**updated**
The 2012 theme of International Women’s Day is “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.” But when you look at what’s been playing in politics the last week or so in the U.S., you’d be smart to add a subheading to the theme that warns girls and women to “always stand tall and be prepared to defend yourself.”
I’ve been writing about the politics of sex since 1996, my book on 20 years of history and the Hillary Effect part of this work, with a focus on media. Nothing illustrates the subject better than Rush Limbaugh deciding to target and intimidate Sandra Fluke, while partisans attempt to give him an out on the scandal by serving up Bill Maher.
No sooner had the clamor over Rush Limbaugh’s “slut” and “prostitute” smear of Sandra Fluke started than the partisan talking points began, starting with Limbaugh himself.
Bill Maher was brought up as an example of someone on the left who is equally guilty of sexism, with his donation of $1 million to the pro-Obama Super PAC Priorities USA Action providing a convenient connection to Pres. Obama. That gave the Limbaugh and others all they needed to dredge up something Maher said this time last year.
What did Maher get for his $1 million? Access to David Axelrod, which is fueling the right even more:
While slamming Mitt Romney for not standing up to the “strident voices” on his side, a top Obama advisor is planning to spend some quality time with one on his own, The Daily has learned. David Axelrod, President Obama’s senior campaign strategist, is scheduled to appear on Bill Maher’s late-night talk show within the next few weeks, according to Kelley Carville, an HBO spokesman. – Obama adviser slams Romney for Limbaugh while planning to go on Maher
Maher booking Axelrod puts a whole new meaning to Pres. Obama’s reversal to support Super PACS and what $1 million can buy, especially after Obama complained about PAC civility.
Bill Maher called Sarah Palin the “c” word in his stand-up act, you know, where people pay to come hear him push the envelope on politics, sex and anything else in the news, the hallmark of his cultural and political comedy. It wasn’t on public airwaves and Armed Forces Radio. Maher’s jokes often trend towards sexism when he’s covering a woman he dislikes or whose politics run astray of his and anyone taking in his shows knows it.
God forbid we should have a conversation focused on the subject at hand, the defamation of a female citizen speaking to Congress by Rush Limbaugh, before taking the issue wide to men in media and entertainment who use sexism in their work to describe and insult women as a path to making their point.
But after Limbaugh called Maher out, Sarah Palin decided to chime in. It was predictable and launched for maximum political affect. From Politico
“I think the definition of hypocrisy is for Rush Limbaugh to have been called out, forced to apologize and retract what it is that he said in exercising his First Amendment rights and never is that the same applied to the leftist radicals who say such horrible things about the handicapped, about women, about the defenseless,” Palin told CNN in an interview from Wasilla, Alaska.
“So I think that’s the definition of hypocrisy, and that’s my two cents for you,” she added.
At least Sarah Palin’s got the price right. Political partisanship of this type is only worth two cents. If you juxtapose this against HBO’s “Game Change” debut this Saturday, Sarah Palin offering cover for Rush Limbaugh reveals just how far she’s fallen.
Maher also called Michele Bachmann one of the “two bimbos” in the Republican race on his HBO “Real Time” show, if Palin would have run for president.
It’s sexist, but it, nor calling Palin the “c” word, had anything to do with Fluke being targeted or the policy she was discussing that revolved around the contraceptive mandate, which is crushing Republicans. That’s why Maher was brought up, to help cauterize the political pain and plummeting popularity the Republican war on women has caused the right by hoisting up a false equivalency.
A critical point in all this is that Rush Limbaugh and the medium he spawned has helped the Republican Party win elections. As George Will said on “This Week”, Republicans are also actually scared of Limbaugh. Mitt Romney certainly proved he is.
As for Maher, no one in the Democratic establishment is scared of him and nothing he can do would intimidate a congressional witness, because he doesn’t have Limbaugh’s clout. He’s a comedian, not a media representative of a political party.
Bill Maher has now defended Rush Limbaugh:
Hate to defend #RushLimbaugh but he apologized, liberals looking bad not accepting. Also hate intimidation by sponsor pullout
Of course he would, because he believes Limbaugh apologized. It’s immaterial to Maher that Limbaugh’s patter is regularly misogynistic, whether it’s “feminazi”, my favorite of his, or “reporterette”, even “info-babe”. Limbaugh just this week turned his sights on another professional woman, this time author Tracie McMillan, calling her an “authorette” and a “babe”.
