cannabisnews.com: Rush Limbaugh in Pill Probe Rush Limbaugh in Pill Probe Posted by CN Staff on October 02, 2003 at 09:04:22 PT By Tracy Connor, Daily News Staff Writer Source: New York Daily News Talk-radio titan Rush Limbaugh is being investigated for allegedly buying thousands of addictive painkillers from a black-market drug ring. The moralizing motormouth was turned in by his former housekeeper - who says she was Limbaugh's pill supplier for four years.Wilma Cline, 42, says Limbaugh was hooked on the potent prescription drugs OxyContin, Lorcet and hydrocodone - and went through detox twice. "There were times when I worried," Cline told the National Enquirer, which broke the story in an edition being published today. "All these pills are enough to kill an elephant - never mind a man."Cline could not be reached for further comment yesterday, but her lawyer, Ed Shohat of Miami, said his client "stands behind the story."The Daily News independently confirmed that Limbaugh is under investigation.His lawyers, Jerry Fox and Dan Zachary, refused to comment on the accusations and said any "medical information" about him was private and not newsworthy.They said Limbaugh - who has a top-rated syndicated radio show but resigned early today from a weekly ESPN football segment amid criticism of racial comments about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb - was traveling and had no comment.The Palm Beach County state attorney's office, which is running the probe, said it could not confirm or deny the allegations. Scoring in parking lot Cline told the Enquirer she went to prosecutors with information about Limbaugh and others after four years of drug deals that included clandestine handoffs in a Denny's parking lot.She said she wore a wire during her last two deliveries to the conservative commentator and gave the tapes to authorities.She also gave the Enquirer a ledger documenting how many pills she claimed to have bought for him - 4,350 in one 47-day period - and E-mails she claimed Limbaugh sent her.In one missive, Limbaugh pushed Cline to get more "little blues" - code for OxyContin, the powerful narcotic nicknamed hillbilly heroin, she said."You know how this stuff works ... the more you get used to, the more it takes," the May 2002 E-mail reads. "But I will try and cut down to help out."The account Cline gave the Enquirer is that she became Limbaugh's drug connection in 1998, nine months after taking a housekeeping job at his Palm Beach mansion.It started after her husband, David, hurt himself in a fall, and Limbaugh asked how he was."He asked me casually, 'Is he getting any pain medication?' I said, 'Yes - he's had surgery, and the doctor gave him hydro-codone 750,'" Cline said. "To my astonishment, he said, 'Can you spare a couple of them?'" Husband's pills Cline said she gave Limbaugh 10 pills the next day and agreed to give him 30 of her husband's pills each month. When the doctor stopped renewing the prescription in early 1999, Limbaugh allegedly went ballistic."His tone was nasty and bullying. He said, 'I don't care how or what you do, but you'd better - better! - get me some more,'" Cline said.The housekeeper said she found a new supplier and arranged to hide Limbaugh's stashes under his mattress so his wife, Marta, wouldn't find them.After several months, Limbaugh told her he was going to New York for detox and didn't need any more pills, Cline said.But a month later, he said his left ear was hurting and asked her for hydrocodone, followed by an order for OxyContin.Limbaugh, 52, suffered from autoimmune ear disease, a condition that left him deaf and had to be corrected with cochlear implant surgery two years ago.Cline said she continued to make deliveries to Limbaugh even after she quit as his housekeeper in July 2001 - but he became increasingly paranoid, even patting her down for recording devices, she said.In June 2002, Limbaugh told her he was going to New York for detox a second time.After he returned, "I went to talk to him, and he cried a little bit," she said. "He told me that if it ever got out, he would be ruined."She claimed that a lawyer for Limbaugh gave her a payoff - $80,000 he owed her, plus another $120,000 - and asked her to destroy the computer that contained the E-mail records.Soon after, Cline and her husband retained Shohat and contacted prosecutors. Feeling no pain The drugs Rush Limbaugh is accused of abusing are legal only with a doctor's prescription. All are habit-forming.Hydrocodone Anti-cough agent and painkiller similar to morphine. Side effects include anxiety, poor mental performance, emotional dependence, drowsiness, mood changes, difficulty breathing and itchiness.Lorcet Brand name for the combination of Tylenol and hydrocodone, prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Side effects include dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, dizziness, tiredness, muscle twitches, sweating and itching. OxyContinPotent time-release medication for relief of moderate to severe pain, known as hillbilly heroin because of black-market popularity in some rural areas. Side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, sweating, muscle twitches and decreased sex drive. A large dose can be fatal.Snipped: Complete Article: http://freedomtoexhale.com/limbaugh.htmNewshawk: firedog and Virgil Source: New York Daily News (NY) Author: Tracy Connor, Daily News Staff WriterPublished: October 2, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Daily News, L.P. Website: http://www.nydailynews.com/ Contact: voicers edit.nydailynews.com Related Article:Limbaugh Said Target of Drug Probe http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17451.