Leftists love Limbaugh's pain
By Scott Tibbs, October 16th, 2003
Barbara Simpson writes in World Net Daily, "Liberals love Limbaugh's pain". Unfortunately, Simpson appears to be right, at least for some on the Left. The "Rush" to judgment on Limbaugh is unfitting for civil political discourse.
Let's review the facts here. Limbaugh had back surgery, and rather than risk another operation, he decided to treat the pain with prescription painkiller OxyContin. Along the way, Limbaugh became addicted. The Herald-Times reported two years ago that the addictive properties of OxyContin presented a problem for doctors. Bloomington attorney Ken Nunn was running ads for people addicted to the drug to sue the drug's makers:
Bloomington injury lawyer Ken Nunn started running ads last week, seeking clients who believe they or their families have been harmed by the medication.
Nunn, who is looking to file individual lawsuits, not class-action suits, said he has found about two dozen such people so far, and some have compelling stories to tell.
One woman, he said, became addicted to OxyContin after having it prescribed for pain from cracked ribs. "This was a woman who never had a traffic ticket," he said. "She was so desperate she stole a pad and tried to forge a prescription."
Limbaugh isn't someone who was using drugs recreationally and then got hooked. He was using a prescription medication to treat a serious problem. It happens.
This is not something to joke about or laugh at. People do get addicted to prescription medication, and this is not a new phenomenon. In the late 1800's, the United States had a major problem with morphine addiction as the drug was used to treat pain. After the War Between the States, many Northern and Confederate soldiers became morphine addicts as they were treated for injuries suffered during the war. Instead of lambasting Limbaugh for his problem, people should be looking at the problem of people who get addicted to prescription painkillers and what can be done about it.
What we have here are some bitter people who, disliking Limbaugh's political views, are relishing in the opportunity to point out and attack him for his personal problems. Well, Limbaugh has been "outed". He is human, after all.
It is possible that Limbaugh broke the law to further his habit. If he did, he will have to face the consequences. I do not, however, believe that "throwing the book" at him is warranted. Putting people addicted to prescription medicines in jail is not the answer in a compassionate society. In the absence of serious crimes, Limbaugh (and anyone else in his situation) needs treatment, not punishment.
I don't know if Rush is a believer, but I do know he needs our prayers right now. He has mine.
