Posted on Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.
Thousands turn out for 'Vagina Monologues' at Michigan Capitol
By Julie Baker
Paula Jellis, 49, of Royal Oak volunteered at the Monday performance of "The Vagina Monologues" at the Capitol.
Melissa Anders | MLive.com
Eleven female Democratic Michigan lawmakers, including State Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, performed the reading in the presence playwright Eve Ensler, the report said.
The performance is part of an organized response to the recent banning of state Rep. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, from publicly speaking in the House after she uttered the word "vagina" during a speech.
See more MLive.com coverage of the event, including a photo gallery.
Comments
snapshot
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
Trivial conflict.....These dems should concentrate on more important issues.....like ethical use of tax dollars, eliminating special interest pandering, and giving all taxpayers their money's worth instead of just their union supporters. That would be "equality". Now get back to work.
martini man
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
In my humble opinion, I don't believe this rally or whatever they want to call it , has much to do with freedom of speech. What these feminists want, is the right to kill their babies by abortion. Under current law, they have the right to kill their babies by abortion. And they do it by the thousands each year. They do NOT want to lose that legal right . They can hum and haw and spin and ridicule but ABORTION is the issue. It's the Holy Grail of feminism. Now I'll be attacked and called names and berated by liberals, for what I have posted ..BUT what I said is true and no amount of diverting the issue or name calling can change that fact
harry
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 5:08 p.m.
At least somebody gets it.
Mike Martin
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.
It sounds like this was a great event, and, I think, a really productive way to spend an afternoon. What a great way to make an important point. If I didn't have to work, I would have loved to drive up to Lansing, hopefully carpool with other interested folks, and sit in the sun enjoying a reading of the Vagina Monologues. Unfortunately, I had to work. Maybe next time.
shepard145
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
A new GOLD STANDARD of conduct for the democrat party! This would be much more amusing if it wasn't so pathetic. They can't even get their story straight on why the vagina twins were suspended and Becky diving in makes it even more of a circus. LOL
MARK
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.
Regarding reproduction Uterus would have been a more appropriate but less inflammatory body part. Babies grow in the uterus not the vagina. Vagina however is better political theater
clownfish
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
Had the men that were upset with hearing the V word simply ignored it, or better yet, responded in a respectable manner to her concerns, none of us would know it happened. But, they decided to not allow two duly elected representatives to do their jobs, speaking on the floor, now we have an issue. Don't blame the victim.
Jaime Magiera
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
How do you ignore someone making disruptive and accusatory statements (against house procedure)? You can't really. One could argue that the punishment (not recognized for a session) was a bit much. However, there definitely needed to be a response about the comment itself. In terms of responding to the meat of the comment, how do you propose people who have concerns about abortion say "Hey, this is not the same thing as date-rape?"
CT
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:03 p.m.
Why doesn't this article mention the bill that inspired the demonstration?
Jaime Magiera
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 4:52 p.m.
What you noted is actually very common in all the publicity about this situation. There is very little reference to the bill, but much discussion about "vagina" (omitting the actual offending "no means no" reference to date rape). Regrettably, it's a distraction that has ended up reinforcing the divide between the opposite sides of the spectrum on abortion, and even ended up dividing people who are against the legislation itself. That's why divisive, over-the-top language is a bad thing.
Tony Dearing
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
Here's a link to coverage of the bill that led to the debate and the demonstration: http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/06/abortion_house_michigan_vote.html
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
Wow! That was fun!!! Now here are some seriously vulgar words for the legislature to kick around: unemployment; potholes; education of our kids; support for colleges and universities so kids can afford to attend; jobs; bright flight; crime; survival of the environment; climate change; etc. etc. etc. Note: no body parts here...just despearately important things that truly challenge our lives and endanger our survival. Need more dirty words? Just ask me or any reasonble Michigan resident, and you will get a list.
clownfish
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
But the new legislation WOULD create jobs! Government bureaucrat jobs, something the GOP has been in favor of expanding for some time now, right? I distinctly recall them saying we need MORE government intrusion between Dr's and patients, more regulation of the medical industry and a Nanny State to tell people how to live.