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #36 posted by FoM on October 02, 2003 at 20:06:33 PT ekim I'm not subscribed to but a few lists and I didn't see this until you posted it. I hope they have a good turnout. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by ekim on October 02, 2003 at 19:59:07 PT i just heard about it i am sorry i did not get to post this event sooner. i hope someone form DPF will post here. FoM do you list DPF did you get a advance of this conference. i dont recall reading about it. please if anyone goes --tell us how it was. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by FoM on October 02, 2003 at 19:46:54 PT ekim A very nice list of speakers. Are you going? If so let us know all about it then. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by ekim on October 02, 2003 at 19:43:10 PT ck out who will be there Confference ck out who will be there-------------- http://www.dpfmi.org/conf.htm October 3rd & 4th Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan Speakers List Conference Schedule FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2003 Bernath Auditorium, David Adamany Undergraduate Library, 5155 Gullen Mall - map (096) 11:30 -11:45 Continental Breakfast and Registration [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Had Enough on October 02, 2003 at 18:45:21 PT The golden microphone at the EIB network. Some time ago, about 5 to 8 years ago I heard him say through his golden microphone at the EIB, something like this. (This is not word for word but real close. To be exact I would need the transcript. Anyway I think you will get the idea.)Folks I want you to listen to this next caller, he brings up an important point about drug legalization that the left never talks about. The caller said something like this, If drugs are legalized, look at the load that our healthcare system would have to bear, there was more said by him, but this line was the meat of his reason for the call. Afterward Rush took over and just demonized everything about legalization. Then he went on to say that in his earlier years while doing small time radio he said, I’ve seen people smoke pot, have you ever seen them, they take a big puff, then hold in as long as they can. Some of them almost pass out from holding it in so long, what is the matter with these people. There was more said beyond that slamming anybody that did not view it like he did, and went on saying our health care system would be too overloaded to handle it.Look at the burden our health care system is taking with Hep C, Aids, blood poisoning, gunshot wounds to innocent bystanders, breadwinners of the family in jail or dead, and on and on and on, due to black-market economics. Look at the cost of the law enforcement end of this. We are paying for it all one way or another. How much has your healthcare gone up in the last 2 years? Mine has tripled and it is getting hard to pay for every month. This is money that could be used to buy a new car, or other durable goods, which in turn would employ my fellow Americans, and help our economy, get back on track.What would happen if the money were taken out of the illegal drug business? What would happen to the black market? Would the inner-city streets of our cities still remain a war zone? Would there be fewer diseases? Would our Emergency rooms (most expensive health care) be as busy? Would our correctional system be able to maintain some type of order and be effective instead of being considered finishing schools for career criminals? Would teenagers have more pride for this great country and have more respect for law and order? Would people be more productive in our society? Would we have less corruption? I would like to hear Rush’s comments on this matter over his golden microphone at the EIB network. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by RasAric on October 02, 2003 at 15:08:26 PT: Vote For Kucinich.....The true proponent of med MJ Want to live in a free America?.... Vote for Dennis Kucinich. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by RasAric on October 02, 2003 at 15:05:19 PT: impeach the president US citizens. WWW.VOTETOIMPEACH.ORG Let's get rid of this little terrorist regime....Let's burn this BUSH!!!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 14:38:55 PT Cline made a clever move Cline got paid a six figure fee for her story.And she blew her own cover at the same time, so now they can't make her wear a wire any more. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by mayan on October 02, 2003 at 13:38:08 PT unrelated... Here are some articles some here may find of interest...Drugs, lies, and half-truths: http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0930/p16s01-lecl.htmlEcstasy use doubles in five years: http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,2763,1051381,00.htmlAlso, another city snubs Asscrotch. That's 171 & counting...Chicago City Council Chides Patriot Act: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1002-05.htmSoros Calls for 'Regime Change' in US: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0930-05.htmOctober 25th - Mass March on Washington DC: http://www.internationalanswer.org/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by FoM on October 02, 2003 at 13:32:43 PT EJ a goober! Thank you for the laugh in all this seriousness! [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by 420toker on October 02, 2003 at 13:31:08 PT Doesn't add up Opiates do not cause any physical damage unless you overdose. In fact the toxicity of opiates gradually goes down as an addicts dosage goes gradually goes up. How long did William S. Burroughs live? 80 years with a raging heroin addiction. The danger of opiates is simply what addicts will do to get them. I consider addiction to opiates to be a simple inconvience as long as it is freely available but when its extreemly controlled and an addict is the last person to get a script specifically because they are an addict is where the trouble starts. I am of the opinion that people who become opiate addicts are missing some of their own endorphine related compounds and can probably be maintained in therapy. One look at the swiss model will tell anyone with half a brain that.BTW: acetaminophen is far more toxic to the body and is frequently used to commit suicide by teenagers. