[LUSH]

LUSH, a cosmetics company that specializes in fresh, handmade bath products, is leading a worldwide campaign in 800 shops in 49 countries to help end laboratory animal testing. LUSH has a unique philosophy that, in my humble opinion, puts priorities in correct order.

Above, 23-year-old, Nicole, a passionate vegan performance artist, acts out the daily life (and death) of a lab animal in the window of Lush Regent Street London, to raise awareness of their worldwide Fighting Animal Testing campaign and EU petition. Please, join the fight by signing the petition here: www.fightinganimaltesting.com

Below, LUSH explains what motivates their sales, via Lush.com. (Psst… 5 is my fave.)

We believe in making effective products from fresh, organic* fruit and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics.
We invent our own products and fragrances. We make them fresh by hand using little or no preservative or packaging, using only vegetarian ingredients, and tell you when they were made.
We believe in buying ingredients only from companies that do not commission tests on animals and in testing our products on humans.
We believe in happy people making happy soap, putting our faces on our products and making our mums proud.
We believe in long candlelit baths, sharing showers, massage, filling the world with perfume and in the right to make mistakes, lose everything and start again.
We believe our products are good value, that we should make a profit and that the customer is always right.

“There’s a degree of cowardice and willful ignorance around this condition.”

Testifying before the UK Parliamentary Committee Tuesday, comedian/actor Russell Brand shed light on the disease of addiction. Already perceived as recalcitrant by the somewhat condescending, but well-meaning bunch, he nonetheless tamed down his usual giddiness/mania (saving it for the finale). Brand chose, instead, to peacock with his floor-length leather jacket, allowing his expertise in recovery and addiction to lead quite impressively.

“There’s some confusion and ignorance around addiction, and it’s quite understandable. A lot of drug addicts, speaking personally, are anti-social… Being arrested is not a lesson. It’s an administrative blip… [when] I had access to abstinence-based recovery I was able to… all but obliterate my criminal activity, apart from the occasional skirmish,” the funny man said.

With the aim of providing firsthand knowledge about addiction, the former heroin-addict (and admitted recovering sex addict) who was arrested eleven times, stressed that addiction is an illness, and thus a health issue – not a judicial one.

“We need to have more compassionate, altruistic, loving attitudes [toward addicts]” he says, levying that his mentor, Chip Somers, the founder of Focus 12, has a rap sheet as long as one’s arm, including armed robbery, but after twenty-six sober years, is a responsible, contributing member of society.

“What’s significant is the way we socially regard addiction,” Brand said. “The criminalization of addicts is symbolic and not functional.”

He advised the Committee to address the “social, mental and spiritual” problems that are leading people to use drugs. He emphasized that this is not just something that affects young people (as the Committee remained focused on) but all ages. He also delineated that not all people that use drugs are addicts, but for ones that are, he passionately believes in abstinence-only treatment and awareness and compassion for addicts. Brand testified for resources to be reallocated from criminalizing petty possession to research and treatment of addiction.  He also stressed that simply doling out Methadone and other state-sponsored drug “treatments” is futile, and the UK needs to have accompanying abstinence-based programs for addicts, because most Methadone users, he said, are supplementing the use with legal and illegal drugs. Brand makes no distinction between illegal drugs and alcohol, or legal drugs, noting keenly that, especially for youth, “young people will always wanna get high.”

High note (pun, uh, intended): Brand quotes “the great” Tupac Shakur at 10:25. Full video of his and Mr. Somers’ testimony below.

[nomnomnom]

Republished by SuicideGirls.