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:27 p.m.
The why on earth did the republicans waste their time with this piece of legislation if unemployment, education, environment, etc are the important things? The republican agenda was made clear by even bringing this legislation to floor; forget about passing it!
G. Orwell
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:58 p.m.
I vote the photo above the photo of the year. What guy isn't going to honk (unless you like people of the same sex)! I would not be surprised if this make it on Letterman or he Drudge Report. Making Michigan into a laughing stock along with our politicians on both sides. I cannot help laughing.
bedrog
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
i usually dislike your posts but you are right on this one.....
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
House Republicans made National Headlines (not in a good way): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/19/jon-stewart-michigan-gop-vagina-video_n_1608421.html?utm_hp_ref=comedy
Jon Wax
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:47 p.m.
interesting... selective censorship here in the forums. you're allowed to say "vagina" but not "penis" very, very interesting. Peace
sh1
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
I challenge you to find one person here who supports the use of the word vagina as a correct bodily term who would not also support the use of the word penis in the same way.
Jon Wax
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
yeah in this format. but when i posted it before... it got erased. and yet, all i did was the same thing a female poster at the top did, except replace vagina with penis. VERY interesting. i notice the -2 voter score. so what? it's ok when women say "vagina" but not when a guy says "penis"? VERY VERY interesting selectivity you have there. because i guarentee you if it had been a male talking about his junk, the uproar would have been biblical.
beeswing
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
Ah, but you just did!
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:43 p.m.
The Republican leadership has managed to come off as a bunch of chauvinistic men with no practical regard for the freedom of speech or the rights of women. This is simply unacceptable behavior! As an enlightened male, I do not believe that any of these men represent my thoughts and feelings and I wish for them to resign and time travel back to the 12th Century where they belong.
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
You suggest that the 12th century would want them back?
Unusual Suspect
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
As an thinking male who has no use for psychobabble concepts like "enlightenment", I do not believe that you represent my thoughts and feelings.
ChelseaBob
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.
Can someone tell me how a law that requires abortion clinics to have the same inspections and standards as other surgical clinics is a war on women? Can someone tell me why making it illegal to coerce a woman to have an abortion is a war on woman?
SEC Fan
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
@ Ron. tubal ligation = vasectomy. Please keep the comparisons similar.
SEC Fan
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
please stop clouding the issue with facts. Stick to the rhetoric only please.
E Claire
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
My husband had to go in for a consultation appointment prior to getting a vasectomy. He was counseled on the finality and other factors involved in the procedure. He couldn't just schedule the appointment. BTW, no babies were killed when he had this done...
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
Chelsea Bob, the issue of coercing a woman to have an abortion is an invention of the evangelical right. it is a red herring if ever there was one. May be true in China, but it sure is not here. Or did the Michigan Legislature pass the law to bring China into line? With our "holier than thou" attitude, it wouldn't surprise me!
RuralMom
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3 p.m.
There was a 30 day waiting period at Planned Parenthood when they did a Vasectomy for a relative of mine. Don't know if it was their policy or mandatory, but there was one. Also U of M has the same policy (or did) for sterilizing women. Oh yes I know you are confused, Planned Parenthood does way more than abortions despite what is spun!
Unusual Suspect
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
bees, abortion is not "reproduction" it's exactly the opposite.
Ron Granger
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
@ChelseaBob: "Can someone tell me why making it illegal to coerce a woman to have an abortion is a war on woman?" Bob, I am so glad you asked. Would you also support mandatory counseling and waiting periods for men seeking vasectomies? We need to protect men, just like women. Don't you agree?
