Here is the link to the article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/annedoyle/2012/06/17/warning-to-womendont-say-vagina-in-the-michigan-house-and-dont-sit-at-men-only-table-in-philadelphias-union-league/
Take your time and read it through!
We have entered the 21st Century here in the good ole USA and still aren't supposed to say the word "vagina?" REALLY? Can you imagine, Michigan Rep Lisa Brown (D) in her own state's legislature was censored and not allowed to speak after using the word VAGINA??
FREE SPEECH!! Hmmmm. Where did that concept disappear to in Michigan? And that's not the only place such censorship is taking place in this country.
Can you imagine if doctors would be forbidden to use the V-word? A vagina is a legitimate part of the female body, just like a breast, a foot, an eye, a toe, an elbow an so on. It's not a "dirty word." It is a part of the human body, just like a penis is a part of the male body. Seemingly it is OK to advertise products to help cure ails for each body part, but we should not use their names. We can legislate what goes on with the body parts, but not use their names.
We profess to be a modern progressive country, yet we seem to be overly puritanical when it comes to our language and our bodies (we older than the teenage crowd that is). I remember when my mum had breast cancer when I was about 2-years old and it seemed like we shouldn't use the "B" word around other people. Thank goodness my mum had common sense and didn't act like it was a dirty secret at home. Thank goodness my dad was a wise man, not enamored with bodily perfection, and treated Mom no differently than before her surgery. Mom was able to talk to other women who suffered from breast cancer through the years, providing insight and inspiration, speaking with decorum, sensitivity, wisdom, and experience. Graphic descriptions weren't necessary, but facing the reality was.
For me to read that the word "vagina" is taboo in ANY legislative body in this country is simply horrifying. A vagina is a body part, that's it. We walk on our feet (now that is abuse), we excrete some of the most vile waste product on the planet out of our anuses (proper plural is ani, but most use anuses in modern times), we process vision with our eyes, and women give birth through our vaginas.
I fail to see why some are embarrassed by the use of the word vagina. It is a word, just like thunder, earthquake, giraffe, man, woman, child, equator, planet, etc. And..........I can tell you, NO ONE shall tell me I am not permitted to use a word in my native language!
I shall maintain my right to free speech and I applaud Michigan Representative Lisa Brown for exercising her right to free speech and standing up for her rights and those whom she serves.
NEVER "dumb-down" yourself to please those who fear the literate, who fear those who would intimidate the masses from having knowledge, or those who would silence the human and the American spirits.