March 19, 2012

Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, D-Madison, proposed the requirement that "a state legislator... be in the room to act as the official 'state shamer.'"

It's Wisconsin, where the legislature is one big theatrical stage:
[A new bill] requires physicians, under the threat of a felony charge, to speak privately with a woman seeking an abortion to determine whether she had been "coerced" and to conduct an exam before providing abortion-inducing drugs....

Roys proposed that since Republicans want to use doctors to perform a "shaming lecture," that a state legislator also be required to be in the room to act as the official "state shamer."
The GOP legislature also passed a bill permitting abstinence-only sex education in public schools. Roys "facetiously proposed amendments to also give schools discretion on whether to teach the 'science of germs' and the 'theory of gravity.'"

There you have it: the comic stylings of Kelda Helen Roys. Roys, unlike the rest of us, has the opportunity to make jokes via the legislative process.

71 comments:

KCFleming said...

In which a WI legislator attempts to enact a Donnesbury comic strip into law.

MadisonMan said...

I'm thankful that the economic problems of Wisconsin are solved so these pressing social needs can now be addressed.

Republicans: My life needs to be controlled. Please do enact legislation so I can atone for my sins, and learn to walk in the right path. That is, after all, the role of Big Republican Government.

Lyssa said...

Why are liberals always so worried about being encouraged to feel shame? If it's not wrong, then there's nothing to feel ashamed of. Why does it matter so much that someone else might disagree with your behavior?

I'm Full of Soup said...

Kelda is "the go-to expert on women’s health policy in the Assembly" according to her website.

Is that because she ran NARAL Wisconsin for four years and majored in civil rights law at UW Law school?

I'm Full of Soup said...

Actually Kelda's "state shamer" idea was pretty funny IMO.

KCFleming said...

Madison Man, I agree.

But the schism was created by Roe v Wade.

Lyssa said...

I'm trying to think of a good analogy. What if, when I went to buy a gun, I had to listen to someone give a 5 minutes speech about gun violence? (Let's set aside the fact that the constitution specifically allows me to bear arms.)

So? I might be a little annoyed; I'd probably laugh at the speaker. I can't imagine that I'd feel the least bit "shamed."

chickelit said...

More likely, though, this crusade against women is simply definitive proof that the Wisconsin Republican Party has moved beyond the far right to, well, perhaps the Deep South.

How about that geographic bigotry?

Petunia said...

Kelda's running against the execrable Mark Pocan for Tammy Baldwin's seat. He's got a huge advantage because, while they're both ultra-liberal, he's gay while she's married to a man.

Guess she had to come up with something to get her back in the news after he scored with his glee over Pam Galloway's family medical problems that led to her resigning her Senate seat.

bgates said...

I think it's an outrage that this person has proposed a bill which could impede the right of legislators to flee the state.

Balfegor said...

I don't understand why people have such a problem with abstinence-only sex education. I mean, it's not like it's unscientific. On the contrary, it's Biology 101, and you'd have to be kind of thick not to realise that it works.

On the other hand, I suppose if a student didn't figure out that abstinence is a viable strategy for avoiding pregnancy when he took Biology 101 and (one supposes) learned that babies don't come from storks but from sexual congress, he's, well, kind of thick, so perhaps there's not much point in joining up A and B for him with klaxons and neon flashing lights and calling it "Abstinence" -- it won't take either way.

cubanbob said...

Roys wants to close the shame gap! Another democrat, another idiot. Madison anyone who is for Obamacare has no standing to complain about Big Government.

Anonymous said...

At 33 years old when I went to a Urologist to get a vasectomy, the first thing he asked me was if I was pressured into the decision. It surprised me.

I responded, "I have a healthy daughter, and now a healthy son; never been so sure about anything in my life. Cut me Doc."

He said a lot of guys come in who really don't want to. They are being "pushed".

TMI?? Thought is was relevant.

Renee said...

Every time I go to the doctor/ER, I have someone ask if "I'm safe." It is a domestic violence question even if I showing no signs of abuse, and I'm there on a non-female issue.


Is this standard practice of abortion facilities NOT to ask about domestic violence?

Rialby said...

"Please do enact legislation so I can atone for my sins, and learn to walk in the right path"

Why don't the Progressives do the right thing and enshrine in the Constitution a right to abortion? That way it's unlikely that the Right can try to take it away.

YoungHegelian said...

