Santorum Backer Foster Friess Apologizes For Crass Birth Control Joke
Political comedian Bill Maher has often joked that the political landscape of the US has changed with the left moving more to the right and the right moving to a mental hospital, but the joke seems more prescient in 2012 when one of the central issues that keeps cropping up is whether or not birth control should be restricted- and a tone deaf crack made by Rick Santorum Super PAC donor Foster Friess is a good example of how many right-wingers view this issue.
Women and progressives in general are kind of stymied by the steps backward- if fighting over abortion rights felt backwards, fighting over access to the pill itself feels downright antiquated. But there is a contingent in the US that is growing ever more vocal opposing these very basic reproductive issues- meaning, contraception- and it’s increasingly embarrassing that we are the only Western country in which this is even a debate.
The joke to which Friess referred is an old one, likely older than most of us- about using aspirin as a contraceptive by holding it between your knees. While it seems harmless enough, the implication behind it is- while not necessarily super-offensive- is that women who have a need for contraception really just need to keep their legs together. After making the crack on MSNBC, Friess apologized on his website- though mainly for the age of the joke:
“After listening to the segment tonight, I can understand how I confused people with the way I worded the joke and their taking offense is very understandable. To all those who took my joke as modern day approach I deeply apologize and seek your forgiveness. My wife constantly tells me I need new material- she understood the joke but didn’t like it anyway- so I will keep that old one in the past where it belongs.”
When asked about Friess’ comment, Santorum fell back on the “gotcha politics” clause and blamed the media.
