NOTICE: this is purely a political post (and a long one) with strong reactions. If you don't like such topics, you don't have to keep reading.
As you might or might not be aware, Americans are apparently afraid of losing their religious freedom. They seem to have forgotten about Amendment 1 to the U.S. Constitution -- which should surprise no one, as Constitutional amnesia seems to be sweeping across the purple plains with reckless abandon. Politicians in many states have passed "religious freedom restoration acts," or RFRAs, modeled on the federal RFRA. This legislation, introduced by Chuck Schumer, a so-called Democrat who's about to take over as minority leader in the Senate, "ensures that interests in religious freedom are protected."
In the states with RFRAs, these laws permit people (and sometimes corporations) to exempt themselves from any state law that substantially burdens their exercise of religion. (Take note here: those who do not have a religion have no such luxury of ignoring laws they don't like.) Many observers conclude that these laws provide license to discriminate against certain kinds of people because your imaginary friend tells you to. Last week, the state legislature of Indiana passed the most onerous RFRA to date: it overtly permits individuals and corporations to discriminate against and withhold services from anyone they choose, claiming "religious freedom." It was signed into law by the weasel Mike Spence, posing as governor of the state.
A great furor spread across the land, and many prominent businesses began to extract themselves from Indiana. Weasel Mike Spence, other Indiana Republican politicians, and every potential candidate for the Republican presidential primary expressed shock! and concern! that anyone would view Indiana SB 101 as license to discriminate. Weasel Spence maintained that there was never any intent to discriminate. But he also maintained that he has no plans to carve out "exceptions" for LGTBQ citizens.
Well, today Weasel Spence stepped upon his weasel podium and proceeded to spew mouthfuls of weasel words. I present them here, with periodic ejaculations of WTFery.
Huh? Fsck you, Weasel Spence. You're wrong: the people of Washington (no, the other one) are really the greatest people on Earth. No, that's too many. The people of Seattle. No, that's still too many. The people of the Ballard neighborhood! Actually, I didn't mean any of that. Except the "you're wrong" bit. Do you want to know why this country is so divided, Weasel Spence? It's because feckless politicians like you can't resist perpetuating an us-vs.-them mentality among your constituency. Anger and resentment are the only currency you morons know.
The RFRA signed into law by President Clinton was primarily to stop the federal government from interfering with certain religious practices of Native Americans that would otherwise be illegal. It had nothing to do with what you wish it really was for.
Bullshopt. My political freedoms have no reliance on religion.
Does Indiana state law interfere with the religious practices of Native Americans residing with your borders? Do you even have any? Would you recognize one if you saw one? Otherwise, you're misdirecting again.
Steaming bullshopt. The language of the legislation is clear -- brutally so. Why are you pretending otherwise? C'mon, just say it: the mere idea that Ryan and Todd like to get naked with each other disgusts you.
I think you meant to say, "And I come before you today to say holy crap, money is flying fast out of Indiana like shopt through a goose. We better say some weasel words to comfort the afflicted!"
Lies. The bill absolutely permits anyone in Indiana to claim religious liberty as a reason for withholding the delivery of services.
Then why didn't you? It's a bill that legalizes discrimination.
Yes, it does.
To balance what? Religion is a private matter, between one and one's god. Religion has (should have?) no bearing whatsoever on how businesses or governments function.
Weasel Spence, you are so full of crap. To attend the signing ceremony, you invited guests who represent organizations that actively oppose same-sex marriage. Conspicuously absent were guests who advocate for same-sex marriage. Not only did you sign a bill that expressly endorses discrimination, you yourself created the very "perception" you now claim is erroneous! How can you even live with yourself?
Talk is cheap, Weasel Spence. If you truly feel this way, then take a position of equality for all. Eliminate all forms of discrimination in your state. Let Todd and Ryan, who do love each other very much, get married and reap the same benefits that you and your wife do. You do realize that their marriage in no way affects yours or the millions of other opposite-sex marriages in your state? Straight marriage is not going to suddenly fail.
I seriously doubt that. You're a goon, elected by goons who tremble at the slightest peep or movement from a non-WASP citizen. Because you believe that you're some kind of victim of non-WASP-ness, you and your crony coalition feel the need to erect barriers to keep "the other" away from you. Be warned: your pedestals are crumbling. You can fight, but you will lose.
No, you have a fact problem.
Oh, that's easy: repeal the damn law.
Really? Indiana is ranked third in outbound migration. You really do have a problem with facts, don't you?
A fix is applied to things that are broken. Not to things that just look broken. SB 101 is broken. At least you admit it needs a fix (that is, a repeal) -- even if you can't bring yourself to admit the true reason why.
Because you did a supremely dumb thing, and deserve condemnation.
Ah, the last refuge of the scum bag: blaming the true victim. The offense started in your Senate and concluded with your signature.
Repeal the damn law.
