMISE. i can' think of anyone who deserves it more. again...he's reaping what he's sown, just as bush, inc is reaping what it has sown in the plame affair. you feel free to enable them, in the spirit of "elevated statesmanship" if you choose. i say fuck 'em...they are getting EXACTLY what they EARNED.

[noiretextatique]

69. is he a poltician?

or is he a private citizen? is he a part of the rw distortion machine, or is he some "innocent?" please...as i said...he brought his on himself :nopity: i will absolute RELISH AND REJOICE in what i hope will be his DEMISE. i can' think of anyone who deserves it more. again...he's reaping what he's sown, just as bush, inc is reaping what it has sown in the plame affair. you feel free to enable them, in the spirit of "elevated statesmanship" if you choose. i say fuck 'em...they are getting EXACTLY what they EARNED.

[noiretextatique]

71. is he a poltician?

or is he a private citizen? is he a part of the rw distortion machine, or is he some "innocent?" please...as i said...he brought his on himself :nopity: i will absolute RELISH AND REJOICE in what i hope will be his DEMISE. i can' think of anyone who deserves it more. again...he's reaping what he's sown, just as bush, inc is reaping what it has sown in the plame affair. you feel free to enable them, in the spirit of "elevated statesmanship" if you choose. i say fuck 'em...they are getting EXACTLY what they EARNED.

[noiretextatique]

72. is he a poltician?

or is he a private citizen? is he a part of the rw distortion machine, or is he some "innocent?" please...as i said...he brought this on himself :nopity: i will absolute RELISH AND REJOICE in what i hope will be his DEMISE. i can't think of anyone who deserves it more. again...he's reaping what he's sown, just as bush, inc is reaping what it has sown in the plame affair. you feel free to enable them, in the spirit of "elevated statesmanship" if you choose. i say fuck 'em...they are getting EXACTLY what they EARNED.

[Selwynn]

79. It doesn't matter

...who or what he is. It isn't about who is deserving of sympathy, its about my belife that as individual we should act symapthetically and mercifully and graciously, even in our necessarly condemnation of people or events, becuase it is right and best for all.

[noiretextatique]

88. did hitler "deserve" sympathy?

i don't believe for one second that everyone "deserves" sympathy.

[Selwynn]

100. It's not about Hitler...

It's about who I want to be...

It's not about the merit of the man, its about my own character.

It's not about whether someone DESERVES forgiveness, its about my desire to have a heart of forgiveness always.

The better word is "pity" over "sympathy." I do have pity for any man so warped and twisted to be capable of horror, including hitler.

I believe that no one DESERVES anything, but I do believe that it should be freely given.

That being said, let's please avoid the "hitler fallacy" in debate. It only takes 60min they say before any debate invokes "Hitler" in some way. Of course I am not stupid, and I understand full well that a holocaust survivor might feel nothing but hatred towards the man. Although, I should admit, there is more than one story of holocaust surivors who as part of their healing process, came to a place where they had to forgive their captors. It is a true fact in psychology, and especially in victim recovery that forgiveness even to those who don't deserve it is a large part of healing.

So... perhaps we could stick to rush and away from something as inflammatory as hitler? :D

[BeachBuckeye]

93. Did you pity the Nazi propaganda minister too?

Limbaugh is not one bit better. Pity? Spare me!

[Selwynn]

101. And once again, I say

It's not about THEM...

It's about who I want to be...

It's not about the merit of the man, its about my own character.

It's not about whether someone DESERVES forgiveness, its about my desire to have a heart of forgiveness always.

The better word is "pity" over "sympathy." I do have pity for any man so warped and twisted to be capable of horror, including hitler.

I believe that no one DESERVES anything, but I do believe that it should be freely given.

That being said, let's please avoid the "hitler fallacy" in debate. It only takes 60min they say before any debate invokes "Hitler" in some way. Of course I am not stupid, and I understand full well that a holocaust survivor might feel nothing but hatred towards the man. Although, I should admit, there is more than one story of holocaust surivors who as part of their healing process, came to a place where they had to forgive their captors. It is a true fact in psychology, and especially in victim recovery that forgiveness even to those who don't deserve it is a large part of healing.

