Female House Democrats want rebuke of West for insults to Wasserman Schultz

[alp227]

Source: The Washington Post

A group of House Democratic women called Wednesday on Republican leaders to rebuke Rep. Allen B. West (R-Fla.) for calling Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) “vile,” “despicable” and “not a lady.”

Reps. Gwen Moore (Wis.), Lois Capps (Calif.), Jackie Speier (Calif.), Donna F. Edwards (Md.) and Carolyn B. Maloney (N.Y.) said that West should apologize for his comments and that House GOP leaders should publicly disavow them.

“We see this as a historic and systemic way that women have been subjected to sexism particularly in this venue, in this political environment,” Moore said. ”Just once again, we have been told that in order to be a ‘lady,’ we need to just stay in our places.”

West’s remarks came in an e-mail sent Tuesday afternoon, after Wasserman Schultz criticized on the House floor West’s support for a bill that would allow the debt ceiling to be raised in exchange for significant spending cuts and congressional passage of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/female-house-democrats-want-rebuke-of-west-for-insults-to-wasserman-schultz/2011/07/20/gIQAhVxYQI_story.html

[Dawson Leery]

1. If Democrats had control.

they could condemn him in the same manner they did to Congress"man" Joe Wilson (R-SC).

[LynneSin]

3. If democrats had control that asshole wouldn't be in office

I'm hoping he's a 1-term guy and his district recognizes what an idiot he is

[601Liberal]

77. He doesn't even live in his district

Ironically, he's in Debbie's district.

[defendandprotect]

2. Outrageous -- should happen!!

[DCKit]

4. And Alan West is a vile pig... and a horse's ass, to boot.

Let him show himself off to all the women of his district. If the (D) women attack, he'll only gain sympathy.

More rope folks.

[DesertFlower]

5. i sent him an e-mail telling him

he should apologize to Mrs. Schultz. normally i would say debbie but in his case she's Mrs. Schultz.

[Tx4obama]

7. In this case she is: Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz

[No Elephants]

11. Or Representative. Thank you, Tx.

[Honeycombe8]

6. More & more often it's the WOMEN in Congress who have the balls.

I'm ashamed of how wimpy the men in Congress have become. It's the women who stand up for issues more and more. Not ALL the men are wimpy about everything. But starting w/the Iraq War, it's been the WOMEN who have come forward and not be afraid to speak directly and loudly on issues.

And as Christiane Amanpour pointed out, it's not the women politicians who are being distracted by taking pictures of their genitals and posting them on the internet, or having dalliances with their staffers, etc. Okay, she didn't put it that way. But you get the point.

I'm becoming convinced that if we had more women in both houses in Congress, the country wouldn't be in the mess it's in now.

[No Elephants]

12. I don't think associating courage with balls is a good idea.

[NewJeffCT]

25. agreed - can't we use "spine" or "backbone" or "guts"

instead?

[No Elephants]

29. You're preaching to the converted here. I think it's very sexist and have no idea why so many women

do that. Or men. Yet, women do it all the time, right along with males.

I see nothing wrong with spine, backbone or guts, or even plain ole "courage" or "strength." Doesn't need to be described in terms of any body part.

Saying things like "Pelosi has bigger balls than Reid," strike me as the most sexist, as well as the mst ludicrous.

Oh, well.

[jwirr]

47. Hadn't thought of it before but if "having balls" means courage then

courage is a male characteristic. Since we all know that is not true then we need to stop it because it is a form of discrimination that we have been taught. Ladies have as much courage as gentlemen. West is not gentleman.

[AlbertCat]

50. I see nothing wrong with spine, backbone or guts,....

How about

BRAINS!

[wackadoo wabbit]

80. I always use the term "gonads"

It's not sexist, and it gets the point across. (And because the word "gonads" isn't used that often in casual speech, hearing it can sometimes cause people to stop and think, and then realize that a woman can be as brave, assertive, and courageous as any man.)