That Maher hates a “sponsor pullout” campaign could be because it cuts too close to home for him, after he got fired from ABC over the comments he made after 9/11. But his defense at Limbaugh’s attack, “I don’t have sponsors. I’m on HBO” while true doesn’t make calling any woman the “c” word for shock value defensible.
To anyone who makes a living with words, especially extemporaneously, the thought of misspeaking and losing your livelihood because of it is understandably chilling. Maher’s felt that first hand. I’ve dabbled in radio, done theater, so I understand.
But it wasn’t just “slut” and “prostitute” that was the problem. Sexism can also be about power, using it to demean a woman who isn’t on equal footing of the person delivering it. It was Limbaugh using his power to intimidate and humiliate a private female citizen over a policy subject that is killing Republicans in hopes of discrediting what she was saying.
People quick to take up the Maher comparison, which set up Palin’s false equivalency defense for Rush, simply provided cover so he could get away with it.
Hey, but if you want to have a discussion on the similarities between Rush Limbaugh and Bill Maher on their sexist proclivities, separate from the Fluke intimidation incident, talking about both men’s delight in characterizing women sexually to demean them or imply it’s all they are, it’s a good topic for discussion.
Conflating Limbaugh with Maher, however, created a situation where the intimidation of a woman was lost in favor of partisan gamesmanship, adding another chapter to the Republican war on women.
It proved that even when a woman is targeted by one of the leaders of the Republican Party in media, fan politics kicks in and partisan blinders are donned at her expense. It’s all about having your side win, which undoubtedly brings in political performers like Sarah Palin to ratchet up the rhetoric a notch, distracting the discussion away from the initial offense by Limbaugh.
The good news in all this is that even though partisans tried to hijack the discussion, at least it rose to the top of media priorities and also hit the economics of Rush Limbaugh’s machine, something that Maher doesn’t come close to possessing.
Bill Maher’s right to be worried. Repercussions for a bad joke is nothing compared to the chilling affect political correctness has on comedy.
Or as Rush Limbaugh has said on his show, “civility is censorship.”
We’ll see how all this plays out when Maher headlines an Alabama Democratic fundraiser later in March, which was reported by the Daily Caller.
Denying Rush Limbaugh and Bill Maher their avenues of sexism would kill their personas. They’re simply not the men they are without it.
Both Limbaugh and Bill Maher have been put on the defensive, because sexism is losing it’s acceptance and now acts more like a boomerang. It’s much more successful when it’s prurient, like in porn, and in the 21st century it will become the only place it can survive in America.
Vintage ad graphic via BuzzFeed.
Equating Maher and his sexist remarks with the bile and vitriol poured out nonstop, the personal and demonstrably FALSE slander limpwithnoballs has made millions and millions of dollars with is ridiculous.
That the weasel maher would then actually say the bloated sack of pus and grease has APOLOGIZED simply indicates how pathetic he really is.
“As for Maher, no one in the Democratic establishment is scared of him and nothing he can do would intimidate a congressional witness, because he doesn’t have Limbaugh’s clout. He’s a comedian, not a media representative of a political party.”
With all due respect, Big T, and I do enjoy your posts and find them educational and interesting, I disagree with some of this regarding Maher. If he is not a representative, then why is Axelrod planning on joining his show in the near future. I believe all avenues are capable of being representative of political ideologies and agendas. Maher definitely has influence over people as do others on both sides of the aisle.
Again, there is absolutely no difference between Limbaugh and Maher. Either all of its OK, or none of its OK.
Again, there is a big difference between what Limbaugh did and what Maher did. Only in a world that is only seen in black and white can someone see no difference, but as we all know, the world is made up of shades of gray. One big difference is, one is a comedian and the other is a spokesman for a major political party. One has no influence in party politics while the other has extreme influence in party politics.
Maher’s “forgiveness” of Limbaugh kina puts your defense of him to shame…and gives me a pretty good laugh.
Show me anywhere in my comment were I was defending Maher? By pointing out that there is a difference between what Limbaugh did and what Maher did is no deffence of Maher. Both made sexist comments, but to say the both is the same is just pure fantasy.
