Top News Today
However, Gov. Brewer’s decision had nothing to do with visiting the Wizard of Oz and gaining a conscience or a heart — it all boiled down to economics.
The trigger-happy Arizona legislature voted in favor of the controversial bill without crunching the numbers and recognizing that gays and lesbians spend money too. They also never considered the huge backlash they’d receive from around the country. In recent days, Delta Air Lines, Major League Baseball and other large corporations and organizations all voiced dismay with the bill, vowing to make Arizona feel the pressure economically if Brewer proceeded in signing it. The Super Bowl host committee, which has been planning to host the big game in Arizona in 2015, also made Brewer and her Republican cronies aware that there would be hell to pay if Arizona legalized such blatant discrimination. Even the wackos over at Republican Headquarters Fox News recognized the social and economic devastation the bill would have caused and urged Brewer to shut it down.
In a statement, Brewer tried to put a positive spin on her decision to veto the bill, saying she did what she knew was right for Arizona. “I call them as I see them, despite the cheers or the boos from the crowd,” Brewer said, criticizing what she described as a “broadly worded” bill that “could result in unintended and negative consequences.”
“To the supporters of the legislation, I want you to know that I understand that long-held norms about marriage and family are being challenged as never before,” Brewer continued. “Our society is undergoing many dramatic changes. However, I sincerely believe that Senate Bill 1062 has the potential to create more problems than it purports to solve. It could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want. Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value. So is non-discrimination.”
Top News Today
Brewer’s veto drew instant praise from gay rights advocates. “Discrimination has no place in Arizona, or anywhere else,” said Alessandra Soler, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona. “We’re grateful that the governor has stopped this disgraceful law from taking effect, and that Arizona will remain open for business to everyone.”
In the end, right won over wrong and good trumped evil. Just because someone doesn’t like blacks marrying whites, young women marrying old men, or whatever, they can’t hide behind religion and force their beliefs on everyone else through legalized discrimination. To all the other states even considering similar legislation, here is your official wake up call!
