HAVING COME CLEAN, LIMBAUGH DESERVES SHOT AT REDEMPTION

These words aren't offered as a defense or an apology for Rush
Limbaugh's admitted addiction to prescription drugs. Rather, they are
written in the sincere hope that Mr. Limbaugh, through his own
actions, can find redemption and return, drug free, to his perch atop
talk radio. We don't know all of the facts yet, but Mr. Limbaugh has
told us that he became addicted to prescription painkillers following
unsuccessful surgery on his spine. Those of you who have experienced
back pain know how severe it can be. So, if we aren't willing to
condone what Mr. Limbaugh has done, let's at least say it was
understandable.

Yet many on the left, including those who considered Bill Clinton's
sexual addiction to be "private," are taking this opportunity to
demonize Mr. Limbaugh as a man of low character and as a hypocrite.
There will be none of the understanding and none of the tolerance that
the left preaches about in almost all of the cases that don't involve
a conservative.

Let's be clear. Mr. Limbaugh has committed an error in judgment ? and
possibly a crime ? and due to the treachery of his former maid, the
story has made the front pages. Mr. Limbaugh may be prosecuted, and if
he is tried and convicted, he will have to take his punishment. But
being clear also demands admitting that Mr. Limbaugh almost certainly
didn't desire to be addicted to painkillers. That happened because of
whatever unfortunate circumstance led to his back troubles.

Famous people with addictions rarely admit them. John F. Kennedy was a
very sickly man who made it through much of his life on various drugs
and painkillers. He governed the country under the influence of drugs,
while his handlers maintained an image for him of a youthful and
vigorous president. JFK never had to answer to his addictions because
his secret didn't come out until after his death. Now that we know,
the left still reveres JFK with little thought to his drug abuse.

Bill Clinton, another president with a severe addiction, was exposed
during his presidency. Mr. Clinton could have come clean and admitted
his sexual addiction. Instead, he decided to lie about it to his
family, his staff and the American people. Mr. Clinton's televised
statement, "I did not have sex with that woman," and his testimony
about the meaning of the word "is" have become textbook examples of
lying and spinning.

For conservatives who pride themselves on their proclivity to speak
the truth, what Mr. Limbaugh does now is very important. So far, so
good. To use the vernacular, he has been "outed." He hasn't denied it,
he hasn't spun it, and he hasn't tried to portray himself as a victim.
In fact, Mr. Limbaugh didn't even blame his former maid, who turned
him in not because he might be breaking the law but because she was
going to receive a payoff from The National Enquirer.

Mr. Limbaugh's statement on radio last week can only be described as
gutsy. "I am not making any excuses," he said. "I am no role model. I
refuse to let anyone think I am doing something great here. ... I take
full responsibility for my problem."

Mr. Limbaugh has handled this matter in as classy a way as possible.
He has asked for our prayers to help him beat his addiction, and
conservatives and liberals alike should grant him that request.

Lynn Woolley is a radio talk show host in Central Texas.