Posted on 11/24/2009 5:03:20 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Want to Insult a Powerful Woman? Call Her a Prostitute
Offender: Glenn Beck on The Glenn Beck Program
Media Outlet: Aired on radio stations nationwide 11/23/09 - syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications
The Offense: Beck called Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) a "high-class prostitute" on his radio show.
NOW's Analysis: The discussion by Beck and his co-host, Pat Grey, about the kind of "prostitute" they think Landrieu is was quite lengthy, detailed and highly offensive. First they offered the right-wing claim that Landrieu accepted a "bribe" as if it were proven fact. The conversation included these delightful nuggets: "you're not at Motel 6 with this, no . . . this one comes to your Four Seasons hotel room and does it right . . . you might even think she's the wife of the CEO she's coming in on the arm of." Rush Limbaugh followed up on his show the same day, saying that Landrieu "may be the most expensive prostitute in the history of prostitution."
So what's wrong with equating politicians with prostitutes? After all, it's a quick and vivid way of accusing legislators of selling their votes (and presumably their principles) for money. Countless political cartoons have portrayed supposedly greedy and ethically-challenged politicians in fishnet stockings and garters. Since when did this amusing metaphor hurt anyone?
The problem is, the accusation conjures up an image almost exclusively of women -- typically streetwalkers, but sometimes high-class escorts like Beck describes. Also, the term seems to flow so easily off the tongues of men seeking to degrade successful, powerful (perhaps "uppity"?) women. Not long ago Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fl.) called Linda Robertson, an adviser to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, a "K Street whore," and he was rightly criticized for doing so. Whore, prostitute, hooker -- it's time to retire these sexist terms that only encourage our society to see women as commodities to be bought and sold.
Take Action: Tell Kraig T. Kitchin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Premiere Radio Networks, what you think about Glenn Beck's and Rush Limbaugh's sexist comments (they both gave the same syndicator--shocker).
Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, November 24, 2009
But I don't understand the left getting wee weed up about this so as to make it a big issue. If they scream over and over she isn't a prostitute, won't the public conclude, methinks the lady doth protest too much?
LOL, I always likeed that guy...
Take Action: Tell Kraig T. Kitchin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Premiere Radio Networks, what you think about Obermutt’s and ...too many to list.... sexist, hate speech against Sarah.
It looks like my link does not work? Anyway if you google now.org and Palin you will see that they did condemn him. However, it was low profile.
Mary's just a whore. Prostitutes actually have to work for a living.
There is a large difference between “high class” and “expensive” in this case.
Facts is stubborn things.
LMAO!
One of them works for a living and the other is a politician. Prostitutes are very offended by the comparison.
You are, of course, correct.
But it was good to see NOW take Newsweak to task for their sexist cover photo of Sarah.
They did take Newsweak to task for that, right?
Don’t just blame Beck, I’ve seen her called a prostitute in several publications. It’s not like it’s in dispute.
I’m still waiting for the NAGs to scream about the new recommendations om mammograms and pap smears...
Except for the “high class” part he was 100% correct.
THIS they get all wee wee’d up about but have yet to comment on the government’s new cancer screening recommendations, a la rationed care for women??? Little Miss Mary was bought and paid for, end of story. I probably wouldn’t have gone as far to call her a prostitute but it is what it is. NOW let’s talk about things that actually matter to women in this country.
“Whore, prostitute, hooker”
If the shoe fits.......
All three refer correctly to the Senator from LA and the speaker of the house.
Initial reports were that Landrieu was offered 100 million in stimulus money for her constituency. She held out and finally accepted 300 million. Now that’s high class.
By the way, I thought the woman’s movement was dead after NOW pummeled Juanita Broaddrick back into silence for going public about being raped by Bill Clinton.
Speaking of which, here’s another piece of of hypocritical hubris that didn’t do the feminist cause much good; “Time” contributor and White House correspondent Nina Burleigh in a 1998 interview concerning misogynist Bill Clinton’s exploitation of a star struck young intern:
“I would be happy to give him a blowjob just to thank him for keeping abortion legal. I think American women should be lining up with their presidential kneepads on to show their gratitude for keeping the theocracy off our backs.”
Link: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1172776/posts
Looks like NOW has picked itself up and is getting those kneepads back on.
I got called to task once by one of the NAG types for referring to a razor-thin margin as a c* hair. After thinking about it I now refer to the same as a chair.
Cheap-ass dirty whore. Or the c-word. That’s what you say.
Yeah, but he was wrong about the “high class” part. He should apologize to those prim and proper NOW-gals.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.