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Letter: Walsh's Comments were 'Wrong and Demeaning'

Sandra Fluke and Tammy Duckworth are "courageous women."

Congressman Joe Walsh hit a new low this week when he attacked Sandra Fluke for testifying before Congress on access to affordable birth control. He said, “Think about this, a 31-32 year old law student who has been a student for life, who gets up there in front of a national audience and tells the American people, ‘I want America to pay for my contraceptives.’ You’re kidding me. Go get a job. Go get a job, Sandra Fluke.”

Rep. Walsh’s attacks were wrong and demeaning. Sandra Fluke is a young woman who stood up for a friend who lost an ovary when she couldn’t afford the very expensive contraception she needed to treat her polycystic ovarian syndrome. It is disappointing to see a sitting Member of Congress attack a young woman who was so brave to come forward. Walsh also issued a blatant falsehood when he accused Fluke of being “a student for life.” America is fortunate to have Ms Fluke, a smart and courageous woman, studying law.     

If Walsh is truly concerned about the families in his district who are struggling financially, then he should support policies that make it easier for women to afford the medication they need. 

Sadly, these aren’t the only sexist comments Walsh has made this week. He also made a misogynistic accusation about his opponent, Tammy Duckworth this week, saying, “The only debate Ms. Duckworth is actually interested in having is which outfit she’ll be wearing for her big speech.” 

I worked with Tammy Duckworth when she directed the State of Illinois Veterans Affairs. I watched her tirelessly look out for Illinois military families. She too is a smart and courageous woman, and America will be fortunate to have her serve as Congresswoman. 

Residents of Illinois’ 8th District deserve a representative who respects women and their choices. They deserve better than Joe Walsh. 

—Jill Morgenthaler, Retired Army Colonel, Co-President, Illinois Democratic Women

