LIMBAUGH'S ABOUT-FACE

"There's nothing good about drug use. We know it. It destroys individuals.
It destroys families. . . . And so if people are violating the law by doing
drugs, they ought to be accused, and they ought to be convicted and they
ought to be sent up."

- - Rush Limbaugh, Oct. 5, 1995, on the Excellence In Broadcasting network.

Rush Limbaugh's fans often tell me that I don't have the right to criticize
"El Rushbo" because I don't regularly tune in to his program.

Granted, I often go weeks without listening to Limbaugh, but I do check out
his show from time to time, and I have read his books. I even pay to
subscribe to his Internet newsletter, purely for journalistic purposes.

"Poor Diet? Lack of Sleep? Time to take your Stresstabs," read the ad on
Limbaugh's home page last Friday.

As I've said before, I disagree with about 90 percent of Limbaugh's
positions - but I do think he's a greatly talented broadcaster. No matter
how much Limbaugh frets about "the media," he is the media. He wields more
clout, makes more money and has a larger audience than a dozen Michael Moores.

Still, I freely and gladly acknowledge that there are tens of millions of
Limbaugh loyalists who are infinitely more familiar with his radio show
than I am - and to those people, I ask:

Is Limbaugh the forgiving type? Does his heart bleed for addicts and others
who might be considered weak, lost or helpless?

How does he handle it when a public figure under fire minces words and says
things such as, "Trust me" - and then later confesses a very human weakness?

Does Limbaugh say all people - Democrats and Republicans, blacks and
whites, straights and gays - should be given a second chance?

Let me be more specific. If Al Franken - or Hillary Clinton or Jesse
Jackson - announced an addiction to painkillers and issued a statement
about going into rehab, would Limbaugh publicly wish this person well and
tell his listeners to say a prayer - or would he mock their moment of
darkness and use it for comedic purposes and political ammunition?

Even after the National Enquirer broke the story about Limbaugh allegedly
purchasing illegal painkillers from a black-market ring, and even after the
mainstream media confirmed that Limbaugh's name had come up in an
investigation in Florida, and even after Limbaugh tiptoed around the issue
on his show, it was stunning when he told his audience that he's addicted
to painkillers and would be checking into rehab for 30 days after the show.

"I am not making any excuses," Limbaugh said. "You know, over the years,
athletes and celebrities have emerged from treatment centers to great
fanfare and praise for conquering great demons. They are said to be great
role models and examples for others."

"Well, I am no role model. I refuse to let anyone think I am doing
something great here, when there are people you never hear about, who face
long odds and never resort to such escapes. They are the role models. I am
no victim and do not portray myself as such. I take full responsibility for
my problem."

God bless Limbaugh. That's perfectly put, and I believe it's a sincere
statement.

It's also a far cry from the man who once boasted, "I'll tell you
everything you need to know. You never need to read a newspaper again. I'll
read them for you and tell you what to think."

When the allegations about Limbaugh and painkillers first surfaced, a
caller to his show expressed undying support and noted, "We all make mistakes."

I don't think that's the general philosophy of Limbaugh or his audience
when it comes to his targets. It sounds a lot more like something a liberal
caller might say to a National Public Radio host, doesn't it?

But you know what? The last resident of this planet who didn't make any
mistakes was named Jesus - and the rest of us, conservatives, liberals and
moderates, could all be a little more forgiving when our foes fall on hard
times.

I'm going to tell you something most of Limbaugh's opponents will probably
never admit. The dark truth is, a lot of us grinned from ear to ear when we
learned Limbaugh might have some kind of substance-abuse problem.

We abhor Limbaugh's arrogant stance on so many issues, and we greeted this
possible chink in his armor with pure glee. This was Bill Bennett squared,
Newt Gingrich to the third power. There's nothing better than a hypocrite
exposed!

We should be ashamed of ourselves. We're supposed to be better than that.
We're supposed to be the bleeding hearts who feel the pain of those who are
suffering. We're not supposed to be doing touchdown dances around an enemy
who has been crippled.

"I ask now for your prayers," Limbaugh said.

He deserves them. And while we're praying for Rush, how about another
prayer that when he recovers and he's back at full strength, he finds it in
his heart to be a little more understanding and forgiving when his
opponents fall on hard times?

Richard Roeper writes for The Chicago Sun-Times.

Star-Banner Editor's note: The dark truth is, a lot of us grinned from ear
to ear when we learned Limbaugh might have some kind of substance- abuse
problem.