LEFTISTS' DOUBLE STANDARDS ON DRUG USE LACK COMPASSION, UNDERSTANDING

Two weeks after Rush Limbaugh declared on his show that he is addicted to
prescription-paid medications, the once front-page feature story has been
relegated to the back pages.

Assuming everything goes well with his rehabilitation program, Rush will
return in another two weeks with the support of all 20 million of his
listeners.

And there's nothing liberals would hate more. When the drug story broke,
news anchors and columnists alike were overcome with joy, fantasizing about
the downfall of the voice of common-sense conservatism for the past 15 years.

"Journalists" like CNN's Aaron Brown and NBC's Katie Couric could hardly
contain their glee. Brown could not seem to rid himself of the permanent
smirk that attached itself to his face. Couric, appearing on the Tonight
Show, joked, "I feel actually good because I flew out here, and Rush
Limbaugh sat next to me on the plane. He gave me some vitamins. Whaa! It
feels good!"

But the comedy festival didn't end there. Invariably, Democratic
politicians had to get their cracks in somewhere. Future former
presidential candidate John Kerry, in contemplating how to improve
prescription drug policy, quipped, "You can hire Rush Limbaugh's
housekeeper, or you could elect me president of the United States." And of
course, America's village idiot, Al Franken, had to get his two cents in,
saying that he couldn't wait for the "perp walk" if Rush is ultimately charged.

Excuse me while I don't laugh.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I thought liberals were supposed to be full of
compassion and forgiveness. Where were these remarks when Aaron Sorkin
revealed his addiction to recreational drugs? Where were the jokes from
"mainstream journalists" when Robert Downey Jr. was arrested for the fourth
time with cocaine?

Oh yeah, Sorkin and Downey do not host a wildly successful conservative
radio show. Though I must admit I am ignorant when it comes to Mr. Downey's
personal political views, it is widely known that Sorkin's views are left
of center. Could it be that there exists a double standard for drug use
among the liberal crowd? Two celebrity users of recreational drugs are
caught, and it is hardly mentioned in the media.

But when Rush Limbaugh admits addiction to prescription medications, it
becomes the story of the century. Moreover, liberals like Aaron Brown and
Katie Couric are so filled with hatred and vitriol for Rush that his
addiction becomes funny. Where is the compassion in that?

Criticism of Rush is certainly nothing new. As the loudest critic of the
Clinton administration for eight years, Rush drew liberal ire practically
every day. Many predicted that a Bush victory in 2000 would be the end of
Rush's radio empire, but it has done nothing but grow, and in 2001 he
signed a record contract worth nearly $30 million per year.

It would be reasonable to assume that many critics of Rush have never
listened to his show, since one of the more common critiques continues to
be his fictional refusal to talk to liberal callers. In reality, liberals
are bumped up to the top of the caller list and are always dealt with in a
courteous, professional manner.

How ironic, that Rush shows liberals compassion on his show, yet it isn't
returned when he admits his drug problem.

In truth, liberals would like nothing more than for Rush to come back with
less fire for conservative issues and with more compassion and
understanding. They know if that happened, the audience would begin to
wane, and ultimately, Rush would fade into obscurity.

But this won't happen. A milder Rush would not be the Rush his audience
loves and respects. The most likely scenario is that Rush gets back on air
better than ever, and the show will maintain its popularity for years to come.

So liberals better make themselves ready. Rush should return in two weeks,
and I hope he shows them the same mercy that they've shown him the past two
weeks.

Wes Blevins is a history graduate student. His views do not necessarily
represent those of the Kernel.