Well, how dare a woman come into the Michigan House of Representatives and start waving around words like “vagina” or “vasectomy.” Egad! What ever will our super sensitive ears do about being flooded with such auditory porn as discussing the secret lady no-no cave betwixt her very legs?
To hearing the word “vagina” this is what one representative said in response:
“What she said was offensive,” Rep. Mike Callton (R-Nashville) said. “It was so offensive, I don’t even want to say it in front of women. I would not say that in mixed company.”
Whut? We assume then, Mike, you were brought to earth by a miracle mommy-stork while swaddled in parchment riddled with the words “faux outrage?”
Sure, Republican lawmakers can discuss at length what a woman should be able to do with their particular vaginas or, oh, we’re sorry, female glory-ribbons(?) or womanly, lavender clam-pots(?) — but certainly no woman should have the floor to challenge those assumptions. It seems pretty clear since many Conservatives would like to control all that goes in or comes out of each woman’s vagina, they feel they should have the right to rename it anything they feel, and certainly not anything that would conjure anatomical correctness.
What name would be preferable oh, great fine, Republican Speaker of the House?
We probably won’t get an answer to that question, just that the Speaker was so offended yesterday when reported by CNN, State Reps. State Reps. Lisa Brown and Barb Byrum, both Democrats, argued on Wednesday against proposed legislation that would enact new restrictions on abortions in Michigan, including provisions for new insurance requirements for abortion providers. This all came after Michigan passed HB 5711 said to be one of the most restrictive anti-abortion bills in the nation.
Brown said:
“I’m flattered that you are all so interested in my vagina, but no means no.”
Barb Byrum followed up with a statement that suggested similar restrictions should be placed on vasectomies. Both women were barred from speaking yesterday because of their comments.
We assume “vasectomy” was the final straw for Republican Speaker of the House Jase Bolger (pictured). It was announced through his spokesman that Brown and Byrum “will not be recognized to speak on the House floor today after being gaveled down for their comments and actions yesterday that failed to maintain the decorum of the House of Representatives.” He probably thought, “Well, oh-ho now, little ladies. Don’t you dare start talking about what can and can’t be done with vasectomies. That there is my god given right. I should be able to have vasectomies any day of the week I want. Twice on Sunday if feel like it. Now you’re just going too far. Where’s mah gavel.”
In one fell swoop it seems the “war on women” is now starting to extend beyond “vaginas” as State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer puts it and into outright censorship and chastising with punitive results. “Right now we are seeing our Republican colleagues in the House working to take away our rights to choose, our rights to health care, our rights to make decisions about our bodies. And just today, they’re taking away our female colleagues rights in the House, their right to speak on the floor.”
The Speaker of the House’s spokesman went on to say:
“House Republicans often go beyond simply allowing debate by welcoming open and passionate discussion of the issues before this chamber. The only way we can continue doing so, however, is to ensure that the proper level of maturity and civility are maintained on the House floor.”
Oh, really? Well, in efforts to really challenge the Speaker’s thoughts on civility we’re going to say that this is the bullshittiest bullshit that ever did shit. In essence, the House Republicans allow debate as if this were a reward or a blessing from on high, but will only continue doing so as long as they’re able to gag your mouths along with your vaginas, apparently.
As this video shows, and Lisa Brown is aware, the punishment had nothing to do with her choice of word, since she could have said anything in its place as in, wiggly-diggi-hoo-ha-baby-cooker, and the result probably would have been the same.
“Shut-up and let us control you. All of you.” That is all.
Hat-tip to commenter Jenna Maroney.
Image: Source
