Tampons Confiscated, Guns Still Allowed At Texas Capitol Ahead Of Abortion Vote

[kpete]

Source: Huffington Post

State troopers are confiscating tampons, maxi pads and other potential projectiles from those who are entering the Texas capitol to watch the debate and vote on a controversial anti-abortion bill. Guns, however, which are typically permitted in the state capitol, are still being allowed.

Several people tweeted that troopers were taking the objects before allowing entrance into the gallery:

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/tampons-confiscated-texas_n_3588177.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

---

Shelby Alexander @ShelbyLAlex

#tampon collection as they let people into the gallery. #txlege #hb2 #sb1 #swtw pic.twitter.com/PtVX8eXAsL
12:34 PM - 12 Jul 2013

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/8A3D6F61-927E-4BE4-AC20-F3FEABAD3C33-6231-0000032111BA9EB7_1b94b05ae53.1.3.mp4?versionId=VaXH4oHX1GQoKIsVB21ddHqhmUnkVFPd


and more:
http://www.salon.com/2013/07/12/texas_senate_confiscates_tampons_during_abortion_hearing/



Blackford's post:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023235485

[bushisanidiot]

1. jesus! talk about a war on women!

this is INSANE!

[Laffy Kat]

6. I am livid!

This is just sick, blatant misogyny.

[MsPithy]

56. Yes! Make it hard for menstruating women to participate in a long protest.

They are sick fucks.

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

123. If I was in Texas

I'd buy a gun and go there.

[Solly Mack]

2. Fuckers.

[suffragette]

122. Yep. I'd say unbelievable except every time I think of saying that they go a step farther.

[Solly Mack]

125. No low is too low. No outrage too outrageous.

They're either incredibly stupid or just plain cruel. (or both)

[liberal N proud]

3. The women of Texas should get in their cars and leave the state immediately

They obviously are not respected there.

[polichick]

11. Maybe there should be an online effort to find temporary homes...

for the sane, self-respecting women of Texas.

[Tx4obama]

18. Women from OTHER states should move to Texas ASAP and help us turn Texas blue...

... so we can stop the shit that is going on!

[polichick]

19. We're moving there in a few months. I was dreading it but this issue...

makes me happy to go and join in the fight for sanity.

I've read that there are a lot of Texans who haven't registered to vote - there's an easy place to start.

[Tx4obama]

24. Obama won the majority of our largest cities/counties in both 2008 and 2012

Obama won: Dallas/Dallas, Houston/Harris, Austin/Harris, El Paso, San Antonio, etc.
The only big one that Obama lost was Ft.Worth/Tarrant

If you're moving to a big city then I think you'll find that we have more Democrats than other big cities in other states and we have lots of friendly folks here

[rdking647]

32. i just became a deputy registar in travis county

i will do what i can to get new voters registered to vote these bastards out

[polichick]

48. Yay!! Thanks :)

[derby378]

84. So did I, and I don't even LIVE in Travis County

If I find myself down there during the upcoming election season (a real possibility), I'll give y'all a hand in registering folks to vote.

[SunSeeker]

91. Thank you for your service!

[CreekDog]

35. i don't think women in other states should give up their rights to move to Texas

if Texans can't protect its citizens' rights, i sure as hell won't be going there, so i wouldn't suggest anyone else who would be treated as a second class citizen should either.

[Tx4obama]

39. There's NO 'perfect state' - all states have at least one law that infringes on 'someones' rights

[CreekDog]

49. no, i don't have fewer civil rights in California than I would in Texas

period. end of story.

[polichick]

46. Well, I'll keep a little place in my home state of Floriduh...

for an escape. lol

But really, I don't mind jumping into the fray on behalf of younger women - those ahead of me opened a lot of doors that I just had to walk through.

[jtuck004]

25. OH, FUCK THAT. Hey, how about no more sex in the state until it backs down.

No one, not one man, regardless of their side or position, gets laid until they capitulate.

Hey, it worked for Lysistrata. Bet it wouldn't take that long...

