Conservative radio launches sexist attacks against Snowe, Collins
After Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) voted for the Senate Finance Committee's health care reform bill and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) stated that she "share[s] the goal of passing health care reform," several right-wing radio hosts have launched sexist attacks against the senators. For instance, Rush Limbaugh proclaimed that "the voice of the new castrati" applauded Snowe's support of health care reform and declared, "Women, damn it," in response to Collins' statement, and Michael Savage asserted, "Jezebel is Olympia Snowe."
Right-wing media figures turn to sexist attacks against Maine senators
Jim Quinn: "Stupid Girl" by Garbage "probably fits pretty well." Quinn stated on his radio show, "Actually, this is a music bed from the song by Garbage called 'Stupid Girl.' I didn't plan it this way, but I'm thinking after Olympia Snowe's vote yesterday, it probably fits pretty well. Well, don't give up quite yet on Olympia, because there's a long, long way to go here, folks, and you need to be very, very vocal. We are doing exactly the opposite of what we should be doing." [Clear Channel's The War Room with Quinn and Rose, 10/14/09]
Savage dubs Snowe "Jezebel." After airing a clip of Snowe discussing her vote, Savage played a portion of the song "Jezebel" by Frankie Laine that included the lyrics, "If ever the devil was born without a pair of horns, it was you. Jezebel, it was you." Savage added, "Jezebel is Olympia Snowe. Of course she has thrown over with the turncoats who have stabbed America in the back, dragging us into a socialized medical system against the will of the majority of the American people." [Talk Radio Network's The Savage Nation, 10/13/09]
Limbaugh: The "voice of the new castrati, those who have lost all manhood, gonads, guts, and courage" applaud Snowe for health care reform support. Anticipating that Snowe was "going to vote yes" on the Finance Committee's health care reform bill, Limbaugh attacked Snowe by praising the "bipartisanship" of the bill using "the voice of the new castrati." Limbaugh described the "new castrati" as "those who have lost all manhood, gonads, guts, and courage throughout our culture and our political system." Limbaugh has previously described the "new castrati" as supporters of Hillary Clinton. [Premiere Radio Networks' The Rush Limbaugh Show, 10/13/09]
Limbaugh on Snowe and Collins: "Women, damn it." Limbaugh stated on his radio program of Collins: "The second Republican senator signaled yesterday -- actually today -- that she is open to voting for a sweeping health care bill this year, putting Obama closer to an historic achievement that has eluded generations of Democrat leaders. It is none other than -- wait for it -- Susan Collins of Maine. Who would have thought this? Dare I say, 'Women, damn it.' We have 35 seconds to bleep that comment. I'm going to poll the staff" [The Rush Limbaugh Show, 10/14/09]. Limbaugh's website also highlights his statement with the headline, "Women! Collins Likely to Joine Snowe in Support of Obamacare," posted above a transcript of his comments. From RushLimbaugh.com [accessed October 15]:
RedState's Erickson appears to liken Snowe to White Witch character in Narnia books. On RedState.com, managing editor Erick Erickson wrote: "Olympia Snowe has sold out the country. Having been banished to our world after Aslan chased her out of Narnia, Snowe is intent on corrupting this place too." Erickson appears to be referencing the White Witch character in C.S. Lewis' book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. According to the SparkNotes summary of the book, the White Witch "has enchanted Narnia so that it is always winter and never Christmas" and is killed by the character Aslan.
Transcript
From the October 14 edition of Clear Channel's The War Room with Quinn and Rose:
QUINN: Actually, this is a music bed from the song by Garbage called "Stupid Girl." I didn't plan it this way, but I'm thinking after Olympia Snowe's vote yesterday, it probably fits pretty well. Well, don't give up quite yet on Olympia, because there's a long, long way to go here, folks, and you need to be very, very vocal. We are doing exactly the opposite of what we should be doing.
I guess they havn't come very far since wishing to have Michelle Obama Hung?
Power at any expense not matter how it hurts America isn't exactly a Lofty Goal.
The Extreme Right, They live & Die by their Conservative Polls.
Speak truth to power.
Mr. News
Castrati: Limbaugh-ese for anyone who has a BRAIN, and puts country ahead of party, and people ahead of personal ideology.
Scumbag: Niceguy Eddie-ese for anyone who would rather score political points that address the problems facing this country.
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If the public option dies, I'm not voting in the mid-terms Screw 'em. The Dems need to grow a set.
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The Midnight Review
Mum Is The Word
We now see the true colors of the Republican "base". The vocal minority have been allowed to rule the party for too long. Now they are pulling the party apart.
You reap what you sow.
Limbaugh and the other members of the reality wrecking crew are just against. They aren't for anything that would help the country progress.
For there to be sides, there needs to be two plans. If there was something to discuss, they wouldn't be demonizing anyone who speaks with rational thought. And they throw in sexist comments to boot.
As for health care . . . you're talking to an uninsured person with pre-existing conditions which prevent being covered . . . I know ALL about the need for health care reform. Right now, I subscribe to "faith based" insurance. Lots and lots of prayers that I don't get sick.
We are "them" because we've been cast out by the Republicans in Congress, the former President and vice President and every single, right wing, talking head in the media.
We're the fringe because we're cowards, traitors and appeasers. We try to snuff out the free speech of millionaires on the radio in America while we were placed in "Free Speech Zones" for the last eight years.
There's a reason for this "us vs them" mentality. And it goes right back to the right, who called us un-American for speaking our minds.
And now these "patriots" and "Great American" chickenhawks are playing the victim.
All the best. We're all human beings and we should all be able to create a reasonable health delivery system that covers everyone.
If this phenomenon were occurring in the Democratic party right now, as wide-spread as with the Republicans, I'd post the same about them.
It's the extremes pulling the Republican party apart. I thought that was clear in my post when I mentioned, "the vocal minority".
The Republican party has been spending a lot of time in the last several years pandering to that extreme element. So, now they are paying the price.
The party is pulling apart at the extremes.