As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the “bathroom” law. HB2 — known officially as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act — dictates which bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use. Just as important, the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace. No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden. To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress. Right now, there are many groups, businesses, and individuals in North Carolina working to oppose and overcome these negative developments. Taking all of this into account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards.
This is usually where I would say something like, "Well I guess I better go buy a little Springsteen music for my I-Pod."
That does not work this time because my I-Pod is already bursting with Springsteen music.
I wonder now North Carolina feels about their discriminatory policies now?
Well at least one North Carolina Congressman is fine with Springsteen cancelling, after all they still have Justin Bieber:
"It's disappointing he's not following through on his commitments," said Rep. Mark Walker, a Republican freshman congressman.
"We've got other artists coming soon — Def Leppard, Justin Bieber," the congressman told The Hollywood Reporter.
"I've never been a Bieber fan, but I might have to go. Maybe artists who weren't 'born to run' deserve a little bit more support," he said, referencing one Springsteen's most famous song titles.
Oh yeah, people who are coming expecting to see Bruce Springsteen will be just fine listening to Justin Bieber.
That may be one of the dumbest things I have ever heard in my life.
And I've covered Sarah Palin for the last ten years.
North Carolina Republican Throws Temper Tantrum Over Bruce Springsteen Cancelling Concert
ReplyDelete... North Carolina Republicans jammed House Bill 2 into law last month in response to a Charlotte city ordinance that protected LGBT people from discrimination. But the new law overturns the ordinance, barring cities and counties from passing their own anti-discrimination laws.
In addition, the law also prevents cities and counties from raising the minimum wage, allows employers to fire workers for any reason, and outlaws transgender people from using the restroom that corresponds to their gender identity.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/04/09/north-carolina-republican-throws-temper-tantrum-over-bruce-springsteen-cancelling-concert/
This law does a lot of bad to many people as it takes rights away from the cities and counties who want their communities to be "better" than the state allows. Can't help but see the parallel between how this state has crippled their counties and cities, and how mad that state would be if the US government did that to them. Gotta have their states rights, but don't want to allow their counties/cities to have any of their own.
DeleteI don't want myself or ESPECIALLY my little girls going into the same public restrooms as a man just because he puts on female clothing, or had his penis removed. He is still a male.
DeleteA few people's desires should not take precedence over females rights and desires to not share public restrooms with males. And the majority of females are mortified at this thought.
I don't want myself or ESPECIALLY my little girls going into the same public restrooms as a man just because he puts on female clothing, or had his penis removed. He is still a male.
DeleteA few people's desires should not take precedence over females rights and desires to not share public restrooms with males. And the majority of females are mortified at this thought.
I'm liberal, but I''m not that damn liberal.
anon 11:14 Nope. You couldn't be more wrong about transgender individuals(you sound really christian, too).
DeleteOr about what it means to be a liberal.
I've heard this same crap from the right-wingers who passed this crap in NC.
Here's the solution to the bathroom issue. All restrooms are single occupancy only. And have plenty of them. Solved.
Delete11:15 you are not a liberal, but nice try fitting in here.
Sweet way to slam and swipe at men, who are not all sexual predators(sorry to ruin your fantasy) and transgendered people. Try not to heap your hang-ups on your daughters.Those hang-ups are YOURS to conquer. Your poor daughters will have their very own and don't need the added weight of yours placed on their shoulders.
I like the idea of separate restrooms. I don't want anyone in the stall next to me when I'm 'going', man or woman. I'm a woman, by the way. And I like men and transgendered people. It's good to have regular contact with people different from me.
Damn straight! The righties are getting their shit stained panties all up in a wad ...hey, speaking of shit filled underwear, the same righties upset with Springsteen love them their Ted Nugent! Nugent says the most vile filthy nasty shit, and his fans (like Sarah) still think he's great.
ReplyDeleteEarth to Mark Walker: You do realize that Justin Bieber is not only a good friend but also a supporter of Ellen Degeneres (gasp, a lesbian).
ReplyDeleteYou might want to avoid that concert as well, dumb shit.
And he's Canadian to boot-of course, these creeps no doubt voted for Canada Cruz too.
DeleteBruce Springsteen for President!!!
ReplyDeleteFor Reals! The guy is a class act.
DeleteMark Walker needs to find out quick if Justin Bieber is gay
ReplyDeleteJustin better find out if he's allowed to use any bathrooms in NC. And if he has any gay folks in his band/entourage, they might wanna check as well. This is just like the days of the traveling big bands, where the black members were not allowed in the hotels the band leader stayed in, nor could they eat in the same restaurants. Welcome to 1900, NC.
