Rush Limbaugh's Hypocrisy --
Where to Start?

Everyone knows the name Rush Limbaugh.  This rightwing gasbag is the granddaddy of "talk show hosts."  He holds forth daily, nationwide, on the favorite rightwing rant of the day. 

• Rush upholds "family values" in the face of "liberal" immorality.

• He attack drug users, drug dealers, and the "liberal" judges who do not sentence users and dealers to long prison terms.

• Rush wraps himself in the flag and turns loose his attack dogs on anyone who is not a "patriot" -- by his definition of patriotism.

Yet, the truth about Rush is the same as the truth about many other rightwing blowhards:  All talk, all hypocrisy.  Here are the facts about Rush's family values, drug use, and patriotism.

• Rush has been married and divorced three times.  So much for Mr. Sanctity-of-Marriage.

• Rush is addicted to oxycontin, a powerful prescription painkiller.  He has stayed out of jail only because of his wealth and his lawyers.  Anyone other than Rush would have gone to jail long ago.

• Rush has never served a day in uniform.  In fact, when he became eligible for the draft during the Vietnam War, Rush was able to gain a draft deferment through his family doctor's certification that he had a boil on his ass.  This is not a joke.

Let's examine Rush's family values, drug use, and draft dodging.

Rush's Family Values

Let's compare the myth with the reality.  Here is the myth, a quote from Rush's book See I Told You so:

"We must become a people who believe in something-- a people of conviction. . . .  Few Americans would disagree that some of the most serious problems facing America today-- crime, drug abuse, AIDS, teenage pregnancy, child abuse, and so on-- all result from a breakdown of values. But don't get hung up on labels here. Call it family values, traditional values, or whatever you want; what is important is that conservatives capitalize on this opportunity for them to explain that traditional functional values are what make a society work-- what hold it together."

And here is the reality of what Rush really believes:

Rush Limbaugh Ending His Third Marriage
Fri Jun 11, 2004 08:07 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh said on Friday that he and his third wife, Marta, had mutually decided to end their marriage of 10 years.

A statement issued through Los Angeles-based public relations firm Sitrick and Company said the Limbaughs "have separated pending an amicable resolution." It was not clear whether either party had formally filed for divorce.

A spokesman at Sitrick declined to provide further details.

Limbaugh and his third wife, a former aerobics instructor he met on the
Internet, were married in May 1994 at the home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in a ceremony officiated by Thomas himself.

His two previous marriages ended in divorce.

Word of Limbaugh's latest marital difficulties come as the outspoken radio personality has come under investigation by prosecutors in Palm Beach County, Florida, where he lives, over allegations of illegal doctor-shopping for painkillers.

Limbaugh, 53, who has not been charged, admitted in October of last year to becoming addicted to prescription painkillers he took for back pain. He took a five-week break from his syndicated radio show to check into a drug rehabilitation center.

Divorced three times, in rehab for drug abuse.  I don't know about you, but this record does not reflect my family's values -- and we are liberal Democrats.

Rush Limbaugh, Addict

I live in a small city in Central Appalachia.  Oxycontin abuse is an epidemic in our region.  I will not discuss the pharmacology and addictive nature of oxy here -- go to your favorite search engine and search for "oxycontin" and "abuse of oxycontin."

Here's what happens to normal people who do what Rush did

Oxy is a powerful pain medication, often prescribed for patients with painful cancer or with other persistent, debilitating pain.  Because oxy is legal, obtaining fairly large quantities is not difficult.  All it takes is a friendly pharmacist or two, a stack of prescription pads, or "doctor shopping."  The latter is usually what happens -- someone who wants a steady supply of oxycontin will go from doctor to doctor, obtaining from each one a prescription for oxycontin which they fill at different pharmacies.  By making the rounds of doctors and pharmacists, the addict can keep a steady supply coming in for some time.

Almost every week I see a story in my local newspaper describing one or more people from the mountain counties of central Appalachia being convicted for oxycontin abuse or for obtaining oxy under false pretenses.  It is not uncommon for pharmacists or even a physician or two to be convicted of aiding the abuse and illegal traffic in oxycontin. 

This is why I was interested in Rush Limbaugh's episode with oxycontin abuse -- he did exactly what people in my area go to jail for doing -- "doctor shopping."  Yet, Rush served not a minute in the slammer -- he went to a fancy rehab center for 30 days and that's that.  Later, when Rush's local prosecutor attempted to subpoena his medical records to investigate Rush's doctor shopping, his lawyers quashed the subpoena.  All of which gives the lie to Rush's claim that he is just an ordinary citizen who calls it like he sees it -- let's face facts -- Rush Limbaugh is a rich, pampered drug addict who is free because of his millions of dollars and his attorneys.  If Rush were a hillbilly from McDowell County, West Virginia, his trial would have taken ten minutes and his term would be years in jail.