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Bill Angel September 13, 2012 at 01:18 am
Sandra Fluke is a card carrying tool for the Democratic party.
Yes, go get a real job!
Kevin Morris September 13, 2012 at 12:30 pm
It is unfair for tax payers to pay for birth control, if a woman chooses to use it let her pay for it not me. I have enough to pay for to provide for my own family.
The Czar September 13, 2012 at 02:02 pm
The "friend" with PcOS was denied coverage because the insurance company believed the friend was lying about the reason/need for the drugs. The insurance company actually covered the drugs for that condition, but not for ordinary contraception purposes. The insurance company was merely being vigilant against fraud...this is hardly a war on women. Ms. Fluke: Get a job and don't complain about having to pay $10/month for your contraception.
NancyC September 13, 2012 at 03:38 pm
Life is not about 'easy'. Life is about hard work and personal responsibility. Every person needs to save their own earnings for their own meds and health care. We have to save it for our food, and fun. Ms. Fluke is nothing more than a distraction, an illusion, that her's is an urgent issue! Ms. Duckworth made an appearance at York last Veterans day and her comments were juvenile and gutter speak. She refuses to discuss her position on the important issues instead dwells entirely on her heroic service. That was then, let's talk about now.
Mary September 13, 2012 at 04:51 pm
If Ms. Fluke wants to have sex outside of marriage (a fact she is obviously proud of carrying her sign "Sluts vote too"), that is her right and her business. But, how dare she ask me to pay for that lifestyle!
Mary September 13, 2012 at 04:52 pm
I applaud Rep. Walsh for his courage in standing up for us taxpayers, which is what he is supposed to do!
Peggy Suratt September 13, 2012 at 05:59 pm
Tammy Duckworth IS courageous, no doubt about it ! but to lump the "courage" to speak your mind with the "courage" to lay your life on the line for others is a massive insult to ms duckworth, and all the others who have served, been wounded, and died in defense of others (what our politicians like to call 'our freedoms'). and for nancyC, keep in mind that she was @ york to speak to a bunch of juveniles; maybe her comments weren't cotillion like, but really, she was just trying to reach her audience. And please don't call walsh courageous either ! he's about as limp wristed as they come; he'd run for the border if he was drafted !
Dave September 13, 2012 at 08:05 pm
In other words, she stooped to the level of the lowest common denominator rather than serve as a positive example for the students.
bill trudeau September 13, 2012 at 08:38 pm
I live in a home full of estrogen. I have a female wife of 31 years, and two female daughters. I even have three female cats prancing about the premises. That said, anyone who has ever had a lengthy exposure to women should have at least the inkling of a clue that "birth control" is often prescribed by doctors to treat conditions other than the one its name would imply. Sometimes it works for those purposes, sometimes not. Assuming one has a healthcare policy with prescription coverage, isn't that what medical insurance is for? Doctors prescribe drugs for a reason.
Bill Angel September 13, 2012 at 09:25 pm
Bleeding Heart Liberal! Want some cheese to go alond with the whine?
Tammy is a stool of Rahm! Look at Rahm now. Rahm's bully tactics caught up with him. Now, Karen Lewsi is a stud!
John September 14, 2012 at 04:00 pm
I voted Republican in every election since 1970. Not anymore. The far right has become too radical and unChristian in their selfish and selfserving actions against the less fortunate. They now use the Bible only as a tool or prop to advance their selfish causes. They need to take a really hard look at the New Testament and let their actions mirror the teachings of Jesus. One doesn't need to be a Christian to realize the goodness He was trying to bring to humanity.
Dave September 14, 2012 at 05:10 pm
Come on, John. That's one of the oldest tricks in the book -- claiming to have supported one party or another but "not any more." Please.
Bill Angel September 14, 2012 at 05:35 pm
Johnny, Democrats claim to be the protectors of the weak against the strong. I can find few things weaker to protect than a fetus.
Jesus would never endorse or be a member of any party whose platform supports abortion. Radical left is taking hold in the middle east.
John September 14, 2012 at 07:01 pm
Dave, Bill, et al, an old quote: "I never enter into a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent" certainly applies here. I used to be just like you guys. I hope you too will someday be able to see the world from a higher perspective.
Dave September 14, 2012 at 07:39 pm
Funny how folks on the left always resort to insult and ad hominem attacks.
John September 14, 2012 at 08:25 pm
Dave, Bill, et al: One more comment and I'll let it rest from here. I said I would not now vote Republican - I didn't say I would necessarily vote Democrat. There are many views from the left (and especially the far left) that I'm very uncomfortable with. I'm now firmly a Centrist with both eyes open. I personally feel strongly that we, who can afford it, have an obligation to help those in need and that the cold, uncaring harshness from the far right is just not who I want to be. Peace be with you:)
Independence666 September 15, 2012 at 02:04 pm
Mr. Walsh was spot on with his comment about Ms. Fluke. She is a perfect symbol of what I call "Generation E" (the entitlement generation), which is one of the major problems in our country today. Too many very able young people have their hands out looking for the government or their parents to give them more and more and more. Obamacare put the icing on the cake when it declared that these folks are now legally considered child dependents until they 26. What a mess! Who will "take care" of these poor children when the working generation (aka the Baby Boomers) are gone?
Bottom line.............If you're in your middle 20's and you cannot support yourself, you should be very ashamed! Get out there and get to work! You are not a helpless child! You are an adult, so please begin to act like one.
Independence666 September 15, 2012 at 02:14 pm
You are spot on Bill, Jesus said, "whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me". The Democrats support killing babies in the womb.........nuf said.
Independence666 September 15, 2012 at 02:22 pm