[polichick]

50. I don't know. There might be a rash of rapes at gunpoint.

[jtuck004]

53. Don't know about that. Women can shoot too. Quite well. n/t

[polichick]

86. Good point!

[Ilsa]

55. I mentioned that once and got no reply, but I think

women need to put pressure on men about this stuff. Boyfriends can't sit this out just because "pregnancy, reproduction, birth control, and abortion are a woman's problem." women have got to draw men into this issue.

I suspect the courts in Texas would legalize raping one's wife if we tried it, though.

[jtuck004]

57. Maybe they could post a couple pictures of Lorena Bobbit in the living room, make the

guy think a couple times b4 he tried something like that.

[oldandhappy]

111. Was thinking of Lysistrata as I read this!! Yea, do it!!

[rhett o rick]

93. The women of Texas should make a few things clear to their husbands and boyfriends. nm

[Grins]

114. No.

No. They should go home and get their guns, their legal guns. Their rules; let them live with them.

That should flip out the Repukes and the NRA at the same time!

[northoftheborder]

4. Good heavens, are you SERIOUS????

That is totally SICK.

[polichick]

5. Wow, I posted here that Texans should rain tampons down...

How awesome that they really did!

"Guns never hurt anyone ya know, but those dang tampoons are lethal!"

[Vanje]

41. White Cottony absorbent puffs of death.

Be sceered, Texas. Be sceered!

[polichick]

43. LOL

[Tx4obama]

7. I do not understand WHY they are doing this. Was there an organized effort...

... to tell folks to bring tampons to the Capitol and throw them?

This just seems very bizarre !

[Politicalboi]

12. I bet there was

That would have been so cool. Those pasty old white men would have high tailed it out of there. How embarrassing for them they would think. How dare those women show no respect for us.

[azurnoir]

14. well rumor has it

that it was more of a blow dart type of thing

okay I made that up but it's a nice thought, could get more detailed but that would be nasty

[Dustlawyer]

74. They have had a lot of problems with people throwing stuff down on the politicians (wonder why),

and so they take everything people would be willing to throw. Everyone knows a person in love enough with his gun to wear it at the Capitol would NEVER throw it away! If they use the gun (they probably would not, but "probably" is not good enough for me) they will be shot down or face lethal injection in 10 years. I understand why they confiscated the tampons, I just don't understand why allow guns around these politicians. They piss off all kinds of people and you never know when someone, who needed mental help and couldn't/didn't get it, goes off.
I find it hard to believe the Troopers would allow guns through, I will have to check it out on my next trip to Austin.

[dgibby]

95. You understand why they confiscated the tampons?

Really? Did they confiscate condoms, too? If not, why not?

[Dustlawyer]

106. Anything people would be willing to throw, so I would say condoms fit that bill too!

Trust me when I say that I would throw either if given the chance! These pieces of shit deserve worse!

[oogiecatt]

104. They were 'warned' that things may be thrown at them, they said. Now why Dewhurst or anyone thot

about tampons as weapons is just twisted. There is no reason to confiscate tampons unless you are trying to intimidate women. These women would have to 'reload' somewhere downtown Austin and leave to do it. And, oh, they might not come back, what a shame. BS. While those with CC permits had the fast track in with their guns. Maybe if the women had tampons And guns they might have had the privilege of keeping both. BS. Shame on them. And for telling the media about 'other' items that they supposedly gathered, even tho none of the police saw, knew or even heard about (jar of suspected urine, jars of suspected feces, etc). This was just part of the GOP war on women, period. Yes, pun intended...

[marshall]

107. Could they have been dog walkers, picking up the feces?

There are actually legitimate reasons for carrying feces around.

[HockeyMom]

8. Every period is a potential murder

Round up those tampons/pads and make sure there isn't a dead "baby" on there.

[hamsterjill]

15. Ding! Ding!! Ding!!! We have a winner!

Any woman who is not pregnant (and might need a tampon or pad) is obviously NOT with the program of the Republican fanatics in Texas!

