The Vagina Soliloquy

Here's an interesting little item about American democracy and freedom of speech. A female member of the Michigan House of Representatives has been banned indefinitely from participating in floor debates, after she used the word "vagina" while discussing a bill on abortion. Apparently, the Speaker was offended by the term, and made what is clearly a ridiculous and illegal decision.

Members of parliament have traditionally enjoyed a wide latitude in their expression in political debate. That a member is totally shut up by the House Speaker for some remark that he considers objectionable is outrageous and contrary to the most basic democratic principles. This intolerance is an example of the authoritarianism that is always under the surface of even those countries who pride themselves on being democracies and "leaders of the free world."

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