You’ve undoubtedly heard that Rush Limbaugh, the outspoken conservative Republican radio announcer, has been in the news lately because of something he said. Now, that’s his business: to be in the news for saying things. But this time, his comments about Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke have caused him to lose, as of this writing, 42 sponsors, including AOL, JCPenney and Capital One.
In case you’ve been in a dungeon and locked away from all media contact (or you simply haven’t been following the news!), here’s a quick rundown of the story.
A Bit of History
On Feb. 16, 2012, the House of Representatives held an oversight hearing to discuss the mandate in President Obama’s healthcare plan requiring religious institutions (and others) to provide women with health insurance that included birth control. Committee chair Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., called as witnesses five conservative men: an Orthodox rabbi, Lutheran and Baptist clergy, a Roman Catholic bishop and the president of Catholic University of America. They all opposed – on the grounds of religious freedom – the idea that religious institutions opposing birth control must provide their employees with the option to secure such coverage. The Democrats invited one witness – Sandra Fluke – to provide a women’s perspective, but she was not allowed to speak because Issa said she was not a “religious expert.” Democratic committee members walked out and later decided to hold their own hearing.
On Feb. 23, Fluke was the only person to testify at a Democratic hearing. She told the story of a classmate at Georgetown, a Jesuit institution, who lost an ovary because her insurance wouldn’t cover the cost of contraceptives that would have stopped the growth of cysts. Fluke said the cost of contraceptives can reach more than $3,000 during the three years a student is in law school. Fluke is also quoted as saying, “I’m an American woman who uses contraceptives.”
By Feb. 27, the conservative blogosphere had picked up the story, which was being retold as “Sex-Crazed Co-Eds Going Broke Buying Birth Control,” according to a headline from cnsnews.com, which uses the tag line “The Right News. Right Now.”
On Feb. 29, Limbaugh attacked Fluke on his show for asking the government to “subsidize birth control.” Here’s part of what he said: “What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She’s having so much sex she can't afford contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex. What does that make us? We’re the pimps.” He added that paying for contraceptives would be just another example of “welfare entitlements.”
By March 1, people on both sides of the issue had started speaking out, but Limbaugh did not back down. Instead, he said Fluke was “having so much sex, it’s amazing she can still walk. ... So, Ms. Fluke and the rest of you femi-Nazis, here's the deal. If we are going to pay for your contraceptives, and thus pay for you to have sex, we want something for it, and I'll tell you what it is: We want you to post the videos online so we can all watch.” Yikes!
On March 2, those supporting Fluke included President Obama, who called her on the telephone to offer his encouragement, and the president of Georgetown University, John J. DeGioia, who called the comments by Limbaugh and his supporters “misogynistic, vitriolic, and a misrepresentation of the position of Sandra Fluke.” Michael Steel, speaking on behalf of House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Boehner thought Limbaugh’s words were “inappropriate” (not “wrong,” mind you). It’s curious that Boehner – a leading Congressional Republican – would not speak for himself but rather used a surrogate. Several of Limbaugh’s sponsors announced that they were pulling their support from his show.
On March 3, Limbaugh, in a rare public apology, said: “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.” More sponsors jumped ship. And Republican presidential candidates weighed in on the controversy, criticizing Limbaugh’s words but, again, not his argument. For example, Rick Santorum said Limbaugh was being “absurd. But that’s, you know, an entertainer can be absurd.” Mitt Romney said, “It’s not the language I would have used.” Newt Gingrich said he was glad Limbaugh apologized but he also disagreed with Fluke’s position. Only Ron Paul said he thought Limbaugh’s apology was not sincere: “He's doing it because some people were taking their advertisements off of his program. It was his bottom line he was concerned about.”
On March 5, Fluke appeared on the TV show “The View” and said she didn’t think Limbaugh was sincere in his apology. Limbaugh apologized again but framed his apology this way: “I acted too much like the leftists who despise me. I descended to their level, using names and exaggerations. It’s what we’ve come to expect from them, but it’s way beneath me.”
