Limbaugh and the Viagra

Much sniggering in the press and on the web a few days ago over Rush Limbaugh being stopped at an airport with a bottle of Viagra, the prescription made out not to him but his doctor.

Bill O'Reilly has argued that this looks like persecution of Limbaugh, and I agree.

The most disturbing thing is not anything Limbaugh has done, but that it showed up in the newspapers.

First, what is the justification for Viagra requiring a prescription? Here in the Arab Middle East, where men are still relatively free, it is over-the-counter. Shouldn't be anyone else's GD business.

Second, what is the justification for searching someone's shaving kit before he boards a private plane? Especially someone whose identity is well-established? And not for weapons--for something unrelated. Verges on unreasonable search and seizure.

Third, what is the justification for leaking this to the media, when no charges were laid? That, it seems to me, should be actionable as a violation of privacy and abuse of authority.

Fourth, what business does any reputable newspaper have printing such gossip-mongering? Where is the public need or right to know? Tasteless and unprofessional, at best.

The one person who comes out looking best over all this is Limbaugh. He looks like a martyr for his beliefs.