Babette Josephs Protests Pennsylvania Ultrasound Bill, Calls GOP Women 'Men With Breasts'

A Democratic state legislator in Pennsylvania called Republican women who are supporting a bill that would require women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound "men with breasts."

State Rep. Babette Joesephs (D-Philadelphia) attended a rally in Harrisburg on Monday opposing the bill. Josephs was addressing state Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren), the main sponsor of the legislation, during the rally, Pennsylvania Weekly reports.

"What are they?" Josephs reportedly said at the rally. "Women, or are they men with breasts?"

PennLive.com reports that Josephs continued to question whether Rapp or other Republican women know the details of the health care bills. She said she does not know if the Republicans believe women can make their own health care choices.

"I don't believe they're really women," she repeated. "I believe they're men with breasts," PennLive reports.

The Pennsylvania bill would require any woman seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound prior to receiving the procedure, with the screen pointed to the women. Gov. Tom Corbett (R) has said that women have the option of closing their eyes.

In response to the ultrasound bill, state Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) has proposed a bill requiring men to have prostate exams, stress tests and sex therapy before receiving erectile dysfunction drugs.

More on protest legislation around the nation:

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Comments

[SkeptimusPrime]

06:24 AM on 05/27/2012

This kind of stuff is frustrating, I realize that the senator is trying to fight what she perceives as sexism, but unfortunately in that battle she her self says something sexist.

This statement insinuates that sexism is something only men are guilty of. I swear, you would think a U.S. senator would know how to come up with a better argument than an ad-hom attack. There are plenty of better arguments she could have used her.

[E Fowler]

03:21 PM on 04/17/2012

Why be so afraid of having an ultrasound prior to an abortion? If one truly believes it's nothing but a clump of cells then there should be no issue...unless, of course, they fear seeing the beating heart.

[bassking]

04:18 PM on 03/31/2012

Wonder if GOP politicos claim Viagra on their taxpayer funded medical plans should they have a colonoscopy first if we are paying for them to have sex?

[KDMac]

01:57 PM on 03/28/2012

I m a woman, not a man with breasts, and I think it's not such a bad idea for women to be informed of the ramifications of their choice before they make it. Although I am a PA resident, this brainless uterus doesn't represent me.

[RyanBurke]

01:53 PM on 03/31/2012

Being informed is one thing, but to undergo unnecessary procedures is just ridiculous.

[KDMac]

02:19 PM on 03/31/2012

How often is abortion a "necessary procedure"? Most times it's elective.

[JeffJeckyll]

05:32 PM on 04/06/2012

refreshing and hilarious to see a woman refer to another as a "brainless uterus" I bet you're fun at parties too.

[Volantiad]

07:27 AM on 03/28/2012

I have to humbly disagree with Rep. Josephs: they're not 'men w/ breasts' they're Tea Party Kapos.

[Volantiad]

07:24 AM on 03/28/2012

So, if I fail to become pregnant am I murdering my 'egg children?' If a man experiences a 'nocturnal emission' should he be sent to jail?

[Volantiad]

07:22 AM on 03/28/2012

"Each 'egg person' and each 'sperm person' should be deemed equal in the eyes of the government and be subject to the same laws and regulations as any other dependent minor and be protected against abuse, neglect or abandonment by the parent or guardian,"

Does this mean that my couple hundred 'egg people' need to go back to school to be in accordance with state laws requiring children to be enrolled? How will I vaccinate them? It sounds like a LOT of Christmas presents. Oh! Can I claim a couple hundred 'egg children' as dependents on my taxes?

Sometimes, idiocy+misogyny= humor.

PS: LOVE the 'Every Sperm is Sacred' clip!

[anitaroosevelt]

05:04 PM on 03/27/2012

It's worth saying again.

We women must become corporations and then the G0Pers will leave us alone, lower our taxes and give us subsidies.

[anitaroosevelt]

04:58 PM on 03/27/2012

The father's and the legislators should have to undergo some physical probing, as well.

Let's get that probe and see how much force is necessary to get it through their "man part".

[Taioseach 7]

03:57 PM on 03/27/2012

The GOP should really be careful.

There are a lot of strong opinons both male and female in regards to the non-political issue of women's health. Women's health is essential but it is not anyone's business but the individual.

They seem to forget that their efforts are largely unpopular and women VOTE.

[pmoschetta]

06:17 PM on 03/27/2012

Governor Tom Corbett, the Pennsylvania tea bagger voted into office in 2010, has watched his approval ratings TANK over this bill and the recently signed into law, Voter ID bill

If Pa's constitution allowed recalls, he'd be in the same position as Scott Walker

[RationalCaliGirl]

11:07 PM on 03/27/2012

Women voted for the GOP as well.

[TParrish]

07:41 AM on 03/28/2012

Or were they men with breasts?

[Taioseach 7]

08:07 AM on 03/28/2012

True fact that.

But not this time around I think.

I like your tagline BTW. Allow for contraceptive measures across the board and sex ed and it would reduce the amount of abortions in the US

[Barry Larkin]

02:43 PM on 03/27/2012

breast
noun
1.
Anatomy, Zoology . (in bipeds) the outer, front part of the thorax, or the front part of the body from the neck to the abdomen; chest.
2.
Zoology . the corresponding part in quadrupeds.
3.
either of the pair of mammae occurring on the chest in humans and having a discrete areola around the nipple, especially the mammae of the female after puberty, which are enlarged and softened by hormonally influenced mammary-gland development and fat deposition and which secrete milk after the birth of a child: the breasts of males normally remain rudimentary.

Most of the arguments over this statement 'Men With Breasts' are frivolous. Scientifically and according to the definition above. Human woman and men both have breasts.

So the quote was a stupid statement, arguing over it is even more so.

[The Mikester]

05:16 PM on 03/27/2012

there are many ways the same thing can be said; men with vaginas, ovaries, or more shoes than they can wear in a year.

[prolifeandproudofit]

12:14 PM on 03/27/2012

This is the email I sent to Ms Josephs:

As a pro-life woman, I take great offense that you called me a "man with breasts." I am certainly not a man and am proud of my femininity. The very essence of being a woman is the ability to bear and nurture children. Just looking at our bodies shows the truth in this. It is against our very nature to murder our own babies in our wombs through abortion.

I also take offense at your claim that as a pro-life woman, I am only doing what men tell me to do. I am a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a former Air Force pilot. I spent my career as a female minority in a male-dominated environment, and I can definitely hold my own. No man tells me what to think.

I also resent your statement that I am not capable of making my own health care choices. I am an intelligent woman, and I can certainly decide what I want and don't want in health care, and in any other area, for that matter.

Your arrogance and utter lack of reality astounds me. There are plenty of strong, intelligent, feminine, independent women in America who are proudly pro-life. Just because you are not one of them doesn't give you the right to judge the rest of us or tell us what to do.

Please do the right thing and apologize for your careless speech.

[anitaroosevelt]

05:03 PM on 03/27/2012

Can a person be opposed to abortion but also Pro-choice in your mind?

Being a woman who "chose" to give birth, I still do not feel that I have the right to force my feelings on another woman. Certainly not in the first trimester or the day after.

I doubt that many women who seek abortions do so lightly. This is one of the most difficult situations a woman can be in. These laws are invasive and disrespectful.

Probe all of them - men , too.

[IndestructibleLioness]

08:56 PM on 03/27/2012

F&F

[prolifeandproudofit]

08:22 AM on 03/28/2012

Anita, think about why you personally believe that abortion is wrong and imagine it's your child who "chooses" abortion. Would you want your grandchild aborted? What if your neighbor is aborting the baby who would grow up to be your child's future husband or wife? Or will negotiate world peace or cure cancer?

This is not about imposing your "feelings" on others. Either abortion is morally wrong or it's not. If you don't want the pain and suffering of abortion for yourself, why would you want others to experience it?

In the first trimester, a fetus has a heartbeat 18 days after conception, when most women discover that they're pregnant. Abortion stops a beating heart, a basic indicator of life. Have you ever read a description of an abortion? Think about this long and hard. Do you really wish this for women who carry a child in their wombs? When do you think that life begins? These are tough questions. Read and ponder as much as you can before you decide that abortion is a viable choice for everyone.

I agree that most women "want" an abortion like an animal in a trap "wants" to chew off its leg to escape. The pro-life movement is about giving women options and making sure they have the care and support they need to choose life. So many people want to adopt. Why can’t a woman sacrifice nine months of her life so that her baby can have a better one?

[pmoschetta]

06:18 PM on 03/27/2012

And your arrogance astounds me, prolifeandproudofit

not every person believes in pro life and in case you haven't heard, abortions are legal

[prolifeandproudofit]

08:30 AM on 03/28/2012

I was not being arrogant. I was defending myself and my beliefs against the vicious verbal attack by Ms. Josephs. She is one who is arrogant by calling me names and making false assumptions about me and my beliefs.

What if the reverse were true? What if a pro-life representative had called pro-choice women "men with breasts" who can't make decisions fort themselves and allow men to tell them what to do. You better believe that there would be a lot of angry people over such remarks.

Ms. Josephs has every right to disagree with pro-life women, but she should do so in a respectful and civil manner and not resort to meanness and name calling. Her words reflect very poorly upon her character.

I am very much aware that abortion is legal and that not all people share my views. The pro-life movement is all about helping women find other options to abortion. As Anita pointed out in the comment above, most women do not seek an abortion lightly. Pro-lifers give these women more options so that they don't necessarily have to have an abortion. Why is that so wrong? We are helping them to make a better choice. After all, isn't that what pro-choice means, that you have a choice to have an abortion or not?

[proteusdecision]

11:59 AM on 03/27/2012

I don't think people's gender status, new or natural, should be part of the political discussion. Trans-sexuals like Ann Coulter, for instance, should be free to say any stupid thing they want without having their gender status made an issue.

[anitaroosevelt]

04:56 PM on 03/27/2012

Good one. ;>

[prolifeandproudofit]

08:12 AM on 03/29/2012

Your comment doesn't make any sense. Ann Coulter is not a trans-sexual. Like Ms. Josephs, you are simply resorting to name calling which does nothing to advance the discussion.

You are right about free speech though. Ms. Josephs has the right in this country to say anything she wants, but as a state representative, she should have better control over herself and her hateful outbursts. I also have the right to defend myself against her unfair and untrue generalities.

[Twelve]

09:36 AM on 03/27/2012

She's right. These women wish they were men. Their husbands have complete control over their lives, so what other way to protest than to get back at all the women who are smart enough to be independent.

[kathy smelser]

11:06 AM on 03/27/2012

maybe someone will introduce a special prob into finding out the truth

[Twelve]

08:18 PM on 03/27/2012

What difference does it make? They will continue to be good little god loving subserviant women. That is their lot in life. As for myself? No thanks.

[KDMac]

02:01 PM on 03/28/2012

Think again. I, for one, want to see my fellow American women make responsible, informed choices, that is all.

[StinkyMoBub]

09:10 AM on 03/27/2012

So why aren't the requiring the father to look?

Why not put out an arrest warrant for them if they refuse?

Oh that's right, it's not about the guy - only the woman.

[KDMac]

02:03 PM on 03/28/2012

No, because it's the womans choice, not the mans.

[StinkyMoBub]

02:42 PM on 03/28/2012

What a bunch of BS...you're abdicating responsibility and pushing the whole thing onto the woman. The bottom line is if there were less dead-beat dads, maybe a lot of the single mothers wouldn't be so poverty stricken.

That's it, keep blaming the woman for everything...

[prolifeandproudofit]

09:01 AM on 03/29/2012

I totally agree! The man involved is the father of a child and should have some input into the decision. Unless rape was involved, both the man and the woman made a choice to have sex that could ultimately lead to a baby. To leave the man out is unfair. If the man wants the woman to choose life, then he should step up and be willing to support the child and the woman he got pregnant. Yes, the woman is the one carrying the child, but the child is a person and has rights too!

[StinkyMoBub]

09:43 AM on 03/29/2012

But he should never be allowed to force her to carry to term against her will...ultimately, it's her decision.