....that the Wisconsin Republican Party has moved beyond the far right to, well, perhaps the Deep South.

It takes some brass balls to bad mouth the South for close-mindedness considering the state of race relations in Milwaukee.

Germans racist??! Naaah! When has that ever happened? Das kann nicht sein!

MadisonMan said...

But the schism was created by Roe v Wade.

The parent in me hears But.. at the beginning of an excuse and immediately goes to Accept that what you did is wrong and don't do it again.

Alas, the don't do it again part is never followed. Or even the acceptance that something is wrong.

Anonymous said...

Really, I'm surprised that this would not be asked.

I can't imagine that some girls aren't pressured into this decision by boyfriends, or family members; even husbands.

If this has to do with a woman's right to choose, why not require the question be asked?

Triangle Man said...

If it's not wrong, then there's nothing to feel ashamed of. Why does it matter so much that someone else might disagree with your behavior?

Read some Kafka.

Moose said...

So Wisconsin is known for what again? Other than stupid political stunts and cheese curds?

Triangle Man said...

Where is Freeman Hunt to remind us that the pro-life agenda has nothing to do with sex? If this is true why is pro-life legislation always followed closely by legislation about contraception and sex education?

garage mahal said...

Naturally, Glenn Grothman should be the official state shamer.

Tyrone Slothrop said...

Would the shamer be paid for trips out of state, such as when the minority flees to Illinois to subvert the democratic process?

gadfly said...

Former Congressman Jim Traficant (D-Enterprise) must be wondering whether he is in Youngstown or Madison.

My colleagues, all the education in the world is worthless without God and a little bit of common sense. And I yield back whatever we have left.

Beam me up ...

SGT Ted said...

Pro-abortionists want carve-outs in the Domestic and Sexual Abuse reporting laws to make abortions easier to perform. They have made that perfectly clear by their actions.

Just like they have gotten a carve-out from the 1st Amendment when it comes to protesting near abortion clinics.

It is really quite disgusting.

KCFleming said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KCFleming said...

MadisonMan, not all excuses are false.

The Roe decision created a permanent rift, but the left wants everyone just to shut up about it because "it's already been decided".

That's wrong, and the tactic failed.

Who should apoligize?

traditionalguy said...

Shame is a Progressive weapon. The social cons are not permitted to even touch that weapon. Their attempt to use reality therapy to save a baby's life is shameful.

The dead baby was unavailable for comment.

Thorley Winston said...

[A new bill] requires physicians, under the threat of a felony charge, to speak privately with a woman seeking an abortion to determine whether she had been "coerced" and to conduct an exam before providing abortion-inducing drugs....

Roys proposed that since Republicans want to use doctors to perform a "shaming lecture,"


How does any of that constitute a “shaming lecture”?

Andy Freeman said...

> So Wisconsin is known for what again? Other than stupid political stunts and cheese curds?

If the stores near the IL border are any indication, porn and fireworks are also big WI products. (I understand how fireworks might be hard to come by in IL, but porn?)

Rusty said...

MadisonMan said...
But the schism was created by Roe v Wade.

The parent in me hears But.. at the beginning of an excuse and immediately goes to Accept that what you did is wrong and don't do it again.

Alas, the don't do it again part is never followed. Or even the acceptance that something is wrong.



Well. It kinda is wrong because if you do it right it's kinda hard to get pregnant. Which is, if you think about, is kinda optional. It's not like its inevitable. like gravity or germs which are pretty much with us all the time and work as intended all the time and aren't optional at all.
Just sayin'.

Wince said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wince said...

Kelda Helen Roys...

The legislator who launched a thousand facetious bills?

Anonymous said...

Big government when it pertains to social issues conservatives want controlled, small government in all other areas. I spent the weekend with a bunch of conservatives here in Walkershaw County.

Most are fiscal conservatives, very PO'D that the Republicans are shooting themselves in the foot with the legislation concerning women's issues. Most have said they feel Obama will win, precisely because of this overreach.

And Walker's administration has been on board with this trend, not smart.

I ♥ Willard said...

Roys, unlike the rest of us, has the opportunity to make jokes via the legislative process.

Hmmm. It seems to me that most of the Wisconsin legislators are making a joke of the legislative process. Why should Roys be singled out for mocking the silliness and stupidity of Wisconsin's legislative actions?

Anonymous said...

I thought this week's wedge issue was banning porn.

chickelit said...

