Ed Schultz: Sorry For Calling You a Slut

Ed Schultz apologized today to Laura Ingraham and to those watching for his repeated use of the word “slut” to describe a conservative female with whom he disagrees.

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I wish Schultz’s behavior was more the exception rather than the rule but sadly, it isn’t. The majority of progressive males with whom I come in contact always seem to exhibit a vicious hatred for conservative women, one I can’t explain, one that transcends rational disagreement and goes deeper than the basic chauvinistic stereotypes. It’s disturbing and it’s especially disturbing how our society, for the most part, looks the other way. I could spend a week daily highlighting the various examples here on Big Journalism but the time wouldn’t be enough.

When I heard Ed Schultz’s remarks, I heard an angry, older man lashing out at a woman because she thinks differently about politics than he. I heard in him the voice of the many progressive males who send me hatemail daily, telling me I should suffer any number of indignities, some of which I am obligated to report to the police and the cyber crimes division. It’s not just me – every conservative female of my acquaintance with a voice in politics endures the same political cat-calling. It’s despicable.

Disagreement is par for the course with this business. Sexism and outright neanderthal behavior is not.

I railed at Schultz both online and on air yesterday. I’ve always thought him to be a hot head, I’ve always thought that he toes, and often crosses, the line of decency because he has to do something dramatic: there are many other white, middle aged men competing against him in the pundit circuit and he tries to out do them all, not with fleshing out his opinions, but by being loud and acting crazy. It must work; he’s on MSNBC and on the radio in several markets.

I heard a different level in his voice yesterday though, a new level of rage that removed the humanity from his target so as to make her seem more vulnerable to him. If he stops thinking of her as a mother with children who is also conservative and more like a sexual object that can be degraded, then she’s less of a threat.

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It was a low point in progressive politics. It was revolting. It’s even more revolting that the same “feminists” who screeched about “slutwalks” were silent on this incident. It’s equally revolting that George Soros blogger Eric Boehlert, who spent that entire week trying to trap people on Twitter in saying something about rape (from memory; if I cared more I would quote him outright) also went silent on this incident.

I’m left to assume that they don’t really believe that sexism is bad. If they did, they would abhor it equally no matter if done on the right or the left, but they’re so logically at a disadvantage that they actually compromise their advertised beliefs so they can use such violations of decent behavior as a political weapon. I say “advertised beliefs” because I don’t think that people who talk about equality yet remain silent when inequality occurs really believe what they’re promoting. They promote their beliefs as such because no one will take sides with admitted chauvinists, be they male or female.

Schultz apologized yesterday and I appreciate that he did so. That’s where this story changes. It changes because Schultz is the only, only progressive male I’ve ever heard to apologize for his sexist attack on a conservative female. I believe that he meant it. He reflected on how this must look from the perspective of his wife and sons. He confessed that he realized what he said was heinous and unacceptable and that he won’t use such sexist language with another conservative female again. I do wish that he would have addressed how his behavior looks to other progressive males. It’s not OK to dehumanize someone over politics. Stop the H8.

Hopefully he also realizes how his behavior – and apology – appears to the next generation who are watching all of this, asking themselves why they would ever want to get into politics when you can anticipate such attacks? When you can be called a “slut” simply because you disagree with a man?

Not to sound melodramatic, but I’ve never seen Ed Schultz more human. It’s empowering to admit mistakes and imperfections.

Schultz says:

“With six kids and eight grandkids, I try to set an example. In this moment I have failed. I want you to know that I talked to my sons especially, about character, about dignity, and about the truth. And I tell you the truth tonight that I am deeply sorry and I tell them everyday that they have to live up to standards if they want to be a successful human being in life and I have let them down.”

He may have failed, but his apology and his sincerity may redeem him yet. His recognition and confession of it sets a worthy example.

I’m already getting some flak on Twitter for saying as much last night. As a person who fights to forgive, as a person who fights every day, and sometimes fails, to lead a life that is testament to my Christian faith, as a person who battles with the mindset that people must become public examples for their wrongs, I also strongly believe that people must be recognized publicly when they do right.

“You’re far too smart to believe he’s actually sorry,” said one on Twitter.

It has nothing to do with smart. It has to do with believing that grace follows repentance. No matter how vile you find one of your fellow man to be, not one among us is without blemish and yet we still were saved. Refusing forgiveness compromises our beliefs as Christians, for you Christian conservatives out there. /Biblethump

Now, we will see if Schultz keeps his promise.