Rush Limbaugh did the honorable thing today and apologized to Laura Fluke.

He wrote, “My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices.”

Now I understand Rush points out absurdity in an entertaining way and one can most certainly argue that Ms. Fluke’s expectation that the federal government subsidize female contraception is absurd. But Rush took it a step too far in attacking Ms. Fluke personally. So instead of placing the spotlight on an absurd point, Rush placed the spotlight squarely on himself instead. His apology today acknowledges that error in judgment.

Yes, conservatives are held to a standard of decorum which liberals aren’t expected to abide. A liberal can accuse a conservative of racism, terrorism and delight in their death with near impunity. But that’s no reason for conservatives to behave badly. That doesn’t mean conservatives shouldn’t criticize liberals and their positions in an aggressive and spirited manner. But this aggression and spirit shouldn’t take the form of abuse and degregation. We can and must do better.