Slog
News & ArtsFriday, March 2, 2012
The Ladies Obama Praises the Woman Labeled a "Slut" by Limbaugh
Posted by Cienna Madrid on Fri, Mar 2, 2012 at 3:25 PM
I tried to ignore the whole Rush-Limbaugh-calling-Sandra-Fluke-a-slut-for-using-birth-control debacle because Limbaugh's comments struck me as so willfully stupid and cruelly inflammatory as to have been said purely for the media spectacle. Obviously, women take birth control for reasons other than because they're sexually active, and there's no 1:1 ratio between birth control pills and sexual encounters, so arguing that women "have so much sex they can't afford birth control" is just dumb.
And really, who the fuck cares what Rush Limbaugh thinks? Who the fuck even listens to his garbage show?
But today's news that President Obama reached out to Fluke to give her his presidential blessing is touching:
“You were in our green room getting ready to come on and the White House tells us that we can reveal that you just got off the phone with President Obama,” MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell explained.“Yes, I did,” Fluke agreed. “He encouraged me and supported me and thanked me for speaking out about the concerns of American women.”
“And what was really personal for me was he said to tell my parents that they should be proud. And that meant a lot because Rush Limbaugh questioned whether my family would be proud of me,” she added, fighting back tears.
A call from Obama is worth a million bitter old men screaming into their tin cans about sluts. ("They're in the walls! They're in my hair! Sluts, sluts—they're everywhere!") Still, though: I wish we could get back to ignoring Limbaugh and his stupid old man "get off my lawn!" rants like normal.
1
When I worked in residential construction, Limbaugh and other conservative wastes of public airwaves were sometimes on the jobsite's radio. But almost everyone at the job either didn't speak English, or hated having talk radio on. It was usually because some jerk insisted, and no one cared enough to fight with him about it.
I think if there was a way to count the people who actually want to listen to him, you would find his audience to be in the thousands, and their buying power to be almost neglibible. The only people I know who enjoy listening to him are in their late 80'.
Maybe someday his advertisers will figure that out.
I think if there was a way to count the people who actually want to listen to him, you would find his audience to be in the thousands, and their buying power to be almost neglibible. The only people I know who enjoy listening to him are in their late 80'.
Maybe someday his advertisers will figure that out.
2
Rush got married about a year ago or so. I can't imagine his own wife not giving him hell about this at home.
4
"And really, who the fuck cares what Rush Limbaugh thinks?"
There are lots of Republicans/Conservatives who do care what he says. Just look at the comments about Sandra Fluke from them.
For Democrats/Liberals/Progressives this is important because it reinforces that the Republican agenda is anti-women.
If you use birth control, you're a slut.
If you expect birth control to be covered by your health insurance (as viagra is) then you're a whore.
There are lots of Republicans/Conservatives who do care what he says. Just look at the comments about Sandra Fluke from them.
For Democrats/Liberals/Progressives this is important because it reinforces that the Republican agenda is anti-women.
If you use birth control, you're a slut.
If you expect birth control to be covered by your health insurance (as viagra is) then you're a whore.
5
Plenty of people listen to his (I agree) garbage show. Don't just dismiss the opposition, no matter how little you identify with their priorities.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con…
6
Hey, I didn't know The Onion actually does REAL journalism!!
http://www.theonion.com/articles/i-dont-…
... if only ...
http://www.theonion.com/articles/i-dont-…
... if only ...
7
Lovely that he made that call. It's so nice to have a human being in the white house. It's been a while.
8
Very happy to hear it. (And I do admire how the President decided to reach her juuuuust before she went on national TV. Oh yes, Andrea Mitchell, you have the White House's permission to mention it, thanks.)
9
I have a question, why would a woman take a hormone pill to prevent pregnancy if she were not sexually active? Do they serve another purpose too?
10
First of all, sex with Limbaugh-Ew squared. Secondly, could you imagine them calling men sluts ever, for any reason? And lastly, nothing these sex obsessed right wing perverts say or do should go unanswered.