So... perhaps we could stick to rush and away from something as inflammatory as hitler?

[noiretextatique]

57. please..."we" didn't start this shit

people like rush DID. fuck him...he is reaping exactly what he's sown :nopity: and he is NOT a politician and certainly no statesman.

[Bake]

95. We've BEEN doing "elevated statesmanship"

And look what it got us. I don't like to fight dirty either, but if it's that, or die, I'll fight as dirty as I have to. And Cyst Boy has been the loudest of the RW wolves.

Utter Wastes of Human Flesh like Limpballs get what they deserve. I hope he goes through cold sweats every day of his pathetic life, craving one more smack of hillbilly heroin. I hope he OD's one day and chokes on his own vomit. Hell is too good for someone like Limpnuts who has rejoiced over and over again at the suffering of others.

Bake

[Selwynn]

98. And look what it got us.

Well let's see...

It's gotten us a president that has tanking approval rating and is in deep trouble, a very hopeful chance at a democratic election in 04, a change at making substantial gains in congress ... gotten us a lot.

Look, here's my thing: I'm all for fighting hard, being passionate, standing up for what's right. You don't have to become as vile as your opponent in order to win. What is the point of winning if you toss way everything worth wining for in order to do it?

The kind of patriotism and honorable statemanship I am suggesting often doesn't have quick and easy short term wins, but I am convinced it has LONG TERM GAINS that will never be possible any other way.

Kind of like the force... the dark side of politics is quicker, easier, more seductive, but not more powerful. It is easier to become a scumbag in politics, and it can really help you get ahead in the short run, but in the long run it is destructive.

Please... don't join the dark side. :D

[Brian Sweat]

51. I hope Rush gets treatment and gets better,

but, yes, I revel in his public humiliation because for over ten years he has shown a shameful lack of empathy for other people in the same boat. I am reveling in the fact that his hypocracy has been laid bare. I am reveling in the fact that he has been discredited. I am reveling in the fact that in the future, when other hate radio personalities spew invective at drug addicts the way that Rush has for so many years, their listeners will have to try to reconcile that with the fact that their god has been shown to be human.

[Selwynn]

65. I don't "revel" in anything...

Even if it is a victory, it is a sobering one. I understand where these reactions come from, but I just think that this is why there is a vicious and never ending cylce of idiocy in politics. I feel sory for him. Feeling sorry for him doesn't discredit him any less. IT doesn't make any of the points you made untrue. It just makes me look better, and it makes us look better, and more decent as human beings.

[MuseRider]

6. He is reaping

what he has sown. Payback is always a bitch.

[Champion Jack]

7. I hope he has a LONG time to think about it

Get yer "Jail Rush" T-shirts and mugs!
Right here:
http://www.cafeshops.com/time_to_go












,

[PROGRESSIVE1]

10. I must concur with "MuseRider"!!!

.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Many people have drug problems and that is sad because drugs interfere

with one's judgement as I must assume they have with Rush given his behavior.

[hlthe2b]

8. I'm conflicted too, but one key difference:

I'll bet your friend did not vocally (and hypocritically) demean others who were fighting addiction with racist comments re: "welfare moms with their crackhead boyfriends" and similar slurs. That seems to be Limbaugh's stock in trade.

[Emboldened Chimp]

13. You're right

It is hypocritical. And cruel. But, he is an addict, and that's not an easy thing to be. Perhaps, as NSMA said above, it's part of why he behaves the way he does.

[Selwynn]

41. Very valid, however...

my choices on how to treat Rush in this have more to do with who I want to be as a person than they have to do with what Rush deserves.

I would rather feel pity for a broken up man with a broken down life than gloat over his downfall. As I said earlier - I wish Rush a strong recovery, that he could get the help he needs, and maybe reflect on some the arrogance and meannes of his opinions of the past - and I hope he is able to start over and live a long, happy (but hopefully silent and completely out of the political limelight) life.

