Fluke on Limbaugh comment: 'I'm not going to be silenced'
(CNN) – The Georgetown law student targeted by Rush Limbaugh for her position on contraceptives said Friday she was "upset and outraged" when she first heard the radio talk show host had called her a "slut."
"I felt probably the way many women do when they are called those types of names," Sandra Fluke told CNN. "Initially hurt and then very quickly upset and outraged because somebody is trying to silence you."
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Fluke, who advocated last week in a Democratic hearing for the Obama policy requiring employers provide free contraception coverage, said she was sitting at a computer Wednesday when she read online that Limbaugh had personally attacked her during his radio show.
Calling her a "slut" and "prostitute," Limbaugh has said if taxpayers are going to pay for women to have sex, then they should post videos of their activities so everyone can watch.
His comments have sparked a firestorm in the last two days, with Democrats seizing on it as an opportunity to keep the political story alive.
President Barack Obama called Fluke on Friday to offer his support.
"That wasn't on my schedule for the day," Fluke joked, referring to Obama's call. "But I was happy to add that to the schedule."
The law student told CNN she thinks Limbaugh was "confused" about her testimony.
"For starters, I didn't say that I should be paid for anything. What we were talking about is private insurance covering a medical need. It has nothing to do with the government paying for anything or taxpayers or anything like that," she said.
While Fluke attends a Jesuit university that does not cover contraception as part of its health insurance plans, the school's president defended Fluke on Friday.
Religiously-affiliated institutions, like Georgetown, oppose providing contraception.
While some Republicans argue abstinence as the best form of birth control, Fluke said legislation needs to be realistic.
"We're talking about national legislation. Legislation has to reflect reality, not ideology and I don't think that we can actually expect that American women are going to stop engaging in healthy sexual behaviors," Fluke said.
But the law student said women are not going to be "silenced" about the issue.
"They're going to speak up for health care needs and what this means to them and I'm certainly not going to be silenced," she said.
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About 15 years ago Rush was terminated from NBC Monday night football as a sports comintator. He made several racist remarks about a African American football player. Perhaps a similar fate is required for these unspeakable comments.
Feral Conservative
Pot-kettle-black
Lib women are constantly telling conservatives to leave their uterus and ovaries alone.
Now this trollop wants to require taxpayers to babysit her input in said organs by paying for
birth control ?
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Do you even know what Fluke testified to? She wasn't discussing her own habits but the medical needs of a friend. And just what makes you think this is about taxpayer's money? This is about employees being able to get one of their most needed and most expensive medications covered under their group health insurance. Hear that? Group health insurance. So if Bob is a little soft down under and needs Viagra to make a point, he can get his pills under the plan. It's the same for coworker Abby who wants to make sure she doesn't get pregnant while she works the double shift at St. Joe's Hospital while her husband finishes his doctorette degree. It's equal coverage under group health insurance.
Rush just doesnt know when and how to keep his mouth shut. He is a shock jock more than a political activist.
Feral Conservative– What a very fitting name, though I would suggest Repulsive, Repugnant, or Retarded Conservative.
I have a uterus and I vote.
Cobia Hunter you nailed it. This is the kind of diversion the left blows out of proportion to keep the real issues (dismal failures) on the back burner. What a set up and it appears to be working! What a phoney. Her and her handler Polosi.
EVERY WOMAN IN AMERICA SHOULD BE OUTRAGED.....That fat sweaty pig of a man. And the lies of Faux News
The Republicans war on women's health care will cost them dearly in November.
American women will remember who stood by them.....the Democratic Party.
Why do the loving...... (Oh so full of love) liberals sound like they want to kill you when you disagree with their lifestyle.
Hey Fluke, Walmart if you have a script you can get grneric birth control pills at Wal-mart for $5. It will save is tax payers lots of $$. Thanks
No woman deserves to be treated like Ms. Fluke.
Period.
Imagine your wives, daughters, and sisters as the targets of Rush's smarmy commentary. Then justify listening to his show. Then vote Republican.
My god, you people are so uninformed its embarresing.. This women is standing up for what she believes in and using her education as a way to do it officially. This is a role model for our youngsters, that you can stand up for your rights, work really hard and read alot of books and the hard word pays off. However, instead of admiring her, you people are degrading her.. shame on you... you go fluke, keep doin you girl
What you call "the Democratic and Liberal media," normal people call the news. To in any way support Limbaugh's disgusting accusations means you really have no morals.
Limbaugh is a pig , pure and simple....a typical Republican.
Whoever Fluke is or isn't makes no difference. She should sue that ass for slander! On second thought, let that fathead keep talking. He will surely lose it for the GOP. What an ass!
at this point we all know that rush 'oxy' limbaugh is a blabbering pig who says crap to get his name out there..he probably doesnt even drink his own kool aid. next nonsensical distracting story please
What should one expect from a Jesuit trained woman?
Limbaugh is a misogynist, a bully, and one of the biggest hypocrites in the conservative kennel of Big Fat Barking Hypocrites! Glad to see Boehner had the grace to at least PRETEND to be offended by Limbaugh's comments. I'd love to see this young woman sue Limbaugh for defamation.
"Fluke, who advocated last week in a Democratic hearing for the Obama policy requiring employers provide free contraception coverage..."
Contraception coverage, sure; free, no.
It utterly escapes me how or why people seem to think it right to expect others to pay their bills.
Rush Limbaugh seems to be a unifying factor amongst Republicans, I wonder how this will work for them.
Limbaugh is nothing more than a pill popping hypocrite. What a POS.
Bill Clinton didn't have to spend that much when he was in the White House for gods sake! 3,000 dollars on Contraception!?! How!?! Why!?! I agree that must make her VERY qualified to deal with Contraception issues!
Rush is a dangerous windbag. Why do we allow fools like him an audience? His sponsers need to be boycotted now with no let up until he is history.
Uhhh – how do I get out of this site. This so called "soundOFF" site? My comments are never posted – always "awaiting moderation" and quite frankly, I just don't give a d**n anymore CNN. I'm looking for an escape route. A log out option.
PLEASE delete me, I don't like it here anymore.
There has been a massive movement on the internet nationwide to boycott Rush and get him off the airways. It's past time for this evil gas bag to shut his piehole and get out of America's face. Regardless of what I think of Republicans, they should die of shame to even be affiliated with this person. I can only think they put up with his filthy behavior to rake in a few more votes from the ignorant and gullible.