Vagina Gate- Michigan House of Representatives

[AGDee]

But having an invalid argument is not a reason to ban someone from speaking on the House floor.

Filibusters are a good example of that. They sometimes talk about all kinds of things not related to the bill at all.

[SWTXBelle]

I wasn't even thinking about the floor debate - I was thinking of all those who want to focus on whether or not a particular participant has a vagina or not. Not relevant. Penis, vagina, or none of the above - show me the logic!

If having an invalid argument prevented debate there would be far less debate in any legislature you care to name.


I've always joked that if you want to clear a room of men simply mention the word "placenta" - but apparently I had the wrong word. The secret word is: vagina!

[agzg]

It's not about whether those debating happen to own a vagina or not, it's more that shutting women out of the discussion (we saw this on Capital Hill earlier this year with the Sandra Fluke business) when the legislation directly affects them really shows how they feel about open and honest debate.

Along with patronizing them because you "wouldn't say that in mixed company."

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by agzg

It's not about whether those debating happen to own a vagina or not....

Jen is among those who think that it is about that.

Originally Posted by agzg

...shutting women out of the discussion...Along with patronizing them because you "wouldn't say that in mixed company."

And as ridiculous as that is there are women who also feel that way. Regardless of where that ridiculousness originated (patriarchy, sexism, etc.), people need to stop pointing the finger at men decision makers as though there is not a larger issue that resulted in this. Some of these men decision makers think there is a consensus regarding such issues and therefore they are fighting for a greater cause that the majority of women and men agree with.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Jen

I feel like unless you have one, you don't get to decide what goes on in there, finished, end of story.

Many people would not say this if they agreed with the decision.

Lawmakers and politicians make all sorts of decisions that they do not have personal or immediate experience with. While males-men do not have vaginas, they have a stake in what happens just as females-women have a stake in what happens with penises. This is not the fault of men lawmakers and politicians because there are plenty of women who give this "vaginal power" to men.