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Line 28: − + − − On October 3, 2003 the ''[[National Enquirer]]'' reported that Limbaugh was being investigated for illegally obtaining the prescription drugs [[oxycodone]] and hydrocodone. Other news outlets quickly confirmed the investigation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Candiotti|first=Susan|title=Limbaugh mostly mum on reports of drug probe|publisher=CNN|date=2003-10-03|url= http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/News/10/03/rush.drugs/}}</ref> He admitted to listeners on his radio show on October 10 that he was addicted to prescription painkillers and stated that he would enter inpatient treatment for 30 days, immediately after the broadcast.<ref>{{cite news|author= George Bennett & John Pacenti|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/news/limbaugh/101103_limbaugh.html|title= Talk host Limbaugh to enter drug rehab|publisher=[[Palm Beach Post]]|page=1A|date=2003-10-11}}</ref> Limbaugh stated his addiction to painkillers resulted from several years of severe back pain heightened by a botched surgery intended to correct those problems. − − A subsequent investigation into whether Limbaugh had violated Florida's doctor shopping laws was launched by the Palm Beach County|Palm Beach State Attorney, which raised privacy issues when investigators seized Limbaugh's private medical records looking for evidence of crimes. On November 9, 2005, following two years of investigations, Assistant State Attorney James L. Martz requested the court to set aside Limbaugh's doctor-patient [[confidentiality]] rights and allow the state to question his physicians, stating it was necessary because "I have no idea if Mr. Limbaugh has completed the elements of any offense yet."<ref>{{cite news | date= November 9, 2005 | title= Prosecutors Push to Speak with Limbaugh Doctors | publisher= The Palm Beach Post | pages=3B}}</ref> Limbaugh's attorney opposed the prosecutor's efforts to interview his doctors on the basis of patient privacy rights, and argued that the prosecutor had violated Limbaugh's Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourth Amendment]] rights by illegally seizing his medical records. The American Civil Liberties Union issued a statement in agreement and filed an [[amicus curiae]] brief in support of Limbaugh.<ref>{{cite news | date= January 13, 2004 | title= Improbable ally joins Limbaugh privacy fight | publisher= The St. Petersburg Times | pages=1B}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclufl.org/news_events/?action=viewRelease&emailAlertID=41 |title=Palm Beach Appeals Court to Hear Argument in Limbaugh Medical Records Case |publisher=Aclufl.org |date=April 7, 2004 |location=WEST PALM BEACH |accessdate=2008-11-09}}</ref> On December 12, 2005, [[Judge]] David F. Crow delivered a ruling prohibiting the State of Florida from questioning Limbaugh's physicians about "the medical condition of the patient and any information disclosed to the health care practitioner by the patient in the course of the care and treatment of the patient."<ref>{{cite news | date= December 13, 2005| title= Judge Limits Limbaugh Inquiry|publisher= The Palm Beach Daily News|page=1}}</ref> − − On April 28, 2006, Limbaugh and his attorney, Roy Black (attorney)|Roy Black, went to the Palm Beach County Jail to surrender after a warrant was issued for his arrest on the charge of doctor shopping.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200605010011 |title=Lowry, Newsweek attacked media for reporting that Limbaugh was "arrested" |publisher=Media Matters |date=May 1, 2006 |accessdate=2008-11-09}}</ref> According to Teri Barbera, spokeswoman for the Sheriff, during his arrest, Limbaugh was [[arrest|booked]], photographed, and fingerprinted, but not handcuffed. He was then released after about an hour on $3,000 [[bail]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/28/national/main1561324.shtml |title=Rush Limbaugh Arrested On Drug Charges, Conservative Radio Commentator Turns Himself In But Claims Innocence |publisher=CBS News |date= |accessdate=2008-11-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/28/ldt.01.html |title=LOU DOBBS TONIGHT|work=LOU DOBBS TONIGHT |format=Transcript |publisher=CNN.com |date=April 28, 2006 |accessdate=2008-11-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/04/28/limbaugh.booked/index.html |title=Rehab, $30,000 to keep Limbaugh out of court|publisher=CNN.com |date=April 29, 2006 |accessdate=2008-11-09}}</ref> After his surrender, he filed a "not guilty" plea to the charge. Prosecutors agreed to drop the charge if Limbaugh paid $30,000 to defray the cost of the investigation and completed an 18-month therapy regimen with his physician.