THE ARIZONA RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BILL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN VETOED

THE KUHNS REPORT

LAS VEGAS- Hello America, and how is the world treating you?

The Arizona legislature passed a bill (which many labeled-anti-gay) and Governor Jan Brewer vetoed the bill. WOW! All the bill did was allow restaurants to choose who they wished to serve in their establishment. I say there was nothing in the bill that was anti-gay. But because of political correctness and certain groups pressure Gov. Brewer vetoed the bill.

The  bills wording consisted of small clarifications of Arizona's "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" which has been on the books for about 15 years. In fact, it was  constructed on the model of the federal act that was passed with enormous bipartisan support in the 1990's. That law was signed into effect by President Bill Clinton.

People and news media said the bill was  a discrimination piece of work. Others said it was anti-gay but even the late Sen. Ted Kennedy supported the religious freedom statute. that this bill was based on.

Many critics felt that it was improper for someone to have moral objections to homosexuality and even gay marriage. Like the Arizona bill there have been many small business people in other states that wanted to decline service to gay customers. They believed that it was against their religious beliefs. Some examples: There was a baker in Oregon that refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, a photographer in New Mexico refused to take wedding pictures at a gay wedding, a florist refused to sell flowers to a gay wedding, etc. - -

How offensive this may have seemed to the gay community is their problem - -no one else. I say the answer to their objections is to go to another baker, florist, photographer - -whatever. The free market place would determine who got the business. Other businesses could advertise that they cater to all couples. There is more than enough business out there to cater ti everyone whether gay, straight or anything in between.

When it comes to conducting business I would think it would be proper to have an open society to make their ow decisions as to  who that business wanted to cater too and proper for a customer to go to a business that welcomed them.

It;s not unusual for one person freedoms to be trampled on by others. For example, there was a high school in Northern California that told students who were wearing T-shirts with the American flag imprinted on them to turn the shirts inside our or they would be sent home from school. The students were wearing the T-Shirts on Cinco De Mayo day, a celebrated day for Mexicans.  On that day/the Hispanic/Mexican students were coming to school with Mexican Flags and wearing T-Shirts displaying the Mexican flag so as to proclaim their support of Mexico and their Mexican heritage. But, the students wearing the T-Shirts with the American flag proclaiming their American heritage were told to turn their T-Shirts inside out or be evicted from the campus. Can you image?
One group was allowed to carry a countries flag and wear T-Shirts with that countries flag emboldened on it while the other group was told  they could not do the same.

If  I were running the school I would have allowed both groups to wear the T-Shirts. Both groups  could be proud of their heritage and go through the day going to and from class. Hell, the kids go  to classes every other day of the year together so why should  school administrators choose sides and penalize one of the groups? Thus, the school leaders were the problem- - not the students. But, my point being - -there's room for every viewpoint. But in the case of the Arizona bill it appears there were and is high-moralistic individuals and groups that support gay-marriage and are clearly opposed to anyone that does not agree with their views--these types have tunnel vision. They think their view is the only one that counts. So, Gov. Brewer folded under the pressure and gave in. Result- her veto of the bill.

Remember the day in the not too distant past when many small businesses across this land had a sign in their establishments stating: :WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE. That is the way it should be today. Folks, it is their business and their right to refuse service.

My thought: The  bitching against this bill was just a bunch of groups and news media seeking headlines. The bill was straightforward and had no bigotry or discrimination nor any anti-gay language. It should not have been vetoed by Gov. Brewer. - And,  that's my opinion. Make  your own decisions. You decide.

Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
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Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com