Montana Legislature Dress Code
supporter
Posted by Gunnar Emilsson (+18651) 8 years ago
Just a friendly warning for anyone contemplating a trip to Helena this winter, to testify in front of the Montana legislature. The Tea Party Taliban faction of the Republican party has enacted a draconian dress code.

http://leg.mt.gov/content...s-Code.pdf

So you ranchers out there, better leave the jeans at home. Women may want to dust off their Minnie Pearl apparel catalog.
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Posted by David Schott (+18757) 8 years ago
3. WOMEN SHOULD BE SENSITIVE TO SKIRT LENGTHS AND NECKLINES.

I'm surprised they let women into the Capitol let alone onto the legislative floor. Unless of course they're there to clean or serve coffee and cookies.
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Posted by Hannah Nash (+2547) 8 years ago
Is there a copy of the dress code from previous sessions?
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Posted by Tomm (-1035) 8 years ago
After reading the first sentence, it sounds good to me. Now that we got rid of the clown governor that wore jeans to the white house, it is time the rest of the country stop laughing at Montana. Now we need to get rid of the crew cut.

Let the crap fly.
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Posted by David Schott (+18757) 8 years ago
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Posted by Elizabeth Emilsson (+795) 8 years ago
Oh Bravo, Dave Schott!

[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Emilsson (12/6/2014)]
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Posted by Joe Whalen (+622) 8 years ago
I'm still trying to figure out if item no. 6 is an inference to tattoo removal, a concession to the anarcho-capitalist wing, both, none of the above or something altogether different.

[This message has been edited by Joe Whalen (12/7/2014)]
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supporter
Posted by Richard Bonine, Jr. (+15536) 8 years ago
This is an awesome response:

"1. Legislators shall not refer to women as livestock, farm equipment, or household pets – and when debating a bill on breast cancer prevention, shall not berate their colleagues for supporting the “boob bill.”

2. Legislators shall take a breathalyzer test before they are allowed a vote, since they seem to think drug tests should be mandated on poor families.

3. High school pages shall be allowed to learn about the legislative process and not relegated to fetching 57 ice-cream sandwiches a day while being ogled creepily.

4. Legislators shall stop trying trying to hide their actions and true plans from the public and the press."

You can read the whole article here:


http://mtcowgirl.com/2014...for-women/
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Posted by Tomm (-1035) 8 years ago
Would be interested to see what the ultra left wing socialist party would come up with for a dress code.
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Posted by Frank Hardy (+1726) 8 years ago
The missing item 6 is 1/3 of the trilateral commissions final solution. Each peg of which is represented by the number six so that once joined the final solution will total 666.

Peg number 2 is located under the Denver International Airport behind an access door locked and labeled 6, Concourse B.

Peg number 3 occurs on a date, June 6th 2016 released in the form of chem trails per this plat:

Township and Range
- Range lines: every 6 miles N - S along the base line
- Township lines: every 6 miles E-W along the prime meridian
- 6 x 6 mile area = a “township”

http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/...151f08.pdf Page 4, 4th image

It all starts by lowering the skirts and hiding the boobs. The final sentence references the following verses of the Quran, both from verses whose digits when added together = 6:

The Qur'an has been translated as stating:

"O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their outergarments close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle."
— Qur'an, Surah 33 (Al-Ahzab), Verse 59

Another verse in the Qur'an is translated as:

"And say to the faithful women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you the faithful, in order that you are successful"
— Qur'an, Surah 24 (An-Nur), Verse 31

The headquarters of the rogue legislative group are located in Bozeman (6 county on MT license plates) at the following 6 bedroom home located on 6th Avenue:

http://www.zillow.com/hom...4539_zpid/

Events are already in place and happening. May God have mercy on our soles and the rest of our feet.

FH

[This message has been edited by Frank Hardy (12/7/2014)]
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founder
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Posted by Amorette Allison (+12772) 8 years ago
As an ultra leftwing socialist here, I can tell you, we wouldn't have a dress code. We care about what is in their heads, not on their bodies.

We also wouldn't say non-pregnant women are less valuable than pregnant women like open cows are less valuable than impregnated cows because we think women are people, not farm animals.
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Posted by gypsykim (+1554) 8 years ago
We are supposed to be a citizen's legislature. Therefore, we should be able to dress as the citizen's of Montana. A farmer should be able to dress as a farmer, a teacher should be able to dress as a teacher, etc.

This is baloney and a waste of taxpayer's time and money.

