Governor Brewer's Plight

With both houses of Arizona’s legislature having passed SB1062 which would allow the state’s business owners to deny service to patron based on religious beliefs - which many believe would target the LGBT community - the question now becomes what will governor Jan Brewer do: sign or veto? There are of course people who are urging her to sign the bill in support of religious liberty. But there are many who are urging her to veto the bill.

Some of the people and groups in opposition to the bill, which has been dubbed the “Turn Away the Gays” bill, are not very surprising. Many LGBT groups have denounced the bill. George Takei specifically is suggesting a boycott of the entire state should the governor sign the bill. The mayor of the state’s largest city - Phoenix - is also against it. As happens with many state bills that support discrimination, many businesses and business groups have also come out against this measure. According to Outsports, with the 2015 Super Bowl located in Arizona, not to mention the state being home to a football team (the Cardinals), even the NFL has weighed in:

Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard. We are following the issue in Arizona and will continue to do so should the bill be signed into law, but will decline further comment at this time.

The idea has even been mentioned by the Governor Jack Markell (D-DE)  that should the bill become law, the Super Bowl should be moved. This is not without precedent, though such a decision would not be made until the end of March if at all. Other businesses have also cautioned the governor against signing the bill into law. These businesses include Apple Inc., which, according to Think Progress, is slated to start construction on a facility in the state that will provide approximately 700 permanent jobs plus hundreds of construction jobs. Studies have shown that discriminatory policies are bad for business, which explains why so many businesses and chambers of commerce either denounce such measures, have anti-discrimination policies of their own, or both.

Some of the calls for a veto are coming from some…less than expected sources. Both of Arizona’s U.S. senators - Jeff Flake and John McCain, both fellow Republicans, and neither of whom have been friends of the LGBT community - have made public statements against the bill.

Tuesday night, former GOP banner-bearer and presidential candidate Mitt Romney called for a veto. Hours later, former Republican Speaker of the U.S House of Representatives Newt Gingrich did said via Twitter that in Governor Brewer‘s position, he would veto the bill. Even three state legislators who voted for the bill have now reversed course, including one of the bill’s cosponsors, Bob Worsley. Two of Worsley’s fellow Senate Republicans - Steve Pierce and Majority Whip Adam Driggs - issued a statement made available to Huffington Post that asked Governor Brewer to veto the bill. 

After all of this backlash and bad press, legislators who voted for and still support the bill are avoiding the press like the plague. 

During the day on Tuesday, reports swirled that Brewer was likely to veto the bill. These claims were, hours later, denied by the governor’s office (Brewer was not even in the state at the time). Brewer has been a bit of a wild card, very unpredictable. She issued a statement saying she would do what is right for Arizona with this bill. What is right is very subjective, and even with so many forces arrayed against this bill - from both left and right - what she will do is anyone’s guess.

Marriage News Watch: September 9, 2013

How Conservatives Smeared A Hero

Responsible Gun Ownership #2

From Raw Story: 

A woman in Arizona has told police that she accidentally killed her husband with his own shotgun after he insisted that she pick it up even though she told him she was uncomfortable around guns.

The Daily Courier reported that Prescott Valley police responded to reports of a shooting on Gentle Winds Road Monday afternoon, where 56-year-old Gary Wingate was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement, the Prescott Valley Police Department said that Wingate’s 54-year-old wife had not been comfortable around firearms, but he asked her to pick up his 12-guage shotgun and hand it to him anyway. The weapon discharged while she was in the process of handing it to him, striking him in the upper torso.

“It seems like they meant to take [the shotgun] out this weekend on a trip and he wanted her to get more familiar with it,” Sgt. Brandon Bonney explained. 

Obama Isn't the One Starting a Race War

The Religious Wrong: Only Christians Can Graduate

Arizona is throwing its hat into the theocracy ring. Arizona House Bill 2467 states the following: 

Beginning in the 2013‑2014 school year, In addition to fulfilling the course of study and assessment requirements prescribed in this chapter, before a pupil is allowed to graduate from a public high school in this state, the principal or head teacher of the school shall verify in writing that the pupil has recited the following oath:

I, _________, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge these duties; So help me God.

Though I'm a Christian, I'm a firm believer in the separation of church and state (for the benefit of both) as prescribed by Thomas Jefferson and the establishment clause of the first amendment to the United States Constitution. This law is a crystal clear violation of that Constitution that has very little chance of withstanding a court challenge.

Gov. Brewer To AZ Republicans: Expand Medicaid Or Else

From Think Progress: 

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ) has a message for her party: expand Medicaid — or else. 

The combative GOP governor is sticking by a threat she made to veto all legislation until lawmakers resolve the 2014 state budget and pass Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion. On Thursday, Brewer proved that wasn’t just talk, vetoing five bills sent to her desk in quick succession. 