[blkmusclmachine]

100. Yes. So say the Christofascists.

[sakabatou]

9. WTF?

[Politicalboi]

10. They should have packed

OB tampons, they kind of look like bullets. Or couldn't they tell the police they were pop guns. POW! How silly is this. I knew a woman years ago, and we worked at the same place. Because of theft, they were checking people as they left the building to go home. She had worked there for years, and she was mad at what they were doing.

So she took a kotex and put ketch-up on it and put it in her purse. They never checked her purse again. LOL! Soon after they stopped checking too.

[Laffy Kat]

13. That's actually a good idea.

Women should bring USED tampons/pads.

[LeftInTX]

44. At least someone there has got to be on their period - LOL

[Ilsa]

60. That's a great idea, especially if

Men are going through our purses. Gross them out, every day.

[Arugula Latte]

16. This tells you everything you need to know about this fucked-up country.

[wandy]

17. Could someone please explain why, how in any way this makes sense? nt

[CrispyQ]

31. Becasue you know, a bunch of upptiy women might pull their tampons out of their purse &

fling them at the legislators. I see that all the time, don't you?

Do they have a clue how much tampons cost?

Fuck these assholes.

[wandy]

52. Believe it or not, that was an honest question....

Maybe it's just that I never was a girl but what the hell were they going to do with them?
I just can't picture a 'fear for you're life' situation caused by being beaten around the head and ears with a tampon.
Is it possible that in some alternate republican reality tampons have magical powers?
Frighten away evil republican sprites by garbing it by the string and waving it around you're head like an Australian Bullraorer?

Good Grief.

[CrispyQ]

54. The article said something about keeping decorum.

In spite of the fact that your rights are being stripped, you are expected to keep decorum.

Those are beautiful instruments!

[hamsterjill]

20. A consumer story long ago on 20/20

I can't find any link to back this up. I googled and found nothing, but I remember Brian Ross doing a story once on 20/20 many years ago about active consumerism. The point of the story was that most consumers are completely disinterested when companies reduce the size of product in a given box, etc. Like when the detergent has 5 fewer ounces but costs 50-cents more, and most people don't pay any attention.

But the 20/20 story explained that there had been ONE incredible exception! That being when Tampax once reduced the number of tampons in their box. Women consumers as a whole stopped buying the product almost immediately and Tampax was quickly forced to acquiesce and go back to the larger number of tampons in the box.

I hope to see that same type of "women consumerism" in 2014 at the ballot box!

[L0oniX]

21. Taliban Tamponban.

[jtuck004]

22. Get a big revolver, load it with Tampons. n/t

[frazzled]

23. We oughta pass an amendment to the Constitution!

The right to bear tampons and maxipads! And of course, conceal them.

What has this nation come to, when you can carry a gun into a state house, but not an item of personal hygiene?

[Vanje]

42. They don't work very well....

.....unless they're concealed.

[Rebellious Republican]

26. Since no one has gone there, I guess I will.....

were they collecting the ones currently in use? Now that could be a serious projectile!

[Sivafae]

40. I hate to say it, but they are the only ones left to use as form of protest.

[Rebellious Republican]

45. I would love to say that ....

they would be the best form of protest!

[CrispyQ]

27. Unfuckingbelievable.

Everyday is a new outrage.

[Judi Lynn]

28. This is a totally unexpected low, and we've seen low already. n/t

[RoccoR5955]

29. And many of you folks wonder why I call it Texass?!?!?! n/t

[kentauros]

116. No, we don't wonder about people that use broad brush-insults against regions.

[RoccoR5955]

120. Well isn't it a broad breadth of people

who vote for these kind of people?

[nolabear]

30. Well, I finally have no words. Wait, I do have one left.

MOTHERFUCKERS.

[noiretextatique]

34. +10000

unfngbelivable.

[alfredo]

33. Tampons are not part of the 2nd amendment.

[PDittie]

36. When tampons are outlawed

(you can finish it)

Only a good guy with a gun can stop a bad girl with a tampon

Every Egg is Sacred

ThankULadiesandGermsPleasetipyourservers

[Andy823]

37. So if they all came packing "guns"

That would be OK? Would they let them in if they all came armed to the teeth with AK-47's, shotguns, hand guns etc.?

