"Just say 'No' to going to the GOP convention

There is a parade of leading Republicans who are letting it be known that they will not be going to the GOP convention in Cleveland this July.   Senators John McCain, Kelly Ayotte, Mark Kirk, and Lisa Murkowski all say they'll be too busy with their own campaigns.   Others, including Sen. Chuck Grassley, Jeff Flake, Lindsey Graham, say they will probably go for just part of the time or will decide later whether to go at all.

Those not involved in the politics of the GOP itself, however, can be more blunt in their stated reasons for not going.   Like this from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame star Joe Walsh, who was scheduled to play what he had been told was a benefit concert for veterans' families.

"April 20, 2016 - "It was my understanding that I was playing a concert which was a non partisan event to benefit the families of American veterans on Monday, July 17 in Cleveland. . . .

"Today it was announced that this event is, in fact, a launch for the Republican National Convention. In addition, my name is to be used to raise sponsorship dollars for convention-related purposes. Therefore, I must humbly withdraw my participation in this event with apologies to any fans or veterans and their families that I might disappoint.

"I am very concerned about the rampant vitriol, fear-mongering and bullying coming from the current Republican campaigns.  It is both isolationist and spiteful. I cannot in good conscience endorse the Republican party in any way. I will look at doing a veteran related benefit concert later this year."  -- Joe Walsh

Bravo to Joe Walsh for his candor and for exposing the deceptiveness of the organizers.    Artists have refused before to be associated with political events they do not agree with;   but his specific mentioning of the "rampant vitriol, fear-mongering and bullying" is courageous.

Ralph

PS:    Ted Cruz has sunk to a new low with two tv ads he has running in which he ramps up the irrational fear about trans bathroom predators.    It is based on such false assumptions, and Ted Cruz is way too intelligent to be this dumb.   So I can only believe that it is a crass, slimey political pandering for votes.   It is despicable, and it puts the trans people in danger.  They are the real ones who will be hurt by this.   With these laws, a female to male trans person, who looks male and dresses as a male, will be forced to use the female restrooms -- because the laws require them to use restrooms that conform to their birth certificates regarding gender.  So people will assume that it is a biological man going into where he shouldn't be and doesn't want to be -- likely resulting in attacks on a person who is only following an insane law.    And Ted Cruz is making it worse, because he is aiding and abetting the prejudice instead of educating the public.

These laws create a false "solution" to a problem that doesn't exist.   Let's give Donald Trump a little credit for saying so and for saying that he thinks the laws should be repealed.