Apology Not Accepted: Fluke Says Limbaugh’s Statement Doesn’t ‘Change Anything’

[ProSense]

Apology Not Accepted: Fluke Says Limbaugh’s Statement Doesn’t ‘Change Anything’

By Alex Seitz-Wald

Under withering criticism, Rush Limbaugh issued a weak apology for his personal assault on Georgetown Law student Sandra Fluke this weekend — but she is not satisfied. As ThinkProgress noted Saturday, Limbaugh appeared to express little contrition in his apology and used the statement to continue his smear campaign against her. Appearing on The View today, Fluke said Limbaugh’s apology doesn’t “change anything.” Watch it:

Fluke also said she’s not interested in an apologetic phone call from Limbaugh, saying, “I think the statements that he made on the air about me have been personal enough, so I’d rather not have a personal phone call from him.”

http://thinkprogress.org/media/2012/03/05/437760/fluke-on-limbaugh-apology/

Bravo!

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Good. What person, in their right mind, would consider that an apology?

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. Actually, I think it's brava! K & fucking R What a classy lady!

[immoderate]

3. Strong concurrence! Class act!

--imm

[calimary]

18. She has such grace and poise.

She's handling herself extremely well under fire, and in public, and on the front pages. She's become a cause celebre, and she's elegant, dignified, highly intelligent, articulate, and courageous. If I were running a law firm, I think I'd want her on my team. Hell, if I were in quite a few different different professions I'd regard her as a strong candidate for a position in the company. She sure can handle the heat!

Oops! Almost forgot:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002374653

How to fight back at the local radio, with insights from a former radio person. As one of those, myself, I can vouch for the good ideas in it. I have personally personally witnessed how effective these strategies can be.

[Dont call me Shirley]

4. He only apologized for the wrong choice of insult words he used, thinking maybe skank or loosey

would have been less offensive. Then he unapologized this morning and blamed it on liberals. What a chump!

[calimary]

19. Too true. Makes me wonder what word choices romney would make.

He didn't like the choice of words? Well, willard, which words would YOU use, then? What would YOU call her, then, if we're all just arguing over word choices?

Almost forgot:

Keep the pressure UP!!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002374653

How to fight back at the local radio, with insights from a former radio person. As one of those, myself, I can vouch for the good ideas in it. I have personally personally witnessed how effective these strategies can be.

[66 dmhlt]

38. Not surprisingly, Rushbo has said: "People in my position never apologize."

It was over another misogynistic comment by Limbaugh back in 2007:

CALLER: Oh, my goodness, I can’t believe you said that. I really can’t. We laugh at you all the time, but that was not funny. That was degrading to some women....

RUSH: ... I’m not going to apologize. People in my position never apologize.

http://thinkprogress.org/media/2012/03/05/437551/rush-on-degrading-comments-about-women-im-not-going-to-apologize-people-in-my-position-never-apologize/

[Flatpicker]

5. be careful

While I agree with her for not accepting the apology, there runs the risk that if this is pushed too hard, he will be able to take the victim position in the public eye.

Rush isn't stupid. He knows how to play the public. You don't stay on the air for as long as he has without knowing how to manipulate.

[obxhead]

6. I thought she was great.

She gave a GREAT answer when asked if Rush should be fired.

A real class act.

[davidthegnome]

7. Irrelevant

Only his followers would actually (and probably already do) believe that. I can't see how reasonable person could see Rush as a victim here - and I'm not terribly concerned with what his "educated listeners" think.

[ProSense]

8. I don't

be careful

While I agree with her for not accepting the apology, there runs the risk that if this is pushed too hard, he will be able to take the victim position in the public eye.

Rush isn't stupid. He knows how to play the public. You don't stay on the air for as long as he has without knowing how to manipulate.

...think there is a "risk." In fact, I hope she sues the blowhard.

