I kind of feel like vetoing SB1062 because of business pressure is missing the point.

[Gravitycollapse]

Even though I am extremely confident Jan Brewer will veto the bill, the entire situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Essentially what this teaches us is that the Arizona government doesn't care about gay people unless it becomes economically expedient to do so. And that is rather cold comfort if you ask me.

[OKNancy]

1. cold comfort

Yes, I agree.

[DefenseLawyer]

2. If I agree with the outcome I don't care what kind of political cover the politician needs.

The result is the same even if she's a tool that does the right thing for the wrong reasons.

[LiberalAndProud]

3. Without the business pressure, I'm fairly certain that Jan Brewer would sign this bill.

Cold comfort, maybe. But comfort, nonetheless. I think on the broader horizon, it's a very good thing that business economics don't favor these awful, discriminatory laws.

[Adrahil]

4. I agree... but....

when we can get businesses that WANT to be seen as a welcoming to gay people, I'd call it a win, even if kind of a back-handed one. We're turning the tide here, and rather quickly. Let's not be too sensitive about how it's happening.

[Gravitycollapse]

5. Motivation is extremely important and that is not me being "sensitive."

All Jan Brewer and this state cares about is the money. They don't give a damn about us.

[Adrahil]

7. Yup... but doing the right thing for the wrong reason is still better than doing the wrong thing. NT

[Laurian]

10. I agree. It's so sad that only money trumps hate with these Neanderthals.

[Jamastiene]

6. That really IS how our government sees us.

No matter if it is state level, local level, or national level, and no matter what voting block, that really IS how our government sees us. We are just numbers, with dollar signs before the numbers.

I agree with your point, but I already know that is how they really see us. It's sad and damned depressing.

[blkmusclmachine]

8. +1,000. It's a big FUCK YOU to tax-paying American Citizens...

"Impinging on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

[Blue_Tires]

9. I get your point, but $$$$ is the language these hatemongers speak

and ironically it was the "money" argument (his famous "Can you figure out the race of the person who paid this dollar at the ticket window?" -analogy) that Branch Rickey used to get other baseball owners to see the light...

But at the end of the day it's just one of those classic right-wing footballs the GOP likes to kick around every few months when they have nothing better to do and want a national distraction(immigrants, abortion, birth control, etc.)

[oldandhappy]

11. you got it

[BainsBane]

12. She's not going to suddenly become open minded

Economic pressure is as good as any other kind. The business community made it clear they see inclusivity as essential, so Brewer caved. The point is LGBT Arizonans will not be deprived of their rights, and the GOP learns a lesson that bigotry brings negative consequences for their party. It's a win all the way around.

[okaawhatever]

13. I agree it's not perfect, but the businesses that put the pressure on were a proxy for the LGBT

community. It wasn't an issue where the businesses were threatening to move conventions or boycott because they thought it would harm their business. They did it because they felt the state's their views weren't acceptable.
It may not be a perfect victory, but the businesses backed the LGBT community over the state legislators, Christians and Republicans. That is it's own victory.

[JoeyT]

14. "We hate you, but not enough to spend money on it." isn't

a terribly positive message, but it does mean the pressure worked. It means the bigots lost. Not only did the bigots lose, but they lost on their home turf. That LGBT friendly groups and people can exert enough pressure to hurt them that badly in a place that's friendly to them means the tide has turned.