[BNJMN]

81. But if I call someone a 'dick' that's cool.

Or is everyone so uptight that nothing can be said without someone getting their panties..urm, boxers in a knot, I mean, ruffled, I mean, I love birds, I mean, not birds like women but...ummm....

[iamjoy]

24. Not So Fast

I mean, Minority Leader Pelosi and Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz both called for Anthony Weiner to resign after he sexted and lied about it. Real courage would have been pointing out what a distraction from the real issues all the media fuss over those pictures was. They also might have pointed out how Governor Sanford and Senator Craig finished their terms after sex scandals and Senator Vitter was re-elected after his.

As for courageous men, we had Congressman Grayson and Senator Feingold as well. Unfortunately, their bold stands worked against them in the last election. The tallest weed is the first to be cut by the blade.

[No Elephants]

30. I agree that neither gender in Congress has a monopoly on courage.

However, I think your example of Weiner may not be that straightforward.

Both genders of Democrats, more than Republicans, were demanding Weiner's resignation. I think it may have been more of an issue of marching orders than of guts or gender.

The ONLY Dem I heard say it should be up to Weiner's constituents was Rangel, another Dem who had been ganged up on to resign or "retire" by everyone from Obama to Jon Stewart before the Ethics Committee had finished its work.

Rangel, too, was IMO a Dem whose "sins" had been far less than those of Republicans who had either gotten off clean or been left pretty much alone until the relevant Committee had finished its work. And, his constituents did re-elect him.

IOW, the issue of the words of Reps. Pelosi and Wasserman-Schultz may well have been that of loyalty to Party than of weakness of gender.

[iamjoy]

82. To Paraphrase Albus Dumbledore...

It takes just as much (if not more) courage to stand up to your friends as to stand up to your opponents.

So, even if it was party loyalty or "marching orders" I still call "wimp" because people should have called b.s. on it. I wouldn't expect that of Republicans who wanted any excuse to get rid of a strong progressive voice, but other Democrats shouldn't have been complicit.

And I only reference Wasserman-Schultz and Pelosi because the post to which I was responding was pointing out how the women of our party have more courage than the men. That's not necessarily the case. If Weiner is a bad example in my counterpoint, perhaps Wasserman-Schultz and Pelosi are poor examples in the original point.

[eagertolearn]

39. My husband always comments how women will run the world eventually.

"They just have their act together" is what he commonly says. Our oldest daughter once wrote in a high school paper that she would like to be Oregon's first Senator. She's in college now and would make a fantastic one though we are all disillusioned about politics right now.

[druidqueen]

43. brass ovaries

I prefer to think of strong women as having "brass ovaries"!!!!!:hi: :hi:

[backtomn]

54. I don't see it that way

It looks like a bunch of Congresswomen telling a Congressman not to pick on the girl. I think that Wasserman-Schultz can take care of herself.....and she should. This reaction is troubling. I thought the point was supposed to be that they would all be treated equally?? This was a second-rate attack by a second-rate Congressman. Maybe we should just ignore it.

[Frequency]

60. Don't pick on the defensless woman?

I agree. She has no problem saying what she thinks. When these women came out and spoke (as a group of women) it sounded like they were playing the gender card. "Don't pick on the poor defenseless woman"

[spooky3]

72. You're wrong; the problem is that the slur occurred, and that Congressmen should have criticized it

It should not be up to either the target of a sex-based slur, or other people of the same gender, to call it out. Tolerating sexist, racist, homophobic or any other language or insults simply sends the message that it is OK.

If West wanted to criticize Wasserman Schultz's comments or other behavior, rather than engage in an ad hominem attack based on what sex role she ought to play, that would be a completely different matter.

This post does a nice job of explaining what was wrong with what he chose to say.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4929058&mesg_id=4929131

[Proletariatprincess]

8. I have come to hate the word "LADY"

The word has come to be an insult in the mouth of a priveleged male. To act 'like a lady' is way of saying shut up and be quiet. Know your place, lady.
Our language needs to change. Let's not let those who would put us down, dictate our role in this society with their words.