[Must_B_Free]

9. RUSH MADE HIS CAREER CASTIGATING BLAME ON OTHERS

He deserves scorn for this.

Why should he get a pass when he would ridicule anyone else who had the problem.

What happened to personal responsibility - noone is toi blame for this except Rush himself

[Emboldened Chimp]

He deserves prosecution

for any crime he has committed. Scorn, perhaps, for said crime. But the addiction itself is a whole other animal. I can't castigate anybody for it, because of what I've seen others go through. This isn't something I can take lightly.

[Christopher Howard]

36. Rush

I take no particular joy in Rush's alleged addiction. Addiction to drugs of any kind is a horror show and not something I would wish on my worst enemy.

That said...

Rush has made a very lucrative career holding himself out as a moral paragon and rabidly attacking his political enemies using every underhanded trick in the book. If Bill Clinton was revealed to be abusing pain killers, you know that "el-Rushbo" would be devoting a week of shows to it and guffawing about it in his usual repugnant fashion.

Specifically on the matter of drug use, one of Rush's favorite phrases is to talk about "maggot-infected, dope-smoking hippies" (or something to that effect). If the rumors about Rush's pill problems are true, then we have no small amount of hypocrisy on hand, not that this should surprise people who are familiar with his show. Perhaps drug use is only wrong when the drugs are not in pill-form.

Maybe this episode will teach Rush a little empathy and humility, but I doubt it.

[KC21304]

11. All I ask is that he be treated like the rest of the illegal drug buyers.

Especially the Black ones, because I know he would not like them to be treated differently .

[salin]

53. Isn't he in Florida?

Didn't Jeb! work hard to remove the option of therapy approaches in favor of mandatory sentences for even first time drug offenders?

[bearfartinthewoods]

58. mercy...please...mercy

on me....

i'm trying hard not to LMAO at this and you guys are making it really really hard.

[Emboldened Chimp]

61. What's LMAO?

[bearfartinthewoods]

82. laugh my ass off

,

[SlavesandBulldozers]

12. oh man

the fact that he is a staunch moralist negates the whole "feel sorry for him" thing. Sympathy is kept for all those who don't advertise themselves as unblemished gods. I don't feel sorry for him. In fact, I think I believe that there is a God again. Thanks Rush, I'm HEeyUULD in the nayme of G---Zus.!!

[Evil_Dewers]

14. Fuck him

He needs to go to jail. He's a big (in more than one way) proponent of the war on drugs.

No fat diet didn't work? Hate eating all that meat on the Atkins diet?

Try the Rush Limbaugh crash diet--100 hillbilly heroin pills and you'll drop 100 lbs. in a month.

[Caution]

15. I have sympathy for the limbaugh on a personal level

BUt on every other level this can be considered nothing more than poetic justice. This man has consistently praised the war on drugs and the increase in prison terms for drug-related crimes including possession. He has attacked those who have drug problems and he has shown zero sympathy to those who attempt to seek treatment. Any time someone even mentions the concept of treatment over incarceration he he has immediately been on the side of locking people up over an ILLNESS.

While I sympathize with him for the pain that his addiction is undoubtedly causing him, I have no sympathy for the destruction of his career because he has done nothing but foster an attitude of "me first" in this country and pushed an agenda that debases our society as a whole.

I don't revel in his addiction, I revel in the destruction of his credibility.

[NicoleM]

16. I'm not rejoicing in his drug addiction.

I'm rejoicing in his DOWNFALL. It could have been any number of things that took him down, it just so happens that this was the thing. As long as he didn't hurt or kill anybody, I feel perfectly justified in enjoying this a little bit.

Okay, a LOT. :evilgrin:

[Old and In the Way]

17. It's OK....Rush would want us to act this way.

Afterall, he has made a career out of condemning pot smokers and railing for harsher penalties. Surely, he'd expect us to play no favorites now. I fully agree that he should have the full extent of the law (which he has helped to create in his part of the Republican "War on Drugs"(c). Why, we'd be hypocrites if we asked for understanding and leniency because he is as guilty for the crimes that he helped perpetuate.

