Indiana Governor Mike Pence probably thought he was just about to make the GOP swoon. He’s been eying a run for President in 2016 and signing the dishonestly named, “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” (BTW, which religious freedoms have been taken away that don’t involve bigotry?) looked like a big bear hug he could give the GOP core voters.
He was right about that, signing a law that affirms people can defend themselves from breaking civil rights laws by saying “The Bible Made Me Do It!” is a winner with Right Wing voters who often praise and promote theocracy. They truly believe that biblical dogma should overrule democratically passed laws (American ISIS, the new show where you get stoned by the panel if you don’t sing from the same RW hymnal).
Pence had good reason to be confident about this being a successful ploy. Over a dozen other states had already implemented “religious protection” laws so though he knew it would make him stand out from the other potential Republican candidates, he also knew this had been tested and succeeded elsewhere without big protests so he had little to worry about.
Somewhere there is a camel with a broken back from one last straw who’s texting Pence, “I feel your pain, man!”
Sure, people get away with lots of terrible things until they don’t. And Mike Pence found that out to his utter shock. “Really? Americans don’t like it when you make it legal to be bigoted as long as you hide behind ‘religious beliefs’? Where is this coming from? How was I to know?!”
Republicans are great at protecting the rights of those who already have the most power, not so good about fighting for the rights of those who aren’t wealthy or bigoted…you know, the people who don’t vote Republican.
It is kind of stunning that the majority of Americans haven’t seen enough of Republicans being anti-democracy with their Voter ID laws, pro-intrusive government with their anti-abortion and anti-contraception laws, pro-death with their gun proliferation laws, pro-prejudice with their support for racist police and laws and anti-American with their anti-Constitution stance with trying to dissolve the separation of church and state.
I keep expecting the majority to finally step up and say to the GOP, “Okay, that’s enough of that!” to all of this hateful, corrupt crap. Of course the problem is that for most of the Repub politicians, they come from these district bubbles where the extremists are the only ones they have to please to get re-elected.
So at least until 2021, the next redistricting year, we’re stuck with the ignorant, prejudiced and hateful minority…and they are a real small minority of Americans and eligible voters (emphasis on “eligible”), being the mangy, nasty tails that wag the Republican dogs in power. More hateful laws will come that protect those in power or are cynically intended to help them win elections to stay in power.
If Americans and businesses continue to step up and push back as they have in this case, such attempts to pander to the bigoted will have just the opposite political result than the one intended.
GOPTEA have their collective heads buried so far up each others’ asses it’s unsurprising they don’t realize that the majority of the country doesn’t feel or think they way they do. If they were Real Politicians they would be attentive to the wishes and needs of the Majority of Americans instead of pandering to the petty wishes of bigots and oligarchs.
):-(
Greetings, salutations and deliverance! Perhaps. I think I have spotted (old) friendlies, not the defunct franchise so named, thankfully.
Have I actually landed somewhere? All these years, wandering the desert (again), and through the miracle of some magical karma, I have traversed the wordpress obstacle course and signed in.
I left HuffPo when the sh_t went down about fb and haven’t settled yet. Another day, another diaspora. But I’m actually posting. This is weird.
Are there other refugees here calling this planet home now? I was PeppersDad at HP. I saw some others at Crooks and Liars. Do you like it here? What’s up with wordpress? I don’t do social media, I can barely answer a flip phone.
So, I’m older, a little more cranky but I look forward to hanging around and seeing who I know and meet some new folks. Any advice?
The pups are (obviously) older but those that remain are still magnificent and the treasure of my life. Mischa’s been gone almost a year. She’d had enough. So brave. She finally gave me the look: “Dad … It’s OK …let me go.”
If you give me your HP handle, I’m sure I’ll remember. Don’t know what else to say.
Welcome to The Planet, EmigrePeppersDad!
We have many folks from HP here so I think you’ll find some familiar “faces” here.
It does take a little time to get accustomed to a new site but you’ve posted a comment already so you’ve got the main aspect down.
If you’re interested, you can check out our FAQ here to get an overview about PlanetPOV: http://planetpov.com/faq/
Summarizing, PlanetPOV is a little different than HP. It’s a community of informed, clever and conscientious people who have more substantial discussions about what’s going on in the country and the world than the format at HP allowed.
We’re an opinion site, not another of the many news aggregation sites and all of our members can write articles about anything that matters to them.
We also have a variety of features including:
Morning Blog which offers a great daily rundown of the top stories around the world.
