I can see your point, John, but Rush has become such an icon of conservatism -- particularly in the eyes of conservatives -- that to here many conservatives suddenly backpedalling and trying to pretend he isn't one of THEM is very funny. When he's popular, he's a conservative darling.

Almost every conversation I have with a conservative outisde of Mudcat includes the phrase "Well, Rush says...", so it's hard to suddenly decide that Rush isn't a drug-addicted *conservative.* Now I hear all the Rush fans welling up with sympathy for him, when they wouldn't offer a shred of sympathy to a drug addict without a popular radio show.

Perhaps Rush will become more compassionate about the issue himself, but I wouldn't hold your breath. He'll come out saying HE was a STRONG individual and FOUGHT it off -- while still wanting to preserve quality drug rehab for only those with money to buy.

I hope Rush doesn't go to jail, though. Maybe it's funny and ironic, but I still don't think that prison is a very smart way of dealing with a public health issue.