I’ve been deciding whether or I should or should not write a full post about the Blunt Amendment that Senate Democrats (almost exclusively) blocked today on a 51-48 vote. This is the one that would allow employers to decide whether to deny women coverage for birth control — yes, we’re fighting about birth control again — in their employees’ health insurance plans. If your boss doesn’t want you to be eligible to be insured to use birth control, you don’t get it. You can still, like Rush, get insured for Viagra, though; some things are too impotent … important! … for politics.
I had decided that I wasn’t going to be able to put in the time to do the really good job that the topic required. Then Rush Limbaugh came along and made it easy to write on at least something tangential to the topic. That’s because I can just copy someone else’s writing pretty much in total. (I might as well; I could hardly improve on it.) As I’ve edited a bit, I’ve left out the block quotes.
Yesterday, Rush Limbaugh referred to a bright and brave young law student — Sandra Fluke, who testified yesterday on speaking out on the medical need for birth control — as a “slut.” His justification was that she wanted to be “paid to have sex.” (This is pretty hilarious from a guy who was famously caught smuggling a large amount of Viagra into the Dominican Republic for presumed use with prostitutes of unknown gender.)
Put aside for a moment that Limbaugh is a disgusting woman-hater. He also doesn’t even know what he’s talking about, likely because he didn’t listen to Fluke’s testimony about her friend who was denied access to birth control pills prescribed for a medical condition, an ovarian cyst, got very ill and eventually lost that ovary as a result. (I can imagine Limbaugh saying that that doesn’t matter because she has a spare; something I’d think would better apply to Limbaugh’s testicles.)
Today, far from apologizing for his crude, hurtful, ignorant slurs, he doubled down:
So Miss Fluke and the rest of you Feminazis, Here’s the deal, and I’ll tell you what it is: If we are going to pay for your contraceptives, and thus pay for you to have sex,we want you to post the videos so we can all watch.
If you agree with Limbaugh, you can thank his sponsors (or, if you don’t, you can do whatever you want):
Pro Flowers
Sleep Train
Domino’s Pizza
Lending Tree
Life Quotes
e-Harmony
OnStar
Hotwire Corporate Headquarters
CARBONITE, Inc.
Select Comfort
The Neptune Society of Northern California
Oreck Corporation
Mid-West Life Insurance Co. Tennessee
AutoZone Inc.
Mission Pharmacal (Citrical)
LegalZoom
Blue-Emu
Citrix Online (GoToMyPC)
American Forces Network
(e-Harmony?! Say it ain’t so!)
Sandra Fluke is a plant – an anti-Catholic plant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcDwnJCAYRg
…and this is because Rush says so? Good God!
I’m not clicking that video, not after what Limbaugh said. Care to summarize?
And do you think she’s lying about her friend’s ovary?
And what do you mean by anti-Catholic?
And what do you mean by “plant” in any sense that the five men who testified were NOT “plants”?
almost like the goon on mslsd that no one watches that likes to call women sluts . ed i have zero ratings schultz
I’m all ears, G1. Give me your best citation of Schultz liking to call women sluts.
Well it’s true, Greg. You missed that? It was about six months ago, when in a great Ed-like rage (on his radio program) he couldn’t remember Laura Ingraham’s name and said “you know that right-wing slut.” The next day he gave a five-minute apology for it. It was a remarkable. memorable apology in that it seemed more sincere than any apology we’ve seen in recent years. None of that “if anyone was offended” or “inartful” or “misspoke” crap. Then he voluntarily took a two-week unpaid leave of absence from TV and radio. Laura accepted his apology.
Different ballpark with Rush. That was a planned line that he thought was on target and hilarious. And then he doubled down by demanding to see a sex tape of Ms. Fluke. You really think Rush will ever apologize? He’s enjoying everyone’s outrage, it’s his bread and butter. I hope and pray that Ms. Fluke will sue for millions and prevail.
