"slut"

Got your attention?  That was the purpose of the title, to get your attention. That was the intention of Rush Limbaugh calling Sandra Fluke a “slut”.  She is a young law student who testified to lawmakers about wanting the school to amend its’ health insurance policy to cover birth control. Limbaugh went on a rant about paying for birth control was paying for sex and that made her a “slut”… a “prostitute” .  But Rush has apologized so everything is ok now.  Well, he didn’t actually apologize though he used the word “apologize”.  He said that his choice of words may not have been the best in his efforts to be humorous.  He apologized to Ms. Fluke for his choice of words.  I guess he thinks another word for “slut” like “whore” or “hooker” might have been more appropriate and less offensive.  But that is not why I’m writing this.  I’m not here to discuss whether or not he was right or wrong.  Rush Limbaugh incited a nation to think about something and invoke a passionate response.  Every adult in this country and probably all over the world is talking about what he said. Never underestimate the power of words.

Now, I’m here at this computer hoping that you too will have a response to the words that I am writing. Difference is, no one is paying me big bucks to get you all riled up.  I’m just really writing what I think and hope that you will offer me a different perspective.  But when I did my radio show live, I was told that people LIKE to argue their opinions and that a nonjudgmental approach would not work. I think that is probably true but it’s not ever what I wanted to do… start arguments. (I do that enough in my own personal world!)  Rush Limbaugh gets paid A LOT of money to start arguments.  And he does that by choosing his words very carefully.  So he apologized for his choice of words that performed exactly as he wanted.  I have always tried very hard to say what I mean to say.  I found out a long time ago that insinuating, implying intent, assuming perception, hinting, beating around the bush, half-truths…. Do not work out so well.  So I say what I mean.  Problem with that method is that I cannot prevent others from thinking I mean something else in spite of my literal utterances.  I also assume that you mean exactly what you say and this has put me in some difficult situations as well.  I don’t think I have ever called anyone a “slut” because the term means sexually promiscuous and I’m not sure what constitutes promiscuous these days.  I have, on occasion, called someone an unkind word (like “peccar head” or “jerk”)  but I meant that.

The power of words. They can tell a story, soothe a broken heart, empower a conversation, greet a stranger, proclaim to the world, make us laugh, comfort a loved one but once spoken or written, they can never be taken back. Apology not accepted, Rush, but great job on making us react! And I'm guessing that this post will get more hits than any of the others because of the title.