Just goes to show how insane the people running the state of Texas really are!

[efilon]

38. God forbid

a woman be out in public while having her period.

[SummerSnow]

47. The begining of the Anti-Tampon bill

[OldRedneck]

51. So . . .

The women should carry guns. Loaded, cocked, and carried openly. With signs that read: "Don't make me shoot!!"

[caseymoz]

58. The Onion? No, Texas. nt

[felix_numinous]

59. Let the women just bleed all over

and stain everything. These men want a system that is rabid, abusive, and sociopathic.

CRUEL. ABUSIVE. CRIMINAL.

[nobodyspecial]

68. I think this is the best idea

Kinda gross, but what's left to women?

[riqster]

77. A whole new meaning for Red State?

Sorry.

[another_liberal]

62. How about a gun that shoots tampons?

That would really mess them up!

[NewJeffCT]

64. maybe they should get MacGyver to design one

stand back, she's going to shoot....

[another_liberal]

65. It's non-lethal . . .

Yet still highly effective against Republican misogynists.

[NewJeffCT]

63. so, if people wanted to throw something in protest

they could throw their guns instead of their tampons?

[bobclark86]

72. Because guns don't kill people...

Tampons are baby body bags! No gun was EVER used to take a child's life!

Oh, wait a sec... nevermind...

[nomorenomore08]

66. The tampon ban is fucking stupid. But how can they possibly allow GUNS in the state capitol?

Seems to me that's just ASKING for something terrible to happen.

[ag_dude]

67. Somebody should take an actual 20 week fetus in

...and say it has rights just to see what they say.

http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-20-weeks

[Rstrstx]

69. From the Austin American Statesman

Department of Public Safety troopers, searching people seeking access to the Senate gallery to watch the debate over heightened abortion regulations, confiscated 18 jars suspected to contain feces and three bottles of suspected paint, the agency said.

One bottle believed to contain urine also was taken, as well as “significant quantities” of glitter, confetti and feminine hygiene products, though an aide to Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, said confiscation of feminine products was discontinued at the senator’s request.

[Half-Century Man]

73. Gotta call Bullshit

on the 18 jars of feces. That is a tactic the republicans would use, not the people with the valid argument.

[blkmusclmachine]

101. +1. Sounds like a pack of lies to me, too. That's a GOPee tactic, for sure.

[LanternWaste]

127. Both sides of the argument had citizen representatives there.

Both sides of the argument had citizen representatives there.

[hobbit709]

70. JuanitaJean has something to say about this

Some of the comments are great.
http://juanitajean.com/2013/07/12/caca-del-toro/

[bobclark86]

71. These women are idiots...

You see, you put your tampons IN your gun!

Duh!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

75. They should bring guns loaded with tampons.

[fishwax]

76. yeesh

[indepat]

78. The Texas legislature and statehouse bringing ludicrousness in governance

to an obscene and misogynous art-form.

[Octafish]

79. Interesting PR move.

Disastrous policies.

[TreasonousBastard]

80. Makes perfect sense to me...

the manly men of the Texas legislature would proudly die from a gunshot but could never imagine the inglorious death of being stuffed or suffocated by feminine hygiene products. I doubt they'd be buried in hallowed ground if that happened and end up on Boot Hill.

I see some potentially nutricious Nutrigrain and Clif bars in that box-- would they allow ribs? Butter?

[dgibby]

96. I didn't see any shoes in that box.

Seems like after what happened to Shrub, Texas wouldn't allow shoes in the State House.

[Politicub]

81. What about coat hangers?

Texas' legislature makes me sick.

[malthaussen]

82. Sweet baby Jane, how can they not see how ludicrous this is?

The ability of the GOP mind to compartmentalize is awe-inspiring.

-- Mal

[B Stieg]

83. Maybe these are the Iowa Supreme Court justices doing a little moonlighting.

The hallmark of contemporary conservatism is a massively damaged, highly paranoid masculinity.

[PasadenaTrudy]

85. Please just secede already, Tejas....n/t

[Coyotl]

87. "If My Vagina Was a Gun." Poem. Testimony before House Comm. in Texas.

