WHAT IF IT WAS CLINTON INSTEAD OF RUSH?

Cal Thomas may have broken his record for hypocrisy with his defense of the
bigoted remarks that cost Limbaugh his ESPN job and his call for
understanding of Limbaugh's addiction to street narcotics (Oct. 8 Viewpoint
column).

Thomas complains that Limbaugh's drug addiction should not undermine the
''power of his arguments." For once he is correct. Unfortunately, the power
of Limbaugh's arguments has already been undermined by the malice that
motivates him and his refusal to discuss ideas in the public arena, as
opposed to pontificating on a one-note radio program that avoids opposing
views like the plague.

Limbaugh had no business on a sports program, and he promptly proved that.
His addiction to painkillers is more complicated.

Thomas is right to call for understanding; no critic of Limbaugh should
gloat about his addiction, and no one should celebrate if Limbaugh has to
serve a prison sentence or loses his job.

But what if the person who was addicted to narcotics and who reportedly
used his housekeeper to obtain illegal street drugs for several years was
not Limbaugh, but Bill Clinton? Does anyone really think Thomas would call
for understanding in that case, or that Limbaugh would fail to attack
Clinton maliciously?

Limbaugh deserves our sympathy, as do the thousands of good people who have
been slandered by this pathetic, hate-filled man during the past two decades.

B. Keith English

Memphis