Political Silliness In Michigan: The Vagina Dialogues

While speaking last Wednesday against a bill requiring doctors to ensure women aren't coerced into ending their pregnancies, Rep. Lisa Brown (D-MI) told Republicans, "I'm flattered you're all so concerned about my vagina. But no means no." As a result, Rep. Brown was barred from speaking in the House on the grounds she violated decorum. Since when did using the medically correct term for a body part become an offense?! To really offend the GOP, maybe Rep. Brown should have said "Keep your stinking paws off my pussy, you damned dirty Republicans!"

Mich. lawmaker barred for "vagina" comment in abortion debate 

Rep. Lisa Brown's op-ed piece on the controversy

On last Friday's installment of The Ed Show, guest host Michael Eric Dyson had on Rep. Brown to discuss the controversy.

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In an awesome postscript, Rep. Brown will take part in a performance of the play "The Vagina Monologues" along with the writer of the play (Eve Ensler) on the state capitol steps on the evening of Monday, June 18th.

Final Results of the Recent Clint Eastwood "Halftime in America" Ad Poll

In the recent poll in which I asked people to give their opinion of the Chrysler ad featuring Clint Eastwood, an overwhelming majority of you voted "thumbs up". Here are the final results:

Thumbs up: 82%
Thumbs down: 17%

Thanks to all of you who participated in and commented on this poll. Below, "Clint Eastwood" has a few choice words for the people who misinterpreted the Chrysler ad.

Pete Hoekstra Ad Draws Criticism For Racial Insensitivity Against Asians

While getting ready to head out to a Super Bowl party, I saw the now infamous ad run by U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra against Michigan incumbent Debbie Stabenow. The ad features a young Asian actress thanking Sen. Stabenow for weakening the U.S. economy and making China's stronger. The problem with the ad is that it has the actress speaking in broken English as if she just stepped off the set of a Charlie Chan flick. It was kinda surreal for me when I first saw the ad because I had to ask myself if I saw and heard what I think I did.

Although the ad only aired in Michigan markets before and during The Super Bowl, it is getting criticism on a nationwide level (from both sides of the political aisle) due to its racial insensitivity.  In the article that I linked to above, Hoekstra defended the ad (which is scheduled to run for two weeks on cable stations across Michigan).

By the way, there is actually a website titled Debbiespenditnow.com and it's as over-the-top with the Asian imagery as you can imagine.

In the clips below, Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks and Lawrence O'Donnell attack the ad... but from different angles.

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