Intro: "Rush Limbaugh's latest misogynistic tirade against Georgetown University Law Student Sandra Fluke may be the last straw for many of the shock jock's corporate sponsors."
Limbaugh is facing a growing firestorm fueled by social media after 'doubling-down' on his attack on Sandra Fluke. (photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
5 Advertisers Drop Rush Limbaugh Over 'Slut' Firestorm
03 March 12
ush Limbaugh's latest misogynistic tirade against Georgetown University Law Student Sandra Fluke may be the last straw for many of the shock jock's corporate sponsors. Thousands of angry customers have been inundating dozens of Limbaugh's corporate sponsors, demanding that they cut ties with the program.
So far, Sleep Number, The Sleep Train, Quicken Loans, Legal Zoom and Citrix have pulled ads from the program, and several others are considering following their lead.
ThinkProgress is collecting reactions from social media sites like Twitter and Facebook on Storify. Here's a look at some responses so far:
“ Recent comments by Rush Limbaugh do not align w/our values, so we made decision to immediately suspend all advertising on that program.
SleepNumberSara a day ago
"Thanks to all of you for your concern and input. We are currently pulling all ads with Rush Limbaugh"
theSleepTrain 2 days ago
"@moughthere As of today, LegalZoom has suspended all advertising on the Rush Limbaugh show."
LegalZoom 16 hours ago
"We have listened to our customers & have decided to cease our advertising on The Rush Limbaugh Show immediately."
facebook.com/Citrix Citrix Systems
Oreck, Century 21 and AutoZone have been listed as advertisers by a number of websites, but each company has denied directly advertising on the program.
Several others have responded to overwhelming customer feedback by saying they would look into their current marketing strategies and whether they indirectly advertise through larger network ad buys on the radio stations that carry Limbaugh's show.
"@DCdebbie @ProFlowers DC, Rest assured, your feedback is heard. We heard about the comments and we will reevaluate our marketing plan. -Cori"
ProFlowers 2 days ago
"@stonermc We've never paid for ads on Limbaugh show. We're looking into the matter of "network buys" & will let you know what we discover."
eHarmony 2 days ago
Carbonite CEO David Friend posted on the company's blog in response to a "tremendous amount of feedback" from customers over Carbonite's sponsorship of the program, but stopped short of pulling advertising. "Outcry over Limbaugh is the worst we've ever seen," he wrote. See the whole post here:
Online Backup Blog | Carbonite
A Message from Carbonite CEO, David Friend Regarding Ads on Limbaugh
"Over the past two days we have received a tremendous amount of feedback on Rush Limbaugh's recent comments. I too am offended and very co ..."
Carbonite
Other companies though have been slow to react, or are simply ignoring mounting feedback.
We need to take a stand now against his revolting behavior. Sign our petition and let Sandra Fluke know that you are on her side.
Update
An earlier version of this post listed the Cleveland Cavaliers as one of the companies that dropped Limbaugh, based on a report from WFNY. Although the Cavaliers have the same owner as Quicken Loans, WFNY's report was subsequently removed. It does not appear that the Cavaliers advertised on Limbaugh's show
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Comments
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I took that from Common Cause. If WE own the airwaves, we theoretically have control of standards of basic conduct on the air.
I don't know why the FCC allows this garbage--offens ive lies and fantasies.
He doesn't have first amendment rights in this case.
Mr. Limbaugh has the absolute right to express himself, as does everyone who disagrees with him and exerts economic pressure on sponsors of his show. If Mr. Limbaugh's employers ultimately determine he is no longer commercially viable they will no doubt remove him, but not until that happens.
Let's be careful what we progressives advocate when it comes to free expression of ideas. In the great 'marketplace of ideas' all opinions should be welcome and debated.
I would argue Mr. Limbaugh's latest statements have done more to promote the progressive cause than anything I have seen in quite some time. Why wouldn't we want that to continue?
This is not the worst I have heard him say and on air. The Station he works for are White Trash.
As for getting him off the air - boycott his sponsors and let them know exactly why you are doing it...tell all your friends and family, write letters to the editor and call your local radio station that airs his show and tell them you are going to boycott ALL of their sponsors - local and national... And do the same thing, let the sponsors know why you are doing it.
2) I don't think you understand what the legal term 'enjoin' means.
3) He didn't specifically slander "all the women of the U.S.of A". He DID slander Sandra Fluke and a number of her associates. With the able assistance of Georgetown Law School's entire faculty, she should sue his not inconsiderable butt off.
Hope she takes it all away, but he probably already has protection of his asssets...he has been sued before, so I am sure his Atty had him do a no touch account. Plus like his Rethugs he probably invests outside the US
Ms. Fluke should allow him to make his apology IN COURT! In front of a judge after monetary judgements have been decreed.