The charge was that Schultz “likes to call women sluts,” not that “in one moment of weakness, forgetfulness, and relative stupidity, he called a particular woman a slut.” That five-minute apology and voluntary leave is a broad hint that he does not, in fact, “like” to call women sluts.
Limbaugh, as you note, is a completely different matter.
Great One apparently doesn’t know or doesn’t appreciate or can’t understand the difference between these cases. Maybe he’ll show up today and clarify why he thinks that this shows that Schultz “likes” to call women “sluts.” He can’t even justify using the plural form, based on that incident.
Fair enough. (Although, to be a devil’s advocate, if it slipped out on air it’s reasonable to guess that’s how he talks – or USED to talk – in unguarded moments. And I love Big Ed!)
oh i forgot your a wanna be lawyer he CALLED LAURA INGRAM A SLUT .. dont let facts get in the way libs dont belive in them
Laura Ingram is a woman, not “women.” Learn your plurals.
Where is Newbie to accuse The Grating Juan of using a non sequitur when you need him?
Him and his colleague Geoff are still licking their wounds over at Shepherd Mullin. I did invite Geoff back. Hey little babies, come out and play!
There have been so many rumors circulating about Rush Limbaugh being closeted homosexual or into child pornography. I am sure this seemed seemed like a golden opportunity to show he was like the rest of his Christian fans and was instead addicted to adult heterosexual pornography.
Its been a log time since I’ve gone to an East coast university, so I don’t know what the health coverage is now. But does the health plans cover male birth control too? Or not?
All good libertarians should be placated by the knowledge that Rush paid for his own Viagara — no taxpayer money involved. He is, however, correct about Ms. Fluke. She deserves considerable ridicule for her public panhandling for birth control pills and condoms. When will the taxpayer goodies ever end? Our National Debt Clock is at $15.43 trillion and growing. Talk about a disconnected reality.
Is it your understanding that what is provided to someone through private medical insurance through one’s employer comes from “taxpayer money” and therefore increases the national debt? Could you expand on your fascinating analysis?
Even if it did, Fluke’s testimony itself explains why provision of birth control pills can be as medically appropriate as any other medicine. Reading comprehension quiz: what was the subject of her testimony?
As for the provision of condoms — they cost a lot less than AIDS treatments, for one. Public health considerations can justify their free distribution, simply to save “taxpayer money.”
People like derekcrane will never understand that spending a LITTLE money on one thing in order to save a LOT of money on something else is sound fiscal policy. Either that, or he is fine with seeing the healthcare share of GDP continue to rise and rise.
Whether it is the taxpayer or insurance provider, someone is subsidizing her fun. There are a couple of ways that her testimony can end up costing the taxpayer plenty, should the Congress follow through with her suggestions. The Medicaid and other welfare recipients will, indeed, be receiving taxpayer-funded contraceptives should we continue with these policies. Secondly, requiring employers to provide contraceptives will encourage them to drop coverage for their employees encouraging these employees to enroll in the heavily subsidized Obamacare as an option should they want to remain employees of that company or organization. In the end, the taxpayer loses.
And where does it end with these cost saving schemes? Should we mandate that insurance cover the purchase of vitamins since it can be demonstrated that regular vitamin consumption will result in healthier people. What about health club memberships? Fat farms? There’s a whole new world for the big government types to exploit in the name of “preventive medicine.”
Why can’t Ms Fluke pay for her own contraceptives or find someone who will voluntarily give them to her (her boyfriend)? Why must taxpayers and/or ratepayers subsidize her good times?
This guy just like Rush doesn’t even know what Fluke testified about. DEREK and RUSH are the ones who deserve public ridicule.
I thought his first comment was a clumsy attempt at sarcasm, pero no!
She testified that contraceptives must be included in health policies for the good of women’s health. Why? What do you think she testified about?