Despite Apology, Limbaugh Continues Attacks On Fluke For Fourth Day
http://thinkprogress.org/media/2012/03/05/438008/limbaugh-fluke-day4/

[Jack Rabbit]

11. I don't think there's that much of a risk

From your link:

Limbaugh did some research into Fluke’s life and cast doubt on Fluke’s testimony before Congress, insinuating — without presenting any reason why — that Fluke’s testimony was fabricated. In this new narrative, first advanced by conservative blogs, Fluke is perhaps not a slut, but instead the pawn of a radical leftist conspiracy to infiltrate Georgetown to force the school to provide birth control coverage to students . . . .

As another poster said, only dittoheads are going to swallow that nonsense. I don't believe Ms. Fluke has become such an overnight public personality that she can't sue the bastard for slander.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

21. He couldn't stay on the air that long without also ...

...being a bully and an abuser (whom always know how to manipulate others). He's been married 4 times now. I can just imagine how he treats (treated) his wives and it's obvious why he's been married 4 times.

This is the thing: they NEVER change.

The one thing that will make them change is if or when it hurts THEM to hurt other people. Like neanderthals, it's all they understand .

Even with 14 advertisers and two radio stations who've dropped him - he STILL isn't hurting enough to STOP. There will have to be much more damage and pain inflicted upon Limbaugh (ie: as in public embarrassment and loss of stature, career, money, power, influence, etc.) before he will finally STOP. (and even then he'll still be a bully and abuser but he'll not be able to hurt as many people that way, at least)

[Occulus]

43. That's why I have not much besides contempt for those who say we mustn't

"sink to their level".

I am sick of that shit. Just sick of it. Being holier-than-thou has gotten us exactly nowhere, and it is never- not once, ever- wrong to punish a bully by subjecting them to their own behavior. In fact, refusing to do so only makes a bully stronger, because they view such inaction as a sign of weakness, and double down on their bullying.

Rush is a bully. Breitbart was a (thankfully and wonderfully dead) bully. They both deserve precisely what they have each received in the past week, and, I, for one, refuse to apologize for anything.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

44. +1 n/t

[Arkana]

14. Who gives a damn? Rush's fat pig ass will claim victimhood anyway.

It's time to stop giving a fuck what they do.

[Flatpicker]

23. but

If we had never gave a fuck about it, this would have never seen the light of day.

If nobody gave a fig about Rush in the first place, he would have not become what he is.
We do though, and it's a public issue now.

I just don't want to see this become a losing issue because "we" got emotional and allowed the Rushes of the world to retake the high-ground.

If this is played right, we can remove Rush from the public discourse. If not, he'll come out of this looking better than before.
He's already tried to push this back on the left today with his descending to their level drivel. I don't think it's working, but we can't make it easy for him.

I think it's time to step back and let him twist in the wind.

Be Unreasonably Reasonable and watch him dig the hole deeper.

[Ikonoklast]

25. Losing strategy.

Hammer him mercilessly on this, make it news every day that Rush thinks women are 'sluts'.

Rush will only come out of this alive if it is allowed to drop.

Your strategy is to leave the field.

NO.

[Flatpicker]

26. Not quite

My strategy is to move on. If you hammer him mercilessly, it will backfire. The public will rally round the victim.
Do we dare make Rush the victim?


How come nobody talks about the videotape comments? Move the battle to the next point. Make him react to a new allegation.
He's apologized. Even if it's not one, the MSM is going to say it was. You hammer him again on this and the backlash will start up.

[MrMickeysMom]

30. WHAT?

"He's apologized....even it it's not one, the MSM is going to say...."

Please, please rub your eyes and wake up about what you just said.

I dare say that the MSM has very little to do with the downward spiral of this ass behind the golden mike. They haven't ONE DAMNED THING to say about it. BUT, I SURE DO.

I have a lot to say. In fact, right before the last sponsor pulled out, I informed them with my own words...

See how that happens?

[Flatpicker]

42. I'd rather

Be wrong in this one is it means that Rush goes away.

As long as the end result is that Rush goes away.

[The Wizard]

9. Rash should be

getting a letter that begins with "I represent Sandra Fluke" and ends with, "If you fail to respond within ten (10) days of the date of this letter suit will be instituted against you without further notice."

[hayrow1]

13. Rush and Clear Channel should both be sued for millions in punative damages, as well as each radio

station that put the defamation/slander over the public airways.