Eloquently put, Mr. President. Let’s remember, as all of these anti-woman, anti-dignity, anti-privacy, inane bills get juggled around state senates like sno-cones, we have many sane, wonderful, dignified, amazing, healthy, vibrant, VOTE-ing, women and men in the U.S., who have the people’s rights in mind. Civil liberties come before religious liberties. Ronald Reagan understood this beautifully. This is a unique time in America. There feels to be a certain war that has sprung up on our native soil. A war against the very gender that carries life into existence. The vessels of the future. The women gifted with the ability to teach, mother, nurture and exalt our next leaders, professors, creative influences, and yes, politicians. A war against a woman is a war against the very essence of humanity. Stand with us now. Ensure that we stay full-citizens with the full rights of men. The full rights any person deserves to live a healthy, happy, joyous, prosperous, free existence. With the fair and equal opportunity to thrive in the workplace, at home, and in romantic entanglements with a lover of their choosing. Be with us, stand beside us, hold our hands and clap as we help to move you forth in your dreams and accomplish your goals too. Unity is of utmost importance, and there are many powerful, rich and divisive groups who are trying to attack those who are of faiths different from theirs, or who choose none. I believe in the power of unity to bring together the gorgeous fateful humanity; the sexes, the genders, the children, the men and women of America and then the World. Love is not a fairytale. It is a verb. A choice. An action. To enlist and inspire courage and bravery, we must first enlist it in ourselves. I have faith in you. You inspire me. Do you believe, too?

As the debate continues rollin’ along about contraception, abortion and erectile dysfunction (that last one was hooey, just thought it’d be fun to include men’s healthcare rights in on this, but alas, those rights are securely in place) I am increasingly interested in the facts. Given the theoretical, hypothetical, ruminating possibilities and hypothesis proliferating, a study was passed along the food chain to me conducted by the Quarterly Journal of Economics about how crime rates lower when abortion is legal. Published in May ’01, and fit with graphs that explore 1970-2000, it proves that it is in the public’s best interest to keep women in charge of their own bodies and the scientific and medical communities in charge of their fields of expertise. Wait, a religious politician shouldn’t facilitate an argument based on dreamed up “what-ifs” and convoluted scenarios to scare women into submission? Dang it, no!

Here is the link to the study. And below is a funny cartoon. I only wish whole-heartedly, that it was as false as these Tea Partiers. It sucks, cuz I love tea, and I like parties. P.S.: the whole female orgasm being a myth, and the clit being the crown jewel of the labyrinth and just as hard to find? These are the same mouths that say women don’t like sex. I try to stay far away from those mouths. Brr. Shiver. (If you can’t find your gf’s clit, ask her to show you where it is.)

Until then, I am taking a much-needed break from politics-shmolitics. It’s making me cranky. Instead, I will plan a vaca. Coming soon to a city near you! XOX

“United States of Tara” creator Diablo Cody used to have a blog called “Pussy Ranch.”  Agent Mason Novick discovered Cody’s writing there, and netted her to pen stripper memoir “Candy Girl,” as a prelude to her Oscar -winning script Juno. Cody’s irreverent spills about female sexuality, current events, and stream of consciousness ramblings on lunch hour from her insurance and phone sex operator jobs were so unique it was the perfect storm to vet an already talented writer to crash Hollyweird.  (At the time, everybody and their Southern grandmother didn’t have a blog or social network for us all to “like”.)

Pussy Ranch has since vanquished.  Still, I wonder what Cody’s blog might say about current Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum?  His fundamentalist views of women’s roles and men’s rights over them.  Since she is no longer blogging, I look to another awesome babe, this time in San Francisco Chronicle “City Brights” fiction and essay writer, Michelle Richmond.

In her recent column, she outlines Rick Santorum’s Bill of Rights for Women:

Sometimes, it’s difficult to get a real sense of how candidates feel about certain issues, because they don’t want to scare away potential voters. Rick Santorum, on the other hand,  has made his views on women very clear. I give you, then, Rick Santorum’s Bill of Rights for Women. Please note that while the titles are mine, all of the quotes are straight from Santorum’s lips.

1. You have the right to bear many children, whether you want to or not:

One of the things I will talk about that no president has talked about before is the dangers of contraception in this country, the whole sexual libertine idea. Many in the Christian faith have said, ‘Well, that’s okay. Contraception’s okay.’ It’s not okay because it’s a license to do things in the sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be…I’m not running for preacher, I’m not running for pastor, but these are important public policy issues.

