Rush Limbaugh, you finally lost me.

The BBQ Pit
1

Mr. Limbaugh,

You know, I have always tried to be fair to you in my own mind. Other people I know – plenty of them, in fact – think you are a loudmouthed asshole. But I, having never listened to your show, tried to stay out of such debates. But this article and several others like it have finally put me over the edge. Let me clue you in, using quotes from the story to illustrate my points:

Quote: “Rush Limbaugh on Friday poked fun at the investigation into whether he bought painkillers illegally, hours after his attorney accused investigators of political motives.
The conservative radio host compared search warrants for his medical records to calls for Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean to release political records from his years as Vermont governor.”

The truth: Mr Limbaugh, you are far less significant a personage in the grand scheme of things than even the governor of Rhode Island. This story says you live in a $24 million condo, and have one of the most popular radio shows in the country, listened to by millions of people. Unfortunately, you seem to think that means you couldn’t be replaced within a week by some other loudmouth, should you wind up in jail.
Furthermore, “poking fun” at a criminal investigation in which you are the target shows that either you are divorced from reality, ignorant in the extreme, or suffer from profound delusions of grandeur. I’m guessing all three. The point is, hardly any cops, anywhere, give a damn about the politics of people they are assigned to investigate. You are a criminal suspect. If evidence is found against you, you will be arrested, and you may very well go to jail if convicted. I doubt you’ll be “poking fun” then. In fact, it’s quite likely you will be the one getting poked, and in a fashion you will find most displeasing, if you get my drift.
Quote: “His brief reference to the investigation came during his three-hour broadcast, which he has used over past weeks to defend himself.
Earlier Friday, Limbaugh attorney Roy Black accused the Palm Beach state attorney of investigating Limbaugh only for political reasons.”

The truth is: Defend yourself? On your show?! Perhaps you think this is some kind of popularity contest, where if you make it clear just how important you are. the police will just back down and go away. Really, get a grip. Your fate is in the hands of the cops and prosecutors investigating you, not your audience. In fact, if you end up being found guilty, it’s entirely possible the prosecutor will play back tapes of these statements at your sentencing hearing, just to demonstrate that you hardly showed contrition, and deserve more jail time. If your lawyer was worth a crap, he would’ve told you this already, and that you should SHUT THE FUCK UP about the investigation.
Quote: "Limbaugh attorney Roy Black said … “They are looking to publicly embarrass him and affect his radio program. … Why is Rush Limbaugh the only person treated like this in America?”

The truth is: Boo fucking hoo. “The only person treated like this” my ass! I suppose you’re just overflowng for concern for the guy the Cincinnati PD literally beat to death a few weks ago, aren’t you? Did you shed a tear for Rodney King? How about Abner Louima? Or is it totally different when it’s some poor black guy, instead of you? Quit your bawling, you whiny bitch. You’re being investigated like any other suspect in any other crime. And why shouldn’t you be, unless you think you’re too good for that?
So, en totis, I have to say that from what I have seen, Mr. Limbaugh, you have comported yourself in exactly the egotistical, ignorant, assholish manner I have so often heard ascribed to you. You have proven the worst things I’ve read about you true, as far as I am concerned. Congratulations. You just made one more enemy, and you’ve no one but yourself to blame.

2

Political motives? In Florida?

3

Well said, Mr. Lizard.

4

[spitting]

It’s those damn liberals again!!!

[/spitting]

BTW, the guy in Cincy died of a heart attack.

5

I tried to give Rush a chance, since I get to listen to the radio quite a lot in my new job.

Seriously, how can people listen to this, day in and day out? I can certainly understand sometimes getting into a little partisan snit against whatever party you happen to be against, and I’ve indulged myself in it plenty of times. But you know, I couldn’t sustain it for long, and after awhile, being so rabid and singleminded just starts to feel kind of dirty, demeans me as person. So I can see how someone could whoop it up to Rush’s battle cry for awhile. But doesn’t the fact that he’s so vicious, so distorting, so deeply in steeped in his hatred of Democrats just kind of bother his listeners after a while?

I mean, there is no debate about what he does. He exists purely to make Democrats look as bad, as silly, and as evil as he possibly can, and to make rational debate about any issue nearly impossible. And there is no doubt that he uses the entire grab bag of illicit nasty rhetorical trickery to do it. I understand that there’s humor mixed in, but I don’t see how anyone can fool themselves that it’s anything other than a jovial and rather forced affair meant to help people swallow bullshit more easily. If this is what the huge part of the country really enjoys listening to, then you know: I am a little weirded out by it.

