by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Members of the Arizona Legislature passed legislation today which allows businesses to discriminate if requests for goods or services run counter to a business owner's religious beliefs. The discrimination measure was thought to be aimed primarily at the LBGT community, but could conceivably be invoked in cases where other issues run counter to a particular religion. The legislation, SB 1062, was passed by both houses of the legislature and forwarded to Governor Jan Brewer for her signature.
In twenty-first century America there are still a few churches which promote the belief that people of color are a distinct and inferior species. Are our esteemed legislators attempting to roll that clock back as well? (Arizona made headlines several years ago when it withdrew recognition of the Martin Luther King national holiday - leaving a distinct impression that the state might not be a model for racial tolerance.)
Similar bills to Arizona's SB 1062 have been proposed in several states, and Kansas has a version that passed its House but stalled in the State Senate. Arizona lawmakers will undoubtedly take pride in being the first to get their codified hate through the legislative process, before all of those other state governing bodies. Our legislators are quicker than theirs - and, at a minimum, just as dumb.
Anytime a wacky bill is introduced anywhere in America, Arizona either has a similar one in the sausage grinder, or soon will have. Nobody, and I mean no-body, will out stupid our representatives and senators who draw paychecks at the capitol in Phoenix.
But the gay rights bus has left the station and is moving on down the road. The Supreme Court gutted the Defense of Marriage Act, and the concept of marriage equality gains ground daily. This little burst of states' rights bravado will dissipate faster than a fart in a dust storm. It is a pure exercise in futility and a waste of the state's scant resources.
Gnash those teeth and wring those hands, Arizona. Modern times are upon us - whether you are smart enough to realize it or not. There is a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King - and gay rights are protected by the Constitution of the United States of America. Quit posing and deal with it!
Citizen Journalist
Members of the Arizona Legislature passed legislation today which allows businesses to discriminate if requests for goods or services run counter to a business owner's religious beliefs. The discrimination measure was thought to be aimed primarily at the LBGT community, but could conceivably be invoked in cases where other issues run counter to a particular religion. The legislation, SB 1062, was passed by both houses of the legislature and forwarded to Governor Jan Brewer for her signature.
In twenty-first century America there are still a few churches which promote the belief that people of color are a distinct and inferior species. Are our esteemed legislators attempting to roll that clock back as well? (Arizona made headlines several years ago when it withdrew recognition of the Martin Luther King national holiday - leaving a distinct impression that the state might not be a model for racial tolerance.)
Similar bills to Arizona's SB 1062 have been proposed in several states, and Kansas has a version that passed its House but stalled in the State Senate. Arizona lawmakers will undoubtedly take pride in being the first to get their codified hate through the legislative process, before all of those other state governing bodies. Our legislators are quicker than theirs - and, at a minimum, just as dumb.
Anytime a wacky bill is introduced anywhere in America, Arizona either has a similar one in the sausage grinder, or soon will have. Nobody, and I mean no-body, will out stupid our representatives and senators who draw paychecks at the capitol in Phoenix.
But the gay rights bus has left the station and is moving on down the road. The Supreme Court gutted the Defense of Marriage Act, and the concept of marriage equality gains ground daily. This little burst of states' rights bravado will dissipate faster than a fart in a dust storm. It is a pure exercise in futility and a waste of the state's scant resources.
Gnash those teeth and wring those hands, Arizona. Modern times are upon us - whether you are smart enough to realize it or not. There is a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King - and gay rights are protected by the Constitution of the United States of America. Quit posing and deal with it!
1 comment:
Well, they'll stone you when you are all alone
They'll stone you when you are walking home
They'll stone you and then say they are brave
They'll stone you when you're sent down in your grave
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Bob Dylan was a prophet
Rainy Day Women #12 & #35
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