A firestorm has erupted over Rush Limbaugh calling Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute” simply because she went before Congress and testified in favor of free contraceptive coverage. So I guess any woman taking birth control could then be construed as a slut and/or prostitute in Limbaugh’s world. Personally, I am happy to see Limbaugh taking the heat and would be ecstatic to see him taken off the air for lack of advertisers. Behavior and language like that doesn’t belong on the airwaves and it is a source of never-ending amazement to me that Limbaugh has garnered such a huge following.
Like it or not, the fact is we live in a free country and people like Limbaugh have freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment as much as anyone else. His freedom can be curtailed if enough advertisers pull their dollars from his show. We can vote with our wallets.
On Friday evening’s edition of Real Time, Bill Maher alluded to Limbaugh’s call to President Obama to return the $1 million super pack donation from Maher. The reason, according to Limbaugh, was that Maher had called Sarah Palin a “dumb twat” and a “cunt” and therefore his money was tainted. Maher’s response was that he could say what he wanted because he’s on HBO and has no sponsors.
I don’t agree with Limbaugh but I do have something to say to Mr. Maher. Bill, your rationalization was lame. I watch your show and I like it. I know you didn’t refer to Mrs. Palin in those terms on your show. You did it, from what I can gather, during one of your stand up comedy routines. You don’t like her. Neither do I. You think she’s stupid. So do I. I may even privately agree with your assessment. But to use that language in a public venue is tacky. Really. Stooping to the level of those you criticize takes away your credibility. There is so much you could have said about Palin that was true and yet, you chose to use terminology that I can guarantee the great majority of women in your audience found offensive, even if they were rabid Palin haters.
We see so many laments about the state of public discourse in this country today. Fingers are pointed, insults hurled, the noise gets louder and louder until nobody is listening to what the other has to say. We on the Liberal side can’t do anything about the hatred and venom spewing non-stop from the right but we can take a cue from the man we elected to the presidency and use words with care. Language is an amazing tool when used properly. It moved this nation to elect our first black president. It was President Obama’s use of language—his rhetorical genius—that made people listen. He ran against a woman and never once did he use insulting language. Never once did he take the cheap shots he could have at McCain’s silly running mate. He rose above the fray and acted like an adult.
As Liberals, it is up to us to hold high the banner of standards to be set. If the other side ignores them, it will only shine a light on their shortcomings. Never should we become the very thing we criticize.
I find it most offensive when the worst thing one can call someone relates to female anatomy. I'm sick of the worst thing you can be called is b**ch, a slut, a c***, a son of a b**ch, a bastard...etc. All of these things align being a woman with being bad, unclean, lacking in morals, whatever. It's really so lacking in creativity and imagination.
ReplyDeleteThis brings to mind what my mother used to say when my brother and I would name call as CHILDREN, use your words. Stick to what's really bothering you and express it. Ms. Fluke herself was never the issue so leave her out of it. It is deplorable that radio and tv personalities can both belittle and undermine the power of women in this great country by their callous and cowardly name calling.
ReplyDeleteI can't add anythng to what you've written. You were inside my head! The level of vitriol in our public discourse is disheartening.
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