Steve's AA News of the Day
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An Open Letter to Rush Limbaugh
It Ain't Going To Be Easy For Limbaugh, But It Can Be Worth It
by Steve Young

Oct. 12, 2003

Dear Rush,

I despise your politics. If you've read my rants about you and your brethren Talk Radio Lords Of Loud, you know I am a flaming liberal whose stomach ties in knots while listening to the El Rushbo Excellence in Broadcasting network.

That having been said....

You go, Rush! I'm with you.

I know it isn't easy to admit being addicted, for though I am a flaming liberal or progressive or whatever you're calling me today, most fundamental to my life is that I am a recovering alcoholic (14 years since my last drink) and because of that you and I finally have something in common.

Politics makes strange bedfellows, but so does misery. The hell you're going through and the arduous task that awaits you in Rehabland is one that millions of people have gone through before you. And what a mishmash of characters they are; rich and poor, Muslim and Jew, liberal and conservative. Addiction neither discriminates, nor is it finicky about color or class. Anyone will do.

Even you.

Narcotic and alcoholic dependency -- any dependency, really -- isolates the most social of us, tongue-ties the most eloquent, brings the mightiest to their knees. You're dealing with a monster much more insidious than even Hillary Clinton. You're hooked on something much more addictive than power. With all of your achievements, overcoming this will become your greatest success. That is because this failure of the body and the mind can be the best thing that ever happens. As Einstein said, "Within every obstacle lies an opportunity."

But opportunities remain just platitudes without action.

I understand that this is your third attempt to get clean. That's not unusual. The addiction landscape is teeming with retreads. It's just another piece of evidence that tells you how formidable the road is. But you already know that. The fact that a legend of conservative power such as yourself is alleged to have illegally purchased thousands of addictive painkillers tells us how incomprehensible the enemy.

Makes the mainstream liberal media seem like your Weekly Reader.

It will be anything but easy. Unfortunately, my new friend, for a personality such as yourself it'll be even harder. The first of Alcoholics Anonymous's 12 Steps is for the alcoholic/addict to admit their powerlessness. That means dropping all ego. Just knowing how difficult that would be for most people, I can't imagine how trying it will be for one of the most dominating voices in the world; a person who professes to being 99% right and that's with half your brain tied behind your back. Dealing with the ESPN fallout is a piece of cake compared to what you're about to go through.

But I guarantee you, Rush, if you apply yourself, one day at a time, your will come out a changed man. A better man. A happier man. This isn't to say that you'll come out of rehab a born again Democrat, damn it, but the 12 Step Program will not only save your life but will also give you the tools with which you can survive the emotional and physical pain you now endure and will face for years to come.

If you listen to the winners you are going to meet along the way and take the actions suggested, unimaginable gifts await you. And in time -- God's, not yours -- you'll be back on the air, gushing your gospel. And then you'll have to be ever-vigilant. Addiction is devious and awaits around the corner for another opportunity to pounce. As a third-timer, you already know that. Don't risk having going back into rehab again. One time you may not make it back.

So, my fellow recoveree, don't drink, don't use and don't ever give up. I wish you Godspeed and triumph in the most formidable challenge you'll ever face.

I can't wait to start hating you again.

Keep coming back,

Steve

Steve Young is an award-winning television writer, director/writer of "My Dinner With Ovitz"", and author of "Great Failures of the Extremely Successful" (Tallfellow Press -- check out the web site at http://www.greatfailure.com). He writes a regular column for Jewish World Review".