Framing the Issues
“Framing” is a concept that means the words we choose help shape the messages we want people to receive. For example, the words “third-trimester abortion” may conjure up a certain image in your mind while the words “partial-birth abortion” certainly would conjure up another. “Gun control” may make you shiver, but “gun safety” may make you nod in approval.
George Lakoff, UC Berkeley professor of linguistics and cognitive science, argues that we use the metaphor of “the family” when speaking about our country. For example, we use terms like founding fathers, sending our sons and daughters to war, and Uncle Sam. Lakoff says there are two basic ways of looking at this family/country of ours: the “strict father frame” and the “nurturing parent frame.”
Under the strict father frame, we assume the world is a dangerous and difficult place. Thus, we need a strict father to teach us right from wrong through punishment. Once our children leave home, they are on their own and don’t need “meddling” from us. We rank god above man, man above nature (and women), adults above children, America above other countries, and Western culture above non-Western cultures. Our overriding guideline is “moral strength.”
Translated into political terms, this means we may oppose government-mandated healthcare because we believe in “limited government” and that the government should not “meddle” into our personal lives. We may oppose any restrictions on gun ownership because “strong fathers” need guns to protect us from the “criminals who have guns.” We may oppose prenatal care because we assume “moral mothers” would be able to provide their own prenatal care, or if they can’t, they would at least abstain from having sex and babies. We may oppose abortions because we assume only two types of “immoral” women seek abortions: unmarried teens who get pregnant through lust and carelessness, or women pursuing careers who selfishly put themselves ahead of their (existing or potential) families. And we may oppose any new taxes on the wealthy because we assume “good citizens” have earned their wealth through hard work.
Under the nurturing parent frame, we assume the world can be made a better place. We assume parents nurture their children through empathy and responsibility, and that parents must “protect” their children. Important values include cooperation, fulfillment, two-way communication, happiness and fairness. Our overriding guideline is a variation of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.”
Translated into political terms, this means we may believe in such things as consumer protection, worker protection and environmental protection. We may support government-mandated healthcare because we believe it is our responsibility to take care of everyone, including those who cannot afford to take care of themselves (e.g., children, the poor, the elderly, people with disabilities). We may approve gun control because we believe guns cause more harm than good (especially when they are in the presence of children). We may approve prenatal care because we believe the government must provide for the basic needs of its citizens – and healthier mothers and children lead to a healthier society. We may support all women’s right to use birth control or to choose an abortion because we believe they are worthy of our help. And we may approve additional taxes for the wealthiest among us because we believe that taxes are the dues we pay to be an American, to live in a democratic society that provides us with opportunities for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The Attack on Women
Many Democrats and some Republicans and independents see the attack on Fluke as part of a larger attack on women – especially women’s reproductive rights. Many statehouses and Congress have been discussing legislation to nearly eliminate all types of birth control and to make certain types of care, such as getting abortions, much more difficult. Our very own Florida Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill that would have allowed ANY employer to deny employees birth control coverage (but not coverage for Viagra, by the way) for ANY religious reasons they could come up with. So if your boss assumes that all young women sleep around and thus are morally unsound, he could eliminate birth control as an option in his company’s health care plan.
Attacks on Planned Parenthood have gotten louder as the presidential election nears. For example, former presidential candidate and Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry signed legislation that goes into effect this month to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood clinics in his state. The result will be to sabotage the state’s Medicaid Women’s Health Program, which provides cancer screenings, wellness care and other medical services – including contraception – for more than 130,000 low-income women each year. Staunch anti-abortion groups, such as Life Dynamics and its president, Texan Mark Crutcher, have tried to tie Planned Parenthood to efforts to “kill black babies” rather than provide health care to black women and others.
To me, the attacks on “religious freedom” seem to be code words for attacks on women’s rights for all sorts of medical care. Certainly contraception is not just a “women’s issue.” How many teenage boys (or males of any age, for that matter) hope they will hit the parental jackpot every time they have sex? Avoiding sexually transmitted diseases is important to both partners. Helping women detect and treat breast or ovarian cancer should be important to anyone who has a mother, a sister, a wife or a daughter – not just to the woman herself.
