Today we are canceling all programs that require our customers/employees to travel to Indiana to face discrimination. http://t.co/SvTwyCHxvE
— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) March 26, 2015CEO Marc Benioff and other business leaders are outraged over the state’s “religious freedom” law.
Business leaders on Thursday spoke out against a controversial law passed in Indiana Thursday that could give businesses the green light to deny service to same-sex couples.
The loudest opposition so far has come from Marc Benioff, founder and CEO of business tech company Salesforce, who declared on Twitter that his company would boycott the state altogether.
The outcry is in response to Indiana’s Republican Gov. Mike Pence signing into law a “religious freedom” bill that will free individuals and business owners from abiding by state and local laws that “substantially” burden their exercise of religion, unless the government can prove that it has a compelling interest and is doing so by the least restrictive means.
Supporters of the measure say it will protect people and business owners with strong religious convictions from government intrusion.
Opponents, meanwhile, claim it paves the way for discrimination, especially against gays and lesbians.
In addition to Salesforce’s boycott of Indiana, the state’s hot-button law also received condemnation from other folks with business ties to the state.
Funny thing about laws that support discrimination based on religion, they can end up casting certain religions as hateful, and costing those hiding behind those laws their livelihoods.
Personally I would love to see this spread so far and wide that business leaders all over the country simply remove Indiana from their business plans and simply treat it as some backwater, uncivilized part of the country that is simply not advanced enough to appreciate their products.
Not really that far from the truth if you think about it.
Perhaps that could be extrapolated out at some point to simply "If you have a Republican governor we do not feel we can safely conduct business within your borders."
Might be a costly decision at first, but just imagine the ultimate benefit to the country.
Let's count down to how long it takes Palin and her bigot brigade to run and save Indiana and the godly people there. LOL! 10.....9.....8.......
ReplyDeleteSadly, it probably took this POS legislation to shock at least the Indianapolis area awake. Indy's a great convention and tourism center and has a strong arts community and volunteer culture. Until the huge, negative, corporate (including the NCAA response, which is HQ'd here - along with Indy hosting Final Four next week - doh!!) response - I think people just got used to ignoring conservative pandering.
ReplyDeleteEvery, and I mean every, article and editorial in Indianapolis today is expressing pure FURY at the legislature and governor.
Unfortunately, the potential impact on the city and business community may be substantial. Hopefully, it's a wake up call in the voting booth.
Our gay and lesbian friends and family members will not be silenced. Awesome support from the business community.
ReplyDeleteThose same christians that wanted this law would be up in arms if a restaurant forbid them entrance for brunch after their services. Maybe christians should have to wear a cross and that way people will know not to step on their religious freedoms ( BTW our religious freedom also protects us FROM religion) and other scan protect theirs by not having to serve the bigots.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to comment that apparently a yearly comi con has pulled out of the state of Indiana with a projected loss of multimillions to the state.
ReplyDeleteHehe. And the backfire continues.
ReplyDelete"A hacker group shut down the State of Indiana's website Friday afternoon, apparently in response to Gov. Mike Pence's signing of a controversial "religious freedom" bill."
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/27/state-website-apparently-hacked-response-religious-freedom-law/70553328/
I am driving out to North Idaho in April. The route takes me right through Indiana. But I will be getting gas in Ohio and not stopping until I get to Illinois.
ReplyDeleteWow Caroll, good show. You will likely bankrupt the state.
DeleteCaroll, excellent idea. Be sure to tell the governor and the chamber of commerce, and that you will be telling friends and family to do likewise. The actions of many do add up.
Delete@1:53, I guess it is easier to make snotty comments than to actually take any action yourself.
DeleteEnjoy North Idaho - I'm from there myself. This is apparently not your first trip there.
1:53 PM
DeleteTsk, tsk...Multiply Caroll's actions by probably thousands and you have a state in trouble.
Good for you, Caroll.
@Nefer
DeleteWhy the sarcasm? Don't you realize thousands will be doing the same thing?
@Nefer
DeleteI apologize, I ran through the comments too fast and thought your comment ( which I knew wasn't the usual for you was 1:53's). Again, please accept my apology's.
That's a hella long road trip through the most boring parts of the country Carroll, why aren't you flying?
DeleteAs a former midwesterner, I take exception to these "fly over States" comments. The Midwest has its own beauty if you know how to see it.
DeleteOT- Amanda Knox conviction overturn. She and her boyfriend completely free...
ReplyDeleteSo is Casey Anthony.
DeleteI don't know who any of these people are so is this good or bad?
DeleteAgreeed Gryph as long as you remember that like Alaska, the governor (espeically a RETHUGlican governor) - may not represent a majority of voters.
ReplyDeleteWhat's more American than imposing sanctions against a government that hurt the people far worse than their government?
