13 | July | 2013 | The Obama Diary

So the people of Texas (well within their rights) peacefully showed up at the Capitol to make their objections known about the horrific HB2 bill that would destroy thousands of women’s lives.

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Then the misogynistic TX Lege GOP thought they would shame women by forcefully taking away their tampons and pads. They only succeeded in exposing themselves to the scorn and mockery of the world.

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https://twitter.com/NerdyWonka/status/355771243615625217

https://twitter.com/NerdyWonka/status/355772343395692545

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BPAPGdtCAAElhEb

@scATX

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https://twitter.com/NerdyWonka/status/355899929190858753

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This cretin doesn’t cry because thousands of women will die and thousands of women will have their lives destroyed due to his bill; nooo…he cries while watching Disney movies.

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TexasTribune

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https://twitter.com/NerdyWonka/status/355911898660741120

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The amazing Sen. Wendy Davis challenging Sen. Hegar for his non-factual testimony on HB2. Hegar’s response? “Umm..I don’t know..I really don’t know.” Wendy’s response: “I would suggest that you read a little bit.” Message to all Republican men.

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Texas Tribune

Continue reading ‘The Fight For The Future Of Texas Has Begun’

Abortion rights advocates fill the rotunda of the State Capitol as the Texas Senate neared the vote on Friday night, July 12

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When politicians try to get in the way of a woman and her doctor, it’s time to #StandWithWomen. http://t.co/xNIq0L78gO

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 13, 2013

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The Week Ahead:

Monday: The President and the First Lady will host former President George H.W. Bush, former First Lady Barbara Bush, and members of the Bush family for an event to honor the winner of the 5,000th Daily Point of Light Award

Tuesday and Wednesday: The President will attend meetings at the White House

Thursday: The President will participate in an ambassador credentialing ceremony at the White House

Friday: The President and the First Lady will host the Diplomatic Corps reception for the Foreign Diplomatic Corps at the White House

* The Obama family plans to vacation on Martha’s Vineyard between August 10 and 18, the White House confirmed yesterday

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Texas state troopers stand over pro-abortion rights protesters after they were taken from the Texas Senate gallery as the Senate debated an abortion bill

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Texas Tribune: After impassioned, often personal speeches from lawmakers in both parties noting the emotions that have followed House Bill 2 through the legislative process, the Texas Senate approved the omnibus abortion measure late Friday night.

…. Democrats offered 20 amendments, ranging from proposals to add exceptions to the bill’s 20-week abortion ban for victims of rape and incest to requiring annual inspections of abortion facilities and allowing teen mothers to be excluded from a state law requiring parental consent for family planning services. All were rejected on party-line votes in a debate that lasted until nearly midnight on Friday.

…. Alluding to Democrats’ hope that the passion from opponents of the abortion legislation translates into votes at the ballot box in the coming election cycle, State Sen. Wendy Davis said, “The fight for the future of Texas is just beginning.”

…. A suggestion from Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston that senators who voted for the legislation were “listening a little closer” to God than those who opposed it prompted a heated response from Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, who told his colleague he had crossed the line.

“Don’t question the faith of any member,” he said.

More here

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Shamefully, the Texas Senate just voted to pass a law leaving tens of thousands of Texans without access to life-saving care.

— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) July 13, 2013

Some believe this fight is over with this vote tonight, but they’re wrong. The fight for the future of Texas is just beginning.

— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) July 13, 2013

“I wish I knew each of your names — because I would chant them over and over.” — @WendyDavisTexas to everyone who fought for TX women

— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) July 13, 2013

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Texas Tribune: The Texas Department of Public Safety said Friday that officers had discovered more than a dozen jars containing “suspected” feces and urine at the Texas Capitol, the site of an intense debate among state senators over abortion restrictions.

In a press release, the agency offered scant details about the seizures and did not say where the items were taken or what happened to them, prompting abortion rights activists to express doubts about the official account.

…. DPS officers outside the Senate gallery and at each entrance to the Capitol told The Texas Tribune they had not seen or found jars containing feces or urine, and multiple officers throughout the Capitol said they had not heard of any jars being found until a reporter mentioned it. Several officers also said they had not heard anything on the DPS radio system about jars of any excrement.

On social media and in interviews, abortion rights protesters questioned the report, calling it an attempt by DPS to bolster Republican credibility during a contentious debate that has drawn national attention.

More here

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Updated – Erick Erickson deleted this tweet from last night:

“Dear Liberals, go bookmark this site now: http://t.co/uqrepa1Ktn“

…. which linked to:

No words.

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Erick Erickson’s idea of an #HB2 victory lap? Suggesting women start shopping for coat hangers. Death is hilarious! http://t.co/yV7ZRdTx7l

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) July 13, 2013

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Steve Benen: Only a good guy with a tampon can stop a bad guy with a tampon

Inside Texas’ state legislature (yesterday), loaded guns are fairly common. As the New York Times reported in March …. but as debate begins in the state Senate on sweeping restrictions to reproductive rights, tampons are being confiscated. No, seriously.

…. Apparently, conservatives believe progressive activists will, after the vote, throw tampons at Republican state lawmakers who approve the bill. So, anything that “can be thrown at” the senators is being confiscated before citizens can enter the gallery.

Sometimes the war on women is offensive, and sometimes, it’s just farcical. When tampons are considered more dangerous than loaded firearms, I think it’s safe to say Texas Republicans have gone off the deep end.

More here

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Welcome to Republican madness. #StandWithTXWomen RT @ChloeAngyal: There will now be zero clinics in all of West Texas. #hb2 #txlege

— Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) July 13, 2013

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Margaret and Helen: Tampons don’t kill people. Republicans do.

Margaret, last night there was a rally at the Texas State Capitol to let Rick Perry and the Republican controlled house and Senate know that Texas women have had enough of this backward ass war on women. And do you know what those crazy asshats did? They confiscated everyone’s feminine hygiene napkins at the door. Now there is some good bullshit if you ask me.

As God as my witness, you could legally carry a concealed weapon into the Texas Capitol but you had to surrender your tampons. I can only assume the Texas legislators… I guess Rick Perry decided… The State Troopers.. You know what, Margaret? For the first time in my life I’m speechless. What in God’s name has gotten into these yahoos?

More here

Continue reading ‘Rise and Shine’