SEC Fan
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
is this what this is about? inspection standards? I assume there is some other rider/language in the bill that is objectionable? Why wouldn't you want an abortion clinic to have the same care standards as a surgical clinic? And how would that negatively affect women? (this is a real question, ok)
beeswing
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
Can someone tell me why these women reproductive issues are so pressing they demand so much of our legislators time and energy, at the taxpayer's expense, at a time when we are experiencing "real" hardships affecting "real" people of this great state? Can someone tell me that this is not just another manipulative ploy to chip away at women's reproductive freedoms?
oldguy
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.
Major kudo`s to the women for fighting back against our "Vatican West" legislature !!!
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:23 p.m.
I fear the Michigan legislature is making the Vatican look progressive!
Ron Granger
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
@walker101: "Very little to do with vaginas, it was the the NO means NO remark that has to do with a man raping a women, that's what got her censored" How is a state legislator that wants to force a trans-vaginal ultrasound with a large wand not a violation? That sounds pretty close to rape. It is about a bunch of legislators trying to impose their will and control over women, in a calculated effort to deny access to abortion, and shut down facilities offering abortion.
harry
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
Hooray for the legislature.
RuralMom
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
The Republican statement was that she was sanctioned for being uncivilized and immature, when in reality their response was the immature and uncivilized portion of the equation! We say Dick Cheney and Anthony Wiener, I find those way more offensive, just sayin!
David Cahill
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:19 p.m.
AnnArbor.com, there is a bad link at the end of this story. It says "See more MLive.com coverage of this event, including a photo gallery." Unfortunately, the link just goes to the earlier story, with the video featuring Rebekah Warren. Can you fix the link?
harry
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.
No it can not be fixed. Move on.
clownfish
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:15 p.m.
"Feminism"- the radical notion that women are people.
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
If God wanted women to be people, they would have been given souls, right? Oh, they have souls? Let's get the word out!
clownfish
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.
Soon the MI GOP will be looking for a Buddha statue to blow up.
Carole
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:06 p.m.
In my opinion, there are much more important issues to be discussing in the political arena and elsewhere and it has nothing to do with vaginas or penises. Let's discuss jobs, economy, wars, social security, national security, fast and furious issue which needs to be take care of, etc. In this time, what I have been seeing and it is truly represented on various TV shows and also in public -- is that everyone wants to talk at the same time. How about us all taking our turns --speak, listen, then speak, listen, and speak. So much more would be accomplished.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.
You are right. I think maybe listening might become a more popular endeavor were we to amend the U.S. Constitution so that the right to listen is directly guaranteed. Then people would sometimes (one would hope) shut their faces and open their ears for a minute or two at a time. Over time, perhaps this would lead to, um, let's call it conversation, or maybe reasoned discussion of issues. Wow. I like it! What do you think? I will stop writing and listen now.
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:31 p.m.
Listening -- what a novel concept. Wonder why we haven't tried such a radical idea before!
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:13 a.m.
And the repubs have the gall to say there is no attack on women! Makes me wonder if any of them have mothers, or did thery come about via spontaneous generation. Why is it that repubs have such hate and fear of women?
Dog Guy
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 6:39 a.m.
On another story bedrog wrote, "whenever i hear about the 'vagina monologues' i can't shake the image of a sort of 'senor wencas' ( but lower) performer." Bedrog has made it impossible for me to read any of these other stories without hearing Senor Wences and visualizing his artistry . . . s'awright!
bedrog
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 10:45 a.m.
Good for you! clearly few others "got it"...including my wife..... thanks for seeing the dada-like humor in an over the top , "onion-esque" situation. senor wences 'act can be readily googled.
walker101
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:08 a.m.
Very little to do with vaginas, it was the the NO means NO remark that has to do with a man raping a women, that's what got her censored,how the liberals love to spin the real reasons?
sh1
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
That was only one of the several ways the Repubs tried to spin this story after realizing their gaffe.
clownfish
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:41 p.m.