DeleteThen maybe the population should start voting differently. In Indiana , just like Alaska, the majority of voters are sup[porting republicans, if you don't think that affects a states tourism or conventions you are sorrily wrong.
DeleteLike it or not, Americans can choose where they spend their dollars.
Deletestate’s “religious freedom” law.
ReplyDelete------------------
Just wait until a Muslim, Jew, Buddhist etc decide that they want to exercise they religious freedom and not serve a Christian.
I would like to know if the governor is so proud of this law, why did he sign it in private?
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Legendary Broadway star Audra McDonald takes Governor Mike Pence to the woodshed
Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald gave Indiana's Republican Governor Mike Pence an epic takedown on Twitter. In response to Pence signing the right to discriminate into law on Thursday, this brilliantly talented star has claimed a piece of her own history in the fight for equality. ......
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/26/1373588/-Legendary-Broadway-star-Audra-McDonald-takes-Governor-Mike-Pence-to-the-woodshed?detail=email
Indiana's new law is discrimatory. I'm a Christian and MY Bible, both old and new testaments say "Love thy neighbor as thyself". I have neighbors that are Gay and Lesbian -- I stand with them.
ReplyDeleteAuthor Stacey Ballis has already announced she will not travel to the state for booksignings etc.
ReplyDeleteLet's support the boycott.
TexasMel
Oh goodness, between world famous author Stacey Ballis (who is that?) announcing to not do any book signings, and Caroll Thompson not buying any gas there... How will Indiana survive?
Delete5:58, what a colossal ass you are.
DeleteIf you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Having you heard?
"Anonymous5:58 PM... How will Indiana survive? "
Delete-------------------------------
Wonderful demonstration of your stupidity as well as useless snottiness, 5:58. {rolls eyes}
5:58-- if you don't know who Stacey Ballis is, there does exist this useful little tool called "Google".
DeleteOh wait, it's much more fun to boast of your own ignorance. A true tea partier, I see.
Hey 6:41.... you are on google too, doesn't mean you are important enough to bankrupt Indiana. After finding her on the google and amazon... still, who is Stacey Ballis, another nobody author. What does she get, like 10 people to her book signings, on a big day, lol.
Delete8:40 part of the solution? What are you talking about? I have no interest in liberal created issues.
Delete10:43 AM You have your head up your ass.
DeleteIf I lived in Indiana,I would get together with groups of female friends and head to the businesses that use this law,there we would hold hands,hug,and be affectionate as can be.Then when we were turned away,we would all sue,since we are not gay.
ReplyDeleteI mean,how will they know who is gay? Or who is bi-sexual? Will we need to fill out a survey?
One thing,about 10 years ago my husband and I went to central Indiana to apply for jobs.We spent a day checking out the area and found the people to be so closed minded and stand offish,that we changed our minds.
Hit them where it hurts, Don't spend a dime in the state, a let the chamber of commerce, visitor's centers etc. know why. They're basically saying they don't like God and are refusing to take "In God We Trusts" from people. There are pockets in the south that are still fighting the civil war. The confederate flag, cannons and cannonballs, historical re enactments, and discrimination, not to mention photos of Sarah Palin, the failed VP pick under McCain.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I have a quick question, why would anyone, at anytime decide to spend any hours in Indiana? I mean really, we call that "flyover country SQUARED" where I come from. Unless the wheels fall off your plane or the engines flame out, there is NO reason to be in Indiana :-)
DeleteI don't understand Republicans being so up in arms over ISIS who pushes gay people off of buildings. Hate is hate however you show it & Republicans & ISIS are aligned in their hatred. This may sound extreme but I just don't see a lot of difference in the hate & ignorance. If I may add, they are both extremist idiot groups.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right! Isn't this how Hitler started? He started with the gays, people with mental illness, people with other disabilities, and finally he went after the Jews. I think Christianity is the Nazi regime.
DeleteAs a resident of Indianapolis, this is really, really painful. Local political bloggers are starting to report tonight that members of the state GOP are absolutely stunned by the backlash and economic risk - don't know why they should be.
ReplyDeleteI pulled up the State GOP website a few minutes ago, and my jaw dropped to note that the RFRA legislation announcement - trumpeted a couple days ago is mysteriously absent.
Sounds like they've started to believe their own gerrymandering. They don't really have a mandate, what they have is a hostage situation.
DeleteDid I miss the IM coverage of THIS story?
ReplyDeletehttp://disciples.org/sharon_blog/ministry-leaders-send-letter-to-governor/
It's right there in the Fortune article that Gryphen linked to.
DeleteWell just don't pay taxes or anything gov't related. I know easier said than done. $ yay $ to my state.
ReplyDelete