Well, I hate to have to tell you, as it’s not only clear to anyone who heard it, but also it’s already been mentioned both in this article and in previous comments. What’s known as “birth control” or “contraception” or “the pill” is necessary for women for a lot more than just preventing pregnancy while having sex. And Ms Fluke memorably told the story of how a friend of hers lost her ovary due to not being able to get it. Most of us knew that but I’m afraid you just RUSH in here after a diet of nothing but RUSH. You bring it down to her “fun” and her “boyfriend” – Rush calls her a “prostitute” and wants to watch her fucking – both of you might learn something if you fucking listened to her.
As far as you or I or Rush know, Ms Fluke is celibate or a lesbian or infertile or married and happy to have kids – it’s none of our business.
Of course you sound like some kind of XXXTREEEM Libertarian who doesn’t think society should work together to cover its own necessary medications at all. I find THAT position absurd and worthy of public ridicule. Caring for Americans’ health is no less a function of why we have a damn country than national defense. It IS national defense.
And, for that matter, preventing unwanted pregnancies (and STDs) is ALSO in the national interest. But that’s just my point #2 or 3.
Reading your portrayal of her friend’s plight, I must ask why didn’t Ms Fluke, in the spirit of an open society, do something to help her friend: Hold a benefit, bake sale, anything to raise money to purchase the needed contraceptives. Why didn’t she take a semester off from law school to work and give the money to this poor victim of Republican callousness?
I don’t know Fluke’s freakin life story or her friend’s freakin life story or when this happened or when they met. We’re discussing public policy for the future. You think Americans’ health is not the concern of the American people and their government. Fine. I hope you always stay in the minority.
derekcrane apparently has a vision of some sort of utopian society where nobody is selfish, nobody looks out for number 1 but also looks out for everyone else around them, where corporations don’t make selfish, greedy decisions…indeed, where people don’t make those choices either.
It doesn’t exist. It never has. It never will. So now what, Mr. derekcrane?
Derek, I’m going to just LOVE having you around here!
I objected to the war in Iraq. Why didn’t Dick Cheney hold a bake sale for it? (And, by the way, how do you know that Ms. Fluke didn’t hold a bake sale?)
I salute you for supporting “children should be conceived only by those standing up in canoes” principle that anything worth doing — like controlling one’s hormones and saving one’s ovary — is worth doing the hard way.
I realize that you don’t know the life story of either women, but you are gullible enough to be persuaded by Fluke’s tears, generated by this dubious story, to have Congress pass legislation requiring people to do something against their religious or moral beliefs. It has nothing to do with people’s health, somehow mankind has survived without the Obamas’ humanity, but this issue is nothing but another attempt of government to expand its scope and control over people’s lives.
Please show us the legislation where Congress requires people to use contraception.
Although I find your philosophy repellent and juvenile, I doubt that you’re evil like Rush is. So you really shouldn’t be having his back here, for calling her a SLUT and a PROSTITUTE and demanding to see her SEX TAPES, just for testifying on the health importance of the pill.
At least distance yourself from Limbaugh, guy!
You obviously don’t listen to Rush. Center to his style is to present liberal absurdity absurdly. This is in the tradition of Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce and George Carlin. Lefties, who have little sense of humor and are quick to be offended, would not understand, and would never laugh.
Ahhh, yes…the “it’s just a joke” defense. Pathetic.
Have your mom, Derek, your sisters, your wife or girlfriends, ever used contraception? Is it ever partially paid for by an insurance company (i.e. our premiums?) Well, your pal Rush says they’re SLUTS and PROSTITUTES then! Hilarious! Let’s see the sex tapes of your mom, sisters, etc. We paid for it didn’t we?
Hahaha! Well said…in the tradition of Bruce, Sahl, Carlin, et al. Hilarious!
They paid cash and are saints.
Ms. Fluke is definitely a joke.
neener, neener, neener…non-sequitur alert!
We’re still waiting for you to show us the Congressional legislation that requires people to use contraception!
