Verbal sparring escalates after vagina comment in abortion debate
Verbal sparring escalated in the Michigan Legislature Thursday as two state representatives were prevented from speaking on the House floor because of remarks they made the day before, MLive reported.
Brown
Republican leaders then prevented Brown Thursday from speaking about a bill that would change retirement benefits for teachers.
Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, had Wednesday proposed an amendment which would have required proof of a medical emergency or that a man's life was in danger before a doctor could perform a vasectomy, the Detroit Free Press reported. She shouted out the word “vasectomy” during the debate. She was also prevented from speaking Thursday.
On Thursday, state Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons, R-Alto, called Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer a liar after she issued an email saying that women were banned from speaking on the House Floor, MLive reported.
“Gretchen Whitmer is a liar and it’s no wonder Democrats have no solutions because they have no leadership,” Lyons said in a statement.
House Speaker Jase Bolger told MLive the House respects open debate.
“But we also expect professionalism,” he said. “And she showed a complete lack of professionalism.”
Whitmer and State Sen. Rebecca Warren, D-Ann Arbor, produced a video decrying what they called an attack on women in the legislature. They cited the legislation regarding abortions and the silencing of their colleagues.
The House approved the main abortion bill Wednesday on a 70-39 vote, with several Democrats joining the Republicans in support. The package includes requiring a doctor or assistant to screen patients to ensure they aren't being coerced into ending their pregnancies.
The legislation also includes new regulations related to the disposal of fetal remains, though penalties would be civil infractions rather than felonies.
Additionally, physicians who perform at least five or more abortions a month must carry $1 million in liability coverage if they have been found liable in at least two civil lawsuits in the previous seven years. In an earlier version of the bill, the coverage would have been required if a physician had merely been sued.
The House didn't take up what had been a companion bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The Senate still must approve the package.
Watch the video Whitmer and Warren made below.
Comments
Hmm
Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
I really really dislike these people
grimmk
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.
It's utterly sickening and saddening to see that our so called government never got above kindergarten. I bet they all snicker if someone says the world "toilet" or "penis" because we're taught they are "naughty words". And vagina must have been the biggest one of them all. Grow up. If we aren't allowed to speak of a word, than you aren't allowed to censor it or legislate it. It must be exhausting being so afraid of a vagina.
Ron Granger
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
Who voted for it, specifically? Why was a roll call vote denied? Why was the word "vasectomy" a bad word?
shepard145
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
As any high school student who's dissected a frog or two know, abortion is more about her uterus then her vagina - tomato - tomoto. Based on the disadvantage she suffered as a result of her poor logic/debating skills, I was glad to see she did not also respectfully accuse her legislator colleagues of verbally anally raping her over the podium. We know how democrats hate to be judged, but that would have been unprofessional. We can't wait to hear what Brown has to say about her other body parts if Becky's proposal to provide women nursing in restaurants next to the salad bar with constitutional protection!!
OLDTIMER3
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
@ leaguebus ,, My understanding is it is the democrats that refuse to compromise. As for not passing the Dream Act I don't blame them for that after reading some of the provisions in there.
OLDTIMER3
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
Also I think it was the whole statement that upset everyone not just the word VAGINA. From all the stories one reads about democrat hopefuls getting in trouble over their lady friends it looks like they are the ones obsessed with that part of thge womens anatomy.
clownfish
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.
the party that has long railed against "political correctness" in speech seems to be a bit testi.
Jon Saalberg
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.
I caught a couple of minutes of the esteemed representative on the local ABC news affiliate and the anchor could not help but try and stir controversy by asking Representative Brown about this "controversy". Representative Brown not only remained calm in the face of an inane question, but used the word "vagina" in her response. At least in the television world, you are not punished for using the correct word for a part of a woman's anatomy. Would that the GOP be so concerned about real issues, our state's residents might benefit from that attention - but they have so much weightier things to be concerned about, such as abrogating a woman's right to a safe abortion, and changing the helmet law.
RUKiddingMe
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 12:22 p.m.
Testicles
Susan Masten
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 2:35 a.m.
