Fallacious and Malicious

With the topics we discuss in American Studies (more specifically regarding Don DeLillo's White Noise) becoming increasingly relevant to my everyday life, I was not surprised to hear a story on the news tonight with which I found myself relating to a class discussion. 


Sandra Fluke, a student at Georgetown University, has been trying to persuade the administration for the past three years that birth control should be included in religious institutions' health insurance plans for students. This, of course, caused a big controversy because many believe that this would be violating Freedom of Religion, being that certain religions are against the use of contraceptives or pre-marital sex. Part of Fluke's argument included that a number of women use birth control for medical reasons, such as preventing ovarian cysts. 

More info and Limbaugh's message to "Feminazis"
can be viewed HERE

One of Fluke's biggest critics is Rush Limbaugh, a radio talk show host who is a well known conservative. In his argument to opposing Fluke he stated that the fact that she wants the school to cover birth control costs suggests that she is trying to promote casual sex. He says another reason for her wanting contraception coverage is that she is "having so much sex she can't afford her own birth control pills" and goes on to call her a "slut." As if it couldn't get any worse, Limbaugh later offers up his own compromise stating: "Miss Fluke, and the rest of you Feminazis, here’s the deal. If we are going to pay for your contraceptives ... we want you to post the videos online so we can all watch.” (!!!)


Upon hearing Limbaugh's argument I was immediately reminded of our recent class discussion about fallacies. His claims are teeming with hasty generalizations as well as ad hominem (when one attacks the arguer rather than the argument). It is not a logical assumption that because Fluke thinks religious institutions' insurance plans should cover contraception, she must sleep around. It also certainly does not advance his argument to dub his opponent a "slut." Sadly for Limbaugh, I believe he is only weakening his own credibility by stating such absurdities and becoming a victim of his own demise.