The Attack on Obamacare
First, let me address the term “Obamacare.” It is meant to be a disparaging remark about all things bad about Obama’s healthcare proposal. Specifically, many people object to the idea that “the government” is “forcing” people to have health care. If I were Obama’s campaign strategist, I would have urged him to embrace the term, arguing that yes, he DOES “care” about people’s welfare and that he has made their “care” one of his most important accomplishments.
The most-important aspect of Obama’s healthcare plan to me is that my son can continue under my health insurance plan until he reaches 26; he is 24 now and still looking for a “real” job with benefits. About 1.2 million young adults are affected by this part of the healthcare bill. The law closes the “doughnut hole” for seniors, which is the difference between the cost of prescription drugs and what seniors receive in Medicare benefits. (This benefit should be important to anyone with parents or grandparents.) According to a government website: “Beginning August 1, 2012, additional women’s preventive services that will be covered with no cost sharing in new health plans include well-woman visits, gestational diabetes, breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling, domestic violence screening, contraception and contraceptive counseling, HPV DNA testing, STI counseling, and HIV screening and counseling.” (This is the provision that sparked the House oversight hearings in the first place.) These and other provisions in the healthcare bill are clear examples of the government as “nurturing parent.”
What’s Next?
Listen closely to the debates in Washington, at the local level and in the media as we approach the 2012 presidential election. How are people framing the discussion of what our country should be like and which issues should be the most important for us to address? For example, when talking about the economy and jobs, are people speaking about “no new taxes” as the best means to spur the economy or “taxing the wealthiest 1 percent” to “pay their fair share”? When talking about healthcare, are people talking about “religious freedom” and “government meddling” or “women’s health” and “attacks on women”? When talking about global warming, are people talking about government regulations (e.g., whether to allow the Keystone XL pipeline to be built) as “killing jobs” or “creating jobs”?
Become wise consumers of information. Be prepared to vote. And most importantly, vote if you are eligible in November. Don’t assume someone else will make the right decisions for you.
2 weeks ago
What’s the Rush? The Attack on Women and Obamacare
ReplyDeleteDevin Jordan
3/14/2012
Section 002
The blog had some very explicit content. Limbaugh made disrespectful comments toward the young lady, Fluke. A college student myself, I believe Limbaugh could have went about this matter in a more professional manner. The poor word choice he used made him look unethical. I think he blew things way out of proportion saying the things he did. Ms. Fluke did the right thing in testifying. Even so the comments were supposedly made humorous, as a reader myself saw this as disrespect. Not only this was aimed toward Fluke but also towards women in America as a whole. I honestly believe all the health care on birth control should be took in consideration.
Contraception may not be “biblical” in some people’s eyes. It is the road that some people have to take in order to maintain the type of lifestyle that they want. No one has ever made a complaint about the fact that insurance pays for vasectomies for men, but there has been a wave of complaints about contraception for women. They both give the same results, so why is one option a “problem” and the other is not?
ReplyDeleteInsurance companies pay either way. They pay if a woman has a baby and they pay if that same woman wants contraception. From all of the reading that I’ve done, contraception is much cheaper than bringing a new life into this world. I believe that it is a win-win situation.
And the more that I think about the situation, the more I think that this has nothing to do with money. I believe that it has to do with sexism and is powered by a group of people that are using their power to try to muscle their personal ethics and opinions of a country of impressionable people. And they fact that not everyone agrees with them is beginning to make them mad.
Rush Limbaugh words about Fluke at the democratic hearing were very ignorant and cruel. Just because a women chooses to use contraceptives does not make her a slut in some cases many individuals use birth control to handle other feminine related issues. Some issues that harm the ovary can be controlled by contraceptives, as Fluke stated in the hearing a classmate of hers was using contraceptives to regulate a cyst that was on her ovary. Another example of this would be my best friend who is anemic and receives her period months the birth control helps regulate her cycle so that she is not constantly losing too much blood. In my opinion I feel as though birth control should be subsidized because it limits health risks and the rate of teen and unwanted pregnancies.
