Michigan Lawmaker Banned For Saying The Word 'Vagina'

[tpsbmam]

Source: Business Insider

<snip>

Michigan state Rep. Lisa Brown was banned from speaking on the floor of the State House today after she used the word "vagina" in a speech Wednesday, according to the Detroit News.

<snip>

Concluding her remarks about an abortion regulation bill Wednesday, Brown said:

"Finally, Mr. Speaker, I'm flattered that you're all so interested in my vagina, but 'no' means 'no.'"

<snip>

"If I can't say the word vagina, why are we legislating vaginas?" she said. "“I’m outraged. I’m outraged that this legislative body not only wants to dictate what women can do, but what we can say.”



Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/michigan-lawmaker-banned-for-saying-the-word-vagina-2012-6?utm_source=alerts

---

Go to the link -- this is a must read IMO....I love Rep. Lisa Brown! We need more of her all over the country!

[citysyde]

1. Male privilege requires that women know their place, and

what words can be uttered, and what words cannot be uttered.

Uppity women must be censured, men most control free speech!

<< sarcasm>>

[tpsbmam]

2. Welcome to DU, citysyde! more from a different article

And yes, absolutely.....must be in total charge of how a woman and her body are to be treated, too....

http://www.freep.com/article/20120614/NEWS15/120614049/Michigan-house-representatives-abortion-comments?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

<snip>

State Reps. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, and Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, were told today that they wouldn’t be recognized to publicly speak on any matters before the House because of comments they made Wednesday during an emotional debate on a bill that puts new restrictions on abortion providers.

<snip>

"Both Representative Byrum and I were gaveled down without cause yesterday while voicing our opposition to the Republican's war on women here in Michigan," Brown said. "Regardless of their reasoning, this is a violation of my First Amendment rights and directly impedes my ability to serve the people who elected me into office.”

Brown wondered whether she was being silenced because of her comments that bill was forcing others' religious beliefs on her or that she used the word “vagina, which is an anatomically medically correct term. If they are going to legislate my anatomy, I see no reason why I cannot mention it.”

Byrum added, “I was ignored by the majority floor leader and not allowed to speak on my amendment which would have held the same standards for men and women when it comes to legal, voluntary procedures in reproductive health and now I am being silenced for standing up for women. This is yet another example of this Republican majority's misogynistic and cowardly tactics."


############

Unconscionable.

[enough]

4. k&r (nt)

[Chorophyll]

6. Well done, Representatives Brown and Byrum!

And thank you for posting, tpsbmam!

[Tx4obama]

3. Rep Barb Byrum was also barred from speaking, see below

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/125145994

[Stuart G]

5. Great Post...thanks for putting this up...K and R...nt

[Faygo Kid]

7. Pretty amazing comments on the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press

Most agree the GOP is continuing its relentless war on women with this, but there's a number (mostly white males) who think it's just great.

What an embarrassment the Michigan legislature is. Hey, a-holes: WHERE ARE THE JOBS??

[lastlib]

8. Here's the speaker's contact info:

MAILING ADDRESS
164 Capitol
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909

Phone: [phone]
Toll Free: 877-BOLGER-1

Email: [e-mail]

Let's give this guy what he deserves!!

[crunch60]

26. Ok, this is my letter to Bolger and Callton- thanks for the link

You and the Michigan legislature are an embarrassment and disgrace to this country! This legislative body not only wants to dictate what women can do, but what we can say.” You have attack the First Amendment rights of State Reps. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, and Barb Byrum and impeded their ability to serve the people who elected them into office.”



Lisa Brown, quote;

“I was ignored by the majority floor leader and not allowed to speak on my amendment which would have held the same standards for men and women when it comes to legal, voluntary procedures in reproductive health and now I am being silenced for standing up for women. This is yet another example of this Republican majority's misogynistic and cowardly tactics."