Show me anywhere in my comment were I was defending Maher? By pointing out that there is a difference between what Limbaugh did and what Maher did is no difference of Maher. Both made sexist comments, but to say the both is the same is just pure fantasy.
I guess you have a short term memory. The day before you were screaming about those claiming “a false equivalency between Maher and Limbaugh.” Maher’s defense of Limbaugh’s apology and his admonission that feminists get over it couldn’t have come at a better or making with the funny time.
Male Bovine Fecal Matter.
And just because you keep repeating a falsehood like some insane Parrot doesn’t make it any more true.
I agree with you, Joe Chi.
What a surprise there.
“One has no influence in party politics while the other has extreme influence in party politics.”
That is simply not true Angel. Maher does have influence, if he didn’t, why would Axelrod and others like him event bother to appear on his show. He is another medium to get the message out.
1.”That is simply not true Angel. Maher does have influence, if he didn’t, why would Axelrod and others like him event bother to appear on his show.”
Well for one to counter the gibbering talking point spewers like yourself that keep parroting the same untrue, false equivalency nonsense.
2.” He is another medium to get the message out.”
And there is the real money shot reveling your stone cold dishonesty. limpwithnoballs is hard core involved in repugnantklan/teabagger disinformation campaigns parroting word for word the drivel that comes from the repugs and baggers.
MAHER?!!!! Bwahahahaha! He spends as much time trashing President Obama and the Dems as the repugs/baggers. Were he a real “get the message out” kinda guy for the Dems he would be in lock step with the Administration. Only an imbecilic assmonkey could or even would try to float such male bovine fecal matter OR an utterly clueless, ignorant beyond comprehension cave dweller. Which are you?
secularh, you knowz I Love you, I do, but let’s jettison the name-calling, please. It’s a little too ironic in a thread about Limbaugh & Maher’s vitriol!
ps – Would appreciate some Facebook love on this column. After all, it’s International Women’s Day!
Ms. marsh…name-calling?
gotta love the term “limpwithnoballs” in a thread about sexism…such wonderful idiocy
limpwithnoballs…an accurate term. Limp….the person(?) in question is impotent due to his insane consumption of illegal drugs. No balls…the person(?) in question has demonstrated cowardice time after time after time. Since when has being accurate and honest been “such wonderful idiocy”? OOPS…just noticed who posted this…never mind.
LMFAO
Can you really be that daft?
To imply that bravery comes from testicles?
Maybe take a feminism 101 class before posting in threads concerning topics about which you know nothing about.
But thanks for the ad hominem; it proves my point of the other day.
1.”LMFAO”
That’s good, laughter lowers blood pressure.
2.”Can you really be that daft?
To imply that bravery comes from testicles?”
Can you really be that daft? When the conversation is regarding the grand poobah off pigdom you, YOU, defender said grandpoobah of pigbom getting all politically correct? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Jeebuc crispies onna POPCICLE stick you are FUNNY!!!!!
3.”Maybe take a feminism 101 class before posting in threads concerning topics about which you know nothing about.”
One make the same observation regarding simple writing and sentence structure of your post. And again, coming from a teabagger/repugnantklaner defender to funny for WORDS!
4.”But thanks for the ad hominem; it proves my point of the other day.”
You had a point?!!!!!!
Secular, you really have gone off the deep end.
That you think I’m a republican/tea bagger defender proves you really have no reading comprehension.
Lemme know when you find a comment of mine defending either of the above.
Taylor–This is very good and i agree with most of it. As you point out, what has gotten lost in the “equivalency” discussion (I believe use of the term “false” is debatable) are the facts:
1. Rush went after Sandra Fluke for 3 hours a day, for something like 2 or 3 days in a row.
2. If you actually listened to Rush’s “apologies” they were not apologies. Bill Maher doesn’t seem to get that.
3. It turned the spotlight away from the core issue that a man of power (all of the cowardly Republican candidates are afraid of Rush and his power) abused his place of power to verbally assault a citizen who was trying to fulfill what she considered a civic duty.
4. If you listen to Rush during this repulsive spewing, he sounds like what I imagine to be an obscene phone caller, especially when he gets to the point of demanding sex videos from women who use birth control!!!