So Speaker Bolger doesn't like it when women call sexual assault for what it is. I guess in his mind, it was ok for - Rep. Walsh to gavel down every amendment, not allowing time for a vote, never mind a count. - Rep. Walsh to gavel down Rep. Byrum, thereby robbing her of the ability to speak for her constituency, and robbing them of their voice. - Rep. Gaines to deny the voices of some 48 women who came to Thursday's hearing to tell their stories and voice their opposition to HB 5711-5713. - the republican legislature to ram bills down the throats of all of us in record time, with no regard for due process. - the republican legislature to regulate women's vulva and uteri But it's not ok for women to have a voice, to speak their mind, to call rape for what it is! Yes, Speaker Bolger, you continue to rape and pillage Michigan. Its about time someone called you on it. Thank you Rep. Brown and Byrum!
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:59 a.m.
I'm confused. Don't the Republicans oppose politics as a profession? Remember, term limits and all? So what is the point here of saying a couple of people in politics were unprofessional? How can you be unprofessional when you are in politics? Please explain.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:53 a.m.
With all this talk of provocative and body parts and, well, the other nasty words, I'm starting to perspire. Is this normal? How about if we now talk about cold showers and stuff.
aareader
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:49 a.m.
Enough of this vagina rehtoric. Unregulated abortion clinics and voter fraud are not problems in Michigan. Lack of living wage jobs, fast tracking bills without the required 66 votes, and SILENCING OPPOSING POINTS OF VIEW are problems. WAKE UP MICHIGAN CITIZENS. When partisan politics trumps democracy we all have a big problem.
Smiley
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:34 a.m.
A male says on the House floor, "I know all you ladies are checking out my massive [junk]." What would be your intellectual response?
J-smith
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
G. Gordon Liddy, May 13, 2003, "And here comes George Bush. You know, he's in his flight suit, he's striding across the deck, and he's wearing his parachute harness, you know --- and I've worn those because I parachute --- and it makes the best of his manly characteristic. You go run those, run that stuff again of him walking across there with the parachute. He has just won every woman's vote in the United States of America. You know, all those women who say size doesn't count --- they're all liars. Check that out. "
eastsidemom
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 4:28 p.m.
apparently the men here cannot handle grown up talk. they think it is dirty and think women that are grown ups are dirty too. YUK. they probably would legislate against sex education, afraid of the "words"
clownfish
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:25 p.m.
I would ask "Why is George Bush speaking in the MI House"? Mission Accomplished!
Unusual Suspect
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 11:31 a.m.
I will agree that the two female legislators in question here are not ladies.
peg dash fab
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 9:48 a.m.
smiley, i would not be the least bit surprised.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:56 a.m.
I would guess that any woman of the currently living would respond with, "When are you going to enter the 21st century, grow up, and stop calling us ladies? We are women!"
Smiley
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.
Some want you to think this is simply about the use of the term "vagina," but I think it's really about how it was used. If a man said on the House floor, "I know all you ladies are checking out my massive [junk]," would the same people defending Representative Brown not be outraged? I'm pro-choice, so I'm just sayin...
Middle America
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.
It is quite a bit different seeing as she didn't say "I know all you guys are checking out my massive vagina".
eastsidemom
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
When they legislating about your junk then you can ask that question...
Unusual Suspect
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 11:33 a.m.
My response would be to wonder why you posted this twice two hours apart.
Brad
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 9:38 p.m.
They'd all be too busy laughing to be outraged. C'mon - admit it.
Jaime Magiera
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.
Two things: It wasn't the use of the word itself, it was the context in which it was used. If a male member of the House had said, maybe about the proposed vasectomy legislation, "I realize you're interested in my jock, but...", everyone would be up in arms. I'm being critical of this because I think it's misleading and derails from solving the issue at hand. Along the same lines, it's a little unfair to categorize the overall issue as being about someone's vagina. For better or worse, many of the people who work to outlaw abortion aren't concerned with vaginas. They are concerned with what they perceive as a human life. Regardless of whether you think that is a correct or incorrect perception, whether you think it's a valid point or not, that is what many of those folks are concerned about. Limiting the discussion to such a simplification will not do anyone any good in this situation. Now, I await the mobs with torches who are now going to show up at my house :)
clownfish
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.
Yep, conservatives have long been in favor of being politically correct when speaking. They are know for this.
Goober
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.
I have no political party that I support. Ms. Brown's comments were very unprofessional. I can just imagine if a man made a similar comment using male anatomy in the comment. I'll bet that a lot of the pro Ms. brown commenters would not have the same opinions .
