LIMBAUGH'S ADS ADMONISH PROSECUTORS, FLORIDA PAPER

WEST PALM BEACH -- Rush Limbaugh attacked prosecutors who are investigating
whether he illegally purchased prescription painkillers in full-page ads in
two South Florida newspapers on Thursday.

In the ads, the conservative radio commentator renewed his accusations that
the criminal investigation is politically motivated, and he accused one of
the newspapers, The Palm Beach Post, of trying to discredit him to justify
the investigation. The ads include a reprint of a favorable 600-word
editorial from Sunday's edition of The Washington Times.

Limbaugh, who has not been charged with any crime, told his listeners
Thursday that he bought the ads because "we just can't get our story out in
the editorial pages of The Palm Beach Post." The other ad appeared in the
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Post editor Edward Sears said Limbaugh has never responded personally to
his reporters' requests for comment. The paper has received comments from
Limbaugh's representatives and his attorney, Roy Black.

"The Post has accurately and responsibly reported on both Mr. Limbaugh's
admitted prescription-drug abuse and the conflict between his lawyers and
the State Attorney's Office," Sears said. "If he wants to get his story
out, he's welcome to return our calls and talk to us."

State Attorney Barry Krischer, a Democrat, would not comment on the ads,
but he has previously denied Limbaugh's allegation that he began the
investigation for political reasons.

The criminal investigation against Limbaugh is on hold pending a decision
from the 4th District Court of Appeal, which will rule whether Limbaugh's
medical records can be released. Investigators seized the documents last
fall, but they were sealed after Limbaugh's lawyers argued that the seizure
violated his privacy rights.

Prosecutors say they need the records to determine whether Limbaugh
illegally "doctor shopped" to obtain pain pills, visiting several doctors
to receive duplicate prescriptions.

Limbaugh, who has avoided making any comment outside of his radio show,
called the investigation "excessive" and took aim at the Post for a Sunday
opinion piece.

The column said Limbaugh "excused the inexcusable" when discussing the
photos of Iraqi prisoners being abused at the Abu Ghraib prison. In the May
4 broadcast, he had compared the abuse to initiation into one university's
secret society.

"This is no different than what happens at the Skull and Bones initiation,"
the column quoted Limbaugh as saying. "I'm talking about people having a
good time. These people, you ever heard of emotional release? You heard of
need to blow some steam off?"

Limbaugh said the comments were taken out of context.