Rush Limbaugh is yesterday’s man says Ireland’s former president. This week Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland and former high commissioner for human rights at the UN, told guests at the Distinguished Speakers Series that Limbaugh and the Republican Party's current debate over contraception came as an unwelcome surprise.
'It is inconceivable that in the 21st century we don’t understand the importance of the unmet needs of family planning,' Robinson told Ubspectrum.com. 'When I heard that story of the Georgetown graduate student who was called a ‘slut,’ it reminded me of what I was called in 1971 in Ireland.'
When Robinson was elected to the Irish Senate in 1969, she introduced legislation to legalize family planning. Her bill sought to amend a 1935 law that had made the selling or purchase of contraception illegal in the Republic. The uproar that followed her move astonished her.
'I became overnight somebody who was denounced from pulpits, by bishops, denounced in editorials in Catholic newspapers, and it shook me,' Robinson said. 'Yet I learned probably one of the most important lessons, which is if you really believe in something then you have to have the courage to be unpopular. Nothing later in life affected me the same way.'
After four years of undergraduate study at Trinity College in Dublin, Robinson travelled to the US in 1968 to study law at Harvard University. In 1990 she was the first woman to be elected president of Ireland, and another woman, Mary McAleese, succeeded her in 1997.
Robinson's comments conceding contraception were thought to be in response to Limbaugh's shocking decision to call Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown University law student, a 'slut' and a 'prostitute' after she argued in favor of affordable birth control in front of Congress.
Later underlining her longtime commitment to human rights Robinson held up her dog-eared copy of the Declaration on Human Rights and claimed that she carries it with her at all times.
'All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and human rights,' Robinson read from Article I of the Declaration.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.BrianO | Apr 04, 2012, 07:35 PM EDT
please send those free sexual dynamos this way, susan always liked that name, by the way Rush will end up making money off the free publicity, And how many kids does rick santorum have? Susan you'll find if you were less militant you might find someone and be happy, hope it happens
borefield | Apr 04, 2012, 02:07 PM EDT
Susan724, you get your facts straight, your answer is basically the same one Obama gave, "the insurance co. Will cover it"' where do you think the universities and insurance co's get their money?. I just don't want to contribute to her having any or part of my tax $'s pay for her sexual recreation, simply, pay for it herself.
susan724 | Apr 04, 2012, 11:30 AM EDT
hollabackgurl - you are spot on! Even though women's sexual freedom has been widely accepted, since the late 60's, in America,it is still threatening to a lot of men, like Rush. They still can't get over that women here can choose to have sex with whomever whenever, for the last 50 years. Rush lost over 30 sponsors for his stupidity and insecurities and is so yesterday (always was). Rick Santorum, he Repub Pres candidate is the same - still back in the 50's mentality - you really don't see too many men in his age group with this archaic thinking,even the Catholic men in the U.S. He will never be Pres - polls show Obama had the female vote wrapped up! YEA!!!!
susan724 | Apr 04, 2012, 11:23 AM EDT
Borefeld - The University pays for the faculty's birth control under the same policy!! Get your fact straight!
susan724 | Apr 04, 2012, 11:21 AM EDT
Maggie 47. Uh, are you sure you know what you are talking about? You pay the same amount per month for birth control pill. It is a fixed price! Egads, lady, have you ever used them or even had sex? Also, do you know anything about America's cost of health today? It is horrendous and atrocious and the pharmaceutical companies are all bandits! America is ranked 37th in health care of all industrialized countries and pays over twice as much fro healthcare as the next highest paying country. We Catholic American woman LOVE our sex and have no issues letting the world know it!
susan724 | Apr 04, 2012, 11:13 AM EDT
I think Maggiepoo is so 1950's per American standards. Here in the 1970's birth control was paid for by insurance companies openly and willingly. All of us unmarried, college and not college educated, intelligent, open minded Catholic-raised women enjoyed wonderful and frequent sex and many of us with many partner - so wonderful!Please, Maggiepoo, climb back under that rock with Rush, you're both outnumbered and outdated! Or, you might try a wee bit 'o sex on occasion, does the body much good!
