I had not realized the extent to which the good pious peoples of Arizona had been subjected to the tyranny of Arizona's — of course, still illegal — gay wedding industry. Let's hear from one of the gentlemen who voted for this bill.
2/24/2014:
ANDERSON COOPER: Can you give me a specific example of someone in Arizona who's been forced to do something against their religious belief or successfully sued because of their faith?
STATE SEN. AL MELVIN, R-AZ: Again, I think if anything, you — this bill is preemptive.
...
ANDERSON COOPER: But you can't cite one example where religious freedom is under attack in Arizona.
STATE SEN. AL MELVIN, R-AZ: Not now, no. But how about tomorrow?
(audience laughter)
"You see, here in Arizona we're all about protecting ourselves from possible futures. It's why I also co-sponsored the Robot Voter ID Bill of 2042. Keep your titanium pinchers off my great-grandkids, ya dirty robot!!"
This is a slam dunk veto. What governor in their right mind would sign this piece of shit?
CNN (2/23/2014): Will Arizona Governor Jan Brewer sign or veto the anti-gay bill on her desk?
GOV. JAN BREWER, R-AZ (2/22/2014): I don't have to make a decision until next Friday, so I've got plenty of time.
GOV. JAN BREWER, R-AZ (2/25/2014): I have until Friday or Saturday morning to determine that.
Ah, so clearly the governor's bi-curious on this bill. (audience laughter) Well, if you're going to sign it, you might want to hurry, because the lawmakers who voted for the bill are starting to realize what the fuck they just did.
2/25/2014:
ANDERSON COOPER: Why do you regret your vote?
STATE SEN. STEVE PIERCE, R-AZ: It went through really quick. No one really had anything telling me don't do it. We, ah, several of us talked. We thought, you know, this isn't good. It's not good for the state. But, um, no one had said anything. And we thought well, we'll just vote for it. ... We made a mistake.
(audience laughter)
Hey man, I know how it is, you know. Sitting around, a couple of legislators, it's late at night, and no one's around. The three of you just decide to experiment with intolerance, but you know. (audience laughter) Things go a little too far, and then the next day nobody can make eye contact.
"I mean, it was just one bill! I mean, and I didn't even fucking enjoy passing it! I mean, it doesn't make me a homophobe!" (audience laughter)
Of course they're having second thoughts. Because the bill they passed was morally repugnant. (audience cheering and applause) As I assume everyone now realizes.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD (2/22/2014): Critics of the bill say it sanctions discrimination, particularly against gay people. But others could be impacted as well. ... A Muslim could refuse to do business with Christians because he might consider them infidels.
Oh, right, the people who voted for it realized that then Muslims could refuse service to them. Oh, right. But also, they're backing away from it because it's morally repugnant, right?
SEN. JOHN McCAIN, R-AZ (2/25/2014): I hope that Governor Brewer, who's a good friend of mine, will veto. ... Most importantly, it's the impression that it's creating because it is viewed as discriminatory.
No, no, it's not an impression that being created... it's viewed as discriminatory, it's not... but the reason... that's not why you're against it, you're against it because it's morally repugnant.
SEN. JOHN McCAIN, R-AZ (2/25/2014): This can affect tourism, it can affect our state's economy and job creation.
JAN CRAWFORD, CBS (2/26/2014): The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee says it could jeopardize plans for the state to host next year's game.
And it's morally... you know what? (audience laughter) This is where you are now, Arizona. You've made yourselves too homophobic and dickish for professional football! (massive audience cheering and applause) According to the NFL, our new watchdog of gay rights.
None of the reasons that you guys have cited, the fact that while then maybe Muslims could use it against us, or, oh my God, people won't want to do business with us, have nothing to do with morality. But with so many good reasons not to pass the bill, it makes you wonder how it got this far in the first place. Megyn Kelly has a theory.
MEGYN KELLY (2/25/2014): We hear a lot from folks on the religious right who say they feel religion is under attack. And you know, I look at this bill, and I wonder whether this is a reaction — an overreaction — to people who feel under attack.
Yeah, it's a good point. Could be an overreaction. Where would people of faith, where would Arizonans have gotten the idea that religion is under attack in this country?
FOX NEWS PROMO: Is our nation losing its religious foundation?
SEAN HANNITY PROMO: Should you be punished for your faith?
FOX NEWS PROMO: Who's to blame for our holy breakdown?
FOX NEWS PROMO: Christmas under attack!
FOX NEWS: It's a War on Easter.
FOX NEWS ANCHOR (7/28/2013): It is a war on religion.
GRETCHEN CARLSON (12/24/2012): Call it faith under fire.
STEVE DOOCY (8/22/2012): America's assault on religion.
LAURA INGRAHAM (3/28/2013): Religion under attack.
BILL O'REILLY PROMO: Judeo-Christian tradition is under attack.
TODD STARNES (5/27/2013): Religious liberty is under attack.
SEAN HANNITY (12/1/2010): I don't understand the assault on Christianity.
RABBI ARYEH SPERO (2/1/2012): Catholics that are under assault.
MEGYN KELLY (5/6/2010): Day of unity and faith comes under fire.
(rubs chin and ponders) Why would religious people overreact to that constant barrage of apocalyptic paranoia and outrage? God only knows. We'll be right back.
and Dick Cheney's hypocritical reaction to it.
that has shattered a small-town couple.
Stephen then looked at how Fox News and Rush Limbaugh are already attacking Hillary Clinton over
.