I posted a comment on two diaries this evening suggesting that we all might write our elected representatives to ask that they speak to Rush Limbaugh's relationship with American Forces Radio, the taxpayer funded radio station serving our military personnel. It was suggested that I expand those comments into a diary.
Tonight I wrote to Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and to Congressman Jim McDermott:
You must be aware of Rush Limbaugh's attacks on Sandra Fluke, the young woman who recently spoke to the need for universal access to women's health care, including hormonal treatment for polycystic ovarian disease. This treatment is also one of the most efficient methods of women's contraception. Mr. Limbaugh ignored the possible medical necessity for this medication, using Ms. Fluke's testimony as a springboard for a vicious attack on all women who are able to obtain contraception through their insurance companies and even going so far as to suggest that those women somehow owe him payment in the form of graphic videos of their sexual activities.
I have spent many years ignoring Mr Limbaugh, but must speak now. Mr Limbaugh has the honor of speaking every weekday to military women and men via the American Forces Network, a news network under the operational control of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (OASD-PA). The DOD controls its editorial content. Both are taxpayer funded.
It seems to me that Mr Limbaugh has gone over the edge of any decent commentary with these remarks. I would ask that you consider speaking to the possibility that Mr. Limbaugh's relationship with the Armed Forces Network be suspended until he apologizes to Ms. Fluke, her family and all American women, especially those women serving in the military.
I spoke as a military brat, though my father and I fell out towards the end of his life due to his becoming enamored with Rush Limbaugh's rantings. Still, I think if he were still alive he might understand where I'm coming from. When I was 15 a taxpayer funded military doctor put me on a hormonal treatment for heavy bleeding. We're talking about bleeding so heavy that I soaked through a maxi-pad every hour. That I ran to the restroom between classes to change pads, and even then often soaked through my clothes by the end of a school day. That I woke some mornings in a bed soaked with blood. My mom figured it out, even though we didn't talk about those icky girl things in our house. She took me to the base hospital where the doctor prescribed "hormones", aka the birth control pills that had recently been made legal. I had no idea, had never even held hands with a boy, only knew that within a week that the bleeding quieted and in three months had returned to a place where I wasn't anemic any more. My father must have known that I wasn't a "slut", and I believe he would have been outraged had someone demanded that I give them graphic pictures of myself for their amusement.
I was lucky. My family had medical coverage due to my father's service in the military. I received the treatment I needed for a serious medical condition. I suspect that my mother was also able to obtain the same "hormones" through the military medical system, though for a different purpose. I also suspect that my father didn't object.
Rush Limbaugh has no standing to speak to me, my family or any person who serves in the military. I ask that you would write to all of your elected representative tonight and request that they call for Rush imbaugh's suspension from American Forces Radio.
You can find your Congressperson here, and you Senators here.