[Angry Dragon]

9. I guess it depends on how one views the word

Would you put the same limits on the word gentleman??

I guess in my mind a lady is a woman that knows herself
I guess mostly it depends on the tone used and the context

[No Elephants]

13. What's wrong with a woman who knows herself being a woman?

No one tells males to be "gentlemen" because they are outspoken in Congress.


Ladylike females are upper class, elitist, delicate, not strong, and do not engage in "manly" activities, like chew tobacco or have powerful jobs. Commerce is beneath them, as are folks not as "well bred" as they.

Ladylike females, for example, are not wrestlers or weightlifters or construction workers or bosses who need to order men around.

Rather, they follow ladylike pursuits, like embroidering and and watercolors.

The word "gentleman," while also having to do with pedigree, has none of the disempowering connotations of "ladylike." We have, for example, gentleman farmers. If a gentleman does not work, it's because he is independently wealthy and does not need to. He does not do "ladylike" things because such things are considered too frivolous and lame for a "real" man. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gentleman

We try to get rid of as many gender distinctions as possible because the traditional role of women was to be disempowered, no job, no rights, no vote, no ability to contract, unless Daddy was dead and she was single. All of that translates to subjugation and poverty, though, of course, "genteel" poverty.

Surely, throughout your life, you've been exposed to these things, and to the disempowering connotations of "ladylike"?

"Ladylike" in the Free Online Dictionary:

la·dy·like (ld-lk)
adj.
1. Characteristic of a lady; well-bred. (Heaven forbid we don't have the right ancestors.)
2. Appropriate for or becoming to a lady. See Synonyms at female.
3. Unduly sensitive to matters of propriety or decorum.
4. Lacking virility or strength.
lady·likeness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
ladylike <ˈleɪdɪˌlaɪk>
adj
1. like or befitting a lady in manners and bearing; refined and fastidious
2. Derogatory (of a man) effeminate {Why is it derogatory or a man? Because it implies weakness.}


ladylikeness n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj. 1. ladylike - befitting a woman of good breeding; "ladylike manners"
refined - (used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel; "she was delicate and refined and unused to hardship"; "refined people with refined taste"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
ladylike
adjective refined, cultured, sophisticated, elegant, proper, modest, respectable, polite, genteel, courtly, well-bred, decorous She crossed the room with quick, ladylike steps.

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

In literature:

Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne, Nathaniel View in context
I was the accomplished graduate of a dry goods store, where, by dint of ministering to the whims of fine ladies, and suiting silken hose to delicate limbs, and handling satins, ribbons, chintzes calicoes, tapes, gauze, and cambric needles, I grew up a very ladylike sort of a gentleman.


Great Expectations by Dickens, Charles
Pip, except one - and she wasn't of this slender ladylike sort, and you wouldn't have caught her looking after this urn - unless there was something to drink in it.

Hard Times by Dickens, Charles
Seated, with her needlework or netting apparatus, at the window, she had a self- laudatory sense of correcting, by her ladylike deportment, the rude business aspect of the place.

A Tramp Abroad by Twain, Mark
They don't SELL this hot water; no, you go into the great Trinkhalle, and stand around, first on one foot and then on the other, while two or three young girls sit pottering at some sort of ladylike sewing-work in your neighborhood and can't seem to see you --polite as three-dollar clerks in government offices.

House Of Seven Gables by Hawthorne, Nathaniel
In the aspect of this dark-arrayed, pale-faced, ladylike old figure there was a deeply tragic character that contrasted irreconcilably with the ludicrous pettiness of her employment.

more http://www.thefreelibrary.com/_/search/Search.aspx?By=0&SearchBy=4&Word=ladylike

[Angry Dragon]

15. I never said there was anything wrong with a woman

knowing herself
that is the best kind of woman

And most of the men in congress are not gentlemen
west is not a gentleman
bachmann is not a lady

I find nothing wrong with calling a woman a lady
because of the tone I use and the context it is used in it is not a putdown

[No Elephants]

17. I am not used to many people posting at this hour and have been adding to my post.

Perhaps the fuller version explains better why the term "lady" limits a woman in ways that "gentleman" does not limit a man.

