This is Just Another Example of Politicians Trying to Get into Women's Pants

Seven years ago, well, almost eight years ago, the girls’ dad and I finalized our divorce.  While we are friends now, and parent well together, back then it was far from Leave it to Beaver.  It was more like Apocalypse Now. It was ugly.  He knew what buttons of mine to push in order to get the biggest reaction and start the biggest fight possible.  And I believed every one of his threats and expected him to carry them out to the worst possible degree.

And so it was a vicious cycle.

Until one therapy session when my therapist suggested “What if you didn’t react?  Just because he says it, doesn’t make it true.  What if, when he calls, you mentally throw your cell phone across the river and don’t call him back in the time it would take you to walk across to get it?  What if you just allowed him to believe whatever it is he feels the need to believe and let it go?”

The media, and even some blog writers, seem to thrive on stirring the pot.  I get the whole sensationalism for the sake of attention, but at some point it goes too far and people take up arms in a fight that is far less important or serious than the author portrayed it.

They know what buttons to push to get the biggest reaction.

If you are looking for a smack down there is an over abundance of them all around the internet lately.  Forget the terrorists, they’re sitting back now laughing watching us tear each other apart.

So Rush Limbaugh supposedly called someone a slut (I say supposedly b/c I have neither heard nor read the exact exchange that happened) and women across the country took up their swords and shields ready to fight to defend this girl’s honor.  Rush is a media personality, and has been for many years.  He’s notorious for saying outrageous things, and this is one of those things.  He knew exactly what to say, what buttons to push, to get the biggest reaction possible.

And women played right into his hands.

So what if he called her a slut.  Just because he says it doesn’t make it true.  But she put herself out there, she opened the door to discussing her sex life, and so she’s not exactly innocent in this exchange.  it’s not like Rush opened a phone book, picked a random name and called her a slut.  Was it rude? Yes.  Was it unnecessary? In normal day to day conversation, yes.  But this is radio, and media and sensationalism and ratings.  If Howard Stern had said it, would anyone bat an eye at it?

*side note* Rush is entitled to his opinion, and welcome to America land of the free thanks to the brave, where we have freedom of speech.  Which is all fun and games until someone gets a reputation, apparently.  But here’s the thing, let’s say Sandra Fluke sues Rush for defamation of character and libel.  She would have to prove that what he said was not true, and that he had malicious intent in saying what he said.  Can you imagine the trial?  Sandra’s attorney trying to prove she isn’t a slut, and Rush’s team trying to prove she is?  And how many sidebars would there to be determine what time period they were considering and exactly how many sex partners is required to be considered a slut. 

So, Rush used the S-word. And women lost their fucking minds, demanding Rush be removed from the airwaves (instead of just changing the station or turning off the radio like a rational human being with a damned choice would do. No they want his head on a silver platter.) But what about Bill Maher?  He called Sarah Palin a cunt.  So, what? She’s already a public figure and therefore fair game?  Wait, what?  But it seems to me that those who are demanding Rush be removed from the public eye (Or ears) are perfectly ok with Bill Maher’s assessment of Sarah Palin.

Double fucking standard much?

This isn’t about he said/he said.  It’s a first amendment right.  I don’t agree with what they said, but I will defend their right to say it. The thing is, these guys (and many more like them) are media personalities, who are after ratings any way they can get them.  They have a constitutional right to free speech just like we all have the right to voice our opinions about what they said.  But we also have the right to change the station, turn off the television, refuse to click on that link, leave a website.  We can’t shut them up, or shut them down, but we have the option to turn them off and walk away.

This all started over birth control.  Who’s going to pay for it.  Some people say the government should pay for it, some say pay for your own damned prescriptions. There is a picture on Pinterest that says ‘Get your politics out of my vagina’.  I say you brought your vagina to the table.  And really, why is anyone surprised that politicians are talking about birth control and reproductive issues.  Haven’t you people learned anything? Politicians for years have been getting into women’s pants any way they can.  Hello, President Clinton and Anthony Weiner.