[moki]

A bit tabloid-sounding, but it certainly could pan out to be something interesting...

from: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news...89526187071364

.....

Rush Limbaugh investigated for illegal drug purchases, paper reports

Shocking allegation surfaces after commentator resigns from ESPN in racial flap

Conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh is being investigated for allegedly buying thousands of prescription painkillers from a black-market drug ring, the New York Daily News reported today.

The newspaper said Limbaugh has been implicated by his former housekeeper, who says she was Limbaugh's pill supplier for four years.

Wilma Cline, 42, was quoted by the newspaper as saying Limbaugh was hooked on the potent prescription drugs OxyContin, Lorcet and hydrocodone, and went through drug rehabilitation twice.

"There were times when I worried," Cline told the National Enquirer, which also carried the story in an edition being published today. "All these pills are enough to kill an elephant -- never mind a man."

Cline could not be reached for further comment, but her lawyer, Ed Shohat of Miami, said his client "stands behind the story."

Cline told the Enquirer she went to prosecutors with information about Limbaugh and others after four years of drug deals that included clandestine handoffs in a Denny's parking lot.

She said she wore a wire during her last two deliveries and gave the tapes to authorities.

She also gave the Enquirer a ledger documenting how many pills she claimed to have bought for him -- 4,350 in one 47-day period -- and e-mails she claimed Limbaugh sent her.

In one e-mail, Limbaugh urged Cline to get more "little blues," the street name for the powerful narcotic OxyContin, she said.

"You know how this stuff works ... the more you get used to, the more it takes," the May 2002 e-mail read. "But I will try and cut down to help out."

The Enquirer reported that Cline became Limbaugh's drug connection in 1998, nine months after taking a housekeeping job at his Palm Beach, Fla., mansion.

The Palm Beach County state attorney's office, which is in charge of the investigation, said it could not confirm or deny the allegations.

Limbaugh's lawyers, Jerry Fox and Dan Zachary, refused to comment on the accusations.

They said Limbaugh, who resigned early today from ESPN's "NFL Sunday Countdown" amid criticism of racial comments about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, was traveling and had no comment.

[moki]

the Enquirer is trash... but there does seem to be some corroboration:

http://www.nydailynews.com/10-02-200...p-110349c.html

[The Mick]

Sounds like just some garbage piling on top of Rush when he's maybe a bit vulnerable. It's probably all made up.

[fxbezak]

I would say a lot of it is untrue. I am watching the news and its only warrented BRIEF coverage.. like a mentioning. This is nothing compared to other major scandals like Martha Stewart for example.

I really dont see a lot of validity in this as of yet.

[typoon]

I really like the timing of this allegation. Hmmmm After his "alleged" racist remarks. If this has been going on for years as this maid has said why didn't she come out with it sooner? I'm sure we would have heard it all over the news that he was in Detox. Even if it is a matter that is not reported to the press that he went into detox don't you think everyone STILL would have know about it. I'm after all he IS the biggest name in talk radio. I doubt that his being in a detox center would have been kept quiet for long.

[fxbezak]

Lets say this is all untrue. This would definitly be a new low for liberal tactics. I mean the term liberal has become such a dirty phrase as it is. Everyone trying to move away from association with anything liberal and such is a good indicator. I think its pretty humerous. Its like a Virus spreading around infecting things and morphing into something new when discovered.

[Spliffdaddy]

Nobody ever admits to being a liberal.

That's why the term 'moderate' was created.

Either you're proud to be a conservative or you're simply a liberal - regardless of the term you use to describe yourself.

[spacefreak]

I think the timing of the ESPN debacle was the fishy one. Rush makes comments on Sunday (noonish), full-blown liberal attack comes Wednesday.

If his comments were truly racist, we'd have seen the uproar the next day (monday), not 3 days later.

As for the pain pills, I don't know if Rush has a problem. If he does (and has been in and out of detox), then I hope he can finally kick the problem now that it's obviously affecting his career.

I don't like the leaking of an ongoing investigation no matter who the suspect is. Once charges are files, then it's all fair game.

