Fox was in Chicago Tuesday to support House candidate Tammy Duckworth. In their report on the actor's local appearance, CBS2chicago.com interviewed neurologist Dr. Thomas Kelly. He says Limbaugh doesn't have his facts straight: 
Right wing zealot and radio talk show hack Rush Limbaugh has accused actor Michael J. Fox of "acting" or being "off his meds" in a nationally televised ad, for the purpose of sensationalizing his Parkinson's disease. The campaign spot is in support of Missouri Senate candidate Claire McCaskill's support for legislation to garner funding for stem cell research.
Fox's disease has progressed where he no longer only gets tremors, which can be controlled with medication, but has more erratic movements which are caused directly by his medicine.
"Chaotic, maybe writhing, dance-like movements, or dyskinesia, the movements I've seen in Mr. Fox, are due to his medications," said Dr. Kelly.
Limbaugh, referring to the TV ad, said on his syndicated show, "He did not take his medication for the purposes of having the ravages and the horrors of Parkinson's disease illustrated."
Fox addressed the controversy: "I'm kind of lucky right now. It's ironic, given some of the things that have been said in the last couple of days, that my pills are working really well right now."
Limbaugh, who has a habit of taking illegal drugs for which he was NOT jailed, has once again dipped into the political cesspool to further energize the Republican base against science over religious superstition, which we all know is the intellectual energy source of Bush Think.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 12)
1. Has anyone checked what is really available for "cure of Parkinson's Disease" thru Stem Cells therapy?
Why no body has come with supporting research to refute Rush or any one else's claims.
Bansi at 11:44AM on Oct 25th 2006
2. Rush WAS NOt MOCKING Fox. He said if he was using his illness to spread a lie, which Fox did, then he should be held accountable. Fox is a political activist and that commercial was low down. The whole issue was not about stem cell but cloning which is why Fox was so wrong. Can't crticize victims? When they pull a stunt like this you sure can.
pat callahan at 11:45AM on Oct 25th 2006
3. This just goes to show his ignorance. The movements that Michael J. Fox has is not Parkinson's but a side effect of taking his medication to stop the tremors or Dyskinesia. If he truly was in a "Off" period he would have extreme tremors (shaking of hands) and not the body movement. Most people with Parkinson's would rather have the body and head movement than the shaking of the hands so we do not hit yourself and can still function.
yojack1@aol.com at 11:46AM on Oct 25th 2006
4. What this ANTI REPUBLICAN set up does is report HALF the truth. In M.J.Fox's book, he SAYS he didn't take his meds on purpose the night before he met for his hearing and will not take them again for TV shots so he can promote his sickness! READ his book THEN decide.
Duke at 11:48AM on Oct 25th 2006
5. If you don't treat people as you wish to be treated, be prepared for the consequences.
Meredith Cooper at 11:50AM on Oct 25th 2006
6. I think that Mr. Limbaugh is a nut case! He has a lot to talk about, once a drug addict always a drug addict. He that lost his hearing because he "caused" it!
I am sure if Mr. Limbaugh or the President had family members that could bemefit from the research the shoe would be on the other foot.
I have a 23 year old, who has had 26 brain surgries and a liver transplant who could possibly benefit from the research--BUT YOUR TELLING ME TO LET HER DIE?
Maria at 11:51AM on Oct 25th 2006
7. Limbaugh is not bright, is not informed, lacks kindness, and lacks self control. Limbaugh is human, and as such is subject to having been diagnosed with potentially handicapping conditions. One would think, as a direct result, especially escaping jail time, that he would posess and exhibit empathy and respect for not harming others or setting a bad example.
B. Feller at 11:51AM on Oct 25th 2006
8. Wow is this fair and balanced reporting? How much of a Liberal Slant can you give to news?? This is amazing. No need to hide the Liberal bias here eh?
Brad at 11:52AM on Oct 25th 2006
9. My grandfather passed away on 5/5/2005 from the results of Parkinson's. I watched a man whom I always thought was larger then life basically shrivel before my eyes from 5'10 180lbs., to someone who could barely walk, get up by himself, eat, or take care of his personal needs. When my grandfather passed away he weighed in at @120lbs., very sick, needing oxygen just to breathe. How dare someone who has abused drugs, and served no jail time, comment on a person who has every right to stand up for what they believe in such as stem cell research. That is a sign of a sick individual who has no compassion for what someone else is going through.
My grandfather would tell me that as his disease progressed, and it was harder and harder for him to hold things, get up, and basically just move around that this is an terrible way to die.
Rush, you need to be pulled off the air or sensored more as to what you say about someone who is sick. Before you say something about someone else, try living in their shoes before you mouth off!
Sharon Johnson at 11:54AM on Oct 25th 2006
10. I think Lambough stinks, he should be given a good case of the same dease.
Josephine m Simmons at 11:59AM on Oct 25th 2006
11. In the case of mr Lumbards statement about mr fox and his condition,hedosent know his A-- from his elbow, and should be ashamed of himself,I know there is a just God , for if it wasen't Limbard would be given a dose of the Dease and let him see how it works.
My mother had it and it grew progressivly worse as time went on.at least the drugs michael is taking are legal.
Josephine m Simmons at 12:01PM on Oct 25th 2006
12. Rush is a drug addict who has used his money to stay out of jail. Steven King said it best "Addicts lie about EVERYTHING". It's what they do, it's their nature. The sad thing is, Rush was probably ON his medication while doing his show.
jerry at 12:02PM on Oct 25th 2006
13. Rush Limbaugh is an ass. Sadly, there are people out there who will believe him, and still admire him. May the powers that be give him the opportunity to see exactly what life is like with a debilitating disease. Maybe one day he will see what it's like to no longer be able to control his own body, or care for himself. I hope he eats his words.
Melinda at 12:03PM on Oct 25th 2006
14. Rush has had his own issues, and apparently that has left him more callous then ever. Micheal may be off his own meds to show what his illness can do. Personally I think Rush is back on his own. He does look like it.
Shannon at 12:06PM on Oct 25th 2006
15. Rush Limbaugh is the perfect example of the current rash of idiotic, hypicritical jerks running around in our country poking fingers at everyone but themselves. He should give it up and return to rehab. and then seek seclusion on an uninhabited island where the jerk, he is, belongs.
rosemary pinney at 12:06PM on Oct 25th 2006