Here is the statement from NASCAR:
"NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance. We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race."
I'm sorry but if you are a Republican politician in a red state and you lose support from NASCAR you might as well call it a day. Because you are toast!
However rather than learn from Indiana's mistake, yesterday the Arkansas Legislature have stumbled into the exact same briar patch:
Arkansas passed a religious freedom bill on Tuesday that is similar to an Indiana law that has faced national backlash for legalizing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The bill cleared the Arkansas Legislature and now heads to the governor's desk, where it is expected to be signed.
Damn these people are slow to learn!
Update: I may have to take that last line back. Apparently the Governor of Arkansas has refused to sign the bill.
North Carolina is also considering it...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article16956950.html
I think the Republican governor has said he would veto the bill if passed.
DeleteThe Lege here is veto proof. Dems did not pick up enough seats this last election.
Deletehttp://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article9227933.html
BUT - the head of the party in Raleigh has now said he will be taking a wait and see attitude. Wants to make sure the bill wont hurt NC's "brand". Course that was said AFTER the news from NASCAR.
Deletehttp://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article17017691.html
I heard that AR did sign it? Its so stupid, now The "hoosier" state is having to amend the dumbassed law. And I heard on the Steph show this morning what would said bakers do if someone wanted a "Boob cake"? Or one shaped like a Penis? (people have requested these type of cakes for Bachelor & Bachelorette parties!) Would they refuse b/c of their "christian values"? Or would they take the money and run? Its so retarded b/c some prude bakery doesn't want to back a wedding cake for a Gay couple? It is really none of their business just bake the freaking cake! These laws are all part of the Palin shit SHE is pushing to have all the "red"states Secede, such a flippin' patriot she is treasonous snake.
DeleteToday is april fools day, what stupid ass thing will repubs do today that looks like april fool joke but really isn't?
The day is early....unfortunately...
The Arkansas Governor Did Not Sign!
DeleteWisdom provided by Indiana obviously helped, although even Walmart issued a statement opposing the bill. Walmart is too smart business wise to alienate the LGBT crowd and those who sympathize with the Marriage Equality cause.
I am gay and a huge NASCAR fan (go Harvick!)...I don't know if there's many others like me.
ReplyDeleteBut I was very pleasantly surprised by their statement!
You are brave sir!
DeleteKansas Speedway coming up next month The Sponge Bob Square Pants 400. NASCAR is more diverse than ya think!
DeleteLiberal, straight, humanist, older female. Carl Edwards fan! Bump, draft, Traffic. Drivers start your engines.
RJ in BBistan
My hubby is a huge racing fan and has raced locally and been a NASCAR member. He's very liberal and has never voted for a Republican. One of the reasons I love him!
Delete7:04
DeleteRJ,
I too used to be an Edwards guy until he feigned a punch ( on teevee even, when they were interviewing Kenseth ) at Matt Kenseth after a race at Martinsville - punk move, haven't cared for him since.
My husband calls Carl "Opie". And Gordon is "Akippy".
DeleteHey 8:16, now Edwards and Kenseth are both on the Joe Gibbs racing team this season. Currently, watching Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace in what was the Nationwide series. Won't attempt to spell the new series sponsor,
Delete8:46 Carl is our local boy and this "Aunt Bea" thinks he is pretty cute....Gordon not so much.
RJ
A bunch of guys bumping into each others rear ends for several hours, spectacularly colored cars, not a huge surprise.
DeleteNow how did you know I was a dyed in the wool Gordon Guy ?
Delete8)
RJ,
Deletethat you pointed out they both drive for Gibbs, at the time of the little fiasco I mentioned above both Kenseth and Edwards were driving for Roush ..
In the end it's allll good as their sport is a tick nerve wracking, plus it having been at Martinsville no less..
8)
So where's Sarah? Is she holding her pointy finger to the wind, trying to decide which of RAM's responses to record? Is she waiting for an invite from Shamity? How can she go against her NASCAR buds? But how can she come out against a sitting GOP Governor? Decisions, decisions. Come on Sarah, your donors need your wisdom on this..they are already infighting over whether their gay kids should attend college in Indiana, or head to just as racist Arkansas. Surely you, the one and only Esther, can guide them on their journeys? They need you. They want you. Don't let them down. Speak, oh wise mouthed one. Oh, and Sarah, this one has nothing to do with Obama.
ReplyDeleteWith Sarah, everything is Obama's fault. But you're right - her silence, so far, is strange. Remember her and Todd showing up at a Ckic-fil-A to show support for its discriminatory practices? It was all about free speech for Sarah, as long as it's her speech. If NASCAR disapproves, something's wrong cause that particular sport is all about the Jesus and blessing the drivers, etc.
DeleteThe children of SarahPac donors don't qualify or aspire to college.
DeleteMaybe track came out, he really wasn't in rehab but in a pray away the gay facility.
DeleteWell, well, well...the conservatives/teabaggers/fundamentalists have a big problem, don't they? What do they choose, their bible thumping outrage over Teh Gays or their shrinking bank accounts because of boycotts? NASCAR? In Indiana where the Indianapolis 500 is held? Ouch!! Loss of money has a way of crystalizing priorities, doesn't it. LOL
ReplyDeletePriceless, well done!
ReplyDeleteDon't you mean the Restoration of Religious Bigotry bill?
ReplyDeleteOf course, there is no need to restore what never went away! But I agree with you, we should never refer to these bills and laws as having anything to do with any kind of freedom!
DeleteI am fortunate to live in a rural county, a "red" county, that has never been guilty of public discrimination. Many of my neighbors hold opinions different than mine, but we don't get into political debates over it, and so we live in peace. But, if I couldn't get birth control at my two pharmacies, or if a local business withheld service based on religious offended-ness, I would be out front with a sign, voicing my offended-ness back at them.