ReplyDeleteThis issue which has occurred between Rush Limbaugh and Sandra Fluke has went from national public radio to all major news stations. Limbaugh opinions has really revealed America’s slogan to be of great truth; “united we stand, divided we fall.” I agree that this issue is bigger than an attack on Fluke, this is an attack on America and our rights as citizens. No one should decide for another human being what they can or can’t do in regards to a person’s health and or unborn child. Everyone deserves medical assistance. Obamacare is to insure a better America with equal opportunities for all. We must stand up and fight, to fight we must get out and vote for a better America.
ReplyDeleteBrianna McGregor
ReplyDeleteMarch 14, 2010
LSMP Section 002
“What’s the Rush? The Attack on Women and Obamacare”
This blog was very interesting and disrespectful at the same time. Rush Limbaugh, is known to be one of the highest paid Republican reporters of time and for him to get out of character like he did is a shame. If that was how he really felt about the situation he should have conducted himself in a professional manner. Calling someone demeaning names like he did was not the way to get his point across. Sandra Fluke was only expressing the way she felt and also speaking on the behalf of other women. Although Limbaugh apologized to Fluke for the comments he said I too didn’t think it was sincere at all. I also agree with Ron Paul’s statement about Limbaugh only apologizing because he was losing endorsements and he had to make some type of public apology. Birth control should be a part of a woman health care plan. Some women aren’t ready to have children and by them not being covered they have children and aren’t able to provide the necessary things a child needs.
As a whole birth control and even abortion have been controversial topics because of religion and morals followed by many Americans. Just like any other prescribed drug birth control has a purpose, to keep the population under control and regulate hormones in women. So why wouldn’t this drug be protected? America was built on the foundation that freedom and happiness went a long way and including the control of your body. Although Rush Limbaugh is known for his challenging topics, with this he just added fuel to the fire because he was yet another male going against grain. A woman’s perspective should be heard because you can educate yourself about an actual experience is the real deal.
ReplyDeleteCourtney Jordan
ReplyDeleteSec 003
We live in a male dominated society. Women are constantly being attacked and looked down upon. The comment that Limbaugh made was out of place and very ignorant. I believe that he meant what he said and when he apologized, it was not sincere at all. I do not understand what the big issue is with making contraceptives a part of health care plans. Women should not have to suffer with unplanned pregnancies and children. If a woman wants to prevent it, then the government should help out. It is not right for Viagra to be a part of health care plans, but contraceptives are not. The government is basically saying that it is ok for men to sleep with countless of women and when they slip up, women have to carry their babies and go through something that could have been prevented.
Amber Payne
ReplyDeleteLSMP section 002
March 14, 2012
Rush Limbaugh is notorious for comments such as the ones he made against Sandra Fluke. I would consider him to be a racist of color and gender. But that’s neither here or there. After reading the authors blog I completely agree with certain points. But one stuck out like a sore thumb. The author stated, “To me, the attacks on “religious freedom” seem to be code words for attacks on women’s rights for all sorts of medical care.” This is an attack on women’s reproductive rights. For decades the government has had its say in women issues, without the say so of women. At one point, the distribution of birth control was prohibited to unmarried adults. And lets not forget when congress passed and Bush signed the so-called "Partial Birth" Abortion Ban. I can see that there is a thin line between “religious freedom” “government meddling” “women’s health” and “attacks on women.” These days these issues all seem to intertwine when in reality they should all be separate. No man should have the final say about a woman and her body. Yet the Obamacare is one plan coming from a man that I do find essential for women.
Tristin Brown
ReplyDeleteLSMP Section 002
For years Rush Limbaugh has had one of the most highly listened to radio talk shows due to his notable incendiary remarks. This goes to show that this is an issue deeper than Limbaugh and his derogatory comments about Sandra Fluke. Trying to combine religion and government will remain a sensitive issue, as well as the topic of women's reproductive rights. The author made a very valid point stating, "Certainly contraception is not just a “women’s issue.” Just because premarital sex and trying to prevent pregnancy may violate religious morals, that doesn't stop the fact that millions of people will continue to do so. Those millions of people would happen to include males too, which brings me to the fact that Florida senator Marco Rubio doesn’t include Viagra as a medicine that employers can deny employees. All in all the attack on women is one that will seemingly continue for a long time to come. It is unfortunate, but until people start thinking about the greater good of others the United States of America will continue to be divided.