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by firedog on October 02, 2003 at 13:29:14 PT Vicodin spam I hear you, EJ... I've gotten two spam messages offering up Vicodin... just in the last two hours. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 13:23:09 PT Tylenol is a cause of liver disease Yes FoM it does cause liver damage.And taking the maximum dose of Tylenol on an empty stomach after a night of drinking can cause permanent scarring in the liver.Tylenol is especially dangerous when combined with alcohol and an empty stomach. Vicodin is especially pleasant combined with alcohol and an empty stomach.So you see the problem facing liver centers in America thanks to Vicodin. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 13:20:10 PT Hhmmmm the plot thickens He started buying from his maid in 1998 and lost his hearing in 2000.I suppose it does sound like he caused his own problem. Vicodin is nasty. I keep getting spam mail for it. Tylenol is nasty. Putting Tylenol into an opiate is nasty.But pot doesn't work for anything. When I pulled an abdominal muscle, I had to take a few because the pain was so intense I could barely move. But how can anyone think or do anything on that stuff? All I could do was watch TV it made me such a goober.I only used about ten of them from a bottle of fifty and then pot took over just fine as I healed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 13:11:39 PT Well that's interesting The ear disease that he says he has is a real disease and a cochlear implant is the treatment. According to his doctors he has an autoimmune disease that attacks the nerve endings in his ear, which would cause not only hearing loss but also chronic pain. And most pain relievers are not effective for earaches.What is the source of the hearing loss for Vicodin addiction and is it treated with a cochlear implant? [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on October 02, 2003 at 12:11:55 PT Acetaminophen Why do they put acetaminophen in with codeine? Opiates don't cause damage to internal organs I don't believe but acetaminophen can cause liver failure? [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by firedog on October 02, 2003 at 11:59:39 PT Long-term use of painkillers isn't a good idea Rush's hearing loss two years ago gained him great sympathy. Now, his remarkable loss may make sense; more than one publication has attributed hearing loss to prescription drug abuse, including Vicodan. Here's one snippet I picked up on the web; maybe DUers can find more:Long term use of hydrocodone in combination with acetaminophen (aka: Tylenol) can cause hearing difficulties. Many doctors are not aware of this and do not make the link between the patient's hearing problems and hydrocodone use until it is too late. If an individual having such hearing problems continues using hydrocodone with acetaminophen long enough, permanent/irreversible hearing loss may result. Hydrocodone is an opiate generally used to treat moderate pain. Hydrocodone is the main ingredient in several prescription products, many of which also contain acetaminophen (i.e., Vicodan). The risk of hearing loss only exists when it is used long term. In most cases where hearing loss occurs, the individuals were taking fairly large doses for an extended period. For this reason, people who become addicted to hydrocodone are at greater risk of developing such hearing loss.-"Rapid hearing loss--a side-effect to overuse of a prescription pain- killer," Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings, Apr. 25, 1999. From http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=455821 [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 11:41:01 PT Maybe pot could save his life If he has chronic pain from his illness, then what else is there for him? [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by BigDawg on October 02, 2003 at 11:40:13 PT I have to admit... a level of gloating going on inside my head.But I have found a new perspective thanks to several members here.Thanks particularly to EJ.Her encouragement for Rush to try cannabis is truly the high road. We can do more good for Rush and American society in general with this attitude.Thanks to all who took the high road. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by WolfgangWylde on October 02, 2003 at 11:28:21 PT I've never... ...heard. Rush speak out in support of drug legalization. I read the transcript from the link below, and it sounds to me like he was being sarcastic. I HAVE heard him, however, support the Drug War, saying legalizers want to "define deviancy downard", and should be deported to Europe if they want drugs legalized. