Yesterday conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown Law School student who was not allowed to testify at a House Committee hearing on the religious exemption on contraception coverage and women’s health, a “slut.” Limbaugh remarked on his radio show, “What does it say about the college [sic] co-ed Sandra Fluke, who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex.”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), in a joint statement with Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), responded with sharp criticism, stating, Sandra Fluke “courageously spoke truth to power. As a result, today, she has been subject to attacks that are outside the circle of civilized discussion and that unmask the strong disrespect for women held by some in this country. We call upon the Republican leaders in the House to condemn these vicious attacks on Ms. Fluke…”
In mid-February, Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, refused to allow Fluke to testify at a hearing in mid-February: “Lines Crossed: Separation of Church and State. Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Conscience?” Chairman Issa did not allow the Democratic minority to have a single witness at last week’s hearing, allowing testimony only from those opposed to the Obama Administration’s decision on women’s access to contraception to testify. Moreover, the hearing’s primary panel did not include a single woman, prompting Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) to ask “Where are the Women?”
Last week, Leader Pelosi and the House Democratic Steering Committee held a hearing concerning the religious exemption on contraception coverage and women’s health, inviting Sandra Fluke as the sole witness. There Fluke spoke out for the importance of the Obama Administration’s rule to ensure that Catholic students have access to contraceptive coverage both to treat a host of medical conditions, such as ovarian cysts, and for birth control under the preventive care package of the Affordable Care Act.
Politico 3/1/12; Huffington Post 2/29/12; Feminist Daily Newswire 2/24/12
6 comments
KATHLEEN RUSTON says:
Mar 2, 2012
UNBELIEVABLE THIS IS HAPPENING IN 2012!!! SUE SANDRA SUE!!
LaVonne says:
Mar 2, 2012
I’m absolutely appalled at what I’m seeing in the social media in this country regarding women’s health and the recent attack on Sandra Fluke by Rush Limbaugh. Women need to unite in a way that will send a clear message to the Republican party and those who support and defend this outrageous conduct by this disgusting and perverted slob. I cannot wrap my brain around the acceptance of this type of behavior by a radio talk host. I ask for all women to unit and protest AGAINST CLEAR CHANNEL MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT and their support of Rush Limbaugh. He needs to be fired immediately!! I would like to know how many of his supporters have daughters. How many have wives, girlfriends and mothers. How do you go home each and every night and face these women in your lives knowing who’ve aloud this barbaric animal to talk to women in that manner. Shame on you all. Contact Clear Channel Media and Entertainment below and let them hear your voice.
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment
Address: 200 East Basse Road, San Antonio, TX 78209
RadioPress@ClearChannel.com
(210) 822-2828
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Station Search
Press Contact:Tony Alwin, Senior VP – Creative, Marketing and Public Relations
(602) 381-5700TonyAlwin@ClearChannel.com
Cynthia Frey says:
Mar 2, 2012
It’s way past time for the politcal right wing to get out of the collective female uterus. Rush Limbaugh needs to be taken off the air and I hope Ms. Fluke sues him for enough money to provide birth control for all american women for centuries! I am outraged at Limbaugh’s comments. And absolutely impressed with Ms. Flukes grace under fire.
jeddy tranquill says:
Mar 2, 2012
What is it with this “cosmopolitan” attitude towards sexual relations that should be reserved for a man and woman who are lawfully married. I cannot understand why I or any other American should be required to pay for immoral behavior. I believe that those who indulge should be able to pay their own way especially if one can afford to go to Georgetown Law School. I found that the best way to prevent STDs, unwanted pregnancy and abortion (the last in a long list of bad “decisions”)is to abstain. So I guess that the words that “if you play, you pay” are appropriate here. Screwing around has nothing to do with health care but plenty to do with my hard earned money. Sure you want control over your own bodies, so practice it.
Chris says:
Mar 6, 2012
Limbaugh will continue to lose listeners with this kind of rhetoric. On the other side, Bill Maher is just as bad.
Carrying Condoms Not Only Makes You A Slut, but also a Prostitute – VenusPlusX | English says:
Aug 11, 2012
[...] might recall a popular example of slut shamming in recent media when Rush Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke a slut and a prostitute on air for advocating for contraception coverage and women’s health. This [...]