Time Out for O/T which is the virtual coffee house for members where any thought on any topic can be posted.
Weekend Music Thread which offers a theme for posting and sharing favorite songs with fellow members.
Vox Populi which is our weekly live chat on the week’s events on every Friday night at 7:00pm PDT.
Very glad to see you here and once again, a warm welcome to The Planet!
EPDad, Nirek here and there. Glad you found your way here. WELCOME!
We have many old HP folks and many who come and go and come back again. I for one post most days. You might like the Time Out for OT , and Morning Blog is another great feature. You can write an opinion on any subject you are passionet about , too.
I look forward to conversation with you. I tend to shorten folks handles because I type slower than anyone else. I’m also old (68) 69 this year.
Again welcome and peace.
Welcome to the Planet, EmigrePeppersDad! I left HP a while earlier than you did — several years ago — but I was kesmarn there as well. I’ve never looked back since I’ve joined the Planet.
This is more like a community than HP and we really get to know each other. Also there’s not the ridiculous censorship and silly badge system here — which is a huge positive with me.
You may want to join the Friday night live chat (10 p.m. EST) where members hash over the news of the previous week and catch up on what’s going on individually too.
Looking forward to seeing more of you!
Welcome, EPD! You may remember my handle and avatar from HP. I left them same time as you and found this haven of sense and respect some time ago. Loving it here and I’m sure you will also. And Vox Pop Friday night is a great forum. Check out previous ones on the Front Page. Again, Welcome.
A warm welcome to The Planet, EmigrePeppersDad. If you need any assistance, please let us know. We are a friendly, conscientious, caring and passionate community who like to discuss issues happening at home and abroad.
Welcome aboard!
[img]http://media.fyre.co/JoSXANbTKmME62Y4oFMD_6a00d8341c730253ef01b7c76e6768970b-800wi.jpg[/img]
Great graphic, KT!
Thanks Ad. Yeah, this law isn’t about discrimination towards gay people! HAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I think Robin is talking to Mike Spence here:
I still do not trust them. I wonder if anyone has looked in detail at the bills in other states? I am pretty sure the Michigan law gives people like First Responders the right to refuse treatment if they believe the person practices “activities” that are not allowed in the Old Testament because these bills are based on that section of the Bible.
This all just makes me queasy and very uncomfortable that people who made a fuss will walk away thinking they have won but the amendment, if any, will be worded such that there is an escape clause for bigots.
I would say it is scary to see these things being implemented so quickly but they are not. They have been planning this for a very long time. I believe the bill passed in the 90’s was a test to see how far they could go and to use just as they are now doing. I am in a really troubling place because I am also beginning to believe I cannot trust Dems either. The turnout in the midterms was so disappointing that I changed my affiliation the next day to AI. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is not doing a great deal since then to re-gain my trust either. I am a Sanders leftie and will work for him in the primaries but if Hillary does win, my vote will go to her, grudgingly, though.
I just really wish there was an alternative for many who felt that the alternative person was strong enough to overcome the two major parties but even TeaBillies and Libertarians still run under the Republican ticket. They like to posture that they are “independent” but I don’t see it that way.
April Fool’s story.
Mike Pence: “I had no idea people had so many gay friends.”
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/indiana-governor-stunned-by-how-many-people-seem-to-have-gay-friends
The thing of it is … I think it’s kind of true.
Wonder if it’s a coincidence that Mike Pence’s favorite movie is “Clueless”?
Mike Pence is the reincarnation of Roy Cohn!
I think that there should be a re-evaluation of Religions in the USA. Those Churches who preach the Old Testament should be relabeled ‘Old Testamentarians’, and forbidden to use the word “Christian”, which should be for the exclusive use of Churches preaching the New Testament. It’s fraudulent misrepresentation otherwise! If Churches insert themselves into the political arena, they should also be treated, like Corporations, as People ( sarcastic Thanks, SCOTUS!), and thus be taxable! That might shut a few of them up, and the pollies who pander to them!
Hear, hear, PPO!
These mega-churches who instruct their members — from their pulpits — on how to vote really need to be taxed.
ppo – I think it might be better not to provide any tax exemption for religions because they use all of the city’s, state’s and country’s resources like everyone else, why should they not have to contribute their fair share?
They could still be non-profits if they qualify but since so many are now very involved in politics and wealthy beyond belief, does it really make sense anymore to give them tax-free status?
Ad, I agree all churches should pay taxes as well as all corporations. Any non-profit should not have paid execs, too. You know a 40 million a year commissioner for the non-profit NFL!
