RUSH LIMBAUGH OFF HIS PEDESTAL

"Just moments ago, Rush Limbaugh made a startling announcement on his
syndicated radio program." That was the lead story on the CBS Radio
newscast at 3 p.m. Friday. I was in my truck listening when the anchor
rolled a sound bite of Limbaugh admitting he was addicted to prescription
pain killers. I had missed the broadcast of Rush's confession that aired
live about five minutes earlier.

So, when I got home, I hit the Internet to find out exactly what Rush had
said. "I am addicted to prescription pain medication," Limbaugh told his
huge radio audience, promising to check himself, for the third time, into a
clinic to "once and for all break the hold this highly addictive medication
has on me." I have never tried to hide the fact I have always admired Rush.
He was a fat kid who grew up in a small town then followed his dream of
working in radio, starting with a small station in his hometown. I was a
fat kid who grew up in a small town and followed my dream of working in radio.

It was at a couple of radio stations here in my hometown. That's about
where our similarities end, except, I guess, we both lost a lot of weight.
Mine was due to surgery, and, as far as I know, his was through dieting
(and maybe a few more diet pills than I imagined, although he never said
those were the type pills he was addicted to). Rush stayed with radio,
making his name known worldwide, while at the same time becoming one of the
richest people in the broadcast business. I changed fields and quickly
realized I love being a newspaper reporter, even if my bank account
probably has less money than Limbaugh's loose change jar. Limbaugh, as you
know by the time you are reading this, said he started taking the pain
pills, presumably OxyContin, to treat post surgical pain following spinal
surgery. He has twice gone through rehab programs to try to break the
stronghold they have had on him through the years, but those sessions were
unsuccessful. I think Rush's fans can forgive him for becoming an addict.
That happens to millions of people who are innocently prescribed extremely
potent pain killers for long periods of time. It's how he got the pills
that will be harder for him to convince his listeners to forget. Buying
drugs, whether it's cocaine or OxyContin in a Denny's parking lot, as Rush
is accused of doing, is against the law. Whether or not he's ever charged
remains to be seen, but if he did make such purchases, it's a crime. Before
leaving his show for at least the next 30 days on Friday, Limbaugh never
denied the claims that he bought the drugs illegally. "At the present time,
the authorities are conducting an investigation, and I have been asked to
limit my public comments until this investigation is complete. "So I will
only say that the stories you have read and heard contain inaccuracies and
distortions, which I will clear up when I am free to speak about them,"
Limbaugh said, without an admission or denial. For me, this whole Rush
thing has been a disappointment. But it is not so much Rush that I am
disappointed with. It makes me disappointed in myself. My entire life I
have been taught we should not lift up any person beyond reproach.

Our focus, I have always believed, should be on our Maker, not on one of
his creations. But, with Limbaugh, I didn't follow that advice. I knew he
wasn't perfect, but, heck, they sold his books in Christian bookstores, so
he had to be one of the good guys, right? I, like millions of others, put
him on a pedestal, as he spoke for three hours every weekday about a lot of
things I believe are right. (I must say though, I didn't agree with
everything he said). And as hard as it is for me to write, in my eyes that
pedestal broke last week. Yes, buying pills in a parking lot may not rank
up there with rape and murder, but, a crime is a crime. I know Rush was not
so doped up on the days the buys were made that he did not See Rush, Page
2B know it was a criminal offense. Will I listen to Rush again when and if
he returns to the airwaves?

I'm sure I will. But he will now be on my level in my opinion.

I now realize he's just a human who does not deserve to be elevated above
any other person. He did, however, say something Friday that I do agree
with. "I ask now for your prayers," he said as he pointed at his producer
to immediately begin a commercial break. Yes, Rush needs the prayers.

But, in my opinion, those who need them more are those poor people who have
been in pain and became addicted and do not have $500 million in the bank
to help them recover. Those are the people who really need our prayers.

Gastric Bypass Support Group

Don't forget, anyone who has had or is thinking about having the
stomach-reducing gastric bypass surgery is invited to a support group
meeting the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Georgetown's First
Assembly of God Church at the corner of Duke and Saint James Streets. Since
having the surgery in February, I have lost about 150 pounds, so I
personally have had success with the procedure.

Not everyone has been as fortunate. It is a risky procedure which should be
done after extensive talking with a doctor and family members, as well as
prayer.

Scott Harper is a staff reporter.