[FlemingsGhost]

18. What goes around, comes around.

I sincerely hope this man abandons all that is "Rush Limbaugh,"and comes to grips with what a monster "Jeff Christie" has become.

Until that day, he is on his own... and is fair game.

Think of it as "tough love."

[DemocratSinceBirth]

19. I Want His Voice Neutralized.....

Nothing more...

Nothing less.....

He needs to be banished from the public square not by force by law but by force of decency....

Sic sem per tyrannis....

[Faygo Kid]

20. Like Bill Bennett, but worse

Bennett the Moralizer's gambling showed him for the hypocrite he is. Rush is worse: a hypocrite and a Hater with a capital H. What do you think he would do if one of the Dem presidential candidates were accused of buying illegal drugs? Is there any doubt?

[Az]

21. Its not his addiction that people are blasting

It is the hypocracy. This is typically the case when some right wing moralizing pundit goes down in some ethics issue. They blast people on moral issues and agrandize themself endlessly moralizing from their self created pedestals. So when they fall of they should well expect no less than that which they gave to others.

[DealsGapRider]

22. No fucking way.

Sympathy is for human beings. He is an absolute horror of a man and I feel no sympathy. He's always going on about personal responsibility and criticizing people for weakness. Now we find out that he may very well have eschewed his responsibility to obey the law and gave in to the weakness of drug addiction. He's a hypocrite.

[Emboldened Chimp]

28. But don't we become hypocrites, too?

We're supposed to be the ones that take the high road; we're supposed to understand and empathize with people who have problems. If we lambaste someone for having a problem--something we wouldn't do with someone else--just because of their political persuasion, do we not become like him?

[FlemingsGhost]

37. Goering was an addict, too. Any sympathy there?

Just asking...

(on edit: typo in the headline)

[Selwynn]

66. Yes.

[FlemingsGhost]

81. Nevermind.

(on edit: confused you with someone else)

[AlinPA]

33. I concur.

He is a pig. Let him suffer.

[Evil_Dewers]

23. Rush made fun of River Phoenix after he died of a drug OD...

just because the actor was a librul. He's mentioned Jack Kennedy's "drug problem" on the air as well.

[gratuitous]

24. Okay

But did you or your friend ever make millions by publicly moralizing against the less fortunate for three hours a day, five days a week?

Most of us who have matured past the fifth grade realize that every human being on the face of the planet is a curious mixture of strengths and weaknesses. We understand that nobody's perfect, and paragons that approach that standard are rightfully revered. The flip side of that coin is that we are all interconnected in a thousand different ways. One person's failure diminishes all of us in some fashion.

But there are certain emotionally-arrested individuals who derive perverse pleasure out of other people's failures. And it is not enough for them to succeed, but that others should fail, as well. Not content with mere failure, however, they delight in pointing out the failure and heaping further opprobrium on the persons so afflicted. See Matthew 23:4ff for some pretty harsh words about such individuals.

Rush Limbaugh has worked very hard to wear the moniker "hypocrite." It would deny all that work not to call him on it, and dishonor his efforts. I'd like to see a measure of the misery that he has so gleefully and profitably ladled out for others to return to him now.

[Bucky__Badger]

25. that was my first thought too... that this guy will suffer enough...

and that he is after all a fellow human. I thought (and still do) that the pain of addiction is a terrible weight to bear.

Then I thought... bringing these sentiments to their logical conclusion, one would have to hope that this person recovers. Then it hit me.

This person is Rush Limbaugh. Is there any chance he won't go back on the attack the second he's rehabilitated? No. Is there any chance he will "see the light" and stop his hateful fomenting of animosity toward anyone not agreeing with the pugs? Will he suddenly become a champion of persons suffering from addiction? No.

This is like Bin Laden getting taken out. We're all better off if this ruins Limbaugh. I hope it permanently destroys him. Because unless destroyed, Limbaugh will (IMO) continue to make our country more hateful, more closed minded, more xenophobic, and less of a nation overall.

[Brian Sweat]

26. I have sympathy for most people with drug addiction.

Rush has time and again display a shameful lack empathy for people suffering from the very same problem. This is karma and I have no sympathy for him.

