"U.S. House freshman from Florida takes on the hat rule"

[Clio the Leo]

(edited for copyright purposes-proud patriot Moderator Democratic Underground)

Most of the "hat ladies" at my congregation would FIGHT YOU in the CHURCH PARKING LOT if you tried to impede on their hat priviledges.

U.S. House freshman from Florida takes on the hat rule
By Amy Sherman, Miami Herald
In Print: Monday, November 29, 2010

Frederica Wilson was known as the Florida state legislator whose trademark was her ever-present fancy hats. But when the Democrat was elected to South Florida's 17th District in Congress on Nov. 2, her fashion statement ran afoul of the rules.

We learned of Wilson's hat woes from a posting in Naked Politics, a Miami Herald blog:

"Wilson is hoping to have a conversation with the likely new speaker, John Boehner. At issue: whether or not the longtime lawmaker can wear her signature hats on the House floor. The House bars members from wearing hats while the body is in session, but Wilson said she believes the speaker can waive the rule, which dates to the 1800s.''

'"It's sexist," Wilson said. "It dates back to when men wore hats and we know that men don't wear hats indoors, but women wear hats indoors. Hats are what I wear. People get excited when they see the hats. Once you get accustomed to it, it's just me."'

Roll Call also wrote about Wilson's hat dilemma on Nov. 4: "But while we expect Wilson to become the Hill's newest fashionista — for better or worse, depending on who you ask — she likely will have to ditch her trademark headpieces while she's on the House floor. Although there isn't a specific dress code, hats have been banned on the floor since September 1837."

(snip)

http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1136971.ece

[bluedigger]

1. I'm guessing that rule was instituted due to obstruction of sight.

Stovepipe hats were probably becoming trendy at about that time.:shrug:

[Skittles]

2. there are HUGE problems and she's worried about HATS?

gawd

[Clio the Leo]

3. She's not a Republican, she can multi-task...

... we Dems are pretty smart you know. ;)

[Skittles]

4. it looks petty and foolish

and perpetuates the stereotype of women being obsessed with silly fashions

[PVnRT]

5. We can dance if we want to

We can leave your friends behind
'Cause your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance, well they're
No friends of mine

We can dance
We can dance
Everybody's out of control

We can dance
We can dance
Everybody look at your pants

[WinkyDink]

6. ITA. A woman covering her hair (as in, wearing a hat in church) is a gesture of modesty,

traditionally, whereas a man's wearing a hat indoors is a sign of disrespect.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. I'm not sure she's aiming for Modesty

from the link:

... Wilson is the rainbow that cannot be ignored. She walks the halls of the Capitol flashing her custom-made, bedazzled cowboy hats and perfectly matched suits — her own runway of eye-popping colors that are more suited to the Miami district she represents than to good ol' boy Tallahassee. Canary yellow. Five-carat turquoise. Cotton-candy pink. Cherry red. … The loud wardrobe of the educator-turned-Democratic lawmaker sends a clear if unspoken message to fellow lawmakers: I am here. And attention will be paid."


Modesty? I don't think so.


We're entering a new congressional silly-season.

:hi:

[SteppingRazor]

8. That's awesome. I love Frederica Wilson.

Telling her not to wear her hat would be like telling her to just go naked. As for the "we've got real problems" protestation, I agree, but two things: First, I don't think it would take long to change this rule, so it's not as though this is holding up anything. And, second, I think you'll find that Wilson is on the side of the angels in just about every issue you'd care to name.

[Brother Buzz]

9. Should this hat rule apply to rugs, too?

Just asking.

[KamaAina]

12. DUzy!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[InvisibleTouch]

10. Geez, let her wear her hats!

We need some color and uniqueness in the world.

[Lance_Boyle]

11. It's sexist? STFU and get over your desire for special privileges.

Florida should recall this embarrassment before she really gets rolling.