"I don't believe for a minute that it was the intention of the General Assembly to create a license to discriminate, or a right to deny services to gays, lesbians or anyone else in this state. And it certainly wasn't my intent. But I can appreciate that that's become the impression -- not just here in Indiana, but all across this country. And we need to confront that."
He said he would like a clarifying bill from the legislature this week, which he will sign. This should guarantee that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act will not take precedence over any civil rights laws that protect from discrimination.
I just don't understand this level of niavete -- after the protests before the bill was passed and with the history in Arizona and other states. Nor do I understand the level of denial of the problem once it's pointed out.
What they can't explain is this: If the covert purpose of the bill is not to allow discrimination, then what other purpose does the law have that isn't already the law?
It's like those voter ID laws to fix a problem that doesn't exist -- so you can achieve your real purpose that you refuse to talk about.
But -- this whole brouhaha has clarified where the nation stands, which I read as this: One person's expression of religious freedom cannot trump another person's civil rights.
This should give other states second thoughts about passing similar laws.
Ralph
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