11
Wait. Isn't Limbaugh the dude who went to the Dominican Republic with a suitcase full of Viagra? The guy who went to jail for being a prescription drug addict? And he's criticizing other people's sex lives and healthcare choices? Really? That guy?
12
@9, yes, there are a number of non-contraception-related medical reasons why you might be prescribed the pill.
It's also not like an aspirin tablet; it's not something you can just pop in when you realize sex is about to occur. It's not actually a pill; it's a regimen. You have to keep taking it for it to work at all, which means if you are in a position where sex might EVER occur, you have to be on the regimen, even if you haven't actually had sex for weeks, months or years.
It's also not like an aspirin tablet; it's not something you can just pop in when you realize sex is about to occur. It's not actually a pill; it's a regimen. You have to keep taking it for it to work at all, which means if you are in a position where sex might EVER occur, you have to be on the regimen, even if you haven't actually had sex for weeks, months or years.
14
@9- Sargon, there are other medical reasons to take hormonal birth control. My daughter's doctor prescribed it when she just started going through puberty to treat extremely painful periods.
15
@9 The pill does have uses other than contraception. I'm a man and not a doctor, but I know that it stops ovulation (i.e. periods) and is used for ovarian problems among other things.
16
@9 On the off-chance you aren't trolling: the most common alternative use I know of for birth control is treatment for acne, though they can also be used to treat endometriosis or any other disorder having to do with menstrual flow/estrogen levels.
17
@9 Birth control pills help cure acne. Sandra Fluke talked about her friend who needed birth control to heal interuterine cysts. They can help with endrometreosis. There are plenty of other medical reasons to take the pill. But really, does having sex with your husband make you a slut and a prostitute? Nice try, no cigar.
18
Wait, so if 50 year old men say they want to have sex with 28 year old condom toting women, they're Viagra swilling perverts.
But if they say that they wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole, they're bitter.
Just another day full of SLOG-pocrazy.
Which is it?
19
You really think no one listens to his show? He basically calls out marching orders for the GOP. The Stranger SHOULD be making a big deal of this, and anyone unfamiliar with how the pill works (and what it is needed for besides birth control) needs to take a 10th grade health class.
20
Um, since the guy is the head of the Republican party, you might want to pay attention to him. That's where the marching orders come from and have for quite some time. Note the number of high-profile Republicans who have stepped up to denounce him. Yeah, that would be zero (and weak tea on Friday afternoon after the show's aired for the day does NOT count).
21
@#11,
As far as I know, there's no evidence Limpbaugh went to the Dominican Republic with a suitcase full of Viagra.
On the other hand, he was arrested for coming back from the Dominican Republic with a suitcase full of Viagra.
I hope this clears up any confusion for you.
As far as I know, there's no evidence Limpbaugh went to the Dominican Republic with a suitcase full of Viagra.
On the other hand, he was arrested for coming back from the Dominican Republic with a suitcase full of Viagra.
I hope this clears up any confusion for you.
22
Apparently he said that since "we" ("taxpayers") pay for a woman's birth control, we're entitled to have video of the ensuing event? Well, since "we" are buying all these old guys Viagra, we should get video of them too. Right???
(NOT THAT ANYONE WANTS TO SEE THAT.)
(NOT THAT ANYONE WANTS TO SEE THAT.)
23
It's adorable how desperate liberals are to believe that Limbaugh has no sway and no audience, but the fact of the matter is that he has millions of listeners. And they're not tuning in for the dulcet tones of that gasbag's voice.
The bigots are legion.
The bigots are legion.
24
Ditto what the other commenters said about Limbaugh and his Viagra. Do the other pundits/journalists have amnesia (again)? Why isn't he called on this? Viagra is used for the sole purpose of getting a boner; surely this makes him a big old slut, too.
(And I know that birth control is usually used for preventing pregnancy, but it should be noted that it is also used for other health problems, like heavy bleeding, cramps, mood swings and headaches. That's the only reason I used it for years; not getting pregnant was just a bonus.)
(And I know that birth control is usually used for preventing pregnancy, but it should be noted that it is also used for other health problems, like heavy bleeding, cramps, mood swings and headaches. That's the only reason I used it for years; not getting pregnant was just a bonus.)