Rereading my posts I see no claim that I referenced any legislation requiring people to use contraception. I suggested that Congress could mandate that all health insurance policies be required to pay for contraception coverage which is far different in theory and practice than being forced to use contraception. Maybe you are thinking of Obama’s memorandum requiring all employees, regardless of their moral beliefs, to purchase insurance which has the contraceptive mandate. But again, no one is forcing people to use contraception.
Let’s try and look at this from a practical point of view. If insurance companies are required to provide contraception, as would happen in a modern society, then more women will have access. This, in turn, will reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies. I assume you are aware of the attendant costs of prenatal care and childbirth, and the myriad of health problems infants can experience.
So, isn’t this simply a good business decision?
As far as “moral beliefs,” meaning in this instance that people shouldn’t use it because of some arbitrary mythological belief, well, we are living in the 21st Century. Enough already.
Hi Greg, I work for Domino’s Pizza on the digital and blogger relations team. We appreciate your concern, but wanted to let you know that Domino’s does not advertise or sponsor this show, and we never have. We’re not sure why some lists have been passed around that claim we do, but I can assure you we are not a sponsor of this show. Thanks for your time.
Phil
Thanks for the clarification, Phil. Could you post some sort of more definitive citation to this (say a published press release) with a URL? I’d be happy to pass it along to the sources where I’ve seen your company listed.
See comments from our Communications VP here:
http://www.freep.com/article/20120303/NEWS07/203030435/Limbaugh-s-verbal-attack-on-law-student-sparks-backlash?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Thank you again, Phil. I’ve posted the correction on Daily Kos. I did, in the course of the article, learn that Domino’s is owned by Bain Capital, which also owns Clear Channel Communications, which owns Premiere Radio Networks, which syndicates “Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Glenn Beck, Michael Savage, and many others.” This may be how the rumor began.
Anyway, thank you for your clarification. Now I’m going to console myself that I can never do business with other Bain properties such as “AMC Entertainment, Aspen Education Group, Brookstone, Burger King, Burlington Coat Factory, DoubleClick, Dunkin’ Donuts, D&M Holdings, Guitar Center, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), Sealy, The Sports Authority, Staples, Toys ‘R’ Us, Warner Music Group and The Weather Channel” without cringing ever again. And now I’m going to lie down and take a bunch of very deep breaths.
the daily kooks they would want nothing more to shut down right wing radio .
Thanks for the list of sponsors Greg! Autozone supposedly pulled its ads, and I complained to Oreck, a nice vacuum cleaner company I used to support. Rush’s radio company also employs the likes of Kasy Kasem’s long legacy of air time (and family) and Ryan Seacrest. Talk radio has deep pockets. I think Rush’s overreach can be expected on a daily basis, but this was too much for me! Boycott and hit them where it really hurts!
In the interest of fairness, could you also post the sponsors of Ed Schultz show? – since he called Laura Ingraham a slut. Those of us who are truly fair and balanced would like the opportunity to boycott Schultz’ sponsors as well.
That “parallel” was already addressed in this thread. Read up, ‘wag! And boycott MSNBC if you feel like it.
PS
This post / thread is not some unbiased public service. The post is Greg’s opinion and the thread is our readers’ opinions. Greg and I compared the two incidents above and we agree that there’s no comparison. However, if you want to research Big Ed’s advertisers and post ’em here, go for it! We won’t delete it.
Schultz apologized the next day and voluntarily took a leave from his show. BUT, the huge difference is that he called Ingraham (a public figure with a penchant for rudeness) a “talk” slut while he called Fluke (a law student at a university who politely and intelligently wished to make a point without rudeness) a “sexual” slut. No difference to you?
A Message from Carbonite CEO, David Friend Regarding Ads on Limbaugh
March 02, 2012
Over the past two days we have received a tremendous amount of feedback on Rush Limbaugh’s recent comments. I too am offended and very concerned about his comments. Limbaugh’s remarks have us rethinking our future use of talk radio.
