Limbaugh won't be prosecuted, attorneys wager

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/saturday/news_f3e7e3c206b150960079.html

Rush Limbaugh's alleged addiction to painkillers may be documented in e-mails.

His reported drug deals may have been taped by his former housekeeper.

And the talkative maid and her handyman husband could even be willing to testify against the conservative talk-show host. They sure were willing to spill everything to a supermarket tabloid.

But the chance of criminal charges ever being filed against Limbaugh is next to nil, say criminal defense attorneys who have handled numerous drug cases.

And some local lawyers say they are hearing from sources within State Attorney Barry Krischer's office that Limbaugh -- who lives in a $24 million mansion on Palm Beach -- will indeed not be charged.

[truthisfreedom]

1. yeah, who cares? the problem rush has to face: do sponsors want a junkie?

can the fat man sell stresstabs once the public knows he blew out his own ears by overabusing oxycontin? that he was high out of his mind on opiates when blasting Clinton during the impeachment era, and supporting bush through all the lies?

[comsymp]

12. Please

As much as I'd like to agree with you, you've gotta remember that his listeners are the ones who are most likely to believe that Saddam was behind 9/11 and that we've already found WMD's.

They'll believe any BS he spins at 'em and I'd bet that, as the new RW martyr, his ratings will get a bump from the former Didiots he's disenchanted over the past couple years coming back to support him. And the sponsors won't run from a growing audience.

IMO, of course.

ON EDIT: Of COURSE he won't go to jail- the American justice system is for the common folk.

[loudnclear]

27. He'll be allowed to claim that he is "double agent" in a drug sting!

Believe me, his money and influence with the RW will buy him his freedom from jail. However, the events of the past two years demonstrate the extent of the moral and ethical bankruptcy of the RW and the press that protects them in this country and sheds a bright light on their hypocrisy. From WMD lies and misinformation, to Bennett, to Arnie, to Rush...they are the sleaziest and most hypocritcal of the evil RW cabal that has overtaken this nation. Clear Channel should have to pay a hefty price in public disdain for knowingly promoting, paying, and coddling such sleaze. They have demeaned radio and violated the public trust by appealing to the mose banal and evil insticts of ignorant, uninformed masses from heroizing Tim McVeigh to phoo-pooing Coumbine murders. They 'clearly channel' the very worst about America and make it seem acceptable to millions of hateful people. The sponsors who buy time from Clear Channel knowing what they are all about are just as guilty. It began with the 'vast right wing conspiracy' that set out to destroy the last elected President of our nation, Bill Clinton and has continued to this day labeling honest dissent as treason and peace protestors as evil. Our country will never be the same. We can never go back.

[Grins]

33. This is an interesting one...

..but let me add another...What about the radio stations that carry his drivel? Do they have policies against airing shows by drug addicts?

In 1998 a company with an affiliation with IBM made me an offer of employment. But, before the offer became binding, I had to go to their medical service and get (and pass) a drug test.

I understand the difference here between an employee and a contract to broadcast the product of a non-employee, but I wonder if any of Rush’s broadcast stations have a policy against it? It seems to me that if it is not OK for employees, it should not be OK for contracted broadcasters.

There are probably plenty of example of stations creating policies against bad or illegal behavior (Lenny Bruce? George Carlin? Greaseman? Musicians in the 50’s?). Are they still in force? Probably are. Rules like laws are easily made, but not so easily removed.

Talent ”…on loan from God” indeed. God must be so proud.

[DoNotRefill]

41. Probably not...

most stations that carry him also carry G. Gordon Liddy, a convicted felon.

[ninkasi]

2. Why, mercy me, of course not

I mean, he's only an evil, vile, hate-spewing piece of human garbage, breaking the law and spreading lies and distortion, while committing illegal acts. It's not as if he's guilty of something really bad, or dangerous, like, say, being black, or Latino, or poor. Sheesh, what do people expect? That standards be applied equally? Please...

[The Zanti Regent]

19. If Rush were black...

...oh, why bother to continue, since the MAGIC (R) at the end of his name protects him from anything!

[saigon68]

25. Unlike certain Black men who go to federal PRISON for years

For having a couple of rocks of crack

[loudnclear]

30. He bilked the public for sympathy about his hearing loss...

He was not taking drugs because of his hearing loss; his hearing loss was caused by the drugs he was taking.

[madmax]

3. He hates trial lawyers so much he hired one of the best.

Roy Black :)

[northernsoul]

32. everyone hates lawyers until they need one

I'd like to see how all these alleged "law and order" pukes would feel about our justice system if they had to rely on public defenders and Legal Aid in the court system like many of the rest of us do.

No offense to public Ds and Legal Aid folks, you're doing a brilliant job against incredible odds with one hand tied behind your back!

