Louisiana religious freedom bill author a 'despicable bigot,' Baton Rouge council member says

[rug]

State Rep. Mike Johnson authored the controversial religious freedom bill that's being proposed in the Louisiana Legislature. (Photo by Brianna Paciorka, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

Diana Samuels, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
The Times-Picayune
on April 17, 2015 at 3:49 PM, updated April 17, 2015 at 10:14 PM

A "despicable bigot of the highest order" is how Baton Rouge Metro Councilman John Delgado is describing the state representative who authored Louisiana's controversial religious freedom bill.

State Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, is responsible for the bill (HB 707) and, in an email response to NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, said he wished Delgado had taken the time to review his record and career before making "such hateful, wildly inaccurate statements."

Delgado was responding to the news that IBM, which is building a highly-touted 800-job technology services center in downtown Baton Rouge, sent a letter to Gov. Bobby Jindal expressing opposition to the religious freedom legislation. IBM senior state executive James Driesse wrote in his letter, which was made public Thursday (April 16) and first reported by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, that "IBM will find it much harder to attract talent to Louisiana if this bill is passed and enacted into law."

On Friday night, EA Sports, which has a large facility at LSU, appeared to lodge similar objections to the bill. It did not mention the legislation specifically, but the video game developer said it would "stand against any bill, law or practice that would allow for discrimination on any grounds," in a statement on its website.

http://www.nola.com/news/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2015/04/louisiana_religious_freedom_ib.html

[KeepItReal]

1. The bill's author doesn't reside anywhere near Baton Rouge or New Orleans

the two biggest cities in Louisiana and the two places that would be hit the hardest by economic boycotts brought on by this foolish legislation.

Councilman Delgado should have thrown in a "saboteur" or "traitor" in describing Mike Johnson.

[rug]

2. It's remarkable to see an elected official say this so clearly about another elected official.

More power to him.

[BrotherIvan]

3. He looks exactly like this guy

[rug]

4. They'd better cut off his access to Twinkies.

[cbayer]

6. Dan White - same hate filled ideology.

[cbayer]

5. Sadly, Louisiana is filled with despicable bigots and the governor is one of them.

I suspect this bill will pass.

One of the things that makes the state so interesting is the stark political contrast between NOLA/ Baton Rouge and most of the rest of the state.

But it is also one of the things that makes it so scary.