Annals of Hypocrisy: Rush Limbaugh
30 April 2006 |permalink | email article
Famous people are often treated differently than most of us when they get in trouble. Consider the case of Rush Limbaugh, the conservative talk-show radio host, who was charged with prescription drug fraud, pleaded not guilty and made a deal Friday in Florida to avoid prosecution on whether he improperly used painkillers.
An iconic conservative voice since the mid-80ís, heís played a central role both in rallying support for the Republican sweep of Congress in 1994, in leading the drum beat to impeach President Bill Clinton in 1998 and regularly demonizing Democrats.
Limbaughís arrogant posture has long set the tone for a generation of extreme conservative television and radio hosts - and yes, wing-nut bloggers ñ for absolute legal, moral and political certainty on every issue affecting the body politic.
In October 1995, Limbaugh said on his former television show that ìif 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.î
In 2003, Florida law enforcement officials began a three-year investigation of Limbaugh after a tabloid report quoted his maid as saying that she had helped him obtain OxyContin, a time-release narcotic. That October he said on the air that he was addicted to painkiller and would enter a rehabilitation program which he did.
Rush got a sweetheart deal in avoiding a criminal conviction with prosecutors agreeing to drop the fraud charge in 18 months if he agrees complies with all the court guidelines. “They slapped his hand and thatís all,î said Debra Opri, a celebrity lawyer and frequent television analyst. ìHe doesnít have to stand trialÖand thatís it. He walks.î
Itís Limbaughís rant about cracking down on drug users and his own actions that should raise questions about hypocrisy among his devoted but brainwashed fans.
(First in an occasional series)
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