DeleteWasn't that congressman elected to serve ALL the people in his voting district?
ReplyDeleteOnly the ones he allows to vote for HIM.
DeleteCongressmen are elected to serve God, and God really, really hates gays. God spelled this out quite clearly in his Bible. Google it!
DeleteJustin Bieber, Ted Cruz.........those conservatives do seem to love their Canadians.
ReplyDeleteBRUUUCE!
ReplyDeleteThat's all one needs to say.
I hate to say this but.....voting has consequences. When is this country gonna wake up and vote these assholes out!!! When good people sit home, don't read or follow their local politics this shit happens. The new voter ID laws only in GOP held states are gonna make a difference this Nov, it has already happened during the primaries. These raging assholes will get out to vote no matter what...that's how they keep power.
ReplyDeleteSharon, you are right on.
DeleteI live in WNC and believe you me, us progressives are trying our best and we damn sure vote, but there aren't enough of us on board yet. 'Yet' is the operative word. When these stupid values voters(GOP) finally realize that their party has fucked them and this poverty-stricken state beyond belief, they won't care about who has what in their pants and to which bathroom they take it. Or who does what in the bedroom.
Get this--we WNC citizens were not even informed about the minimum wage/employment part of this monstrous bill, just the bathroom part designed to humiliate our LGBTQ friends. All designed to get the xtians foaming at the mouth and it worked. The republicans have absolutely fucked us, but it deosn't stop with them. Most of the Dem's are republican-lite here. Our rep., Joe Sam Queen, didn't vote. Many other dems did not either, and they're framing it as a "protest". They didn't do their job, they get paid anyway, and they're all shrugging shoulders and playing dumb. They knew damn well what was in that bill. They told no one. The dems frame it like they're on us progressives side and they do us like this. I'm not happy at ALL with NC democrats. What are they doing? Certainly not their jobs we pay them for!
Oh, you should look this bitch up--Michelle Presnell, Republican from NC. She's a true winner. I quote her:"If you got raped, I wouldn't have an abortion." This was in our local paper. THIS is the flavor of politician we get here and it seems one party stinks as bad as the other.
North Carolina is pissed as hell that they have to recognize marriage equality, and this is just ONE of the tantrums being thrown about it. Big Mistake. HUGE. It's going to cost this state big bucks that it can't afford. I'll vote these bastards out as fast as I can, but we need more progressives to help us.
DeleteI have always wondered how long it took Chris Christie to figure out that no matter how many Springsteen concerts he attended or albums bought, Bruce was not going to endorse Christie for jack shit.
ReplyDeleteChristie doesn't care. He can ride in his state helicopter to the show and hang with all his rich a$$hole friends in the VIP. They soooooo cool.
Delete#peeingforpat
ReplyDeleteA new hashtag for our lovely and kindhearted governor, Pat McCrory. Like, #periodsforpence.
I love it! I'm not on twitter, but to those who are and wanna, this is is some funny shit.
I grew up on the east coast and had seen a few Springsteen shows in high school and then after graduation went to see my cousins in Minn. and was at the show where he had Courtney Cox onstage.
ReplyDeleteFollowed the E Street band as well in small venues around DC while in college. My husband who grew up in AK can't stand Bruce but he's just a part of my childhood and his songs still resonate with me, as do his politics now that I'm almost 50!
Once again, Trump campaign makes mistakes trying to win delegates
ReplyDelete...In the hours before Saturday's vote, Trump supporters distributed glossy white flyers urging people to vote for a slate of candidates to fill 13 statewide delegate slots. But several names were misspelled or assigned the wrong ballot number.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/04/09/once-again-trump-campaign-makes-mistakes-trying-to-win-delegates/
Trump
Deletehttps://cnnespanol2.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/151217105510-02-putin-trump-split-exlarge-169.jpg?quality=80&strip=all
This chart shows just how hard it’s going to be for a Republican to win the White House in 2016
ReplyDeletehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/04/08/this-chart-shows-just-how-hard-its-going-to-be-for-a-republican-to-win-the-white-house-in-2016
HUGE BROOCE fan before, now even more, if that's possible. So glad to see so many opportunities leaving the state, and plan on supporting their businesses when I can.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens when Bieber and Def Leopard cancel too?
ReplyDelete