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Subscribe to RSSHouse Speaker John Boehner distanced himself on Friday from Rush Limbaugh, calling the conservative radio host's words toward a women's rights advocate "inappropriate."
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, talks about a lunch meeting with President Obama to deal with rising gasoline prices, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 29, 2012.
Amid a growing media firestorm over comments Wednesday by Limbaugh toward Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown Law student who testified before a Democratic panel on the use of contraception, Washington's top Republicans said through a spokesman that Limbaugh was wrong.
"The speaker obviously believes the use of those words was inappropriate, as is trying to raise money off the situation," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said in a statement.
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The comment refers to Democratic fundraising efforts related to Limbaugh's comments, in which he called Fluke a "slut." Fluke had been asked to testify about the policy of Georgetown University, a Catholic college, toward covering contraception for students. Her testimony came amid a controversy in Washington in recent weeks regarding the extent to which religious institutions should be required to cover contraceptive services as part of their insurance policies, despite moral objectives to contraception.
"What does it say about the college co-ed [Sandra] Fluke, who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex," Limbaugh said on his show. "What does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute."
His comments quickly became political fodder for House Democrats, whose leader, California Rep. Nancy Pelosi, decried Limbaugh's comments as "outside the circle of civilized discussion and that unmask the strong disrespect for women held by some in this country." The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee additionally sought donations as a result of the outrage.
"I think my reaction was the reaction that a lot of women have had when, historically, they've been called these types of names and that really I think ... and that was initially, to be stunned by it, but then to quickly feel outraged and very upset by it," Fluke said about Limbaugh's remarks Friday on the TODAY show.
Sandra Fluke, the birth control activist called a "slut" and "prostitute" by conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh, talks to TODAY's Matt Lauer about Limbaugh's comments and the failure of a GOP-sponsored amendment that would have allowed employers to opt out of providing contraception in health plans.
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Hey, I just heard so many people were outraged at Boehner's WUSS response that his web site crashed ... way to GO!
MARC your full of @!$%# ! there are a lot of republicans are speaking against Rush ! Santoruim, Romney and a whole lot more !!! maybe you should pay attention !! MORON !
Boehner says they are "inappropriate." How about slanderous. How about defamation of character. How about libel.
how about truthful? She admits to having sex without marriage, therefore his term for her is correct.
Did he call Bristol Palin a slut? She fit the definition you posted - "sex without marriage"!
he wasn't there to "press charges" in a court of law!
Here is the ignorance: the majority of the women using contraceptives are prescribed same for reasons other than birth control. The medication can prevent unwanted or ill-timed pregnancy of course, but if one knows any thing about women's health issues, one would be clear on why women of all ages receive birth control even if they are not active. Additionally, Limbaugh has a history of acting out his inadequancies, both educationally and otherwise, on people who initimidate him. Georgetown Law is not an easy institution in which to get accepted. Only very able students attend. Ms Fluke is not an idiot.
Ceele please fill us in on the reasons women are prescibed contraceptives.
"Men" don't attack women ---- Limbaugh isn't a "Man"
As far as the title "Mister" goes, that signifies respect.. Limbaugh has earned "No Respect", he is a disgrace to this country, the only titles Limbaugh eared is "Hater", "Bigot", "Liar" & "Coward"
Why should someone else pay for her pleasure? I want a pedicure and I want you to pay for it. What difference? If they are old enough to have sex, they should be responsible enough to pay for it on their own. It is not their right to flop down and expect anyone else to pay for it. Rush just said what many of us are thinking. This spokesperson is attending one of the most expensive shcools in the country and will pull in big bucks when she graduates yet wants someone else to pay for her immoral behavior........... I think not.
Boy! When Bonehead utters strong language like "inappropriate" through a "spokesperson," you can just feel the heat of his righteous indignation! Talk about coming to the defense of an innocent young woman who's reputation has been attacked nationally by the National GasBag himself. Wow! Bonehead - you really went all out to redeem her, reprimand the GasBag, and set a civil tone for this kind of national discourse! You must be emotionally spent - take the day off and go hit some golf balls - you've earned it!