I did a Google search for "sentenced possession oxycontin" -- you might be surprised to see some of these sentences.  Many are both for possession and "possession with intent to distribute," which is a common charge when large amounts of contraband are found. Certainly dealing in "thousands of pills, over several years," like Rush did, would involve this charge, as well as simple possession)  Just a few, from over 1,210 search results:

"BROOKS and RUSSELL each face a statutory maximum sentence of 60 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $6,000,000. They are scheduled to be sentenced on November 25, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. at the federal courthouse in Abingdon." [LINK]

"BARTON faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 80 years in prison up to a maximum penalty of life in prison and fines of up to $3 million when he is sentenced November 10. ALALUSI faces a statutory maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million when she is sentenced November 3."
[LINK]

"He also was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison for illegal acquisition and distribution of OxyContin." [LINK] Tuesday, September 2, 2003

"A federal jury Thursday convicted Lockwood resident Jack Glendale Standley on two charges that he distributed OxyContin, a strong prescription painkiller, but acquitted him of two other drug counts. Standley, 72, faces up to 30 years in prison and a $2 million fine on the distribution convictions." [LINK]

And Rush got 30 days in rehab.  Spit.

Rush on drug addiction:  Hypocrisy in action

Here are a few Rush quotes on drug addicts and what should happen to them -- just more evidence of this gasbag's hypocrisy.

"Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs. And the laws are good because we know what happens to people in societies and neighborhoods which become consumed by them. 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. October 5, 1995 show transcript.
http://www.takebackthemedia.com/gophotwrush.html

"What this says to me is that too many whites are getting away with drug use, too many whites are getting away with drug sales, too many whites are getting away with trafficking in this stuff. The answer to this disparity is not to start letting people out of jail because we're not putting others in jail who are breaking the law. The answer is to go out and find the ones who are getting away with it, convict them and send them up the river, too."
-- Rush Limbaugh. October 5, 1995 show transcript.
http://www.takebackthemedia.com/gophotwrush.html

"It's kind of like sentencing. A lot of people say that we have a heavy sentence for this crime and a light sentence for another crime, and what we ought to do is reduce the heavy sentence so it's more in line with the other. Wrong. In most cases we ought to increase the light sentence and make it compatible with the heavy sentence, and be serious about punishment because we are becoming too tolerant as a society, folks, especially of crime, in too many parts of the country."
-- Rush Limbaugh. October 5, 1995 show transcript.
http://www.takebackthemedia.com/gophotwrush.html

What the DEA says about oxycontin abuse

In case you, like Rush, believe that the illegal pharmaceutical trade is somehow cleaner and more sanitized than other drugs, this is what the DEA has to say about Oxycontin (the pills Rush was popping). This is all from their own website -- just put in "Oxycontin" in their search engine if you want to see for yourself.

"With the abuse of OxyContin on the rise, law enforcement authorities throughout the United States are reporting an increase in the number of burglaries, thefts, and robberies of pharmacies and residences. According to authorities, homes are being robbed and individuals are being targeted for their supplies of OxyContin. In some pharmacy thefts, only OxyContin is stolen."

"Illicit OxyContin distribution is not limited to localized distributors as it also includes polydrug trafficking organizations. In the northeastern United States, a gang operating in southern Maine and New Hampshire obtained controlled substances, primarily OxyContin, using forged, stolen, and altered prescriptions. The drugs were illegally obtained from local pharmacies using cash and insurance cards. Gang members redistributed the drugs throughout areas in the Northeast."

"On December 9, 2001, nine armed individuals wearing masks stole over 30,000 bottles of OxyContin from a pharmaceutical distributor in Mexico City. Each bottle contained 30 tablets of the 20-mg dose."

"In Portland, two armed men broke into an apartment and stole the tenant's legitimate supply of OxyContin. In the town of Millinocket, intruders broke into an elderly couple's home to steal their supply of OxyContin. The intruders fled without the OxyContin after the couple put up a struggle."

"On January 7, 2002, the Cliff House Nursing Home in Winthrop was robbed by 2 armed men who held 6 nurses and 40 patients at gunpoint while demanding all of their OxyContin."

And here's a few choice words from Asa Hutchinson, DEA Administrator:

"OxyContin® has become the number one prescribed Schedule II narcotic in the United States. Increasing abuse of OxyContin® has led to an increase of associated criminal activity."

"In the FY 2003 President's Budget, DEA is requesting $24,616,000 and 133 positions to strengthen its enforcement capabilities to prevent, detect, and investigate the diversion of controlled substances, particularly OxyContin®."

"When, in a 6-month period, the Boston area experienced 36 robberies of pharmacies involving the forcible acquisition of stocked OxyContin supplies, our alarm increases."