Also, I heard a few doctors on the radio saying that the alleged ingestion of 4,350 pills over 47 days (as claimed by the maid), at 90 pills per day, would have killed any man. However, apparently Rush's hearing loss problem is common in abusers of the same drug.

In the NY Daily News story, there is also some interesting stuff at the end of the article...

In June 2002, Limbaugh told her he was going to New York for detox a second time. After he returned, "I went to talk to him, and he cried a little bit," she said. "He told me that if it ever got out, he would be ruined."

She claimed that a lawyer for Limbaugh gave her a payoff - $80,000 he owed her, plus another $120,000 - and asked her to destroy the computer that contained the E-mail records. Soon after, Cline and her husband retained Shohat and contacted prosecutors.

Sounds to me like there was a shakedown of sorts - like Rush didn't meet her number$. But hey, if you put yourself in that position, you open yourself up for a fall.

[BlackGriffen]

Nice binary logic, Spliffy.

I said it in the other thread about this, I'll say it in this one: why do the tabloids suddenly have credibility now? And with whom?

I don't like Rush, don't get me wrong, but this sounds like a load of BS to me.

BG

[sanity assassin]

Originally posted by Spliffdaddy:
Nobody ever admits to being a liberal.

That's why the term 'moderate' was created.

Either you're proud to be a conservative or you're simply a liberal - regardless of the term you use to describe yourself.

Nah, the term you're looking for is human being. Right wingers are just the spawn of Satan.

[fxbezak]

Originally posted by spacefreak:
In the NY Daily News story, there is also some interesting stuff at the end of the article...

This is a tabliod as well

[chris v]

If he has a drug problem, I hope he gets locked up for the maximum sentence, without any recourse to treatment, like his hero John Ashcroft wants all drug offenders to be treated. </jerk>

Seriously, If he has a drug problem, I hope he gets help. Addiction is hell, and I've seen it ruin many, many lives. I've got a good friend who has recently just dissapeared after being evicted from his house-- none of us know what's up but we all suspect drugs. Another friend has a co-worker who is in the process of flushing a 10-year career down the tubes by showing up out of her gourd every day for the past few weeks.

It's a sad thing, even when it happens to big, fat idiots.

CV

[spacefreak]

Originally posted by fxbezak:
This is a tabliod as well

Yeah, but if there was no ongoing investigation, the Palm Beach Police/DA would have denied the report immediately.

[typoon]

Originally posted by chris v:
[BIt's a sad thing, even when it happens to big, fat idiots.

CV [/B]

Typical statement from someone who doesn't listen to him. He might be an idiot in yoru eyes. He is not fat that is for sure. That statement about him as been made oh so many times that if I had a dollar for everytime I heard someone call him that I'd be almost as rich as him.

[chris v]

Originally posted by typoon:
Typical statement from someone who doesn't listen to him. He might be an idiot in yoru eyes. He is not fat that is for sure. That statement about him as been made oh so many times that if I had a dollar for everytime I heard someone call him that I'd be almost as rich as him.

1. I DO liten to him. Not all the time, but I tune in from time to time just to keep up with what he's on about. I find him to be idiotic.

2. Maybe he's lost some weight. Good for him. He was a big fat idiot when Al Franken wrote his book about Rush, and the epithet kinda stuck.

How about Svelte, slim idiot? Truly, though, he's got a physique made for radio, even if he has slimmed down, which I wouldn't know because I can't see him on the A.M. dial, and I don't watch television much at all.

Question: If it turns out he's been buying drugs illegally, should they throw the book at him? If not, what makes him different from a poor crackhead?

CV

[things]

Originally posted by typoon:
Typical statement from someone who doesn't listen to him. He might be an idiot in yoru eyes. He is not fat that is for sure. That statement about him as been made oh so many times that if I had a dollar for everytime I heard someone call him that I'd be almost as rich as him.

Doesn't Rush believe Drug Addicts should leave the country? He has said that.

He's full of s**t is what he is.