Wasn't Rush busted for illegal Viagra smuggled from Mexico
The knee-jerk response of the left is what the media banks on and you goofs are giving them exactly what they wanted.
Media matters whines, the lefty shills in the mainstream media "report" on the whining, and you goons act like goons act.
Never address the facts. DO NOT DO IT! Avoid mention of the facts at all costs. Make this an "attack on all women", right?
Why doesn't the same media hold democrats feet to the fire in the same way? When a democrat says something dumb, make all democrats answer for it directly. Mike Malloy says a lot of ridiculous things, so why not demand Obama himself refute those things?
You clowns are a joke. A bunch of simple-minded jerks who think you are so brilliant but yet you can't comprehend the most simple things....specifically logic and reason. Critical thinking is certainly not your strong point and just because you oppose religion doesn't mean you are critical thinkers...you can be quite the opposite even regarding that topic.
Another....AMERICAN....that gets it! Thank you.
Critical thinking skills also encompass the ability to recognize a piece of slime ... apparently you were absent that day.
Please demonstrate the logic and reason of the Rush comments? With a little luck, Rush will end up paying out the nose for the privlige of demonstating his vast intellect, logic, and critical thinking. And yes, you are right, his comments were not an attack on all women, just one woman in particular.
If we follow the rational of the far Right, and Santorium, considering the purpose of sexual relationships, then all the Fed would have to do is provide Viagra to men only when they were attempting to have a family. How oftern, one month out of each year, after the first child is born? I see no such limitiations on that drug. Now, consider how much the Feds and States pay out to support children who were not planned, honestly not wanted, and who end up on the welfare rolls. You know, medical, delivery, food, diapers, education, more medical, all the way through adulthood, all the expenses which critical thinking Right Wing Republicans choose to ignore.
Somehow, contraceptives seem a little cheaper being provided under a health plan than the above expenses.
Opposing religion is a long way from expecting an employer, associated with the Catholic chruch to be required to provide contraceptives to their employees, if any want them. Catholics still have the option of their own choice, unlike what the GOP wants, which is to remove options, and demand all citizens follow their latest moral decree.
Certainly, there is lots of critical thinking in name calling and general attacks. You want facts? Look what failed GOP Right Wing economic theory did to our nation during the Bush years, along with prior GOP Administrations: massive redistribution of wealth for starters. Now that we are clawing our waay out of the Bush recession, what do they propose? More tax cuts for the job creators, more deregulation, along with massive spending cuts to stall the economy? How about some logical and analytical discussion on those topics also.
Nope, for some, name calling is much easier.
Oh boy, now Boehner's going to have to go on the "Rush Limbaugh apology tour" to get back in the good graces of the cult of personality that is today's GOP.
every county in every state in this country has a health unit that a woman can get free birth control pills at so why do democrats continue to insist that a woamn cannot get birth control if she works for a religious entity whose fundamental core religious rules deny that coverage in any commerce it supports...this is a political stunt plain and simple and how ridiculously stupid that airheaded @&^% pelosi looked up there in front of her...way to go Rush...keep on preaching bro...the other 80% of us are on the way to standing up against this 20% of idiots that are ruining this country for the rest of us
Who cares what 'Limpbrain' has to say. He's like all talking heads who are just out to promote his own radio program.
Stick with prescription drugs Rush, and not female activists. You know a heck of a lot more about drugs than women.
John Boner you know Limbaugh is the man that develops GOP policy and you stand a strong chance of being called on the carpet by the leader of the the GOP (Limbaugh) we will probably see you this afternoon on television explalining that you didn't really understand what he said and that you are sorry for your inapproproiate comment questioning the Leader of the GOP party.
you're making me laugh, Gary. Limbaugh is NOT an official of the Republican party; he does not determine its agenda
I believe every individual who has the misdfortune to come into contact with this abomination of a human being, should just use the Amish practice of shunning. Maybe if he were completly isolated from society, he would come to understand just what an awful human being he is. At the least every civil person would not have to have anything to do with him. Failing that effort, I agree with KathyL, he should immediately be removed from the airwaves and never again permitted to spew his evil venom.