[Brewman_Jax]

29. I have no sympathy for him

Rush had a great time bullying the weak, and being a racist, a misogynist, a liar, and an all-around rotten individual. But, he forgot that public morals usually cover private failings.

Also, he, like those prayerful RWingers's, esp. the public ones, forgot the most important one of all, the Speaker's Prayer:

Dear Lord, let my words be tender and juicy, in the event I am called upon to eat them.

Let him rot in the hell of his own construction.

[Abe Linkman]

30. It's the hypocrisy of the Drug Warriors

"It doesn't matter if we all hate the guy and the bile he spews every day: he is still a human being."

It isn't his addiction to drugs; but many people are focusing on THAT, and not the possible commission of crimes. Mr. Limbaugh has had 15 years to educate the public about the horrific toll on human lives caused by our truly criminal drug prohibition laws and subsequent use of our growing police state to ruin millions of lives and waste billions upon billions of dollars locking up people for using certain drugs but not others.

If the allegations are true, Mr. Limbaugh will likely escape the harsh consquences that millions of average Americans have suffered as a result of doing what he is alleged to have done.

Mr. Limbaugh has never shown any interest in educating his audience about the devastating consequences of our drug laws and 70 year drug wars.

[Emboldened Chimp]

34. He should pay for his crimes

No doubt about that. Whether he will or not is another story. And I'll be as pissed off about it as the next guy.

[Selwynn]

31. I agree

Rush Limbaughs views and opinions are horribly frustrating some(all)times. But it is also sad. And I would rather feel pity for the man than gloat in his broken life. I feel like if I am a able to keep that attitude (which is hard sometimes) I show msyelf to have nothing in common with Rush, and a better man myself. I do not want to come down to his level.

I hope he can find some help and recover, and live a long happy (and hopefully very silent) life. :)

[Brian Sweat]

43. Broken life?

It very unlikely he will go to jail if he is even charged with a crime. Worste case scenario, he gets probation. He'll probably still have his radio show and he will still be asked to be a guest by Faux. He has tens of millions of dollars.


If that is a broken life, gimme some of dat.

[Selwynn]

59. Funny...

...that you think having a lot of money and a radio show means you don't live out a sad and pretty desparate existence.

Is that the only part of my comment you want to address?

The point I was making was that I choose to feel pity for Rush's situation rather than gloat in it because that's the kind of person I want to be. I don't agree with Rush, and his opinions are wretched - but I mostly just feel sorry for him. I don't think all the money in the world or all the fame in the world would keep me from finding him to be a pitiable mna.

[ibegurpard]

32. People who advocate tough stands against criminal behavior

such as drug use and then expect to be able to benefit from more liberal policies and attitudes when they are caught with their hands in the cookie jar deserve EVERYTHING they get. I have sympathy for people like your friend but not Rush Limbaugh.

[Evil_Dewers]

38. Freeper rationalization...

To: smiley

Well, something is very very fishy about all this....do you Freepers remember what Rush said at the beginning of the week this week? Remember he stated that with the CIA leak and the Bush administration and the Democrats attacking...all this will come to a head at the end of this week and we will be pleasantly pleased. Remember when he said that? I do. Maybe Rush is "up to something."

I was just thinking of that remark by Rush. Wonder what he meant?


121 posted on 10/02/2003 12:55 PM PDT by RightWingMama
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies >

I for one am pleasantly pleased

[mojowork_n]

48. Yes, and Der Feurer has Secret Weapons that Will Defeat England...

Just you wait and see. The Russians are almost up to the Reichs Ministry Building. Berlin is in Ruins.

But...

Final Victory Will Be OURS!

Nice graphic, I'm amazed it's out so quickly, but I guess it doesn't take too long to Photoshop up some clever stuff...

[mojowork_n]

39. Can you say, "hypocrisy"?

It's a little tougher to cut this particular poison gas-bag slack because his whole moral and ethical universe supposedly revolves around "personal responsibility". Not to mention "respect for the law", "no whining, ever", and "the straight truth all the time from the Grrrreatest Mind of The Modern Era..." or something like that.