Unfortunately, Rush found out that women aren’t scaredy-cats like the Republican clowns who are running for the highest office in the land.
Now, regarding the “false equivalency” debate. Well, Bill Maher just stood up for Rush so in my opinion, Bill has just turned it all into equivalence and….it is!!! Bill never has and never will apologize for what he did (and neither did Rush, really)…Also, I want to remind you of this gem from Bill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyg31Wf18yc
Now technically, he didn’t call Hillary one, but good grief. Did he really have to go there? Not only that, but it wasn’t even funny!!!! What redeemed the moment for me is that the audience mostly booed Bill and I applaud them for that.
And now Bill has the gall to opine that somehow “his side” looks bad because Sandra Fluke dismissed Rush’s non-apology? After hearing a good portion of what Rush said thanks to the clips from Jon Stewart, not only do I applaud Sandra Fluke for her response, but I also urge her to hold strong to it, and in the meantime, look into the possibility of getting a restraining order against this pervert, Rush, who seems to be the leader of the Republican Party these days.
P.S. Could this be Rush’s “Lonesome Rhodes” moment from the 1957 movie “A Face in the Crowd”? It is the story of a small time country western singer song-writer who gets discovered in and bailed out of jail by a reporter. This man rises to great fame for his outspoken “tell-it-like-it-is” personna and ends up wielding a great deal of power on TV with both advertisers and members of a political party. Andy Griffith turned in a brilliant and complex portrayal that captured both the vile and vulnerable side of this troubled man who never should have gained the level of power that he did. He, like Rush, was a horrible human being who was both a user and a victim of being used. Everybody ran to support him and was even afraid of him as long as he maintained the illusion that he was just a regular guy, speaking for the down-trodden masses. But when it was exposed to his faithful listeners/viewers that he was just another power-hungry monster who actually held them in contempt and thought they were a bunch of fools, all of those who used him and supported him couldn’t run away fast enough. The movie ended with self-inflicted wound thanks to his arrogance that he believed was too powerful to ever lose power. In essence, in his own mind, he was too big to fail, but he did. One can only hope this is Rush’s fate as well.
Hey ladywalker68, great comment.
Your point re: “Lonesome Rhodes” is perfect. I’ve been dabbling & studying radio for 20 years and I can say without a doubt this is the most combustible situation Limbaugh has received in the history of his career.
The Armed Services Radio threat is GIGANTIC. I don’t know whether Levin can pull it off, but the threat itself is unprecedented in Rush’s career & will send a chill down the GOP spine. They kept Dems off of it for well over a decade, so it’s coveted.
ladywalker~ You just turned on a light bulb for me. I just can’t abide listening to Rush. I don’t know how Taylor can stand it. You just explained why….he always sounds like an obscene caller.
No one is making convincing points that Limbaugh is not in a league of his own.
No one is saying Maher doesn’t have influence as a performer, but I don’t think he leads political consensus, he confirms it. Rush leads it.
As I wrote, they both use sexism to make their points. But Rush punches down & targets people well below his power base. Can you say the say thing about Bill Maher? Give an example, please.
Sen. Levin, Armed Forces Chairman, is trying to get Rush pulled from Armed Forces Radio. What in Bill Maher’s world is comparable to that reach?
I really don’t give a fig what Bill Maher thinks about anything, including Rush’ apology. He is a creep. I do get the differences you are trying to point out and I agree. Does not make Maher any less of a creep but it is a different conversation.
It amazes me that Sarah Palin defended Rush after all the abuse she has suffered ? One would think she would be on the side of all women. I guess she is too petty minded for that.
It amazes me that Sarah Palin defended Rush after all the abuse she has suffered ?
I’ve been fair to Palin from the jump, including in my book, as she was the first big Hillary Effect beneficiary.
But this proves she really has no clue what’s at stake for other women, not that I ever thought she cared for anyone but herself.
I know you have been fair with her, to the point where some crazy commenters accused you of secretly supporting her. I guess you are right she only cares about herself. You would think with her daughters being subject to attack she would be more defensive of women in general.I have a lot of sympathy for her poor kids.
Excellent points Taylor, and I’m not saying that I condone what Rush said at all. I don’t. I just think all of this needs to be stopped, even if it is coming from a so called comedian, talk show host, performer, congressperson etc. Women should not be denigrated like that at all. They should all be severely reprimanded. Saying that it is ok for one but not the other just leads to more of the same. It should be stopped.
