COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio teenager who won an oratory contest sponsored by the National Right to Life organization was stopped from being honored on the Ohio House floor by House Speaker Armond Budish.The Beachwood Democrat pulled the plug on the plan to honor Shelby County teen Elisabeth Trisler on Feb. 3 after becoming uncomfortable with the "politically sensitive" nature of the group sponsoring the contest, Budish spokesman Keary McCarthy said.
"You want to save these occasions for times when the House can jointly celebrate their constituents' achievements without the undertone of politics," McCarthy said.
Trisler had been scheduled to receive a resolution recognizing her award from Rep. John Adams, a Sidney Republican, before the House floor session began that day. Instead, she received her resolution in the mail.
Budish's ban angered Ohio Right to Life, which blasted the House Speaker in a news release saying that he was trying to silence those who disagreed with him. Budish supports abortion rights.
"The Ohio House chamber is a monument to the importance of oratory and persuasion on the great issues facing our state," said Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Mike Gonidakis. "Silencing someone because you disagree is a terrible lesson to teach teens. The Speaker should reconsider his unfortunately petty decision."
This guy is so out of line that check out who else he even managed to irritate:
Ohio House Should Honor Achievements Regardless of Political Beliefs, Says ACLUCOLUMBUS- The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio urged House Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beachwood) to re-assess his decision to block certain groups or individuals from being recognized on the floor of the Ohio House. Elizabeth Trisler, a Shelby County teen who recently won an oratory contest sponsored by National Right to Life, was scheduled to be presented with a proclamation by state Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney) on February 3. Speaker Budish decided Ms. Trisler should not be honored on the House floor because he believed it could be divisive.“By declining to recognize Ms. Trisler’s achievement, Speaker Budish has created a troubling precedent that anyone who is deemed ‘controversial’ by House leadership will not be honored,” said ACLU of Ohio Executive Director Christine Link. “Legislators should pay tribute to those who excel in their field, regardless of their political views or affiliations. This decision could cause legislators to second guess issuing proclamations for many Ohioans.”
Read more: http://www.rightohio.com/2010/02/09/aclu-vs-speaker-armond-budish/#ixzz0f9Eq9jw7
Pro-lifers and the ACLU unite. Mark your calendar.
Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish blocks presentation to 'Right to Life' teen | OPEN: Ohio Politics - cleveland.com
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