[niyad]

88. tampons: "satan's little cotton fingers"

an oldie but a goodie from lbc:

TAMPONS:
"Satan's Little Cotton Fingers!"


Landover Ladies Vow to "Stop Satan From Pulling The Strings!"

Ladies of Landover member Mrs. Taffy Davenport-Gaines Crockett, visiting the Landover Christian Pharmacy recently to refill the church tract display, happened upon a shocking sight. A young woman was visibly upset and arguing loudly with pharmacist Emma Mae Martin. What Mrs. Crockett discovered next sickened her unto the point of nausea.

"The young woman was trying to buy tampons," Mrs. Crockett said, barely able to hold back tears. "I snatched that girl by the hair and pulled her outside... there were children present! Can you imagine how they'd be damaged by hearing such evil ideas?"

“I explained to this young lady that we do not carry such phallic devices as tampons and when attending to her monthly curse," Mrs. Martin said, adding that "Satan himself controls the manufacturing of those things." The young woman then began to verbally abuse her, she said.

"A Godly woman is only to use a Maxi-Pad," Mrs. Crockett stated. "Why, they even have them with little angel wings now! I handed her a box and told her unless she wanted my handprint across her face she was never to utter that evil T word again!” The as yet unidentified woman then fled the store in humiliation. Landover Security sketch artists are preparing a likeness to aid in identifying the young woman. Her salvation status is unknown, but based on this event, it is likely she is Hellbound.

"Toxic Shock Syndrome is God's way of punishing unsaved harlots who choose Satan’s cotton fingers over a Godly pad," Pastor Deacon Fred stated upon hearing of the event. "These playthings of Satan are created under the guise of a ladies hygiene product to bring unsuspecting women and young girls to the fold of the Devil."

Church members are commanded to talk to your teen-age daughters, and search their rooms if you have to. "Souls are at stake and God is taking names," added Pastor Wiley.

Mrs. Crockett has organized the Ladies of Landover Phone Bank to spread the word, and has called for both a letter writing protest campaign and a boycott on all stores who are found to carry these satanic sexual devices. Manufacturers who create such vile products will also be targeted for salvation, or, failing that, closure.

Mrs. Crockett has secured six 24-foot trucks for use in her new ministry, "Stop Satan From Pulling The Strings." She and the other Ladies of Landover plan a nationwide tour, going city to city, pulling what she calls "The Devil's delight" from store shelves once clerks are distracted. Upon the ladies' return, Mrs. Crockett plans a large bonfire.

“We shall pray over the flames as we watch these evil devices go back to the fiery pits of hell from whence they came,” Mrs. Crockett said during her church news conference, adding, "these things are created by Satan for pleasure, and young women are succumbing to the Devil without even realizing it. This is one battle Satan will NOT win!" Her statements drew a standing ovation from the congregation.

All church members are encouraged to join in the BBQ and bring a covered dish as we celebrate yet another Victory over Satan. Marshmallows for roasting over the bonfire will be provided by The Ladies of Landover. Due to the nature of this event, the roasting of hot dogs will be prohibited for obvious reasons.

http://www.landoverbaptist.org/news0999/cotton.html

[winter is coming]

97. It would *rock* if the media called them that.

[davidpdx]

89. So much for shooting off your...

oh never mind

[Owl]

90. Freakin' ridiculous!

[SunSeeker]

92. I notice they also confiscated granola bars and water bottles.

So much for trying to stay hydrated and keep your stomach from grumbling for what could turn out to be a marathon session. Can food be delivered to them? I'm thinking something along the line of the pizza deliveries to the Wisconsin demonstrators.

[Tx4obama]

94. ...

---

[blkmusclmachine]

98. I know it's TX, heart of Teabagistan, BUT...this is a joke, right?!?!

Right?!?!

[PasadenaTrudy]

99. No joke...

[wordpix]

102. What are women supposed to do if they need a change? Are there still tampons in the bathrooms?

?????

[oogiecatt]

103. Yes, husband and I just beame deputized to register voters in TX (main area Travis co.) and will be

...registering voters. We need to get all the people that are pissed off about this to register, remember, and Vote!

