Swarens: Gov. Mike Pence to push for clarification of ‘religious freedom’ law

[brooklynite]

Source: Indianapolis Star

Gov. Mike Pence, scorched by a fast-spreading political firestorm, told The Star on Saturday that he will support the introduction of legislation to “clarify” that Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians.

“I support religious liberty, and I support this law,” Pence said in an exclusive interview. “But we are in discussions with legislative leaders this weekend to see if there’s a way to clarify the intent of the law.”

The governor, although not ready to provide details on what the new bill will say, said he expects the legislation to be introduced into the General Assembly this coming week.

Asked if that legislation might include making gay and lesbian Hoosiers a protected legal class, Pence said, “That’s not on my agenda.”

Read more: http://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/tim-swarens/2015/03/28/swarens-gov-mike-pence-push-clarification-religious-freedom-law/70611906/

[RKP5637]

1. He's only concerned about the potential loss of $$$$'s, doesn't give a shit about LGBT and

equality! These guys are so hollow!

[mpcamb]

39. Kinda stepped in some deep nasty stuff, didn't they?

He and the legislature got it tracked all over the place, and now that $$$$ losses are involved they're looking for a way out.

I can't help smiling.

[Botany]

2. "to clarify the intent of the law"

seems pretty clear to me ... bigots can tell gay people that they don't like them
and that they will not show them any respect because they think that their God
will give 'em an extra comfy couch in heaven after they die.

[George II]

13. The legislature may "clarify" the law to the point of being MORE explicit about the discrimination!

[MrModerate]

3. Seeking a do-over without actually . . .

Doing anything over.

That's going to make him look weak-kneed to his troglodyte fans without fooling sane people into thinking he's anything but a rank homophobe (and the legislature too, of course).

[Zorra]

4. Clarification: "Democrats in the General Assembly tried several times to add language

to the measure that would have provided explicit protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation, but those efforts were rebuffed."

To make it a little bit more clear for Gov. Pence:

[font color="blue" size="12" face="face"]"Democrats in the General Assembly tried several times to add language to the measure that would have provided explicit protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation, but those efforts were rebuffed." [/font]

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/25/gov-mike-pence-sign-religious-freedom-bill-thursday/70448858/

Thank you. That is all.

[Fred Sanders]

6. Yes. Pence is lying again because the lazy and timid media let him do it, seldom asking the tough questions.

[lark]

52. Indeed he has an impossible task.

How does he clarify that this doesn't discriminate when that's the exact intent and he totally believes in discriminating against LGBT folks.
They didn't do this in a vacuum and voted down all attempts to actually end the discrimination, because that's the exact point of the bill.

Crazy

[Scairp]

53. They did today

He just will not answer.





#mikepenceisacoward

[Sienna86]

36. +1

[silvershadow]

5. Hopefully this will sink his career instead of springboard it. His delusional

Presidential aspirations should never, ever get even close. I hope the nation has been paying attention to just how not fit he is. I would sooner vote Glenda Ritz President than he.

[central scrutinizer]

7. Weak

Too little and far too late. Own it you assholes.

[YOHABLO]

8. It's really sad when it becomes an issue about Indianapolis's economy, and not rights.

In a capitalistic world the only thing that resonates is money. Not justice nor civil rights.

[RKP5637]

18. Capitalism is a pathetic system for civil rights. Only money has civil rights, people, not so

much. Everything is gaged in monetary worth.

[The Jungle 1]

42. sweet irony

The thing is, capitalism will destroy this stupid law. The irony is truly sweet.

"The only problem with capitalism is the capitalist". HH
Bottom line capitalism is a great economic system but it demands tight government control. We as a country are failing on the control part of the equation.

We the people actually have way more power than we understand or use. Our vote is one side of our power pie but our vote is marginalized by the rich and their money. The other part of our power is our spending. 70% of our economy is based on consumer spending. If we would use our spending power there is no telling what we could get done. Boycotts work and companies fear them.

We could pick one oil company and put them our of business. Then we could demand the other oil companies play fair! Same story for banks and insurance companies. We have the power.

[RKP5637]

43. Well said!!! n/t

[totodeinhere]

9. Nothing less than total repeal of that law and it's replacement with a law that

guarantees LGBT rights in employment and housing and other areas is acceptable. Until that happens the boycott should continue.

[cheapdate]

10. Amen to that!

[RKP5637]

45. Agree !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[Lobo27]

11. So what happens when....

A Muslim or someone of another religion says I don't want Christians here.

[Beartracks]

26. I was wondering this, too. Perhaps Pence will seek more "clarification." n/t

[Skittles]

12. why doesn't he say exactly what rights he is giving to religious freaks

[smirkymonkey]

50. Seriously! Where does it say in the bible that providing

good and services to people whose lifestyles/religions you disapprove of "substantially burdens" your ability to practice your faith?

I don't think it does, therefore I would like them to come up with some logical justification for this law because all I can see is very thinly veiled hatred and bigotry.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

15. I'm sure it's only to make sure Muslims can't discriminate n/m

[murielm99]

16. Or, if you don't like someone wearing a hijab,

a skullcap, or dressed like a Hasidic Jew, you can tell them that you won't serve them? Is that what can happen with this law?

[RKP5637]

46. It sure looks that way. Looks like it's open discrimination on anyone, just take your pick and

then justify it with your religion.

[swimboy]

17. Please proceed, Governor.

[shenmue]

19. Dude, shut up

U stupit.