Nirek, you nailed it. There should be a federal limit on executive pay for a non-profit and the NFL should have its status ripped away.
I’m all for churches and religions having a non-profit status as long as they would adhere to stricter requirements barring any political activity and high salaries or expensive gifts for those leading that church or religion.
It’s either non-profit for all (though people should be paid fairly) or it’s not a non-profit.
Wonderful article, AdLib. I have to admit that the comedy angle of this whole situation is tough to find. But it got easier this afternoon — once Scott Walker, Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz had all jumped on to the Pence, Indy 500 Bandwagon.
Right after Pence had jumped off.
Here they are — defending his strong defense (as of yesterday) of a bill that he’s currently running a mile from. The GOP can’t even begin to keep up with its own 180 turns. The ones they screech their tires performing in the hot pursuit of votes.
And I can only imagine how baffled the Hoosier right wing fundies must be right about now. Here they voted for guys who told them that they were solid, God-fearing, upright Christians who were going to make sure that Old Testament values became the law of the land. This morning they wake up to see the Indianapolis Star screaming in bold white-on-black headlines: FIX THIS NOW and to watch their “fearless leaders” on national TV frantically scrambling to backpedal on their alleged “principles” once they saw that the State of Indiana was going to take a gigantic financial hit if this monstrosity is allowed to stand.
Feeling used much, Dominionist “Christians”? Or are you too brain-washed by your masters to have that much insight? Will you just accept it when those politicians you elected explain it to you by saying “Tim Cook made us repeal it!”
Hey Homie. What I find very ironic about all this is that if this law remains, capitalism will win out. Those who wish to discriminate will lose money, while those who support equal rights for all, will make even more money.
The GOPers’ “church of free enterprise,” will defeat the religious fanatics. Isn’t that just a wonderful irony?
For once the “free market” and morality are not on a collision course, Homie! You’re right — the irony! 🙂
Kes, yes, you gotta love the 2016 Repubs running at the football like Charlie Brown then Mike Pence pulling the football away like Lucy!
They just handed the Dems a huge hammer to add to their collection for beating any of them in the Presidential race. The old school homophobe GOP vs. the modern and equality-minded Dems. Which seems like the better bet to win more indie and swing voter support?
The RW Fundies in IL have to feel betrayed and that’s so sweet! I don’t know that they were used, they were being pandered to by Pence who imagines (or used to imagine) he could run for the GOP nom. But instead, the exercise in pandering had to be called off on account of uproar.
So the Fundies are left being shown to the public as saps who were just being bribed for votes by Republicans who have no true loyalty to them, only to their own re-election.
Mike Pence’s tuppence (two pence as in two-faced) worth of nonsense.
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MIKE PENCE STILL ISN’T TELLING THE TRUTH
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/31/mike-pence-still-isn-t-telling-the-truth-why-indiana-s-anti-gay-religious-freedom-law-is-different-than-the-other-ones.html
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The True Intent Of Indiana’s ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill, According To The People Who Helped Write It
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/03/31/3640801/conservatives-indiana-discrimination/
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Arkansas lawmakers approve religious liberty bill despite firestorm over Indiana law
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/03/31/after-a-firestorm-over-indianas-religious-law-is-arkansas-next/
Kalima, thanks for the links!
Pence is a Republican in a position of power, does anyone expect him to tell the truth?
His BS was so obvious and thankfully, the media picked up on it immediately. Lying about that law being identical to the national one Clinton signed and the one Obama voted for…really? We can’t fact check you immediately, Pence?
And claiming the bill doesn’t allow bigotry while saying it needs to be fixed to prevent state-protected bigotry? Come on, Pence, that won’t even make sense to a 5 year old (though it will to a Fox News viewer).
As for Arkansas, from what I’ve heard, despite the Walmart CEO’s urging for their Gov. Hutchinson not to sign it, it looks like he’s going to. So add Arkansas to the boycott list (especially considering the breaking news about their Christian-only tax break bill that I’ve posted here today!).
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence spent the morning in a press conference blaming the press for slurring his bigotry legalization law which he claimed didn’t do what it clearly did. His claim was that these “lies” about the law has led to a “perception issue”. So he’s going to work with the Legislature to fix the law.
Huh?
If there is nothing in the law that allows discrimination…why would it need to be fixed? How do you fix something that doesn’t exist?
