LIMBAUGH TELLS FANS WHOLE STORY ISN'T OUT

'Time For Him To Come Clean' National Enquirer Editor Says

Rush Limbaugh returned to the airwaves Monday, saying he is "powerless" to
overcome his drug addiction without professional help but vowing not to
turn into "a linguine-spined liberal."

Five weeks after leaving his radio program for a rehabilitation clinic,
Limbaugh at times sounded more like Dr. Laura than the most popular
conservative commentator on the air. "I can no longer turn over the power
of my feelings to anyone else, which is what I have done a lot of my life,
in order to be liked, appreciated or understood," he said. "And in the
process I denied myself who I was. I can't be responsible for anybody's
happiness but my own."

He added that "there are people who say I'm a hypocrite" for taking drugs
while "telling people to lead a moral life." But "there's no hypocrisy ...
just because I was doing something that appeared to be contradictory. ...
My behavior doesn't change right and wrong."

Limbaugh's leave of absence came after the National Enquirer reported,
based in part on the account of a former housekeeper at his Palm Beach
County estate, that his use of painkillers had come under scrutiny by
Florida authorities.

He told listeners "it's quite hilarious to listen to people quote the
National Enquirer as the world's foremost authority. I'm here to tell you
they're not, and what you know, or think you know, you don't know." He said
he was "constrained" from saying more for now.

Limbaugh's comments about the Enquirer drew a sharp response from the
tabloid's editor, David Perel. "Now that Rush is out of rehab, it's time
for him to come clean," Perel said. "How he continues to spin the issue in
the face of overwhelming facts amazes me. He would not have put himself
into rehab if the Enquirer hadn't revealed he had a drug addiction. For him
to take a shot at us certainly has a ring of dishonesty to it."

Limbaugh provided no details about his treatment or where it took place but
said it was extremely helpful, unlike two previous attempts to kick the
habit on his own.

Despite his drug use, Limbaugh told his audience of 20 million, "I was
honest with you the whole time. I was not honest with myself. I was doing
something I knew was wrong and didn't understand what I could do to stop
it, and now I do."