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At his website, Limbaugh has issued what pretends to be an apology. But he still misrepresents what Ms. Fluke said and denies his own complicity and that of other Republican spokesmen in insulting and demeaning not just Ms. Fluke but all women. He then attempts to evade responsibility for his own demagoguing on an issue he now claims should not be part of political discussion. Hiding for three days behind a claim it was all meant to be humorous — a cover for Rick Santorum, who said Rush is just an entertainer — is cowardly.
A Statement from Rush
March 03, 2012
For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.
I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit?In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone’s bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level.
My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices.
Update: via ThinkProgress, Carbonite, one of Rush’s sponsors, just announced that despite the apology, they are withdrawing from further sponsorship. From the CEO’s statement:
We hope that our action, along with the other advertisers who have already withdrawn their ads, will ultimately contribute to a more civilized public discourse.
57 Comments
Words =/= Deeds. When you juxtapose the original spoken statement with the written apology, the apology comes off as insincere.
That’s not the case, and negates his so-called “apology.”
Video of the never-going-to-happen phone call to her saying “I’m sorry” is what would be sufficient. Maybe.
Ow! advertiser pullouts must have hurt.
btw List of Rush Limbaugh Show Sponsors http://is.gd/7RZtpv #bumRush
I am so glad you posted this. The apology is lame. He is not “repenting” for what he said; he just tweeks the language. He has a history of hostile remarks about women, “feminazi” being the primary and obscene example, one he still uses.
I hope he loses many advertizers. There may be a boycott of those who remain. I once heard him do a fairly long opinion on what good, or real, women know about men and getting along with men…..meaning women who are not “libbers”. Can’t you imagine any attempt to get along with him? Apparently, 3 wives (or more) have not been able to do just that. Gag… He does not have a high opinion of women and apparently does not value them. Why would anyone listen to his insanity?
I cannot bring the words to say what his opinion on this subject is worth…
I’m bad at apologies. “I’m sorry, BUT . . .” Over time, I have learned anything beyond, “I’m sorry” removes my sentiments from the realm of true apology. Limbaugh’s efforts do not even APPROACH an apology.
I’ve written to some of the Limbaugh/Clear channel advertisers, and posted a short diary that includes my message to them.
At least one, Carbonite, is taking the outrage seriously and has posted a message at:
Carbonite is through with Rush.
I think Rush’s having been a professional bigotry-stirring liar for so many years, and on drugs the whole time, has completely eliminated his ability to be genuine.
My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices
I don’t buy it, Rush. You use thousands of words a day–and you specifically chose these words, presented with your trademark sputtering outrage, INTENTIONALLY to throw fuel on the fire. Your continued spinning to make this into a ‘welfare’ rant instead of a healthcare issue reveals that you meant to personally attack this woman. Words have consequences–and I hope the particular words you chose to hurl at a Georgetown law student have serious consequences. Besides the in-progress boycott of your sponsors by outraged listeners, I hope Ms. Fluke has a network of lawyers and mentors ready to guide her–or take it upon themselves–to sue your pompous ass.
Limbaugh’s radio program is owned by syndicator, premiere, which is owned by Clear Channel. Guess who owns Clear Channel. Bain Capital!
His non-apology apology is pathetic. Not sincere. He saw dollar signs floating out of the window of his studio because of the firestorm he created. His apology is as sincere as the presidential candidate from Bain.
The FCC should be contacted by people in every radio town that broadcasts this clown.
And his show should be immediately and permanently suspended from Armed Forces Radio.
Sincere, my ass.
The filthy pig had to say something because he didn’t have a choice. He’ll be back at it next week.
Too bad he didn’t join Breitbart.
It should be noted that the advertisers have only “SUSPENDED” their sponsorship, meaning they have NOT ruled out going back to him.
Al Franken was right all those years ago. Rush Limbaugh is a big, fat idiot.
Since when are insurance companies “the taxpayers”?
The real problem is our asinine system of expecting employers to provide health insurance when we ought to have a single-payer system. That would reduce healthcare costs by replacing emergency visits with preventive care, reducing paperwork and taking out profit margins. Under that scenario, I would rather cover contraception than pay welfare to women trapped in poverty because they had children too soon.
this
clownserpent.No insult meant to clowns.
Rush is one of those totally disgusting people who will never be completely dead. Like Dick Cheney or Rupert Murdock. What makes the wicked so strong?