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by 420toker on October 02, 2003 at 10:53:58 PT Too bad Yes rush has a disease that could possibly be treated by many things. I am not opposed to longterm maintainance on opiates as they are low toxicity and relativly safe when used properly over long term but I would have liked more help on the marijuana front. He has stroke with the republicans but he refused to use it. He paid great lipservice to legalization but wouldn't push it as he has other things. He wanted to appear to be a true conservative but wanted to get paid like a real republican. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Sam Adams on October 02, 2003 at 10:41:28 PT Busted Well, his housekeeper doesn't exactly sound like a respectable person, blackmailing him and then going public anyway, but hey, if you're a professional hatemonger, bad karma is going to catch up with you one day, in this life or the next.Opiate pills are a very clean way to use drugs. I think many right-leaning Bruce Willis/Bruce Springsteen type guys use them. I have people tell me that there's a raging oxycontin epidemic among firefighters in my state. (Not that I want firefighters to struggle with drug problems). It's too bad these guys can't use a little herb to take the edge off. Maybe they're afraid of being a "dirty hippie". Maybe cannabis gets caught too easily by drug testing. It's a shame, there's nothing wrong with needing a little something to relax after a stressful day at a dangerous job, or hard physical labor. One only has to look at Holland, where hard drug use has been cut in half in people that came of age since 1976. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on October 02, 2003 at 10:41:21 PT EJ Yes We Are We'll see what comes of this. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Jose Melendez on October 02, 2003 at 10:34:38 PT net harvest from:http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/1998/ds98.n39.htmlThe Rush Limbaugh show from 3/12/98 in which he came out in favor of the legalization of drugs has been recorded and can be listened to at http://www.legalize-usa.org/_private/rush.ram There is about 90 minutes on line the comments start at about the 43 minutes into the broadcast A transcript of the above Rush Limbaugh show can be reviewed at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98.n186.a08.htmlalso, from:http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16091.shtml#1Ok so anyway it's been a big mess. So anyway you folks are probably thinking what does this have to do with cannabis?I'll tell you and this is what gotten me excited about this court case. Just listen to what Sen. Santorum said again about this particular case. "“If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything.”This is where Rush Limbaugh comes into the picture. He brought up the point that if the Supreme Court rules in favor of this and upholds the right to privacy behind closed doors in your own home then anything that is Consenual( you can be consenual by yourself you just have to agree with what you are doing) can not be illegal. So you see what I am saying now? This could have implications far beyond the what happens in the bedroom like the state not being able to regulate same sex marriages, polygamy or incest as long as it was consensual between adults. This also could mean that ANYTHING else like GROWING OR USING CANNABIS would also have to be permitted in the privacy of your own home behind closed doors if it was consensual. from:http://rushtranscript.blogspot.com/John Edwards, North Carolina Democrat, is single-handedly blocking Senate action on legislation all but unanimously supported by the House to ease the student loan burdent for soldiers fighting overseas. Now, here we can give away perscription drugs to all these people who don't need them, but here comes an idea to ease the student loan, but we're not - it's a loan for crying - student loan to soldiers fighting overseas. You've got a Democrat fighting - single-handedly blocking it in the Senate.(snip)You've got John Edwards holding it up. A legal Senate practice. 421 votes for it, one vote against it, an accidental no vote, in the House. Edwards holding it up so that he can release it to great fanfare and get the singular credit for making the bill possible. John Edwards, a friend of the military. John Edwards who can't wait to do whatever he can to get free prescription drugs, or so-called free perscription drugs to just about anybody, puts a hold on the HEROS Act, which simply defrays interest payment - well, not interest payment - loan payment requirements while soldiers are serving in combat. He's put the hold on this so he can release it to great fanfare. John Edwards, friend to the military.-atributed to Rush Limbaugh [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 10:32:37 PT We're on the same wavelength FoM I see. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by goneposthole on October 02, 2003 at 10:30:38 PT He is another victim The focus can be placed on the drug manufacturers. I would like to see a crackdown on Eli Lilly, DuPont, and a whole host of companies that are supplying legal prescription 'medicines'.It is a maze of confusion. The USS Drugwar has hit a 'moral' iceberg here. Too few lifeboats, and too many 'moralists' that shutter with fear that they may drown.Throw them a lifeline. They don't have to go down with the ship. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 10:28:38 PT Better a bust than an OD If he OD'd and died on pills that she supplied, then she could have been charged with murder. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 02, 2003 at 10:16:48 PT If He Took That Many Drugs He's going to be in a bad way if he is cut off. Maybe the housekeeper became afraid that if she kept supplying him with drugs and he died she could be charged. Just a thought. