Maher: Why Didn’t Rush Die from Drugs Instead of Heath Ledger?

The hatred from supposedly compassionate and open-minded Hollywoodans is something to behold, isn't it?

After all, just imagine despising a radio talk show host so much that you would suggest, on national television, that he should die of a drug overdose.

Alas, such was the case Friday evening when HBO's Bill Maher actually asked guest P.J. O'Rourke, who was talking about Rush Limbaugh's use of the prescription drug OxyContin (disgusting question after the jump):

Video/audio: Click image to play Flash video. MP3 audio. (Video also available here courtesy our friend Ms Underestimated.)

Why couldn't have he croaked from it instead of Heath Ledger?

Honestly, can you imagine?

MSNBC's David Shuster was suspended on Friday for making insensitive remarks about Chelsea Clinton being "pimped out."

Will Maher even get a slap on the wrist from HBO for this?

Yes, that's a rhetorical question.

Of course, what's really interesting is how just before Maher made this despicable remark, he was actually condemning Republicans for their antipathy towards John McCain:

BILL MAHER, HOST: Why is it, I was asking Amy this, why is it that the Republican establishment, I guess it is, have so much disdain, not just for McCain, but for the other guy who's still in it...Huckabee? They don't like either one of them.

P.J. O'ROURKE, WRITER: Well, I think a couple of things are going on. It's the it's the twilight of the radio loud-mouth, you know? I knew it from the moment the fat guy…

MAHER: …You mean Rush Limbaugh and Sean..?

O'ROURKE: …from the moment the fat guy refused to share his drugs (audience laughter). I was, you know…he never called, he never wrote. I'm ready to party, you know, come on! No, I think it's kind of over for those people. So…

MAHER: Right, you mean the OxyContin that he was on?

O'ROURKE: Yeah, exactly. I mean, that stuff's good!

MAHER: Why couldn't, uh, why couldn't have he croaked from it instead of Heath Ledger? (small audience groans)

O'ROURKE: Yeah, yeah.

Amazing, wouldn't you agree?

First, Maher chastises Republicans for not liking their presidential candidates. Then, he wishes ill of the leading conservative voice in the media.

Physician, heal thyself!

*****Update: Late night slip of the keyboard alert: OxyContin is certainly not an over-the-counter drug. Correction made, and thanks to all who brought it to my attention.