Rush probably doesn’t care, but I don’t accept his “apology.” He has degraded all women and should suffer the consequences. I will be happy to write letters to his sponsors and will take great delight when the wingers realize that we’re not taking this any more.
In his non-apology apology, Limp Bizkit said, “I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.”
Oh, really?
Let’s take another look of what he said about her.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I rest my case.
And the jury says “guilty”, you bloated tub of lard. I’m so furious about this and wish that I could do more than write to his sponsors. But I’ll do what I can and it will have to be enough. If anyone has ideas about what else we can do, please tell us.
On another diary, I said Rush Limbaugh’s face was like a sweaty pot roast.
I do not apologize for my insulting word choices.
He should put an aspirin between his lips and shut up.
You mean between his butt cheeks.
I agree wholeheartedly with your comment! I hope she puts together a real “Dream Team” of attorneys. Limbaugh didn’t just cross the line with his comments, he crashed through that line!
Digby: “Rush is a disgusting misogynist pig and calling a woman a slut and a whore because she testified about birth control deserves all the blowback he’s getting. If we’re lucky it might even be the beginning of the end for him. But I’ll be curious to see if this firestorm against him will result in the conservatives pulling back on the religious liberty strategy. They seem to be pretty committed to it.”
Rush is the most popular radio show in America, and has been for years.
His advertisers will be back in a few months and his ratings will keep him on top.
Sad commentary for this nation in decline.
Like Marshall McCluhan said, “Radio takes cartoon characters seriously.”
Contact your local radio station which carries his program. And, per my @9, contact the FCC and complain. And can someone tell who to contact regarding Armed Forces Radio carrying this Jabba the Hate?
I would say this to Rush Limbaugh: Don’t hate beautiful people; we mean you no harm.
My impression is that his adherents are the uxorious types.
I plan to do that to my local wingnut station, WJR in Detroit. And while I’m at it, I plan to ask one of the station’s talk show hosts, the horribly overrated Mitch Albom, whether he stands by what Rush to Judgment said, on the air, about Sandra Fluke.
WAY too little, FAR too late.
I’d say he’s safe from slander since he made up a fiction and then used that fiction to invent his insults. Ms. Fluke testified about women’s health issues, not about what he calls her own “recreational activities”. ATF ought to raid his home and workplace where they’re sure to find contraband Cuban cigars.
That’s not all they would find. No telling what’s in that slob’s drawers.
Wow. The epitome of sincerity. What a piece of shit the man is.
Did he read this “apology” over the air, or was it only on his website?
If he didn’t go on air with it, as he did with his slander, he’s chickenshit.
Obviously, Limbaugh became one with the anal cyst that got him out of Vietnam.
He’s an earthbound version of a black hole. A wretched human being.
Limbaugh’s insane verbal assault on Sandra Fluke went far beyond just an attack on her, and therefore his lame apology falls far short.
So, what about courageous U.S. women serving in the U.S. military, being paid U.S. taxpayer money, using contraceptives more than likely…would Rush Limbaugh like for them all to film their sexual activities and send these films to him so he can get his money’s worth? And what about U.S. women working at all levels of our government, local, county, state and federal, similarly being paid taxpayer money, maybe on the pill, does Limbaugh want them to do the same, all “joking” aside? Are all these U.S. women sluts and prostitutes, too, in Limbaugh’s mind and apparently in the minds of most Republicans? And we’re not just talking about Limbaugh attacking “God-less” Democratic and Independent women on the pill, but all Republican women who’ve used contraceptives, too, Republican mothers, daughters and sisters, do Republicans like Limbaugh view all of them as being sluts and prostitutes, too?
Limbaugh went one insane rant too far, and any apology (hopefully sincere and fact-based the next time) should be to all the women in America who’ve ever been on the pill (probably most). And all the Republicans, the Catholic bishops and Protestant leaders should similarly apologize along with Rush Limbaugh, unless they agree with Limbaugh that women using contraceptives in America are nothing but a bunch of sluts and prostitutes, including female members of their own families, their political party or in their congregations.
Update: Carbonite, one of his sponsors, just announced they are dropping his permanently.
To my knowledge, this makes Carbonite the first sponsor to make clear that they are abandoning Limbaugh permanently, not just “suspending” their sponsorship. Good for them; let’s hope some others decide to show similar guts.
When will those calling for the murder of Iranians et al. be made to apologize?
Perhaps when we get our moral heads screwed on straight?
