And the so-called 'non-existent' war on women continues...

Michigan GOP Spokesman: Female Reps Threw ‘Temper Tantrums’ Over Abortion Bill

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A surge of outrage swept the internet yesterday over two female Michigan legislators who were banned from the floor of the House for saying the word “vagina” in a debate over the worst abortion laws in the country.

Then, in an effort to clarify, a spokesman for the Michigan GOP Leader of the House only made things worse. In a letter to press, he simultaneously did not deny that the women were banned for saying “vagina” and further accused the two of throwing “temper tantrums.”

The letter reads:

Just to be clear, despite the misinformation being spread by Reps. Brown and Byrum, and Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, there are two representatives not being recognized on the House floor today because of their actions yesterday. It has nothing to do with their gender, their religion or the topic they were discussing. All day today, we have had representatives of both parties, both genders and several different religions passionately debating important issues that will significantly impact the future of Michigan. I would urge you not to become too distracted by temper tantrums designed to score political points.

The term ‘temper tantrum’ is not-so-subtly coded sexist language leveled at women to infantilize them and de-legitimize their points. In an attempt at clarification, the spokesman only reaffirmed that the Michigan House GOP’s position was not only against saying the word ‘vagina,’ but also against letting women talk seriously about political issues.

http://thinkprogress.org/health/201...eps-threw-temper-tantrums-over-abortion-bill/

OOPS

LANSING, MI -- State Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, said Thursday she believed she was banned from speaking on the floor of the state House of Representatives because she introduced an amendment Wednesday that would apply the same controversial abortion regulations to vasectomies.

"The state does not regulate vasectomies," she said in an interview Thursday. "If we're concerned about making sure babies are born, why are we not talking about vasectomies?"

In a widely circulated video, Byrum can be seen asking to speak about her amendment.


She was not recognized by Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas, R-Midland, who told her she was "out of order" for attempting to speak.

"I had heard a rumor that they were uncomfortable with me saying vasectomy, which is a medical term," Byrum said.

Later in the video, state Rep. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, was chastised for her statement as well.


Byrum said she was informed of the ban by Minority Floor Leader Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek, who was apparently notified by Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas, R-Midland.

"They did not tell me why I was banned, or for how long," Byrum said. "I can only assume it's because I stood up for my district and women in Michigan yesterday."

Ari Adler, spokesman for Bolger, said the women "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."

Adler said the move was meant to ensure civility and maturity in the debate over the bills.
 
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Civility and maturity?

"Vagina" and "vasectomy" are uncivil and immature?
 
OOPS

LANSING, MI -- State Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, said Thursday she believed she was banned from speaking on the floor of the state House of Representatives because she introduced an amendment Wednesday that would apply the same controversial abortion regulations to vasectomies.

"The state does not regulate vasectomies," she said in an interview Thursday. "If we're concerned about making sure babies are born, why are we not talking about vasectomies?"

In a widely circulated video, Byrum can be seen asking to speak about her amendment.


She was not recognized by Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas, R-Midland, who told her she was "out of order" for attempting to speak.

"I had heard a rumor that they were uncomfortable with me saying vasectomy, which is a medical term," Byrum said.

Later in the video, state Rep. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, was chastised for her statement as well.


Byrum said she was informed of the ban by Minority Floor Leader Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek, who was apparently notified by Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas, R-Midland.

"They did not tell me why I was banned, or for how long," Byrum said. "I can only assume it's because I stood up for my district and women in Michigan yesterday."

Ari Adler, spokesman for Bolger, said the women "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."

Adler said the move was meant to ensure civility and maturity in the debate over the bills.

Link, please.
 
So refusing to allow someone to speak for using those terms and pretending "the move was meant to ensure civility and maturity in the debate over the bills" conveys no meaning to you?

Where did he mention the words, that you referred to, as your supposed reason for the comment?
 
The whole notion of government wanting to dictate to women what they can and cannot do with their vaginas is what's obnoxious.

See, here's the thing, the vagina has absolutely nothing to do with abortion. Abortion involves the woman's unborn fetus. Had she replaced "vagina" with "unborn fetus" there would have been no problem. If we replace "vagina" with "unborn fetus" in your statement, it is fine and dandy as well. But what you are doing, and what she did to get banned, was to engage in hyperbole. You substitute "unborn fetus" with "vagina" because that makes what you're saying sound more outrageous and unacceptable. Now there's really no need in making what you're saying sound more outrageous and unacceptable, unless saying it honestly, the way it is, isn't working for you. The legislature should be a place where we set aside these tactics, and honestly discuss the problems without hyperbole. To insist on this integrity of the system, is not a war on anybody, it's resisting attempts to undermine the system from within, by people who aren't honest.

I applaud their action, and encourage other legislatures to follow suit. This is precisely what we ALL need to be doing in our daily discourse with these morons, whenever they begin spewing hyperbolic statements. We need to shut them down, shut them right down. Just pop them square in the nose and let them know this is unacceptable behavior and it won't be tolerated in civil discourse.
 
Where did he mention the words, that you referred to, as your supposed reason for the comment?

In your quote.

Ari Adler, spokesman for Bolger, said the women "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."

Adler said the move was meant to ensure civility and maturity in the debate over the bills.
 
UH-did you see the slightly off blue color on the "OOPS"?

So, then - what is your point? Your piece explains why one of the women BELIEVE they were banned from speaking. Does this report of her assessment change anything? Does it justify the banning in your view? Yes or no will suffice.
 
So, then - what is your point? Your piece explains why one of the women BELIEVE they were banned from speaking. Does this report of her assessment change anything? Does it justify the banning in your view? Yes or no will suffice.


Does it justify your desire to pick and choose what you desire to see?
Are you saying she was lying before, or after?
A simple yes or no will suffice. :D
 
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