Wingnut of the Day: Jonathan Stickland

Texas State Representative Jonathan Stickland (R) identifies himself as a former fetus. Stickland's bio states his anti-choice beliefs.

Jonathan is adamantly pro-life and believes it is part of the government’s role to protect the unborn lives of children. He was honored to help author House Bill 2, which restricted abortions after 20 weeks, and made abortion clinics adhere to stricter rules that protect Texas women. This was a huge victory for the pro-life movement and Jonathan was proud to be a part of it.

Stickland took to Twitter when his sign was taken down.

My #prolife sign was just ripped down by @charliegeren #txlege

— Jonathan Stickland (@RepStickland) March 11, 2015

What Stickland failed to understand was that his sign broke the rules of the Texas legislature.

Signs are not allowed to be posted in the walls of the building they were removed and placed in the office of the members

— Charlie Geren (@charliegeren) March 11, 2015

What is a former fetus to do when he can't hang his sign?

Wendy Davis Hints At a Gubernatorial Run

Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis spoke at the National Press Club. Davis hinted that she may run for governor.

"I do think that in Texas, people feel like we need a change from the very fractured, very partisan leadership that we've seen in our state governor right now," Davis said at the fundraiser luncheon. "I can say with absolute certainty that I will run for one of two offices -- either my state senate seat, or the governor's."

The fact that a previously unknown State Senator is now speaking at the National Press Club tells you that Davis is a rising political star.

Texas Legislature Hates Tampons

This is the bizarre security state we live in. The Texas Department of Public Safety is confiscating tampons from women wanting to enter the gallery of the Texas legislature. A copy of the TDPS press release.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) today received information that individuals planned to use a variety of items or props to disrupt legislative proceedings at the Texas Capitol.

Therefore for safety purposes, DPS recommended to the State Preservation Board that all bags be inspected prior to allowing individuals to enter the Senate gallery, which the State Preservation Board authorized.

During these inspections, DPS officers have thus far discovered one jar suspected to contain urine, 18 jars suspected to contain feces, and three bottles suspected to contain paint. All of these items – as well as significant quantities of feminine hygiene products, glitter and confetti possessed by individuals – were required to be discarded; otherwise those individuals were denied entry into the gallery.

In the interest of the safety and security of Texas legislators and the general public, these inspections will continue until the conclusion of Senate business.

Andrea Grimes reports Texas state troopers spent 1 1/2 hours confiscating tampons and other female hygiene products. GCitizens were allowed to bring guns in the gallery. How else would conservatives be able to protect themselves in the event of a tampon attack.

The Republican majority in the Texas legislature can't even pretend they're not sexist.

Pro-Choice Activist @VictoriaPrude Removed From Texas Legislature Hearing

Pro-choice activist @VictoriaPrude ripped into the Texas legislature. She was removed by Texas state troopers before she finished speaking. She was interviewed later by Daily Kos. @VictoriaPrude told Horace Boothroyd III that she was never given a reason as to why she was removed from the hearing.

There was no explanation. Senator Jane Nelson tried to say I was being disrespectful but how would she know? I barely got to give the complete performance review of every member on the committee. Pointing out that Sen. Donna Campbell is an ophthalmologist is not disrespectful when she asserts in a state hearing that she should be THE expert on reproductive health. What was disrespectful was the parade of anti-choice zealots and misogynists who got up for 13 hours and called women murderers, killers, promiscuous, thoughtless, and selfish. Not a peep from committee chair Nelson on those.

@VictoriaPrude was escorted off the capital. Her behavior may have been rude. I have seen tea party protesters go near riot mode against elected Democratic officials and not be removed from town hall meetings.

The first reaction was a true shock. And that was the hundreds of people who applauded me as I was escorted out of Capitol and who stayed with me so police couldn't isolate me. You can see some of it here. Parade as girl is escorted out of testimony Next, I came home to hundreds of new followers on social media. And finally, the texts, tweets, emails, and phone calls haven't stopped from friends and family alike. Texans are as angry as I sounded. We don't benefit at all from the polite oppression of Texas legislature "decorum". Dissent and rebellion continue to drive this fight.

This is true rudeness. This is the behavior of tea partiers at a Kathy Castor town hall meeting. These people thinks the Constitution gives them permission to act like obnoxious assholes and be respected for such behavior.

Bill Zedler Shamefully Calls Wendy Davis a 'Terrorist'

Texas State Senator Bill Zedler fired off this classless tweet.

"We had terrorist in the Texas State Senate opposing SB 5," Zedler tweeted.

We had terrorist in the Texas State Senate opposing SB 5

— Bill Zedler (@Bill_Zedler) June 26, 2013

Iraqi citizens have to worry everyday about IEDs and suicide bombers. The English was terrorized by the IRA after several attacks from 1973 to 1975. These can be considered terrorism. Zedler's idea of terrorism is an elected official debating the merits of a bill she opposes. Zedler is calling the practice of the democratic process an act of terrorism. Zedler has an extremist view that has no respect for the democratic prospect.

Let Her Speak

This amazing viral moment happened during the Wendy Davis filibuster of the Draconian anti-abortion bill making its way through the Texas legislature. Women in the chamber will not allow male elected leaders to silence Davis. Let her speak.