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/menu/rushwire/settlement_agreement_ends_state_investigation_of_rush_limbaugh.guest.html | date= April 28, 2006 | title= Settlement Agreement Ends State Investigation of Rush Limbaugh | publisher= RushLimbaugh.com}}</ref> − − Limbaugh asserted that the state's settlement agreement resulted from a lack of evidence supporting the charge of doctor shopping. Under the terms of the agreement, Limbaugh may not own a firearm for eighteen months and must continue to submit to random drug testing, which he acknowledges having undergone since 2003.<ref>{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Skoloff| url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/limbaugh_painkillers;_ylt=AoXk6dXtazOH3nAUdJKIsQys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--|date=2006-05-01 | publisher= Associated Press | title= Limbaugh Facing Drug Tests Under Deal}}</ref> − − Previously, Limbaugh has condemned illegal drug use on his radio broadcast and has stated that those convicted of drug crimes should be sent to jail.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/28/national/main1561324.shtml</ref><ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12536446/</ref> − − Roy Black, one of Limbaugh's attorneys, stated that "Rush Limbaugh was singled out for prosecution because of who he is. We believe the state attorney's office is applying a double standard."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/01/04/State/Limbaugh_may_face_a_r.shtml | date=2004-01-04 | publisher= [[Associated Press]] | title= Limbaugh may face a rarely used charge}}</ref> − − In June 2006, Limbaugh was detained by drug enforcement agents at Palm Beach International Airport. Customs officials confiscated Viagra from Limbaugh's luggage as he was returning from the [[Dominican Republic]]. The prescription was not in Limbaugh's name. − − After he was released with no charges filed, Limbaugh joked about the incident on his radio show, claiming that he got the Viagra at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park|Clinton Library and was told they were blue M&M's. He also stated that "I had a great time in the Dominican Republic. Wish I could tell you about it."<ref>{{cite web|title=Rush Limbaugh Detained With Viagra|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/27/national/main1753947.shtml|date=2006-06-27|accessdate=2008-09-30|publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> +
rv copy-paste job
Asking rhetorically what [[God]] has in common with Obama, Limbaugh said, "Neither has a birth certificate." <ref>[http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=100717 Rush Limbaugh pummels Obama on birth certificate] WND, June 10, 2009</ref> He went on to say "God does not think he's Obama," and "Liberals love Obama." Limbaugh explained more differences, "Another difference is that God only demands to be worshiped once a week," and "God asks for only 10 percent of your money", and "God gives you freedom to live your life as you choose."
Asking rhetorically what [[God]] has in common with Obama, Limbaugh said, "Neither has a birth certificate." <ref>[http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=100717 Rush Limbaugh pummels Obama on birth certificate] WND, June 10, 2009</ref> He went on to say "God does not think he's Obama," and "Liberals love Obama." Limbaugh explained more differences, "Another difference is that God only demands to be worshiped once a week," and "God asks for only 10 percent of your money", and "God gives you freedom to live your life as you choose."
== Prescription drug addiction ==
== Painkiller addiction ==
On October 6, 2003 Limbaugh told his audience he was addicted to OxyContin and other painkillers citing a failed back surgery as the cause of his pain and subsequent dependence. <ref>The Rush Limbaugh Show, October 6, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/10/10/rush.limbaugh/ "Limbaugh admits addiction to pain medication"</ref> Limbaugh underwent treatment for his addiction, and criminal charges against him for alleged "doctor shopping" to procure prescription medications were dropped on the condition that he continue treatment for his addiction.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/28/national/main1561324.shtml</ref>
== Sports ==
== Sports ==