Limbaugh Crock: Rush Offers Lame ‘Apology’ After Sponsor Bail-Out

I’m sorry, but Rush missed the point. Again. In the wake of the outrageous Sandra Fluke contraception funding frenzy the fright wing radio talker mounted- –and the big sponsor bail-out that followed– Rush Limbaugh finally back-tracked. A bit. In a written statement issued on Saturday he offered his version of an apology for the despicable comments he made, most hurled directly at Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke.

Here’s the statement in its entirety:

“For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. FLUKE.

I sincerely apologize to Ms. FLUKE for the insulting word choices.

“I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if tax payers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit?”

In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone’s bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level. My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. FLUKE for the insulting word choices.”

Wow! That had all the sincerity and grace of an apology from a playground bully tag-teamed by his parents and principal after starting a bloody fight with the new kid. And most certainly, his syndicator Clear Channel nudged him to compose the letter of contrition after his show hemorrhaged sponsors with the same speed and fervor advertisers had abandoned Don Imus following his infamous comment directed at the Rutgers women’s basketball team and Dr. Laura’s ‘N’ word rant. And still all Rush could muster was an apology weaker than last year’s Tea Party brew.

Of course, Limbag never owns up to the reality that aside from the disgusting “choice of words” he completely distorted the very essence of Sandra Fluke’s testimony.

And judging from GOP presidential front runner Mitt Romney’s response to Limbaugh’s scurrilous attacks, the Repubs still don’t get ( or don’t WANT to get) what Fluke and others are talking about. Romney, in case you missed his brief Rush “rebuff” only said, “That’s not the language I would have used.” What’s the implication, Mitt? That instead of calling Fluke a “slut” and prostitute” you would have preferred calling her a “strumpet” or “harlot?” Santorum, nervously tittered through a response on CNN, labeling the comments “absurd” but forgiving Rush with the cleansing “entertainer” label.

Here’s the deal boys. Fluke–who had to wrangle her way to testify before Congress–never once alluded to her voracious appetite for government subsidized recreational sex. She was talking about the myriad medical benefits of hormones and other pills that also serve as contraceptives. The examples she discussed were women whose health had been severely compromised due to lack of health insurance and the inability to pay for necessary, often life-saving, treatments.

Did Limbaugh, or for that matter, Romney ( who was against the Blunt amendment about an hour before he was for it) or Santorum or any Republican leader, even listen to or read Fluke’s testimony? Rush was in such a rush to condemn Fluke, he couldn’t even be bothered to get her name right, calling her Susan for two days and then on the third, “Susan or Sandra Fluke or whatever her name is.”

The idea that family planning is not an issue for both men and women is as absurd as the notion that we, in 2012, should be re-igniting the culture wars of the 1960′s. That an all ( way over 50) male panel is called to address issues paramount to younger women and families is also telling about the fright wing antics of the hi-jacked Republican Party.

It’s one thing for Limbaugh to go on a fact-free tirade. That’s his stock and trade. But that not a single GOP leader has the nerve to forcefully stand up to a radio talk show host should make every Republican cower with fear over the party’s very survival.

Will Rush’s coerced words be way too little, way too late? Only his advertisers and listeners can answer that. And as of Saturday night, Carbonite had just dumped the show after the apology. In a statement on the company’s site, the President David Friend wrote: “Mr. Limbaugh, with his highly personal attacks on Miss Fluke, overstepped any reasonable bounds of decency. Even though Mr. Limbaugh has now issued an apology, we have nonetheless decided to withdraw our advertising from his show.”

By the way, in case you’ve been looking, it’s almost impossible to find Glenn Beck ( who was also tossed off Fox News!) or Dr. Laura on the radio dial these days. Don Imus, on the other hand, has survived, making a comeback of sorts; after an apology and firing, he returned to the airwaves within six months. His apology, which was made on the air ( as were apologies from David Letterman for insulting Sarah Palin’s daughter and Ed Schultz who called radio host Laura Ingraham a “slut”), may have been more heartfelt. Still, Imus’ sway has been forever diminished. Just something to think about, Rush, the next time you’re crafting an alleged apology.

Let’s see what Rush says on Monday. People will be listening. For now.

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