Note: whatever your thoughts on women’s reproductive freedom, it’s difficult to imagine even the most hard-line conservative taking issue with a woman’s right to use contraception. Santorum isn’t talking about whether contraception should be covered by health insurance; he’s talking about whether birth control should be practiced at all. He thinks it shouldn’t be. See 17:50 in this video. Combine this with his publicly stated conviction that 1)politicians should absolutely allow their personal beliefs to influence policy, and 2) states have the right to outlaw contraception (#10), and you are left with a candidate who poses a grave threat to women’s basic rights.

2. You have a right to assume the missionary position:

When asked if adults have the right to consensual sex in their homes, Santorum replied:

If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything. Does that undermine the fabric of our society? I would argue yes, it does.

Soon available in stores, Rick Santorum’s Guide to Marital Sex: The No-Female-Orgasm Required Method for Baby-Making. Chapter 1: Foreplay Is Sin. Chapter 2: Don’t Do That Thing You Do With Your Tongue. Chapter 3: No, No, I’m Supposed to Be on Top. Chapter 4: How Can It Be Wrong When It Feels So Boring.

3. You have a right to help me overturn Roe v. Wade.

Monday marks the first full day of the 40th year of Roe v. Wade, but together we can make it the decade when Roe is overturned…Whenever I am confronted with an immoral law that is unjust or harmful to society, I believe I have an obligation to work toward changing it to comport with what is moral. (from Santorum’s Jan. 23 editorial in the Wall Street Journal.)

4. You have the right to bear your rapist’s child:

I believe and I think the right approach is to accept…what God has given to you. As you know, we have to, in lots of different aspects of our life. We have horrible things happen. I can’t think of anything more horrible. But, nevertheless, we have to make the best out of a bad situation.

Pressed by Piers Morgan on how he would counsel his own daughter if she were raped and came to him begging to have an abortion, Santorum said that he would counsel her to accept this “gift from God.”

5. You have a right to stay out of the men’s way in combat:

I have concerns about women in front-line combat. I think that could be a very compromising situation, where people naturally may do things that may not be in the interest of the mission because of other types of emotions that are involved. It already happens, of course, with the camaraderie of men in combat, but I think it would be even more unique if women were in combat. And I think that’s not in the best interests of men, women, or the mission.

*SR Note: Actually, there were 3,000 reports of sexual assault in 2010 by women soldiers serving in the U.S. military. It is speculated that 90% of assaults are not reported. So, while I admire Santorum’s claim that male soldiers may be prompted to “protect” women in combat, unfortunately, that’s not the reality. And women in the military would like to have contraceptive and abortion coverage, too. And they’re being denied.

6. You have the right to upload your thoughts to this here thought police machine I’ve just patented, so I can make sure your passions are appropriate.

The idea is that the state doesn’t have rights to limit individuals’ wants and passions. I disagree with that. I think we absolutely have rights because there are consequences to letting people live out whatever wants or passions they desire.

In the same interview, Santorum argues that sexual deviance is a direct result of the liberal “right to privacy” lifestyle.

It all comes from, I would argue, this right to privacy that doesn’t exist in my opinion in the United States Constitution, this right that was created, it was created in Griswold (see #9)  — Griswold was the contraceptive case — and abortion. And now we’re just extending it out. And the further you extend it out, the more you — this freedom actually intervenes and affects the family.

7. You have a right to stay home and do your husband’s laundry and home school all seven of your children, while your husband goes out and pursues his goals.

Sadly the propaganda campaign launched in the 1960s has taken root. The radical feminists succeeded in undermining the traditional family and convincing women that professional accomplishments are the key to happiness.

8. You have the right to name your baby’s father, or else.

What we say is that in order for Mom to be able to go on welfare if she has a child out of wedlock, you have to tell us who the father is. If you don’t tell us who the father is, you’re not eligible for any welfare benefits, none, not even medical care. You tell us who the father is or you don’t receive benefits.

Santorum doesn’t apparently see the irony in simultaneously lobbying against contraception and unwed mothers.

