Offensive Birthday Cake Sets Politicians at Odds

With all the political issues getting people at each other’s throats lately, it may be hard to believe something like cake can be the cause of a bitter fight. But that’s exactly what got Louisiana state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson angry with her colleague, state Rep. Mark Abraham.

After seeing that Abraham left out a cake to share in the state Capitol that depicted a woman’s body in a bikini, Carter Peterson took offense and let her political colleague know of her displeasure. The cake was on display during a legislative hearing, according to WWL TV.

“I didn’t think it was offensive,” Abraham told WDSU. “Maybe some people do — OK. But it was a cake I just wanted to share with everybody.”

“He shouldn’t have done that. It’s not a joke,” Carter Peterson said in the same report from WDSU. In delivering her feedback about how offensive she found the cake, the senator wound up cursing at Abraham, which seemed to make matters only worse.

“You know, Karen, you cussing me out like this offends me,” Abraham said.

After apologizing for her colorful language, Carter Peterson stood by her position on the cake decoration, as did other Louisiana legislators, including state Rep. Helena Moreno. “This is the Capitol. This is not a locker room,” Moreno said. “This is not a bachelor party.”

This cake incident occurred in an already-sensitive environment at the Louisiana state Capitol. Earlier this year, a legislator attempted to put forward an amendment to a human-trafficking bill that would legislate the age and weight of strippers — reportedly as a joke. This move was also met with outcry, seemingly pitting male legislators against their female colleagues.

Carter Peterson let her final thoughts be known on the cake issue when she smashed it.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.