What a crazy headline, eh? No, this isn’t The Onion and I”m not Andy Borowitz, either. Texas state troopers really were confiscating women’s tampons before admitting them into the capitol rotunda in Austin, Texas today. You read that correctly. If you are on your period, it is advisable that you do not go to protest the restrictive women’s health bill that is in the works in Texas. Irony much?
People at Capitol say DPS is confiscating tampons before they enter the Senate gallery due to concerns about items being thrown #hb2 #TXLege
? Steven Romo (@stevenromo) July 12, 2013
Confirmed: state troopers are searching all bags and confiscating tampons and pads. #hb2 #sb1
? Andrea Grimes (@andreagrimes) July 12, 2013
This Tweet by @ShelbyLAlex has a photo attached.
#tampon collection as they let people into the gallery. #txlege #hb2 #sb1 #swtw pic.twitter.com/PtVX8eXAsL
? Shelby Alexander (@ShelbyLAlex) July 12, 2013
Think folks are just making this up? Or that it’s true but maybe a cowardly and clueless staffer ordered it? Nope!
I just asked DPS myself: NO TAMPONS OR MAXI PADS IN GALLERY. “Nothing that can be thrown at Senators” #HB2 ? Jessica W. Luther (@scATX) July 12, 2013
Gov. David Dewhurst said that he’s only trying to enforce rules of decorum. In short, allowing cowardly lawmakers to finish their work rather than have their clock go over time because of shouting by an “unruly mob.” It would definitely NOT be in keeping with decorum for them to turn the clock back if they go over time, would it? I mean…they wouldn’t do that, would they?
“We’re going to have strict enforcement. If there are any demonstrations, we are going to clear the gallery,”?Dewhurst said?Thursday. “I hope we don’t get to that point but if we do, we do. This is a democracy and we will not be interrupted from doing the people’s work by an unruly mob.” (NBCDFW)
Really, Dewey? Why weren’t they allowed to bring in extra shirts? Read this play-by-play account by Nancy Flores, a woman who was in the gallery for the Senate debate.
An update:
Thanks to @kirkpwatson for getting DPS to stop confiscating tampons. Tampons now allowed at TX Capitol #standwithTXwomen#txlege#hb2 ? StandwithTexasWomen (@TX_Women) July 12, 2013
Featured Image Courtesy of TruthDig.com
