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Friday, March 2, 2012

postheadericon Georgetown president backs student, calls for civil discourse

Georgetown University's president weighed in Rush Limbaugh calling a Georgetown law student a "slut."

In a letter to Georgetown students and the larger community, Georgetown President John J. DeGioia said it was important for members of the university to keep discussion surrounding Limbaugh's comment and the Obama administration's mandate on contraception civil. 

{mosads}DeGioia's comments come after Sandra Fluke testified at a congressional hearing on the value of easy access to contraceptive care. In response, Limbaugh called Fluke a "slut" and a "prostitute" for her testimony. 

In DeGioia's statement, he said that Fluke "provided the model of civil discourse." 

"And yet, some of those who disagreed with her position â€" including Rush Limbaugh and commentators throughout the blogosphere and in various other media channels â€" responded with behavior that can only be described as misogynistic, vitriolic, and a misrepresentation of the position! of our student," DeGioia wrote in the letter. 

DeGioia stressed civility was important in the discussion over the contraceptive rule, regardless of opinion. 

"The greatest contribution of the American project is the recognition that together, we can rely on civil discourse to engage the tensions that characterize these difficult issues, and work towards resolutions that balance deeply held and different perspectives," DeGioia added in the letter. "We have learned through painful experience that we must respect one another and we acknowledge that the best way to confront our differences is through constructive public debate.  At times, the exercise of one person’s freedom may conflict with another’s.  As Americans, we accept that the only answer to our differences is further engagement."

DeGoia's letter to Georgetown University, a historically Catholic university, comes as Democrats work to stick Republicans with the conservative radio host's comme! nts. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (R-Calif.) said that R! epublica ns, who have been fighting the rule, were "tattooed" with Limbaugh's comments. 

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