I thought I was done with this mess but I had to say:
Bill and Rush and others like them are entertainers. Period.
Bill called me a Cunt in front of 3 friends having coffee one day. The next day Rush screamed Slut 2 times across the room at a party.
I am okay with Bill’s Cunt because only 3 people heard but Rush’s 2 Sluts hurt more because more people heard him say it and he said it twice.
I accepted his apology and I am going out on a date with Bill next week.
I’m still not speaking to Rush.
Signed,
Ms Hypocrite
OMG. That was TOO hilariously obscene. … hehe-heh… but made more so because it was also accurate.
Ms. Marsh, I lovez ya…ya KNOWZ I duz…..even after ya slapped me…..might even lovez ya more if ya knowz what I mean wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more. But there are several GLARING differences. Every, EVERY single time maher utters one of his misogynistic little vomit spewings he gets called on it when folks become aware of it. It takes awhile because he is a small potatos “funny man” on a cable show. The bloated one is a LARGE driving political organ(sorry, couldn’t resist).
Now if these crocodile tear comments regarding Maher and Rushy the Hut were coming from someone with NO knowledge of the past history of these two slugs AND the responses to them from their respective supporters and detractors I might be a little more forgiving….but they are NOT. Reality based universe context has to be taken into consideration at some point.
Why are Republicans/Conservatives afraid of an entertainer?
Sand man, that is Not the point. The point is that “women” are being vulgarly disparaged! Whether they are conservative, liberal, white, black green or purple!!! I don’t even know if vulgarly is a word and I’m so frustrated with this whole thing, I didn’t even bother to look it up! It doesn’t matter who says it anymore! It must stop and all women and so called supporters of women should be outraged and they should put pressure on these vulgar people to get them to stop!
Why anyone thinks it’s funny or smart to call a woman a cunt or slut is totally beyond me.
It seems clear that Limbaugh has a bigger megaphone and that the person he went after was nowhere near the public person he is. I also think we lose when we start comparing sins. If we are really interested in eradicating sexism from the mass media we have to call it every time we see it, not just when it comes from someone on the other team, whatever that might be. TM and others on this blog do that and I commend them for it. If more did it Palin would be robbed of her argument. Failure to do this is the principal reason I quit the Democratic Party.
If more did it Palin would be robbed of her argument.
Absolutely.
Well stated Stridehyde. Exactly how I feel.
but the threat itself is unprecedented in Rush’s career
Go back to Harkin’s amendment to the Defense Appropriation bill in June 2004 and I believe you will see Levin is simply duplicating, not setting precedent.
I should have written unprecedented, because it follows 30+ advertisers pulling their companies. Important clarification to make, thanks for bringing it up so I can clarify that comment, casualobserver.
Last time I checked it was over 40. Ha! I want the old gasbag to sweat.
For some reason I want to give Sarah Palin a pass. The Left AND Right went after her and her daughters so badly, I’m sure she missed a few awful names simply due to the sheer volume.
If I was Sarah I would still be holding a grudge. Oh wait, she is.
If Maher and Limbaugh are one and the same, shouldn’t the defense of Maher be equally fervent?
snap!
Am I missing something here, Sandman, because I don’t see anyone defending Rush on this post. Or are you just assuming that because I am defending women that you assume that I am? You think just because I have conservative values that I defend Rush?? Well you’re dead wrong and you, like Secular ,are so biased against anything that doesn’t fit your agenda, that you fail to see what the real point of my discussion is. It’s too bad and not only that, it’s sad.
Your words might hold more weight if there was any condemnation of Limbaugh on the right over the past however many decades, but as you well know, he is a hero in Republiservative circles (CPAC anyone?). My issue is now that Limbaugh finally gets his comeuppance, the right is suddenly concerned about the language Maher used as though two wrongs make a right as opposed to blasting Limbaugh’s misogynistic behavior from jump street.
I am not just “suddenly” concerned about what Maher said about Palin and others., or anyone else who disrespects women in the public eye. When it first happened I was writing and calling HBO on it. Calling him on it wherever I could. So nothing happened to Maher, and LIke I said earlier, we are getting more of the same, because nobody is doing anything to stop them. Disparaging Women in the public media seems to be the sport of the day the last couple of years, and I am personally sick of it.