John, I agree with your sentiment regarding helping those in need, however, I believe that the government should not be in the business of redistributing wealth at the point of a gun. If folks like you feel that you have more than you need, then write some checks and give it directly to the needy. The government is not a charity. It is a huge waistful monstrosity that is way out of control.
Independence666 September 15, 2012 at 04:59 pm
Bob, I believe that you are RIGHT ON THE MONEY when say that these kids have been sold a bill of goods. They have been suckered by the notion that a college degree, any college degree, will lead to future prosperity. that's very sad indeed. Some of these poor kids are taking out huge loans and getting degrees in useless subjects like gender studies, and then they are bewildered and sometimes angry when they find out that they have no useful skills to sell in the marketplace.
What the colleges are doing is nearly criminal. They sucker these kids into borrowing huge amounts of money, teach them a lot of useless stuff, and then send them out into the world to flip hamburgers or wait tables for a living. Mark my words. The next big financial crisis, in this country, will be a massive default on student loans. There is absolutely no way most of these kids are going to be able to pay these crazy loans off. Like any other business, colleges should be held accountable for the products they produce. If they offer a degree in something and a kid pays them the big bucks to "earn" that degree, then the college should be made to cover the loans if the kid finds out that the "knowledge" he/she has gained cannot be translated into gainful employment.
P Arnold September 16, 2012 at 04:05 am
It's hard to believe what I am reading.
Lemmings....please follow Joe Walsh as he heads for a cliff. You spout the same tired "lines" from the same tired script. Walsh is an ignorant blowhard, doing nothing constructive and collecting a paycheck (with benefits) on our dime. He's the one who should "get a job" because he's not doing the one we are paying him for. Birthcontrol at $10.00 per month....on what planet? It never ceases to amaze me the amount of vitriol that is spewed over contraceptive coverage. Why not the same outrage over coverage for Viagra? Contraceptives are prescribed for many reasons besides birth control (which shouldn't be an issue either)....Viagra is for one thing only. Somehow, we never hear any hue and cry about that.
The Czar September 16, 2012 at 11:14 am
As for the comment: "Birthcontrol at $10.00 per month....on what planet?"
Showing ignorance of the well publicized facts of the story only reinforce the perception that you are the person spewing lines from a tired script. In what was well documented at the time, "..a Target store only 3 miles from the law school currently sells a month's supply of birth control pills for only $9 to people who do not have insurance plans covering contraceptives. That would make the total cost for birth control pills for a student who decided to use them for all three years of law school just $324." This was in response to Ms.Fluke's testimony to the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee that contraception can cost a law student $3,000 over three years and that some of her fellow students could not afford it. If the facts in this case don't make you question Ms. Fluke and her ilk for their utter lack of self reliance, you are beyond the point of having a rational discussion on this issue.
Independence666 September 16, 2012 at 01:16 pm
Agreed P. Along with birth control pills, Viagra shouldn't be covered either. If a person wants to enhance his/her sex life, they should pay for it themselves. The rest of us shouldn't be compelled to pick up their entertainment expenses.
nani September 16, 2012 at 04:32 pm
Not trying to get into the whole political part of this but thought I would inform The Czar that there are many different types of birth control pills. The reason for this being the ingredients. That $9 dollar a month birth control does not work for everyone by this I mean they do not serve their purpose on that individual or can cause serious side effects. Depending on the type you need $3,000 for 3 years is a possible figure.
Joe O'Malley September 18, 2012 at 10:59 pm
Don't mind paying for B-Control for Ms. Fluke. However there should be no tax payer subsidy for the medicinal treatment of....you know... those troublesome eruptions of small blisterlike vesicles on the skin or mucosal membranes that are sometimes contracted when having intimate contact with someone else's "junk". Valtrex...see the video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=bX8mLFVpCOI&NR=1
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Jamie June 18, 2013 at 09:08 pm
There have been some negativity lately surrounding C-F, but it is really only community involvmentRead More like the one in this story that will make the school even better.
Jim Court June 17, 2013 at 11:56 am
Claire, You present a very well thought out understanding of TIFs and your logic is impeccable.
Patty Pistone Fritsch June 17, 2013 at 02:23 pm
Can we get the name of the shelter, we work with a shelter in Oak Park, that may be able to save aRead More few of these little pups before its too late for them!
Geneva Vikings June 17, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Patty...it's Casey's Safe Haven. Reach us atcaseysdogs@yahoo.com. Any help would be great!
People Amaze Me June 14, 2013 at 08:41 am
I agree with you but I don't know if we as just citizen's can do anything to stop that practice. IRead More wish that each cyclist had to have a license, and that it was enforced by laws and police, on the bike so that people could report occurrences and have the person receive a ticket just like a person driving an auto. That would make sense.
Jennifer MacKenzie June 14, 2013 at 08:43 am
A couple of years ago, Villa Park installed "State Law- must stop for pedestrians" signsRead More on the roadways where the Great Western and Prairie Paths cross. I saw a big increase in path users barreling across the streets with no regard for the stop signs on the path.
People Amaze Me June 15, 2013 at 04:11 pm
I was really hoping that the Elmhurst Police would sound in on this info-I do understand kids willRead More be kids, but if one of them is hurt, that adult driver will need to live with that for the rest of their life-so let's come up with a solution for both bicyclist and cars to be in harmony. I really think that a step up in enforcement in the bicycle laws would help-just like the drunk driving laws-believe me the bicycle laws are just as important.