Tuesday, October 14, 2003
I see that Rush Limbaugh has checked in to rehab to beat his addiction to painkillers.
In related news, I opened the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this weekend and found an advertisement from a law firm that wants to talk to people who've been prescribed OxyContin.
The leftist media is displaying a sick glee over Limbaugh's troubles. He's spent the last two decades twitting them, and now that he's down they're really getting the boot in.
Think of Limbaugh's lines: "Half my brain tied behind my back," "The all-seeing, all-knowing Maha-Rushie," "Talent on loan from God," his Friday afternoon sign-offs, telling people not to worry, as he'll be back on Monday to tell them what to think. It all sounds like an inflated ego, until you listen to what the establishment press has to say about itself when talking about people like Rush Limbaugh or Matt Drudge. They put across exactly the same ideas, but with deadly seriousness instead of mock-heroic good humor.
The establishment press has a bias, which it denies, and takes itself utterly seriously, which it covers over with blather about journalistic integrity, or some such. Rush has a bias, which he wears on his sleeve, and takes himself not seriously at all. (Ever heard the ads for "Crapitol Records?")
So, Rush has done the worst possible thing one can do to the chattering class: exposed its hypocrisy and smugness, and for that they'll never forgive him. In the next 30 days they'll be trying to tear him down, and by association, all his conservative ideas. You know: earn your living, depend on yourself, don't wait for Government handouts, etc., etc. That is to say, the "vitriol" he "spews" every day. I truly hope they don't succeed.
I also hope that Limbaugh beats the addiction and comes roaring back better than ever.
Now, that said, I am kind of disappointed in Rush.
My mother died of cancer quite recently. She was on OxyContin to manage the pain. She used to worry about getting addicted to painkillers, even though she was terminal.
My wife used to work as a hospice nurse, and she says this is a common attitude. People don't want to accept that they're terminal. They want to believe they'll get better, and they don't want an addiction waiting when they do get better. So they die in misery, for fear of an addiction they'll never have to worry about.
Just hold that thought for a minute, and let's turn to the ad. in the AJC.
The trial lawyer sharks are now circling the OxyContin chum.
I see all kinds of bad things coming: doctors being sued for prescribing a painkiller they know can be addictive, pharmacists being sued for not adequately explaining the side-effects of addictive painkillers, the DEA and various other drug enforcement agencies leaning on everyone so no-one wants to have anything to do with these painkillers, and drug companies being sued for manufacturing a painkiller they know can be, yes, you guessed it, addictive.
So, the results? Well, doctors will be less likely to prescribe painkillers to patients who're already worried about becoming addicted, and the drugs, once prescribed, will be more expensive since everyone - doctors, pharmacists, manufacturers, and their insurers - will be concerned about being sued or having jackbooted Government thugs come crashing through their doors.
All so a lawyer or two can have a couple more estates/yachts/expensive cars/cigars/brandies/etc.
Pope had it right:
The hungry Judges soon the Sentence sign,
And Wretches hang that Jury-men may Dine;
Like I said, Rush has left me feeling a little disappointed.
Mind you, trial lawyers leave me feeling a lot worse.
In related news, I opened the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this weekend and found an advertisement from a law firm that wants to talk to people who've been prescribed OxyContin.
The leftist media is displaying a sick glee over Limbaugh's troubles. He's spent the last two decades twitting them, and now that he's down they're really getting the boot in.
Think of Limbaugh's lines: "Half my brain tied behind my back," "The all-seeing, all-knowing Maha-Rushie," "Talent on loan from God," his Friday afternoon sign-offs, telling people not to worry, as he'll be back on Monday to tell them what to think. It all sounds like an inflated ego, until you listen to what the establishment press has to say about itself when talking about people like Rush Limbaugh or Matt Drudge. They put across exactly the same ideas, but with deadly seriousness instead of mock-heroic good humor.
The establishment press has a bias, which it denies, and takes itself utterly seriously, which it covers over with blather about journalistic integrity, or some such. Rush has a bias, which he wears on his sleeve, and takes himself not seriously at all. (Ever heard the ads for "Crapitol Records?")
So, Rush has done the worst possible thing one can do to the chattering class: exposed its hypocrisy and smugness, and for that they'll never forgive him. In the next 30 days they'll be trying to tear him down, and by association, all his conservative ideas. You know: earn your living, depend on yourself, don't wait for Government handouts, etc., etc. That is to say, the "vitriol" he "spews" every day. I truly hope they don't succeed.
I also hope that Limbaugh beats the addiction and comes roaring back better than ever.
Now, that said, I am kind of disappointed in Rush.
My mother died of cancer quite recently. She was on OxyContin to manage the pain. She used to worry about getting addicted to painkillers, even though she was terminal.
My wife used to work as a hospice nurse, and she says this is a common attitude. People don't want to accept that they're terminal. They want to believe they'll get better, and they don't want an addiction waiting when they do get better. So they die in misery, for fear of an addiction they'll never have to worry about.
Just hold that thought for a minute, and let's turn to the ad. in the AJC.
The trial lawyer sharks are now circling the OxyContin chum.
I see all kinds of bad things coming: doctors being sued for prescribing a painkiller they know can be addictive, pharmacists being sued for not adequately explaining the side-effects of addictive painkillers, the DEA and various other drug enforcement agencies leaning on everyone so no-one wants to have anything to do with these painkillers, and drug companies being sued for manufacturing a painkiller they know can be, yes, you guessed it, addictive.
So, the results? Well, doctors will be less likely to prescribe painkillers to patients who're already worried about becoming addicted, and the drugs, once prescribed, will be more expensive since everyone - doctors, pharmacists, manufacturers, and their insurers - will be concerned about being sued or having jackbooted Government thugs come crashing through their doors.
All so a lawyer or two can have a couple more estates/yachts/expensive cars/cigars/brandies/etc.
Pope had it right:
The hungry Judges soon the Sentence sign,
And Wretches hang that Jury-men may Dine;
Like I said, Rush has left me feeling a little disappointed.
Mind you, trial lawyers leave me feeling a lot worse.
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