We use more than 40 talk show hosts to help get the Carbonite message out to the public. The nature of talk radio is that from time to time listeners are offended by a host and ask that we pull our advertising. This goes for conservatives like Limbaugh and progressives like Stephanie Miller and Ed Shultz. We even get customers who demand that we pull the plug on NPR. As an advertiser, we do not have control over a show’s editorial content or what they say on air. Carbonite does not endorse the opinions of the shows or their hosts.
However, the outcry over Limbaugh is the worst we’ve ever seen. I have scheduled a face-to-face meeting next week with Limbaugh during which I will impress upon him that his comments were offensive to many of our customers and employees alike.
Please know your voice has been heard and that we are taking this matter very seriously.
Sincerely,
David Friend
Looks like they’re willing to negotiate with drug users. That should work out well, like it never does.
I think that they may have to change their name to “Graphite,” because they’re going to end up smeared over all sorts of papers.
What about the Dalcon Sponge? Or maybe the Star of David implant? Or maybe just stopping outside a local high school and asking a gang member for whatever he has in his wallet?
Rush “Screwed the Pooch” on this one. We guess he could have put an Anthony Wiener photo on his smart phone and given out his home number – just to get more attention. All in all, the wisdom of picking on any woman in this day and age is much akin to shooting arrows at the moon. First off, you are not going to hit the moon and secondly you might just hit that you didn’t plan on hitting. Look what happened to those of us that tried to castigate Casey Anthony or Foxy Knoxy in a fair and even handed way….at that. Nancy Grace be praised. Doubtful even she is not going to pick on either Gloria Allred or Ms. Fluke. Only a Dinosaur, Man Cave Loving, Mini-Macho, Anti-Female Sexist, Living in the past sort of individual – might do that.
So, what is the Male equivalent of Slut? What is the Male equivalent of Prostitute? What is the Male Equivalent of trading sex for favors? What is the Male equivalent of asking to put home sex tapes on their face book page?
A little better personal apology…..might be in order. During his four hour radio program…he might well want to personally state his position related to women, Ms. Fluke and his remarks regarding her and her behavior in front of Congress.
Meanwhile, Rush needs more ……..of whatever he used to take. Maybe he just ran out of his personal supplier and was a little chippy that day….when he brought up the subject of free contraception for women. Maybe he really just wants complimentary free contraception for men sent to him. But then – why didn’t he just say so?
oh mr perfect diamond WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO COME BACK ON .. just rip on the spelling zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
You said that Schultz like to call “women” sluts, suggesting that there’s more than one instance.
I say “you haven’t shown that he does that generally, you’ve only given one instance of it.”
And you say “women, woman — don’t criticize my spelling!”
I love arguing with you. You’re such a complete muron.
“I love arguing with you. You’re such a complete muron.”
Or as Bugs Bunny would say… “you’re an ultramaroon.”
It’s funny how people on the right now try to insult you by saying that you are educated and use correct English. Yeah, let’s see who can be the biggest idiot, because that would qualify you to be a Republican Presidential Candidate.
YOU TWO STOOGES DEMOCRAP AND ROUGH DIAMOND , JUST LIKE A FAT LIB WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY , YOUR LIKE 2 LITTLE KIDS AAHH I GOT YOU YOU DIDNT SPELL THIS RIGHT , AND AVOID THE WHOLE SUBJECT ,, DEMOCRAP YOUR LATE FOR YOUR BERKLEY CLASS .. ON HOW STUPID DEMOCRAPS ARE
You’re a morob and you can’t admit when you are wrong. Singular ain’t plural, miron.
OK than lets settle it once and for all, Grate One – how many WOMAN does Ed Schultz like to call SLIT?
The Great Coward’s mom called and said that he wasn’t able to respond to Diamond, because he is too busy kissing El Rushbo’s FIG BAT ASS.
Even the Hillbilly Heroin Head has backed off calling her a SLOOT, and apologized, sort of.
The Great One….he’s wiping Santorum off his lips.