[Gothmog]

20. Boycotts can work

[McCamy Taylor]

21. Indiana needs to be punished otherwise other states will try the same thing.

[William769]

22. Kicking & recommending hoping that he is not blowing smoke up our asses.

[roamer65]

23. Indiana now equals a waste of gasoline on my way to Chicago.

No money gets spent there. Period. Not even on the Indiana Toll Road.

[SoapBox]

24. Push all you want Gov. Hate...

You signed it...you and the legislature OWN IT.

[DallasNE]

25. Ready, Fire, Aim

How could Gov. Mike Pence not see this coming? This is a self-inflicted wound Indiana and Pence are facing. Indeed, I can see the legislature having major problems finding support to "clarify" the law because it says exactly what they intended for it to say.

[alcibiades_mystery]

27. We have people even on this board spreading LIES like Illinois has the same provisions

BULLSHIT, troll-ass liars!

Illinois has TWO provisions,

RELEVANT PROVISION 1: You cannot discriminate against a wide variety of classes of person, in business or for accommodations, etc. Among those classes are LGBT persons. The state has a compelling interest in prohibiting such discrimination.

RELEVANT PROVISION 2: For any matter where the state DOES NOT have or CANNOT show a compelling interest, the state cannot require you to act against your religious beliefs.

The two provisions work together, the first limiting the second, and the second covering any ground not covered by the first. Here's the thing: INDIANA ONLY HAS THE SECOND (some of but not all of the other states, too).

What Mike Pence is going to push the legislature for is RELEVANT PROVISION 1, which Indiana currently DOES NOT HAVE. That's why people who tell you that there are 20 states with the same law as Indiana are either liars or ignorant shitheads. The boycott pressure is calling on Indiana to pass RELEVANT PROVISION 1 so that RELEVANT PROVISION 2 becomes the toothless piece of shit that it should be.

Fucking BOYCOTT them mercilessly until they, um. CLARIFY.

[DFW]

28. "Clarification" as defined in the Indiana Republican dictionary:

Clarification, n. 1.) A backtracking statement that will staunch the flow of businesses leaving or avoiding Indiana, 2.) A move to slow the millions of derogatory comments and/or cartoons directed at Indiana, its legislature or its governor, 3.) A desperate move to save any ghost of a chance that Mike Pence might have of remaining a dark horse possibility for getting the Republican nomination for president in 2016, 4.) A Hoosierese term for "Uh-oh, did we ever fuck up!"

[dhill926]

49. haha...

well done!

[Scairp]

29. This guy is really stupid

Apparently, it only just dawned on him that this is indeed something many people won't take kindly to, whether they be gay or not, and that perhaps in his zeal to kowtow to all the bigots and racists that elected him he failed to take into account that Indiana isn't an island, that they have to deal with the rest of the country, who may not want to deal with them anymore because of this horrible law. DUH.

[DallasNE]

31. Asa Hutchinson Set To Sign Same Bill In Arkansas

Arkansas doesn't have as much to lose as Indiana but it will still hurt them in the same way it has already hurt Indiana. Pence is about to find out that putting the toothpaste back in the tube is no easy task.

[caraher]

40. He is genuinely stupid

He just relies on most of the electorate being ill-informed. Which is too true for the most part in Indiana.

One miscalculation on his part was that Indiana depends on interaction with the rest of the country. It's not enough to pander to your base, and he just learned that the hard way.

[rpannier]

30. Allow me to try

If I read the law correctly, I can deny any person or group because it offends my deep-seated religiousness

Therefore, if I'm a Bob Jonesey type, I can discriminate against mixed race couples.

[father founding]

32. whats discrimination ?

Is it OK to discriminate against Devil Worshipers ?

[Lifelong Protester]

33. Keep digging, sh**-for-brains

You're not in a deep enough hole....

[Cryptoad]

34. Intent?

Geeez,,,, Intent has nothing to do with what the law allows......... Do they really believe all these BS ? Hell Ive got a dog who smarter than this!

[captainarizona]

35. He is trying to fool people

Don't let up on the pressure! He is trying to fool the gullible who need an excuse not to join the boycott. He will say some self serving B.S. like the bill doesn't discriminate against anyone it just protects religious freedom for all. Freedom to do what! Discriminate against gays! He should be asked to give examples how gays would not be discriminated against if they wanted a wedding cake from a homophobe.

[Trillo]

44. Yeah, that was my first thought. NT

[smirkymonkey]

51. However he is too mind-numbingly stupid to pull it off.

Shut it asswipe, nobody's buying.

[BumRushDaShow]

37. That was fast. He's not gonna "stand up for his principles"?

Boycotts DO work. Sometimes it takes awhile, but in a capitalistic country where money is worshiped, that is the tool to use to make them act while the litigation winds its way through the courts.

These GOP governors and/or legislatures are incrementally trying to see how far they can go before the courts take them down, and with the SCOTUS the way it is, they have been able to go pretty far.

[Paladin]

38. Kiss your presidential ambitions good-bye, Pence.

This gay-bashing action you signed off on will follow you around for the rest of your life. Serves you right.

[maindawg]

41. I always love it

when repukes are forced to double down on their hate by the bigots who fund their elections. They all must bow to their bigoted masters. That party is a mess.

[bigworld]

47. Apparantly he's on ABC's "This Week" and totally muffing it.

Can't wait to see the clips.

[tomsaiditagain]

48. Controlling you is the main issue

Our ruling parties are all for the world becoming a corporate run slave labor union.

These kinds of issues keeps your focus away from the New World Order coming to fruition.

Give the people something to fight about...

[goldent]

54. If he can fix it I'm all for it.