Most are fiscal conservatives, very PO'D that the Republicans are shooting themselves in the foot with the legislation concerning women's issues.

Dems should be PO'd that Fluke and Obama made this a legislative issue.
The contraception madates are part of Obamacare. Republicans didn't shoot themselves in the foot with legislation.

chickelit said...

@Oop: so how were the steaks?

Anonymous said...

Chickie, women's issues were being legislated by the Republicans long before the Fluke thing and long before Obama wanted Catholics to cover birth control. One piece of legislation after another has passed the Republican controlled House since 2010.

The steaks were amazing as was our weather, don't you wish you still lived here?

Sigivald said...

How about the schools manage to teach all the kids to read, write, and do basic math before worrying about anything else?

They tend to be pretty bad at teaching science at any level beyond a vague and occasionally inaccurate summary of the most central data, after all.

(That's the problem with compulsory State education - the Parties will endlessly fight over what indoctrination to push.

The idea that they should skip the indoctrination entirely [or make it as neutral as possible - in terms of specific issues - say by a return to civics education] isn't even on the table.)

Caroline said...

Legislating what is said in a private conversation between a medical practitioner and a patient is bureaucratic overreach to me. If some doctors want to ask questions about abuse or coercion, let them. If a woman doesn't like the questions she can say, "none of your damn business."

(And the tactics of this representative are indeed a sign that her skills and attitude are better suited to writing for the Daily Show.)

"Every time I go to the doctor/ER, I have someone ask if "I'm safe."

I was unprepared for it the first time I heard it. Out of the blue, the woman asked, "Do you feel safe at home?", and I just stared at her for a long time before answering, because I found the question so strange. Was she testing to see if I was paranoid (apparently I am)? Eventually the smart part of my brain (which is apparently not paranoid) kicked in and figured out it was some domestic abuse question.

I was tempted to answer, "I did, until now... Do you know something that I don't"; but I decided that bureaucrats probably don't have a sense of humor about this, so I answered with a simple , "yes".

edutcher said...

I thought Althouse was the state shamer.

AllieOop said...

Chickie, women's issues were being legislated by the Republicans long before the Fluke thing and long before Obama wanted Catholics to cover birth control.

Title IX (or whatever number) was a Republican thing?

Somebody pick Senator Ma'am off the fllor.

chickelit said...

One piece of legislation after another has passed the Republican controlled House since 2010.

Remind me what those were, please. I'm focused on the legislation passed in 2009 under Pelosi's auspices.

Renee said...

@Just Lurking

I guess I'm use to the question. It's like if they ask me if I eat healthy, exercise, practice safe sex, who do I live with, do I smoke cigarettes or do street drugs.

When I recently had a physical, the doctor asked all these types of questions. And when I'm ill I just don't tell the doctor what she should do. She examines me physically, asks questions, makes a diagnosis, and we discuss what to do make me healthier.

This isn't how medical professionals who perform abortions work though, it seems.

Anonymous said...

just for starters

I'm messaging with my daughter in A, now. Will post more later.

Curious George said...

"AllieOop said...
just for starters

I'm messaging with my daughter in A, now. Will post more later."

Uh, you may want to read your links before posting them as proof as this story has nothin gto do with the "GOP controlled House since 2010"

Gavin Buckley said...

Fall on whatever side of the issue you will. None of my business.

But I haven't read anyone so far making the simple point that all this extra stuff costs money. Which will undoubtedly be shoved onto premiums. I have a friend from North Carolina who was "wanded" at $1000 a pop during her pregnancy. It just seems awfully strange to have a book-ended ideological argument that health care costs are too high - whilst simultaneously loading in extra medical procedures on top that do little medically and a lot to burden a bloated system.

CachorroQuente said...

"Every time I go to the doctor/ER, I have someone ask if "I'm safe." It is a domestic violence question even if I showing no signs of abuse, and I'm there on a non-female issue. "

It's not even a standard question for women when they go to the doctor/ER. Perhaps you are being profiled.

Balfegor said...

More on point, the idea of making it a felony is kind of absurd. We have totally devalued the idea of a felony here. At most, if it must be criminal, ought to be a misdemeanor. And really ought to be no more than a civil offense.

Balfegor said...

Re: Lyssa:

Why are liberals always so worried about being encouraged to feel shame? If it's not wrong, then there's nothing to feel ashamed of. Why does it matter so much that someone else might disagree with your behavior?