9. You have the right to keep your mouth off Mr. Happy.

(see #2 and #6)

That’s right. If Mr. Santorum has his way,  fellatio could be illegal in your state, right alongside sodomy, French kissing, sexy massage at home, and foot fetishes. See #9

10. You have the right to allow the government to criminalize birth control.

The state has a right to do that, I have never questioned that the state has a right to do that. It is not a constitutional right, the state has the right to pass whatever statues they have.  That is the thing I have said about the activism of the Supreme Court, they are creating rights, and they should be left up to the people to decide.”

Suicide Redhead Note: If the conservatives continue this tirade against women, I do believe conservative women should have a Day of Abstinence — better yet, a Month of Celibacy, where they tell their husbands and boyfriends where to shove IT.  Anywhere, that fits Church Doctrine, that doesn’t include their pussy ranch.  Since they want to make it as difficult and shameful as possible for strong, intelligent women to rise up, and “take personal responsibility” for their own health by using contraceptives, perhaps they might be better suited to stop engaging these women to have sex with them altogether.  And the women, well, they are welcome to skirt on over to the scary, hairy lesbians (which aren’t really all that hairy or scary to begin with…)

This one’s for you Rick! From the gals…

Tweet

This is very real. Low-income women in Texas that need yearly cancer screenings and breast exams, monthly contraception, HIV and STD testing, infertility counseling, and other aid are no longer able to get the help they need. Because, supposed pro-lifers are against supporting them. Even the clinics that DO NOT provide abortions have funding cuts so bad, many have closed. As George Carlin said, “they aren’t pro-life, they’re anti-women.” All four Republican presidential candidates support this, are voting for it, and have already negatively impacted these women’s lives. Is it because they are poor? Because they are women? I don’t know.

A New York Times article published today, reported: “Although the cuts also forced clinics that were not affiliated with the agency to close — and none of them, even the ones run by Planned Parenthood, performed abortions — supporters of the cutbacks said they were motivated by the fight against abortion.” Um, what??

The article goes on, “And critics of contraception coverage under the new federal health care law say that some birth control methods are essentially abortion drugs, an assertion scientists largely dispute.” Science, shmience.

What can we do to help the women of Texas? First, keep up with news coverage, tell your friends and family about this war on women in the name of “pro life” (whose life? Are these women not vital, alive, valuable citizens?), start a protest in your city, interface on social networks about this, and contact your representatives and those in Texas to let them know you support women – all women, everywhere. And their hypocrisy and idiocy will not set us back 50 years. This is real, and women’s lives are in danger. Please help today.

Update: Don’t get pregnant in Arizona. Or Kansas.

My debut interview for Suicide Girls was published over a year ago now. But, this is such a timely piece. With anti-female, anti-gay Satnorum winning three primaries today, it’s obvious that we need to use facts and statistics as well as real-life testimony to counter theologians aiming for reign over The White House.

Red, White and Femme: Trusting The Ring of Purity – Faith vs Sex Education

by Darrah de jour

In the United States, faith-based abstinence-only programs in schools have received $1.3 Billion in government funding between 1982-2008. This “save yourself until marriage” agenda has a 90% failure rate. Rationalizing this kind of spending on an essentially faith-based agenda – as opposed to comprehensive sex education, which teaches students about birth control, such as condoms, as well as abstinence – in a country that has a supposed buffer (yeah, right) between church and state begs any thoughtful, sex-loving or even moderately literate human being to ask WTF?

Read the full story and leave your brilliant comments. You are necessary.

HERE’S what a woman in Texas now faces if she seeks an abortion.

The New York Times
Op-Ed by Nicholas D. Kristof

Under a new law that took effect three weeks ago with the strong backing of Gov. Rick Perry, she first must typically endure an ultrasound probe inserted into her vagina. Then she listens to the audio thumping of the fetal heartbeat and watches the fetus on an ultrasound screen.

She must listen to a doctor explain the body parts and internal organs of the fetus as they’re shown on the monitor. She signs a document saying that she understands all this, and it is placed in her medical files. Finally, she goes home and must wait 24 hours before returning to get the abortion.