I did not mean what is wrong with a female knowing herself. Your post, however, had stated, "I guess in my mind a lady is a woman that knows herself"

I would disagree. That is simply a woman who knows herself.

Whenever I was told to act like a lady, it had less than nothing to do with knowing myself. Usually, it meant "Stop that activity that you are enjoying at this moment."


Tone and context are important, but so are dictionary definitions and traditional uses of a word.

Look, if you don't see it as anything but a matter of tone and context in each specific use, you don't see it and I give up. I think most women would disagree though. I certainly do,

[Randomthought]

41. I agree!

[Angry Dragon]

65. Whenever I have used the term, it was a term of respect

[U4ikLefty]

78. When I'm told to "act like a gentleman" it is usually from a woman

trying to take advantage.

I recall when two women tried to "blend" in line at the U2 concert last month. They were kicked out of the line by me & three other dudes & her response was "I guess we have no gentlemen in line".

[Lordquinton]

16. I empathise with what you are saying

but there are few gentlemen in congress.

[Proletariatprincess]

58. Great post!

Thank you for the research. We are sympatico on this subject.
Language evolves and maybe someday the word Lady will be seen as an archaic term for woman. I don't know why is is taking so long.
At least we have the title Ms., so that we are not defined by our marital status. We can thank Gloria Steinheim for that breakthrough.

[donquijoterocket]

56. A real

Gentleman would certainly know better than to use the descriptors this disgraced ex-colonel used. I can only see it as an act of desperation and further evidence of the instability that got him cashiered out of the Army.Worse was the smarmy typical conservative non-apology apology which he might have lied about making then turning around and repeating the slurs to fund raise off the incident. Guy's got serious issues and no intelligence or class.

[alp227]

71. so how would you address Michelle Obama if not "First Lady"? N/t

[Scout]

76. Mrs. Obama n/t

[gateley]

10. It shouldn't be the Dem women - it should be the Republican Speaker!

That's what would happen if the situation were reversed. I'm sure Boehner would have no problem telling a Black man what to do.

[spooky3]

73. exactly

[No Elephants]

14. EVERYone should be putting this jerk in his place. This is not only a woman's issue.

All men have at, a minimum, a mom, and maybe wives and daughters, whom they don't want facing discrimination because they are willing to take an "unladylike" job, like construction worker or Congressional Representative, or surgeon.

[spooky3]

74. totally agree

It's a double whammy to be targeted by a sexist. Not only do you have that negative experience, you then have the added stress and other costs of trying to get it corrected.

[flor-de-jasmim]

18. Where are the Democratic MEN and the Republican WOMEN??

[DFW]

19. That's what I want to know, too! n/t

[No Elephants]

26. Republican men don't have moms, wives or daughters?

[A Simple Game]

37. The Democratic women should publicly invite the Republican women to

join in their condemnation. When the refuse, which I'm sure they would, then point out to the public that the Republican women are afraid of Rep. West. They will deny being afraid of him, and likely look foolish while doing it.

It would likely make the Democrats look strong and the Republicans look weak.

[spooky3]

75. exactly

[rasputin1952]

20. If there are decent peopl in West's didtrict, they will send him packing in 2012....

He's radical jerk that should never have been elected in the first place...he deserves nothing but complete scorn.

He was a disaster as an an Army officer, he's a disaster as a Congresscritter and a complete failure as a human being.

[titaniumsalute]

31. Well I'm one of those decent people in West's district

He's a complete asshole shitface. I have hated certain politicians but this guy is lower than fecal matter in a septic tank. He thinks DWS is vile? Please. Look in the fucking mirror.

I can't see how this asshole got elected in this very blue district. I really can't see how he will keep his job. I will spend every waking moment and dollar I have defeating this jerkoff.

[rasputin1952]

34. Good for you!

If D's show up at the polls, they can get rid of this piece of crap. What got this clown in was people sitting at home, never realizing that by doing that, (across the country), that jerks wind up in office...every election is important!