[thunderous_funker]

Originally posted by chris v:
If he has a drug problem, I hope he gets locked up for the maximum sentence, without any recourse to treatment, like his hero John Ashcroft wants all drug offenders to be treated. </jerk>

[clarkgoble]

I think what is telling is less the source (the Inquirer which has had some doozies of false stories in the past: remember the "sex party" story about the Elizabeth Smart parents?) Rather it is Limbaugh's reaction. He only said he wasn't aware of an investigation. He never denied the drug use. He didn't go on his show. Further in this case it sounds like the Inquirer has pretty hard evidence.

What is more troubling isn't his drug use. (Lots of people have used drugs, lets be honest) Rather it is the quantity of drugs which suggests he is reselling or giving them to friends. i.e. making him a rather large drug dealer.

I suspect all this is semi-ochestrated. Given events of the last week it sounds like Democrats finally have their attack machine running smoothly. (Sadly, in some ways) However whatever this does for those of us who tend, by and large, to agree with Republican ideology, let's be honest. It could only happen in Limbaugh did what he did. (Assuming the story is true for the moment).

I'm less concerned with the hypocrisy of drugs. (I'm fairly opposed to current drug laws, but must concede the quotes Limbaugh gives are apt. If he was a drug addict perhaps that gives them more meaning and not less.) Rather I wonder how Limbaugh will respond to these charges. He was praising Bush's response to the Novak situation. He's criticized (correctly) Clinton's reaction to his scandals. Will he step up and do the right thing and confess to wrongdoing? (If there actually is any)

[thunderous_funker]

The Palm Beach County state attorney's office is part of the Democratic "attack machine" ??

What is it with conservatives constantly claiming to be victims of plots?

Rush's maid tells the Inquirer that she bought drugs for him on the black market for 4 years. The Florida law enforcement offices say Rush is alledged to have "shown up as a buyer" but was never the target of any investigation.

Does Rush really need to keep playing the "they're out to get me" card to keep his ratings up? Are his fans going to continue to buy into it?

[clarkgoble]

Does Rush really need to keep playing the "they're out to get me" card to keep his ratings up? Are his fans going to continue to buy into it?

With respect to the drug charges, has he made that claim? I haven't heard anything like that. So far as I am aware the only statement he issued was that he was not aware of any investigation and that he would co-operate with any. That sure doesn't sound like the "they're out to get me." Rather it sounds like the (hopefully) first steps towards a contrite acceptance and apology.

[thunderous_funker]

Rush doesn't have to make the claim directly anymore. His fans do it for him. Observe the title of a certain thread in this forum.

But yes, he constantly harps about the fantasy of a "liberal media" (a complete invention from the mind of Spiro Agnew, by the way) and markets himself as the bold opposition, constantly staving off the plots to quiet him for telling "the truth".

Even now he's doing it. He stirs up the muck on ESPN, resigns as a martyr and then goes on his radio show and tells his loyal fans that the only reason he was forced out was because he too close the truth and the Left had to shut him up before he exposed the "truth" about how black QB's aren't actually talented or winners, but a fabrication of a media that just wants to see black guys succeed even when they don't deserve it.

[clarkgoble]

Rush doesn't have to make the claim directly anymore. His fans do it for him.

LOL. Surely we ought to distinguish between what fans of a pundit say and what the pundit says.

I'll take that as backing off from the claim.

[thunderous_funker]

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
Rush doesn't have to make the claim directly anymore. His fans do it for him.

LOL. Surely we ought to distinguish between what fans of a pundit say and what the pundit says.

I'll take that as backing off from the claim.

Funny.

"All this has become the tempest that it is because I must have been right about something. If I wasn't right there wouldn't be this cacophony of outrage that has sprung up in the sports writer community."

Yep. The sports writer community (whatever that is) is out to stop Rush from telling the truth about their plot to foist mediocre black QB's on the unsuspecting NFL fan base.

[clarkgoble]

Yep. The sports writer community (whatever that is) is out to stop Rush from telling the truth about their plot to foist mediocre black QB's on the unsuspecting NFL fan base.

You're as bad as Rush is in terms of mischaracterizations and strawmen.

Surely one can fail to be critical because of ones desire. Bias need not be overt conspiracy to be bias. I'm sure I have tons of unconscious biases because of my presuppositions.