Saundrina Smith
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing when you mature to a point where you like to hear about the news. Before college, I would have never dared to watch a news channel, let alone read a BlogSpot pertaining to the news. This article blew my mind. Society is growing and transforming at such an extreme pace, yet the mindsets of individuals in positions of power are still stuck in the olden days. Why does a female seeking contraceptive have to be engaging in an excessive amount of sexual intercourse? She could be thinking responsibly as a young adult, knowing she cannot raise a child at this very moment in time. The remarks made my Limbaugh just show his true character. It shows how he feels about women in his very own family. The degrading words that he spat out into the public show his character and his morals. If I was Fluke, I would have demanded a genuine and sincere apology in front of a crowd, or broadcast over the media. What he said was humiliating beyond words.
Shala Nettles
ReplyDeleteSection 002
March 14, 2012
First and foremost, I feel that Limbaugh was wrong to make statements regarding Fluke’s character and morals, due to her response towards contraceptives. I also believe that his apology was not sincere and the only reason the apology was made was in effort to gain back his sponsors. In this blog, I mainly agree with your position on how attacks on “religious freedom” are the same as the attacks on women, because it is not just a women’s issue. I feel that by the government trying to mandate contraceptives, it is giving a stereotype towards women. It is like saying that only a “whore or slut” would need contraceptives. In addition, if you’re a member of a church, the government also implies that one must not be having sex because of the way our country is “framed” under God.
Ma'Isha Thompson
ReplyDeleteLMS Section 002
This blog was very informative and gives a full history of the events that transpired leading up to the offense comments. I agree that the comments made by Limbaugh are an “attack on women” as the author stated. Recently, there have been many political attempts to slowly eliminate women’s right, such as the recent attempts to pass an Abortion Act in Kansas. The fact that very few political leaders supported Ms. Fluke portrays that male government officials are not supportive of women’s health. Men are not faced with the challenges of the female organs, so it is very easy to deny healthy options for females especially when an expensive cost is presented. Contraception not only prevents unwanted pregnancy but it also makes it less likely to get ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts and anemia. I also agree with the author’s idea to focus Obama’s healthcare on the fact that Obama cares about American’s welfare.
Khadijah McCOY
ReplyDelete3/13/12
Section 002
This blog definitely served as an eye open opener, as well as knowledge. I couldn’t believe how much ignorance and immaturity people possess. Limbaugh was extremely out of hand, when he expressed his perspective on healthcare covering woman’s contraceptives. His actions were very humiliating and embarrassing. It is embarrassing because Limbaugh clearly lacks the characteristics needed to be a representation of what America stands for. As a radio announcer, his job is to enlighten the audience about news and for some people, be a role model. He not only gave a bad name for himself, but for others as well. The problem was not about him expressing his perspective on the issue, but the lack of analyzing the problem as a whole. Analyzing the issue as a whole and from all stand points would have made the situation less problematic. From my personal stand and medical condition, point contraceptives should be covered by health care everywhere. I totally respect Fluke for her courage to serve as a voice for all women. Contraceptives can not only help with pregnancies, but other things as well. It say help me numerous times over come my Ovary Syndrome.
Winnie Moime
ReplyDeleteThis blog is very interesting and informative. I agree with your perspective and arguments but I also can appreciate that you did not just tell one side of the story. Rush Limbaugh in my opinion is an idiot but that is not the reason why I agree with you. Although I agreed with all of your arguments one that I feel strongly about is that the, “the attacks on ‘religious freedom’ seems to be code words for attacks on women’s right for all sorts of medical care.” Limbaugh and the rest of the men that agree with him are not looking at the bigger picture; this is not just an attack on Sandra Fluke. Instead of acknowledging her maturity of taking the proper responsibilities, she is being ridicule for being an open, honest and responsible American. Perhaps these men haven’t gotten a chance to really watch and analyze MTV’s “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” series, the young couples change every season, that’s not even counting the ones who applied to be on the show. They are basically telling not just Fluke but all of the irresponsible teens, people in generally that we are not going to support your “bad habits.” Basically, you’re own your own. I don’t know what world their living in, but the one I’m currently aware of, protection is highly and crucially needed.
