Pubdate: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 Source: Greenville News (SC) Copyright: 2003 The Greenville News Contact: http://greenvillenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/877 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Rush+Limbaugh RUSH'S ADDICTION The radio host known for what's often a holier-than-thou attitude - and "talent on loan from God" - has turned out to be the servant of a demon - drug addiction. Rush Limbaugh on Friday admitted he was hooked on pain killers and was checking himself into a rehab center. The conservative commentator, like virtue czar (and million-dollar gambler) William Bennett before him, made the classic mistake of throwing stones while living in a glass house. Now that the tables have turned on the popular radio talk show host, he's asking his listening public to be understanding and sympathetic. Critics will have a field day pointing out the hypocrisy and hubris of Limbaugh's predicament. Limbaugh should, however, be accorded the sympathy he was loathe to offer others. Many people have wrestled with drug addiction and won, becoming better for their battle. His credibility as a commentator certainly is impaired. But perhaps Limbaugh will emerge from rehab a stronger man, with a little more compassion for human vulnerability - something of which he now has first-hand knowledge. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake