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In reply to the discussion: While You’re Bashing Russia for its Homophobic Laws, Remember… [View all]MADem
(135,425 posts)Are you seriously telling me, today, that at the time you wrote your post, that you believed Americans were still being arrested in Baton Rouge for being gay? And 'ah, ha!' I'm "wrong" because I don't know this fact that only you seem to know?
That Louisiana story isn't happening this morning, I have to tell you. The problem hit the media LAST MONTH, and was very quickly resolved. It's a done deal. No one is getting arrested in Baton Rouge under those invalid, unconstitutional laws.
A councilman in Baton Rouge declared that the sheriff in that case needed to start apologizing, for starters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/29/us-usa-louisiana-sodomy-idUSBRE96S14720130729
And the sheriff, feeling the heat, has done that and is initiating steps to get that INVALID and unconstitutional law (that the AG has said will not be enforced) off the books:
http://theadvocate.com/news/6641204-123/gautreaux-issues-apology-begins-push
He's also working with the LGBT community, AND training his staff.
And the ACLU has stepped in:
http://www.wafb.com/story/22957236/aclu-makes-statement-on-baton-rouge-park-arrests-story
And you do understand what "unconstitutional" means? And "invalid?" You do realize that the Supreme Court has consigned those "invalid" and "unconstitutional" laws to the dust bin, over a decade ago?
You have not made your point. In fact, you've only reinforced MINE. People saw a problem, they saw an invalid law being cited, and they stepped up and stopped it.
There was a problem in Baton Rouge, due to ignorance, bigotry, or both, and good people stepped up, complained and fixed it. QUICK. And no, people can't get arrested years from now for the 'sane' (sic) conduct--the Supreme Court has already ruled on that; there's no turning back.
You don't have a right to your own facts, here--that claim is just not accurate. So forgive me if I apply the same degree of "seriousness" to your posts as you do to mine.
The problem in Russia is that, under their constitution, the laws that can fine someone and throw them in jail for two weeks for speaking of gay people, activities, or events is NOT "unconstitutional" or "invalid" by their standards of law. Over there, they CAN use their law to arrest people for the "crime" of being gay. They CAN use their law to intimidate LGBT people, their families, friends and supporters.
The biggest, bigoted jerk in USA is an insignificant foot-stomper compared to Putin. Putin's laws are enforceable--Baton Rouge's--or any "Lawrence v. Texas" type laws-- are not.