John Gorman on Rush Limbaugh

Saturday October 11, 2003

Another question: Did Rush Limbaugh violate a morals clause by the illegal use of prescription drugs?

The drugs were not obtained over the counter, a fact both Rush and Clear Channel/Premiere fail to mention.   Limbaugh is also part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal distribution and purchasing of prescription drugs.

A morals clause should be an essential component for radio and TV personalties; especially Limbaugh, who is the most successful syndicated talk show host in America.

I am curious as to what specific reasons Clear Channel has for termination to protect the company's interest in its image or the image of its affiliated businesses.

I would have to believe that Limbaugh's employ of drug procurers and the purchase of illegally obtained prescription drugs, is a serious transgression that will cause embarrassment for the company and its stockholders.

Did Limbaugh commit moral turpitude under Clear Channel policy?

Most, if not all, morals clauses prohibit the use of drugs (illegal substances, illegal use of prescription drugs or steroids).

Limbaugh's actions also cause serious embarrassment to Clear Channel CEO Lowry Mays, who has close ties with President George W. Bush.  In fact, in October 2001, when Limbaugh was allegedly having a cochlear implant surgery, the President referred to him as a "national treasure."

At that time a number of medical experts disputed Limbaugh's alleged operation.   On Friday, Dr. Timothy Johnson of Boston, the ABC Network's health editor, said of Limbuagh's alleged operation, "It was suspicious then and it's suspicious now."

Even Rush hinted at drug abuse when he said to his radio audience shortly before his alleged operation that "Now, if it eventuates that the medication that is literally -- I mean I'm popping pills, I'm shooting up stuff, I've never done stuff like this before."  Was that statement made in case Limbaugh's previous attempts at drug rehabilitation were made public?

Mays and Clear Channel should be further embarrassed by the fact that Limbaugh's drug purchases could have funded anti-American terrorism.

Since Limbaugh admits this marks the third time he was illegally using drugs - this should be cause for his dismissal.

I'm also curious if other Clear Channel employees - in any capacity - were terminated for illegal drug use, lying to the employer or committing a felony.

Regardless of other details of Limbaugh's contract with Clear Channel and its Premiere radio syndicate division, a  moral clause provides a company the right to terminate an entire contract without penalty.

John Gorman

Friday October 10, 2003

Here's the fat cigar smoking right wing clown that used to pontificate on the Clinton administration being soft on drugs and how it allowed drug dealers a free ticket to operate. And he brought back that accusation after 9/11 claiming drug dealers operating during Clinton were connected to terrorism! 

How about the time when Limbaugh allegedly had that cochlear implant surgery at the House Ear Clinic?  Clear Channel's Premiere Network division claimed that Rush could not produce proof of having the operation because he paid for it out of his pocket and the clinic would not release the information.  His fans believed every word.

Was he really in rehab back in October, 2001?

At that time of his alleged operation President Bush expressed personal concern about Limbaugh's condition and the official White House quote was "The president noted Rush Limbaugh is a national treasure." National treasure?  As the world's most famous druggie?  And addicted to same prescription drugs that are responsible for a large number of robberies at drug stores?

Check the dead giveaway in Limbaugh's announcement back in October, 2001:

"Now, as I mentioned at the beginning of the program, I had intended to start today's program telling you what I'm about to tell you. The outbreak of our attack on Osama bin Laden made it necessary to deal with that and bring everybody up to speed first on that and to place that in perspective. But I have, throughout my career, at least as far as this program is concerned, now into its 14th year, have been as up front and candid with all of you, first, as possible, as opposed to, say, calling a press conference to announce something or doing it in some other way.....

"The bottom line is, from May 29th up until about, I'd say, ten days ago, I lost hearing every five days, to the point, ladies and gentlemen, I'm now totally deaf in my left ear. I cannot hear a thing in my left ear, with hearing aids, the most powerful made, mean nothing. I have the ability to recognize sound but not identify it in my right ear.

"I cannot communicate with people. I can occasionally talk to people in person one on one if their voice frequency happens to fit the range that I can still hear, but I cannot hear radio, I cannot hear television, I cannot hear music.

"I am, for all practical purposes, deaf, and it's happened in three months. I have been to what I learned were the finest doctors and clinics throughout the country, focusing on one, and every effort has been made to stabilize the loss, with the hope of restoring it. No success has been reported, in either stabilizing it or losing it -- or restoring it. Now, all during this summer, the loss, even though rapid, by the middle of July, for example, I was told that from the end of May to the middle of July I had lost what the average person loses in 15 years, in terms of hearing. Hearing aids are of such improved quality today that they accommodated the loss. My hearing wasn't normal, but I could function. I could have one on one conversations -- I could do everything but listen to music.....

"Now, if it eventuates that the medication that is literally -- I mean I'm popping pills, I'm shooting up stuff, I've never done stuff like this before. If this stuff doesn't work, then there is one other option that is relatively new, but it's not something that has been done enough to where a pattern has been established to say that it's acceptable. There's always the last resort, the cochlear implant, it's the last thing they do because it's irreversible, once do you that you're finished, and if it doesn't work, then nothing they can do to go back and put you back the way you were. So you must wait until you are entirely deaf for approval for this.

"I mean the FDA even gets involved in this because it's surgery which involves the brain. I have not yet spoken to people who have received cochlear implants, but I've talked to a number of doctors who say that it would be an improvement over the situation I'm in now.

Here's Rush's statement today.  By the way, you have to admire his timing.  He confesses to drug use on Friday.  That means the story and any text of his statement will appear in the Saturday - not Sunday - newspaper.  Monday is also a holiday for some - so he stays out of target for an additional day - and that gives the right-wing camps enough time to do their spin control.

"You know I have always tried to be honest with you and open about my life. So I need to tell you today that part of what you have heard and read is correct. I am addicted to prescription pain medication.

"I first started taking prescription painkillers some years ago when my doctor prescribed them to treat post surgical pain following spinal surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful and I continued to have severe pain in my lower back and also in my neck due to herniated discs. I am still experiencing that pain. Rather than opt for additional surgery for these conditions, I chose to treat the pain with prescribed medication. This medication turned out to be highly addictive.

"Over the past several years I have tried to break my dependence on pain pills and, in fact, twice checked myself into medical facilities in an attempt to do so. I have recently agreed with my physician about the next steps.

"Immediately following this broadcast, I am checking myself into a treatment center for the next 30 days to once and for all break the hold this highly addictive medication has on me. The show will continue during this time, of course, with an array of guest hosts you have come to know and respect.

"I am not making any excuses. You know, over the years athletes and celebrities have emerged from treatment centers to great fanfare and praise for conquering great demons. They are said to be great role models and examples for others. Well, I am no role model. I refuse to let anyone think I am doing something great here, when there are people you never hear about, who face long odds and never resort to such escapes. They are the role models. I am no victim and do not portray myself as such. I take full responsibility for my problem.

"At the present time, the authorities are conducting an investigation, and I have been asked to limit my public comments until this investigation is complete. So I will only say that the stories you have read and heard contain inaccuracies and distortions, which I will clear up when I am free to speak about them.

"I deeply appreciate all your support over this last tumultuous week. It has sustained me. I ask now for your prayers. I look forward to resuming our excursion into broadcast excellence together."

Nothing more need be said.

John Gorman

Note*  ... Comments in RDN Feedback, RDN Commentary, Viewpoints and Guest Viewpoints are those of the writers and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Radio Daily News and its sponsors. Send comments and contributions to editor@radiodailynews.com