Maine’s two senators are ladies. They are also Republican. So when Sen. Olympia Snowe voted for the health care reform bill, saying, “When history calls, history calls,” and Sen. Susan Collins cast approval on health care reform, the attacks made by certain conservative radio hosts were decidedly biting and sexist.
I’m not sure if the response was so heinous because they didn’t expect this from some of “their own” women. It seems that the only female politicos that are acceptable to Limbaugh et. al are of the Michelle Bachman set: those who match their lipstick to their skirtsuits, are blissfully ignorant of what the word “suburb” means in France (and of the fact that there are actual brething people outside of the U.S. of A.), and faithfully tow the party line. If one of them steps out of line, she’s called and a Jezebel, which, from Michael Savage, is the same as calling her a slut. And the men who applaud them are called “the voice of the new castrati,” which, from anyone, is the same as calling them testicle-less opera singers.
Media Matters compiled a really good round up of the best of the best quotes. They pretty much speak for themselves (which, ironically, is what got these talking fatheads so angry about these insolent women in the first place). That these men are paid to vomit words into microphones is beyond me. That half the country is crazy enough to agree with them is even worse.
Erik Erickson’s bash (listed last here) is my favorite. It is the most creative and, by far, the most insane.
Jim Quinn: “Stupid Girl” by Garbage “probably fits pretty well.” Quinn stated on his radio show, “Actually, this is a music bed from the song by Garbage called ‘Stupid Girl.’ I didn’t plan it this way, but I’m thinking after Olympia Snowe’s vote yesterday, it probably fits pretty well. Well, don’t give up quite yet on Olympia, because there’s a long, long way to go here, folks, and you need to be very, very vocal. We are doing exactly the opposite of what we should be doing.” [Clear Channel’s The War Room with Quinn and Rose, 10/14/09]
Savage dubs Snowe “Jezebel.” After airing a clip of Snowe discussing her vote, Savage played a portion of the song “Jezebel” by Frankie Laine that included the lyrics, “If ever the devil was born without a pair of horns, it was you. Jezebel, it was you.” Savage added, “Jezebel is Olympia Snowe. Of course she has thrown over with the turncoats who have stabbed America in the back, dragging us into a socialized medical system against the will of the majority of the American people.” [Talk Radio Network’s The Savage Nation, 10/13/09]
Limbaugh: The “voice of the new castrati, those who have lost all manhood, gonads, guts, and courage” applaud Snowe for health care reform support. Anticipating that Snowe was “going to vote yes” on the Finance Committee’s health care reform bill, Limbaugh attacked Snowe by praising the “bipartisanship” of the bill using “the voice of the new castrati.” Limbaugh described the “new castrati” as “those who have lost all manhood, gonads, guts, and courage throughout our culture and our political system.” Limbaugh has previously described the “new castrati” as supporters of Hillary Clinton. [Premiere Radio Networks’ The Rush Limbaugh Show, 10/13/09]
Limbaugh on Snowe and Collins: “Women, damn it.” Limbaugh stated on his radio program of Collins: “The second Republican senator signaled yesterday — actually today — that she is open to voting for a sweeping health care bill this year, putting Obama closer to an historic achievement that has eluded generations of Democrat leaders. It is none other than — wait for it — Susan Collins of Maine. Who would have thought this? Dare I say, ‘Women, damn it.’ We have 35 seconds to bleep that comment. I’m going to poll the staff” [The Rush Limbaugh Show, 10/14/09]. Limbaugh’s website also highlights his statement with the headline, “Women! Collins Likely to Joine Snowe in Support of Obamacare,” posted above a transcript of his comments. From RushLimbaugh.com [accessed October 15]:
RedState’s Erickson appears to liken Snowe to White Witch character in Narnia books. On RedState.com, managing editor Erick Erickson wrote: “Olympia Snowe has sold out the country. Having been banished to our world after Aslan chased her out of Narnia, Snowe is intent on corrupting this place too.” Erickson appears to be referencing the White Witch character in C.S. Lewis’ book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. According to the SparkNotes summary of the book, the White Witch “has enchanted Narnia so that it is always winter and never Christmas” and is killed by the character Aslan.