Focus on the real issues.
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supporter
Posted by Wendy Wilson (+6175) 8 years ago
People need to respect the institution, flawed as it is. I wouldn't want my legislator to show up in flip flops and cargo shorts. On the other hand, it's a sad statement that dress code even has to be mentioned. Perhaps someone showed up in muddy poopkickers and spandex.
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Posted by Dr Mac (+75) 8 years ago
What concerns me is that there are no Casual Fridays! Most businesses allow that now! I am supposed to dress business casual all the time as an on-line professor working "remotely" from my home. When I have no on-line conferences or webinars, I just stay in my PJs or pull on some sweats if the weather requires it. Or a pair of shorts in our typical heat waves.

I will have to check about the dress code of the Texas legislature, where I live -- bet jeans (if neatly pressed and creased by the dry cleaner!) are allowed. Look at the picture of Bush!
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Posted by Cindy Stalcup (+584) 8 years ago
The MT Senate has had a dress code.

Last session some House members were complaining & questioning if they needed to have a dress code. This was due to informality of dress- including flip flops & shorts- worn by some of its members while on the floor.

Neither dress code applies to members of public or media, only to members & staff while on the floor.
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Posted by HD40 (+72) 8 years ago
Not quite correct.
Having spent 8 years as a member of the Montana House of Representatives I can say, without reservation, that I never saw shorts of flip flops or inappropriate, non-professional dress during any session of the house.
Just didn't happen.
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Posted by Cindy Stalcup (+584) 8 years ago
I am sorry. I was completely wrong about dress code not applying to media, according to today's online Gazette. I didn't know they could dictate dress to those outside their body. A request for professional comportment on the floor should have sufficed.

This could be absurd.

Who will determine appropriateness of attire? Will there be a checkpoint? Will there be a person with a ruler to check skirt hem inches above the knee length? Who will be the fabric content expert determining such things as any denim clothing is unacceptable professional attire, but polyester western cut pants are acceptable professional wear?

**I only read complaint about flip flops, I didn't personally see it. It was last session and I can't remember who was the complainer.

[This message has been edited by Cindy Stalcup (12/9/2014)]
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Posted by Tomm (-1035) 8 years ago
It is simply a matter of respect. If you do not respect the legislative body of the state, don't bother to go there.
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supporter
Posted by Bridgier (+9526) 8 years ago
If that were the rule, then most of these teahadists wouldn't be able to take the oath.
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Posted by Oddjob (+192) 8 years ago
1. “BUSINESS FORMAL” FOR MEN IS DEFINED AS A SUIT, OR DRESS SLACKS, JACKET, TIE, DRESS SHIRT AND DRESS SHOES OR DRESS BOOTS.

I am outraged by the blatant sexism and gender-bias of forcing men to wear jacket and ties!

Break out the torches and pitchforks!

The idiocy of whining over this has hit the National news giving Montana another black eye.
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supporter
Posted by Amorette F. Allison (+1914) 8 years ago
No, the idiocy of the dress code itself has brought more derision on Montana. Although we actually plagiarized it from Wyoming, which is why it goes from Item #5 to Item #7, leaving out #6.
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moderator
founder
Posted by David Schott (+18757) 8 years ago
They banned six in Wyoming?

Billings Gazette:
Gazette opinion: GOP needs to stop dress code silliness and get down to business


Gentlemen, please loosen your bolo ties.

Whatever neck wear the male-dominated Montana House Republicans are wearing might be cutting off just enough oxygen to impair their better judgment.

Last week, Montana House Speaker Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson, proposed a dress code that would do any junior high assistant principal proud. It outlined a bunch of standards the House leadership expected, including rules about women's skirt length and necklines.

We're happy to report it said nothing about Beatle boots, crease lines in dungarees or pegging your pants.

It's easy to sit and take shots at this phenomenal waste of time. And, wouldn't it be great if all House leadership had nothing more pressing to worry about than what other members were wearing?

Thankfully, our leaders aren't elected for their smart fashion sense.

The reason such antics are insulting is because they undermine the true role of the Legislature — addressing the serious problems our state faces. That's always been true, whether the style was a buzz cut or a bowl cut.


Read the rest here.
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supporter
Posted by Bridgier (+9526) 8 years ago
pegging... snicker...
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supporter
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Posted by Hannah Nash (+2547) 8 years ago
I still can't type the word "Teabagger" with a straight face... (Now for multiple reasons!)

