Difference between revisions of "Rush Limbaugh"

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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."
  
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== Painkiller addiction ==
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== Prescription drug addiction ==
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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.
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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>
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[[File:Rush Limbaugh.jpg|thumb|Limbaugh's booking photo from the [[Palm Beach County]] Sheriff's Office following his April 2006 fraud arrest]]
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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>
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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>
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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>
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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>
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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.
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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>
  
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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 ==
  

Revision as of 16:09, December 28, 2009

Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh (born January 12, 1951) is a conservative American radio talk show host and author. Limbaugh has risen to the top of the ratings heap as an intensely conservative voice in a talk radio media environment dominated by conservatives. In his sharp criticisms of the Obama Administration Limbaugh secured his position as one of the de facto leaders of the Republican opposition. Historians compare his role to Walter Winchell, a radio commentator of the 1930s-1950s era.

Radio

Limbaugh started young. By the age of seventeen, he was already a dedicated disc jockey, hosting a radio show in his hometown of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He dropped out of college after his freshman year to pursue work full-time as a DJ, and got his big break in 1984, when KFBK in Sacramento hired him to host a talk show that reveled in controversy about conservative politics. His program was widely syndicated and by 1994 he was the number one talk-show host in the country. In 2001, he re-negotiated his contract for eight more years, for $285 million, a radio record. Surgery overcame a disease that left him nearly deaf in 2001.

Limbaugh hosts a radio show famed for its incisive criticism of the follies of liberalism. He is often at odds with liberal activist Al Franken, who wrote a book entitled "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot". Limbaugh habitually refers to feminists who support abortion as feminazis and to his own self as having "talent on loan from God". Sensitive about his own schooling, he ridicules the college educated as the "Arts & Croissant Crowd."

Limbaugh's conservative talk show is nationally syndicated and averages over 16 million listeners weekly, making him the #1 radio talk show host in America. [1] In July 2008, Rush announced "he has renewed his contract with Premiere Radio Networks and Clear Channel Radio, continuing syndication of his show 'many years into the future.'" [2]

Politics

Limbaugh endorsed Mitt Romney for the 2008 Presidential Election. [3] He was often critical of John McCain during the Republican primaries, but supported him in the general election.

Limbaugh has warned against false prophets, telling his audience in 1996 that, "You are being manipulated in a way that I find very bothersome." "Pat Buchanan is not a conservative. He's a populist."[4].

Obama to Fail

Limbaugh made national headlines when he was asked to write 400 words for a newspaper column about Obama's plans. He said he didn't need 400 words, he needed just four: "I hope he fails." He immediately came under attack as an unpatriotic obstructionist. What Limbaugh actually meant to say in four words, according to the show's transcript was, if Obama is for socialist policies and against capitalist policies, of course he could not support those policies, and hoped he would fail. [5]

Limbaugh addressed CPAC and further discussed his stance that generated so much attention. [6]

“ "Did the Democrats want the war in Iraq to fail? Well, they certainly did. And they not only wanted the war in Iraq to fail, they proclaimed it a failure. ... The last thing they wanted was to win. They hoped George Bush failed. So where is it -- what is so strange about being honest and saying, I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to restructure and reform this country so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation? Why would I want that to succeed?" ”

Republican National Chairman Michael Steele called Limbaugh an "entertainer" whose comments were "incendiary" and "ugly," and Limbaugh counterattacked Steele's fitness to run the party. A Gallup poll in May 2009 on who was the main voice of the GOP found Limbaugh leading the pack at 13%, with Steele trailing at 1%.

Audience

Limbaugh's fans enjoy his bluster and bombast, but behind it there is a substantive defense of a coherent political philosophy. He makes politics engaging and entertaining, producing an audience more eager to seek out other sources of information. Limbaugh "dittoheads" consume more print news than do non-listeners. Like Fox News viewers, Limbaugh fans are more likely to tune in to presidential debates. Far from making people cynical or indifferent toward public affairs, Limbaugh reinforces his audience's disposition to participate in the political process.[7]

Conservative Republicans are in his audience, but educational attainment, family income, and race do not predict who listens. Listening to Limbaugh is significantly correlated with public affairs information. He is not merely an entertainer and people who listen to him regularly are very well informed on public affairs. However, his radio audience is smaller than the TV audiences of conservative commentators Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity.[8]

Poking fun at Obama liberals

Newsweek editor Evan Thomas said on MSNBC's "Hardball" that Obama was "sort of God."

Asking rhetorically what God has in common with Obama, Limbaugh said, "Neither has a birth certificate." [9] 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

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.[10] 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.[11] 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."[12] 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.[13][14] 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."[15]

File:Rush Limbaugh.jpg
Limbaugh's booking photo from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office following his April 2006 fraud arrest

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.[16] According to Teri Barbera, spokeswoman for the Sheriff, during his arrest, Limbaugh was booked, photographed, and fingerprinted, but not handcuffed. He was then released after about an hour on $3,000 bail.[17][18][19] 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.[20]

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.[21]

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.[22][23]

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."[24]

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."[25]

Sports

Limbaugh is an avid sports fan, particularly football. He briefly held a position as a commentator on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown pre-game show. He resigned from the show on October 2, 2006 after comments made regarding Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb received widespread criticism.