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 10:10:33 PT Let's try taking the high road, so to speak I am going to be urging Rush to try marijuana, if he has unmet pain control needs.We could satisfy ourselves by gloating, or make some points by taking the high road.He has a progressive destructive autoimmune disease, which makes him like many patients in this communtiy. This disease has already destroyed his hearing. It could be attacking other organs in his body. We don't know.Maybe we could treat him like yet another sick person whose unmet pain control needs have led to addiction.Just a thought. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by kaptinemo on October 02, 2003 at 10:06:01 PT: As E_J pointed out, there's more to this A lot more. Why would Ms. Cline be wearing a wire? Unless she has somehow become a Democratic Party sub-rosa operative, the only logical conclusion one can make is she got caught buying for Mr. Republican "Law 'n' Order!". So, her handlers figured that this would be an even bigger and juicier chunk of meat to feast upon.Pols have been able to worm out from under the thumbs of prosecutors when they or their progeny have been caught, but this is really big: the main mouthpiece of Republicanism has been outed as a drug addict. It remains to be seen as to what his sponsors will say now that he has shown himself to be both racially insensitive and an addict to boot. The Republicans that have benefited greatly from his 'wind tunnel' approach to political discourse towards their enemies now must face a choice: 'stand by their man' through thick and thin, or coldly and calculatingly cut their losses...based upon their own insistence on being self-appointed morals proctors. That the man was the premier megaphone for the lies that led to our involvement in Iraq, calling those who stood for calm reason and questioned the Administration's facts on the matter as being Commies, Socialists, and traitors is now facing up to his own lies to himself I find is poetic justice. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by AlvinCool on October 02, 2003 at 09:53:10 PT You know they will FoM Sure as the sun rises and sets over moralizers and staunch supporters of Republicans you can bet that this will disappear as quickly as Bennet's gambling problems. I'm sure the casinos are still laughing. Moralizers can do no wrong and we can do no right, moral or not, for our support of demonized things. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 09:51:56 PT Rush, try pot -- seriously!! "Limbaugh, 52, suffered from autoimmune ear disease, a condition that left him deaf and had to be corrected with cochlear implant surgery two years ago."I hate this man's words against other people but I will not be hardened to his plight as a human just because of that.Rush -- you have an autoimmune disease.Try pot -- it's Nature's own way to regulate an out of control immune system.You will be a happier man trust me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 09:47:40 PT There's an even BIGGER story behind this one How rich celebrities sometimes force their own employees to get their drugs for them and then leave them hanging out to dry when there comes a bust. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 02, 2003 at 09:46:35 PT News Article from Snipped Source Rush Limbaugh Reportedly Bought Prescription Painkillers From News Services Conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh is being investigated for allegedly buying thousands of prescription painkillers from a black-market drug ring, according to media reports today.The New York Daily News reported that Limbaugh has been implicated by his former housekeeper, who says she was Limbaugh's pill supplier for four years.CNN reported that sources close to the investigation that it did not identify said Limbaugh had turned up as a buyer of powerful painkillers but that he was not the target of the investigation.Wilma Cline, 42, was quoted by the Daily News as saying Limbaugh was hooked on the potent prescription drugs OxyContin, Lorcet and hydrocodone, and went through drug rehabilitation twice."There were times when I worried," Cline told the National Enquirer, which also carried the story in an edition being published today. "All these pills are enough to kill an elephant -- never mind a man."Cline could not be reached for further comment, but her lawyer, Ed Shohat of Miami, said his client "stands behind the story."Cline told the Enquirer she went to prosecutors with information about Limbaugh and others after four years of drug deals that included clandestine handoffs in a Denny's parking lot.She said she wore a wire during her last two deliveries and gave the tapes to authorities.She also gave the Enquirer a ledger documenting how many pills she claimed to have bought for him -- 4,350 in one 47-day period -- and e-mails she claimed Limbaugh sent her.In one e-mail, Limbaugh urged Cline to get more "little blues," the street name for the powerful narcotic OxyContin, she said.Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/1003/02limbaughdrugs.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on October 02, 2003 at 09:45:02 PT Hail the Enquirer! They told us about Rodney Dangerfield smoking a joint in the emergency room bathroom when he had angina.They published photos of James Bond buying a bong in Malibu.They showed us Charlize Theron smoking hash in an apple.Now they're showing us that Right Wing Rush is hooked on Oxy. All hail the mighty Enquirer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 02, 2003 at 09:19:11 PT Here's More I hope they don't push this off the TV News today. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment