Apparently, a lawmaker in the Florida House of Representatives ran afoul of that august body's rules of politesse today after he used an inappropriate word on the House floor today.
That word: uterus. Wait, what?
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.
The GOP leadership apparently took umbrage, and sent a reminder to Democrats that they were "not to discuss body parts on the House floor." Which is pretty limiting!
"It's not like I used slang," protested Randolph. But did he think of the children? Per a House GOP spokesperson:
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.
But uterus? That's really an inappropriate word?
In Florida, apparently so.
Interestingly enough, this comes at a time when Florida lawmakers are taking their third run at passing a law that would criminalize bestiality. The last time they tried, the bill failed in the state House for similar reasons: "They...didn't want to debate the icky subject in public meetings occasionally frequented by children."
A personal appeal to the parents of Florida: please, please keep your children away from the deliberations of the Florida House of Representatives for a while, if only so the grown-ups can use their grown-up words and maybe create a law that would protect goats from being abused.
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