Thankfully, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer just vetoed the "religious freedom" bill that would've given people carte blanche to discriminate against gay people (and others, for that matter). The most baffling thing is that there exists a state legislature that would pass this bill. The bill in Arizona that was promoted by the innocuous-sounding "Center for Arizona Policy," would've allowed businesses to refuse service to anyone who offended their religious sensibilities. (Gracious me, a homosexual eating steak on a Friday!)
Sadly, this sort of law is not isolated to Arizona. While hopefully none will get as far as the legislation in Arizona, similar bills are lurking in other states. One of my favorite parts of this whole story is how one of the Republican legislators who has since changed his mind and regrets his "mistake," said that he initially voted yes because he thought "it was good for the caucus." Ugh, there's a strong moral compass for you.
Let's hope these sort of laws die the speedy death they deserve. Enjoy the cartoon, and pass it along to someone who may have a different faith or sexual preference than you. (More links to the news stories behind the cartoon are on my site, as usual.)
Down where the cactus is sharp and the rattlesnakes is quick, lives a band a' folks knows how to defend themselves from all manner of varmints, vermin and horny toads.
Only thing scarier'n a cougar in your camp . . . is a gay couple in your store.
That's why you best get yourself a genuine "Discrimination License."
Now, whether or not the Governor has the cojones to sign it, the Legislature just issued you a permit that entitles you to an open season . . . of discrimination.
Just call it religion and you're good to go.
You're a God-fearing shopkeep and that customer's lookin' a little light-in-the-loafers, send him a-packin' cause he's attackin' your religion . . . just by livin'.
If those gals ain't sisters, they're persecutin' you for your religion.
They ain't welcome in these parts.
Takes a keen eye t' spot 'em.
Some folks used to band 'em, but we don't do that no more.
We're just protectin' religion now.
Why I suppose our Discrimination License entitles a Hindu to refuse service to a steak man, or a tee-toatalin' Mormon t' refuse a wine-drinkin' Catholic . . .
But here we're talkin' about gays, plain and simple.
And good folks across the country want their Discrimination License, too.
Hang tight, Georgia, we're comin' to defend your right to discriminate, the way God intended it. (Kinda' like Uganda-lite.)
So, you don't have to live in fear a' gay people attackin' your religion just by breathin' the same air anymore.
Send 'em packin' with your Discrimination License.
Cause these States, they ain't big enough for all of us.