[farmboxer]

4. Republicans Are Way Above The Law!

The "Bad Year Blimp" can't be prosecuted, not within the "Fourth Reich"! Prescott Bush would be so proud!

[2cents]

5. If true

I hope the ACLU compiles a list and there's a public outcry to release those who have been busted for less.

[NNN0LHI]

6. I don't think we were supposed to ever hear about the Limbaugh/drug stuff

I think this maid and her handyman husband got greedy and went to the tabloid and blew the lid off of a story that was never meant for any of our ears.

Don

[SoFlaJets]

11. I posted it

about 7 times here at DU alone.Remember the Rush is A Junkie posts?that was me _I had inside info

[BuckeFushe]

20. On the Today show this morning Palm Beach County officials said

THEY WANTED TO KEEP HIS FUCKING NAME OUT OF THE INVESTIGATION and go after the suppliers. What PURE bullshit. I hope they talk to him for a LONG time, and he gets his ass handed to him for lying or even participating. Here we have two career criminals who burned Rushblo to save their asses, he was INVOLVED, and he's going to walk? Tell that to Joe EZWider, who's doing 3-5 hard time for possession of Doobies.

Yup, Jebbie's daughter gets slapped on the wrist, and Rushblo is going to miss the perp walk. How fucked can it get.

[spotbird]

24. Is that what they do with crack heads down there?

Or do they only give a pass to the Nazi class?

[Demobrat]

7. Don't they have to actually catch him with something

before he can be arrested and charged? Sure, he's caught on tape talking about it, but now he knows not to have it around in case the tapes are used for probable cause for a seach warrant and his house is searched. So far it seems like the worst thing that's happened is that his supply may have been interrupted. Who's going to sell to him now? And his reputation smirched, but his followers won't care. He'll still have his radio gig. He's lucky his housekeeper ratted him out. If she hadn't, the police might have actually caught him with something.

[NNN0LHI]

10. No. The Attempt and conspiracy portion of the laws cover him rather well

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/21/846.html

Sec. 846. - Attempt and conspiracy

Any person who attempts or conspires to commit any offense defined in this subchapter shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the attempt or conspiracy

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/21/842.html

Sec. 842. - Prohibited acts B


(a) Unlawful acts



It shall be unlawful for any person -

(1)

who is subject to the requirements of part C to distribute or dispense a controlled substance in violation of section 829 of this title;

(2)

who is a registrant to distribute or dispense a controlled substance not authorized by his registration to another registrant or other authorized person or to manufacture a controlled substance not authorized by his registration; snip

(9)

who is a regulated person to engage in a regulated transaction without obtaining the identification required by 830(a)(3) of this title;

(10)

negligently to fail to keep a record or make a report under section 830 of this title; or

more

[The Backlash Cometh]

18. No evidence of drugs is needed in Florida. The taped solicitation

would be enough under Fla. Statute 777.04. Remember that number and yell it from the mountain tops.

[freethought23]

39. The cops could have raided Rush's house

as soon as they got the tip from Cline. But no-o.

[prolesunited]

8. Here's my idea

Compile a list of people in similar situations who were illegally dealing in prescription drugs and document what their outcomes were. I wonder if they went to jail.

[kayell]

22. Rather depends on their income and influence

doesn't it usually. The poor are always guilty, criminal, irredeemable, while the rich are unfortunate victims of an addiction brought about by some horrid incident that they were subjected too. He will be the beneficiary of much sympathy and support.

[DoNotRefill]

42. Not necessarily...

I know of a case where a "poor" guy represented by a PD got busted with a fair bit of cocaine, but the drugs (and the case) were thrown out because there wasn't PC for the stop. This was in the 4th Circuit, which is notoriously concervative.

[truthisfreedom]

9. what everyone needs to pound home is, since this went on for at least 4

years, how high was he when he accused Hillary of killing Vince Foster? how high was he during the day when he was doing the actual show? how much of his insane radio personality is drug-based, and do we want to have a JUNKIE as an "informational" radio personality, believed by millions? if rush did go to treatment twice, when was it? at what points in the last 4 years was he SO HIGH OUT OF HIS MIND ON OPIATES THAT HE REQUIRED TREATMENT? was he on HILLBILLY HEROIN when he attacked liberals? or was he only on HILLBILLY HEROIN when he stood behind our unelected fraud leader? HOW HIGH WAS HE, AND WHEN?

i remember hearing rush announce to his audience that he had developed this rapidly degenerative hearing loss, and HE THOUGHT HE KNEW WHAT IT WAS FROM, BUT HE DIDN'T WANT TO SAY. he actually said that on the air. WELL, WE ALL KNOW NOW WHAT HAPPENED. HE ABUSED OXYCONTIN UNTIL HE BURNED HIS EARS OUT.

do a google search using oxycontin and deafness as keywords.

