Seth Meyers devotes his ‘A Couple Things’ segment to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s hilariously evasive interview with George Stephanopoulos,regarding his state’s shiny new “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”
In truth, Meyers has more than just a couple things to say in this highly entertaining and informative look at the trouncing George Stephanopoulos gave to Gov Pence, due to Pence’s own reticence born from being wrong!
If you saw this interview today, you witnessed Stephanopoulos attempt to pin Indiana Governor Mike Pence down to several ‘yes or no’ answers, in vain. Pence desperately wants everyone to believe the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is merely a (vague) ‘defense of religious freedom.’ He also would be happy, it appears – if people like Sephanopoulos would stop questioning him about it.
Let’s assume Indiana requires a “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.” Does this mean that religious people are no longer free? Are they being persecuted or discriminated against in some way? We’ll never know by asking Gov. Pence.
Not a few people have leaped to the a-hem, outrageous conclusion that Indiana wants to provide legal means for businesses to discriminate against gay and lesbian customers. The letter of the law, and Gov Pence himself do nothing to disavow us of that notion. In fact, the law offers protection from prosecution for businesses which refuse service to gay or lesbian customers, which sounds like ‘discrimination’ to our godless liberal ears. The ‘defense of religious freedom’ appears to be the freedom to behave exactly as Christ himself would not have acted, to disobey civil rights laws, and to suffer no legal consequences.
When questioned, the only answer you’ll hear from Pence is “George.” Only once does Pence answer in the proscribed format. The other 19 states which have seemingly similar laws on the books, provide civil rights protection for gays and lesbians. Asked whether his state would add such protection, Pence definitely answers ‘no’ he will not! Way to stand by your religious morals Indiana. While lesser (but equally bigoted) states such as Arizona backed away from their attempts to discriminate when businesses threatened to shut them down, you are sticking to your guns!
Who needs Ange’s List, Eli Lilly, the NCAA, Apple, Yelp (which gave them a scathing review) or all of the other states which are refusing to trade with you? You have the right to discriminate – and so do they!