Let him have the rope, sooner or later he will hang for good. Personally I hope that student sues him.
Government should not be silencing Rush Limbaugh. The "free market" of public opinion can, though!
The First Amendment protects the press and individuals from excessive GOVERNMENT censorship. Not from the people who disagree. Important distinction!
I think the concept of free speech is misunderstood. The Constitution merely states that "Congress shall make no laws that abridge the right of free speech". This does NOT give anyone the 'right' to say anything at any time, but it does suggest that there's a time and a place for the expression of thought, and that the government should not be the arbiter of time, place, or content.
The first amendment leaves it to us to speak up when we deem it necessary, and this IS one of those times when it's necessary - not to shout anyone down, but to effectively point out that those who provide the platform for inappropriate speech should know what we feel is inappropriate. They make their own choices, once they hear from us.
Inbreds, Gossips, White Trash Need Rush, Like most Rethugs if he goes there will be more trash to take his place...Lot of pretend Christians thrive on this Hatred
So it's okay to degrade women, but not to insult blacks?
Who are some other sponsors.
And I agree: ignore him and he'll go away.
Can she sue each of the radio stations in each state?
If she could sue the Stations and Advertisers that would be a nice precedent.
How any CEO with IQ > 80 could advertise on Limbaugh to start with? Boycott them forever!
Quoting Activista:
Activista, boycotting them forever may make you feel morally pure, but if you boycott them forever then they're no better off when they pull their advertising. In fact they're worse off, because they don't have the business of Rush's listeners.
Putting your own purity first is not going to help the nation. Why not receive the companies that have ceased their sponsorship back into your good graces, and pressure those who have suspended their sponsorship to cease it outright?
I believe the difference is Rush was on air, using air space that was paid for by Advertisers that have regulations of some type, not to mention fear of law suit and loss of money.
Now he will use the insanity plea and get off by a friend of santorums'
i hope someone points out to him that these are corporations that are responding AND he was all for Citizen's United! what goes around, comes around...
George Carlin, Billy Connoly, Chris Rock and many other irreverent comedians who's job it is to make you laugh and even enlighten you are "Entertainment" . Limp-balls is mean-spirited, spiteful, cowardly and a drug-addict to boot (he was recently stopped returning from a trip to El Salvador with a bunch of Viagra pills on him -I hate to think what he wanted these for and don' wanna know) and is allowed to abuse his right to free speech, getting rich off it even.
Imagine what the furore would be if John Stewart, Stephen Colbert or Keith Olbermann called Ann Coulter a "Slut" or "Prostitute"? We can't live with a double standard in even the trashiest media.
B.t.w., this illustrates perfectly my oft-asked question of the reactionaries who post on this site more often than not, heavily abusive language at their favored targets (Krugman, Reich and especially Obama) where I can go to even be allowed to put my lefty opinions out on a right-wing station, which are heavily screened. -No answer yet and I've given up.
So much for the"Liberal" media!
An excellent script reader and ad lib entertainer, Limbaugh served an important role in the Rovarian theme of 'divide, satisfy and enrage' to facilitate Tea Party activism against government, science, regulatory protections, progressive thought, or "rights" for any physically identifiable group (Muslims, blacks, Latinos, Women, French, students, Occupiers, etc.). His success has been phenomenal- highly paid and well supported.
Unfortunately, the Republican Power Structure is having trouble getting the genie back in the OXY bottle. Nihilistic, anti-government , anti taxation mob rule threatens the government largess which enriches and protects Wall Street and the 1% - mostly through military and civilian contracts, bailouts and tax credit and avoidance schemes. Owning a government which cannot be 'milked' isn't profitable, so Rush MAY have become expendable. His 'mouth' is well scripted, so the process COULD be voluntary. It is NOT accidental ... and the outcome will not be a completely random result of his own 'enhanced' condition.
It is nice to hear who I can stop boycotting.
Limbaugh is a guy with little or no credentials other than being a boisterous loud-mouth for the GOP. They sure are drowning themselves. So glad they are! Maybe we can vote them all out and get real government of, by, and for the people.
It's good to see sponsors voting with their wallets. And I hope listeners are voting with their choice of radio stations. Those who insist on hearing political discussions of the caliber offered by Mr. Limbaugh may easily find them by occupying the nearest bar stool and starting a conversation. As it says in the Good Book: "they have their reward".
An insut to swamps and crocs.
1) He says what he believes
2) He exhibits attention seeking behavior, nasty and controversial work best, media diva akin to Ann Coulter
3) If you don't like the subject change the story, we are no longer talking about more positive economic news and the crappy GOP Presidential candidates
4) All of the Above
4 is the correct answer
Who are the other companies? What can we do to send them the message?
