The response by Welch is famous. After saying that, “Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty, or your recklessness,” he said, “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?
Today, Rush Limbaugh sunk to a far more unfathomable low. He was commenting on a young woman who had testified before Congress supporting the provision of the Health Care Reform Act that requires health insurance, with the usual limited religious exemptions, to provide free access to contraception.
Although I think it bizarre, I have no problem with him being against that provision, as is the Catholic Church and many evangelical leaders. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. It’s the American way.
But Rush Limbaugh did not just speak out against this provision. Instead, he lashed out in the most vile, misogynistic, cruel, and reckless manner at the young woman who testified. Here is what he said:
First he called her a “slut” and a “prostitute.” Then added, “So Miss Fluke, and the rest of you Feminazis, here’s the deal. If we are going to pay for your contraceptives ... We want something for it. We want you to post the videos online so we can all watch.”
To which I, and I hope all of America will say, “Sir, have you no sense of decency at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”
I urge all the companies who sponsor his program to withdraw their support, thereby making a statement that such reckless vilification is not acceptable. It is against everything that America stands for.