The statements made by Rush Limbaugh were immature, sexist and just plain wrong. He is a public figure with a large audience and as a public figure you should know there are certain ways you address things, and there are things you should not address. Calling her “femi- Nazis”, “slut” and ranting on about her sexual life is completely inappropriate. On a personal level, as a woman I felt insulted when hearing this on the news.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything Dr. Donnellan made in her argument, however, the issue of framing is what I feel was most important. The framing of the argument, whether or not to mandate birth control for women is health, a loud double standards to sway the opinions of the public. Because birth control falls under the umbrella of sexual relations, Fluke was seen as a “slut”, because she is a woman. After Limbaugh’s rant and apology, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich only had a problem with the language Limbaugh used but not the message. “In a man’s world” women have their “place” and if one wishes to escape that role it is frowned upon. Limbaugh lost sponsors and advertisements because of the language he used, his framing of his argument.
Kiwanis White
ReplyDeletePRRS 001- Section 001
3/15/2012
Extra Credit
Rush Limbaugh Blog Post
I really love talk radio. Although I’m not a big fan of Rush Limbaugh, I do listen at him from time to time for whatever reason. I’m familiar with his untimely outbursts. Given the facts under the circumstances, Limbaugh has such a strong personality, but then again it is for entertainment.
Limbaugh should perhaps start applying the SAD model. Think the situation through, analyze it and make the best ethical decision, perhaps one that may not bring harm to himself or others such as Fluke.
I totally agree with Ron Paul, we see this in the media from time and time again. Limbaugh and others make disrespectful outbursts, and then once they’re exposed, it’s followed up with a sleezy apology. Ron Paul’s statement was fitting, Limbaugh only apologized because he got caught.
Roderick Smith
ReplyDeletePRRS 001 Section 001
3/15/2012
Extra Credit
“Rush Limbaugh Blog Post”
Mr. Limbaugh showed enormous amount disrespect, when he spoke negatively about Ms. Fluke. In the media today, women are constantly being attacked and with the stereotypes of this world being male dominated, this only adds fuel to the fire. His apology was non sympathetic, and in my opinion forced. Rush Limbaugh has had one of the most highly listened to radio talk shows, and this stunt has nine times out of ten made them rethink their idea of him. The post also touches on Obama and the issues surrounding healthcare. Overall this article was very informative, and I must say I’m glad I read it
We speak not just of women’s rights, but the lack of decency and inability for a man to articulate his views in a professional and non-misogynistic manner. Rush Limbaugh’s indiscretions suggest his paucity of understanding for people outside of his tax bracket and his comments affirm his image as being a very controversial conservative. The arguments that make the most sense to me is the “framing” section. It is obvious that Limbaugh attempted to redeem himself in his “apology”, but many (including myself) were not convinced of his sincerity. His attack on Sandra Fluke was inappropriate and he should be penalized for it, yet I do not agree that this is a larger attack on woman and their productive rights. I believe that Limbaugh is just a misguided soul that needs to learn how to articulate his point of view.
ReplyDeletePurhnel Meek
I really enjoyed reading this blog because not only was I able to get many different opinions on what others had to say, but you also provided more in depth information in regards to the incident with Rush Limbaugh. The comment that Rush Limbaugh shared upon the public was not only rude, but it was disrespectful and degrading to women. Yes, we are all entitled to our own opinions, but I think Rush Limbaugh could have stated his opinion in a more respectful manner; instead of speaking with derogatory language. We love in male dominated society, which women are constantly being attacked and looked down upon. No women should have to be categorized as a “slut”. So women should not take contraceptives because they’ll be a slut? Wrong! Contraceptives should be included in women’s healthcare because it helps prevent pregnancies, especially for the women who don’t want kids at this time. I don’t understand what the big deal is; the government should go ahead and fund it. It would do the United States some justice.
