Women legislators silenced for "offensive language"

[fljustice]

Seriously, the Michigan legislature banned (indefinitely) two female legislators from SPEAKING in the house because they used the word VAGINA!

One more time: I don't care where you come down on the abortion debate, whether you're Rep/Dem/Ind; they SILENCED two women for using an anatomically correct word in discussing legislation dealing with women's reproductive health. If elected officials want to legislate women's reproductive health, they should expect to hear the word VAGINA (and are more and more as their actions are mocked across the nation!) Still, there is no excuse for this gag order.

Vagina is not a dirty word! Women have them. I won't be shushed, hushed or silenced (except by the moderators, if they should deem this post offensive. )....VAGINA, VAGINA, VAGINA!

The Michigan Legislature's response: http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...73427706_n.jpg

[lauragill]

More on the Vagina Monologues event here.

Just another sad chapter in the Republican Party's War on Women.

[SonjaMarie]

*Rolls eyes at the ridiculousness of it all*

VAGINAS RULE!

SM

[rockygirl]

This is a women's issue. When men don't like what women have to say, especially in politics--they shush them. Usually this is done by making them look stupid and naive (Sarah Palin, for example, Betsy Ross--that was really her name--of NY--these are women who were thrown under the bus by their own party). While this "shushing" goes on in larger numbers in the Republican party, Hillary Clinton and Geri Ferraro will tell you they faced it in the Democratic party (okay, Ferraro is dead, but you get my point). Politics is littered with women who were sold out to the media and the public by their own party.

I tend to be a moderate, who is very conservative about some issues (abortion, welfare reform) and liberal on others (labor, education). I think women of all political bents must speak out on this banning. While I don't agree with WHAT these women were saying, I strongly defend their right to speak their mind--this is supposed to be America!

Don't let the pundits persuade you this is about a woman's right to choose--it's not. It's about a woman's right to SPEAK!!!!

People in power don't like to give away their power. Men rule politics, and most of them don't want to share their power with women. Look how few women Senators we've had. I believe, but am not sure at this moment, that the most female senators we've at one time was 14, which is, of course, only fourteen percent.

We are WOMAN, hear us ROAR, Michigan!!!

(I shudder to think what would have happened if they had used the P word.)

[fljustice]

As rockygirl says, this is about more than choice -- this is about women's fundamental right to speak and be represented in our government. We must not be silent. Those women and men who want to speak out can sign a petition here:

http://democracyforamerica.com/activ...GsBcz&rd=1&t=1

[LoveHistory]

Yep. Very glad I don't live in Michigan.

[Ash]

Not sure its much different most anyplace in the country. I am sure our legislators here in Az were wishing they thought of it, and wondering how they could do the exact same thing.

[fljustice]

Yep, it's not just our jobs that keep us in New York. Although Albany is one of the most corrupt state legislatures in the nation, at least they're on the right side of most social justice issues (usaully!) Now if we could just get them to ban fraking!

[Divia]

Amen on the banning fracking, fellow NYer

I'll be honest, I dont think that it is different in most of the country and despite all the progress we have made I still believe we have a lot more to do. I still think, and will contiune to think that Hillary got a bad rap when she tried to run for president. At times, to me, it felt anti woman.

And the other day I found myself writing the following words about some issues that are happening in my life. "For everything we have succeeded in I am still that Victorian woman. I am not so different from my ancestors."

[fljustice]

Originally Posted by Divia

Amen on the banning fracking, fellow NYer

I'll be honest, I dont think that it is different in most of the country and despite all the progress we have made I still believe we have a lot more to do. I still think, and will contiune to think that Hillary got a bad rap when she tried to run for president. At times, to me, it felt anti woman.

And the other day I found myself writing the following words about some issues that are happening in my life. "For everything we have succeeded in I am still that Victorian woman. I am not so different from my ancestors."

Totally agree that Hillary got the bum's rush for being woman. I can't help thinking, given her experience, that we would be in a much better place. She's tough and knows where the bodies are buried. I'm sure she would have twisted a few Republican arms to get something done and break the gridlock. Or maybe not.

As to women's rights (and social justice in general), yeah I'm feeling deja vu all over again. Didn't I march, write letters, call officials, organize phone banks, etc. thirty-forty years ago? I thought I (and all the women and men in the movements) had won access to contraception and choice; broke the glass ceiling in business; and opened up educational opportunities for myself and my daughter. I'm too old to do it all over again (but will if I have to!)