Puh-leeeze...

The prescription pain-killer thing is doubly ironic because one of the characteristics associated with that particular type of chemical abuse is a lot of anger, aggression and high-decibal, confrontational, loud RANTING. It's almost as if he might have been doping himself up, intentionally, to be the biggest, world-class a**hole, he could possibly be. No settling for second best, for him.

I'm not sorry for him, although you're certainly right to point out that *schadenfreude* is hardly the most ennobling of satisfactions. It is petty. It is kind of mean. Still, I hope it comes out, next, that he gets busted with an under-aged, illegal immigrant, black male prostitute. Wearing one of J. Edgar Hoover's old frocks or muu-muus. In the basement of the Republican National Committee building, in front of an amateur videographer's camera...

[MadHound]

44. I can relate to where you're coming from manco

I've had friends who were addicted to downers, worked with addicts, seen the damage done to people by addiction. However none of these people ever make vicious fun and sport of other addicts. Rush did that on a regular basis. Also the damage that Rush has done to politics and society in general is incalcuable. He is the one who led the way in vicious rumor-mongering attack "journalism". He is the one who made it acceptable for the angry white male to violently express himself. He is the one who spewed lie after vicious lie all in the cynical game of attack politics. He is the one who made it acceptable to be a partisan attack asshole for lots of money.

Sorry, I have very little sympathy for this addict after witnessing the havoc he has wrought in our fair country. My fondest hope at this point is that his show is dropped and that he is shunned into shamed silent retirement where he continues to abuse pills, squandering his money and life in the vain quest of remaining "relevant" If you find that to be cruel and heartless, so be it. But remember, if I were Limbaugh writing this screed I wouldn't be satisfied that my enemy fade silently away. I would have to torture and terrorize him forever ala Clinton.

[Emboldened Chimp]

49. I don't know if I actually feel sorry for the guy

because of who he is. But I can empathize, which is why I won't take part in bashing him for his problem.

But I do feel that if the criminal allegations are true, he should be tried, convicted and thrown in jail, preferably one where he's forced to mingle with the population. THAT would be justice.

[eleny]

Big difference 'tween you and Rush

He pounded on Clinton's zipper for over 8 years. And you've tried to see through to the heart of Rush's problems. Progressive folks are just better at framing a balance. My 2¢.

[Ediacara]

46. Rush has made a carreer

out of pointing out how morally perfect Republicans are. Part of moral perfection is not breaking the law. He broke the law while lambasting others for being just as weak.

I agree that drug addiction is a very tough thing to deal with, but I'm sorry, karma or revenge or WHATEVER is very sweet in this case, and his big fat ass should be thrown in jail as an example to Republicans that you'd better practice what you preach.

[bloom]

52. I'm not happy to have anyone be addicted, BUT I would be happy

to see Rush Limbaugh shut up and not have to hear about him anymore.

[noiretextatique]

60. how do you know he's in "pain and despair?"

given what an arrogant ASS he is, perhaps he's hoping to call in some favors and have the whole thing disappear.

[Emboldened Chimp]

63. It's an assumption, to be honest

I would think that anyone, no matter what their 'normal' state mind is, will suffer physical and psychological pain from an addiction to opiates.

[noiretextatique]

90. i agree people shouldn't revel in his addiction...if he is addicted

i do, however, revel in the possibility of him disappearing into the obsurity he so richly deserves.

[Selwynn]

67. Doesn't matter

It's not about how DESERVING SOMEONE IS of my sympathy, its about WHAT KIND OF A PERSON I CHOOSE TO BE.

I choose to feel pity for people with problems, IRREGAUARDLESS OF THEIR DESERVEDNESS, rather than feel cruelty, hatred, or smug superiority.

[noiretextatique]

74. good for you!

i don't feel hatred, or cruelty, or superiority. however, i do believe rush's own actions created his current problems...all of them. as such, i feel no real need to "pity" him, nor do i think he deserves "pity." IF he is addicted, he deserves treatment...and i hope he gets some. and perhaps this very public display of his personal problems will teach him to be as great a humanitarian as you are.