borefield | Apr 04, 2012, 09:38 AM EDT
Tombegs, you miss my point. I don't care if Rush Limbaugh uses or needs Viagra, the difference is, he pays for it himself. The young woman in question expects ME to contribute to her sexual activity. It's the Democratic way, 100% entitlement I guess for her.
kev114 | Apr 04, 2012, 08:25 AM EDT
Oh how I wish she would be our president again :/
marsman | Apr 04, 2012, 07:47 AM EDT
Somehow fitting to what Mary Robinson was facing in the 70s is what a nurse working in palliative care here in an Irish hospital has to tell. Namely, that among those not believing in God on the death bed are priests. There, many turn out to be repugnant entirely, including their faith. The death bed is obviously a moment of truth, it does not even take God to appear as supreme judge.
bogsidebunny | Apr 04, 2012, 07:38 AM EDT
Give us your take on Bill Maher (1/2 Irish) when he pulled a "cuntgate" on Sarah Palin, Mary. Mary Robinson is a ONE-WAY cry-baby Liberal bully and will never back down from attacking the Conservatives even if she has to ignore reality!
IrelandNorth | Apr 04, 2012, 06:01 AM EDT
Definition of a 'slut' or 'prostitute': A woman who refuses to have sex with the verbal abuser. The most organic for of contraception is sexual abstinence or sexual continence. Avoid the pharmaceuticalisation of human sexuality. Practice White Tantra today.
johhnyb | Apr 04, 2012, 05:24 AM EDT
Hi Hollabackgurl. If Bill Maher is a comedian, why doesn't he say something funny? As for Sandra Fluke just wanting affordable contraception - is $6 a month not affordable? Remember she's got a millionaire boyfriend. Why don't they share the bill. Surely she can afford $3 a month.
Maggie47 | Apr 03, 2012, 10:34 PM EDT
I agree that Rush Limbaugh was wrong in calling MS.Fluke names. But, My gosh $3000.00 for one semister is a lot of sex at a catholic university.
pilib04 | Apr 03, 2012, 09:52 PM EDT
Mary Robinson was a responsible Uachtaran na hEireann. Even in retirement, she continues to work for the betterment of all. Rush Limbaugh is a oxycotin junkie if some of you posters have amnesia.
seanomelb | Apr 03, 2012, 08:50 PM EDT
BTW uppinko your original article was a tad aggressive and deserved an aggressive response
seanomelb | Apr 03, 2012, 08:49 PM EDT
I don't believe in God uppinko I refuse to clutter my mind with Myths and for the record I do not personally agree with abortions nor do I have the right to interfere with the health or decisions of others maybe you should add mammary grams and other planned parenthood programme's to your list as your right wing Christian masters in the GOP wish to remove from womens health
tombegs | Apr 03, 2012, 08:12 PM EDT
Dear Borefield, Rush was wrong in more ways than you even imagined. It seems to me that he confused the use of the contraceptive pill with the use of Viagra which he apparently needs at least once every time he engages in intercourse. I also wonder if each time he does so, his basic purpose is procreation. Why am I dubious about a person who has sired not one child??
hollabackgurl | Apr 03, 2012, 08:10 PM EDT
Tax payers do not pay for other people's contraception. They never did or will. Sandra Fluke wanted it to be affordable, not free, and she argued for its health benefits, that is all. Conservatives like Limbaugh trashed her because they can't stand the idea of anyone anywhere making their own choices.
seanomelb | Apr 03, 2012, 06:15 PM EDT
uppinko is the most ignorant,uneducated person I have read on this site.Those who equate contraception with sex (only) are also ignorant of womens health and family planning. The Christian GOP right wish to keep women barefoot,pregnant and dis-empowered to maintain a male dominant society run by "gun-totin" dinosaurs like Limbaugh who will bow to their Christian masters.
borefield | Apr 03, 2012, 04:20 PM EDT
Rush limbaugh's choice of words were wrong. I don,t care how much sex this young woman wants to engage in, my objection is that she expects me and the American taxpayer to pay for her play dates.
