Florida House Speaker apologizes for referring to pregnant women as host bodies
11 replies, posted
http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/03/01/florida-house-speaker-apologizes-for-referring-to-pregnant-women-as-host-bodies-in-interview-on-abortion/
House Speaker José Oliva apologized Friday for repeatedly referring to pregnant women as “host bodies” in an interview with CBS Miami’s Jim DeFede about abortion, which was
released Thursday night.
The Miami Lakes Republican in a statement apologized multiple times for the phrase, which he said was "an attempt to use terminology found in medical ethics writings with the
purpose of keeping the discussion dispassionate. The reaction undoubtedly shows it had the exact opposite effect."
“I apologize for having caused offense, my aim was the contrary,” he added. “This is and will continue to be our society’s greatest challenge. I strongly believe both mother and child
have rights and the extent and balance of those rights remain in question. I regret my wording has distracted from the issue. My apologies to all.”
Oliva, when asked about his use of the phrase during the interview, said he was trying to avoid loaded terms: "We can either use technical terms on both sides or we can just use both
lives. I’d be happy to do either. The real question is, there are two lives. There is a weight and a quality to both. Both need protection. What is that balance?”
If he was trying to avoid loaded terms, I'm really curious what made him think using 'host bodies' was such a grand idea.
A host body? You must be joking!
What is he, a parasite? who the fuck ever calls a pregnant woman a host body.
According to the article and the OP, they are referenced as such in medical textbooks.
But those are kind of specific technical turns for just medical professionals, not laymen listening to a politician.
no no, don't apologize, this is what your constituency really thinks, you've not done anything wrong for seeing 1/2 of the human population as 'host bodies'
I mean host body is not only a legitimate medical term but it's easily the least offensive grey area he could've gone for. More manufactured outrage it seems
I can kinda see it being a bit hypocritical for them to use the technical terminology when they tend to run roughshod over actual medical professionals when it comes to the abortion issue, though. Not to mention dehumanising for someone not in the medical profession to do so.
I guess I get what you mean but vilifying people for at the very least pretending to debate in good taste is a fast track to pushing the divide further. I don't think arguing over semantics is worth it, especially if there are real tangible issues with their arguments that should be addressed instead
Manufactured outrage over a party that is becoming more misogynist, radical, and far-right that is now starting to view women as nothing more than "Host Bodies" to give birth to Children.
The statement "host bodies" basically dehumanizes women into them being nothing but birthing factories.
These people actually are lizards.
It makes sense.
Try to downplay the effect fossil fuels has on global climate change so that they can rake in money AND make the climate more comfortable for their reptilian nature. :tinfoil:
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