*Darrah’s note: They do not trust us to make decisions about our own bodies in less than 24 hours; we are not being treated like full citizens. Our rights and the rights to our bodies are no longer ours. We are not full citizens. Would guys be cool if they were forced into have an unnecessary rectal exam, waiting 24 hours, missing work and footing additional, unnecessary doctor, travel and lodging bills if they merely went for a vasectomy?? Not to mention being shamed, ridiculed and pestered about a private medical decision.*

“It’s state-sanctioned abuse,” said Dr. Curtis Boyd, a Texas physician who provides abortions. “It borders on a definition of rape. Many states describe rape as putting any object into an orifice against a person’s will. Well, that’s what this is. A woman is coerced to do this, just as I’m coerced.”

“The state of Texas is waging war on women and their families,” Dr. Boyd added. “The new law is demeaning and disrespectful to the women of Texas, and insulting to the doctors and nurses who care for them.”

That law is part of a war over women’s health being fought around the country — and in much of the country, women are losing. State by state, legislatures are creating new obstacles to abortions and are treating women in ways that are patronizing and humiliating.

Twenty states now require abortion providers to conduct ultrasounds first in some situations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization. The new Texas law is the most extreme to take effect so far, but similar laws have been passed in North Carolina and Oklahoma and are on hold pending legal battles.

Alabama, Kentucky, Rhode Island and Mississippi are also considering Texas-style legislation bordering on state-sanctioned rape. And what else do you call it when states mandate invasive probes in women’s bodies?

*Darrah’s note: a woman is being forced to make this unnecessary medical decision under duress. And pay for it. That’s illegal. -Or should be.*

“If you look up the term rape, that’s what it is: the penetration of the vagina without the woman’s consent,” said Linda Coleman, an Alabama state senator who is fighting the proposal in her state. “As a woman, I am livid and outraged.”

States put in place a record number of new restrictions on abortions last year, Guttmacher says. It counts 92 new curbs in 24 states.

“It was a debacle,” Elizabeth Nash, who manages state issues for Guttmacher, told me. “It’s been awful. Last year was unbelievable. We’ve never seen anything like it.”

Yes, there have been a few victories for women. The notorious Virginia proposal that would have required vaginal ultrasounds before an abortion was modified to require only abdominal ultrasounds.

*Darrah’s note: this does not sound like a victory to me.*

Yet over all, the pattern has been retrograde: humiliating obstacles to abortions, cuts in family-planning programs, and limits on comprehensive sex education in schools.

*Darrah’s note: Once these children are born, the RR and conservatives attitudes are: go f-yourself. We don’t want to help pay for your education, arts, healthcare, housing, welfare or prison stay – because that is where a lot of poor, uneducated people end up, remarkably. Oh, and Rush & Co. not realizing that tax payers helping to float contraception, costs FAR less than all of the above, proves they are truly dummies.*

If Texas legislators wanted to reduce abortions, the obvious approach would be to reduce unwanted pregnancies. The small proportion of women and girls who aren’t using contraceptives account for half of all abortions in America, according to Guttmacher. Yet Texas has some of the weakest sex-education programs in the nation, and last year it cut spending for family planning by 66 percent.

*Darrah’s Note: imho, this should read “couples who aren’t using contraceptives.” Let’s remember, sex is a two-to-tango scenario, and putting responsibility solely on the female to prevent pregnancy is not right. Esp. when we are so head-fucked by society about our bodies, sex and shame, and now to boot, the RR is waging a war on contraception. And again – all nonsensical approaches to life and cause & effect. Cuts to education = ignorant society = bad decision making.* Let’s continue…

The new Texas law was passed last year but was held up because of a lawsuit by the Center for Reproductive Rights. In a scathing opinion, Judge Sam Sparks of Federal District Court described the law as “an attempt by the Texas legislature to discourage women from exercising their constitutional rights.” In the end, the courts upheld the law, and it took effect last month.