[Selwynn]

80. It is good for me, thank you

..and it would be good for you too, and good for the party, and good for the nation, and good for the world.

[noiretextatique]

86. damn dupes...sorry nt

[noiretextatique]

87. i think that's a stretch, to say the least

but, if this bit adversity gives him pause to ponder his own poor judgement and bad behavior, i think THAT will certainly do a lot to facilitate his recovery. if in the process he figures out that spewing non-stop hate is not something that's beneficial to you, or his party, or the world, then that will certainly make him a better human being. the choice is his...or perhaps the addiction made him do it :shrug:

[Selwynn]

99. Well said.

I can leave you with the last word.

[Evil_Dewers]

73. Talent on loan from Oxycontin

able to defeat liberals with one half his drug addled brain tied behind his back.

[bvar22]

76. I laughed when flush went deaf; I'm laughing now.

So...call me petty and insensitive. I relish his descent.

The whole Compassionate Conservative Doctrine is based on greed and hypocrisy. Whenever an idol of the NeoCons is publically exposed, I rejoice.

I agree....opiate detox is a bitch, and I can't think of a more deserving bitch that phlemball.

[leftofthedial]

77. I hope he gets help for all his pathologies

and then smokes turds in hell for all eternity

[GinaMaria]

83. Every active addict I've had the misfortune

of knowing exibited the same right wing narrow minded views as Limbaugh. I have empathy for addicts, however I have more empathy for those that must deal with an active addict. I hope he finds his way through recovery and that he experiences the change that recovering addicts experience when they truly do the work. We may someday see him on our side. Sadly, most addicts are not recovering addicts, so I do not hold much hope for Rush. I'm sorry for his family who have had to deal with his addiction. I'm sorry for our society because he has been given too much opportunity to share his disease with us.

Speaking of society, Someone recently recommended a book to me When society becomes an addict

Has anyone read it? Curious what you think.

[greekspeak]

84. Xerxes of the Airwaves gets his comeupance.

The hubris Limpballs has shown over the years, the self-righteous, bigoted, mean-spirited, vile hatred of huge sections of American people is mind-boggling. I think the ancient Greeks would have been waiting for the gods to punish him, just as they did Xerxes. You reap what you sow, Rushy boy.

That said, nothing bad happens without some good. Maybe Rush will learn to think twice about hating. Maybe his listeners will have heard the snapping of fingers that brings them out of their hate-filled transes.

[Iris]

85. Ok, so he's an abusive drug addict.

Now he's facing the consequences.

[jarab]

89. Others may play

the PC game all they want, but I cannot muster sympathy for rush. Payback is hell. Fcuk him.
...O...

[union_maid]

91. He's the one who painted the target on his own back

If it was anyone else, I'd be sympathetic about the drug problem. I don't know about the racial remarks. My football experts in this house say that Rush is all wet on that and that he doesn't know what he's talking about. I tend to believe them, because they know a whole lot about sports and football, although they are not experts on the the Philadelphia press. But even so, with his reputation, he's living by the sword, so let him die by it, all metaphorically speaking, of course. When he can relate to anyone else's problems, then maybe I'll stop to have a moment of sympathy for this big fat, drug addicted, racist, lying idiot.

[VOX]

94. Like Bill Bennet's gambling addiction -- if you set yourself up...

as a moral arbiter, or in Rush's case, one who sits in harsh, relentless judgement of all things liberal and democratic (also "Democratic," as in party), then there's a basic breach of trust that occurs when it is found that these high-and-mighty, belligerent, self-appointed "judges" live in glass houses. Another high-profile case is Richard Nixon saying "I am not a crook," or Jimmy Swaggart's womanizing. The list is tragically (and ironically) endless.

Any of these so-called paragons of "family values" -- these pontificating keepers of the virtues-and-morals-flame -- deserve little pity when they're caught participating in the same behaviors that they have ranted against day in and day out. These bastards have made millions by presenting themselves as something that they are not.