I guess you think Vagina's are dirty sinful things that Men need to control!
Rep. Mike Callton told the Detroit News. "It was so offensive; I don't even want to say it in front of women. I would not say that in mixed company."



Mr. Callton, Mr. Bolger, where was your outrage when the vile, drug addicted, Rush Limbaugh called women whores and prostitutes, simply because they were discussing birth control and our reproductive rights?

You both know I am referring to Ms. Sandra Fluke’s testimony before Congress.



Remember, Women Vote! And we will vote you and your Draconian, misogynistic agenda OUT OF OFFICE!



Signed, Jezebel,

[lastlib]

29. X-L-N-T!!

Givin' 'em both barrels! Thank you!!

[47of74]

9. I'd call the MI GOP House Leadership a bunch of fucking pigs!

But that would be very insulting to fucking pigs!

[Ilsa]

10. Those idiots think "vagina" is a dirty word?

What term was the legislator supposed to use? "vajayjay"?

[MotorCityMan]

27. Ilsa, you beat me to it

I was going to post, "What could she have used that would be more acceptable, vajayjay, coochie, or maybe "lady business"?

What in the hell is wrong with these people, they can pass laws on it, but you can't say what it's about? I am so embarrassed for my state...

[Iliyah]

11. Severely and seriously GOP men are afraid of

female's body parts especially the vagina. Thats why they are always attacking it by passing dumbass laws.

[SHRED]

12. Repressed and perverted GOP...nothing new

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

13. But it's OK to use the word on public airwaves all over the USA?

[Orrex]

14. She was asking for it.

She knew that she had a vagina when she took to the floor, after all.

[Suji to Seoul]

15. Airplane: "Shana, they bought their tickets. they knew what they were getting into

I say, let them crash!"

This "person" knew the risks of having two X chromosomes in a world where people with one X and one Y rule! She knew what she was getting into opening her mouth. I say, let her suffer!

(massive amounts of sarcasm here)

[JI7]

19. yup, her place was in the Kitchen

[cstanleytech]

21. Dont forget barefoot and pregnant. nt

[The Wizard]

16. Wait until the males

start talking about peckers. All birds have them.

[sarcasmo]

17. My state has gone off the deep end. They are getting ready to pass a very extrema anti abortion bill

Guess we are turning into Kansas.

[JI7]

18. Vagina's are dirty sinful things that Men need to control

[Poll_Blind]

20. What a bunch of dicks!

I saw this video. Everyone should see it.

PB

[salparadise1000]

22. Vagina Humor

[link:http://www.collegehumor.com/video/2961829/hand-vagina|

[Ilsa]

32. Oh, that was really good! Thanks. nt

[TomClash]

23. Best line of 2012 to date

I'm what they used to call "a guy's guy" and I think she's right on the mark.

They don't get it - culturally dry bastards - Lisa Brown was riffing off the Vagina Monologues.

[hrmjustin]

24. She made a good point in that debate.

Leave women alone!!!

[LovingA2andMI]

25. Never in my life as a Michigander

I believe that our House chamber would be used for a GOP attack on a Woman's vagina. Vagina politics have GOT to stop in Michigan November 6th, by removing these Republicans OUT of OUR HOUSE, back to their districts and OUT of OUR VAGINA's!

[Festivito]

28. Our forefathers fought and died so we could be represented and have rights.

Rights such as the right to know why the government might hold us and deprive us of our rights, and under whose oath in front of which judge did government take that right.

So, we know who, but not why.

These Michigan Republicans are either stupid shills or they are against the principles of the United States of America, its Constitution and its people -- or, both.

[Ian David]

30. Eric Schwartz is already writing a song about this. n/t

[Blue Owl]

31. Yes, Vagina

n/t

[BlueIris]

33. And Michigan used to be a civilized place.

Or so I heard. Maybe I was wrong.

These restrictions on choice are absolutely vile.

[warrprayer]

34. It's O.K. though

.... for Limbaugh to call a woman a "slut" over public airwaves