Also he wasn't saying that the media was trying to "foist mediocre black QB's" but rather that they weren't giving the defense the credit due because of the desire for a good black athelete. That sort of thing goes on all the time. Look at how many people in basketball have been groomed to be the next Michael Jordan whether they fit the shoes or not. Why? Because everyone wants an other Michael Jordan who dominates the game and generates excitement. But I don't think it always is conscious.

Once again I'm in the odd position of defending someone whose style of rhetoric I feel deeply annoying. But if we are going to avoid the pitfalls Limbaugh falls into, we should avoid the hypocrisy of using his techniques to criticize him.

[thunderous_funker]

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
[B]
You're as bad as Rush is in terms of mischaracterizations and strawmen.

Surely one can fail to be critical because of ones desire. Bias need not be overt conspiracy to be bias. I'm sure I have tons of unconscious biases because of my presuppositions.

Every time I've heard Rush's show or clips from it, all I hear is him talking about Leftist conspiracies and especially the Liberal Media. From where I sit, that is his entire game. Construct an imaginary enemy (or borrow one from Spiro Agnew) and set up shop as the lone defender against it.

Rush didn't say it on ESPN, but as soon as the shyt hit the fan, he went on his regular talk show and said it. Just as he always does. Some is out to get him for telling the "truth".

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
[B]Also he wasn't saying that the media was trying to "foist mediocre black QB's" but rather that they weren't giving the defense the credit due because of the desire for a good black athelete. That sort of thing goes on all the time. Look at how many people in basketball have been groomed to be the next Michael Jordan whether they fit the shoes or not. Why? Because everyone wants an other Michael Jordan who dominates the game and generates excitement. But I don't think it always is conscious.

And the mistake Rush (and now you for whatever reason) is making is suggesting that the reason the NBA wants to find the next MJ is that they have a social agenda.

Have you considered that they want a new MJ because he made them rich? Increased the TV audience? Sold out stadiums? Sold enough merchandise to outfit every man, woman and child on the globe?

Marketing athletes is about money. Period. To this end, the league and the media both have a symbiotic relationship to justify their existence. Superstars bring more fans, which makes the league more profitable, which creates a market for sports writers and commentators.

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
[B]Once again I'm in the odd position of defending someone whose style of rhetoric I feel deeply annoying. But if we are going to avoid the pitfalls Limbaugh falls into, we should avoid the hypocrisy of using his techniques to criticize him.

Point taken. My purpose was to demonstrate the hypocrisy of his position by using his tactics, not to validate them.

Rush creates a controversy and then lo and behold, declares himself the victim of a Liberal effort to silence him from telling the "truth". He's been doing it for years.

[clarkgoble]

And the mistake Rush (and now you for whatever reason) is making is suggesting that the reason the NBA wants to find the next MJ is that they have a social agenda.

Have you considered that they want a new MJ because he made them rich? Increased the TV audience? Sold out stadiums? Sold enough merchandise to outfit every man, woman and child on the globe?

Umm, that is exactly why I think they are doing it. I don't think it has much, if anything, to do with race, beyond finding a figure who will appeal more to viewers in the suburbs. (Which I suppose could be twisted to have a racial component)

The issue isn't the nature of the bias but that there is a bias. As I said I wouldn't have trouble favoring coaches or players who are black. I could even see that affecting my bias.

As I said, from everything I've read Limbaugh was wrong. What I'm critical of is the assumption that being incorrect is racist.

Actually I have found one defense of the attacks on Limbaugh that I found very persuasive:

http://www.tnr.com/easterbrook.mhtml

There he makes the argument that Limbaugh miscalculated because of the kind of entertainment sports is. Makes sense.

Rush creates a controversy and then lo and behold, declares himself the victim of a Liberal effort to silence him from telling the "truth". He's been doing it for years.