And yeah, pampered wonderkinds who scream bloody murder when GASP, they are under investigation for a, GASP, crime, are really freakin pathetic.

6

True, but being beaten caused the heart attack. I’m not saying he as a completely innocent victim; there’s a videotape (isn’t there alays?) that shos him attempting to punch some of the officers. The point is, people have run-ins with the police every day, under all kinds of circumstances. Sometimes, really bad things happen, and it’s hard to say who is at fault. But having his medical records searched hardly makes Limbaugh a “victim” when the cops are beating and killing people elsehere, rightly or wrongly.

7

I made a passing comment about how some political shows that indulge in mindless name-calling and rhetorical trickery manage to be so popular (and I was thinking of Rush Limbaugh mainly) when a smart successful guy I worked with remarked without a hint of hesitation “Rush Limbaugh is not like that”.

Go figure.

8

Let’s hope so. Isn’t that more or less what happened to Martha Stewart?

9

Hey, I’m not saying Rush is a victim. And he HAS condemed a lot of addicts who have been treated much worse, and I’ll agree that he’s a bit of whiner for it.

10

Could you please inform Dean and even the Clintons of this? Dean has campaigned against Limbaugh and little else as though that was who he were running against! Clinton has blamed Rush for countless ills befalling the entire country. Try and get them apprised of the fact that Rush is just not significant.

I don’t know if 20 million out of 380 million is a huge portion. Comparatively speaking, as far as a large audience for a single personage? Yes it’s huge, few people have that many devoted daily fans. I just don’t think it’s a huge percentage of the entire population.

Then again it’s twenty times the number of people in Rhode Island, isn’t it? Sort of sheds light on that first point…

11

Lizard I don’t think the joke about prison rape is funny at all. I wouldn’t find it funny if the radio personality (that you haven’t even listened to) made a joke like that either, but you’ll be hard pressed to find one like it.

Lizard, you are also basing your decision here on the fact that a newspaper claimed he has used his show to “defend himself.” Whatever that means. What if someone who listened to the show told you that was balogna? The police may have no political motivation (and I’m sure the DA never has one :rolleyes: ) but the press does, especially with someone who publically takes the mainstream press to task regularly. So based on a vague accusation about “defend himself” without citation, quote or mention of “how,” you decide that it must be true and he must be an asshole? Kind of flimsy ground on that.

As far as poking fun at the investigation, you left out one possibility for the motivation. Yes, perhaps he is guilty and just thinks his shit doesn’t stink. The other possibility is that he’s innocent of the particular crime he is being investigated for and feels confident that justice will prevail on that score. Both are equally valid causes for that type of reaction. You might consider waiting before handing down judgment. Or listening to the show before listening to the crowd. Or not making decisions without more knowledge of the topic. No one says you have to give a radio personality a fair shake, but if you are claiming to be fair, it might be a good idea.

12

This was not reported by “a newspaper.” This was widely reported in a number of different media outlets. He reportedly claimed that the investigation into his activities is a politically motivated witch hunt. There is no reason to believe Rush did not say this. Did you hear the show? Are you telling us that all the news reports are incorrect?

Yes, we should give some deference to the presumption of innocence. On the other hand, Rush checked himself into a clinic to combat an addiction to prescription pain killers. Where did Rush get enough pills to feed his addiction? Either he’s been hoodwinking various doctors into prescribing them (no single doctor would have prescribed huge quantities of those pain killers), or he’s been obtaining them on the black market. Either way, some laws have been violated. Frankly, it’s very difficult to imagine a set of circumstances consistent with the known facts that result in Rush being totally innocent of any violation of the law.

13

Rush is accused of a crime.

A DA could really score points by nailing Rush’s butt to the wall.

NOBODY should be so confident of “justice prevailing” that he gleefully mouths off on his radio show in such a way that could be used against him later.

Then again, rich and famous people are seldom convicted of crimes. When they are, their punishments are usually rather light.

Then again… sometimes there are exceptions.

Not too bright, Rush.

14

Rush doing it or Johnnie Cochran (or whoever) doing it for him; what’s the difference?

This is a “media case” cause he’s got the money and notoriety to make it one. His problem isn’t one of going to jail; it is one of his listeners perception. He doesn’t want to lose rating points and this may actually increase his audience.

What he is doing is probably not going to aid in his recovery.

15

Big difference. A defense attorney is supposed to defend his client zealously. Some public posturing is expected. The smartest thing a defendant can do, on the other hand, is keep very quiet - at most, you might make a simple statement that you maintain your innocence.

