Limbaugh’s Debt to His Audience

by John S. Pappas - 11/16/03

This Monday Rush Limbaugh will return to the airways after a 30-day absence. In the last 10 minutes before signing off October 10th, Limbaugh admitted he was addicted to “prescription pain medication.” He also admitted that he was the subject of an ongoing investigation by authorities. Almost immediately, Limbaugh was heralded by fellow talk-radio personalities and conservative intellectuals as courageous for his admission. President Bush called Limbaugh, “a great American.” The majority of public figures, liberal and conservative, voiced support for him during this personal tragedy. While radio stations that carry his show wondered if his fans would stay loyal during his absence, it seems that Rush Limbaugh was issued a proverbial ‘blank check’ of support from his listeners and friends, as audience attendance and sponsor-support has remained high.

Rush Limbaugh’s statement and recent actions however, fall well short of what is owed his audience in terms of explanation. Additionally, Limbaugh has to present this explanation in the context of an apology to his supporters.

Limbaugh has often claimed that the relationship he has with his audience is ‘familial.’ In his statement from October 10th, Limbaugh began by saying; “Ladies and gentlemen, you know that I have always tried to be honest with you.” He then proceeded to state for the first time publicly that for the past six years he has suffered from drug addiction.

In his statement, Limbaugh said that he is addicted to; “prescription pain medication.” This is a euphemism. The term “prescription pain medication” can cover hundreds of different drugs, some as innocuous as Ibuprofen, and many are addictive, as he describes.

Rush Limbaugh is addicted to powerful narcotic drugs such as Oxycontin and Codeine. These drugs produce a euphoric effect and are in the family of drugs called opiates. They are morphine derivatives, which itself derives from opium. While Codeine is most closely related to drugs such as Percocet, and Vicodan, Oxycontin closest cousins are morphine, and heroin.

Limbaugh also admitted in his statement that he is part of an ongoing investigation by authorities. In light of this, it is even more disingenuous to claim an addiction to prescription pain medication. In the eyes of the law, to obtain these medications by means other than a legal prescription, as is alleged in this situation, is equivalent to buying illicit drugs off of a street-dealer, and is likewise subject to prosecution. A more accurate description would be to describe these drugs as ‘illegal-prescription pain medication.’

It is also alleged by witnesses that Limbaugh arranged interstate shipments of Oxycontin and Codeine in order to have them available when he traveled. If this is true Limbaugh has exposed himself to federal prosecution for violation of federal drug trafficking statutes, which are felony offenses. If found guilty; Limbaugh would lose certain rights of citizenship, among them the right to vote, and the right to bear arms.

During the Clinton impeachment and since, we have been told by Limbaugh of the importance of the law, and of his profound reverence for it. It was Limbaugh who first said publicly that the Clinton-Lewinski scandal was about more than an extra-marital affair involving the President; that it was about things like perjury, suborning perjury and legal obfuscation. We have been told that generations of Rush’s family have been lawyers and judges. Since his national radio show began, Limbaugh has proclaimed the importance of personal accountability and good citizenship. There can be little doubt that if the allegations of lawbreaking contain any truth, Limbaugh was aware that the law was being broken.

In his statement Limbaugh took full responsibility for his addiction, and the situation he is now in. This is positive, but premature, and falls far short of what is owed to his listeners.

The important ideas Limbaugh has espoused throughout his radio career: personal responsibility and accountability, demand a full, open, and honest accounting from Limbaugh of his involvement in this scandal, as soon as is legally feasible. This is what the proverbial blank-check his supporters gave him paid for. Failing to provide this full accounting in the future, will dishonor himself and his followers.
For just as Bill Clinton didn’t simply lie to his wife about an affair; Rush Limbaugh isn’t simply addicted to prescription pain medication.

Note: Limbaugh returned to the microphone on Monday, November 17. Within the first few moments, he admitted an addiction to "opiates." Limbaugh also spoke more extensively about his addiction, and took full responsibility. He pondered an apology, but did not offer one formally. As to any legal trouble, Limbaugh asserted that there are inaccuracies in the National Enquirer articles, and that in time he will address those.

Note 02/18/04: Since this story was written, many questions regarding the validity of the Palm Beach Prosecutor's investigation have come to light. Most recently, Mr. Limbaugh, the ACLU, and others have filed briefs in court against the Palm Beach Prosecutors regarding the manner in which Limbaugh's medical records were obtained using a search warrant (A Rush to Judgement).

 

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