Agreed. Putting those quotations around "truth" is apt. I actually agree with him on many political matters but despise his methodology. And I think he is attacked by those more liberal because he does communicate and defend those ideas (the "truth") very well (even if perhaps not in the more honest of ways). So there is truth to his comments. And in portraying himself as the underdog he tapped into many fears and anger in the country. People in other communities have done exactly the same thing. (Indeed I see many parallels between him and say an Al Sharpton)

Whether one agree with or like Limbaugh, one must admit that among Democratic activists he has been a thorn in their side for years. And they have been seeking to undermine him for years.

That makes the drug charges that much more troubling. I can understand the mistake on ESPN. He's not used to a mainstream audience. (Or worse thinks he is more mainstream than he actually is) However the drugs, especially if he was distributing them, are things that he had to know would come out eventually. It seems almost Clintonian in engaging in a self-destructive behavior yet being so arrogant that he felt he could get away with it. Given the role Clinton played in his success, it is in its way deeply ironic.

[thunderous_funker]

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
[B] (Indeed I see many parallels between him and say an Al Sharpton)

Whether one agree with or like Limbaugh, one must admit that among Democratic activists he has been a thorn in their side for years. And they have been seeking to undermine him for years.

That makes the drug charges that much more troubling. I can understand the mistake on ESPN. He's not used to a mainstream audience. (Or worse thinks he is more mainstream than he actually is) However the drugs, especially if he was distributing them, are things that he had to know would come out eventually. It seems almost Clintonian in engaging in a self-destructive behavior yet being so arrogant that he felt he could get away with it. Given the role Clinton played in his success, it is in its way deeply ironic.

Very insightful. I have to agree.

[finboy]

Originally posted by typoon:
I really like the timing of this allegation.

Strange, isn't it? I guess the pre-election dogpile got started a little early. There always is one, it just came early this time.

This allegation doesn't pass the smell test, whatever you think of Rush. Ask yourself why a wealthy, successful and chronically ill man would have to go to the street to buy painkillers -- he wouldn't. There are dozens of doctors in FL who'd line up to write a scrip for whatever he wants, whenever he wants it.

[thunderous_funker]

Originally posted by finboy:
Strange, isn't it? I guess the pre-election dogpile got started a little early.

What office is Rush running for?

[MacGorilla]

Originally posted by thunderous_funker:
What office is Rush running for?

High Lord of Intolerance and Rigid Thinking?

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by MacGorilla:
High Lord of Intolerance and Rigid Thinking?

LOL!

[moki]

Originally posted by chris v:
If he has a drug problem, I hope he gets locked up for the maximum sentence, without any recourse to treatment, like his hero John Ashcroft wants all drug offenders to be treated. </jerk>

I'm pretty sure that the sentence for using prescription drugs without a prescription is fairly low.

It's a sad thing, even when it happens to big, fat idiots.

Now, now. There's no reason to bring Michael Moore into the discussion here.

[clarkgoble]

I'm pretty sure that the sentence for using prescription drugs without a prescription is fairly low.

For the opiates it is not. I believe that it is a rather serious charge akin to having cocaine as I recall. Further did you note the quantities he was buying. If true, then he almost certainly was dealing.

[Spliffdaddy]

It isn't illegal to take prescription drugs without a prescription.

It is, however, illegal to posess, sell, or distribute them.

The drug in question is called Oxycontin - a powerful painkiller that is akin to synthetic heroin. It is widely prescribed (mostly when dependancy is the least of the patient's problems) and widely abused - typically by crushing and inhaling the pill. It is physically addictive and can cause death from overdose.

[chris v]

Originally posted by moki:
I'm pretty sure that the sentence for using prescription drugs without a prescription is fairly low.




Now, now. There's no reason to bring Michael Moore into the discussion here.

touche.

Well, Rush made the front page of the Austin American Statesman today. Not exactly a tabloid

CV

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by chris v:
touche.

Well, Rush made the front page of the Austin American Statesman today. Not exactly a tabloid

CV

made the front page of our paper in Ohio as well. pretty balanced report with Limbaugh's people making a non-commital statement that they were unaware of an investigation (conveniently sidesteps guilt or innocence) and the investigators pointing out Rush wasn't the focus of the investigation, but was snared nonetheless.
In other words, they were investigating a larger ring of illegally purchased prescription drugs, and Rush was merely the most famous investigatee. Kinda pops the balloon of liberals out to get him. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time (or his intermediaries were).

