I make no bones about being a very proud double alumnus of the University of Iowa. But I'm angry and very sad that "my" University is an enabler of Limbaugh.
I’m sure you get hundreds of emails daily, and I hope that perhaps I can have a few minutes of your time to share a concern of a loyal alumnus.
Dear President Mason,
I am a double alumnus of the University of Iowa, earning a BSPh in 1983 and you shook my hand on December 18, 2009, when I received my PhD. I’ve also briefly spoke with you the last 2 years at the presidential reception in Des Moines. I am the parent of a son who is a senior (redacted to protect child) at Iowa, and my younger son is planning on attending the University in the fall of 2013. I’ve contributed to the University for over 20 years consecutively, and began contributing right after my first graduation. I helped convince an outstanding graduate of (redacted, student protection) to the choose the PhD program where he started this fall. My wife and sons and I filled and threw sandbags at the Union in 2008, and I wrote an account of that experience that was published in the alumni magazine and had a short interview on the video that was produced about the flood. My will contains provisions that will send a large portion of my eventual estate to the University.
In short, I am about as loyal as an alumnus as you are going to find, and It’s not just about sports. I have been proud to be a Hawkeye since I made my decision to attend the University almost 36 years ago. I am passionate about the mission of the University and its influence on our state, nation, and the world.
But I can no longer stomach the fact that the primary athletic radio broadcaster is a station that supports the disgusting hate filled speech of Rush Limbaugh. I know that WHO has been a partner with University of Iowa athletics for the greater part of a century. For 17 years, WHO was my link to Hawkeye sports when I lived in Florida, listening to night basketball games, and midnight replays of football games. I’d even say the WHO played a part in my becoming a Hawkeye, as it was the station my parents listened to back in the 1960’s and 70’s as I was growing up in Des Moines.
But for the University to have any part in sponsoring the hate speech of this person is beyond my comprehension. Yesterday this man accused a Georgetown University Law student of the following. And this comment is disturbing, I want to warn you.
“So Miss Fluke and the rest of you Feminazis, Here's the deal, and I'll tell you what it is: If we are going to pay for your contraceptives, and thus pay for you to have sex,we want you to post the videos so we can all watch.”
You may ask what this young woman did to warrant this diatribe. What she had done was dare to offer testimony for the importance of contraceptive coverage in her health insurance policy. Nothing more. A law student at a prestigious University, obviously a young woman with a bright future.
I cannot allow my donations to continue to fund such an attack on citizens of this nation. I have a 27 year old step daughter, and frankly, I cannot fathom the level of hate it would take to say such a thing. And I cannot, for the life of me, understand why our University continues to support an outlet that facilitates this toxic discourse.
I am, and ALWAYS will remain an loyal alumnus, but I am embarrassed and ashamed that my families donations, in some small way, support this activity.
I ask that University review this incident, and begin to address the embarrassment and shame this brings upon the University of Iowa to be known as a supporter of this type of activity.
Thank you for your time, and your consideration.
Best regards to you and your family,
My real name here.