[Divine Discontent]

21. bringing up "lady" in that context is sexist of him, this guy typing thinks! Rep West is a jerk. n/t

[HockeyMom]

22. Lady is a derogatory term

It is condescending; hoops skirts, women not voting, in the kitchen, and making babies. Although I admit, it seems to be very prevalent in the SOUTH. I once had a young man, half my age, call me "young lady". Excuse me? Yes, I found that very insulting as a 60 year old WOMAN. I told him so and told him to call me Ma'am or Madam, thank you very much. Lady is a very sexist word.

As far as Mrs. Wasserman-Schultz, the most appropriate term in addressing her would have been SENATOR. That is her official title and what MALE members of the congress are addressed as.

[No Elephants]

27. It's a limiting term, and women have historically had enough limitations, thank you very much.

[polmaven]

28. She is not a Senator,

but I agree that the term REPRESENTATIVE or CONGRESSWOMAN should have been used.

[RedCloud]

23. He doesn't have to apologize. He's a Republican.

[perdita9]

32. A Republican With Manners

These are getting to be so rare they should be added to the Endangered Species list.

[eilen]

33. Is professionalism and courtesy so difficult they elude

a teaparty congressmen?

I thought addressing colleagues in this fashion was verboten in congressional protocol.

"Not a lady?" Seriously? She is definitely not a "lady" she is a colleague, a legislator and elected by a majority of her constituents. He is a vulgar little man with an outsize ego who is lacking discipline and discretion.

[66 dmhlt]

35. West Contributed to a Florida Magazine Calling Women “Oral Relief Stations”

Before he was elected to Congress, West was a monthly contributor to “Miami Mike’s Wheels On The Road,” a biker magazine that billed itself as the “South Florida Biker’s Bible.” The magazine has featured multiple overtly misogynistic articles, including one asking readers to imagine having sex with Wasserman Schultz. At other times, the magazine’s writers referred to women as “oral relief stations,” complained about women who said “their knees hurt,” depicted women as servants of men, and suggested that they should wear “slave chokers” as accessories.

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/07/20/274274/allen-west-women-problems/

[whathehell]

42. Maybe he and the bikers could visit prison and become Oral Relief Stations themselves

Charity and all...Just sayin.:popcorn:

[alp227]

63. wow, didn't know that...

at the risk of sounding a little racist, Allen West is just as bad as those rappers with those "b--ches and h-es" songs by gleefully contributing to that toilet paper magazine. (but KANYE West is a great music producer)

This comes to mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWD15oRu3YM

[noiretextatique]

68. rap/hip hop culture is sexist to the core

with a few notable exceptions.

[freshwest]

70. Thanks Tea Party For Restoring Honor to America!

[Darth_Kitten]

36. Unfortunately, it's not going to happen.

There's no civility left.

[BetsysGhost]

38. she could tell him

to go fuck himself. Hey it was good enough for Cheney -

[sulphurdunn]

40. West is a swaggering

loudmouth bully . Someone needs to bring him down a few pegs. I thought Congress had rules of decorum to deal with this sort of behavior?

[Blacksheep214]

44. So tell me

Why would any woman not brainwashed by their religion to be subservient to men, vote republican or tea party?

[alp227]

62. maybe it's the male-slanted culture? n/t

[texshelters]

45. To bad the rebuke

wouldn't change the mierda that is in the hearts of these thugs.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[jwirr]

46. This should be brought to the attention of our male congress people.

It will not do me any good but I am going to contact craavack. This is bs.

[plumbob]

48. West is obviously a self-hating black man. Ex-military, confessed torturer,

made to retire after the torture incident and fined $5,000 for it, still claims it was necessary.

Certainly trying hard to carry the water for the predominantly white, inherited wealth 1% of the elite.

Here's a clue, West: no matter how much money you make them, you'll always be hired help, and you're never going to be invited to family dinners.

