Politicians are scum

[Cairber]

I am so angry right now...I am not even sure how to express it here. For the past six months, our group has been working in partnership with an organization called Birth Without Boundaries and PA state senator Connie Williams to pass breastfeeding legislation that would allow breastfeeding in public and make sure that the act was not considered obscene. The bill is called Bill 34.

We had a nurse in at the capitol building and mothers came from all over the state, some driving 5 hours to get there. we wrote letters and had parties to raise awareness. All of this was supported and organized by Connie Williams. She spoke at the events, she told us that by introducing and supporting this bill, she was making sure the rights of breastfeeding moms were protected. we worked hard to get the bill through committee, writing letters, making phone calls, and having demonstrations. Again, Williams was there the whole time.

Well, the day came for her to introduce the bill to the floor. AND SHE GUTTED IT. She fucking gutted the bill after all of this.

She took out the section that prohibited local governments from restricting breastfeeding or designating it obscene conduct. Now the bill is worthless, as local government are free to ignore it completely and create their own laws.

Politicians are scum. I can't believe I devoted so much time to this cause only to have it get so far and then be sold out by our representative.

[Lord Zentei]

Have these groups you've rallied gut her prospects in return during the next election. Politicians must be made to understand that if they don't do as their constituents require them to, they are of no further use.

[Singular Intellect]

My only question is "Why are you surprised?"

The whole concept of politicians and government "working for the people" is bullshit. Sure, you get the occasional individual who is seemingly trying to work for everyone's best interests, but in my estimation that's rare.

[Cairber]

This just happened yesterday, but so far we have started a angry letter writing campaign as well as contacted local news agencies to try and get them to run this story. Some are talking about another nurse in to protest what happened or just some kind of protest gathering...make some noise and get back on the news.

The news has been following us through this process. I can't help but think representative Williams was using us for the good press. I hope we can get them to continue to follow us so that we can get the word out on what scum she is.

[PeZook]

I concur with Lord Zentei. Gut the bitch during the next election. At this level, politicos are not immune to angered constituents rallying against them, and this kind of outrage can be terrifyingly effective.

[Cao Cao]

Has she not even bothered to offer some pitiful excuse for this? Not that it'd matter much, but i'm curious.

[Cairber]

As of this morning we have gotten no call backs and no answers to the letters written. WHich is telling since before this, I have never had a problem getting a response from her or her office within a few hours of writing or calling.

[Cairber]

UPDATE:

apparently the changes were made because "senate republicans" feel that breastfeeding should not be called a "right" (so they changed it to "freedom"), local government should retain control of making their own choices on this issue, and the preamble of the bill, which lists 5 benefits of breastfeeding, was "too harsh and offensive to moms who do not breastfeed."

These quotes are from an email sent to the leader of Birth Without Boundaries.

[Siege]

Sooo... It's a freedom, except local government can "make their own choice", read: ban that freedom if they think it's icky.

Oh yeah, that makes plenty sense .

[Glocksman]

UPDATE:

apparently the changes were made because "senate republicans" feel that breastfeeding should not be called a "right" (so they changed it to "freedom"), local government should retain control of making their own choices on this issue, and the preamble of the bill, which lists 5 benefits of breastfeeding, was "too harsh and offensive to moms who do not breastfeed."

These quotes are from an email sent to the leader of Birth Without Boundaries.

That's ironic, since PA has a local preemption statute WRT firearms laws and the Repubs were arguing (and I agree with it) that such regulation should be on the statewide level.

So I guess the assholes feel that it's OK if some mother gets busted in Podunk for breastfeeding her infant, even if it's perfectly legal in the rest of the state.

Looks like the Santorum wing of the party is alive and well.

[Yogi]

So, just curious. How much money did your orginizarion donate in the form of fundraisers and campaign contributions.

[Rye]

UPDATE:

apparently the changes were made because "senate republicans" feel that breastfeeding should not be called a "right" (so they changed it to "freedom"), local government should retain control of making their own choices on this issue, and the preamble of the bill, which lists 5 benefits of breastfeeding, was "too harsh and offensive to moms who do not breastfeed."

