To the right, I'd say: Isn't it astonishing that the selfsame conditions that would have you sanctimonious hypocrites up on your soapboxes screaming for the wrath of God to come down were this a poor black or Latino living in Limbaugh's Florida county, suddenly elicit Christian charity and prayerfulness when darling Limbaugh turns out to be the junkie?

Make no mistake about it, OxyContin is synthetic heroin, pure and simple. It is a prescription drug in the exact way that cocaine, morphine and speed are also prescription drugs.

To the left: I am astounded at the muddleheadedness of this sudden need to cast the question in larger terms. We've had a century to debate what should happen to junkies. To suddenly discover the question - well, it makes me wonder if Limbaugh wasn't right about you all along.

To everyone else: Not only has Limbaugh himself shown no compassion whatsoever for anyone in his present circumstances, but the law in Florida prescribes a minimum sentence of five years in prison - in no small part because of Limbaugh's own screeching about lenient judges. Let him be hoist by his own petard. Like it or not, it is the law.

Is it really a question of whose ox is being gored as to whether the law is actually enforced?