I really do not like giving Rush Limbaugh any publicity
whatsoever through my blog site. I will
make an exception this time, however.
Typically, Rush has nothing to say that is worthy of comment and now he
has proven why.
The "conservative" radio talk show host has once
again wandered into territories where "only
fools 'Rush' in" and in doing so confirmed that he himself is the
fool! In case you somehow missed it, Mr.
Limbaugh chose to verbally attack Sandra Fluke, a third year law student at
Georgetown University. House Democrats
wanted to invite Ms. Fluke to testify on the Obama Administration's health
insurance measure requiring all employers, including those affiliated with
religious institutions, to provide birth control prescriptions. Republicans controlling the House refused to
allow her to testify, however. In
response, the Democrats provided her with a forum on February 23 while Congress
was on break. Only a few congressmen
were in attendance, all Democrats.
According to the Associated Press, Ms. Fluke told of a
friend who had an ovary removed because of the growth of cysts. The surgery could have been avoided if she
could have filled a prescription for birth control pills. Georgetown University's student health plan
would not cover the cost, an estimated $3,000 per year, because as a Jesuit
institution it opposes the use of contraceptives.
After telling this story, Sandra Fluke faced the wrath of
Rush. "What does it say about the college coed who goes before a
congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have
sex? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex," said
Limbaugh. He continued, "If we are
going to pay for your contraceptives, and thus pay for you to have sex, we want
something for it. We want you to post
the videos online so we can all watch."
Is this what conservatism is about? Referring to a young woman who has the
courage to testify before Congress on behalf of her friend as a
"slut" and a "prostitute" is in itself horrific. But for Limbaugh to suggest that Fluke should
produce the equivalent of pornographic videos for his pleasure crosses the line
of all moral and ethical boundaries. It
may even be considered sexual harassment.
What a striking contradiction this represents for one who claims to be
the voice and conscience of American Conservatism.
Interestingly, Georgetown
University President John DeGioia boldly issued a statement in support of
Sandra Fluke and her right to speak out on this or any issue. While the University as a Catholic
institution opposes the use of contraception DeGioia acknowledge the right of
all persons to respectfully disagree.
DeGioia went on to declare that Limbaugh was way out of bounds in his
criticism.
I am most interested in this litany of events and comments
for one basic reason. Sandra Fluke has
the right to take a stance and voice her thoughts, just as any American citizen
does. We may or may not agree with
her. We might even be a bit offended at
what she stands for. On the other hand
we may find ourselves thinking "I wish I would have said that." Either way, the issue I wish to speak to is
the tone of dialog in this country. We
are becoming an increasingly polarized and aggressive nation. Its true economically, as the rich get richer
and the poor get poorer and the middle class is quickly dissolving. It is also true politically. The Liberals and the Conservatives are
drawing lines and strengthening their ranks.
The Moderates are fading into the sunset. A perfect example is that of Mitt
Romney. There was a time when Romney was
a moderate of moderates; a truly middle ground figure who could work with both
sides of a debate. As the endless Republican
Primary continues to roll on, however, Romney is finding it far more
advantageous for his candidacy to regurgitate the classic conservative clichés
that he once carefully avoided, even if he nearly chokes as he says them. Consequently, his campaign remains alive in
spite of all the ferocious attacks from the Right. First there was Michelle Bachman. Then it was Rick Perry. Then came Newt Gingrich, with the
ever-present Ron Paul dancing in the shadows.
One by one the conservative champions rose to challenge Romney. One by one they were beaten back with the
club of wealth and organization - and a little assistance from the GOP
Establishment, perhaps. But now the
former Governor of Massachusetts finds himself confronted by a formidable foe
in the person of Rick Santorum. Not that
Santorum is such an ideal candidate, but rather the conservative, Right Wing
element of the GOP has finally realized that to beat Romney they must narrow
their options down to one candidate rather than 6. Since Santorum has yet to be scrutinized on
the national level and has essentially stood on the sidelines in the early
debates, he was seen as their last hope.
Thus he earned the endorsement - official or otherwise - of the Tea Party,
the Evangelicals, and all other Right-of-Center powers in a final showdown with
the Moderate Romney. Sensing the
seriousness of the situation, Romney had decided to become a chameleon
conservative. That is, he has taken to
using the jargon and the catch phrases that tickle the ears of all good
political and social conservatives. Is
he genuinely changed? Who knows. Anything goes, it seems, in this unusual
primary.