Rush Limbaugh:  Draft-dodger claiming to be a patriot

When Rush Limbaugh first came of draft age he held a 2-S (college deferment) Selective Service System classification as a student at Southeast Missouri State University in 1969-70. After he dropped out of college at the end of his first year he no longer qualified for a student deferment and was subject to being reclassified as 1-A (available immediately for military service) and drafted. Selective Service System records show that Limbaugh was reclassified as 1-Y (qualified for service only in time of [declared] war or national emergency) on 24 November 1970, which effectively ended his draft eligibility and ensured that he would not be called for service.

What was the basis of Limbaugh's 1-Y classification? The Selective Service System records still available indicate that the classification was not assigned on psychological or moral grounds, but because of a physical problem. And since there are no records indicating that Limbaugh was ever examined by a physician at an Armed Forces Entrance Examining Station (i.e., he never underwent a pre-induction physical), the 1-Y classification was almost certainly assigned based on a report Limbaugh had his own doctor prepare and submit to his draft board.

What was the physical problem that disqualified Rush Limbaugh from the draft? Limbaugh biographer Paul D. Colford notes that:

As for Limbaugh himself, the broadcaster stated that he was not drafted during the Vietnam War because he had been classified 4-F after a physical found that he had an "inoperable pilonidal cyst" and "a football knee from high school." He added: "I made no effort to evade it or avoid it."²

(Technically, Limbaugh's classification during his primary year of draft eligibility was 1-Y, not 4-F; he was only reclassified as 4-F after the 1-Y classification was abolished on 10 December 1971.)

Which of the two stated medical reasons was the primary one behind Limbaugh's 1-Y classification is difficult to determine directly since individual medical files held by his draft board have long since been destroyed. Some, such as Limbaugh biographer Paul Colford, imply that Limbaugh's knee injury was minor or non-existent:

Asked about Limbaugh's "football knee from high school," [Ryland] Meyr, the coach during his lone year of play, said he did not remember any injury.²

However, that Limbaugh did indeed have a pilonidal cyst seems indisputable, as he himself, his mother, and his brother all maintain that he did:

Yet, for all his father's patriotism, and deep-rooted fear of Communism, Rusty (Rush) did not enlist to preserve those ideals. The official explanation, David Limbaugh said, is that Rush had a student deferment and, like his father, had a pilonidal cyst on his ass which qualified him for a medical deferment.³

Limbaugh's mother said in 1993 that she did not know if her son had a physical or not, but she added that he did have a pilonidal cyst like his father.²

And a pilonidal cyst was indeed a legitimately disqualifying condition:

According to the Military Entrance Processing Command, a pilonidal cyst was then and is today a so-called "disqualifying condition" for induction. It's a congenital incomplete closure of the neural groove at the base of the spinal cord in which excess tissue and hair may collect and cause discomfort and discharge. The malady can be corrected by surgery, but short of that it is viewed by the military as a needless risk amid unsanitary conditions in the field.²

Limbaugh critics have maintained that his pilonidal cyst was a "simple-to-treat condition" easily corrected through minor surgery, and that it was not a legitimately debilitating condition that precluded his serving in the armed forces but simply an excuse he seized upon to avoid military service.

That the disqualifying condition was a pilonidal cyst and not a bad knee seems to be borne out by Limbaugh's own comments on his draft status:

Limbaugh's draft status arose during a 1992 appearance at the 92nd Street YM-YWHA in Manhattan. ABC newsman Jeff Greenfield, acting as moderator . . . posed to Limbaugh a written question from the audience about whether he had ever served in the military.

In response, Limbaugh chose his words slowly and cautiously. He seemed to be saying that he had not known ahead of time that whatever physical condition he had in 1970 would free him from draft consideration.

"I had student deferments in college and, upon taking a physical, was discovered to have a physical -- uh, by virtue of what the military says, I didn't even know it existed -- a physical deferment and then the lottery system came along, when they chose your lot by birthdate, and mine was high. And I did not want to go -- just as Governor Clinton didn't."²

It's highly unlikely that Limbaugh only "discovered" he had a high school football knee injury several years after the fact or was unaware that a bad knee was reason for a physical deferment, so the pilonidal cyst is the far more probable explanation.

The lottery issue is largely irrelevant since Limbaugh's 1-Y classification precluded his being drafted no matter how high or low his birthdate came up in the lottery. In the event, Limbaugh's birth date was selected 152nd in the 1970 draft lottery, and since the highest lottery number ultimately called for this group was 125, he wouldn't have been drafted in 1971 no matter what his classification.

When asked about this issue nowadays, Limbaugh dismisses it as "Internet BS," as in this excerpt from a transcript of a December 2002 call to his radio program:

CALLER: And Rush you never mentioned how you dodged the Vietnam draft.