As men are 1/2 responsible for pregnancies I assume you would support the call to regulate vasectomies, limiting them to medical necessity and instituting new regulation of clinics that perform them including a mandate to carry more insurance? Or is it just women that need guidance from the Nanny State when it comes to sexual organs?
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.
Yeh, we all know men wouldn't do such a thing, right? So if she suggested such a thing, she is right to be censored. We must be careful not to let people hear what they should not hear -- it might make them think. And as we all know, there is nothing more dangerous than thought. Now, if everyone would just agree with me, there would be no arguments or fighting or wars -- what's the issue?
Peter
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:40 a.m.
Context context context. It's disingenuous at best to drum up false equivalencies about men making comments about their penises, because women haven't stolen agency from men for roughly 7,000 years. Us men are not the keepers of bad language, or power over all bodies, or voting, or leadership, or anything of the sort. The criticisms of this event are one step short of 'Back in the kitchen.'
MARK
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.
I believe it is "We men"
Peter
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:52 p.m.
Can you clarify that? I'm not sure what you're trying to say.
Unusual Suspect
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
"Us men are not the keepers of bad language, or power over all bodies, or voting, or leadership, or anything of the sort." Who made you spokesman for the rest of us? You speak only for yourself. I have done none of those things. Maybe you did.
mpope
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 4:12 a.m.
There's nothing disingenuous nor false about the equivalency i posited. no man, nor have any men stolen my agency for 7 minutes nor 7000 years. here is a free speech rally. and it should serve as a cautionary tale to the rest of us. i.e., that neither constitutional freedoms, nor exercise of choice, nor free speech and assembly safeguards anyone from sheer buffoonery.
leaguebus
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:32 a.m.
Bedrog, there is no difference in what you are saying and what the Republikans did to the woman Reps. The only difference is you don't like an image and they don't like a spoken word. Censorship is censorship.
bedrog
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 10:40 a.m.
nonsense ,league: there's a world of difference between me and republicans and re .censorship...i'm all for it if it involves lies* , silly behavior that hurts and trivializes causes i believe in and is more about exhibitionism and ego than anything else. * like your calling me 'republicanish". My fairly abundant posts on this site render that canard ridiculous.
mpope
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 4:31 a.m.
there's a difference. here it is: bedrog posted an opinion. called the signs and behavior tasteless and in- your-face. bedrog has no POWER to enforce or impose an outcome consistent with his/ her view. that looks to me like free speech. furthermore, it would appear youre throwing down a little manipulative verbage in order to try your own hand at a little censoring. But you see, to no avail. Neither you nor bedrog have the power to censor each other ( or anybody else) on a2.com. because in order to censor, one needs ( at least specific to the circumstance) POWER. there now. carry on.
martini man
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:30 a.m.
Gorsh ... guess I missed the big vagina rally ...But I'll make sure and not miss voting against any and all of the liberals that appear on the ballot. And in this area, that's a whole bunch of 'em !!
E Claire
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.
Thank you! This is just another way to take the focus off the real issue, the killing of innocent babies. If only there was another option... oh wait, -birth control pills -condoms -foam -Nuvo ring -tubal ligation -IUD -cervical cap and so on....
bedrog
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:15 a.m.
just a word of pity for the a2.com moderators on this story...... i am strongly opposed to the republican war on women's reproductive choice , and i support gay rights... , esp. marriage/domestic partner rights.. .but just as some 'gay pride ' public displays are counterproductive in their tasteless 'in your faceness" some of the signage and behavior in this event skirt that line too.
northside
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
My guess is that 99% of the attendees were dressed in regular clothes and not as the person pictured above. Do all those people dressed 'normal' make for an eye-catching photo? No. So the media runs a shot of something sensationalist, giving a false impression of what demonstrations such as this are really like.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:18 a.m.
