RUSH COLUMN EVOKES THE WRATH OF READERS FROM NEAR AND FAR

Thanks to technology I do not understand - blogs and links - Monday's
column attracted a wide audience. I have received e-mails from all
over, including such exotic locales as Ireland, Austria, Canada,
Japan, South Korea and California. In the spirit of El Rushbo, let's
move the conservative callers to the top of the screen.

"I believe the difference in Klinton (sic) and Rush is that one was a
President of the United States in whom we had lost all faith, and the
other is a talk-show host who many of us have come to trust. Most of
us can understand the failings of a friend, but not the repeated lies
of history's most corrupt politician." Marc S. of Peoria, Ill.

"How quickly you forget, Mr. McClellan. I'll take a conservative
addict over a liberal liar any day." William P. of Ramona, Calif.

"Of course, Clinton is the worst addict of all - addicted to his own
ego and, of course, sex." Cherry B. of Elk Grove, Calif.

"Excuse me! I believe that Roger Clinton was caught on tape saying
that Bill had a nose like a Hoover vacuum. That is what I would call
an addict, wouldn't you? Have you looked at Bill Clinton's nose
recently? That is the same nose you see in treatment centers for
cocaine addiction." Elizabeth T.

Dear Marc, William, Cherry, Elizabeth and everybody else who wrote to tell
me how much they detest William Jefferson Clinton: Get over it. I didn't
like Clinton myself. How can you respect a guy who couldn't figure out how
to smoke? But he's gone. For your own sanity, get over it.

"Did you ever have the stones to take Rush on when he was not in the
hospital? Probably not. You expletive deleted." Unsigned.

Dear Unsigned: How could I write about this before? You cannot accuse a
person of drug addiction until there is proof of that addiction. Unless, of
course, you're a dittohead talking about Clinton. Many people wrote letters
similar to the one from Elizabeth. Perhaps unfortunately, I hold myself to
higher standards.

"Your glee is making true what we think of most liberal media types.
No lifetime successes, the owner of a pencil but no apparent
professional skills other than to print words. Check your panties,
pal, you may need a change. When Rush gets back, he will still be
counting his $15 million a year while you cash your paychecks at the
local gas station. No matter how you play the game, the score at the
end says it all and you, my friend, are a loser." Kenneth P. of Grand
Rapids, Mich.

Dear Kenneth: That's a well-stated defense of Limbaugh. He couldn't have
said it any better. Megadittos.

"Your Limbaugh article was cruel, and I am not a Rush fan. Did they
teach compassion at your journalism school? Anyone with an addiction
needs help." Bryan H.

"I just finished your article on Rush Limbaugh. I find it disgusting
that you could actually make fun of someone who has just admitted that
he is addicted to pain medication. Like him or not, I don't see how
you can feel good about making fun of someone else's problems. My
mother always said don't ever say 'never' because it could happen to
you." Marilyn P.

Dear Bryan, Marilyn and everybody else who wondered why liberals don't
have compassion: I agree with Marilyn's mother. What comes around,
goes around. Limbaugh did not take a timeout for compassion when Ron
Brown died, or when Vince Foster committed suicide. Nor when Jerry
Garcia died. Then, too, there was the time the Clintons got a dog, and
on Limbaugh's television show, he said, heh, heh, there was a dog in
the White House, and an unflattering photograph of Chelsea filled the
screen. I think she was 13, at the time.

"Your column is a riot! You'll probably get fan mail from dittoheads."
Mary M.

Dear Mary: Not exactly.