[Sivafae]

105. Ladies. if they really need tampons that bad, let's send them all a lifetime supply.

Dead serious. Let's send them so many tampons that the it will literally affect Tampax and OB's stock. Let's never let them forget that we women always have a few extra to share. Maybe a nice little card too boot that says, "Plug it!"

[PasadenaTrudy]

108. That's great!

Love it!

[kentauros]

117. Another idea I just had,

inspired by the vagina cupcakes sent to Boehner and the rest, would be some tampon-shaped desserts or cookies like:

Ladyfingers
Eclairs
Cream Horns
Mini-Baguettes
Pretzels
Pirouettes
Gingerbread
Shortbread

Chocolates from a tampon mold
Royal Icing, Buttercream, and Meringue-piped tampons
Fondant
Marzipan

All would probably have to be decorated to make them look more like tampons, other than relying strictly on shape, but might be fun to do it

[James48]

109. Note:

[classof56]

110. Nicely done!

Thanks for one more chuckle. I've had quite a few on this thread!

[Rebellious Republican]

115. Sweet!

[Coyotl]

112. #TamponGate brings new meaning to 'Red State'

Last edited Sun Jul 14, 2013, 04:12 PM - Edit history (1)

Jars of Pooo not a rock band, just a Texas-sized crock of shit. #TamponGate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023244117

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tampongate&src=typd

Arabella Stokes ?@romancemama 4h
Dear Texas: Thank you so much for making us look sane. Sincerely, Florida. http://ow.ly/1Z90fK #tampongate

Ahmed Awadalla ?@3awadalla 8h
Meanwhile, it seems they're confiscating tampons in the US. I think we should send troops to liberate their women. #HB2 #TamponGate

Eric Wolfson ?@ericwolfson 8h
Guns don't kill people. Tampons kill people.



Heather Marsh ?@GeorgieBC 10h
Meanwhile the senators are arguing over who loves god best.



Kit O'Connell ?@KitOConnell 11h
Bamdolier of tampons. #Tampongate #txlege


hyperlocavore ?@hyperlocavore 11h
I am laying a ring of tampons around the house as we speak to keep the male zombies away. Need a plan b for the lady zombies. #tampongate

GottaLaff ?@GottaLaff 13h
'Night all. There were tons of great #TamponGate jokes but this is serious. GOP degrading #WarOnWomen will reap consequences.

GottaLaff ?@GottaLaff 13h
"@UnrulyMobTX: #TamponGate brings new meaning to 'Red State.'"

GottaLaff ?@GottaLaff 16h
Only a good guy with a tampon can stop a bad guy with a tampon http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/07/12/19441556-only-a-good-guy-with-a-tampon-can-stop-a-bad-guy-with-a-tampon … v @MaddowBlog



#GOPWaronAmerica #GOPWaronSanity #bethechange #letfreedomring #FeministArmy #loudandproud #IfMyVaginaWasAGun

[DissidentVoice]

113. What do the female, Republican legislators think of this?

After all, just because they're Republicans doesn't change the fact that they have monthly cycles!

Women can have a gun in the Texan Legislature...but they can't look after their personal hygiene?

[marshall]

118. And guns would certainly cause more disruption

Even more than the supposed jars of urine and feces.

Time for a concealed feminine hygiene product law?

[marble falls]

119. Please do not condemn all of us Texans over this stuff.

[CanonRay]

121. That headline just about sums up the Texas leglslature

and conservative thinking in general

[blackspade]

124. They should bury these fucks in tampons.

It would be interesting to know the name of the freak that initiated the confiscation procedure.
Questions should be asked. Tampons will be given.....

[Snoopy 7]

126. Watch you back

Either you have a mole/snitch where you meet or you are being listen onto, either way ''watch your back''

[ConcernedCanuk]

128. Is sumthing wrong in 'Murika?

.
.
.

DOH!

CC

[wordpix]

129. gawd I'm glad I didn't run off with that Texan way back when

Nice guy but I'd be living the nightmare right now if I were there