TYT: Quoting The Bible To Hate Gay People? Be Careful...

[WhoIsNumberNone]

*The national spotlight is now shining on Arizona as Gov. Jan Brewer (R) weighs whether to sign the controversial "license to discriminate" bill (SB 1062) passed by the legislature last week. Though the potential consequences are broad, at the very least it would seemingly allow businesses to use religion as an excuse to legally refuse service to LGBT people. She'sreceiving a lot of encouragement to veto the bill from groups and individuals across the state, including from one lawmaker who even voted for it, many of the state's representatives in Congress, and the state's largest newspaper.

State Sen. Steve Pierce (R) voted for the bill, but admits now, "I screwed up. I'm trying to make it right." He does not like the "negative picture of Arizona" the bill has painted...* Is the Bible a good guide for morality? Should laws be based on Christianity? The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

[freshwest]

1. The Golden Rule of treating others as you would like to be treated applies.

It's part of most philosophies and faiths, and is part of the decision making process of those who follow neither.

The rest is meant to form a group identity, one that is exclusive or inclusive, positive or negative. Life doesn't require religious rules, but a great many people dont seem to be able to make through their lives without instructions.

The more diverse society is, the less reflection of the same is there for them to copy, so some people withdraw into tribes or cult to remind thesmselves how to behave with others.

IOW, IDK.

[blkmusclmachine]

2. New meaning for the term "Bully Pulpit."

[Enthusiast]

3. Well done, Cenk! K&R!

[IrishAyes]

4. Know of a transcript anywhere? I can't find one, and my vintage computer no longer does videos.

[JDPriestly]

5. Federal law does not permit racial discrimination.

That law applies to restaurants across the country based on the fact that they are involved in interstate commerce and therefor subject to federal law. That's my understanding anyway.

Question is whether GLBT are protected by federal law in the same way. If they were, the Arizona law might be superseded. We need federal legislation or decisions to protect the rights of LGBT.

[amcgrath]

6. What actually is the point of this bill ?

As i understand it Arizona law does not include homosexuality in its discrimination laws, meaning that there is no mechanism for prosecuting someone for anti-gay discrimination and businesses can therefore do it without fear.

There is also no gay marriage in Arizona, which means the examples cited of a photographer refusing to take photos at a gay wedding or bakers refusing a cake are not likely to arise.

It is hard to believe that these political machinations are anything but an attempt to appeal to bigoted voters or to declare the candidates religiosity in an attempt to score points.

Either way, a politician who tries to unite the vote in a common hatred of a minority is nothing short of evil.