Boehner is cut from the same cloth as Rush Limbaugh. Their ideology is lockstep with that of radical Muslim zealots. They should both grow beards so they feel more at home with their ideological brothers in the Islamic faith.
You know who I really feel sorry for? Rush's wife. You know she just wants him to die so she can have his money, and be with someone that a human can be attracted to. Rush should move to that island for drug addicts that he advocated years ago. He is a disgusting fat blob.
Is "inappropriate" the best Boehner can do? Don't want to antagonize the Faithful, do we Mr. Boehner?
Why do we Libs always fall for Limbaugh's schtick...
Vote with your wallets people - don't buy anything from any company that advertises on Limbaugh's show, pretty simple right???
Limbaugh wants this publicity - he wants the fur to fly... this way he'll get a raise. Stop buying the products advertised on his show and watch how fast his tune changes...
Only among GOP Teaturds could a thrice married, doctor shopping drug addict be held in iconic glory, for trashing a decent young woman, because she came to the aid of women who needed health care.
Honestly, I think Fux News and Limpbaughs could convince this bunch of old retirees that s#!t doesn't stink!
People unsure or uncertain of their position resort to name calling and snarky remarks, Grump
DIRT,
Not name calling. Just a statement of FACTS...convicted of doctor shopping and illegal use of prescription drugs... held in iconic unquestionable glory by his audience... as you provide us proof of that.
I stand corrected on the marriage statement... you are correct, he has not been married three times... he is now in his FOURTH marriage!
Now, I am interested in whether or not your value statement applies to your hero? He called an innocent young women a "slut" and a "prostitution," based on nothing more than her civil discourse with congress.
Well, it is quite obvious that most of you Rush haters do not listen to his show to begin with because if you did you would have stroked out by now. And as far as some one paying for your birth control that is stupid. It is called another hand out for you from the liberal socialist party(AKA democrats). How about just taking responsibility for your actions instead. If you can not afford birth control then simply abstain from sex until you can afford it. That may be a little hard for you swinging open minded socialist to understand or do. Why do you not attack your man obama for taking away more of your Constitutional Rights with this little forced mandate he just did. There is supposed to be a seperation of Church and government, sure sounds like he just road rough shod over that rule like he has done many others. Next time he obama has a press conference see if there is an American flag flying, and watch for the yellow drapery with Arabic on it behind him. He is the one you should be worried about. And oh yeah, rant on because I will not be back to read not watch your dribble slinging.
Have you not realized yet that humans don't take responsibility for their own actions? The U.S. is overcrowded, the Republicans are against abortion, but they are also against readily available birth control.
Jason, it's FREE at Planned Parenthood already!
"Men" don't attack women ---- Limbaugh isn't a "Man"
As far as the title "Mister" goes, that signifies respect.. Limbaugh has earned "No Respect", he is a disgrace to this country, the only titles Limbaugh eared is "Hater", "Bigot", "Liar" & "Coward"
MOST republican men cant get it up anyway !!!! So they don't care about birth control !!
I have moral objections to paying my taxes since they're used for wars. Can I get a refund?
I feel the same way can i get a refund too !!
Do you think it would be possible for Rush to eat his own head? I appears he has managed to eat everything else.
Why was it OK for Ed Schulz, from this very network, to call Laura Ingraham a slut not even a year ago? Bet none of you libs bothered to comment against that, right? Of course not.
I didn't agree with Ed then, and I don't agree with Rush now, but I bet he was merely making a point that all of you would be insulted by his comment after all of you ignored Schulz with his....
Looks like he accomplished exactly what he wanted to do...
It wasn't OK. Schultz made an honest heartfelt apology on air on his MSNBC show and voluntarily took a leave of absence from his show.
Check the video here:
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/ed-schultz-apologizes-on-the-ed-show-for-calling-laura-ingraham-a-right-wing-slut/
But there was no outrage here. As a matter of fact, here and on Huffington there were dozens of you lefties who agreed with Schultz.
Like I said, the usual double standard...
Everyone else has to rein in their rhetoric except for those who support the left. Your username shows just how far gone you really are.