Springfield9 | Apr 03, 2012, 04:08 PM EDT
Mary - just shut up
KevinKehoe | Apr 03, 2012, 03:52 PM EDT
My there is a wee bit of hatred in the comments about Mary. ? But I will gladly speak up for her as a young man in the 70’s she was an inspiration to me and a hell of a lot of Irish people and still is to this day. God wont save Ireland or the Pedo priests and bishops who denounced Mary Roberson from there thrones back in the 70s, the people will, if they stand up to the challenges ahead. Mary Robinson and her likes helped drag Ireland out of the dark-ages controlled by self righteous hard right-wing establishment and the Church and the brown-nosed politicians who obeyed there commands.They talked the talk but done feck-all on human rights or poverty. True Ireland still has too many corrupt politicians today, but we will oust them in the next election. From the 80’s back through the ages Irish women were encouraged to breed like rabbits and if they didn't they were privy to un-savory things said about them and worst “just like some of the comments on this article”. The truth is back then families of 8 to 12 children were the norm and its was a nightmare trying to feed, keep them in cloths and keep them warm. My own father work 12 hours a day for 7 days every week to keep the wolfs at bay, but if he had lost his job, what then. Some of the Republicans on this site get all worked-up about birth control and yet have no qualms about sending there army to war on a lie “W.M.D” ring a bell, resulting in over 250,000 deaths to mention just one case, but we won’t go into that as it would take pages apron pages of arguments to and fro. She does care about the Irish people and other races and has never screwed the people as described in the comments below. If only the rest of the politicians in Ireland or indeed the U.S were of her caliber, this would indeed be a better world for all. So I salute you Mary Robinson, women of Ireland and the real world.
MegK311 | Apr 03, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT
All this talk about birth control and contraception is an attempt make it an election year issue. The republicans and most women are for birth control. I don't know of any women complaining about someone taking away their birth control. Rush apologized for his remark which I agree he should not have made. However liberals make all sorts of disgusting remarks about women and their young daughters and they never apologize. Most disgusting of all they have made crude remarks about retarded children but there is no out cry about that. Mary Robinson need to stop talking about contraceptives and birth control in the United States. Doesn't she have enough to keep her busy in Ireland. The Roman Catholic Church should not be expected to lower their standards. If I went to a RC college I would not expect them to provide me with birth control nor should the tax payer have to pay for my birth control. This is an election year and we have more important things to discuss and decide. Contraception and birth control has been dragged out every election year and as far as I am concerned enough is enough.
hollabackgurl | Apr 03, 2012, 03:17 PM EDT
Like I said, Bill Maher is a comedian but Rush Limbaugh is the head of the Republican Party - can the conservatives here not tell the difference?
Yankee724 | Apr 03, 2012, 02:33 PM EDT
This is old news, lady. Rush apologized, which is more than Bill Maher (the "comedian") can say, and Maher was MUCH more nasty and filthy to several women--just all Republicans!Stop the double standard and think about all the innocent babies killed-a tragedy! No one says you can't have birth control--just that we US taxpayers don't have any responsibility to PAY for it!
PhlutiePhan | Apr 03, 2012, 02:21 PM EDT
Mary Robinson has been reading her "dog eared" press clippings. "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and human rights". That's if they are born at all. Ms. Robinson very much favors the right to abortion. She is a priviledged woman who never worked a day in her life and believes strongly in "entitlements". So, who has to do the work to produce the taxes to allow the priviledged to bask in their insulated environment? Rush used a "word too many and too far". However, why should the society of the worker be forced to pay for the sexual activity of the priviledged who do no work? Georgetown law student Ms. Fluke was a perpetual student on the socialist payroll who wanted to be rewarded for her political activity with all of the "sex that she could handle".