Go here to sign a petition:
http://campaigns.dailykos.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=81
He can be replaced by any number of aspiring professional a-holes who want to rake in the bucks from the right wingers -- as long as there are people who will listen and buy the stuff advertised. It's the people who listen and repeat what he say that makes it possible for these clowns to spread propaganda and vile filth.
We call him a leading Republican ethicist.
Rush is the point man for dividing working classes. He is the point man for lining up moderate income support for the interests of the filthy (conduct) rich. He's not paid to abuse women, people of color, gays, or progressives. He is paid to abuse, manipulate, dupe, befuddle, confuse, misdirect, enrage HIS OWN LISTENERS. THEY are his target. He CHUMPS
them 24/7, & laughs all the way to the country club or private box, then laughs some more with his wealthy cohorts & patrons there. There is NOTHING conservative about calling Fluke a prostitute, The Corp Media that call Rush "conservative" are deliberately LYING. To divide us. They want to set the more Puritanical against the more liberated so that they can CONTROL all of us. And, there is nothing conservative about thinking that women's birth control technology works like ("anti-baby") aspirin held between the knees: the more sex planned, the more aspirin purchased, until broke. "Rush" has it confused with his felony-type drug habit. You don't order your housekeeper to the parking lot for more & more & more birth controls pills, or IUDs.
to defend him. You get it ? Not some high priced legal hot shot BUT simply the rules of the land. Why don't we hear more about THAT Rush ???
The even sadder commentary is the multitudes of listeners he "indoctrinates"
Are there that many people out there without the mental acuity to tune this guy out?
The worst part of this all is that these people might even exercise their right to vote.
This then affects "real" Americans.
"I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities."
He still does not "get it". Use and access to contraception is medical care not merely a "personal sexual recreational activit(y)"
"American Citizens" ie. taxpayers are not paying for it. An individuals Insurance premiums are paying for it.
FYI: The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), 'Obamacare' s they say, requires health plans and insurers that offer group or individual health insurance policies to provide coverage for women’s preventive services without cost sharing-ie. no co-pays.
What is it that people DON'T like about this?
The rhetoric of the Republicans is anti-women's healthcare, anti-'Obamacare ' and anti-standards for healthcare coverage and definitly against any Universal Healthcare that would solve all these employer based/private healthcare issues.
ps. My mother always referred to him as Russ Limbo. It really fits.
I wish the media would concentrate on the comments about him wanting to watch the home made sex videos. Where is RL's head at?
Glad to hear that the Great White Whale is doubling down on what he said. It just may bring about his demise more quickly.
Medical should cover contraceptives ...from insurance angle it certainly is a lot cheaper to have a safe ball game than having homeruns all over town whom they pay the bill for in pregnancy thru the next at least 18 years. But considering I never knew Rethugs were Virgins, it is hypocrisy that people would think that only Liberals use birth control.
When I hear people in this area talk about minorities having kids and using their taxes (half do not work), I laugh. You would think these morons would be cheering Contraceptives, they were jumping for joy a couple of years ago when people were giving it away.
Now working people have no rights to some smart choices.
If men got pregnant, wow, that would be a change of voice. We do not need more children, we have lots of children. Many go to bed without food, home, parents. We need parents who actually take care of their kids, parents who spend more time with them less on cell phones.
I see people on cell phones, and PCs and never with their kids. Pretty sad upbringing, no values, certainly no love.
I had hoped by 2012, people would have changed, seen white trash for what it is and tried to overcome being it. Instead I see more morons than I did 50 years ago.
That is why Rush will have a Job
In the first quarter of the 21st Century we have a character who libels a US citizen with apparent impunity.
People, check out what would happen to this character if he libeled a British version of someone like Ms.Fluke on British airwaves.
Two steps forward, one step back. This experiment called 'America' continues. Long live the revolution!!
WOMEN, stop punking out and exercise your strength in numbers to make the GOP represent your welfare as they do the males in the party!
Also, I'm a male speaking from a male perspective of fairness: you chicks need to get on board and stand up for yourselves!
May the thousands of companies who have been on the waiting list to advertise with Mr. Limbaugh all have that opportunity, may the success burgeon of conservative people who WORK and PAY THEIR OWN WAY, AND DON'T ASK FOR TAXPAYER DOLLAR HANDOUTS, and may the enemies of America, the Lefty-liberals, all starve, cold and forgotten, in the Sahara Desert, shortly before their miserable bodies are hacked up by the swards of their allies, the Islamists.
Have a nice day.
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