E.Q.
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.
There is nothing crude about the word vagina. If a man had said the word penis, it would not be any more crude. And, Unusual Suspect, while I do not mind that you disagree with our beliefs, it would be very much appreciated if you did not degrade those beliefs. Thanks.
Rob Henderson
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 12:08 p.m.
I would absolutely be just as angry if it had been a man similarly punished for saying "penis" or "testicles".
eastsidemom
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
Nothing she said was crude...you have a dirty mind
Unusual Suspect
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 11:34 a.m.
They would. After all, they are the left - the party and the people of cultural decline.
Goober
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.
You're defending a woman talking crude. Would you defend a man talking crude - assuming similar circumstances?
thinking outside the michigan box
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
I wonder what would have happened if the state representative was a male instead of a female? And this male state representative stated on the House floor, " I'm flattered that you are all interested in my penis and testicles, but no means no." Do you think this male state representative would be allowed to speak on the House floor the following day?
clownfish
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
They would not allow debate on a proposal to limit vasectomies to medical necessity. Wonder why? It takes two to tango, or did this get left out of the education of those people that are offended by the medical term for a womans fun parts?
bobslowson
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
Another job creating measure I see from Snyder's administration. Sheesh...what the heck is going on in Lansing?
harry
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
So the represenative should not consider any measure UNLESS its a job creating subject. As our President said during the 2008 election. We can handle more than one crisis at a time.
E. Manuel Goldstein
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.
And how did Mark Ouimet vote on this legislation? And how many JOBS will this add to Michigan? And why are the republicans engaging in this war on women by erecting barriers to free speech? I have never seen such an epic failure in my life, as this current republican dominated Michigan legislature.
clownfish
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.
The really rich part is...is will create jobs. Government jobs, bureaucrats. Remember, the GOP is all about government jobs, when it suits their social engineering goals. Vagina. (anybody offended?)
leaguebus
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
Right, how many women are forced to have an abortion? Just like cutting 180000 minority voters in Florida because of 8 cases of voter fraud in ten years.
harry
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:04 p.m.
The legislation says the doctor must ask if they are being forced into an abortion. I dont know about you but I think a womens mind and body should be protected and they should not be forced to do anything they don't want to. What could you possibly see wrong with this.
Ivor Ivorsen
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.
Michigan has finally received some much needed international recognition. Some recent overseas headlines... The Guardian (Uk): "Vaginagate: US politician banned for saying 'vagina' in abortion bill debate" Daily Mail (Uk) "Michigan lawmaker silenced after using the word 'vagina' during abortion bill debate"
Sparty
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.
Republicans continue to make Michigan an international laughingstock - this is just one more example. How many more are needed? Remember the entire House of Representatives is up for election in November !
Michigan Man
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
Can we vote on which headline we prefer?
braggslaw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
I am all for the use of "Vagina" in any context.
northside
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.
How many 3rd-grade level vagina jokes are you going to post today? Pathetic.
Area Man
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
Tourette syndrome is sweeping the nation.
treetowncartel
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.
Shouldn't they be concerned about their constituents' vaginas and not their own? If she had said that instead there would be no room for them to argue she shouldn't be allowed to speak on the floor.
braggslaw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
I agree, I am very concerned about their constituent's vaginas.
Use Logic
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.
I can't count how many times I've seen comments mentioning lack of bipartisanship on this forum. Here we have a bill that passed with some bipartisan support - six Democrats out of 46 (one was absent). I agree that these women shouldn't have been censured for their speech, but let's not decry bipartisanship when it does happen.
Mick52
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:57 p.m.
War on Women? It's not war it's democracy. Quit blaming the legislature, it was the voters who decided who sits there. These two (Warren and Whitmer) are whiners.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.
I blame the voters who put them there to a degree. But I know a lot of women who voted for Republicans because they felt (wrongly it seems) that the people they voted for would actually represent them and their issues. They won't be voting for Republicans again but they honestly did not anticipate this and thus can't really be blamed.
braggslaw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
Warren and Whitmer have the constitutional right to talk about their vaginas.
John Q
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
Democracy doesn't involve shutting down the other side. Can your defense of Bolger be any lamer?