This culture of criticism has no boundaries, it would
appear. Santorum has raised questions
concerning the sincerity of President Barak Obama's Christianity. Santorum also has accused the President of
adhering to a "phony theology", whatever that is supposed to
mean. Not to be outdone, popular
evangelist Franklin Graham has joined the assault and labeled the President as
a questionable Christian who, according to Muslim law, is actually a Muslim
because his father was a Muslim. Graham
went on to say that in contrast Santorum was a true Christian because "his
values are so clear on moral issues".
Oh really? Do those moral issues
include slandering elected officials and questioning the salvation of fellow
Christians based on a differing political agenda? Does the arrogance and pride demonstrated by
Santorum exemplify the Fruit of the Holy Spirit that is to characterize a Christian's
witness (see Galatians 5:19 - 26)?
Only after facing huge opposition from many, including the
NAACP, did Graham offer a weak and limited apology for his insensitive
remarks. But it says here that it was
too little, too late. Franklin Graham,
like his father, Billy, before him, has again discredited his testimony on
behalf of Jesus and the Body of Christ by venturing into the murky waters of
political propaganda. He has carried on
the family tradition of starting with a political agenda and then casting it in
biblical language to impress the masses.
The result is a misrepresentation of biblical Truth and the blending of
Christianity and nationalism together in such a way that distorts reality and creates
confusion. Like Limbaugh, Graham has rushed
in and vocalized his prejudices without thinking first. Perhaps these good people should return to
their Bibles they so vehemently claim to rely upon and read again the words of
James 1:19 - 21 which says:
"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to
become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God
desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral
filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in
you, which can save you."
It may also be helpful to turn to the words of Jesus in the
Sermon on the Mount, when he said "Do not judge, or you too will be
judged. For in the same way you judge
others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to
you. Why do you look at the speck of
sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank that is in your
own eye? (Matthew 7: 1 - 3)".
Politics in this country has a long and shameful history of
bitter campaigns and mudslinging. Every
four years I feel that we have reached new lows in ethical behavior, causing me
to lose confidence in the American political system. This year I am convinced we have fallen lower
than ever before. The backstabbing, the
misrepresentation of facts, the hatred, the slander, the finger-pointing and
general disrespect is simply nauseating.
And that's just in the Republican Primary! I can't imagine what we will be forced to
endure by the time September arrives. Of
course one of the key elements that are driving this fiasco is the introduction
of the Super-PACs. Their infusion of
seemingly endless volumes of money together with the ability to speak on behalf
of their candidate of choice without drawing that same candidate too closely
into the fray has opened up a whole new realm of potential character
assassinations. There is so much to be
said in critiquing the Super-PACs that I will save that topic for another day.
And so we plod along in this world of rearranged
values. Conservatives like Limbaugh
wanting free access to pornography.
Evangelists like Graham switching from saving souls to practicing
Islamic law. A Catholic College
President supporting a woman's effort to receive birth control pills. What will they think of next?
Through it all there remain a few constants worth noting.
1. A
person's true character will be revealed by their own actions.
(Matthew 7:16 - 20; Luke 6:43 -
45; Galatians 5: 16 - 26; James 3: 1 - 12).
2.
Human leaders will always disappoint but God's
Truth endures forever.
3.
When it comes to Biblical interpretation let us
begin with the Bible and draw conclusions from it rather than the other way
around.
4.
This current culture of criticism must be
destroyed before it destroys us.
As I said earlier, we do not need to agree with Sandra Fluke
or anyone else for that matter. In fact,
it is healthy for society if we do not always agree. But the one thing that makes this country
great is the right granted to all persons to voice their opinion without being
exposed to shame or verbal abuse.
On his website Mr. Limbaugh can be seen in a photo carrying
an American flag over his shoulder.
Seemingly this is meant to portray him as the proud protector of
American values. Yet the First Amendment
to the United States Constitution protects the right for all persons to speak
their mind - even Mr. Limbaugh. Yes,
painful as it may seem, Rush has the right to voice his opinion. But he has no right to abuse a person while
doing so.
Let's all try thinking a little before we 'Rush" in to
speak!
G. D. Gehr, March 5, 2012
Comments invited below.
All Bible quotes are taken from the New International Version of the Holy Bible
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