“I warned that I would not sign additional measures into law until we see resolution of the two most pressing issues facing us: adoption of a fiscal 2014 state budget and plan for Medicaid,”wrote Brewer in her veto message. “It is disappointing I must demonstrate the moratorium was not an idle threat.” 

Arizona officials only have five weeks before reaching the constitutional deadline for passing a budget. Last Thursday, six Republican state senators joined a unified Democratic caucus to pass a Medicaid expansion bill — but efforts have been gummed up in the state House since then.

Governor Brewer, of finger-pointing fame, has been considered a Tea Party favourite over the years. I wonder if now, she will be considered a RINO (Republican in name only) like other Republicans who do not tow the party line to the hilt?

Three States Making Big Marriage Equality Strides

From the Advocate: 

A recent poll of Michigan voters found that 56.8% of Michiganders support marriage equality, according to The Detroit News. That's a sharp reversal from last year, when just over 44% of Michiganders supported marriage equality. It's an even more stark departure from 2004, when Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage... 

...A recent Washington Post poll found that 56% of Virginians support the freedom to marry — a 10% increase from support in 2011. In 2006, Virginians approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman by a margin of roughly 57%, according to the Post. Interestingly, while a majority of Democratic voters in Virginia have supported the freedom to marry since 2006, 40% of Republicans polled also supported marriage equality... 

...Although Arizona voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in 2008, 55% of voters now favor marriage equality, according to a Rocky Mountain Poll released Wednesday and published at TalkingPointsMemo. Opposition to the freedom to marry among registered voters is just 35%, according to the poll...

Marriage News Watch: February 4, 2013

Marriage Equality In Arizona?

From Arizona Daily Sun:

Buoyed by four victories nationwide, a Scottsdale man has taken the first steps to asking Arizonans to overturn their ban on gay marriage.

Tanner Pritts has formed Arizona Advocates for Marriage Equality. But he also has filed the necessary paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office to allow him to start raising money for a 2014 campaign.

Pritts conceded to Capitol Media Services he is a political novice at ballot measures. In fact, the Scottsdale resident said he is just 22.

The initiative drive, if successful, would put the issue back on the ballot just six years after Arizonans voted by a 56-44 margin to define marriage in the state constitution as solely between one man and one woman.

But Pritts said he is heartened by the results of elections elsewhere.

"Obviously, we believe the demographics of the nation are changing," he said.

"We feel that Arizona is, too," Pritts continued. "And we think we have a shot."

Earlier this month, voters in Maryland, Maine and Washington approved measures which specifically provide for same-sex marriage, the kind of measure Pritts said he wants in Arizona. And in Minnesota, voters turned down a bid to enact the kind of ban that exists here.

Whether any of that means anything in Arizona, however, is another question...

 You can find Arizona Advocates For Marriage Equality on Facebook.

Arizona's Election Disaster (500k Uncounted Votes)

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Election 2012: Arizona in the Balance

From CNN:

A new poll of likely voters in Arizona shows the race for the White House is a close contest in the state. 

President Barack Obama stands at 44% and GOP challenger Mitt Romney has 42% in the Rocky Mountain poll released Saturday. The margin is within the poll's sampling error.

~

With 11 electoral votes, the state has been considered to be leaning in Romney's favor. 

The state's two most populous counties, Maricopa and Pima, came out in support of Obama, while Romney has a lead in the rural counties. Men are evenly split between the two candidates, and the difference between the candidates among women is only three points. 

Obama is the heavy favorite among the state's Latinos, who split for him 77% to Romney's 10%. 

Since 1952, the state has gone to the Republican candidate in every presidential race except 1996. President Bill Clinton won the state that year by a three-point margin - 47% to 44% - over Bob Dole, while Reform Party candidate Ross Perot and others picked up about 9% of the vote.

~

The race between Democrat Richard Carmona and six-term GOP Rep. Jeff Flake to replace retiring Sen. John Kyl is also close, with likely voters split 44% to 40%. Former President Clinton lent some star power to the race when he campaigned for Carmona this past week.

The Wrap-Up: June 26, 2012

A Pennsylvania Republican spilled the beans on the real reason behind voter ID laws, not that we hadn't already guessed anyway.

The Supreme Court, unfortunately, doubled down on corporate personhood.

Showing that they aren't completely backwards, they struck down most of Arizona's immigration law.

As we await the Supreme Court's decision on the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare"), Americans seem to have a bad case of cognitive dissonance on the law and its key provisions.

I'm not sure how this (former) naval officer thought allowing an anti-gay hazing which almost resulted in rape fell under the heading "serving America," but at least he's a FORMER naval officer.

I'm pretty sure Chuck Norris has either taken one too many blows to the head, or he's just a paranoid lunatic. Either way, he's highly overrated.

A Republican Hispanic Congresswoman was none too happy about Romney's silence on immigration.

The Salvation Army is attempting something of an about-face against the recent homophobic statement of one of their Australian officials

And lastly, Jerry Sandusky got a song.

Bibles in Public Schools

The Wrap-Up: April 16, 2012

After their rousing success against J.C. Penney and Toy R Us, One-Million Forty-Six Thousand Moms is now setting their sights on Urban Outfitters. In future news, Urban Outfitters stock will skyrocket.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has gone from being against hate crimes legislation to being against people with student loans. I'm pretty sure that means she is against a huge chunk of her constituents. They should remember that this November.

I may have to rethink how/if I put videos on this blog.

Arizona has paraded out yet another inane law.

A New York Times columnist discusses with Rachel Maddow the accelerated pace of marriage equality acceptance.

NOM president Brian has been hacked on Twitter...again.

Politifact has something to say about Mitt Romney's claim that 92.3% of the job losses during the recession hit women.

Do homophobic people (potentially) in the closet deserve sympathy?

And lastly, most Americans support the "Buffett Rule."

The Wrap-Up: April 3, 2012

Republicans who are complaining about corporate tax rates really should do their homework...or just stop lying.

Even three primaries will be occurring today (and Romney is leading in all three), all eyes are on Wisconsin.

Could Rick Santorum already be eyeing the 2016 race?

Finally, the Arizona legislature gets something right...at least for now.

An anti-gay author had the temerity to say that gay people would benefit from the passage of North Carolina's Amendment 1.

Most North Carolinians do not actually know what Amendment 1 even does. This is why an educated populace is important.

"Bully" may be recut to change its rating (which would be a shameful necessity in this particular case).

Some people think that the next economic bubble to burst will be student loan debt, which is reaching record levels.

Paul Ryan really thinks he knows more about military spending than Pentagon officials.

In the race for the White House, the GOP war on women is backfiring.

An effort to curb voting rights in Missouri has been (thankfully) thwarted.

And lastly, Mitt Romney gets cagey about Mormon teachings.

The Wrap-Up: March 15, 2012

Tennessee's "Don't Say Gay" bill may be dead...again. Better this trash of a bill than kids who would suffer because of it. Of course what the state will turn its attention to instead...isn't much better.

Harry Reid (D-NV) forced Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) hand on the Senate voting on federal judges. You read that right, Democrats actually made republicans do something for once.

A Uganda gay group is suing Scott Lively (largely credited with inspiring Uganda's "Kill the Gays" bill).

Filed under things Mitt Romney wants everyone to forget: a certain vow he made in his (failed) 1994 Senate race against Ted Kennedy.

Just when you think Sarah Palin can't sink any lower into ignorance and inflammatory comments, she finds a way. To bad she doesn't put the same effort into learning about the world around her. Then again, she's pretty much on her own planet.

This week in TERRIBLE ideas from Arizona, being able to fire a woman for using birth control. Doesn't this legislature have bigger (or actual) problems to deal with?

A former Goldman Sachs executive has resigned due to the "toxic" nature of the industry.

GLAAD has begun what it calls the "Commentator Accountability Project."

And lastly, say goodbye to the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The Wrap-Up: February 6, 2012

New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning

Congrats to the New York Giants on their Super Bowl win. There is definitely something to be said for those down-to-the-wire games. I remember last year when it was my Green Bay Packers...

The jobs reports that came out on Friday has really good news...unless you're a GOP politician that is.

A member of the Reagan administration explains why "Reaganomics" won't work this time around. Of course, I don't expect Republican to pay attention to him.

The French government gave Scientology the smack down.

I guess Rick Santorum was so busy telling gay people they don't deserve the same rights as everyone else that he missed yet another ballot.

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ)

While I wish that this statement by Senator Chuck Grassley were true, it just isn't. Another Republican who completely dismisses facts.

Believe Out Loud has a breakdown of support for marriage equality by religious affiliation.

We should all pray that this does NOT happen.

Jan Brewer (R-AZ) may be the next governor to get the recall treatment.

And lastly, Romney makes another colossally incorrect (and rather arrogant/ignorant) statement. It amazes me how he said something so wrong with such confidence.

The Wrap-Up: February 3, 2012

First a correction from a previous Wrap-Up. Donald Trump endorsed Mitt Romney, not Newt Gingrich. Either way, there are jokes to be made involving multiple wives, so not much changes there.

For someone who claims to be such a devout Christian, Rick Santorum completely lacks compassion. It sounds like Ricky needs to read that Bible again, and pay attention this time.

For some, this year's Super Bowl will be more than just a game.

There were some very touching stories told during the Washington state Senate's debate on marriage equality.

Meanwhile, there is a couple in Washington D.C. that hasn't been getting along so well: Eric Cantor and John Boehner.

In pointing out how "magnanimous" he is, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also points out that he is out of touch with his constituents. Bravo Gov.!!!

People are fleeing the big banks in droves...which is a good thing.

Some fresh post-Florida polling numbers came in last night from Arizona and Michigan whose primaries are on February 28th.

And lastly, an openly gay Washington Senator gives some remarks just before the victorious vote that took place Wednesday evening (and the vote itself).