posted on October 2, 2003 01:04:13 PM new
not this ring-winger here - I can't stand Rush Limbaugh
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
posted on October 2, 2003 01:34:01 PM new
Really, wgm?? I used to listen to him. I would listen to his opinions and the callers. I didn't exactly dislike him, but felt he was too zealous against the Clinton's and always wondered where that came from?
Kind of feel sorry for him now. He did just give his opinion on the quarterback thing. (why is that always such a sensitive subject? It is true most quarterbacks are white guys? You don't have to be a scholar to know that.) Could they be coddling this guy because he is one of the few blacks quarterbacks? Maybe. But maybe he is just as a good a quarterback too. Dont follow sports that much so can't really give an informed opinion on it. But I think he based part of his opinion on the recent fallback with the black reporter at the NYTimes. Maybe such a thing does go one more than we care to admit?
Favoritism goes on everyday for a myriad of reasons..its part of human nature, I dont care what anybody says.
I do know they cant say anything about Michael Vick cause that guy is good! And the teams will make money from him whether is black or purple!
But Rush with this prescription drug thing...wow!! What is this?
posted on October 2, 2003 01:58:23 PM new
Talk radio star had drug habit, maid sez
By TRACY CONNOR
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Rush Limbaugh
Breaking news: Rush on the record
Talk-radio titan Rush Limbaugh is being investigated for allegedly buying thousands of addictive painkillers from a black-market drug ring.
The moralizing motormouth was turned in by his former housekeeper - who says she was Limbaugh's pill supplier for four years.
Wilma Cline, 42, says Limbaugh was hooked on the potent prescription drugs OxyContin, Lorcet and hydrocodone - and went through detox twice.
"There were times when I worried," Cline told the National Enquirer, which broke 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 yesterday, but her lawyer, Ed Shohat of Miami, said his client "stands behind the story."
The Daily News independently confirmed that Limbaugh is under investigation.
His lawyers, Jerry Fox and Dan Zachary, refused to comment on the accusations and said any "medical information" about him was private and not newsworthy.
They said Limbaugh - who has a top-rated syndicated radio show but resigned early today from a weekly ESPN football segment amid criticism of racial comments about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb - was traveling and had no comment.
The Palm Beach County state attorney's office, which is running the probe, said it could not confirm or deny the allegations.
Scoring in parking lot
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 to the conservative commentator 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 missive, Limbaugh pushed Cline to get more "little blues" - code for OxyContin, the powerful narcotic nicknamed hillbilly heroin, she said.
"You know how this stuff works ... the more you get used to, the more it takes," the May 2002 E-mail reads. "But I will try and cut down to help out."
The account Cline gave the Enquirer is that she became Limbaugh's drug connection in 1998, nine months after taking a housekeeping job at his Palm Beach mansion.
It started after her husband, David, hurt himself in a fall, and Limbaugh asked how he was.
"He asked me casually, 'Is he getting any pain medication?' I said, 'Yes - he's had surgery, and the doctor gave him hydro-codone 750,'" Cline said. "To my astonishment, he said, 'Can you spare a couple of them?'"
Husband's pills
Cline said she gave Limbaugh 10 pills the next day and agreed to give him 30 of her husband's pills each month. When the doctor stopped renewing the prescription in early 1999, Limbaugh allegedly went ballistic.
"His tone was nasty and bullying. He said, 'I don't care how or what you do, but you'd better - better! - get me some more,'" Cline said.
The housekeeper said she found a new supplier and arranged to hide Limbaugh's stashes under his mattress so his wife, Marta, wouldn't find them.
After several months, Limbaugh told her he was going to New York for detox and didn't need any more pills, Cline said.
But a month later, he said his left ear was hurting and asked her for hydrocodone, followed by an order for OxyContin.
Limbaugh, 52, suffered from autoimmune ear disease, a condition that left him deaf and had to be corrected with cochlear implant surgery two years ago.