[Botany]

10. Rush's apology was not an apology but just more attacks on Ms. Fluke

Fluke also said she’s not interested in an apologetic phone call from Limbaugh, saying,
“I think the statements that he made on the air about me have been personal enough,
so I’d rather not have a personal phone call from him.”

[Rambis]

12. I am glad sponsors don't seem to care

Whether he has apologized or not. He is in full sponsor save mode it will never be about being sorry he said outrageous shit. The fact one person listens to him let alone 20 million is an indictment of our country.

[Uncle Joe]

15. Ms. Fluke is an intelligent woman.

Thanks for the thread, ProSense.

[Life Long Dem]

16. He apologizes under 3 days of badly chosen words.

How can someone choose the wrong words for 3 days.

[47of74]

17. Yeah, I wouldn't accept an apology from that tick turd either

[dfherher]

20. Spam deleted by NRaleighLiberal (MIR Team)

[Crush Rush]

22. If you live in the DC area

Below are sponsors who advertised on The Rush Limbaugh Show on WMAL AM 630 (Washington D.C.) on Monday, March 5, 2012.

The key is to put on the pressure through the local advertisers.

There are very few local advertising availabilities on The Rush Limbaugh Show and they sell at a premium. Below is a list of companies that advertised on The Rush Limbaugh Show on WMAL AM 360 (Washington, D.C.) on March 5, 2012. Here's what to do:

1. Call the advertiser, be polite.
2. Write a letter to the advertiser, be polite.
3. Copy the station and the FCC with the advertiser letter.
4. Politely call the General Manager of the station,tell the GM what you are doing and why, tell them you have contacted the advertiser and copied the FCC.
5. If the local advertiser uses an agency, contact the agency, as well. Just ask the local business, if they use an agency.

It won’t take many letters and phone calls to get their attention and remind the station that the letters need to be placed in the station’s public file. (the public file is an FCC requirement)

Local stations don’t get many local avails in Rush’s show and many pay a huge fee to Premiere to run the show. If they start losing business, they will raise hell with Premiere.

Station: www.wmal.com
4400 Jenifer Street NW
Washington DC 20015
Switchboard: 202-686-3100

Goodwill of Greater Washington
2200 South Dakota Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20018
Tel: [phone]

Doors and Windows Direct
5640-D Sunnyside Ave Beltsville, MD 20705
(877) 301-DOOR
www.doorsandwindowsdirect.com

Deck Helmet [home improvement; resurfacing deck]:
4938 Hampden Ln Bethesda, MD
800-522-4356
www.deckhelmet.com

Frank Prindle [home seller]:
Frank Prindle & Associates & RE/MAX Allegiance
120 South Royal Street Alexandria, VA 22314
703-399-4538, myguaranteesell.com

Ric Edelman [financial adviser]
Edelman Financial
4000 Legato Road 9th Floor
Fairfax, VA 22033
888-752-6742, www.ricedelman.com

Snell Heating & Air
45681 Oakbrook Ct # 101
Sterling, VA 20166
[phone]

Ackerman Security Systems
6824 Industrial Drive
Beltsville, MD 20705
[phone], www.ackermansecurity.com

[JBoy]

24. Damn, Rush messed with the wrong woman.

Bravo, Ms Fluke.

[jimlup]

27. He didn't even apologize ...

If you have half of brain it is more than obvious that he's just trying to make it sound like he's apologized. He simultaneously (and unprompted) turned around and accused the left of this kind of behavior.

WHAT A TOTAL ASSHOLE. Let's get this guy gone and sooner is better.

BOYCOTT this tool!

[spanone]

28. good for her

[shcrane71]

29. She's so courageous.

[haiki]

31. Closing up forever the Rush Limbaugh program.

Closing up forever the Rush Limbaugh program.

Ms. Flute’s testimony before a special Democratic Congressional committee, was as an advocate, for women’s health issues. But medicated Mr. Limbaugh thought it was much more. Not only did Mr. Limbaugh call her a whore and a slut, but then brings in her mother and father into it.

