Annapolis tattoo debate turns into abortion clash
An Annapolis dispatch from the Baltimore Sun's Julie Bykowicz:
A proposal to require parental consent for tattoos and body piercings morphed this morning on the House floor into a heated debate about abortion rights – causing an uproar among Republicans who said they were being unfairly silenced.
It started as an amendment. Del. Gail H. Bates, a Howard County Republican, wanted to expand a tattoo bill to include “other invasive surgical procedures.” Democrats groaned and some immediately stood to stamp out the amendment, calling it out of order because it changed the purpose of the bill, filed by Del. Sue Kullen, a Calvert County Democrat.
Del. Anthony J. O’Donnell, the minority leader, fired back: “Both carry at least some risk of infection.” He went on to argue that the broader subject of the tattoo bill was parental consent, paving the way for Republicans to add other surgical procedures, such as abortion.
House Speaker Michael E. Busch, a Democrat, sided with parliamentarian, Del. Kathleen M. Dumais, a Montgomery County Democrat, and prohibited the "other procedures" amendment.
But O’Donnell initiated a rare appeal to that ruling. During that process, an enraged Del. Michael D. Smigiel stood to call out Democrats.
“This is nothing more than a tyranny of the majority,” he said. “The minority will not have an opportunity to have our voice heard. To deny any voice is to do a disservice to ourselves. We must stand up against the tyranny of the majority”
The appeal died on a 103-35 vote, but Republicans successfully delayed passage of the tattoo bill. O’Donnell said he’d take another shot at writing “an amendment that’s not out of order.”
Comments
"We must stand up against the tyranny of the majority”"
We MUST stand up to the tyranny of the General Assembly. Our rights are being trampled daily.
Posted by: AnotherWatcher | February 19, 2009 4:37 PM
Delegate Smiegel also bellows like that when you tell him he can't go back for seconds at a buffet.
Seriously, though -- do Tony O'Donnell, Gail Bates and Mike Smiegel think anyone other than the party's base cares about the "tyranny of the majority"? They ran that message in the 2006 elections, and it failed. Remember the "obstructionist" Speaker of the House? Well... he's still the Speaker of the House. And he has more Democrats in his chamber.
Just like national Republicans clung to the 1994 playbook through defeat in 2006 and 2008, Maryland Republicans are clinging to their failed message.
There's no way the party of Lincoln is going to pick up seats in the General Assembly until they get new leadership. Because the same old tricks aren't a recipe for anything other than another defeat at the ballot box next November.
Posted by: Tired of the same old Grand Old Party | February 19, 2009 7:45 PM
When you are an adult free will is a wonderful thing and our God given right. A choice for a tattoo or piercing for someone who is not of age is no different than giving permission to drink at the bar or smoke pot. Why the need to add abortion to an already unnecssary bill dealing with adult choice of what to put into and onto their bodies. Where is the money coming from to pay for the inspections and paperwork that will be necessary to keep us in line?
Posted by: Mary Skiver | February 24, 2009 11:53 AM