ReplyDeleteIn our county, thank goodness, we have more open minds. I can't understand why these Religious Freedom Restoration Acts are needed. It seems to reveal an ugliness on the part of those who want their right to discriminate codified into law. What of my rights?
I think the RFRA folks are going to find they've forced the issue, and lost the fight due to their own hatefulness. It may take a while, but slow-but-sure, they will have to get with the program that is the Human Compact.
RFRA = Legislated homophobia.
DeletePeople outside of Arkansas may not realize that back in February the state passed SB202 (the governor let it become law without his signature [he is a coward]).
ReplyDelete“SB202 limits municipalities from extending nondiscrimination protections to any class not protected by state law. Since state law does not include “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” as protected classes, nor now can any locality throughout the state. The law will officially take effect later this summer.”
In addition to blocking further extensions, SB 202 invalidates preexisting protections in cities like Little Rock and Eureka Springs. However, on a positive note, the City of Conway went ahead anyway and voted 6 to 2 to include “sexual orientation” as a protected class. Lawsuit anyone?
The problem with Arkansas is no entity outside the boundaries of the state ever covers Arkansas. Hell, even the weather channels will talk about Texas and Oklahoma, and Mississippi regarding a “tornado out break and totally leave the name “Arkansas” off the list.
So first the religious right (that now run the state) bans all cities from protecting their citizens and now this religious freedom law.
Rep. Bob Ballinger is the sponsor of the bill, and when asked to add language to protect LGBT community, he stated it “would confuse people.”
I remember reading about this. Didn't the eldest Duggar boy (heroically contributing to society as the newest Wonder Woman of the AFA superpowers team) lobby for this bullshit? I seem to recall a photograph of his pudgy, nondescript face gloating over his handiwork alongside his dead-behind-the-eyes superiors.
DeleteYup, Josh Duggar is a anti gay proponent. Whole sick family is.
DeleteYes, and Momma Duggar runs around the state spreading her so called Christian love around the state. Problem is that none of these people are Christians. They are nothing more than old testament jews.
DeletePer your update - the AK governor has asked for changes - but he won't say that he still won't sign the bill if he doesn't get them.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/apr/01/hutchinson-hold-1030-m-news-conference-hb1228/
That's AR not AK 8)
Delete"Even freaking NASCAR comes out"
ReplyDeleteNASCAR, is there something you want to tell us?
Look up Tim Richmond, in the 1987 Winston Race which featured all of the race winners from the previous year now called the All Star Race there was an Official Nascar Photo taken for a poster. The Posters were later recalled and reprinted after an airbrushing of the original photo to remove Tim's Johnson from just behind Neil Bonnets ear.
DeleteThis link http://www.mei.net/~mnewell/winston%2087.JPG is the picture but is kind of tiny, Neil is 1st kneeling on the left and Tim is 2nd standing on the left. Barely visible and only slightly more visible in the full size poster.
Here is a better one...
Deletehttp://galleryplus.ebayimg.com/ws/web/161565518136_2_0_1/500x500.jpg
Tim died of HIV in 1989...
) Here are some institutes of higher education that may be affected: DePauw, Indiana University, Perdue, Indiana Institute of Technology -- just a few that may lost students and faculty.
ReplyDelete2) There are plenty of corporate sponsors of NASCAR racers -- does DuPont or Monsanto (and many more) want to be associated with Indiana bigotry? Too late to change the venue now; perhaps there's another 500 racetrack that can accommodate them next year?
CONSERVATIVE SARAH PALIN WHAT IS YOUR OPINION REGARDING THE STATE OF INDIANA'S ANTI-GAY LAW?
ReplyDeleteWHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
SARAH ARE YOU WAITING TO SEE HOW AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT THE LAW?
FIGURES YOU CHICKEN SHIT.
Bristol is quiet about this law. Bristol must be waiting for mommy to tell her what Bristol's opinion should be.
ReplyDeleteWe already know what Bristol thinks of faggots, don't we Brissy?
DeleteWhy Won't Rand Paul and Chris Christie Take a Position on Indiana's "Religious Freedom" Law?
ReplyDeleteThe New Republic - 4 hours ago
Because they are chicken shit like Sarah and Bristol Palin. They are waiting to see real Americans opinions before they open their mouths and stick their foot in it.
Well well well. Read the "Americans Against The Tea Party" article in Gryph's blog roll to the left. Seems one "Memories Pizza" is taking it in the chops for being the first business to support the new law......
ReplyDeleteServes 'em right!
They have been hit hard for trying to play like Chick-fil-A...
DeleteTheir Yelp reviews have been hit hard...
Their Google reviews have been hit hard...
And they did not own their own domain name so someone else does. http://memoriespizza.com/
Walmart has the governor of Arkansas balls in a vise, that's why he won't be signing it as is.
ReplyDeleteThis law discriminates against way more than gays. What about mixed race marriages which some religions don't tolerate. It could also lead to slut shaming. Many religions don't tolerate pre marital sex. Hell, they could even discriminate against other religions. I'm sure there are many other things this law could be used to discriminate against.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the bible-thumping bigots will stop shopping at Wal Mart or watching NASCAR. Somehow I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteThis is an example of the GOP, hard at work, recruiting more people to join the new, improved, all welcoming GOP in an attempt to get more voters. They started their scorched earth campaign with women's issues, and African Amoerican and immigrant rights, let's not forget Education and social issues. . Now they're working on getting more gay votes. Good Job! Keep up the good work, GOP!
ReplyDeleteIt took one Alaskan, Sarah Palin ,to make Alaska look
ReplyDeletelike a fool's paradise. It took one Indianan , Governor
Mike Pence, to make Indiana look the same!
Ignorance travels fast. Watch out!