Hume
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
So the FCC allows you to use this word on TV and Radio, but you can't say it on the Michigan House Floor? More evidence that the people of our state have elected a bunch of morons to run our state. Are we trying to be the laughing stock of the country?
grimmk
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:56 a.m.
Probably because Arizona was getting too much attention.
brimble
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
Arguments about public policy occur in a public forum; the idea is that all who are impacted by policy get to participate in the discussion. When the discussion involves some specific area of technical or medical or otherwise specialized terminology, the debate includes the use of words or phrases that might otherwise not be part of dinner-table conversation. Representative Brown most likely referred to 'my vagina' to inflame the conversation, and that is within her purview. That the opposition took the bait shows their own stupidity. I wonder, does the Republican leadership want to appear like insensitive, misogynistic prudes, or do they not care that they are creating this appearance for themselves?
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
OMG....this is falsehood wrapped in fallacy. These women are embarrassing.
Enso
Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
What's nonsensical is trying to take away people's rights.
harry
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.
I agree. They have no business representing anyone. They need to be on a TV reality show with this nonsense.
braggslaw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:19 p.m.
I think you are mischaracterizing the "men". Why can't we just all get along . I think there is a middle ground when it comes to vaginas.
AnnArborDon
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.
Not half as embarrassing as "these men".
AnnArborDon
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
Can anyone out there think of any examples of Michigan Republicans being less than "professional" when speaking on the floor? Please cite!
harry
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.
He said unprofessional. That may be illegal,sneaky or just smart. Unprofessional is a teacher swearing at a kid. A business man making sexual remarks towards an employee. They were being sarcastic and unprofessional. Again cite an example of a republican being UNPROFESSIONAL. Unprofessional - not befitting members of a profession, as language, behavior, or conduct.
bobslowson
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:03 p.m.
How bout this? Seems pretty unprofessional... "House Republicans have repeatedly granted immediate effect to controversial bills that don't actually have the two-thirds majority support needed to take such action." http://www.annarbor.com/news/jeff-irwin-lawsuit-democrats-versus-republicans/
harry
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
John Q.....He said examples and to please cite. Come on give us one!
John Q
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 4:34 p.m.
It happens every day. The average Republican legislator is an embarrassment to the state.
Chase Ingersoll
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.
Her inclusion of the word in her statement was irrelevant and simply intended to be provocative, and all the representative leadership did was amplify her comment. The anatomy the legislation is intended to protect, is the entire body of the female fetuses that are about to be killed and the young women who are about to un-naturally cut their own wombs.
leaguebus
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
Again the party of less regulation wants to regulate a women's right to choose. Forget unregulated Wall Street banks that cause the worst economic crash since the Depression. Chase, I don't like abortion as birth control any more than you, but there are plenty of reasons that abortions should be done and I truely believe that most women see things like I do. What I don't want to hear is that the fetus has a soul and that is why abortions should be banned. Prove to me you have a soul and I will yield to your beliefs.
bobslowson
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
@John Q " "cut their own wombs? What's that?" That's right wing speak for abortions are immoral and wrong. "The anatomy the legislation is intended to protect" Do we really need legislation? Seriously??
John Q
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
Who made Jase Bolger the language police? And "cut their own wombs"? What's that?
AnnArborDon
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.
This from the "smaller government" party.
bobslowson
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.
@ harry....The republicans claim they are all for small government ....except when it comes to enacting laws to protect their "morality". What a farce MI government is...
harry
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.
I dont get it. What does small government have to do with repremanding a state rep for sarcastic comments. Are you insinuating that government should be a free for all with no rules?
Tesla
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
I'm confused. Do republicans like Vaginas? Or not?
braggslaw
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:16 p.m.
I am a big fan, I can't speak for others.
Michigan Man
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
Would it be OK to say that the gay republican's probably do not like vagina"s? Not sure how the gay democrats feel about this issue?
Ivor Ivorsen
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3 p.m.
They certainly seem to like legislating about them!
antikvetch
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
Yeah! An excuse for a particular demographic to get indignant about an imagined slight! FIGHT "THE MAN"!!!
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
I still can't figure out why that particular demographic thinks someone using the word 'Vagina' is a slight against them.