LiamScanlan | Apr 03, 2012, 02:21 PM EDT
Right on, Mary Robinson. Once again, she stands up for people who can't always stand up for themselves.
bunkerisland | Apr 03, 2012, 01:52 PM EDT
Such harsh criticism of Mary Robinson is over the top. The woman was dedicated to aiding the disadvantaged in Ireland and around the world. Blaming her for corrupt politicians is a real strain. Ever tried to stop one?
McNamara31 | Apr 03, 2012, 01:04 PM EDT
Irish lands are full of the unmarked graves of millions of poor women of past generations who died in childbirth, many times leaving a large family of young children behind. During the famine the world watched as mothers and children died of hunger and then were thrown into mass graves, however when a women speaks logically about contraception and family planning she is vilified as many have done along with Mr. Limbaugh who is no one to look up to especially in the area of relationships with women. As you all know by now, the comments that brought on Mr. Limbaughs lowlife remarks were addressing the other conditions medicated by oral contraceptives.
manhattan | Apr 03, 2012, 12:40 PM EDT
I don't like limbaugh and Mary Robinson. She always finds some nasty greetings for America. I believe in Birth Control and most things the church are against. But the church is against paying for contraception. Those are there rules period. Georgetown is a Catholic University did the women chose to go there not know what the rules are? Most of us Catholics ignore those man made laws for our own sanity. Until it changes thats the way the church goes.
LoyalCitizen | Apr 03, 2012, 11:40 AM EDT
Mary Robinson could not care less about the plight of the Irish People............During her time as a United Nations High Commissioner, Ireland had several so called governments stealing from Social Welfare Recipients to hide the facts of financing pretentious American Corporations went down the toilet. For decades corrupt politicians and Presidents of Ireland have used opinions in law to screw the Irish People and strip all recognition in law..............Mary Robinson has screwed the the people of this planet in pursuit of money and that's all she will ever be, a money worshipper.
katieherk | Apr 03, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT
So typical of the liberal media!! What Rush said was a point well taken, but his use of the two words was wrong. Oh, but wait a minute, if Bill Maher says it, all of a sudden it's OK. Double standard at its finest! Rush was totally right in his analysis... Fluke was a setup and everyone knows it.... to gain the woman's vote. Libs are such trash!
kilgara | Apr 03, 2012, 11:25 AM EDT
This passe' old windbag did more lasting damage to Eire than even the Brits.She's , even today, still trying to peddle her poison. God save Ireland!
MikeRock | Apr 03, 2012, 11:23 AM EDT
Sandra Fluke was a left wing, liberal pawn and all the liberal pundits jumped on the band wagon with both feet and arms flailing. Of course, Mary Robinson used the occasion to push her agenda without knowing the details.
hollabackgurl | Apr 03, 2012, 11:22 AM EDT
Bill Maher is a comedian, Rush Limbaugh is the head of the Republican Party - can the conservatives here not tell the difference?
McNamara31 | Apr 03, 2012, 10:53 AM EDT
Well said, Mary Robinson.
Murph46 | Apr 03, 2012, 10:47 AM EDT
Farcial indignation
BrianO | Apr 03, 2012, 10:35 AM EDT
Rush Limbaugh's name again being used by a lib in hopes of said lib becoming relevant again.
crny925 | Apr 03, 2012, 10:21 AM EDT
And she has NO problem with Bill Maher? Calling women worse names and making fun of a child with Down Syndrome. WAKE UP!
PiperMac52 | Apr 03, 2012, 10:19 AM EDT
This is what is known as selective liberal indignation. Limbaugh is the target while leftists and misogynists like Bill Maher get a pass.
johhnyb | Apr 03, 2012, 09:54 AM EDT
Sandra Fluke can afford to go holidaying in Europe with her millionaire boyfriend but can't afford the pill at $6 a month? In any case is ''slut'' not a badge of honour and pride? If not when have various cities been having ''slutwalks'' over the last year? Participants must be proud or they wouldn't be in them. Correct me if I'm wrong. Are you sure you're not milking this? It reminds me of the time you defended the Palin girls against Bill Maher fouls abuse....oh no wait, you didn't.