As you might or might not be aware, Americans are apparently afraid of losing their religious freedom. They seem to have forgotten about Amendment 1 to the U.S. Constitution -- which should surprise no one, as Constitutional amnesia seems to be sweeping across the purple plains with reckless abandon. Politicians in many states have passed "religious freedom restoration acts," or RFRAs, modeled on the federal RFRA. This legislation, introduced by Chuck Schumer, a so-called Democrat who's about to take over as minority leader in the Senate, "ensures that interests in religious freedom are protected."
In the states with RFRAs, these laws permit people (and sometimes corporations) to exempt themselves from any state law that substantially burdens their exercise of religion. (Take note here: those who do not have a religion have no such luxury of ignoring laws they don't like.) Many observers conclude that these laws provide license to discriminate against certain kinds of people because your imaginary friend tells you to. Last week, the state legislature of Indiana passed the most onerous RFRA to date: it overtly permits individuals and corporations to discriminate against and withhold services from anyone they choose, claiming "religious freedom." It was signed into law by the weasel Mike Spence, posing as governor of the state.
A great furor spread across the land, and many prominent businesses began to extract themselves from Indiana. Weasel Mike Spence, other Indiana Republican politicians, and every potential candidate for the Republican presidential primary expressed shock! and concern! that anyone would view Indiana SB 101 as license to discriminate. Weasel Spence maintained that there was never any intent to discriminate. But he also maintained that he has no plans to carve out "exceptions" for LGTBQ citizens.
Well, today Weasel Spence stepped upon his weasel podium and proceeded to spew mouthfuls of weasel words. I present them here, with periodic ejaculations of WTFery.
Thank you all for coming. It's been a tough week here in the Hoosier State. But we're gonna move forward. Because as governor I have the great privilege of serving the greatest people on Earth. The people of Indiana.
Let me say first and foremost I was proud to sign the Religious Freedom Restoration Act last week. I believe religious liberty, as President Clinton said when he signed the federal law in 1993, religious liberty is our first freedom. And it is vital to millions of Americans who cherish faith as I and my family do.
But it's also vital to the framework of freedom in our nation,
and this legislation was designed to ensure the vitality of religious liberty in the Hoosier State. I believe Hoosiers are entitled to the same protections that have been in place in our federal courts for the last 20-plus years and are the law in 30 other states.
But clearly, clearly there's been misunderstanding and confusion and mischaracterization of this law.
And I come before you today to say how we're going to address that. We've been working over the last several days literally around the clock, and talking with people across the state of Indiana, talking to business leaders, talking to organizations across the country. And we have spent time in Indiana, enjoyed the hospitality of the people of Indiana, and we've been listening.
Let me say first and foremost, as I've said to them, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is about religious liberty, not about discrimination.
As I said last week, had this law been about legalizing discrimination I would have vetoed it.
This law does not give anyone a license to discriminate.
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana does not give anyone the right to deny services to anyone in this state. It is simply a balancing test used by our federal courts and jurisdictions across the country for more than two decades.
Now let me say on the subject of the bill itself, I don't believe for a minute that it was the intention of the General Assembly to create a license to discriminate or a right to deny services to gays, lesbians, or anyone else in this state. And it certainly wasn't my intent. But I can appreciate that that's become the perception not just here in Indiana but all across this country, and we need to confront that, and confront it boldly in a way that respects the interests of all involved.
A personal reflection for a moment if I can. I abhor discrimination. The way I was raised was like most Hoosiers, with the golden rule, that you should do unto others what you'd have them do unto you. And I believe in my heart of hearts that no one should be harassed or mistreated because of who they are, who they love,
or what they believe. And I believe that every Hoosier shares that conviction.
But as I've said we've got a perception problem here because some people have a different view.
And we intend to correct that. After much reflection and in consultation with leadership of the general assembly, I've come to the conclusion that it would be helpful to move legislation this week that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses the right to deny service to anyone. Let me say that again. I think it would be helpful, and I'd like to see on my desk before the end of this week, legislation that is added to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana that makes it clear that this law does not give businesses a right to deny services to anyone. We want to make it clear that Indiana's open for business.
We want to make it clear that Hoosier hospitality is not a slogan, it's our way of life. It's the reason why people come here from around the world and they come back again and again. Because Hoosiers are the kindest, most generous, most decent people in the world.
Let me say I believe this is a clarification, but it's also a fix—it's a fix of a bill that through mischaracterization and confusion has come to be greatly misunderstood.
And I'm determined to address this this week. And to move forward as a state. And I know we will. Indiana has come under the harsh clare of criticism from around the country.
And some of us get paid to be under that harsh glare and that criticism, so we don't complain about it. But the things that have been said about our state have been at times deeply offensive to me.
And I will continue to use every effort to defend the good and decent people of Indiana. I think it's important that we take this action this week. I've spoken to legislative leaders all the way through the last hour and we're going to be working to make that happen.
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