LIMBAUGH: I didn't.

CALLER: Yes, you did. You claimed you had a boil on your butt . . .

LIMBAUGH: No, you see, that’s part of popular mythology that is out there that I have not whined nor complained about, Greg. But that is just a bunch of internet BS and hyperbole. Never happened. Was not the cause, wasn’t the case.

These kinds of responses, provided by Limbaugh on his show and available on the rushlimbaugh.com web site, are unconvincing and dissembling. Why not just give a straightforward answer to the question? After all, "I had a knee injury" is a simple explanation (and hardly an embarrassing one), but dismissing the issue as "Internet BS" and railing against "Internet conspiracy theories" sound too much like the response of someone who is evading the question. Instead, Limbaugh provides non-responsive "answers" when queries are posed by quickly steering the focus away from himself and claiming that "the message is that unless you've been a member of the military, you have no right to support it" (which isn't the message at all -- the message is about whether it's hypocritical for those who escaped the draft to criticize others who did) but doesn't address the issue of his own draft status in the least.

There is, of course, a huge difference between draft evasion (or "draft dodging") and draft avoidance: The former involves the use of unethical or illegal means (e.g., bribing a doctor to falsify a medical report, fleeing the country) to escape military service; the latter involves taking advantage of established legal means (e.g., college deferments, conscientious objector status) to avoid or delay military service. The issue discussed here is clearly not one of draft evasion, and the matter of who is justified in criticizing whom for not serving in Vietnam is a gray area to be hashed out in the public arena. The only conclusions drawn here are that Rush Limbaugh was ineligible for the draft due to a physical condition, that he had a pilonidal cyst, and that if there's an explanation for his draft status other than the cyst, he has yet to offer it.

Of course, none of this stopped Rush from denouncing Bill Clinton as a "draft dodger."  Clinton dropped out of the ROTC program at the University of Arkansas.  When he graduated from U of A, Clinton was then eligible to be drafted.  He was not drafted because he had a high lottery number and likely would never have been drafted -- none of which Limbaugh points out.

Sources:

 1.   Engel, Matthew.   "Chicken Hawks."

    The Guardian.   20 August 2002.

2.   Colford, Paul D.   The Rush Limbaugh Story.

    New York: St. Martin's Press, 1993.   ISBN 0-312-09906-1   (pp. 14-20).

3.   Arkush, Michael.   Rush!

    New York: Avon Books, 1993.   ISBN 0-380-77539-5   (p. 29).

4.    Franken, Al.   Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot.

    New York: Delacorte Press, 1996.   ISBN 0-385-31474-4.

Rush Limbaugh:  Typical rightwing liar

And there you have it, folks.  The radical reactionary rightwing in America has convinced us that we liberals are immoral, addicted, traitors -- when, in fact, the heroes of the rightwing have a lot of skeletons in their closets that need to be dragged out and exposed.  Rush Limbaugh is an example of the hypocrisy and lies that make of the vast rightwing propaganda machine. 

Limbaugh links

http://pssht.com/biography/rush_limbaugh.html

"Too many whites are getting away with drug use. Find the ones who are getting away with it, convict them, and send them up the river." -- Rush Limbaugh

Do you think he regrets saying this now? Probably not. In his defense of himself, he was quick to point out that he was addicted to "prescription" medication, as though that somehow makes it better, which, considering that it wasn't HIS prescription, it doesn't.

here's a misperception out there that being addicted to pharmaceuticals is somehow less immoral or less illegal than being addicted to "street drugs." Kind of like how robbing your employees' 401K plan is a "classier" crime than robbing a 7-11. But you know what? They are both robbery. And sending your housekeeper out to make illegal buys of prescription medication is still a crime.

Well, well, well... So the abuse of OxyContin leads to an increase in criminal activity, huh? Thanks for the extra crime, Rush! Jeez, the theft of 30,000 bottles in Mexico City might have been for Rush ALONE, considering the rate he was chewing these things at. Maybe soon we'll see Rush in a series of commercials . . . I can just picture it now:

"I helped hold up an elderly couple."

"I helped gangs make money."

"I committed the armed robbery of a pharmaceutical distributor."

"I held up a nursing home at gunpoint."

"I'm Rush Limbaugh and my OxyContin addiction helped support terrorism."

As much as I despise Rush, however, I agree that he clearly has an addiction, and should be treated as such. And I'll even forgive him for saying all drug users should be locked up -- as long as he learns a lesson here and stops advocating throwing people in jail for the very crimes he is committing. An addiction is a medical problem, and not one that will be solved by locking a person in a cell. We all know that we should only lock people up for SERIOUS crimes, like say... selling bongs over the internet.