This story is aggravating on a few different levels.
In order to not botch it with my own rambling interpretation, here is the article published by the St. Petersburg Times:
During last week's discussion about a bill that would prohibit governments from deducting union dues from a worker's paycheck, state Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, used his time during floor debate to argue that Republicans are against regulations -- except when it comes to the little guys, or serves their specific interests.
At one point Randolph suggested that his wife "incorporate her uterus" to stop Republicans from pushing measures that would restrict abortions. Republicans, after all, wouldn't want to further regulate a Florida business.
Apparently the GOP leadership of the House didn't like the one-liner.
They told Democrats that Randolph is not to discuss body parts on the House floor.
"The point was that Republicans are always talking about deregulation and big government," Randolph said Thursday. "And I always say their philosophy is small government for the big guy and big government for the little guy. And so, if my wife's uterus was incorporated or my friend's bedroom was incorporated, maybe they (Republicans) would be talking about deregulating.
"It's not like I used slang," said Randolph, who actually got the line from his wife. He said Republicans voiced concern about young pages hearing the word uterus.
"I think it's a sad commentary about what we think about sex education in the state," he said.
House GOP spokeswoman Katie Betta: "The Speaker has been clear about his expectations for conduct on the House for during debate. At one point during the debate, he mentioned to the entire House that members of both parties needed to be mindful of decorum during debate.
"Additionally, the Speaker believes it is important for all Members to be mindful of and respectful to visitors and guests, particularly the young pages and messengers who are seated in the chamber during debates. In the past, if the debate is going to contain language that would be considered inappropriate for children and other guests, the Speaker will make an announcement in advance, asking children and others who may be uncomfortable with the subject matter to leave the floor and gallery."
Now, aside from the fact that the point of discussion was originally about unions, there are just so many more things at play. The article pretty much sums it up: the taboo around the use of the word uterus, issues of regulation when it comes to things such as abortion, and the state of sex ed. (And really, I thought we were reclaiming words like "cunt"- but are we really digressing to "uterus"?) Yikes.
Now, on a happier note, the ACLU is adopting this story along with the domain name incorporatemyuterus.com. What would happen if our bodies were as regulation-free as big business? Craziness. Hop onto the site and sign up for updates. (I'm also really hopin' for bumper stickers.)
At one point Randolph suggested that his wife "incorporate her uterus" to stop Republicans from pushing measures that would restrict abortions. Republicans, after all, wouldn't want to further regulate a Florida business.
Apparently the GOP leadership of the House didn't like the one-liner.
They told Democrats that Randolph is not to discuss body parts on the House floor.
"The point was that Republicans are always talking about deregulation and big government," Randolph said Thursday. "And I always say their philosophy is small government for the big guy and big government for the little guy. And so, if my wife's uterus was incorporated or my friend's bedroom was incorporated, maybe they (Republicans) would be talking about deregulating.
"It's not like I used slang," said Randolph, who actually got the line from his wife. He said Republicans voiced concern about young pages hearing the word uterus."I think it's a sad commentary about what we think about sex education in the state," he said.
House GOP spokeswoman Katie Betta: "The Speaker has been clear about his expectations for conduct on the House for during debate. At one point during the debate, he mentioned to the entire House that members of both parties needed to be mindful of decorum during debate.
"Additionally, the Speaker believes it is important for all Members to be mindful of and respectful to visitors and guests, particularly the young pages and messengers who are seated in the chamber during debates. In the past, if the debate is going to contain language that would be considered inappropriate for children and other guests, the Speaker will make an announcement in advance, asking children and others who may be uncomfortable with the subject matter to leave the floor and gallery."
Now, aside from the fact that the point of discussion was originally about unions, there are just so many more things at play. The article pretty much sums it up: the taboo around the use of the word uterus, issues of regulation when it comes to things such as abortion, and the state of sex ed. (And really, I thought we were reclaiming words like "cunt"- but are we really digressing to "uterus"?) Yikes.
Now, on a happier note, the ACLU is adopting this story along with the domain name incorporatemyuterus.com. What would happen if our bodies were as regulation-free as big business? Craziness. Hop onto the site and sign up for updates. (I'm also really hopin' for bumper stickers.)
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