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GOP Can No Longer Afford to Avoid Rush Limbaugh Problem in Wake of Ugly “Slut” Comment About Sandra Fluke

March 3, 2012 by 12 Comments
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GOP Can No Longer Afford to Avoid Rush Limbaugh Problem in Wake of Ugly "Slut" Comment About Sandra Fluke (Photo credit: Bearman 2007)

We knew the day was coming when the GOP would have to confront its Rush Limbaugh problem head-on and they can’t keep dancing around the issue. Rush Limbaugh’s basic argument about the government paying for contraceptives wasn’t unfounded. In fact, it is a legitimate policy issue, but the way in which he denigrated Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke to prove his point was not only despicable but misogynistic at best. The government should not be paying for birth control pills any more than it should be footing the bill for Viagra.

The media outlets that carry Rush Limbaugh’s radio show shouldn’t be let off the hook any more than the show’s advertisers. We have to stand for something and not fall for anything. Respect should be demanded of ALL women. It’s very telling when we have yet to hear from the so-called women of the GOP such as Sarah Palin. Let’s not forget when David Letterman made sex jokes about Sarah Palin’s daughter, all hell broke loose and he was forced to issue an apology. Well, Rush Limbaugh should be held to the same standard and not just dismissed as an “entertainer,” as Rick Santorum said. We can’t give some people a pass and punish others. Don Imus was kicked off the air when he called the Rutgers University women’s basketball players “nappy-headed hos.” You remember the outrage that erupted, right? Then the same treatment should be afforded to Rush Limbaugh.

Washington Post: We are not calling for censorship. Nor are we suggesting that the ostensible policy issue here — mandatory provision of contraception under health insurance paid for by religious-based institutions such as Georgetown — is a simple one. Those who questioned President Obama’s initial decisions in this area — we among them — were not waging a “war on women,” as Democrats have alleged in strident fundraising appeals.

What we are saying is that Mr. Limbaugh has abused his unique position within the conservative media to smear and vilify a citizen engaged in the exercise of her First Amendment rights, and in the process he debased a national political discourse that needs no further debasing. This is not the way a decent citizen behaves, much less a citizen who wields significant de facto power in a major political party. While Republican leaders owe no apology for Mr. Limbaugh’s comments, they do have a responsibility to repudiate them — and him.

Rush Limbaugh doubled down claiming that the left was going crazy. Well, so are some on the right, including John Boehner and Carly Fiorina. He changed the premise of the discussion to something ugly that the Republican Party cannot ignore. Calling a woman, who he knew nothing about a “slut” and a “prostitute” was vitriolic and low. In essence, Rush Limbaugh has called ALL women who share the same views as Sandra Fluke sluts and prostitutes. How would he like someone to call his mother, his sister (if he has one), his wife or a female cousin a slut?

The bottom line is that he represents the conservative mindset in this country to a large degree and the Republican Party cannot afford to be tied to this wingnut. Rush Limbaugh needs to remember that karma is a beeyotch and what goes around, comes around. His day is coming and many will rejoice at whatever curve ball life throws him. It’s funny that Newt Gingrich claims to stand for so much, but really stands for nothing. He was pretty vocal about President Obama apologizing for the recent Koran burning in Afghanistan, but mum on Rush Limbaugh calling Sandra Fluke a slut.

GOP Can No Longer Afford to Avoid Rush Limbaugh Problem in Wake of Ugly Slut Comment About Sandra Fluke
04 GOP Can No Longer Afford to Avoid Rush Limbaugh Problem in Wake of Ugly Slut Comment About Sandra Fluke
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About Janet Shan

Janet Shan is a freelance journalist, blogger and social media consultant. Janet specializes in political and social commentary, as well as business writing. She is the founder and managing editor of the Hinterland Gazette. She is putting the finishing touches on her new novel, a mystery based in the hills on Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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  • PatrioticUSGlory

    If Limbaugh violated the law, then Sandra Fluke will successfully sue him.  If he was exercising his First Amendment rights, then she will lose.  End of story.  All else is a leftwing vendetta or a publishing deadline and the writer had to get something together and quickly.

    • http://blackpoliticalthought.blogspot.com HinterlandG

      PatrioticUSGlory — So, calling a woman a slut and a prostitute is okay in your book?

      • minsk

        Rush Limbaugh, and those in his category, are are without hope of ever entering the realm of decency. I believe, with plenty of good evidence, that he spews that crap just so the attention is turned to him.  That is his life blood! Plenty of people feel as he does, but most have the decency to keep it to themselves because they realize how offensive it is–they have a conscience. The only way to cut out his tongue is to stop using his name in the press.  His name in the press is what gives him power and influence.  Look what happened to Prince when he used a Symbol rather than his name to get out of a recording contract.  Of course, there is no comparison between a talented musician and a scum blower.

