GOP state senator from Nebraska interjects names of colleagues while reading graphic rape scene

[Ferguson97]

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/us/politics/halloran-nebraska-rape-reading.html

A Republican state lawmaker in Nebraska wanted to make a point about explicit content in school-sanctioned books. But his decision to name two Democrats during his reading of a graphic rape scene has led to calls for his resignation.

During a debate on Monday about legislation that would tighten restrictions on the content of books used in schools, the lawmaker, State Senator Steve Halloran, read a passage from a book that he said could be found in more than a dozen public libraries across the state.

The passage from the book, the Alice Sebold memoir “Lucky,” described a sexual assault she experienced as a young woman. After giving a brief warning and asking parents to tell their young children to leave the room or mute the broadcast if they were watching online, Mr. Halloran stood on the floor of the State Capitol in Lincoln and interjected the names of two of his Democratic colleagues — Machaela Cavanaugh and her brother, John — into the text as he read it aloud.

At one point, he inserted “Senator Cavanaugh” while reading a section in which Ms. Sebold described a man demanding oral sex from her. It was not clear if Mr. Halloran was referring to Mr. or Ms. Cavanaugh.

Shortly after Mr. Halloran finished reading the passage with his interjections, Ms. Cavanaugh responded, tearfully calling his altering of the passage unnecessary harassment that diminished the integrity of the legislation they were debating.

What an absolutely vile thing to do.

[DaleCooper]

Obviously despicable, but do these Republicans seriously think that any schools are making students read these rape books in class? This is basically the new satanic day care panic. Conservatives having psychotic episodes over things that literally aren't even happening.

[MasterJedi]

Obviously despicable, but do these Republicans seriously think that any schools are making students read these rape books in class? This is basically the new satanic day care panic. Conservatives having psychotic episodes over things that literally aren't even happening.

They still think there are litter boxes in schools without any proof.

[Crumpets]

In case you're wondering why he picked Machaela Cavanaugh in particular:

https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=541693.msg8998296

[DrScholl]

Blue avatars: The Nebraksa Legislature is non-partisan so a Republican didn't say this.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

In the private sector that Republicans love so much this is called "workplace sexual harassment".

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

Very weird and creepy!

[MasterJedi]

In the private sector that Republicans love so much this is called "workplace sexual harassment".

To them sexual harassment is “woke” and it’s all “just a joke”.

[longtimelurker]

Blue avatars: The Nebraksa Legislature is non-partisan so a Republican didn't say this.

The party affiliation of nearly all members of the NE legislature is well-known.  That the legislature itself is "non-partisan" has become nothing more than an atavistic technicality.

A lot of the school board races that have been "non-partisan" for decades have now become R vs. D battlegrounds.  This is well-known.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-school-board-elections-are-garnering-national-attention

[Born to Slay. Forced to Work.]

Blue avatars: The Nebraksa Legislature is non-partisan so a Republican didn't say this.

The party affiliation of nearly all members of the NE legislature is well-known.  That the legislature itself is "non-partisan" has become nothing more than an atavistic technicality.

A lot of the school board races that have been "non-partisan" for decades have now become R vs. D battlegrounds.  This is well-known.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-school-board-elections-are-garnering-national-attention

This came up in about the LA District Attorney race. Some blue avs were saying that because it’s technically nonpartisan the Republican could beat Gascon, which is laughable

[ProudModerate2]

And Republicans want to blame Democrats of turning our nation into a "banana republic."