Lets try for once: *The Do What's Best for Michigan Monologue* - and dispense with all the ideological sniping back and forth. We should have a rally in Lansing: a 24-hour marathon reading of proposals which would actually benefit both the men and women as well as the children of Michigan. And lets remember: the remark that sparked the reaction against the mention of the word vagina was made originally as a swipe against those who "believe" that abortion is murder. So any reactions for or against those people are also for or against the larger debate over abortion. When the majority go all mystical and anti-rational, THIS is what you get: a lot of wasted time and effort, a lot of annoyed and angry people - which usually fails to resolve the original sin (which is irrational, mystical non-thought masquerading as moral authority). Freedom of religion? Maybe we should try freedom FROM religion. Millions of people do just fine without religion - and there's no rule or law saying one can or cannot believe in God based on whether they believe the witch doctor- scammers of the world. Vaginas and other sex organs: sit down and shut up. Brains: start doing your job and save our species.
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:29 a.m.
Glad that tolerance and free speech are alive and well.
a2citizen
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3:04 a.m.
"...We should have a rally in Lansing..." I think a clambake would attract more people.
The Black Stallion3
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
These ladies talking about their vaginas are really making Michigan proud......The whole country is laughing at you.
Enso
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.
@ Stallion, does it feel strange when no one agrees with you?
bobslowson
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.
I'm laughing at the GOP...it is only because of their actions that this has turned into the big mess that it is....by the way...where's those jobs slick rick promised?
Unusual Suspect
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
Huffington Post? Really?
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
Actually, who is really laughing at who? Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/19/jon-stewart-michigan-gop-vagina-video_n_1608421.html?utm_hp_ref=comedy
grimmk
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
No, sorry to say, they are laughing at YOU. The whole country is looking at Michigan in horror. You'd be just as upset if the state told you that you couldn't be in control of what your penis did. What if they told you you have to have your tubes tied? Or how about being castrated at 18 instead of at birth?
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:28 a.m.
Quite the contrary -- someone is finally standing up for what has made Michigan the once grfeat state it was. Given the state congressional actions, I move we change the name to Michissippi, or Michisee, or Michiana.
Unusual Suspect
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:56 a.m.
That picture is priceless. I hope it makes the rounds of the national press. These people are at the same time as entertaining and embarrassing as the recall crowd. it's probably the same crowd, actually.
a2citizen
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:11 a.m.
"...I'm flattered that you're all so interested in my vagina,..." If some of these people realized how uninteresting their vagina's were they would stay home.
pbehjatnia
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:49 a.m.
V A G I N A I wish our legislators would focus on real issues and keep their hands off my body.
Enso
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.
If a baby is killed, it's called murder.
MARK
Wed, Jun 20, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.
great point there are a lot more important things than your body. Jobs, budget,economic growth,public safety
E Claire
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 4:49 p.m.
No one cares about your VAGINA. It's the baby you may choose to kill some day.
hmsp
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:34 a.m.
Don't like Paula Jellis's outfit? How about Eldridge Cleaver and his, "For Men Only" Penis Pants? "Cleaver's pants are constructed with two types of eye-catching pouches: one is shaped like a football player's jockey cup, and the other features a tubular extension for the man's penis, and an adjoining smaller pouch for his testicles" "They're bad, they're mad, they're up front (but never out of sight)... and, of course, they're for men only… REAL men… the three-fisted variety. 'There's no mistaking they are men's pants,' says M. Cleaver (seen here modeling a high-waisted two-tone pair of 'Cleavers' with side zipper and matching 'appurtenance.' 'The pants that men wear now will be seen as girls' pants after my models are sold. And don't forget…heavy on the starch!" ******** Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Puts the current vaginaphobia a bit more into perspective, doesn't it?
TikiChick
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:18 a.m.
Since When is Vagina a bad word to say? Maybe it time for women to take over. And P,S VAGINA, VAGINA
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.