        PatrioticUSGlory–the First Amendment doesn’t work like that.  Ms Fluke “thrust” herself into the public realm so she is open game.  Her burden of successfully winning a lawsuit of slander is very very slim, regardless of what is or isn’t true–she must prove malice.  

  • http://functionalculture.blogspot.com Constructive_Feedback

    Janet:

    Do you notice that, for some reason, you are carrying the water for the opposition to the GOP but there was no such line that could be crossed when it came to Sarah Palin – even as she was beyond her candidacy?

    I would love for you to explain how Fluke is not a “political operative” and thus is off limits for xenophobic statements while Sarah Palin is fair game.

    One day I hope to see on “Hinterland Gazette” a headline that says “The Progressives That Are Embedded Within The Black Community Can No Longer Avoid The BLACK COMMUNITY PROBLEM.  After Decades Of Convincing Black People That Investments In Their Growth In Power Is The Channel To The Black Community’s Salvation – The Violations Of The Black Community’s Interests That I Post On My Blog Is Evidence That There Has Not Been A Return On Investment”

    • minsk

      Constructive_Feedback,

      I have followed your comments for awhile but I’m not sure I am understanding them.  Or, I think I do but I don’t want to presume to know something I might not.  Please explain in simple words: The Violations Of The Black Community’s Interests That I Post On My Blog
      Is Evidence That There Has Not Been A Return On Investment”. I get the first part, The Violations Of The Black Community’s Interests That I Post On My Blog, but what so you mean by there has not been a return on investment?  Lots of talk that leads to no action?

      • http://functionalculture.blogspot.com Constructive_Feedback

        RETURN ON INVESTMENT

        When you listen to Black people who believe that a “favorable Black person elected into power” IS IN ITSELF “advancement” – you merely need to watch as this person compromises himself in defense of this venerated official.

        I will use my hallmark of an example of what I am talking about using Bayard Rustin – the father of the modern day “Black Progressive-Fundamentalist Movement”.

        Rustin said in the 1960′s that “Black people will prosper once we get control over our communities by elected Democrats, into as many seats of power as possible to push PROGRESSIVE PUBLIC POLICY”.

        Minsk – this is not a transparent plan for the best interests of the Black community.  It has permanently fused a METHODOLOGY (Progressive Public Policy) on to the Black experience.  Thus all of our problems will be made to have a PROGRESSIVE fix.  When we run across progressive dominated cities like Detroit and Chicago yet Black problems remain with a fury – they will simply EXPAND THE SCOPE of their struggle.  The school board that they used to protest against will be walked past, so as not to offend their friends, as they make their way to the state capital or the US House where the Republicans reside.

        RETURN ON INVESTMENT requires that someone who is looking out for the BLACK DEVELOPMENT INTERESTS to act as the Trustee of the cash balance, NOT as an echo chamber for the advocates of the METHODOLOGY that is popularly assumed to be the means to make the balance grow.

        When it comes to the need for quality schools so that the next generation of Black kids can be transformed into our “Professional Service Agents” in support of the High Standard Of Living that our community seeks…………..if you do not hear people detail 

        1) WHAT THIS STANDARD OF LIVING IS
        2) THE HUMAN AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES THAT WE NEED TO ATTAIN AND SUSTAIN THIS 
        3) A DISTRIBUTION PLAN BY WHICH ALL OF THE INSTITUTIONS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY MUST DO THEIR PART
        4) A TIME FRAME
        5) (and most importantly) A TRANSPARENT MEASURE OF IMPROVEMENT
        6) (and secondly most important) A MANAGEMENT CORRECTION LOOP in which courses are corrected and PEOPLE ARE FIRED FOR FAILING BLACK PEOPLE after receiving our investments of “The Black Community Development Consciousness and the Equal Black Ballots) …………..

        Then not only will you NOT receive a “Return On Investment” – you won’t have the tools in place to measure your losses.

        This leaves the people vulnerable.  After being compelled to attach their EMOTIONS to a cause yet they still FAILED, when the EMBEDDED CONFIDENCE MEN take the stage again – they merely need to tell the masses that THE ENEMY is the reason why “WE” failed and that we need to stay united and fight them again………….after they make another deposit. 

        • minsk

          Thank you!  It took a few reads but I understand what you are saying.  However, here is the biggest problem, in my view:  You can lay out the goals, the time frame, course of action, etc. but I see # 3 as most vital and # 6 as the course of action if #3 fails.  Yet, you can’t start firing without investigating, AND BEING ABLE TO REMEDY, why those in #3 failed.  Everyone must do their part, but their must be a careful assessment of what is attainable.  It takes a whole community working tirelessly, if not more.

