I haven't had much to say about the whole Rush Limbaugh "slutgate" controversy, mostly because I consider it to be yet another tiresome media distraction. My opinion on the matter is really pretty simple:
1). Is Rush Limbaugh a sexist pig and a festering boil upon the ass of the American body politic?Kudos to outlaw journalist Ian Murphy of The Beast for recognizing just what a stupendously bad idea point number four really is:
Undoubtedly.
2). Do those who are outraged by his comments have the right to demand that companies pull all of their advertisements from his hideous radio show?
Absolutely.
3). Does Sandra Fluke have the right to sue fat ass Limbaugh for defamation?
Of course--I hope she does, in fact.
4). Should Rush Limbaugh be prosecuted criminally for what he said?
Are you fucking kidding me?
Just when you think the “professional left” got a hold of something they couldn’t possibly fuck up — that is, Rush Limbaugh doing, saying, imparting, intimating anything whatsoever — they do. Hard.I mean, holy crap, it ought to go without saying that not only should Limbaugh not be prosecuted, that awful Florida law should be taken off the books ASAP. Sorry folks, I don't care how much you may disagree with what a person has to say, they should never, ever be made a criminal just for saying it. Down that road lies totalitarianism, and anyone who does not automatically recognize that fact has no business calling themselves a liberal or progressive.
While this is not the case, overall, notorious “feminist” lawyer Gloria Allred has decided to do something incredibly stupid. She’s trying to get Rush Limbaugh prosecuted under an arcane Florida statute for calling Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute.”
Apparently, Section 836.04 of the Florida Statutes reads that anyone who “speaks of and concerning any woman, married or unmarried, falsely and maliciously imputing to her a want of chastity” is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor. This is an antiquated, and astonishingly foolish, law which flies in the face of the very notion of freedom of speech.
Florida, you’re the worst.
Now, if Fluke wants to pursue a civil case against Limbaugh for impugning her character in the public sphere then that’s fine. She may even have a decent case to make. But offensive words should not be a crime. And if Allred thought about this for even a second, she’d have realized that subjecting people to criminal prosecution for using unpopular or “vulgar” speech is not in the interests of women — or anyone.
Bonus: "Dance, dance, dance, dance, dance, to the radio."
I absolutely agree. This sort of thing should never be criminal. And it's exceedingly ironic that an old Victorian type law would be dredged up to protect the little ladies from those who would besmirch the sanctity of their nether-regions! That's a backwards step to me, almost gives a weight to his blather that is undeserved-as if Limbaugh could "dishonor" someone. You're right- let him self destruct..and enjoy the show.
ReplyDeleteI've found myself so sickened by the weirdness towards women lately. I'm in a state that has a bill pending that would allow doctors to omit or misrepresent testing results to the moms in early pregnancy if they feel compelled by their beliefs (as in--- they think the mom will have an abortion if given the facts). Think what you will about abortion, but this is forced ignorance and the treating of women as nothing but dumb beasts....that's real and has consequences.
The Rush stuff is idiotic and catches all the news...while agendas such as the above are put forth that treat us women like nothing- not even allowed access to information. And it's not just my state pushing this, but a few others, too.
If that joke Allred really cared about women she'd be on an issue like that instead of grandstanding like she always does.
I hear you, Kathleen. This coordinated assault on women's rights has been breathtaking in its scope and apparent coordination. I was very disappointed that Virginia has been one of the leading states pushing this madness.
DeleteFortunately Bill- a lot of feminist bloggers agree with you.
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