25
I was not trolling with the question. I've never taken "the Pill" I had no idea the pill could help with acne. I need a drink now to calm down...
26
@18 Where's that false equivalency coming from? Also in case I haven't mentioned it lately you are a hog and possibly a rape waiting to happen if you haven't committed one already.
27
Limbaugh is an idiot, Fluke is a non-slut, and Andrea Mitchell is too disgusting to describe, a few swallows of vomit maybe.
28
I went on it because I couldn't leave the house for 3 days because of the horrid migraines, cramps, and sore legs/back/breasts that suddenly hit with my period when I was 20. I had to stay on it for 10 years before I could finally go off it again.
At the same time, I shouldn't have to justify my use of it to anyone. (I know that's not where you're coming from, Sargon.) Pregnancy is a legitimate medical condition that I have the right to prevent. Considering the drastic consequences of pregnancy, insurance should cover it with -at least- a copay. Even if I still had a copay, I'd sure as hell support it being offered for free to anyone who wanted it for free.
Speaking of... I was just sitting at the store and suddenly I felt an overwhelming urge to curl up in a ball and sob. Then I realized it's the beginning of the month and it's Friday. Like motherfucking clockwork. Thankfully, I just stocked up on wine and Thin Mints.
At the same time, I shouldn't have to justify my use of it to anyone. (I know that's not where you're coming from, Sargon.) Pregnancy is a legitimate medical condition that I have the right to prevent. Considering the drastic consequences of pregnancy, insurance should cover it with -at least- a copay. Even if I still had a copay, I'd sure as hell support it being offered for free to anyone who wanted it for free.
Speaking of... I was just sitting at the store and suddenly I felt an overwhelming urge to curl up in a ball and sob. Then I realized it's the beginning of the month and it's Friday. Like motherfucking clockwork. Thankfully, I just stocked up on wine and Thin Mints.
29
@21 Hmmm... Dominican Republic? My widowed elderly father has been talking about going to a private island sex resort for old men there where the room includes a female sex-worker companion.
So, what was Rush doing coming back with his haul of viagra? The fat slob struck out in a whorehouse?
So, what was Rush doing coming back with his haul of viagra? The fat slob struck out in a whorehouse?
30
Rush Limbaugh is a reprehensible heap of human waste, but he's only as much to blame for that poor girl's ordeal as the national media is for taking his incredibly offensive, ignorant remarks and making them front-page headlines.
But seriously, no jury would convict that gal's dad if he called Rush out for some pistols-at-dawn justice.
But seriously, no jury would convict that gal's dad if he called Rush out for some pistols-at-dawn justice.
32
Brilliant politics too. Obama just picked up about a million votes in the 18-34 female demographic.
34
If you hate Mitt Romney consider blunting his momentum before Super Tuesday by voting for the only non-Limbaugh Republican, Ron Paul in the Washington State caucuses tomorrow. If you are a registered WA voter you can find your polling location at wsrpcaucus.tumblr.com. It starts at 10:00 am tomorrow morning. This may be our only chance to keep Mitt from clinching the nomination. You have to be willing to sign a pledge stating that you consider yourself a republican. However, voting in the caucus won't in any way restrict your right to vote for Obama in the general election.
35
Why, oh, why, did it have to be Breitbart and not Limbaugh?
Anyway, the more Limbaugh doubles down on this, the more air-time he gives to Sandra Fluke and her opinions, and the more the debate is about women's health (as it should be) instead of religious freedom. So, preach on, Rush!
Anyway, the more Limbaugh doubles down on this, the more air-time he gives to Sandra Fluke and her opinions, and the more the debate is about women's health (as it should be) instead of religious freedom. So, preach on, Rush!
37
@9 for years I dealt with periods that were so painful I couldn't get out of bed for two days. The pain was often so intense I would vomit. After heating pads, advil, etc didn't work I was prescribed codeine. Codeine didn't work either. You know what did? Hormonal birth control. I don't have to take 1 or 2 sick days every month anymore. In fact, I haven't had more than passing discomfort over my period in the 4 years I've been on the pill. It has changed my life in ways completely unrelated to sex.
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