Non-apology apology from 'I'm just an entertainer'.
'Blowing off some steam' reference.
Make a new account
That was no apology. That was a lawyers letter wrapped in a commercial.
(warning - extremely graphic and colorful Carlin-esque language) Parent
It is a new round of fighting for equal rights.
Such a test might as a side benefit to getting rid of Rush generate broad spectrum support for progressive opposition to unitary executive psychosis, too? ;-) Parent
I will only point out that in the same breath of calling her a "slut" he called himself a "pimp". Was it a bit over the line to use the "slut" word? Yes. Was it worth this firestorm? No.
For us on the libertarian side of the coin his point is sound. It's not ok to have taxpayers pay for contraception. it's not a right to have sex with no consequences. it is a right to have sex and children if they result from said sex.
Just wow! Parent
It's a culture warrior posing as a libertarian manuever...I mean Rick Santorum is the one whining the most and he's the furthest thing from a libertarian. A libertarian would require no prescription for contraception, and it would probably be as cheap as aspirin once the permission slip requirement was removed. Then its a non-issue. Parent
It's a real bitch that everthing is so interconnected that the repurcussions of having a lot of unloved, unwanted children, and a lot of overwhelmed and overwrought parents and families effect all of us in society. The Intelligent Designer/Job Creator obviously never read Atlas Shrugged. Parent
(I hope so).
Or is this just about preserving his job...
Rush called Ms. Fluke a slut and a prostitute and continued on a public, national, named, and personalized discussion of her sexual life for two days. In my view, It would seem that a good case for defamation and slander (or libel since delivered by radio), could be posited. The public figure exemption should not apply, for knowledge of Ms. Fluke derives from her being a private citizen who merely appeared (or attempted to appear) at a legislative hearing.
Indeed, Ms. Fluke's testimony included discussion of a friend who needed coverage for the pharmacological treatment of ovarian cysts. Unless, Ms. Fluke is, in fact, and Rush can show that Ms. Fluke is as he characterized her as being, it would seem that the characterization is not just "inappropriate" but false and his intention was to bring harm and malice to her reputation. And, to do so, in the service of discrediting her opinion and crediting his.
Rush would have to show, too, that he was just an "entertainer", not a political commentator. Also, he would need to discern between his satire and his commentary, if that is what he claims. His deposition would also be interesting in establishing his informational base of the matter and the role his comments may have played for the political party he promotes. At least, this is how I see it. Parent
And that's only round #1.
Then, the appeals, rinse, lather, and repeat.
The courts? No way.
Her only recourse: find a multi-million dollar backer, or take the fight to the only court that's realistically available to her.....the court of public opinion. Parent
Money is not an issue for Rush, we well understand, but the legal process is not likely one he would relish, nor his sponsors. One thing he can't afford is a weakening of his puppet master position or an erosion of his bullying pulpit. Politically, he has already ripped the carefully constructed fig leaf of "religious liberty" away from the wingers to reveal their culture war's religious fanaticism. My guess, is that Rush would settle quickly, and learn his lesson that he is safer in his misogynistic polemics on the behalf of religious and political zealots when directed at all women, not a particular woman. His political puppets and religious zanies will also appreciate it. Parent
The best advice is what Jeralyn has already suggested: that we ignore him. He is an entertainer, but he does not entertain me. So I don't find myself listening to him or interested in what he says.
On the other hand, people who claim to be uninterested, or say that we should ignore him, somehow find a way to make him or one of his emissions a subject for discussion.
Rush is not in power. He doesn't even, imo, even have any power to persuade anyone to do anything or to vote for anybody.
But people we should be listening to, don't get the same kind of attention on liberal blogs.
Go figure.
Unfortunately, we have a lot of lost sheep in this country - who, unfortunately, also vote. Parent
If that were my daughter he said that about, well, in a way it was.