Rush's Response

After being barred from speaking at last week's hearing regarding Obama's policy on contraceptive coverage, Sandra Fluke, Georgetown law student and activist, testified to House Democrats who held a hearing this week regarding the matter. Fluke spoke of the personal cost and importance of employer-covered contraceptives, and the case of her friend who took the pill to treat polycystic ovary syndrom (PCOS).

Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh's hateful and misogynistic response to Ms. Fluke's testimony was one of accusations; "Feminizi", "slut", "prostitute". Personally I was surprised at the media storm that followed these comments, which were made by a man notorious for hyperbolic, foundationless, and insulting claims. Today Limbaugh offered a statement saying that he was only trying to be humorous, and his "choice of words was not the best".

I remember making similar apologies to my mother during my teenage years: "I'm really sorry I talked back to you, but you really pissed me off and you totally deserved it."

It's refreshing to know that despite the fact that Limbaugh has dismissed himself as a credible political commentator, he is still being held accountable. The issue here isn't just about religious support, sexual freedom, healthcare coverage, or women's rights. Limbaugh's outlandish comments reflect the unfortunate coarsening of political discourse today. Georgetown President John J. DeGioia offered ameaningful insight on the matter in a statement released yesterday.

"In an earlier time, St. Augustine captured the sense of what is required in civil discourse: 'Let us, on both sides, lay aside all arrogance. Let us not, on either side, claim that we have already discovered the truth. Let us seek it together as something which is known to neither of us. For then only may we seek it, lovingly and tranquilly, if there be no bold presumption that it is already discovered and possessed.'

"If we, instead, allow coarseness, anger — even hatred — to stand for civil discourse in America, we violate the sacred trust that has been handed down through the generations beginning with our Founders. The values that hold us together as a people require nothing less than eternal vigilance. This is our moment to stand for the values of civility in our engagement with one another."

In general, media is more polarized than ever and shock-value seems to be ranking highest among our priorities. Despite the fact it has been infiltrated by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly, we cannot give up on the quality of our political discourse, or we risk sacrificing our most effective means of democracy.