I'm watching the train wreck here in Indiana

[DefenseLawyer]

I keep wondering if THIS will finally be the thing that makes average, non-lunatic, Hoosiers finally stop constantly voting against their self interest to rise up against these jerks. Just as interesting will be whether my party seizes the moment and embraces real Democratic and progressive positions after a long, mostly failed history of Republican-light politics. Strange days indeed.

[rurallib]

1. my guess is after an onslaught of really bad reports from corporate media

followed by ads up the ying-yang next year totally diverting from this situation, plus some "fixes" it will all go away.
Corporate media always does its best to ignore real issues and divert attention elsewhere and blame the democrats.

[elleng]

2. Yes, strange days.

Some of us recall when Indiana had some of the best/wisest/smartest public officials. Wasn't so long ago:

For example, Richard Lugar, Birch Bayh, Evan Bayh, Vance Hartke

[BlueMTexpat]

5. Yes, it is sad to see

the lunatics now in charge there.

My birth state of Montana has some real crazies in the legislature. But for the moment, it seems to have a fairly sane Governor (D-Of Course) who hasn't signed the craziest legislation into law. Not yet, at least.

MT also has the awful horrible corporate-bought-and-paid-for Senator Daines now occupying the US Senate seat once held by the late great Mike Mansfield, a true statesman.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Well,welcome to ALEC.

You are on your way to a two class society in Indiana. Thank you Koch Bros. and other Birchers whom fooled your populace with free candy(tax breaks for the 1%)and happy days bullshit.

[Zorra]

7. Yep. nt

[stillwaiting]

8. This type of legislation is so important to ALEC's objectives.

They HAVE to keep us fighting each other over social issues while they pass economic legislation that they want passed.

It works brilliantly, and I'm sure they know it.

[LynneSin]

4. Those aren't the problem in your state or any other state being run by GOP idiots...

it's the lazy people who can't be bothered to show up and vote on election day that is the problem.

If the same people who came out and voted in 2008 and 2012 showed up for those midterms, we wouldn't have the issue we have today. But there are voters who think that the only time they need to vote is maybe once every 4 years and all the other times aren't important. Sure that helped us get Obama in the White House but now we have idiots running Congress and our States.

We need better turn out at ALL elections and especially those midterm elections if we ever expect to overtake the GOP. Republicans tend to be reliable voters that show up for every election but democrats are not. We have this probably with government because of lazy voters if you ask me.

[salin]

6. I'm watching this fiasco from here, as well.

The only one who seems to be moved to serious action - is Mayor Ballard. The rest still seem mired in spin.

Ballard said today: Discrimination is Wrong. And then called on the Legislature to make sexual orientation a protected class.

Now the dem leadership has been vocal - but right now they are powerless. Ballard - not running for reelection, and to me he has seemed disengaged, seems to be in fighting mode as a growing economic threat (GOP made) is threatening the city.

He seems like an adult.

And did you see the star article this morning focusing on the five republicans (the ONLY five) who did not vote for the law? When before would you ever have seen such an article? Clearly the public sentiment in Marion County shifted from "loud vocal on both sides" (a previous op ed wrote a few days ago) to.... "profiles in courage for those who stood up to their party!" regarding the tone of the reporting.

Maybe this spectacle - where the GOP leadership including the governor look like a cross between children and sleezy used-car salesman - will open the door for democratic candidates who are not afraid to approach hard issues and be adult like. If so, perhaps it will wake more folks up.

Heck it was hopeful back in 2006 and 2008. *sigh*

[AtomicKitten]

9. The GOP State Legislators insist this bill does not institutionalize discrimination

... delivered with a straight face.

[salin]

10. TPM put together the Gov.s long history fighting gay rights

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/mike-pence-gay-marriage-religious-freedom

Okay, all who were watching could "hear it" - but here it is in print with links: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/mike-pence-gay-marriage-religious-freedom

Highlights: 2014 - he declares that marriage and gay marriage should be determined by states, not fed court.
After courts strike down state-level ban - he vows to fight gay marriage
Exchanges in favor of bans on gay marriage between Pence and Tony Perkins circa 2010

2010 fights repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell (lest we think it is just about gay marriage with Pence).
Voted against Employment Non Discrimination Act (it was harmful to people of faith!)


Despite all of that - I don't recall it being a central issue in his campaign for Governor. So maybe when he was telling Stephenopolous that "People in Indiana don't discriminate" - he was talking about people - not himself, or the GOP state legislators.

Bonus - I remember after the economic downturn circa 2008 the then and current Majority Leader in the House led a floor fight to get a ban gay marriage amendment on the ballot - using the rhetoric (as the economy was in tatters) that this issue (banning gay marriage) Was The Most Important Issue Facing The State.

But - this - well its not about discrimination!

[stillwaiting]

11. Yes, the GOP lied. I'm sure we all need a breather from that because I'm just flummoxed!

[matt819]

12. Nope

Nope. The lunatic fringe will continue to vote for their wing nuts. Here in NH the crazies are as bad as anything you can find in your average red state. And I'm concerned about 2016

[DefenseLawyer]

14. The lunatic fringe is not the majority of republicans in a place like Indiana

Yes, Indiana has a larger evangelical fringe than most places, but Indiana is a "Republican state" and has been since the Civil War. There are lots of people who are "generational" Republicans, that vote that way because their parents did, and their parents before them. It's just "normal" in most parts of the state to be a Republican and it isn't necessarily about issues. That's why we saw Indiana go for Obama in 2008. Average people that would otherwise be republicans were fed up with the incompetence of George Bush, so they voted the other way. Not the fringe of course, they are a lost cause. But this may (emphasis on may) be an issue separates average voters from Republicans even temporarily in this state.

[Aerows]

13. I'd imagine the following is going through the minds

of CEOs, shareholders and investors alike in Indiana:

"We wanted lower TAXES - we didn't mean we wanted lower PROFITS and less BUSINESS to tax!!!"