“ "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team." ”

After McNabb's response, "It's sad that you've got to go to skin color. I thought we were through with that whole deal," significant pressure was put upon Limbaugh to resign. [26]

Other Media Work

The Limbaugh Letter is a monthly publication that contains conservative articles and humor in Rush's style.

Limbaugh is involved in the conservative satire show "The 1/2 Hour News Hour" show on the Fox News Channel. [27]

Rush occasionally writes op-ed pieces for the Wall Street Journal.


The Harry Reid Letter

On October 2, 2007, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wrote a letter to Mark P. Mays, President and CEO of Clear Channel Communications, who is Limbaugh's chief patron. In it Senator Reid essentially demanded that Mays order Limbaugh to apologize for remarks he made concerning "phony soldiers."[28] A phony soldier is someone who is not a soldier at all but is pretending to be one, especially in a public forum. Such activity is unlawful, and the faker whose activity prompted Limbaugh's attacks has since been convicted and punished.[29] This letter was co-signed by nearly all Democratic senators. In a speech in Philadelphia on October 11th, Limbaugh announced plans to sell the original letter on eBay in a charity auction. The proceeds went to the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. The letter sold for $2.1 million and Limbaugh matched the winning amount with a total of $.2 million being donated. [30]

Quotes

  • "You know why there's a Second Amendment? In case the government fails to follow the first one." - Rush Limbaugh, 17 Aug 1993

References

  1. ↑ The Top Talk Radio Audiences Talkers magazine online
  2. ↑ Rush Renews Contract, Human Events, July, 2, 2008
  3. ↑ Limbaugh Endorses Romney, Melanie Hunter, CNSNews, February 05, 2008
  4. ↑ See Robin Toner, "Radio Talk Show Host Fears For True Conservatism's Fate," New York Times Feb. 23, 1996
  5. ↑ Limbaugh radio show transcript.
  6. ↑ Limbaugh the Leader? Obama Chief of Staff Fox News, March 01, 2009
  7. ↑ Jamieson and Cappella (2008)
  8. ↑ Stephen Earl Bennett, " Who Listens to Rush Limbaugh's Radio Program and the Relationship Between Listening to Limbaugh and Knowledge of Public Affairs, 1994-2006," Journal of Radio & Audio Media, May 2009, Vol. 16 Issue 1, p66-82, in EBSCO
  9. ↑ Rush Limbaugh pummels Obama on birth certificate WND, June 10, 2009
  10. ↑ Candiotti, Susan. "Limbaugh mostly mum on reports of drug probe", CNN, 2003-10-03. 
  11. ↑ George Bennett & John Pacenti. "Talk host Limbaugh to enter drug rehab", Palm Beach Post, 2003-10-11, p. 1A. 
  12. ↑ "Prosecutors Push to Speak with Limbaugh Doctors", The Palm Beach Post, November 9, 2005, pp. 3B. 
  13. ↑ "Improbable ally joins Limbaugh privacy fight", The St. Petersburg Times, January 13, 2004, pp. 1B. 
  14. ↑ Palm Beach Appeals Court to Hear Argument in Limbaugh Medical Records Case. Aclufl.org (April 7, 2004). Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  15. ↑ "Judge Limits Limbaugh Inquiry", The Palm Beach Daily News, December 13, 2005, p. 1. 
  16. ↑ Lowry, Newsweek attacked media for reporting that Limbaugh was "arrested". Media Matters (May 1, 2006). Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  17. ↑ Rush Limbaugh Arrested On Drug Charges, Conservative Radio Commentator Turns Himself In But Claims Innocence. CBS News. Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  18. ↑ LOU DOBBS TONIGHT (Transcript). LOU DOBBS TONIGHT. CNN.com (April 28, 2006). Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  19. ↑ Rehab, $30,000 to keep Limbaugh out of court. CNN.com (April 29, 2006). Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
  20. ↑ "Settlement Agreement Ends State Investigation of Rush Limbaugh", RushLimbaugh.com, April 28, 2006. 
  21. ↑ Skoloff, Brian. "Limbaugh Facing Drug Tests Under Deal", Associated Press, 2006-05-01. 
  22. ↑ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/28/national/main1561324.shtml
  23. ↑ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12536446/
  24. ↑ "Limbaugh may face a rarely used charge", Associated Press, 2004-01-04. 
  25. ↑ Rush Limbaugh Detained With Viagra. CBS News (2006-06-27). Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
  26. ↑ http://espn.go.com/gen/news/2003/1001/1628537.html
  27. ↑ Fox News Channel's '1/2 Hour News Hour': Right Funny, in Spots washingtonpost.com
  28. ↑ Reid, Harry, et al. "Letter to Mark P. Mays of Clear Channel Communications." Electronic Office of US Senator Harry Reid, October 2, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2007.
  29. ↑ Limbaugh, Rush. "The Anatomy of a Smear: 'Phony Soldiers' Is a Phony Story." Rush Limbaugh Official Site, accessed December 25, 2007.
  30. ↑ http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/420889/harry_reidrush_limbaugh_letter_nets.html

See Also

External Links

Further reading

  • Gordon, Scott. Rush Limbaugh: An Oral & Media Biography (2009). 258pp quotes and comments by his friends and enemies.
  • Jamieson, Kathleen Hall, and Joseph N. Cappella. Echo Chamber: Rush Limbaugh and the Conservative Media Establishment (2008) balanced analysis by scholars; compares Limbaugh with Fox and Wall Street Journal excerpt and text search
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