In recent days, as you know, Rush Limbaugh has launched a vicious
attack on a young woman, Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke, for
doing nothing more than expressing her opinion on the issue of American women’s
access to preventive health care.
Limbaugh’s comments are beyond disgusting. You can read them online but I won’t repeat
them here.
To his credit and the credit of Georgetown University, John
J. DeGioia, the President of Georgetown University today released this reaction
to Rush Limbaugh’s attack on Georgetown student, Sandra Fluke for testifying on
behalf of women at a Congressional hearing.
DeGioia wrote:
In recent days, a law
student of Georgetown, Sandra Fluke, offered her testimony regarding the
proposed regulations by the Department of Health and Human Services before a
group of members of Congress. She was
respectful, sincere, and spoke with conviction.
She provided a model of civil discourse.
This expression of conscience was in the tradition of the deepest values
we share as a people. One need not agree with her substantive position to
support her right to respectful free expression. And yet, some of those who disagreed with her
position--including Rush Limbaugh and commentators throughout the blogosphere
and in various other media channels--responded with behavior that can only be
described as misogynistic, vitriolic, and a misrepresentation of the position
of our student.
In our vibrant and
diverse society, there always are important differences that need to be
debated, with strong and legitimate beliefs held on all sides of challenging issues.
The greatest contribution of the American project is the recognition that
together, we can rely on civil discourse to engage the tensions that
characterize these difficult issues, and work towards resolutions that balance
deeply held and different perspectives…
If we, instead, allow
coarseness, anger -even hatred--to stand for civil discourse in America, we
violate the sacred trust that has been handed down through the generations
beginning with our Founders. The values
that hold us together as a people require nothing less than eternal
vigilance. This is our moment to stand
for the values of civility in our engagement with one another.
Sincerely,
John J. DeGioia
President
Georgetown University
Read DeGioia’s complete message to Georgetown students
here: http://www.georgetown.edu/message-civility-public-discourse.html
DeGioia got it right.
No true American, Republican or Democrat, should disagree.
Think Progress and the Democratic National Senatorial
Committee have petitions protesting Limbaugh’s remarks. Please visit these sites and show your
support. We need to get people like
Limbaugh off the public airways.
Think Progress
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
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