Maybe if we changed the word vagina to something else, the puritans wouldn't be so offended. After all, if you pretend something isn't, don't you make it go away? And I guess if the Puritans are so offended by the word, then let's remove it from dictionaries, Wikipedia, medical texts, etc. If we try hard enough, we can still make Michigan (and the USA) into Never Never Land. And we can pretend that sex (sorry for the using this terrible word, but since it is not 4 letters, I felt I could get away with it) doesn't happen, that no one ever gets sick or old, that rapes do not occur, that children are never abused -- what a marvelous world! Sign me up. I just cannot deal with a world where people have free will and an opportunity to make bad decisions (or say bad words like vagina).
Mike
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
The republicans are a far cry from being puritanical , at least not any closer to the democrats being hysterical............
mpope
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 3 a.m.
....and these women think that a front porch performance of The Vagina Monologues is going to reprove/ rebuff or adequately respond to any purported deep, judgmental puritanical ideology? seems to me, they've really overestimated the artistic and social value of The Vagina Monologues.
Floyd
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:57 a.m.
Mr. "Blow": The word "vagina" rang the bell of the far right legislators in that room because it resonated with the deep, judgmental, puritan ideology that has infested the whole Republican party.
joe.blow
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:42 a.m.
She wasn't silenced for saying "vagina." She was silenced for speaking out of turn. She just happened to say the word "vagina."
Lac Court Orilles
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:17 a.m.
Rush Limbaugh is watching you!
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:25 a.m.
Thank heaven that Rush is taking the role he seeks to keep government from having -- someone who has the brains and morality to understand what is best for me is what I need right? Since I obviously do not.....
J Shaker
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:16 a.m.
beep beep!
mpope
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:10 a.m.
If i saw a man holding a sign celebrating his penis and a Hawaiian lei fashioned like a penis attached to his groin, i would think, " this fella is really unbalanced." My reaction to the photo of Paula Jellis is precisely that. But there's more. Its very clear to me that radical feminism has created a twisted, tangled double standard of double talk. Ie., women practice the worst sort of buffoonery while kevetching they wont be silenced by the bad oppressive men of the world. Supposedly, the word vagina historically brought me shame. Conversely, this vaginal demonstration is supposed to free me from shame. Heres a new idea, ladies. Ive NEVER been ashamed to be a woman. Except for almost now.
Sue
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 6:24 a.m.
I'm with you on this one! It's like a man in the house making the accusation, "you're all very interested in my penis" (or something to that effect) to a room full of women! What she said was highly inappropriate to say the least.
bedrog
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 10:55 p.m.
mpope: I'm not sure if we're on the same political page ( probably not) but amidst all the 'thumbsdowners' i'd like to register my appreciation for both your articulateness and lack of rote sloganeering , the latter of which is one of the most depressing- to- sick-making attributes of both far righties and far lefties... who often seem indistinguishable from each other in their 'zero-sum', groupthink malice toward anyone who's not a 1000% 'true believer" zealot.
E Claire
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 4:43 p.m.
Spot on mpope. Anywhere but AA and you'd have tons of thumbs up. What ever happened to just standing up for yourself in a respectful manner? Why the need to be vulgar (not the word itself but the way it was used, which was clearly to shock, not to be anatomically correct). And why should legislative time be wasted for a ridiculous comparison of abortion to a vasectomy. A vasectomy is equivalent to tubal ligation, not abortion, and there's nothing stopping a woman from getting her tubes tied. Let the thumbs down begin!
Wolf's Bane
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.
Go to school and LEARN something!
northside
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
My guess is that 99% of the attendees were dressed in regular clothes and not as the person pictured above. Do all those people dressed 'normal' make for an eye-catching photo? No. So the media runs a shot of something sensationalist, giving a false impression of what demonstrations such as this are really like.
Dirtgrain
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
Male politicians told some female politicians to shut up and get out. They have not treated their male counter-parts similarly, have they? If not, then this is sexism in our government. Or can someone make the case that the treatment of Brown is similar to the way male representatives have been treated recently?
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:23 a.m.
