Kaptur is an embarrassment as our repreresentative

[Matthew Lee]

So the way women dress is in invitation for sexual assualt? Did she really just say that? I cannot stand she is our representative and really miss Kucinich. She knows as much about Lakewood as I do about Maumee.

http://us.cnn.com/2017/12/13/politics/c ... index.html

[Bridget Conant]

Yes she did.

She failed to help prevent the theft of our hospital and now this.

I hope voters wise up and send her packing.

She’s a joke.

[mjkuhns]

I would encourage the people who are judging our congressional representative, on the basis of this comment, to read beyond the headline links that are going viral.

For example,

Rep. Marcy Kaptur said Wednesday that victims are not to blame for any harassment they experience, hours after reports surfaced that she had suggested women’s clothing are an “invitation” to harassment.

“Under no circumstances is it the victim's fault if they are harassed in any way,” the Ohio Democrat said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.

Her original comment was definitely wrong, but it was one (very) ill-judged remark, not intended for the public.

I'm very much in favor of demanding a high standard of our elected officials. But I really believe that if one makes a bad remark, but does so in a context that was not any kind of considered public statement, and then follows up with a very clear statement disavowing the bad remark… then commentary on that bad remark should provide that full context, and judgments that follow ought to consider also the full context of that elected official's career.

I was disappointed by this initial comment, and expressed that to @RepMarcyKaptur. I have been disappointed by her on other occasions also. But that goes for nearly every elected official I can think of. In the big picture, I think Rep. Kaptur deserves considerable credit. In the midst of a dreadful congress trying to do or enable so many terrible, terrible things, she is one of the reliable advocates for good government. That tends to get few headlines or shares, but I still think it matters a lot.

I really feel that the people who have made disparaging, personal comments about Rep. Kaptur are going too far. I'm not sure how reacting to one inconsiderate comment with more inconsiderate comments really makes a critic's point very well.

(I would still like to see Lakewood represented by someone closer to us than Toledo, yes, but that's why I work to end gerrymandering… which is one of many worthy goals that also has our Representative's support.)

[Stan Austin]

Matt-- Thank you for a contemplative view on this topic. Sometimes one day's reflection makes a difference. Stan

[Bridget Conant]

She deserves the blowback completely, for several reasons.

She never in the past asked for, or discussed having a dress code. This new call for one is in the context of sexual harassment so she is implying “they asked for it” despite her protests otherwise.

Dress codes are, by nature, more restrictive on women than men. Why would a woman advocate for restrictions on women?

She specifically mentioned “cleavage,”:

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/ ... ent-294974

I hope this impacts her electability.

[Pam Wetula]

She deserves the blowback completely, for several reasons.

She never in the past asked for, or discussed having a dress code. This new call for one is in the context of sexual harassment so she is implying “they asked for it” despite her protests otherwise.

Dress codes are, by nature, more restrictive on women than men. Why would a woman advocate for restrictions on women?

She specifically mentioned “cleavage,”:

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/ ... ent-294974

I hope this impacts her electability.

Bridget..

You are SO correct!!! The fact that she would utter the original statement means she holds that view on how women dress, whether it was for public consumption or not.

Also, on the hospital issue... she refused to acknowledge or assist in any way, showing public allegiance and support to Mike Summers and not to her many constituents in Lakewood, to the detriment of Lakewood and contiguous cities.

Although I am a registered Democrat, I cannot support those who do not play fair.

I also hope this affects her electability. Let's find someone else please.

[Michael Deneen]

Thanks to our GOP state leadership, Kaptur is bulletproof.
The Republicans set this up as a "deep blue" district in order to minimize the number of Dems in the US house.
That means there is no chance of a Republican or third party winning.
The Repubicans also made sure to lump us into a Toledo district....which ensures that a Cleveland Dem has no chance of winning the primary.

The best way to fight back on this is to join citizen efforts to reform the redistricting process.
Matt Kuhns has mentioned these many times here on the Deck....hopefully he has a link to share.

[mjkuhns]

That sounds like my cue.

Here is information about the redistricting reform petition drive: https://ohfairdistricts.com/

FWIW, If you have read recently about the state legislature addressing this issue, they may try to put their own proposal on the ballot, but there are currently no details. It may not be a genuine solution, and they may not come up with anything at all. In the meantime, the best thing to do is: keep lining up more signatures for the citizen initiative.

We have an awesome volunteer team on the west side, so someone will be glad to get you a petition to sign. You can contact me… we're frequently walking around at events like Light Up Lakewood… we would be happy to visit a meeting of your organization… Any Ohio resident 18 or older can sign, you just have to be registered to vote.

We can bring more reasonable districts, and competitive congressional elections, back to Ohio. You can help.

[cmager]

I would encourage the people who are judging our congressional representative, on the basis of this comment, to read beyond the headline links that are going viral.

For example,

Rep. Marcy Kaptur said Wednesday that victims are not to blame for any harassment they experience, hours after reports surfaced that she had suggested women’s clothing are an “invitation” to harassment.

“Under no circumstances is it the victim's fault if they are harassed in any way,” the Ohio Democrat said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.

Her original comment was definitely wrong, but it was one (very) ill-judged remark, not intended for the public.

I'm very much in favor of demanding a high standard of our elected officials. But I really believe that if one makes a bad remark, but does so in a context that was not any kind of considered public statement, and then follows up with a very clear statement disavowing the bad remark… then commentary on that bad remark should provide that full context, and judgments that follow ought to consider also the full context of that elected official's career.

I have to disagree. To me the "not for public comment" is the real or closer to the real position of the politicians and the subsequent "press release/statement" is the oops spin and damage control.

In what other industry, profession, or setting are professional women thought to be inviting harassment by how they dress, in 2017, in 2007, in 1987? It's beyond archaic thinking. Kaptur is 71 years old and has been in Congress for 34 years. 34 years, 1983. That's ridiculous. I'm willing to be a bit unfair and paint with a broad brush and declare that she's overstayed. We need fresh faces and fresh ideas, pronto.

Mr. Kuhns...thank you for your work on gerrymandering. That is the root cause solution.

[mjkuhns]

Mr. Kuhns...thank you for your work on gerrymandering. That is the root cause solution.

Here to help.

Actually, since you mention this, I will make an exception to my preferred practice and cross the line into self-promotion, slightly…

Last night, the Lakewood Democratic Club announced the first two members of its Volunteer Hall of Fame. (i.e. the volunteers of the year for 2017.) It's with some awkwardness that I relate I was one of them. But I will mention it, given that my persistence with a clipboard in hand probably influenced the decision… and that I was recognized alongside Jay Ketchaver, a super-activist with Indivisible CLE who is even more active in the fight to end gerrymandering than I am.

Wonderful story: Last night former Rep. Dennis Kucinich dropped by the Dem Club's holiday party, and Jay asked him if he would like to help end gerrymandering… For reasons that many people will readily understand, Kucinich laughed briefly and said that he would be glad to, then signed Jay's petition book.

[Bridget Conant]

Congratulations, Matt!

From what I know of your local efforts in several areas I’d say the recognition was well deserved!

People like you who are informed and involved are so vital to Lakewood’s future. Thank you for your work!

[mjkuhns]