I like Rush Limbaugh. On the days that I am off from work I look forward to tuning in to 590 KLBJ at 11am just to hear his voice. I think he makes some good points and I usually have a good laugh. But there are a lot people who dislike him - including my fiance. In fact, when we are in the car together and Rush's show is on I don't get to listen to it because I know how much he can't stand him. And that's okay because he won't watch The Daily Show while I'm around.
I came across this article on The Daily Texan about Rush Limbaugh and the uproar he caused this week. I found the author's summary of the situation to be interesting because I both agreed and disagreed with her. Earlier this week Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown law student, was referred to as a slut by Limbaugh after she testified to Congress about making birth control available for all women. I have a friend with reproductive problems who has to be on birth control otherwise it would really affect her health if she wasn't. So, I can see where she was coming from. If Viagra is covered by insurance why isn't birth control? It seems like that would be the fair thing to do. I like fairness. I wish everything could be.
Over the years, and more than once, Limbaugh has said something that has been considered inappropriate or scandalous. I don't always agree with him when he has done so. I don't think she is a slut and I think he was wrong to call her one. It was rude and uncalled for and doesn't make a strong argument for getting anyone to agree with him. It just backfired. On this I agree with the author. Then, the author also brings up Bill Maher and the "infamous" comments he made about Sarah Palin. The derogatory name he called her has four letters and refers to a part of a woman's genitalia. Do you remember when he called her that? Because I don't remember it at all! Or how about when David Letterman also called her a slut? You didn't hear any kind of uproar or people demanding apologies the way they did for Sandra Fluke. And I think that's unfair.
The author says the difference in how the two women were treated is significant. She tells her audience that because Palin is a public figure and Fluke is not that more harm was done. I have to completely disagree with her.
There should be no difference between the two women and how differently both situations were treated. Just because Sarah Palin is an elected official and in the public eye it doesn't make it okay to attack her with nasty comments. You can also make the point that the treatment of Palin can also discourage a person from speaking their minds or entering public debate. If the author wants to celebrate gender equality she should want it equally for all women. She should have been just as upset about what Sarah Palin was called as she was about Sandra Fluke.
I agree that these types of words don't move us forward, they just hold us back. Make a credible argument if you disagree with someone and leave the name calling out of it. Unfortunately in this day and age it won't be the last time this happens.
I will tell Rush Limbaugh all this when I send him an invitation to my wedding. I bet he will bring a really nice gift.
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