His speech and press conference was a slew of pandering to Indianians, lies and self-righteous anger at those he wants to discriminate against who stood up to him and this law and trying to hide behind the federal religious protection laws, invoking Clinton and Obama repeatedly and claiming his law was identical to existing federal law…but it was flat out lying because the Indiana law goes much farther, giving corporations and businesses the right to be bigoted because of their religious beliefs as “people”.
Only a couple of reporters there called him on his lies, many tossed him softballs about what a poor victim he and IN are for being spotlighted for passing a bigotry law.
And not one of them recognized that Pence’s use of the Hobby Lobby case to justify this law while denying that that his law allowed companies to deny services was hypocrisy. The Hobby Lobby case WAS about the power of a corporation to refuse providing services to all of their employees, in that case, refusing to provide contraception coverage.
Even so, it is a partial victory from an unlikely coalition of corporations, the media and LGBT activists to squash the main power of this law to discriminate.
In plain English, if you are not hetrosexual, you can be refused housing, education, service and employment, and cannot sue the bastards for discrimination.
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Here it is: The text of Indiana’s ‘religious freedom’ law
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/27/text-indianas-religious-freedom-law/70539772/
Kalima, but that’s just your perception of what’s literally written. Mike Pence’s perception of the words has nothing to do with what the bill actually says because in Fundieland, lying to the public using false perceptions to justify bigotry is what they call, “the Christian way”.
Ad, it bothers me that they don’t include people who have a differing belief . Like those who don’t believe in God, or those like me who believe Mother Nature is the same as their God. It is like the extremists ISIS, their beliefs are the only true beliefs.
This reminds me of the “Cow Die” (I have no idea how to spell it but that was the pronunciation) people I met in Vietnam. They believed that Jesus, George Washington, Abe Lincoln, and Buda were all the same man (God). They were the nicest people and did not take part in the war.
Okay, my memory was wrong. I met the Cao Dai people at tay Ninh, Vietnam back in 1969. Here is a link to the Cao Dai religion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cao_%C4%90%C3%A0i
As I said my memory failed me. They are a peaceful people. I think I was told back then that they considered Jesus, Washington , Lincoln, and Buda to all be the same man. That was my memory playing tricks on me, I guess.
Nirek, so true, religious intolerance looks similar across all religions. Though ISIS is far more murderous and brutal, they espouse the same kind of self-righteousness and disrespect towards those with different beliefs.
If the RW Christians in America could have their own theocracy within the nation, they would…in fact, isn’t that what they’re trying to do in their own way?
Damaging the image of America as a forward thinking country seems to be the least concern of these self-righteous, unconstitutional areswipes who have made this disgraceful legislation into law. So this Republican mayor was a breath of clean air when he gave this announcement. Good for him! How utterly diabolical are the other states who did the same as Pence?
Like I always say, states have far too much power, and if these states are part of the United States, they should abide by the federal laws banning discrimination, or drill around their rancid borders, deep enough to separate them from the land mass and float out to sea. I will never understand how people who want to destroy America and the freedoms she is supposed to stand for, have the power to disrupt even when they have no idea how to govern on issues that are important to the majority of Americans. They are states, not individual countries, and when local government go against the central government in the U.K. their funding will be cut.
This is obviously a human rights violation, should be treated as such and struck down. I can see the UN getting involved again. How embarrassing.
If Repubs want to rule this way, they should move to Russia, Iran or even better, join ISIS, because as I see it, they are like two peas in a pod. God has nothing to do with this, and they certainly don’t speak for the majority of Christians.
I knew we were in for the ridiculous and the insane, but I didn’t realise that I was in danger of developing lockjaw as their madness continues because of the number of times I have to gasp at the sheer nerve of what they are trying to do.
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Indianapolis Mayor to Issue Executive Order Protecting LGBT People from Discrimination
http://bluenationreview.com/indianapolis-mayor-issue-executive-order-protecting-lgbt-people-discrimination/
Awesome observations, Kalima! Good on you.
Hi ppo, just venting as I see things go from bad to worse watching these monsters emerge from Middle Earth like Orcs in a clip straight out of “Lord of the Rings”.
Bearing in mind the number of people already suffering in these red states, to cut funding would be devastating and it breaks my heart because many are still voting for their persecutors, but to threaten to do so might make these creeps back down. Personally I would like to see a return of the stockade and buckets full of rotten eggs and veggies, and maybe a feeding trough just within reach so they can eat their own bs.
Come on America, take to the streets to protest. That is your right.
Kalima, the GOP and ISIS do have a lot in common. Neither is willing to include those who are different.