He continues regurgitating his slander for several days, compounding the undeserved public attention to Miss Flute for doing which is every persons right, to petition the government in response to a bill sponsored by Senator Roy Blunt.

Mr. Limbaugh’s verbal and slanderous word’s were meant intentionally to demean and impugn her character. As well as the character of her parents, by falsely stating she was suggesting she must be paid to have sex. There was no suggestion! Only in the medicated sick mind of Mr. Limbaugh. He wouldn’t stop, calling her a slut, and a prostitute. Suggesting something she never suggested, she wants to get paid for “..having so much sex..”

Now, Rush Limbaugh said, he did not mean to make a “personal attack”. If not a personal attack on her, then that could only mean he meant all women.

Ms. Flute, after her testimony, advocating women’s health issues, she could have gone on to her law studies and life would have gone on, and that would have been the end of it.

“I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices. The damage to her reputation was immediate, and flashed world wide. How is this taken back? You can’t.

I saw Rush on an Ed Show playback today, I think he was about to cry, blaming the Democrats, talking about the advertisers he has lost. Saying he’ll get more. I can’t wait to get that list. He has insulted all women and they will remember and not forget. Neither will I!

Closing up forever the Rush Limbaugh program.

[IndyJones]

32. She is a class act. Bravo to her for her choice of words to respond to Rush's non-apology.

She is not afraid of Rush the big fat bully.

[pengillian101]

33. Apology Not Accepted

Good on her!

[War Pigs]

34. shes right he still a shrimpdick caribbean boybanger

[colorado_ufo]

35. Wonderful young woman! Great response!

Beyond even the terrible attack on all women, and the unforgiveable personal attack on Ms. Fluke - which went on for days and still goes on - is the great sense of injustice that this incident has engendered. No matter the political viewpoint that one might hold on the related issue, the fact remains that someone with a tremendous amount of power, with a national voice that reaches millions of people daily, and with the support and backing of huge corporations and a media giant, as well as the Republican party, elected to use that formidable clout as a weapon against a young college student. Almost literally, an elephant gun against a fawn. He didn't want to insult Ms. Fluke: He wanted to destroy her.

However, Limbaugh's hubris bested him. He didn't do his homework. It turned out that the subject of his attack had more brains, courage, and dignity than he could believe possible for a woman to possess. He did not believe that the public would put any value over loyalty to him and his message. He believed that his sponsors were privileged to sponsor him, and that their love of money would keep them on board under any circumstances.

Limbaugh went overnight from being a media king to having a questionable future.

It is difficult to imagine that someone as misogynistic as Limbaugh could forget that karma can be a bitch.

[AnneD]

36. It was a back handed apology.....

that he tried to pass off as a 'joke'. Many American women are not laughing. We have put up with the feminazi comments, and all the jokes about hormonal levels-but he really crossed the line by calling this woman a slut. It was a very personal attack. He called her out by name and slandered her personally.

I listened to his actual word before I took my stand. The attack came out of his own mouth, no one else put those words there for him. I will continue to speak to his advertisers and those radio stations that carry him. This is the type of thing that should get him pulled off the airwaves and rightly so.

He is going to soon find out the truth of the saying 'Hell hath no fury like a woman's wrath'.

[Thrill]

37. She should sue

Irreparable Damage. She can't go anywhere without Freepers calling her a slut because of his comments. At least thats what she should say

[Liberalynn]

39. +1

[AsahinaKimi]

40. Spoken like a trooper

Let him have enough rope to hang himself with...

[90-percent]

41. The most loathesome slimey line in his passive aggressive "apology"

“I think it is absolutely absurd that during these serious political times we are discussing personal recreational sexual activities before members of congress.”

He makes it sound like Congress held hearings to get material for their latest College Dorm sex video production!

He manages to denigrate both Congress and the courageous, articulate and honorable Ms. Fluke with one fell swoop.

I hope his fucking apology costs him his entire broadcast career and he goes the way of Radio Preacher Charles E. Coughlin (Father Coughlin) from the 1930's.

Or Glen Beck, who seems to no longer be a public figure of any note these days.

-90% Jimmy