ReplyDeleteVictor Jones
ReplyDeleteLSMP Section 002
March 28, 2012
After reading the blog called What’s the rush? The attack on women and Obamacare, I believe Rush Limbaugh should be fired and not allowed to be hired by any media outlet. The man will bash anyone or anything just to prove he is a Republican. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion but bashing anyone like that cannot be tolerated. Ms. Fluke has rights to freedom of speech just like he does. She had every right to testify for what she believes in. As for healthcare, it needs to be taken seriously because this can help a lot of people be able to see their doctors.
After repeatedly reading this blog i believe that Rush Limbaugh should be fired. It should be a limit on what he says. I do understand that he is a well known person but some things nee to be filtered. This is an outlet for many people to voice opinions that can be very offensive. Ms. Fluke has her rights and should not have bee called out of her name. It judging a book by its cover. Some things can be taken very far and i believe that he crossed the-line. The government should fund birth control. It would be beneficial to a lot of people! There are many people in society who do not want kids and it will help prevent the kids from having a rough life.
ReplyDeleteI am in total disgust after reading this article. Although I did know about the Rush Limbaugh situation, I did not know he said those mean, hurtful words about a woman he did not even know. I think it is amazing how one person can broadcast such negativity about a woman and not have to face any charges from the government. The section of the story that stood out to me the most was the beginning where the student was describing her classmate and her health problem. It is indeed sad to know that a woman had to go through that because she could not afford the appropriate care and her insurance would not cover it. For this reason, it is important to stay abreast of what is taking place in the government so that we as citizens can be aware.
ReplyDeleteBlog response -The Attack on Women
ReplyDeleteBy: Alex Buss
April 14, 2013
I believe that birth control is a good thing for all women who wish to have sex but don’t want to get pregnant. However, I am against abortion because anyone who is having sex and does not want to have a child should take birth control. I do not think that states should take this privilege away because if they do it can seriously hurt our economy with an over population of humans.
Why should it be anyone else’s right to say that someone can or can’t take birth control? Birth control is here to help reduce child birth and therefore abortions. Abortions are awful and I think that they should be banned.
From my background I have noticed that the majority of women having abortions are young and ignorant. They are just having sex for fun. Since birth control is easily obtained I think that they should be on it. Since we cannot stop humans from having sex the next best thing is trying to reduce the number of children born to parents who are not able to properly take care of a child.
I also think that Governor Rick Perry should not have signed the legislation for Planned Parenthood. This is another awful thing that is really going to hurt mankind. Women with low income need all the help that they can get so that their does not worsen. I strongly believe in helping one another.
A Bit Of History
ReplyDeleteRush Limbaugh is out of control. Even though he has a radio show for entertainment purposes, a lot of what he says is inappropriate. This is not the first time he has said something that would offend great number of people, so it’s not a surprise. However, he deserves the backlash he received from his comments. Limbaugh had neither right nor evidence to call the young lady out of her name and disgrace her as he did.
Framing the Issues
Lawmakers and politicians often frame issues to buy support and votes. The government basically tells us what they think we want to hear. Sometimes we rely too much on the government for information. This is why we must know what we agree with and what we stand for. We need to go out a look for information that we want so we can get unbiased, pure information.
The Attack on Women and The Attack on Obamacare
The issue certainly has a snowball effect. A lot of people don’t understand that birth control isn’t just for reducing the chance of becoming pregnant. Birth control is also used for reducing menstrual cramps, acne, and migraines due to menstrual cycles. Aside from detecting cancers, birth control can also detect cysts and other infections. The way the issue is framed, it seems as if birth control is only for not getting pregnant. There are also other issues that are looked over within Obamacare. Birth control is not a hot topic for everyone. My brother received an extra year under my mother’s health care plan after Obamacare was enacted.
What’s Next?
We, especially young adults, need to make sure that we know what’s going on at all times. A lot of bills and laws affect us and we never realize how and why. It’s important that we stay on top of news so we can form our own opinions.