Sparty
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
And once again the Michigan Republican legislature is a national laughingstock. This story has been reported on national news, reported all over the Internet, etc. Just another example of Michigan as a backwater state filled with radical right-wing nut jobs in government.
leaguebus
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.
Great comment Cash. I feel the same way nationally. Obama come up with a short term fix for an immigration problem because the Republicans won't pass the Dream Act and what happens? He gets criticized for trying a short term fix. The Republicans have done nothing (meaning no compromises) for two years and are mad when the President tries do something about it. Go figure!
paniroza03
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
Make that international laughing stock. I found articles about this on the Telegraph and Guardian websites as well.
Cash
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.
Sparty, when the shoe fits........I have lived here for almost 70 years and was always so proud of that fact. The past couple of years it has been nothing but SHAME to live here. We are laughed at for this kind of stuff all around the country.
buildergirl
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:57 p.m.
Once again everyone is distracted by vaginas. See? I have your attention already. Before I lose it...Vagina. Getting past female body parts, the issue that isn't being discussed regards the banning of Senators speaking on the floor. They were not banned from further discussion of the abortion bill but other legislation. It is their job to speak for their constituents and to be banned from doing so you in turn limit the rights of the people. (Vagina, thought I might have lost you). If the constituents don't like their representative then hopefully they will not be re-elected. It is not up to the Speaker or other members of the Senate to censor a Senator because they do not like what was spoken on another bill. (Vagina) Honestly, her statement prior was wonderful, really it is too bad that one sentence ruined the whole issue. But isn't that the point? She made a wonderful point and to distract from that, everyone is focusing on...one last time...vagina.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
Well, If I had any doubt before that Michigan republicans hate women, I don't have any doubt now.
Sue
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 8:56 a.m.
Yes it's a sure sign of women hating to make a law that the clinics they go to for their abortions are safe, that the doctors are adequately insured if they've been found liable in at least 2 civil lawsuits in the past 7 years, and to make sure they are not being coerced against their will to abort. Hmmm, it actually sounds very pro women to me!
leaguebus
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
Back to the kitchen and throwing out babies.
Rork Kuick
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.
Hold it. Get with the times. You're a woman. You're supposed to stop talking about how any of these new laws affect you, cause you are obviously biased. Your control over your uterus is ruining America and all it stands for, and must be stopped. PS: You are also supposed to shut up in discussions about sexism, harassment, and rape. Or else I'll call you too feminine, or not feminine enough. So there! (Yes, this is satire. I'm becoming a fan of WiY.)
Unusual Suspect
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.
Nice try, commenters, on focusing on "the word." You know the problem was the comment as a whole, not the actual word that was used, but your responsibility to support the narrative is preventing you from being honest about it. The fact is the statement was unprofessional and at odds with the decorum of debate. Now give me those negatives! I will wear them as a badge of honor!
eastsidemom
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.
Speaking up by a woman was the issue and pretending it wasn't the word is ludicrous. And yet men are allowed to engage in physical fights and not be censored? Sorry that double standard won't work today.
AnnArborDon
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.
But is being "unprofessional" enough of a transgression to warrant being barred from the debate? Or is that just a convenient excuse to silence the competition?
Enso
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:29 p.m.
It IS a focus on the word. And for the record, Republicans are the one focusing on the word, just like they are the one's overwhelmingly focused on women's vaginas at the moment. Is it really a surprise though that the party that is pushing to limit the rights of half of the population would also censor a woman for talking about her vagina? Do you really think if she said "I'm flattered you are all so interested in my female anatomy..." she'd still be censored? I don't. It's not about what she said, it's about uptight white males who can't conceive a world in which they can't control women.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.
There was NOTHING wrong or inappropriate about her comment. The male legislature is trying to get all up in MIchigan's women's vaginas! She is right to say NO and to remind these guys that what they are doing is morally wrong for the same reasons it is morally wrong to rape women. NO means No and these men clearly need to hear that message. And just as clearly think they can silence women for speaking this truth.
bluetonguedlizard
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
I was responding to was "'What she said was offensive," said Rep. Mike Callton, R-Nashville. 'It was so offensive, I don't even want to say it in front of women. I would not say that in mixed company.' Granted it's not in A2's article, but in this day and age of multiple media sources I think you can safely assume most folks have heard this response. Clearly Mike Callton is also only referring to "the word", not the comment as a whole.