Cline said she continued to make deliveries to Limbaugh even after she quit as his housekeeper in July 2001 - but he became increasingly paranoid, even patting her down for recording devices, she said.
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.
Feeling no pain
The drugs Rush Limbaugh is accused of abusing are legal only with a doctor's prescription. All are habit-forming.
Hydrocodone
Anti-cough agent and painkiller similar to morphine. Side effects include anxiety, poor mental performance, emotional dependence, drowsiness, mood changes, difficulty breathing and itchiness.
Lorcet
Brand name for the combination of Tylenol and hydrocodone, prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Side effects include dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, dizziness, tiredness, muscle twitches, sweating and itching.
OxyContin
Potent time-release medication for relief of moderate to severe pain, known as hillbilly heroin because of black-market popularity in some rural areas. Side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, sweating, muscle twitches and decreased sex drive. A large dose can be fatal.
"I am unaware of any investigation by any authorities involving me. No governmental representative has contacted me directly or indirectly. If my assistance is required in the future, I will, of course, cooperate fully." -Rush Limbaugh
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
posted on October 2, 2003 06:27:02 PM new
What ever happened to free speech? All Rush said was that liberal sportswriters are puffing up black quarterbacks, which is true. Limbaugh's enemies are spinning it to sound like he meant that blacks aren't capable of playing quarterback which is ridiculous. Donovan McNabb has been stinking up the place but if you dare to say so, you get branded a racist. We need black quarterbacks so let's ignore the fact that he sucks. Political correctness is getting out of control.
As for the drug use, I'm very surprised. I listen to Rush in the mornings while I get packages ready and I never noticed any symptoms of drug use. It's amazing that someone who took so many drugs could function so well.
posted on October 2, 2003 09:39:34 PM new
Auctionguy:
Pro-Sports is highly sensitive to the black athlete not being able to progress issue and probably rightly so. They've done alot of pieces on it concerning coaches, management, players, etc. Rush offered his opinion, but he didnt appreciate the core audience there. I think its funny they hired him to bring controversy and publicity and as soon as he accomplishes just that, he's gone!
But in my opinion, athletes are like the stocks. Some you invest in for performance; others for potential. He should have just said he didnt think the guy showed performance, nor showed potential(if thats what he thinks)and left the being black out of it. Maybe everyone does want to see a black quarterback succeed, an so what of it? Americans are infamous for wanting the underdog. But apparently you cant say its because he is black and there are hardly any black quarterbacks.
And btw,a lot of people 'function' addicted to pain killers. They can function for years!
posted on October 4, 2003 04:51:45 AM new
Kraft - I'd agree with you if he was an average drug addict. But to go on the air spouting off about how addicts should be rounded up and shipped off somewhere while he's taking Oxycontin just makes him come off as a hypocritical pompous as*.
Funny thing was, he got all twisted one day on the air about the government wanting to pull Oxycontin off the market because of how addictive it is. Hmmm....it all makes sense now!
If Tommy Chong gets sent to federal prison and fined $20,000 for selling pipes for "tobacco use", Rush should be sent for even longer. And then have to donate money and/or time to help other addicts.
posted on October 4, 2003 09:48:57 AM new
I don't know much about the Chong case, wasn't he arrested for selling paraphenila?
Ok, if Rush Limbaugh did these drugs, I don't know what the charge is, what I heard is that his maid, told the National Enquirer that he was, problem here, and we are not hearing anything, is that Rush is the one that could be in trouble, but all the news stories say that it was the maid and her husband that were buying it for him out on the black market. So thats ok now? You can buy it for someone, then turn that person in, and your free and clear?
I don't understand this one. No, it is wrong for him to be taking all that, but if she was the one out there buying it for him?...
(BTW I don't listen to Rush )
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posted on October 4, 2003 09:57:43 AM new
Yes, the paraphrenalia he was arrested for was the pipes at his corporation. They were retailed also in the head shops around here along with Grafix bongs, and a half a dozen other pipe mfg. If you mention the word pot or any of its synonyms, you are kicked out.