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Posted by Donald Mullikin (+149) 8 years ago
by Gunnar Emilsson
Just a friendly warning for anyone contemplating a trip to Helena this winter, to testify in front of the Montana legislature. The Tea Party Taliban faction of the Republican party has enacted a draconian dress code.

http://leg.mt.gov/content/Publicati...House-Dress-Code.pdf

So you ranchers out there, better leave the jeans at home. Women may want to dust off their Minnie Pearl apparel catalog.


LOL Is everyone here thinking they are members of the Montana Legislature?

That is who this dress code pertains to. It say's nothing about a dress code for those appearing before the Legislature.
I will concede that it maybe in another document not linked to.
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supporter
Posted by Gunnar Emilsson (+18651) 8 years ago
Ummmm.....read number 6, Don.

My biggest gripe here continues to be, the poor reading comprehension skills of Republicans. What the hell makes you people so stupid, anyway? Is it the water?
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supporter
Posted by Bridgier (+9526) 8 years ago
The fluoridation plan proceeds apace...
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moderator
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Posted by David Schott (+18757) 8 years ago
Billings Gazette:
House leaders OK simple dress code, drop stricter one


By CHARLES S. JOHNSON Gazette State Bureau

HELENA — The controversy over a dress code for the Montana House of Representatives is over.

Republican House leaders have agreed to abandon the controversial, strict one-page dress code that drew widespread media coverage in Montana and nationally, critical editorials and was widely ridiculed on social media. Critics called the code sexist and outdated, with such language as: “Women should be sensitive to skirt lengths and necklines.”

Instead, Republican leaders went along with a simple, one-paragraph statement suggested by new House Minority Whip Jenny Eck, D-Helena, and other Democratic leaders. The new House dress code that both sides agreed upon says simply:

“We ask that members of the House and other professionals working on the floor dress in professional business attire that is befitting the honor of the institution of the Montana House of Representatives.”

After discussions this week, leaders of the two parties concurred.

“We reached agreement and will use the language that Rep. Jenny Eck suggested,” said incoming House Speaker Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson. “We’re comfortable with it. It absolutely works for me. I think it maintains the professionalism and decorum that they were looking for and we were looking for.”

Eck was pleased that House Republican leaders agreed to drop their original code and adopt the one she and others suggested.


Read more here.
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supporter
Posted by Amorette F. Allison (+1914) 8 years ago
Sanity from the minority party prevails. Now if only the majority party would get the hint.
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supporter
Posted by Gunnar Emilsson (+18651) 8 years ago
I doubt it. Gary Marbutt has a whole list of wingnut bills this session.
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supporter
Posted by Don Birkholz (+1439) 8 years ago
Wyoming wants to know what's the fuss?: http://legisweb.state.wy....20Code.pdf

[This message has been edited by Don Birkholz (12/18/2014)]
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Posted by Donald Mullikin (+149) 8 years ago
post by Gunnar Emilsson
Ummmm.....read number 6, Don.

My biggest gripe here continues to be, the poor reading comprehension skills of Republicans. What the hell makes you people so stupid, anyway? Is it the water?confused


So according to you, everyone who goes to attend a legislative session is considered to be either a Legislator, an intern, aide, news media, or a member of the staff?

Floor session dress code 64th Legislative Session

MEMBERS OF THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE ARE REQUIRED TO DRESS IN FORMAL BUSINESS ATTIRE DURING THE SESSION. MEMBERS SHOULD COMPORT THEMSELVES IN A MANNER THAT RESPECTS THE LEGISLATIVE INSTITUTION AND THAT INCLUDES THE FORMALITY OF DRESS EXPECTED IN THE CHAMBER.

6. LEGISLATIVE STAFF, MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA, INTERNS AND AIDES MUST ALSO ABIDE BY THIS POLICY IF ON THE FLOOR WHILE THE BODIES ARE GAVELED INTO SESSION.


You are very much correct, but your focus is wrong. It matters not what political fallacy you worship, it is people that need to learn to read.

The opening statement tells you whom it is focused on.

“Members of the Montana Legislature”

#6 simply extends that to interns, aides, and to the media.

Where does it say that the General Public must abide by it too?

This is what my fist post on this thread was attempting to get across.

I must conclude that people do not know how to read if they are going to misinterpret what is being said or written.
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moderator
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Posted by David Schott (+18757) 8 years ago
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supporter
Posted by Don Birkholz (+1439) 7 years ago
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Posted by Amorette F. Allison (+1914) 7 years ago
I love the way conservatives pass these stupid ideas around from state to state, all the while decrying "central" control.
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