Since there seems to be such embarrassment of the words vagina and penis, all I can say is "If God wanted us to have them, we would have been born with them, right?" Since women shouldn't say vagina and men shouldn't say penis or vice versa, let's quit inventing that these things exist. Maybe like all things we don't like, we can simply legislate them away. And we can punish all women who give birth to a child with either a penis or a vagina! That done, we no longer have to use these dangerous (and dirty( words that cause such pain and embarrassment! Isn't the all prevasive republican government great!
Middle America
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 8:54 a.m.
"Except for almost now." What are you even trying to say? "Radical feminism"? A woman talking about the fact that she has a vagina is radicalism? Really?
mpope
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 2:31 a.m.
Laura, the divide is palpable. But i gotta tell you, i think radical feminism IS the divide. I believe it IS unwittingly taking women down. The notion that women taking control of their own sexual and reproductive realities, devoid of moral compas, divorced from and in combat against the natural law, has NOT made women less objectified. Its made women MORE objectified. This objectification of selves, coupled with the outcry has created the schism. We have little common ground because we have little common sensibilities. The paradigms are discordant. There are few common threads. Im not suggesting the title of working mother or a SAHM or a nun or a cop would make any particular woman's world view and self view obvious. Thats not my intent. Only to suggest therein the self- views of women IS the chasm. I respect all persons. That foundational, certain, consistent Life ethic puts many women at odds with me. These women, and this unfortunate demonstration do not speak for me. They dont represent me. I have far too much free, strong, unwavering self respect to allow myself, a woman, to be implicated in this in any way. If anyone finds me uncivil in my stance, i gladly defer to websters dictionary.
Laura
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:56 a.m.
Normally I would agree with you. Wearing a silly box on your box is hardly the best way to express yourself. HOWEVER, this situation has very little to do with "radical feminism." There is something very sinister happening right now in this country: women against women. Housewives against working women, married against single, democratic vs. republican. It must end NOW or we will find ourselves in a history loop. We need to support each other. There are a handful of powerful men who would LOVE to watch us take each other down. Let's be civil and respect one another, please.
u812
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
the Middle class is disappearing,Healthcare costs are sky high,crime is out of control,social security funds were blown on wars,401k's are a joke,some in the middle class blame others who make a few dollars more for all there problems thanks to the right and this what our government is so concerned with women's reproductive rights,heck lets just re-write the Constitution,this country is a laughing stock.
jayjay
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 11:18 a.m.
Yeh, reproductive rights repression will bring about jobs to our econmy, right? Remember the repubs are saying jobs, jobs, jobs -- at least their plan is clear. Since repression of reproductive rights is apparently so key to creating jobs, we're on the track to full recovery right? And, oh by the way, let's make sure were repress LBGT rights as well since we all know that their rights are what is helping to hold back jobs, jobs, jobs, right?
a2citizen
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:53 a.m.
I'm generally conservative but even I must admit the Republican leadership muffed this one.
northside
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.
Muffed, so funny! Why is it that the humor of conservative adult men is no different than that of 3rd grade boys?
Mick52
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
Me too. Generally conservative but I am not really happy about some of the things this legislature has done. However with this incident I think Rep Brown's remark was immature, something I think you would hear at a college protest. She show no class by bringing up her vagina just because she opposes a piece of legislation that really is not intrusive at all.
Marvin Face
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:57 a.m.
"muffed" it. Oh my!
a2citizen
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:52 a.m.
Joe, in the battle for public opinion, it seems the men snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Laura
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:50 a.m.
And it was explicitly stated that the women "violated the rules of decorum" by using "offensive language." One of the men even said "I wouldn't use that word in mixed company." Let's be adults, here.
Laura
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.
@joe.blow: You might want to re-word your reply. "She was silenced for speaking out of turn." Wow. Sexism is alive and well.
joe.blow
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:42 a.m.
She wasn't silenced for saying "vagina." She was silenced for speaking out of turn. She just happened to say the word "vagina."