They basically used his past against him. "well you made the movies, so you must be doing something illegal"
As for Rush, he got out of hand, maid got concerned, went to an attorney, attorney called state asked for amnesty for maid and husband.
[ edited by clivebarkerfan on Oct 4, 2003 09:59 AM ]
posted on October 4, 2003 10:01:35 AM new
Thank you clivebarkerfan, I didn't know how that worked for the maid. The news didn't say anything about it where I am, just that she bought it for him (or her husband did)
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posted on October 4, 2003 05:55:05 PM new
Seems strange to me. I take hydrocodone and I can assure you it is not euphoric. In fact it is marginal for taking the edge of the pain I experience. I have to wonder if the man is in pain for some reason and not getting adaquate relief from his doctors. That is not an uncommon situation. The Feds are more than terrified someone may get addicted if their pain is relieved. I have to ask so what??
If you have to be addicted to something to be pain free sounds like a reasonable trade to me.
Oh - I forgot it's a righteousness issue too...
posted on October 4, 2003 06:44:44 PM new
Gravid, you bring up a very valid point. Must be many with "chronic" pain and would rather live with an addiction than the pain for the most part. I am sure even cancer patients get addicted to something, but what
The issue with Rush Limbaugh (and others who get addicted) I think, is they DON'T have chronic pain, but continue on this medication.
posted on October 4, 2003 06:50:40 PM new
Clive, I'm ALWAYS leary about people who "protest too much" about the evil of this or that to the nth degree. In more cases than not, they are guilty of the very thing they talk about.
If true, his (Limbaugh) credibility will be shot and his future audience will be the Jimmy Swaggart listeners. But, if he's really in pain of some sort, I feel very sorry for him that he's had to live this way.
gravid, and I hope you take this the right way, your pain level isn't normal. I have a feeling you could shoot yourself in the foot and it wouldn't hurt you, so a few of these pills might seem like aspirin to you, but the holy grail to others.
posted on October 4, 2003 07:06:02 PM new
neroter12 - And you know that how????
The issue with Rush Limbaugh (and others who get addicted) I think, is they DON'T have chronic pain, but continue on this medication.
Do you have inside knowledge about his medical condition to know he doesn't have chronic pain?
-------------
IF this story turns out to be true, I believe Rush is the type of man who will admit to his public, his problems. Right now he's most likely doing what an attorney has advised him to do. Keep quiet until he knows what, if any, charges he's facing. No charges have been made at this point, it's still in the investigative process.
Some are so quick to believe the accusation of a drug supplier/dealer, who was paid a six figure $$ amount by who, The National Inquirer??? How could this be? Only because he has become a well respected/believed opponent of the left? Does no one question why she wouldn't have gone directly to the police, rather than to the National Inquirer???
It may turn out he does/did have an addiction to one or more of those drugs. A poster here used one of those drugs. They're to give a little relief to unusual painful health problems. And if true, as reported, he has twice sought out drug therapy that does show he, at least, was trying to overcome a common problem many have....addiction to prescription drugs.
KD - I feel those who support him will continue to do so no matter whether he admits to a drug problem or not. Those who have always hated him, will continue to do so and will use this to further smear his reputation. And if the charges are found to be true, he may well be facing some jail time.
Right now....it's just accusations from a drug dealer.
posted on October 4, 2003 07:12:10 PM new
Not sure, isn't hydrocodone vicodin? But I heard on the news, it was hydrocodone, AND oxycontin. I've had oxycontin, and yeah thats a hefty dose of morphine (I believe its morphine) and since Vicodin made me sick, the oxycontin did get me a narcotic buzz!
Anyway, I get SPAM, I look, but never click, but once! I see all these 'online pharmacys' that advertise 'Get Vicodon, Valium etc' overnight! So I click on one to see if I could figure if it was legit or not, and they wanted $150 (plus shipping) for 60 Vicoden. That is probably 4 or 5x or more the price for a legitmate prescription at your pharmacy. But hey, if he really is hooked on these, I'm surprised he couldn't get them that way. Dunno, go figure. But then maybe they are phoney, don't know, would never try it!