          Here is an example:  My spouse and I jump up and down and try to bring attention to home builders and “affordable housing”.  A builder starts with a number he/she has in mind for “affordable” housing–let’s say the figure is $80,000-$100,000.  From their the builder works backwards to cut every possible corner for the sake of higher profit.  What we end up with for “affordable” housing is crap no one can afford to live in because the heating, cooling, and maintenance and repairs to the crap they sold is too costly.

          So, the issue has been brought into motion, but where from here?  We can’t find one reporter to drive to one of these “affordable” housing developments and write about what they find. Unless we picket the complex, and end up in jail, we, personally, are dead in the water. 

          Every refrigerator, washer, dryer, is rated for annual cost to operate, as are vehicles.  So why aren’t homes rated in the same way?  Buyer beware and informed of what isn’t behind the walls—quality.  Business “wise” Republicans don’t want these regulations because govt needs to stay out of business because somehow, profitable business is good for us, right? Now we are back to #1, #2 and #5.   

          Transparency–and a lot of media coverage– is often the key to change.  Take the recent LA school problems with the teachers who sexually abused the students.  Once it reached the media the parents acted and change came about (we’ll see if the new staff is any better).  Which brings us to quality schools–AKA quality teachers.

          Why are the under-served communities the ones who get the garbage that those higher in the food chain don’t want?  This is pretty much across the board in schools and healthcare.  If one fails as a teacher that teacher is passed DOWN.  Ditto for medical care.  Did you know that medical boards have allowances in place that allow disciplined and problem doctors to practice in under-served communities?  The most vulnerable, who have lots more to worry about just to survive, will now have one more problem on their plate.

          The average person is not equipped to deal with all of this. It’s so tiring who even knows where we are on the scale you have laid out?  Don’t misunderstand me, I agree with what you have written, but the basics aren’t there—human decency and concern for those who are less fortunate.  Color of skin doesn’t scare me, greed does.

          Let’s make greed less profitable!

    • http://blackpoliticalthought.blogspot.com HinterlandG

      Constructive Feedback — So, you’re okay with Rush Limbaugh calling Sandra Fluke a slut and a prostitute, right? Political operative or not, he denigrated her. If anything, he fell into the trap and kept wallowing in the muck. He has belittled President Obama repeatedly and hasn’t caught any flak. Well, the chickens may have come home to roost this time around.

      Now, I don’t get your link to the black experience. How many black rappers do we have calling women bitches and hos? Shouldn’t the outrage against that vitriol be the similar?

      • http://functionalculture.blogspot.com Constructive_Feedback

        [quote]
        So, you’re okay with Rush Limbaugh calling Sandra Fluke a slut and a prostitute, right?[/quote]

        Janet (and Minsk)

        I would like for you to define THE RULE that you would like to see all media personalities and politicians live up to in their conduct of Political Discourse.

        You insert “are you OK with Rush Limbaugh…..” when MY argument is that the people who are heard laughing when people violate the rule above when their common enemy is under attack, suddenly become offended when a person who is unfavorable to them do the same thing.

        I am not arguing “well your people do the same thing” as a means of REMOVING a standard.  This is what most people do.

        I am arguing that the standard needs to be defined and then enforced equally.

        I said on MLK Day that I was no longer going to celebrate this national holiday in the political space.  Instead I would use that day to practice a holiday in the CULTURAL space called “YOU keep your bigots in check and I’ll keep MY bigots in check” day.

        • minsk

          I get were you are coming from, but there will never be any rules–as you know–to enforce.  We can hope for human decency but that has definitely faded in the past 10 yrs. Mud slinging is the norm these days.  I can’t speak for Janet, but many people see the acceptance of mud slinging in varying degrees.  The recent “Go To Hell Obama” billboard in NY is an example of what people see in degrees.  Many feel that went overboard–others say it is all fair game.  Sad to say that the message wasn’t enough in their eyes-they needed the final insult to grab public attention.  Fear is the greatest motivator to keep people in check.  As long as our “leaders” on both sides keep enforcing the reasons we should feel fear, they will be accomplishing their goals.

  • Minsk

    Ms Fluke was testifying about the need to provide birth control for health reasons.  Her friend needed them to control a health issue, but lost an ovary because it wasn’t available. 
     
    Sexual relations are an important aspect of marriage.  If that is recognized and Viagra is provided through insurance, birth control should definitely be part of the package.  

    • http://blackpoliticalthought.blogspot.com HinterlandG

      Minsk — I am with you on the Viagra issue. If they aren’t going to pay for birth control, then they don’t need to pay for Viagra. I am appalled at how accepting some on the right are of Rush Limbaugh denigrating this woman by calling her a slut.