It constitutes the worst kind of hypocracy.

edit: typos

[Old and In the Way]

103. Ditto that rezmutt

The Harder They Come, The Harder They Fall....one and all....

[amazona]

102. are we determined to lose?

The whole "we should not take pleasure in another's weakness" "oh woe" attitude is not just wrong-headed, it is hurtful to the very addicts that we pretend to care about.

If we want the prisons cleaned up, let's put some rich people in prison.

If we want the drug laws changed, ditto.

If we "forgive" the rich and shunt them into rehab, we are re-inforcing a dual track system that jails the poor while allowing the rich to skate. We are also en-abling a sick, unhealthy prison system.

I ask you...would prison rape be allowed to occur if Rush, Cheney, Bush, and Lay were in that prison?

I think not.

If you care about prisoners, please work to see that rich people receive the same prison sentences as poor people.

It's like the schools...if rich and middle class kids don't attend public schools, they don't receive funds. Prisons can be an education for the rich...an education they badly need.


if we do not take pleasure in the weaknesses of the goebbels and his ilk, we are neither sane nor human

[Selwynn]

104. Two things not related to each other

This:

The whole "we should not take pleasure in another's weakness" "oh woe" attitude is not just wrong-headed, it is hurtful to the very addicts that we pretend to care about.

And this:

If you care about prisoners, please work to see that rich people receive the same prison sentences as poor people.

Are not related. It is possible to both have a proper and healthy attitude of decency to others reguardless of their merit and at the same time demand equal treatment under the law for rich and poor. I have pity for Rush and his problems. If he has broken any laws he should be sentenced to the exact same sentence that poor inner city blakc man would be sentenced to. I don't see the two things as in conflict.

[Forkboy]

105. Fuck him

this piece of shit has used a bully pulpit to spread lies and hate for over a decade.I feel ZERO sympathy for this man...in fact I hope his problems get worse.

And yes,I've known people addicted to drugs as well,and seen firsthand what it can do to people.

[mumon]

106. It's just BUSINESS. AND UPDATE!

Look, what I'm happy about is the biggest right wing windbag is going to go off the air.

Very, very, very happy.

I think it's sad when I think about the kind of person he is, and he must be very, very unhappy. But me? I'm very, very happy.


Premier radio networks is SILENT btw about this whole incident- meaning they're still fashioning a response.

So, basically, we can dance and dance and sing and laugh- not because he's an addict, nor even because he's a hypocrite (we all are to some degree), but because the guy who helped Newtie get in, the guy who trashed so many people, is not going to be able to do that anymore. Or at least he's neutered.

So let's celebrate!

[Selwynn]

107. Ok I'll come off my horse and celebrate that with you

:D :D :D

Cheers!

[Ladyhawk]

108. I am so sorry, but I can't feel sorry for Rush.

When I was still living with my parents, my father played Limbaugh's hate-filled message on the radio three hours a day. It nearly drove me mad, trying to get away from it.

With all due respect to that DarkPhenyx guy, Rush did make a racist statement in regards to McNabb. Rush makes racist (misogynistic, bigoted, homophobic, fill-in-the-blank) statements all the time. I know. I bet I've listened to more of Limbaugh than the rest of you put together. Granted, it wasn't on purpose and I was trying desperately not to puke most of the time, but I heard a lot.

Recently, I read Al Franken's Rush Limbaugh is a Big, Fat Idiot and totally got it when no one Franken hired could stomach the bigoted asshole for more than a few shows.

Rush is a nasty, evil man. I hope he gets help for his drug addiction, but I also hope these scandals make him disappear forever from the public eye. No sorries here. I hope this ends his career forever.

[Sweetpea]

109. People who do crimes drug related or not , go to jail , pay fines

Some one who has spewed the hate rhetoric that he has throughout the years is not deserving of sympathy. He has been quite cognizant in his racist commentary and you can't blame that on drugs. There are many addicts who have compassion and at the hearts core are good people with a problem. He hasn't represented anything good.

[mitchum]

110. Fuck that! I'm sorry that the sonofabitch didn't overdose and die

I have sympathy for many addicts, but not Limbaugh (because I don't have to)