Wanna Take a Ride? Art Bell is Back! Weekends on C2C-www.coasttocoastam.com
posted on October 4, 2003 08:41:50 PM new
Bear- Great picture!
Another important point is why did the maid go to the freakin NATIONAL ENQUIRER before the police? I'm not saying it isn't true- but she's not much of a witness.
Linda said: "IF this story turns out to be true, I believe Rush is the type of man who will admit to his public, his problems."
A couple years ago here in Dayton, Ohio we had the top local weatherman come forward and admit he had a cocaine addiction.
He had been to rehab was now fine. He prepared a bunch of anti-drug commercials for his TV station and was VERY apologetic. He appealed to his viewers for forgiveness, and overall did everything he could to stay in the good graces of everyone involved. He really did try to resolve the situation.
He was run out of the town so fast you could hear the wind blowing without his weather report. I never did hear whatever bacame of him.
My point is... Sometimes full disclosure is NOT a good thing.
-------------------
Replay Media
Games of all kinds!
[ edited by replaymedia on Oct 4, 2003 08:43 PM ]
posted on October 4, 2003 08:53:33 PM new
Yeah the National Enquirer.... is because they gave her... tada $50,000. which in real life, it ain't going to go far!
Wanna Take a Ride? Art Bell is Back! Weekends on C2C-www.coasttocoastam.com
posted on October 5, 2003 08:06:11 AM new
Maybe Rush *IS* an idiot. He let those two into his house?
Those pictures aren't helping the credibility of the witnesses either
Helenjw- You're a die-hard leftie. What's your take on this? I'm middle of the road, leaning toward the conservative side, and not a big fan of Rush. But I think this whole drug case is going to turn out to be a big nothing.
-------------------
Replay Media
Games of all kinds!
posted on October 5, 2003 08:50:58 AM new
replaymedia - Run out of town so fast....
Honesty sure didn't appear to work in his case.
But I was thinking more along the lines of how Bill [William] Bennett handled the 'smear campaign' against him. Of course, his gambling problem was legal.
It's left using their "hypocrisy stick" [phrase borrowed from an opinion article] on those who have weaknesses, who's political leanings are to the right, while continuing to overlook the weaknesses of those on the left.
Even defending the need for our tax dollars to be spent helping ALL those with drug dependencies....unless they're well known public figures who hold different political views than they do.
posted on October 5, 2003 08:59:49 AM newBut I think this whole drug case is going to turn out to be a big nothing.
I agree, replay. Rather than Limbaugh, the criminal investigation is focused on the illegal drug ring and the two who supplied Cline with drugs for Limbaugh.
Limbaugh's addiction began when he was treated for an ear disease with a highly addictive drug, Vicoden. Unfortunately, many physicians prescribe this drug for minor problems such as head aches.
posted on October 5, 2003 10:26:25 AM new
Replay & Linda - she didn't got to the Enquirer first, she went to an attorney who then had her wear a wire for the last two transactions. The whole reason the Enquirer knows the whole story is because they were contacted last. The 5 figure amount is only payable by the Enquirer if the story turns out true, plus its way less then what the Rush camp paid her off with. So if it was all about the money, she would've kept her mouth shut.
Chronic pain is one thing, doubt he was in it. And either way, if he was in so much pain, where are the legitimate prescriptions from HIS doctor???
His political views have no bearing on this. If his an addict, then he's a hypocrit because of what he's said. Nothing political there. Get him the help he needs and have him pay his dues.
to see if I could figure if it was legit or not, and they wanted $150 (plus shipping) for 60 Vicoden. That is probably 4 or 5x or more the price for a legitmate prescription at your pharmacy. But hey, if he really is hooked on these, I'm surprised he couldn't get them that way. Dunno, go figure. But then maybe they are phoney, don't know, would never try it!