These quotes are from an email sent to the leader of Birth Without Boundaries.

Man, that's awesome. It's a freedom for other people to make a stand on, elsewhere, and if there's too many puritans around, bad luck? You should've known better than trying to get natural baby-feeding to be considered a right. What transparent buck-passing. Atrocious.

[Aaron]

Cairber, the more I see you post on these issues, the more I think you and the family should immigrate to Canada. Your both professionals right? You shouldn't have any trouble and you'd be amazed at the massive cultural differences there are sorrounding these issues up here. I think you guys would be alot happier up here.

[Darth Wong]

Unfortunately, I can't see people being outraged enough to seriously punish politicians for failing to protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers. Especially not in rural Pennsylvania, where I saw billboards advertising businesses as "Christian Owned".

[Glocksman]

Unfortunately, I can't see people being outraged enough to seriously punish politicians for failing to protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers. Especially not in rural Pennsylvania, where I saw billboards advertising businesses as "Christian Owned".

Didn't a Pennsylvanian on the board state that PA consists of Philly in the east, Pittsburgh in the west, and Alabama in between?
Seriously though, this is about as 'family values' as it gets, and the assholes still can't see past 'OMG! boobles'.

[SirNitram]

Businesses advertised as Christian Owned? I thought I was in the Buckle of the Bible Belt here, but I've never seen that. Good grief.

[Turin]

Unfortunately, I can't see people being outraged enough to seriously punish politicians for failing to protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers. Especially not in rural Pennsylvania, where I saw billboards advertising businesses as "Christian Owned".

Villanova isn't even really rural Pennsylvania. It's more like an extended suburb of Philadelphia. Plenty of educated people out there. The sad part is that Caribar is within spitting distance of me here in Philadelphia from where her group operates and this is the first I'm hearing about it. No local outrage, no mention whatsoever as far as I can tell.

Didn't a Pennsylvanian on the board state that PA consists of Philly in the east, Pittsburgh in the west, and Alabama in between?

Sounds like something RedImperator would say... but I prefer "Pennsyl-tucky".

[Gil Hamilton]

Didn't a Pennsylvanian on the board state that PA consists of Philly in the east, Pittsburgh in the west, and Alabama in between?
Seriously though, this is about as 'family values' as it gets, and the assholes still can't see past 'OMG! boobles'.

I believe that was me. Central PA is probably one of the more hickish places in the country. It's the proud home of the dirt farming hovel town with the million dollar glass megachurch on the hill. Not to mention the imfamous "No fear? GOD IS TO BE FEARED!" road signs (which I suppose is kind of funny). But I'm really not surprised at what happened with Cairber. That was complete bullshit, but I'm firmly convinced the state congress is filled with chimpanzees, but without the intelligence or dignity.

[Cao Cao]

UPDATE:

apparently the changes were made because "senate republicans" feel that breastfeeding should not be called a "right" (so they changed it to "freedom"), local government should retain control of making their own choices on this issue,

Freedom until someone says it's not? What?

and the preamble of the bill, which lists 5 benefits of breastfeeding, was "too harsh and offensive to moms who do not breastfeed."

By this logic, listing the benefits of healthy diets is offensive to people who don't mind what they eat! Extolling the virtues of TV programs is offensive to people who only read books!
And what about smoking labels? They're offensive to smokers! They tell them they're going to die!. That's a death threat, that is.

[That NOS Guy]

Not to mention the imfamous "No fear? GOD IS TO BE FEARED!" road signs (which I suppose is kind of funny).

I've never seen that kind of sign before, all I get are the zany church sign messages. I almost feel cheated.

[Cairber]

I want to update more but I am in the middle of making dinner. However, I just received this email which seems to directly contradict what the senators office said this morning. Now she claims the punlic ordiance clause was taken out because it was unnecessary and the state law would trump any local ones. Anyway, this is the letter we all received:

"I write to inform you that Senate Bill 34, which permits a woman to breastfeed in public, passed the full Senate today by a vote of 48-1.

