Arizona Governor Jan Brewer returned today from the Republican Governors Convention in Washington. Awaiting her is the "religious freedom" bill -- an anti-gay bill in (attempted) disguise that is generating a groundswell of opposition. She has until Saturday to sign it or veto it.
There's almost a desperate feeling coming from a wide range of constituents that this must be stopped because of the unintended consequences. Arizona will be the subject of intense backlash and economic loss.
So far, both Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake have called on Gov. Brewer to veto the bill. So has the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, the Superbowl Committee, a couple of airlines and hotel chains. Even three Republican legislators who voted for the bill now want it to be vetoed.
Reportedly several businesses that were considering expanding into Arizona have cancelled plans. Tourists are deciding not to go the Grand Canyon. The opposition is really starting to snowball.
[Added later: Even Fox News is now expressing serious doubts about the Arizona bill, escalating the outcry by suggesting gay people could even be denied medical treatments under this law.]
Meanwhile, back in Georgia, the senate may vote as early as tomorrow on a very similar bill, and at least eight other states have bills in various stages of consideration.
One view of this, expressed tonight by Rachel Maddow, is that this is just the latest version of the Republicans using gay issues as a political wedge to bring out their voters in an elections year.
It's bad enough if they are trying to pass such a bill out of belief that it is right -- but if it is nothing more than a cynical manipulation of the election process, that is beneath despicable.
Ralph
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