Although the odds of getting a serious answer are really low (and the odds of getting shrieking insults are really high) academic curiosity compels me to ask:
What exactly is the moral distinction between this public statement:
“It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute.”
And these pubic statements:
The filthy pig
“Too bad he didn’t join Breitbart.”
“you bloated tub of lard”
“Rush Limbaugh’s face was like a sweaty pot roast.”
“What a piece of shit the man is.”
“Limbaugh became one with the anal cyst”
Oh, and to save anyone from sticking their foot in their mouth: NO, I am not a Limbaugh fan. I do not listen to his show or read his website.
Well, I was going to call Rush a nasty name but since the saahole police are in the area, Have you ever noticed the way he sucks off his cigar. No name, just wonderin’
Making something up would actually support a charge of defamation. If I were Ms. Fluke I’d be taking him to court.
Interesting and gutless to issue your “apology” in the print media not on your comedy show. Think you will have balls enough to do it on your comedy show?
My, my. Aren’t you all ever so gracious in victory.
Heh.
Tax exempt not for profit health insurance corporations treated as public charities??????? Rush, the douche-bag, and those who support this sad example of human trash have more in common with, slaveholders? Seeking to impose “morality” under the color of law! These fuckers would be in support of slavery and ownership of human beings had they existed back during America’s pre-civil war era; for sure! Amoral comes to mind!
Fuck you!
to ironymeter:
The moral distinction between the two sides of this debate is this:
One side has truth and accuracy and human dignity, the other side has lies, bigotry, prejudice, ignorance and willful dishonesty.
Please, no false equivalencies are applicable here. False equivalencies are not applicable either in the climate debate, the economic debate, and many other debates. One side is simply lying and one side is telling the truth.
The time for civility is over. The psychopaths have arrived to finish the tasks of taking away your job, your house, your retirement and your health care. Do you invite them in for tea and cookies ? I think Obama tried that, and it doesn’t work. The country is in a class war and nice things don’t really happen in war, so if you’re ok with liars and psychopaths running your life, good for you. That approach doesn’t apply to the people fighting the war for you.
Meh.
The PTB LOVE the culture wars – what an excellent distraction from the class war. Rush does his thing, and Obama get to play “Father Knows Best.”
Lots of outrage that leads nowhere, BFD.
The best solution for a schoolyard bully is not entreaties or silence, but a hard punch in the nose.
You probably saw these–Rush in 1988 explaining on Public Access TV how he does his job.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z15uiwHfhbI
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTFEe02IxyY
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH0QhvnPTP0
He says at one point it is up to the listener to decide whether he actually believes anything he says on the air.
So we have an apology where he says he believes Ms Flukes behavior is wrong and testifying in Congress was an absurdity, and he was attempting to respond with absurdist humor. He admits he believes what he says about Ms Fluke. He believes she is a joke and slut, but he also believes he chose his words poorly.
I think his apology is sincere, don’t you?
—well, sincere in an absurdist sort of way.
Not a bit…a complete sham. I cannot imagine spending a minute of my time on the links…I so do not want him in my ears or thoughts…Cruel and totally disparaging of women and others.
And for people who peddle in hatred and lies, the only language they understand is money, and this is the best way to deal with them – hit them in the pocketbook. In this case, the supposed entertainer changed his tone only after his advertisers said they weren’t pleased. I hope Ms. Fluke is not going to let him get away with what he did.
I did not lose any respect for Limbaugh over this episode. Can you guess why?
I am outraged over the outrage. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
Scarecrow, I like you, man, I really do. But why waste your time and talent on a buffoon like Limbaugh? He craves attention, any attention, even negative attention. Why give it to him?
He’s not worth your time, IMHO. He’s certainly not worth mine.
I didn’t ask what the “moral distinction between the two sides of this debate” was: everybody knows you represent truth, liberty, and justice for all (even when you’re wishing people dead).
I asked what the moral distinction is between Limbaugh making public statements insulting Fluke and firepuppies making public statements insulting Limbaugh.
No, can’t get it…Referring to a woman as “slut” is usually not considered good form.
On an amusing side note, it’s nice to see you all agreeing with Ron Paul:
“I don’t think he’s very apologetic. He’s doing it because some people were taking their advertisements off his program. It was his bottom line that he was concerned about,” Paul told the CBS program “Face the Nation.”
Personally, I doubt he’s sincerely sorry: he’s a political shock jock and outrage is his stock in trade.