The language included in SB 34 was revised as a result of compromise necessary to have the Republican controlled Senate consider the bill. The amendment does not change the intent of the bill, which is to ensure that women can breastfeed in public; however, I know that there is some disappointment with the amended version.

The fact that I was asked to remove the introductory phrases touting the benefits of breastfeeding speaks to the outreach and education that truly is needed in Pennsylvania. Many legislators have been vocal that they are not comfortable with SB 34’s promotion of breastfeeding. They are concerned that advocating for breastfeeding is an inappropriate judgment of women who do not breastfeed.

Additionally, Republican leadership was adamant that there are few “rights” in Pennsylvania law. They were unwilling to add breastfeeding to that list and instead wanted it drafted as being permitted.

There is some confusion about the fact that the local ordinance prohibition was removed. It was removed because it is unnecessary since state law will preempt any local ordinance prohibiting breastfeeding.

I have come up against some unfortunate political realities in moving this bill forward. While the final version of SB 34 that passed the Senate today was not ideal, I believe that is a good first step that has sparked an important dialogue in Pennsylvania. In the 11 years that legislation has been introduced in PA on this issue, this is the first time that a breastfeeding in public bill has moved forward. I welcome more input and hope that the House is more open minded about the fact that this is a true family values and public health issue.

Connie Williams

17th Senate District

[Spyder]

UPDATE:

apparently the changes were made because "senate republicans" feel that breastfeeding should not be called a "right" (so they changed it to "freedom"), local government should retain control of making their own choices on this issue, and the preamble of the bill, which lists 5 benefits of breastfeeding, was "too harsh and offensive to moms who do not breastfeed."

These quotes are from an email sent to the leader of Birth Without Boundaries.

Senate republicans? I'm sure there are many intricacies of the way the US government works that I'm unfamiliar with, but why is their opinion important?

Edit: I thought democrats had the majority.

[Cairber]

Sorry to double post. So, basically, COnnie Williams doesn't understand her own bill or how law in PA works. She claims she cut that section (of the bill SHE wrote) becuase it was useless. Yet every other senator in support of the bill has pulled their support because, by taking out the local oridance clause and the word "right", William's law now allows local governments to continue to punish breastfeeding in public under lewd/obscene laws or by creating new ones which restrict breastfeeding (such as in many states where local laws have been written to get around the state law by saying things like "if the breastfeeding is done discreetly" which leaves it open for debate- what is discreet?).

Anyway, it won't pass the house now since those who supported the old law there are pulling their support.

Sigh...politics...


I have much more to say and to answer some posts from above but I have to do some stuff around here. I'll be back tonight.

[Cairber]

UPDATE:

apparently the changes were made because "senate republicans" feel that breastfeeding should not be called a "right" (so they changed it to "freedom"), local government should retain control of making their own choices on this issue, and the preamble of the bill, which lists 5 benefits of breastfeeding, was "too harsh and offensive to moms who do not breastfeed."

These quotes are from an email sent to the leader of Birth Without Boundaries.

Senate republicans? I'm sure there are many intricacies of the way the US government works that I'm unfamiliar with, but why is their opinion important?

Edit: I thought democrats had the majority.

It's PA state senate, which is controlled by republicans right now (or semi democrats who lean republican)

[Aaron]

Sorry to double post. So, basically, COnnie Williams doesn't understand her own bill or how law in PA works. She claims she cut that section (of the bill SHE wrote) becuase it was useless. Yet every other senator in support of the bill has pulled their support because, by taking out the local oridance clause and the word "right", William's law now allows local governments to continue to punish breastfeeding in public under lewd/obscene laws or by creating new ones which restrict breastfeeding (such as in many states where local laws have been written to get around the state law by saying things like "if the breastfeeding is done discreetly" which leaves it open for debate- what is discreet?).

Anyway, it won't pass the house now since those who supported the old law there are pulling their support.

Sigh...politics...


I have much more to say and to answer some posts from above but I have to do some stuff around here. I'll be back tonight.

So the local police are actually allowed to fine or arrest you for breast feeding in public? My fucking god that is ass backwards, if that is the case than the State should at least have the decency to force public buildings to include breast feeding rooms with their bathroom facilities like malls in Canada do.