Excellent, I expect you’ve been just as proactive in calling out Limbaugh and others with the same due diligence, and I should also be safe in the assumption that you are also sick of the GOP’s anti-women/gay/minority platform since they are part and parcel of the same ugly train of thought, no?
“Well you’re dead wrong and you, like Secular ,are so biased against anything that doesn’t fit your agenda, that you fail to see what the real point of my discussion is.”
And you are…as usual dead DISHONEST, but then from your conSERvative values we could expect nothing else. I have called maher for his misogyny since I have been coming here. You have shown yourself once again to be quite simply a liar.
You know nothing about me Secular. And if you were here right now, I would kick your lying, wussy ass for calling me a liar. You so tough in cyber space aren’t you, you stupid bully.
Sandman,
You are still refusing to read what I write because you are too deeply biased to even try to find common ground that doesn’t believe the same way you do on ALL issues. I AM CALLING EVERYONE OUT ON DISPARAGING WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC EYE.
WHAT I DONT’ UNDERSTAND IS WHY YOU AND YOUR SO CALLED SUPPORTERS OF WOMEN ARE NOT!!! IT SHOULD NOT MATTER WHAT PARTY THEY BELONG TO OR WHAT BELIEF SYSTEM THEY HOLD.
You mustn’t take Secular seriously, CJ…it has not substance to its arguments, only insults…there’s no there there
CJ,
Sec is a bully but he is scared of me because I can take a cunt, I mean punch.
Let me know if he is getting on your nerves.
By the way, I agree with your post!
Oooooow I am like so….scared. Cyber threats, even from demonsterable liars are pretty pathetic…like demonsterable liars.
Simple fact, you told a LIE. That makes you a LIAR. Live with it, if it bothers you that much stop lying.
“sasha
Sec is a bully but he is scared of me because I can take a cunt, I mean punch.
Let me know if he is getting on your nerves.
By the way, I agree with your post!”
THIS has got to be one of the funniest things posted on this subject yet. At least cjblak has the excuse of actually BEING a proven liar for their pathetic demeanor. You have shown comment after comment to be simply pathetic.”
“I AM CALLING EVERYONE OUT ON DISPARAGING WOMEN IN THE PUBLIC EYE.
WHAT I DONT’ UNDERSTAND IS WHY YOU AND YOUR SO CALLED SUPPORTERS OF WOMEN ARE NOT!!! IT SHOULD NOT MATTER WHAT PARTY THEY BELONG TO OR WHAT BELIEF SYSTEM THEY HOLD.”
Uhhhh, NO you’re NOT! What you ARE trying to do is equate maher and limpwithnoballs. Which is dishonest. You are ALSO trying to say no one here has called Maher on his misogyny…which is a LIE.
Question. When does a private citizen become a public figure?
I was wondering the same thing..did a cursory search…
Public Figure
“n. in the law of defamation (libel and slander), a personage of great public interest or familiarity like a government official, politician, celebrity, business leader, movie star or sports hero. Incorrect harmful statements published about a public figure cannot be the basis of a lawsuit for defamation unless there is proof that the writer or publisher intentionally defamed the person with malice (hate)”.
Law.com http://tinyurl.com/74aref5
also…..
“The concept of the “public figure” is broader than celebrities and politicians. A person can become an “involuntary public figure” as the result of publicity, even though that person did not want or invite the public attention. For example, people accused of high profile crimes may be unable to pursue actions for defamation even after their innocence is established, on the basis that the notoriety associated with the case and the accusations against them turned them into involuntary public figures”.
“A person can also become a “limited public figure” by engaging in actions which generate publicity within a narrow area of interest. For example, a woman named Terry Rakolta was offended by the Fox Television show, Married With Children, and wrote letters to the show’s advertisers to try to get them to stop their support for the show. As a result of her actions, Ms. Rakolta became the target of jokes in a wide variety of settings. As these jokes remained within the confines of her public conduct, typically making fun of her as being prudish or censorious, they were protected by Ms. Rakolta’s status as a “limited public figure”.
Aaron Larson http://tinyurl.com/yg726x
Thank you, that helps.