[Barrett808]

13. Rush Limbaugh Hearing Loss Timeline

Just did the recommended Goggle search, and found this tidbit:

Rush Limbaugh Hearing Loss Timeline
http://shock-awe.info/archive/000923.php

[bluedeminredstate]

14. Uh oh...

According to the WH and Ashcroft's Justice Dept. (remember those very expensive commercials?) Rush is basically a terrorist. Drugs supply money to the evil-doers, therefore drug-buyers are funding terrorism. Does he hate America? He must hate our freedoms and way of life!
Well, I think this calls for a military tribunal which means no fancy trial lawyer. That's not a biggie, he hates trial lawyers anyway.
Elite limosine libruls - all of them.
I wonder if Gitmo has a cell big enough for him?

:nopity:

[BQueen]

15. "Attorneys Wagered?!"

Start an investigation immediately! Put them in jail! For shame! Betting on the fate of a poor, poor addict!

<sarcasm off - or was I channeling Jeb Bush?>

[roguevalley]

16. well, money DOES talk, doesn't it?

ever since ford pardoned nixon, white collar criminals walk.
welcome to Amerika.

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. This is an outrage!

I'm sick of the double-standards for whites and blacks. Rush Limbaugh solicited drugs and that is a violation of Florida Statute 777.04.

It's time for all the criminal defense attorneys to appeal the cases where solicitation occurred and drugs were not found as evidence. Limbaugh has created a loophole that all should be able to walk through according to our Equal Protection laws.

[yellowdog]

34. This isn't just about the black & white population

it is also about the rich and the poor. We are used to seeing the guy down the block or the guy that works on the loading dock busted for drugs and serving time. But if the arrestee is an athlete, a celebrity, or a millionaire, heck let's just send them somewhere for a little treatment. Money talks and bullshit walks.

[Kat 333]

35. It surely is ...

and when you think of the statements HE has made regarding the use of drugs (and what should happen to those that abuse them) it Reaaaaaally makes one want to give him a good reason to take those pain meds of his ...

[Junkdrawer]

21. Limbaugh has yet to face the state's attorneys...

His lawyers were in negotiations as of last night.

[Frances]

23. Could Rush be prosecuted under the Patriot Act?

I'll accept the fact that under our regular laws Rush would not be prosecuted. But what about the Patriot Act? Couldn't that be used to get the guy?

(I really hate the Patriot Act, but if Ashcroft is so fond of it, why doesn't he make an example of Rush?)

[zanana]

26. Gasbagging under the influence.

I don't think ANYBODY with an addiction should be charged with a possession crime (It IS an illness, after all). BUT, why hasn't anybody brought up the fact that he's been under the influence of a very powerful, brain-numbing drug while he pontificates on his radio show? Don't his fans feel just a little betrayed, or do they figure it doesn't matter that your brain is numb when you're ranting about liberals?

[Q]

28. Even more proof that the WAR on drugs is a joke...

...only the poor, minorities and Democrats go to jail.

[lovedems]

29. There is just something delicious about thinking of Rush

going to prison. I know it won't happen but what if he had to share a cell with a drug dealer? a black person? a child molester? A DEMOCRAT? He would suddenly find himself among the people he openly despises. Or, if he was fined out the ass and had to give up his 24 million dollar mansion? If he had to perform community service in the bad neighborhoods? Wouldn't that be the ultimate situation we lefties could wish for? Like I said, I know it won't happen but a person can dream can't they!

[RamboLiberal]

31. What I want to know is why don't they confiscate his property

His fancy vehicles at least and his fancy home.

I saw a Cops episode one night where they set up a sting - just small amounts of drugs (I think it may have been grass or a small crack rock) and a block or two away they were pulling over the buyers and telling them to wave bye-bye to their cars, that under the law they were being confiscated.

That's one law that's been abused. I have no problem with confiscating the property of the big drug kingpins, but too many police depts are using it to take needed vehicles and other property from people who cannot afford to lose it. Sometimes even taking parents property for something their dumbass kid does.

So why don't they use it against Limbaugh. I believe under the law they don't even have to prove you guilty, you have to prove you're not to get your property back.

[Solly Mack]

36. Course not...

Even though the hypocrite said the way to change the bias in drug laws was to arrest people like him....white folks that committ drug related crimes.



However, he's wealthy and white so he has an addiction and is in need of help and compassion...if he were poor, latino or black, he'd have criminal tendencies and be in need of jail. Cause that's how American justice works...

[Nottingham]

37. Ken Lay Rush and Arnold

Repubs have to be so proud

[Loyal]

38. fuck limbaugh

he should be, to the fullest extent of the law.

[0007]

40. It appears to me that

the drugged up motor-mouth didn't start using drugs by accident as per the maid story. It will probably be revealed that Rush has been a user for more than ten years.