It requires abortion providers to give women a list of crisis pregnancy centers where, in theory, they can get unbiased counseling and in some cases ultrasounds. In fact, these centers are often set up to ensnare pregnant women and shame them or hound them if they are considering abortions.

“They are traps for women, set up by the state of Texas,” Dr. Boyd said.

The law then requires the physician to go over a politicized list of so-called dangers of abortion, like “the risks of infection and hemorrhage” and “the possibility of increased risk of breast cancer.” Then there is the mandated ultrasound, which in the first trimester normally means a vaginal ultrasound. Doctors sometimes seek vaginal ultrasounds before an abortion, with the patient’s consent, but it’s different when the state forces women to undergo the procedure.

The best formulation on this topic was Bill Clinton’s, that abortion should be “safe, legal and rare.” Achieving that isn’t easy, and there is no silver bullet to reduce unwanted pregnancies. But family planning and comprehensive sex education are a surer path than demeaning vulnerable women with state-sanctioned abuse and humiliation.

*Darrah’s note: Bottom line: women’s bodies are ours. They are not objects for men to weigh in on. They are not up for debate. We steward our own ships. Just as a panel of female politicians and non-doctors should not decide the fate and health of your body for the rest of your life. It’s just another way to patronize, objectify, lessen the status of, control, dominate, abuse, neglect protecting, seek authority over, and frustrate women. Remember, if mama ain’t happy – ain’t nobody happy!

Oh! One more thing. For the guys who have helped wake the sleeping giant, and are commentating on health insurance companies and employers who provide contraception coverage, thinking this is the government funding recreational sex… contraception is not just a woman doin’ weird stuff to her confusing body. It’s so YOU don’t impregnate her every time you guys do the drippy nasty. You don’t like condoms, still, right? So, under most insurance coverage, BC is free or about $10-$30/month. Without it, your girlie might turn to you to help her foot a bill that can be up to $250 including the exam, and up to $50/month afterward. You’re cool with that?

BC also helps with a host of other medical issues (like ovarian cysts). Moreover, you’re siding with gnarly corporations, a government that doesn’t care about kids once they’re out of the womb, and funds more wars than healthcare for the woman you love? And Rush Limbaugh, for gard’s sakes? Sheesh! That alone…

Sound off! Join the debate.

[Article link.]

Rush Limbaugh offers an apology to law student Sandra Fluke, but compares sex to sneakers.

Radio personality Limbaugh came under fire for his recent derogatory comments about Ms. Fluke, a college-age activist, who spoke before the House Democrats about contraception, and insurance companies paying for it – for not only sexual reproductive healthcare, but women’s health in general. Apparently, Limbaugh, a user of the insurance company covered Viagra, hypocritically thinks his recreation sex should be paid for, but not a woman’s.

He apologized today, mostly because advertisers have pulled funding for his radio show. But also because Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum called him “absurd” and President Obama had to clean up his spilled milk. In his apology, he states, “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 taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit?”

I’m not sure, maybe I’m leaning toward Socialism here, but the idea of the U.S. government promoting fitness and helping us get there by providing killer sneaks sounds awesome to me! (Size 7.5, Reebok Runtone’s in lilac purple with silver trim, retail price $99.99 – but they really do tone your ass.)

The thing that struck me today, aside from Limbaugh’s dire need to get laid, was his relegation of safe-sex as “recreational.” Contraceptives are not only used by single people, but married and coupled ones too. Obviously, a woman and man do not become sterile once they are in a committed relationship. Sex is not a recreational activity, like bowling or a Hawaiian vacation, though it’s offerings are similar in stress-reduction and fun. Sex is a staple. The glue that keeps two people together. It not only makes you smarter, it also makes you a more whole, intimate, conscious, connected unit and person.

His statements not only reflect the ridiculous and absurd, but the ignorant. Thanks to this Napoleon, I am even more inspired to continue my path promoting sensuality as one of the greatest and most important and beautiful ways we evolve as people and spirits. And as a personal rebellion, I call the good people of the United States to have a “fuck in.” A day where we all participate in willful, compliant, salacious, safe-sex with another adult, that is toppled over in multiple delicious orgasms. A modern-day hippie movement – more fun than #Occupy, but in my mind – just as important. Bon appétit!