Michigan Man
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
This woman is in the wrong line of work. She might be better served to have a healthcare job in the Obstetrics/Gynecology department. Well, at least she did not use the word Bill Maher used to describe Governor Palin! Now, that would have been a real story to follow. News is slow - it is summer.
Enso
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
So you're on the record of supporting the censorship of a word to describe a female part of the anatomy. Because the comment is just deflecting from the issue.
bluetonguedlizard
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
I do hope these Senators know that in all likelihood they were born out of vagina.
clownfish
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
I think many of them crawled from under rocks.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:47 a.m.
Are you kidding? That's disgusting! Is the V word another name for the stork?
Ron Granger
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
I guess the "jobs" plan is to police clinics and block access to reproductive care.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:46 a.m.
"...connect the dots relative to you and I!" Ain't it "to you and me"? Just seems phony to I.
Michigan Man
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.
US - Perhaps you and I should serve as interchangeable double agents? I am really quite taken aback that it took the smartest people in the nation that long to connect the dots relative to you and I!
Unusual Suspect
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
Yeah, MM, he figured us out, darnit.
lugemachine
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.
Your Republican party: We boo gay soldiers, applaud death, our presidential candidate makes $10,000 handshake bets and we TOTALLY freak out if you say v... va... You know... that word.
Brad
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
Mitt's people so love the vagina that they made special magic underwear just to keep it happy.
northside
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:47 p.m.
As as the Taliban (Christian version) remains in charge of Michigan's legislature, craziness will continue.
leaguebus
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:02 p.m.
I see book burning in the future, especially the Vagina Monologs.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.
Well, she should be happy because being banned for legitimate speech exposes the House GOP for what they are. I know a bunch of moderate Republicans who won't be voting Republican anymore. This issue *specifically* has convinced them that voting for Republicans mean voting against their own vaginas.
Basic Bob
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
The word is completely appropriate in the context. But to add 'flattery' and 'interest' could be viewed as harassment. She made the remark to attract attention and she should be happy that it was recognized by the leadership.
Urban Sombrero
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
We call an elbow and elbow. A leg a leg. A pancreas a pancreas. Yet, legitimate terms for genitalia are offensive? They're body parts! Get over it, people, and stop reaching for the smelling salts. It's ridiculous!
Urban Sombrero
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:47 p.m.
*an elbow. Typo. Sorry.
smokeblwr
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.
"Boys have a penis. Girls have a vagina."
peg dash fab
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 9:37 a.m.
who knew?
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.
Guess my comments about "Kindergarten Cop" and the relative maturity of our state governing bodies vis the kindergarten kid in the movie wasn't up to the censor's sensibilities. I recant, I recant already. Well, no, I really don't.
Enso
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
It's not a tumor!
bedrog
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 2:06 p.m.
really?? wow!
Urban Sombrero
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.
Using a legitimate anatomical term is verboten? Seriously? Would they have rather she sugar coated things and referred to it as her, "Vajayjay"?
Urban Sombrero
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.
Oh, please. This is nothing but Puritanism of the highest order. If they were discussing orthopedics and she told him not to worry about her pelvis, or femur, there would be no "Sarcasm" charges and pearl clutching. The fact that she had the audacity to utter the big "V" word is what's causing the issue here. It's about a group of grown men who are afraid of a legitimate anatomical term. There is absolutely NOTHING offensive in what she said. And, based on the fact that it is a group of men who are trying to legislate and regulate women's bodies, perhaps a little sarcasm, hyperbole and facetiousness is in order? It's ironic that the party of "Small government" wants to be all up in women's vaginas and uteruses.
harry
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.
Come on you are smarter than that. Its not the word vagina that got her banned. It was her unprofessionalism. She is an adult and she is talking sarcastically like a child. I would accept that from my own children much less an adult.
justwondering
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
Let me add a few more: Nether regions, hoo-ha, the "you know, down there" parts. Great, our state Republicans, not content to be an embarassment on a local and regional level, are now trying to make Michigan out to be some freakish cult on a national level. Makes me wonder what kind of state I'm raising my daughters in.
Top Cat
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 12:41 p.m.
This beats anything you'll ever see on Saturday Night Live. Anatomically correct has now trumped politically correct. On second thought, this is an improvement.