Indiana Fiasco .... Now Legislative Leaders working to 'clarify' religious freedom law (Indy Star)

[salin]

Legislative leaders working to clarify 'religious freedom' law

Tom LoBianco and Tony Cook [e-mail]

Republican leaders in the Indiana General Assembly said today they are looking at options to clarify the state's controversial religious freedom law, though they don't believe the law would allow discrimination against gays and lesbians as opponents fear.

Republican leaders in the Indiana General Assembly said today they are looking at options to clarify the state's controversial religious freedom law, though they don't believe the law would allow discrimination against gays and lesbians as opponents fear.

More at link: http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/30/legislative-leaders-working-clarify-religious-freedom-law/70662830/

Don't know what it will lead to, but given that dem amendments to the bill (pre signing) that tried to add anti-discrimination language - all failed. So the... "misunderstanding" language first used by Gov Dense and now repeated by the Indiana GOP leaders in the state leg. well its intentionally misleading drivel.

Story said it will be updated - I will add updates as I see them.

[RKP5637]

1. They knew exactly what the intent of the law was, discrimination.Them saying other is pure BS!

These guys are ridiculous "However, he said he's looking to "remove the misconception" that the religious freedom law would allow denial of services to anyone." (Quote from the article.)

The entire law is about discrimination and exclusionary practices. There is NO misconception. The law is explicit in intent!

[salin]

2. of course! They just didn't know how huge the backlash was going to be

both locally and nationally.

Daily twists and turns that in-the-bubble gov and gop leg. : bill passed. bill signed (behind closed doors). backlash begins. Gov goes to press saying he will ask leg for more legislation to 'clarify'. backlash builds. Gov Dense goes on tv and doubles down and stands by law - but won't state that people could be denied service.

now leaders in state leg are working for a clarification (and admit that they don't even know what that might mean.)

meanwhile - that backlash is just getting bigger and bigger.

[Zorra]

4. Yes, they very obviously knew that his legislation was specifically designed for

RWers who self-identify as Christians to be able to attempt to humiliate, and to be able to actively discriminate, against LGBT persons.

[world wide wally]

3. There is no other rationale for making this law except to use it to discriminate

[Chipper Chat]

5. Pence's (non)response on ABC is all you need to know about this law

[Jefferson23]

6. This is what we do now? Pass a law and then pass another to clarify the preceeding one? LOL

Fucking bigots seem trapped and I do hope this blows up sooner than later..it has been
encouraging to see the back lash against it.

[Takket]

8. this is how rethugs "lead"

Just like what a fantastic job they are doing "leading" congress now that they have both houses!

[Jefferson23]

10. Yes and will make for great campaign banners in 2016. n/t

[Takket]

7. "they don't believe the law would allow discrimination against gays and lesbians"

That's the entire point of the law LOL That's like saying "The Obama Administration doesn't believe Obamacare will have anything to do with healthcare".

[salin]

9. The comments on the star article .... could have been written by DU

sampling: I can't wait to see how this "clarification" only adds fuel to the fire. Remember, these are the same people who were surprised by the backlash.
...
"However, he said he's looking to "remove the misconception" that the religious freedom law would allow denial of services to anyone." - what B.S. - how come the example that he and others cited in the original debate was the baker being able to deny service to the gay couple? Now he says it won't deny service to anyone?! WTF?!
...
I'd suggest they "clarify" the bill the way you'd clarify butter -- by putting it in a frying pan and turning up the heat until it browns, scorches, and smokes.
...
So they are trying to take the hood off the bill, metaphorically speaking

Nobody is buying what they are selling.

[phil89]

11. He wouldn't have had that disturbing

Photo op with those smiling sickos when he signed the bill if this were not about discrimination. They all knew what they were doing.

[salin]

12. not a big Rahm Emmanuel fan.... but via TPM... he's trolling Hoosier corporations

according to Crain's Chicago http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/rahm-emanuel-mike-pence-religious-freedom


Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) is looking to capitalize on the outrage over Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signing a controversial religious freedom law and raid some jobs for his city and state.

Emanuel sent letters to a dozen Indiana based companies criticizing the law and urging them to move their headquarters to Illinois and Chicago in particular, according to Crain's Chicago Business. (more at link)

[nichomachus]

13. Why do I have a feeling they're just going to dig themselves in deeper?

They're in a hole. They need to stop digging. Just repeal the law and apologize. There's no way on earth you can "fix" it.

[Sheepshank]

14. The Indiana Legislature keeps telling us that the law is not what we think it is....

not once have I really read anywhere what was/is the purpose of the law, and what it was intended to actually do...other than discriminate?

[salin]

15. Updated link (from noonish press conference with House Speaker and Sen. President Pro Tem)

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/30/legislative-leaders-working-clarify-religious-freedom-law/70662830/

A lot of bob and weaving - a few excerpts:

House Speaker Brian Bosma and Senate President Pro Tem David Long made their comments at a Statehouse news conference to address a national firestorm over the law that has prompted some convention organizers and businesses to stall events or planned expansions in the state over concerns about discrimination.

"To the extent that we need to clarify through legislative action that this law does not and will not be allowed to discriminate against anyone, we will do just that," Long said.

Bosma added, "To the extent that might be the effect of the bill, we are prepared to encourage our legislative colleagues to take immediate action."

but then later: But even as they announced plans to clarify the law, Bosma and Long defended it in its current form.

Interesting tidbit: The line seems to be that the problem was that Pence did a poor job wording his response and thus raised a "Spectre" of intent for discrimination. Went so far to state that this (Pence's poor job/wording) was why they had called this press conference.

No mea culpa - promises that this won't be a law that is a license to discriminate - and points blame at Pence (not for the law but for poor spokesmanship on behalf of the law).

[salin]

16. Indianapolis Mayor and City-County Council to rebuke RFRA

Ballard, Council to address RFRA today

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and the City-County Council will both issue responses to the divisive Regious Freedom Restoration Act today.

Ballard, who previously complained that the measure sends the “wrong signal,” has called a 2:30 p.m. press conference to discuss the city’s reponse to the new law, which business groups have said will have grave economic consequences for Indy as well as the state at large.

(snip)

Later tonight, the City-County Council will introduce Proposition 120, a special resolution denouncing the law and urging the General Assembly to add protections for sexual orientation to state civil rights law. Failing that, the resolution says, the state should exempt local human rights ordinances from the statute.

(snip)

Indianapolis’ anti-discrimination law includes sexual orientation as a protected class, but the council members worry that the new state law will overrule those protections.

more at link http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/30/ballard-council-address-rfra-today/70674176/