Because liberal activists understand -- as conservatives once understood -- that shame is one of the most powerful forces there is for maintaining civilisation and order. It is more powerful than swords, guns, and the whole terrible arsenal of the modern state. Shame is about what you're afraid to do in front of other people, and it's a way of forcing contrary opinions out into outer darkness, where the paedophiles dwell.

That's why one of the key tactics employed by progressive activists is to try and make people ashamed of what they believe, ashamed of their opinions, their feelings, their sentimental attachments, who they are. It's only natural that they should hate anything that might turn shame back against their ideals, as was done in the old days.

Anonymous said...

Curious George, yes you are right. The states are doing much of the anti women's rights legislation too. Can't deny that. See a trend?

paminwi said...

AllieOop says: "Chickie, women's issues were being legislated by the Republicans long before the Fluke thing and long before Obama wanted Catholics to cover birth control. One piece of legislation after another has passed the Republican controlled House since 2010."

You obviously do not understand the process to making law. Just because something passed in the Republican House does make it law. It also has to pass the Democrat Senate AND signed by the illustrious "O".

So, go back to school or tweet your daughter and ask her if she understands any better than you you how thing works in the legislature.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

No kidding Pam. Thank goodness we still have a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democratic President. Keep up the good work Republicans, it will ensure a Democratic President with sit in the oval office for the next 4 years.

Yep, keep pushing anti women's reproductive rights issues and ignore the economy! Whoopie!

Curious George said...

"AllieOop said...
Curious George, yes you are right. The states are doing much of the anti women's rights legislation too. Can't deny that. See a trend?" Too? We are still waiting for the GOP controlled House stuff. Your link has nothing but planned legislation. And it isn' about "women's rights" but late term abortion restrictions.

We had another lefty moron on here named Allie. There's a trend.

Anonymous said...

Curious George, ad hominems don't make you look all that brilliant. It usually indicates you have no intelligent argument, which in your case is most definitely a trend.

Anonymous said...

You all just carry on, far be it from me to save you from yourselves. :) I reserve the right to say "I told you so" in November.

Renee said...

I'm profiled for what being a woman?

I even got asked that question when my husband present (ER triage).

Curious George said...

"AllieOop said...
Curious George, ad hominems don't make you look all that brilliant. It usually indicates you have no intelligent argument, which in your case is most definitely a trend."

You posted about the "GOP Controlled House" passing "One piece of legislation after another". As proof you post an article article about state legislation, and then say "well they're doing it". Except that article talks not about passed legislation, but planned legislation. So I don't need an intelligent argument...you do.

By the way, why do continually refer to Waukesha County as "Walkershaw" County? It would be "Walkersha." Do you not know how to spell Waukesha? Remember, part of being a smart ass is being smart.

Anonymous said...

Curious George, quit scrambling, you might pull a groin muscle or something. Republicans have lost big time by pushing this agenda. Do you think for one minute I care or respect what you have to say? You have proven yourself to be nothing more than a non thinking conservative, perhaps the thinking conservatives will rescue the Republican Party from sure defeat in November.

Since Walkershaw County is not the correct name for Waukesha County, I can spell it however I see fit, whatsa matta? Can't find any other argument?

To deny that the Republican majority House has been introducing one piece of anti women's reproductive rights legislation after another and actually passing some, is just another symptom of blind follower.

But by all means carry on.

chickelit said...

@Curious George: "Walkershaw" Good catch

chickelit said...

I dunno Allie, the country is in a conservative mood. This not the time for pro-choice people to be pushing for even more choices. I think your side wasted a lot of energy on the partial birth thing that State Sen. Obama championed. That was politically stillborn.

Much like public sector unions wanting more in a time of austerity, such hard line moves are ill-timed.

Anonymous said...

Nice of you Chickie, since you know damn well that I live in Waukesha County and have spelled it correctly in other places numerous times.

Anonymous said...

Chickie, even MORE choices? What about keeping the choices that have been protected by law of the land? It's disingenuous to say women are seeking MORE choices.

I'm done here, as I said carry on, shoot yourselves in the foot, don't come crying when Obama wins in November.

Caroline said...

To add to my previous comment: I have no problem with personal questions. As long as I have the option to not answer any that I find intrusive or irrelevant.

And I don't think doctors, or aides or nurses should be told by the gov't. what to ask patients. They're supposed to be professionals. They should know what to ask.