In short, your attorney’s statements can’t be held against you; no one expects your attorney to show contrition for your crime (if you are eventually convicted). If, on the other hand, you’ve been shooting your mouth off, the judge is not going to be kindly disposed towards you when sentencing time comes. He’s going to feel the need to teach you a lesson in humility.

16

Early? With regard to the first paragraph, no, you’re dealing with two different things and conflating them. I have no doubt that he briefly (as the article reported) made that comment on the one show that didn’t amount to jack shit really. That wasn’t what I responded to in Lizard’s post, though. What he/she reacted to initially that I responded to was the claim that Limbaugh has “used his show to defend himself” in the weeks prior to this incident/report. And that is merely their interpretation and assertion, without any backup whatsoever. I haven’t heard all the shows but I find this highly suspect based on what I have heard and what I know of them. In fact, the comment he made that the article actually quotes isn’t even “defending himself.” I don’t see that it was a big deal at all.

As to his being innocent, I have no idea. Nor do you have any evidence as to the amount of painkillers involved. It could have involved just a couple of doctors, for all you know. (The article mentions “doctor shopping” as opposed to black marketing.) None of us knows this yet. It could be you are correct. I do not know.

Well that is your opinion and you are entitled to it. However, someone who is truly innocent of the charges being investigated might very well do this. (Especially someone who has faith in the justice system to reveal the truth, I personally do not and wouldn’t.) As might someone arrogant enough to believe themselves to be above the law. Both are distinct possibilities. I have certain reasons to believe it is the former, but it remains at present a matter of opinion and not established fact. Also, what he said wasn’t much of anything at all. I don’t see what the hell that could be taken as to be used “against” him later.

At least, Master KW you acknowledge that there would indeed be ulterior motivation on the part of the prosecution apart from a purely altruistic love of enforcing law. I hope Lizard saw that, as it’s pretty similar to what the attorney and Limbaugh said, isn’t it?

17

If he had to check into a rehab clinic to kick the habit, we’re not talking about a few pills a day. There’s also the little matter of all the cash Rush withdrew from his bank account over a period of many, many months. He claims that the funds were used to pay for work being done on his house. Oh, yeah, people always pay their construction contractors with bundles of cash.

Yes, we should not condemn Rush until he’s had his day in court. But sticking your fingers in your ears and singing, “la la la, I can’t hear any of this” doesn’t alter the fact that he’s engaged in a pattern of behavior that gives us every right to suspect him of being a criminal. And that gives the DA every right to investigate him thoroughly.

[Nitpick - please learn how to attribute quotes to the proper poster. Even though I agree with the other posters you’ve quoted, you’ve made it appear that those quotes are coming from me.]

18

Nowhere have I simulated such behavior. You still do not know how many painkillers were involved at this point. I know that a physical addiction can occur to such a powerful drug on precious few per day, however it is likely he was using more than a few. It all remains to be seen. Considering the witchhunt mentality of the press (witness their coverage of Michael Jackson) I’m not exactly clamoring to hang on their every word.

Nor have I said anything to the contrary. Why would I? However you were incorrect in what you thought I said, and I corrected it.

I will try to assign names to quotes.

19

I am no fan of Rush. I’ve said this before but what I hate about him is the way he deals with people from the Left who call his show. Generally, his screener only allows stupid Lefties through so Rush can gleefully mock them. In the rare event that an smart and well spoken Lefty sneaks in, Rush will quickly say thanks for your call and not engage them at all.

The most amusing thing of all is that Rush’s self defense is right out of Clinton’s playbook. For example:

  1. When news of the drug addiction first surfaced he was, of course, asked about it. He never answered directly. He said shit like, “I have not been contacted by authorities” and “I am unaware of any investigation.” Compare to Clinton’s “I never broke any US drug laws.”

  2. Now he is claiming that the investigation is politically motivated. It sure reminds me of Hillary’s “vast right wing conspiracy.”

I hope that he really is guilty and his pompous ass serves a little time.

Haj

20

Actually considering the shitstorm about this one comment (and the fact that it’s quoted everywhere) it is pretty silly to think that he has been “defending himself” for weeks and the press hasn’t been going into shuddering orgasms over every single quote where he supposedly did so. No way would they have been letting quotes slide and then suddenly pounce on this one. That vague accusation was there just to pump up the anti-Rush sentiment. Huh. Seems weird, but that’s the way it goes I guess.

Anyone have the rest of the quote where Rush himself allegedly says this is a political witchhunt? The article conveniently, if I recall, left that part of the quote out, preferring instead to paraphrase. The only part they quoted didn’t mean much of anything.