Why You Don't Come 'Round Here No More?

Over the course of two blog posts (here and here), I have recounted North Carolina's descent into fear and ignorance with the passage of House Bill 2 which effectively put the kibosh on anti-discrimination efforts on behalf of the LGBT community.  

Since HB2 snuck through North Carolina's Republican controlled legislature and was signed into law by the feckless Republican governor, my home state has been at the center of a lot of negative press with several celebrities refusing to appear in the state. 

The biggest blow still has to be Bruce Springsteen's cancellation of his April 10th concert in Greensboro NC but other celebrities have followed suit including Ringo Starr, Bryan Adams and Pearl Jam. And Cirque du Soleil has pulled shows off the schedule for Greensboro, Charlotte and Raleigh.  

Cyndi Lauper is still going to keep her concert date but has declared that all profits from the show will go to support the LGBT community and efforts to overturn HB2.  Joel McHale did the same thing with the proceeds from his recent appearance in North Carolina.  

Meanwhile, Gov. Pat McCrory is trying to stand by HB2 while at the same time soft pedal some of its more draconian effects.  He had the following to say: “I have come to the conclusion that there is a great deal of misinformation, misinterpretation, confusion, a lot of passion and frankly, selective outrage and hypocrisy, especially against the great state of North Carolina,”  

However, in response to public feedback, he announced he had signed an executive order intended to “affirm and improve the state’s commitment to privacy and equality.” 

McCrory’s executive order expanded the state's equal-opportunity employment policy to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

But McCrory's executive order is no better than a panacea designed to make him look better without actually having to do anything about HB2 itself.  

The thing is HB2 is on the wrong side of history and it damn sure feels like its on the wrong side of the law. When a government makes any law that is specifically designed to limit the rights of a specific group of citizens, those that pass that law should be held to account. 

Which brings us to this blog's favorite pile of humanoid shaped pig feces, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz. When asked to comment on the brouhaha over HB2 here in North Carolina, Cruz responded that North Carolina "has the power to pass" its own laws.

Well, DUH! Hey, Cruz, you moron, no one is arguing that North Carolina can't pass its own laws. What kind of dumbass remark is that? I mean, jeez!  North Carolina sure as hell can pass its own laws but you know what? The people have the right, the power even, to stand up to bad laws and cry out against injustice.   Or is the voice of the people messing up your precious conservative narrative?  

HB2 is a bad law on so many levels and it needs to go before no one comes 'round here no more. 

Maybe if North Carolina's government can come to its senses and repeal HB2, then Ted Cruz can boycott the state in protest. So, guys, another reason to make this right.  

Everyone, be good to one another. 

Dave-El
I'm So Glad My Suffering Amuses You