Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers
Via
Charlotte Observer comes this report of remarks delivered at Carmel Country Club, at a meeting of the Hood Hargett Breakfast Club, a business networking group:
"As a corporate CEO, I don't comment on social issues. But I'm going to comment on this personally.
"Our state today is known as a state that's inclusive. And any bill that we pass that basically says that we're not inclusive, we don't treat people fairly ... We live in an era now where 50 percent of the people who get married get divorced. We live in an era with (these) statistics: There are so many single households today - more than ever before in the history of our country.
"And I believe that when you pass an amendment like that, you're sending a message to the world about what kind of community this is: We're not inclusive, we don't have equal standards for all people with different points of view. You don't have to believe in them, but you have to be open to them.
"I'm old-fashioned: I believe we're all the children of God and we shouldn't have special rules for some and not for others. We have to recognize differences in people and celebrate those differences. That's just something I believe.
"And I'll go a step further - and this is going to be somewhat controversial when I say this. If this amendment passes, we're going to look back 20 years from now, or 10 years from now, and we're going to think about that amendment the same way we think about the Jim Crow laws that were passed in this state many, many years ago.
"This is the 21st century. We're competing with people around the world. We've got to be inclusive and open."
Duke Energy is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, and reported $12.74 billion in revenues in 2010. The company has more than 18,000 employees. This is a very big deal. Rogers' words carry a lot of weight. The
Observer notes key Chambers of Commerce have so far been silent, although many have spoken out about the danger the amendment will present to businesses in NC attempting to compete for national talent.
The Protect ALL Families campaign also reports Gov. Bev Perdue will be making opposition to Amendment One a major talking point in a keynote address to a women's group in Charlotte today. The Governor will revisit points she explained in recent video where she described the Amendment as "dangerous to women."
The campaign has assembled quite a powerhouse of local validators voicing their opposition. What is needed now is the money to get these messengers out to the masses, as in, TV, radio.
Fortunately, campaign also reports a donor has stepped up and agreed to match $2 for every $1—up to $100,000 to fund the television campaign. We'll be hearing more about that heterosexual donor and what moved them to make such a generous gift soon. But for now, this would be an excellent time to donate to Protect ALL NC Families.