[spacefreak]

Originally posted by Lerkfish:
[BKinda pops the balloon of liberals out to get him. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time (or his intermediaries were). [/B]

The Enquirer paid $300,000-$400,000 to the maid for her story. It's not like the story was broken due to any charges levied. And if the Liberals weren't out to get Limbaugh (revisit: ESPN comments hoopla that emerged 3.5 days AFTER comments), why would Tom Daschle, when asked by an onlooker about Limbaugh's recent trouble, smile and put his hand in the air with a thumbs up gesture as he walked by?

Now I'm not saying Rush (if alleg. are true) didn't bring this on himself, but to claim that liberals aren't out to get him is delusional. For years, there has been a liberal-sponsored bounty offered, rewarding anyone who could make a scandal stick on Limbaugh (revisit: Bill Bennett). And currently, there is a measly $25,000 reward being offered to anyone who can make a scandal stick on Fox News' Bill O'Reilly.

I'll give the left credit for one thing...they are experienced, adept, and gifted when it comes to smear-mongering.

[typoon]

I was listening to this on the radio and it made some sense. The People who are making such a big deal about his alleged drug use/problem are the same people who didn't make a fuss about President Clinton Allegedly Raping several women. Where were all these people when those allegations were made?

Somehow to me this seems a bit fishy, if this maid has known this for a long time and had hard evidence then why wait til now to release it?
Until we get all the facts these are just allegations at this point.

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by spacefreak:
The Enquirer paid $300,000-$400,000 to the maid for her story. It's not like the story was broken due to any charges levied. And if the Liberals weren't out to get Limbaugh (revisit: ESPN comments hoopla that emerged 3.5 days AFTER comments), why would Tom Daschle, when asked by an onlooker about Limbaugh's recent trouble, smile and put his hand in the air with a thumbs up gesture as he walked by?

Now I'm not saying Rush (if alleg. are true) didn't bring this on himself, but to claim that liberals aren't out to get him is delusional. For years, there has been a liberal-sponsored bounty offered, rewarding anyone who could make a scandal stick on Limbaugh (revisit: Bill Bennett). And currently, there is a measly $25,000 reward being offered to anyone who can make a scandal stick on Fox News' Bill O'Reilly.

I'll give the left credit for one thing...they are experienced, adept, and gifted when it comes to smear-mongering.

you're looking through the wrong end of the telescope.

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by typoon:
I was listening to this on the radio and it made some sense. The People who are making such a big deal about his alleged drug use/problem are the same people who didn't make a fuss about President Clinton Allegedly Raping several women. Where were all these people when those allegations were made?

Somehow to me this seems a bit fishy, if this maid has known this for a long time and had hard evidence then why wait til now to release it?
Until we get all the facts these are just allegations at this point.

The Associated Press story does not quote the maid, but rather the Palm Beach County state attorney's office...officials confirm that Rush is being investigated. He turned up as a buyer even though he wasn't the target of the investigation.

Even though the first public mention may have been made by the maid, that does not eliminate an investigation previous to that.

(my conjecture only it seems plausible the maid knew she was being investigated and sought to out Rush and make some money in the process before she went down herself. Drowning rat and all that.

[bracken]

Like I said before... Like the man really cares what a bunch of thin-skinned, Liberaces on an Internet message board (about computers, no less!) think about him. Kind of sad actually.

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by bracken:
Like I said before... Like the man really cares what a bunch of thin-skinned, Liberaces on an Internet message board (about computers, no less!) think about him. Kind of sad actually.

yes, ad hominem attacks against other macnn posters is indeed sad.

[zigzag]

I find it remarkable that even though Limbaugh practically invented the insult-the-opposition format, when he sticks his foot in his mouth and is revealed to be a hypocritical pill-head his fans act as though he is nothing more than a guileless victim of partisan sniping. It's like the kid who murders his parents and then whines about being an orphan.

I have compassion for Limbaugh as a human being, but in all other respects, having made a career out of insulting others, he has no right to complain about being scrutinized himself.