Excellent observation.
Peace.
Exactly, Nirek. Bigots believe that only their beliefs are genuine, and the rest of us are horse manure and sinners, especially when we stand up for the rights of the oppressed. Jesus taught love and understanding. He taught us that it’s better to give than to receive. They have no heart, no soul, compassion or humanity, so they cling to their interpretation of the Bible that the majority of Christians think had little to do with the teachings of a man who actually walked on this earth. The politicians are plugged into the fears of their base and inflame them further for profit. With groups like ISIS, the young fighters fight, murder and die for what they believe is a religious cause while their leaders strive for profit. When they want to leave, they are beheaded and their bodies left by the side of the road.
While they wait for their Rapture, most of us wait for the Awakening. Theirs.
Kalima, what a great rebuttal to what’s happening in IN! Well done!
I don’t think any of these RW Repubs care about the image they’re creating about America or their state, there is no appearance of conscience with these types. All that matters to them is power and wealth, screw reputations and principles.
The truth is that RW Repubs do reflect tyrants and religious extremists more than even Repubs from the past. Today’s Repubs have showered Vladimir Putin with praise, oppose Sharia Law but want biblical dogma enshrined as the law of the land. They are openly bigoted, fight against the right of Americans to vote and champion the right of the wealthy to have greater power over the majority.
The American people need to come together to isolate this destructive “party” from civil society because they prove again and again that they don’t belong in it…and they surely are unfit to have power over it.
This is a republican “Intifada” against minorities (taking away voting rights), sexual orientation, and woman’s right to choose. Those countries practicing Sharia law, must be cheering. If they could, the repubs would enforce public executions and stoning. They are sick bastards who need to be stopped at the voting booths.
Hard to get my head around this happening in 2015 in America.
Another straw on the imminent demise of the American Empire. Ignorance is surely bliss – to the pollies who advocate it. More suckers to vote for them. Maybe Billo will rescue this doofus. Maybe Jesus will raise him up. Funny, how the ‘Christian” fundamentalists insist on using the Old Testament to justify their bigotry. Jesus introduced the New Testament ( or, as they say nowadays, O.T 2.0!), and you won’t find much there to give a leg to the racists and bigots. So they blithely ignore His commandments, like: “Love your Neighbor”, and use the backward and outdated OT.
This is stream of thought, folks so please forgive.
Hey PPO, sometimes stream of consciousness is the best. I think you are absolutely correct. I will say that the Mike Pence’s of this country don’t want to destroy an empire, they want to build one from the ashes of our republic. They certainly aren’t interested in democracy, only if to destroy what little remains. They want a Holy Empire so they can hasten the end of the world as we know it.
They want to be Ruptured….or eh, Raptured.
Thanks, KT. I’d love to Rupture him with a judicious kick in the multiplication machinery, that’s if he has any!
KT and PPO, the GOP is trying hard to persecute those who don’t believe as they do. This is history repeting itself. It is no different than the Romans, Nazis, or ISIS. Except they have not resorted to violence, yet.
PPO, that’s an important argument that used to be made more frequently when the Bushes and Reagan were in the WH and aligned with the Religious Right and it should be front and center now too.
Fundie Christians never want to quote Jesus or represent his beliefs that they claim they follow. Jesus criticized the wealthy, held up the poor and meek as the ones deserving respect and power over their society, believed in peace and sacrificing one’s own desires for what is best for the majority…none of this fits in with the RW agenda so they only quote the Old Testament.
Imagine if people called themselves Americans who lived in Greenland, that’s what these fundies are who call themselves “Christian”.
Ad, you’ve put it so much better than I. Kudos.
Ad, the Atlantic had good analysis of this law and what makes it different than the other 19 “Religious Freedomy” laws passed since the national act of the same name passed in 1993.
What this law does, unlike all of the others is:
1) Give for-profit companies the same religious protections as individuals and non-profit orgs (only S. Carolina does that as well
2) Gives these companies protection from lawsuits filed by individuals who feel their rights are violated. (Only Texas has something similar).
Indiana does both. Trailblazers.
Funk, thanks for specifying the differences in the IN bill…but I’m more inclined to blindly accept the denial of reality by disingenuous politicians.
How could such provisions not be used by companies to practice legal bigotry? Pence is using the very tired Republican ploy of just stating flatly that the truth is just a media conspiracy and black is actually white. I think the public and the business community has outgrown that kind of simplistic BS, it’s not working like it used to.