I wonder if enough women were just angry and freaked out already over the recent Catholic birth control kerfuffle, the trans-vaginal ultrasound bill, etc.

I think this is part of it. Good ol' Rush just stepped forward at the exact wrong moment and picked the exact wrong target to attack, and made himself a lightning rod for the ire of, well, just about everyone. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.

In related news, I am no longer a fan of Patricia Heaton or willing to defend her: [link]

Rush claims 20 million. Media Matters estimates 1.5 million

To put it in other terms, that's the difference between the first-run broadcast of American Idol and a 2:30am Family Guy repeat.

Matt,

I know Patricia Heaton has said asshatty things in the past, but I was so surprised to learn that she leaned in to the Dark Side with vigor.

It's really not defensible. No one made her say any of that. She was not misconstrued.

The Patricia Heaton thing makes me really glad I don't watch The Middle, or whatever her show is. As le nubian said, completely indefensible.

[link]

30 advertisers now.

I think they need to start tracking who remains.

I think this is part of it. Good ol' Rush just stepped forward at the exact wrong moment and picked the exact wrong target to attack, and made himself a lightning rod for the ire of, well, just about everyone. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.

It was also a sustained attack over the course of days where he just kept doubling down.

The only thing I'll give Patricia Heaton is that however insincere, her apology is actually basically an apology. Unlike other parties.

"I apologized to Ms Fluke last week. I may not agree with her views but I didn't treat her with respect and I'm sorry. I was wrong. Mea Culpa,"

I am not Fluke, but I don't accept her apology!

brenda, your point is well taken. I am being mean about it.

You're not obliged to accept an apology.

Sometimes you need to use The Cut Direct.

ION ...My new coffee mug.

Those photos are fantastic.