[typoon]

Originally posted by zigzag:
I find it remarkable that even though Limbaugh practically invented the insult-the-opposition format, when he sticks his foot in his mouth and is revealed to be a hypocritical pill-head his fans act as though he is nothing more than a guileless victim of partisan sniping. It's like the kid who murders his parents and then whines about being an orphan.

I have compassion for Limbaugh as a human being, but in all other respects, having made a career out of insulting others, he has no right to complain about being scrutinized himself.

How has he insulted others? Offened maybe but insulted Never. I've NEVER heard him insult a caller or anyone on his show EVER. If you want to talk about a host that insults people, I would give that to Michael Savage, not to Rush.

[zigzag]

Originally posted by typoon:
How has he insulted others? Offened maybe but insulted Never. I've NEVER heard him insult a caller or anyone on his show EVER. If you want to talk about a host that insults people, I would give that to Michael Savage, not to Rush.

You can start here: http://www.fair.org/articles/limbaugh-color.html

And please don't tell me that the quotes aren't emblematic because they're "not in context." FAIR might be a biased site but the quotes speak for themselves. Let's not play dumb.

Even if one discounts those quotes, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Limbaugh has made a career out of insulting and demonizing the opposition. He practically invented the format, it's why he became rich and famous. Unless, of course, you regard terms like "FemiNazis" as examples of intelligent, civil political discourse. I mean, let's be real.

I don't even condemn Limbaugh for saying these things - I've probably said worse over the years. I just find all the "It's so unfair the way people criticize poor Rush" whining to be tiresome.

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Rush was a typical shock-jock back in the 70's. Like I've said before, if you want to call up the antics of shock-jocks, you may as well haul out the things any one of them has ever said, and try to paint them as racists if that’s your agenda. Any typical 'morning zoo' gang of goofballs says things far worse any given morning. Quite frankly, I'm surprised that there's nothing 'worse' Rush ever said during his shock-jock years- and in fact even now as a political commentator, he’s still little more than a shock-jock. Just the left is absolutely petrified of him and his every word for some reason. (Fear?)

As for other comments he's made since the early days, its all tit-for-tat stuff in reaction to the very things individuals and groups like the NAACP itself has come out with, and far worse. Oh gee, sorry, Mr. ‘Himeytown’ Jackson I suppose has room to talk about throwing out slurs? Please. I wonder if anyone has chronicled some of the amazingly divisive and race-baiting things to come out of the mouths of certain NAACP 'leaders' over the years, and from actual elected officials (not talk show hosts) like Maxine Waters and Carol Moseley Braun. Rush’s comments about riots and such are actually parodies on the ACTUAL attitude that some, including NAACP members have taken in the past excusing the outrageous actions of vandals and thugs during riots such as the ones here in LA. Oh wait, sorry it’s not P.C. to say riot. It was an ‘uprising.’ Tossing bricks at the skulls of innocent truck drivers and burning down innocent people’s stores isn’t riotous behavior… it’s merely ‘dissent.’ Sorry, I forgot to use the P.C. fascist double-speak there for a moment.

But see, no one is ever supposed to make fun of anyone for stuff like that, even on a stupid ‘shock-jock’ radio talk show, because anything even remotely related to minorities is above all criticism, or else the 'racist' bludgeon gets tossed in. Freedom of speech, so long as it’s approved.

As usual, the left can dish all day long, but can't take to save their tissue-paper-thin skins.

The left getting all huffy over the term 'feminazi' simply cracks me up! AS IF leftists didn't throw around hollow charges of nazi-ism against anyone they disagree with, and half-assed comparisons of Bush and Hitler every other SECOND! Again, ALL DISH, absolutely NO TAKE.

[spacefreak]

Originally posted by zigzag:
I just find all the "It's so unfair the way people criticize poor Rush" whining to be tiresome.

Whoever is stating that is ridiculous. Rush would be the first to tell you he expects criticism.

It's the demanding of his firing that upsets me. Here we have Wes Clark and Howard Dean demanding his firing because he gave an opinion on a sports show. What country's presidency are they running for anyway?