If a woman comes in with two black eyes, it shouldn't take a gov't. mandate to ask her if "she feels safe at home"- (BTW- why so coy? Why not just ask "are you being abused?"). If a teenager comes in for an abortion with a man who isn't her father, it shouldn't take a law to ask her if she is being forced to have an abortion. At one time common sense would prevail. Instead, the gov't. wants to treat us like we are all idiot children; and we will become them.

chickelit said...

It's disingenuous to say women are seeking MORE choices.

Sorry, I thought that's part of what Obamacare promised.

I'm done here, as I said carry on, shoot yourselves in the foot, don't come crying when Obama wins in November.

Oh get real. That's like me saying, "carry on, push that Obama agenda--believe in it even. But don't say I didn't warn you."

Neither of us has a crystal ball.

n.n said...

The schools should teach biology and, perhaps, risk management. The goal of education should be to enable individuals to think for themselves; and, hopefully, to perceive reality through an optimally objective lens; tempered only for the reasonable accommodation of individual dignity.

There seem to be three interests in teaching sexual education in school, and specifically grade school. One, it will justify increased pay for teachers, and subsequently increased dues to teacher unions. Two, because parents choose to further abdicate exercise of their dignity and the responsibility they voluntarily assumed following conception of a a new human life. Three, because teaching biology, and evolutionary principles, would not support any ulterior motives they may possess.

As for "germs", they are observable, with cause and effects circumstantially documented; but, as with AIDS, the cause may determined after a period of ignorance; as with stomach ulcers, after an extended period of ignorance; and as with cancer, perhaps not until we understand the process by which morphogenesis occurs.

As for "gravity", while there is a consensus on its effects, its cause ranges in the multiplicity. There is no public evidence to suggest that identification of its cause or causes is forthcoming. The mysterious "God" particle continues to elude our senses.

Anyway, as when our society previously determined it was a moral imperative to assign universal dignity to human life, it is now our contemporary society's burden to determine when dignity should be conferred upon a developing human life. Let's hope our resolution is better and realized sooner than that prevalent throughout human history.

DCS said...

Kelda IS the joke.

Curious George said...

"AllieOop said...
Curious George, quit scrambling, you might pull a groin muscle or something. Republicans have lost big time by pushing this agenda. Do you think for one minute I care or respect what you have to say? You have proven yourself to be nothing more than a non thinking conservative, perhaps the thinking conservatives will rescue the Republican Party from sure defeat in November."

Me, scrambling? You made a claim, your single source of "proof" didn't even address it, you said "will post more later" which you haven't done. You since have changed your position from the "GOP controlled house" to "the states", and have failed to show any proof of that. You also changed "passed" to "introduced"...again, showing nothing. Seems the scrambling is yours.

"Since Walkershaw County is not the correct name for Waukesha County, I can spell it however I see fit, whatsa matta? Can't find any other argument?"

Sure you can, but if you want to make the case that Waukesha County is pro Walker, then you simply subsitute Wauke with Walker and get Walkersha. Adding the W makes no sense. On the other hand, it gives the reader a head ups on what a moron you are.

"To deny that the Republican majority House has been introducing one piece of anti women's reproductive rights legislation after another and actually passing some, is just another symptom of blind follower.

But by all means carry on."

Wow, coming from a moron like you, who thing she has the pulse of the populace because she has steaks with a few conservatives and lives in "Walkershaw" County, makes and repeats an argument that she can't support with a single fact..the old Allie would be proud!

Tully said...

But I haven't read anyone so far making the simple point that all this extra stuff costs money. Which will undoubtedly be shoved onto premiums. I have a friend from North Carolina who was "wanded" at $1000 a pop during her pregnancy. It just seems awfully strange to have a book-ended ideological argument that health care costs are too high - whilst simultaneously loading in extra medical procedures on top that do little medically and a lot to burden a bloated system

Boosting the cost of the procedure by mandating expensive and medically unnecessary add-on procedures is a blatant attempt to reduce incidence by increasing cost. Naturally the unnecessary added cost burden will fall most heavily on those least able to afford it.

Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...

Sure you can, but if you want to make the case that Waukesha County is pro Walker, then you simply subsitute Wauke with Walker and get Walkersha. Adding the W makes no sense. On the other hand, it gives the reader a head ups on what a moron you are.

So says the moron who uses the word "thing" as a verb, in a context roughly approximating the act of cogitation.

...coming from a moron like you, who thing she has the pulse of the populace...

Carry on.