Nothing more vile than someone who OUGHT to know better engaging in a pattern of conduct disgusting for anyone, but most especially a person of color.

Let me say in advance that I am a certain kind of gentleman, one who is never unintentionally rude.

[femrap]

52. +1 nt

[Lifelong Protester]

49. His remarks were WAY over the line. He should be censured.

And in an email? Colbert nailed that one last night. What a coward.

[femrap]

51. I can imagine the fit

he would throw if he were called 'not a man.' This dude has some serious 'issues.' Hopefully he soon be leaving Washington, DC for good.

[JackDragna]

53. It's all code to the base.

"Heh, heh. Stupid woman, contradicting me. We all know women can't make good decisions, right?"

[SteveM]

55. Another GOP cock-strutting punk-out. They are quite used to bullying....

because it has works so well.

Solution? Hit back. Hard. After all, the GOP loves it when you "take the higher ground," and only complain about the bullying.

If the Democratic Party was really serious about beating the GOPers they would:

(1) Compile the stink-pot remarks by the spittle-slinging punks of the GOP and air them -- CONSTANTLY; and

(2) Describe the GOP as the party of extremism -- CONSTANTLY.

Put it on the air, change up the remarks and situations to keep 'em guessing, but adhere to the theme and spend some of those hundreds of millions effectively.

Some may recall when in the summer of 2004 Jimmy Carter described the GOP as "extremist" to Jim Lehrer of PBS. An incredulous Lehrer had to interrupt Carter and ask him to repeat the description. Carter obliged. Jim was not dumbfounded because Carter's remarks were out of line or wrong; he was struck senseless that someone in the Democratic Party had the JUICE TO SAY IT.

[alp227]

64. this is the interview

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec04/carter_7-26.html

JIM LEHRER: Is it also correct ... you used the word extremism or extremist in relationship to what he has done three or four times. Is that a message that you want us to take from this as well?

FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER: It is. I think if you look at the history of what has happened in the last three-and-a-half years compared to what happened in this country for the previous 200 years, you see a radical departure from custom and commitments and ideals and moral values.

and I've suggested "put Republican trash talk on blast" before too

[Guilded Lilly]

57. These Republicans in this Congress are far beyond giving one holy hell if they do anything

that offends anyone. It's the new American Republican Political Character.

They pride themselves on it even though it comes from fear.

[KamaAina]

59. So I guess female House repukes are cool with it?

:eyes:

[mstinamotorcity]

61. It seems that

Allen b. West (r) Fla., is more of a lady than some women. He has taken remarks that he knows will in-flame us. The Democratic base. Only I am one who is not gender bias. So in addition I also feel as though he is nothing but a Republican Valet. And everyone knows it. I personally can say I have met Valets and know one when I see one. They had other names for those of his nature, but I feel that since this is 2011 it deserved up-dating. :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[Uncle Joe]

66. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, alp.

[totodeinhere]

67. West is a disgrace and he needs to be censured at the very least. But

of course that won't happen with the baggers in control of the House. God I hope he loses his reelection bid.

[Cool Logic]

69. If you're gonna to play with the big boys...

You can't act like a little girl.

Ready to Rumble: Greatest Fistfights of the U.S. Congress
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1161398/ready_to_rumble_greatest_fistfights.html

[slackmaster]

85. Thanks for the link Cool Logic! That's a nice compilation.

:rofl:

[Maraya1969]

79. What if he wrote to a man in congress calling him vile, despicable and not a gentleman?

Would never happen.

[ItNerd4life]

83. I can't believe people aren't upset with Wasserman Schultz.

She is the one who broke protocal and called him out on the floor, while he wasn't even there.

His response was vile, but she was the first person who was rude and obnoxious while she had the floor.

Get the facts people and understand the whole situation before making comments please.

[slackmaster]

84. I think the only reasonable response is to let it drop

It was a juvenile exchange on both sides. It's time for the rest of us to act like adults and let the children own their bad behavior. There's no sense in trying to take sides in a childish dispute where both parties are clearly wrong, and no real harm has been done.