Pardon my political hangover, but I was up until 3am getting schooled on the political process by a bunch of women.

A bunch of mother fucking women. In Texas.

In case you missed it, Democratic Senator Wendy Davis took to the floor to launch a 13 hour filibuster to block on SB5, which is a bill that would have made abortion laws so restrictive, almost all of the clinics in Texas would have to close their doors. For 13 hours, Davis had to talk continuously about the bill, even reading messages and stories sent in from constituents. Davis was not allowed to lean at anytime, or stop and take a break to eat or go to the bathroom. Her goal was to run out the clock to 12am, the mandatory time in which the Senate could no longer vote. Davis’ filibuster was cut short with two hours to go, but it didn’t end. Instead, Senators took to the floor to support Davis, speak out against the forced end to her filibuster, and to further run down the clock. At about 10 minutes to midnight, it seemed like the vote was going to be forced, and that’s when the people took over. For 10 minutes, the people in the capitol building screamed, chanted and cheered, filibustering the bill themselves, in front of over 180,000 people who watched it live on the internet. Most of us cried.

Now, I’m not going to sit here and offer my thoughts on abortion, I’ve done that before, and I want you to know you are very welcome to your own thoughts on the subject.

But, I do want to talk about last night.

Last night, people were reminded that we are active players in our political process. In the words of the women who stood strong in the capitol, Whose house is this? Our house. Because it is. It is our house. What happens in those buildings is our business, and it’s our right to have a say in it.

Last night, a lot of people saw a direct connection between the people they vote for and the legislation that’s made. That the people we elect and pay actual dollars to are accountable to us, before anyone else. Us. It seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes it takes physically seeing it to realize that this matters. How you vote, if you vote… it has a very direct effect on your life. It can be a scary and life altering realization.

Last night, we learned the difference between germane and Jermaine. Apparently only one of those is a Jackson.

Last night, I watched thousands of women directly change the course of history through their actions.

Last night, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said “an unruly mob using Occupy Wall Street tactics” had derailed legislation that was designed to protect women and babies,” and Senator Bill Zedler (R) tweeted that “We had terrorist in the Texas State Senate opposing SB 5.” And then I laughed. This wasn’t unruly mobs or terrorist actions, it was people finally being involved in the political process. They must have just gotten used to us not doing that.

Last night, in the Texas Senate, people were inspired to change the way our country is run. Well, at least that’s what I’m hoping.

StandWithWendy

I don’t care what side of the line you do it…. stand the hell up.

 

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