HOW WILL LIMBAUGH 'SPIN' DRUG HABIT?

I wish that I could find a reason to feel sorry for radio talk show host
Rush Limbaugh because of what is going on now in his life but as of this
writing, I have not.

Feeling sorry, caring deeply, having compassion and helping fellow human
beings who, for a variety of reasons, have fallen into bad luck or on bad
times is the Christian thing to do.

To this point, my humanness, better known as my weakness, is getting in the
way of what should be my ability to forgive those like Rush who have for so
long shown no concern, sensitivity or care for others who like himself gave
in to weaknesses or habits that became debilitating or self-destructive,
whatever the reason.

I used to listen to Rush every day as I left work for lunch. He, I must
admit, is one of those individuals whom you are drawn back to even if you
do not agree with him. He is/was a "lightning rod" as many have described him.

Let me hasten to say that I never listened to Rush because I liked his show
or agreed with him but because I wanted to be informed about what those who
love him were attached to and excited about.

Many days, I would become so upset with Mr. Limbaugh's intolerance,
indifference, insensitivity and open anger at those who could not break
away from their "habits" or "pull themselves up by their own boot straps"
that I would just turn off my radio.

Over the years, Mr. Limbaugh's intolerance for certain individuals who had
fallen into poverty, developed addictive habits, i.e., drugs, alcohol,
etc., was visceral, unrelenting and unforgiving. His favorite expression
about these kinds of things was, "I don't get it."

Well, now it's my turn. I don't get it! How could someone like Rush preach
to others about their vices while at the same time abusing prescription
drugs himself? How can his 20 million-plus radio audience ever see him in
the same light or believe him again? This question is, however, rhetorical
because I am aware that there are those who, no matter what the case, will
believe certain charismatic characters who have the skills to entrance
their audiences, casting a spell over them that leads them blindly into
their "make-believe worlds." Rush was/is this kind of person with countless
converts in his flock. Many of these individuals would follow Rush no
matter what he did.

The Enquirer, a tabloid newspaper that many of us question at times, was
the first to expose Mr. Limbaugh's "extra radio (Golden EIB Microphone)
affaire." A former housekeeper at his $30 million Palm Beach estate exposed
him and outlined how she was involved in the dispensation of prescription
drugs such as OxyContin and Hydrocodone to Rush.

Mr. Limbaugh's "secret" drug habit and allegedly illegal acquisition of
these drugs speaks volumes to what lots of people feel in this country. If
you are rich, famous and powerful, the law does not apply to you in the
same way as it would to someone who happens to live on the wrong side of
the tracks, is poor and politically benign.

One of the first things that Mr. Limbaugh did upon hearing that he was
being investigated by the authorities in Florida was to retain the famous
defense attorney Roy Black of Miami. This was a smart and wise move on his
part but also it raised questions in my mind as to his guilt when he was
asked about the charges after speaking recently to the National
Broadcasters Association in Philadelphia. He said, "I did not know that I
was being investigated but will cooperate fully with the authorities." If
anyone is familiar with Rush, when last have you heard him, without contest
or discussion, agree with anything. He is not this kind of personality! I
will, however, give him credit for knowing when to "hold" and when to "fold."

Mr. Limbaugh has spoken out many times against the use of drugs on his
shows and has suggested that drug users are "violating the law and should
be convicted and sent up." I now wonder if he still feels this way since he
could and should be "sent up" if found guilty.

We all know that the famous radio show host's chances of being convicted of
drug charges, however, are about as real as finding beachfront property in
the Sahara Desert. It is a sad fact that in America, money, power and
political influence will get you out of just about anything and Rush has
this trio of ingredients and much more.

Notice how he is framing his defense. He is coming out in major newspapers
saying that he had checked himself into rehab drug centers at least twice
before and after the current charges, he has voluntarily checked himself in
again for a period of 30 days and is quoted as saying that he is taking
"full responsibility for his problem."

Anyone who knows how the legal system operates is aware that if you get
ahead of the game by doing what Rush is doing, there is more sympathy and,
in his case, this will be multiplied many times over because of his power
and influence. He is trying to demonstrate to the authorities that he is
"taking charge" of his problem and is being proactive rather than reactive.
I do not criticize Mr. Limbaugh's tactics but it just points up how some
can get away with crimes while others have to spend years behind bars for
the same thing. What kind of justice is this?

It has been my conviction for a long time that Rush and several others like
him, have made a "religion" and "art form" out of bashing a certain segment
of the American society, a behavior that has made them multimillionaires. I
choose to call this kind of exercise "premeditated manipulation of the
mind" and legal scamming of those who let others think for them. Rush is a
genius at this and has a bank account to prove it.

I feel little sympathy for characters like Rush who preach morality from
their "untouchable" platforms while themselves engaging in behaviors for
which most of us would be imprisoned.

My next questions are these. Where are the Republican "moral cops" when you
need them? Why is there no more local or national outcry about Rush's
behavior from those who are so quick to condemn others who fall into
similar situations in their lives?

One of Rush's favorite statements as he sat doing his daily broadcast
was/is, "As I sit here holding this letter with my 'cigar-stained fingers'
.. etc." (This statement is designed to poke fun at those who are after
the tobacco industry in this country.)

Mr. Limbaugh now has stains, not only on his fingers but on his character
which turn hypocrisy into absurdity. It will be interesting to see how he
will "spin" this for his converts so that they can continue to support his
drug addiction, rich lifestyle and lucrative assets.

K.D. SINGLETON
Sumter