They could have chosen to debate the statements, but instead chose to label him a racist.

By way of comparison, I don't recall Rush demanding CNN fire Clark when he said some controversial remarks during the Iraq war. and I don't remember Rush demanding Dean end his candidacy because of his controversial statements.

But Rush states his opinion that a black person may be receiving preferential coverage in the press, and wham! - Clark and Dean are out on their respective podiums demanding ESPN rid the world of this racist, Hitler-esque antichrist.

Gimme a break.

[zigzag]

Originally posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE:
Rush was a typical shock-jock back in the 70's. Like I've said before, if you want to call up the antics of shock-jocks, you may as well haul out the things any one of them has ever said, and try to paint them as racists if that’s your agenda. Any typical 'morning zoo' gang of goofballs says things far worse any given morning. Quite frankly, I'm surprised that there's nothing 'worse' Rush ever said during his shock-jock years- and in fact even now as a political commentator, he’s still little more than a shock-jock. Just the left is absolutely petrified of him and his every word for some reason. (Fear?)

As for other comments he's made since the early days, its all tit-for-tat stuff in reaction to the very things individuals and groups like the NAACP itself has come out with, and far worse. Oh gee, sorry, Mr. ‘Himeytown’ Jackson I suppose has room to talk about throwing out slurs? Please. I wonder if anyone has chronicled some of the amazingly divisive and race-baiting things to come out of the mouths of certain NAACP 'leaders' over the years, and from actual elected officials (not talk show hosts) like Maxine Waters and Carol Moseley Braun. Rush’s comments about riots and such are actually parodies on the ACTUAL attitude that some, including NAACP members have taken in the past excusing the outrageous actions of vandals and thugs during riots such as the ones here in LA. Oh wait, sorry it’s not P.C. to say riot. It was an ‘uprising.’ Tossing bricks at the skulls of innocent truck drivers and burning down innocent people’s stores isn’t riotous behavior… it’s merely ‘dissent.’ Sorry, I forgot to use the P.C. fascist double-speak there for a moment.

But see, no one is ever supposed to make fun of anyone for stuff like that, even on a stupid ‘shock-jock’ radio talk show, because anything even remotely related to minorities is above all criticism, or else the 'racist' bludgeon gets tossed in. Freedom of speech, so long as it’s approved.

I agreed with everything you said except this:

As usual, the left can dish all day long, but can't take to save their tissue-paper-thin skins . . . Again, ALL DISH, absolutely NO TAKE.

I'm not excusing the left. The difference with Limbaugh, and the reason he gets so much attention, is that he practically invented the "commentator-as-flamethrower" format. To me, this adds an extra degree of irony to the complaint that he's a victim.

[chris v]

Originally posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE:

The left getting all huffy over the term 'feminazi' simply cracks me up! AS IF leftists didn't throw around hollow charges of nazi-ism against anyone they disagree with, and half-assed comparisons of Bush and Hitler every other SECOND! Again, ALL DISH, absolutely NO TAKE.

I take umbrage to that remark! I haven't compared Bush to Hitler on these boards since at least March! Maybe February!

I've told you at least a million times not to exaggerate!

CV

[CRASH HARDDRIVE]

Originally posted by zigzag:
To me, this adds an extra degree of irony to the complaint that he's a victim.

Personally, I'm not complaining that he's a victim. Nor do I see most others doing so.

People have every right to protest against him, boycot his show, hate him, make fun of him, whatever. Go for it. Some of it may be well deserved.

The deeper issue is, he's STILL a private citizen, not a person holding public office, nor seeking one. He has the right (as do all of us) to express and opinion without having political groups and (FAR more disturbingly) Democratic politicians demanding real world punishments be leveled against him for expressing his opinion.

As spacefreak asked, just what country do some people think they're running for office in anyway?

And everyone can keep the lame Dixie Chicks comparisons to themselves. Show me the Republican politicians that demanded their firing from their various record labels and employers. The public deciding of its own will not to support something is one thing (just as they're free to do with Rush). Political figures calling for actual punishments and firings of private citizens merely for expressing an unpopular viewpoint, is ridiculous.