Mr. Limbaugh is a very damaged man, with a wide audience. His recent remarks about college student Sandra Fluke, are dire proof. This cray cray debate about women’s health, headed by a group of old dudes who don’t have vajayjays is not just bizarro, it’s actually REAL. Unfortunately, women’s bodies remain public property, and thus, our healthcare choices are up for moral and ethical and political debate. It’s embarrassing, honestly. Like the world opening up your medicine cabinet, snapping pics, posting them on Facebook, and then discussing why you are a horrible person for the contents of it.

Birth control is not only used for pregnancy prevention, but a host of medical issues, including cysts, migraines, endometriosis, PMSD, etc. Bodies and the choices we make around our bodies are not religious issues, as bodies aren’t sinful. Oh wait, sorry, that’s just my opinion. And science’s. And common sense.

Limbaugh (who coincidentally has NO children, but was married four times, thus had partners that used birth control) says of women who use contraceptives – namely Ms. Fluke, a Georgetown Law Student who recently addressed House Democrats: “She wants all the sex in the world whenever she wants it, all the time, no consequences. No responsibility for her behavior.”

Um, you mean like men? Like himself? Like people do?

He went on, “What does it say about the college [sic] co-ed Sandra Fluke, who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex.”

In case Rush or you were wondering, Viagra is covered by most insurance plans and employers, thus men are prostitutes too, by his skewed, sexist, and ridiculous reasoning that women are “paid to have sex” if birth control is free for students and costs are floated by tax payers (better if we tax payers support unwanted children). If I didn’t believe he believed his rhetoric, I’d laugh. But, the truth is, he does and so do many of his followers. He, and people like him, affect public policy, young women and men, and burgeoning activists. (BTW, when Rush was arrested in the Dominican Republic, heaps of Viagra pills were found. Perhaps his li’l soldier can’t stand at attention and perhaps THIS is why he’s such a hater?)

I can’t help but wonder. Who does he think Fluke and other female college students are satisfying their sexual appetites with? You got it, male college students. Should we all get preggers, then what would these college boys do? What would conservatives encourage young women to do then? Not abort.

Attempts at silencing 51% of the world is not only stupid, it’s a true sin, if there was one. This kind of socially reprehensible behavior is particularly reckless at a time when bullying is on America’s radar, with gay teen suicides at an all-time high. Rather, we should be praising young people for tryin’ to screw responsibly and protect their futures.

House Speaker John Boehner used a mouthpiece to comment on Limbaugh’s latest attack on women, by remarking that it was “inappropriate.” Wow, what a powerful rebuke. With this kind of male protection, it’s a wonder most women carry mace.

Terming women “sluts” or “feminazis” as Rush does, is not just inappropriate, it’s hateful and condescending. And an offense to women everywhere.

On the other hand, the always classy President Obama put in a call to Ms. Fluke personally, letting her know that she is supported by the White House.

He said, “The fact that our political discourse has been debased in many ways is bad enough,” he added. “It’s even worse when it is directed at a private citizen who is simply expressing her views about public policy.”

Fluke added, “he said to tell my parents that they should be proud.”

Proving Rush tryin’ to shame somebody is farce.

Limbaugh unsurprisingly has no children. I don’t believe a man that raises – truly raises up – a daughter, could ever feel or talk this way about women. Even Eminem, with his notoriously anti-female lyrics, lightened up and moreover, grew up, as his daughter has gotten older. Limbaugh needs to become a better man or his hatred may kill him.

Reverence for women and men and human kind is basic stuff. Kindergarten, really. Unfortunately, it takes some a lifetime to appreciate, understand and admire the grace of femininity versus brutality. In the meantime, wars are fought, president’s clean up after radio personalities, and practicin’ the ancient technique of throwing a rock at girls to shut their pretty faces up – whether verbally or physically – continues.