North Carolina flushes away its chance to do the right thing

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

NORTH CAROLINA’S Republican-controlled legislature had no problem taking the unprecedented and controversial step of stripping the incoming Democratic governor of significant powers. But when it came time to get rid of a law that has cost the state millions of dollars in lost jobs, that has led to boycotts and canceled sports events and that is strongly opposed by North Carolina residents, the legislature punted.

A special session had been convened for the express purpose of repealing the state’s notorious bathroom law. House Bill 2, known as HB2 and enacted in March, not only requires that transgender people in public buildings use the bathroom that matches the gender on their birth certificate. It also curbs legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. After a day of closed-door meetings and machinations, lawmakers adjourned without taking any action, save for a lot of finger-pointing about who was to blame.

About that, there can be no mistake. Whatever deals were supposedly made or broken this week, it was the Republicans in control of both houses of the legislature and occupying the governor’s mansion who pushed through this terrible law in the first place and have allowed it to stay on the books no matter the harm done. The GOP made sadly clear that the consequences of the law — a public backlash that has hurt the state’s reputation and economy while also arguably costing the sitting governor his job — matter less than pandering to the party’s extremist base. Indeed, indications that the repeal effort was doomed emerged when, as the Charlotte Observer reported, Wednesday’s deliberations opened with attempts by Republican lawmakers to declare the session itself unconstitutional.

Republicans can effectively thumb their collective nose at the public because of the gerrymandering of legislative districts that extended and cemented GOP control over the legislature. Essentially, that left many of them accountable only to their most right-wing voters. A three-judge federal panel ruled that redistricting unconstitutional. Unless the Supreme Court overturns the ruling, there will be a new map and special elections next year. It is too soon to predict the outcome of that election, but it is safe to say that as long as this law remains on the books, it will frame the political debate.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/north-carolina-flushes-away-its-chance-to-do-the-right-thing/2016/12/25/0ca679f2-c880-11e6-85b5-76616a33048d_story.html?utm_term=.20c3917756d5&wpisrc=nl_rainbow&wpmm=1#comments

[vi5]

1. What happened to all the boycotts?

I know they were big and going on for a while but didn't they stop for some reason? I may be hazy on the details.

[KamaAina]

2. A friend had to take this into account when driving to Florida.

There is no suitable bathroom for her trans partner between Southside Virginia and South of the Border (a Mexican-themed tourist trap just across the SC line), so they had to plan for a 4- or 5-hour drive through NC without a rest stop.

[mnhtnbb]

3. There are communities in NC refusing to enforce HB 2

as well as the campus of UNC - Chapel Hill. I live in Chapel Hill.

Also, Target stores have refused to enforce the law. http://www.advocate.com/business/2016/4/20/target-defies-north-carolina-bathroom-law


I'm sorry your friend and her partner had to endure a drive through NC without a rest stop (although as a resident who uses
the publicly maintained state rest stops when we drive to the beach or to Charleston, I don't think anyone would bother them.)

[KamaAina]

4. Good to know for their trip back.

Are any of these communities along 95?

[mnhtnbb]

5. Chapel Hill and Durham (blue) are along 40, but 95 runs through eastern NC

which is pretty much red state area.

If I were in their shoes, I'd look at a map of 95 and then google Target stores at the largest cities where they might want to stop.
(I know two Target stores near us are within 5-10 minutes off 40.) That might be the solution and not too far out of their way.

Although, I say again, the state rest stops in NC are really well maintained and visited by lots of people. As long as they were stopping
during the day, I don't think anyone would bother them because every time I've stopped there have been numerous people coming and going in/out
of the facilities building. Just go in, use a stall, wash hands and leave. The majority of the people in the state are against HB 2.

[KamaAina]

6. That's what I figured.

The problem with Target is they don't want to spend one thin dime in NC, either.

[mnhtnbb]

7. I hear that. I won't vacation anymore in NC.

We usually go to the beach at least once or twice a year here. I won't go until they repeal HB 2 and I've told
both rental agencies that we use to rent beach houses I won't and why.

Fu*king Republicans.