Follow the bouncing hypocrisy.
Last week, Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) said pointedly in no uncertain terms that he would sign the state bill that would allow for religious discrimination to make it law. He reiterated that stance on Monday, saying that his position hadn't changed. "I have said if this bill reaches my desk in similar form as to what has been passed in 20 other states then I will sign it, but I am pleased that the Legislature is continuing to look at ways to assure balance and fairness in the legislation," Hutchinson said on Monday. Okay, that's pretty clear. On Tuesday, the very next day, the mega-giant Walmart, the #1 corporation in the Fortune 500, whose headquarters are in Arkansas, reiterated their opposition to the bill, and were far more blunt that they've been. “Today’s passage of HB1228 threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion present throughout the state of Arkansas and does not reflect the values we proudly uphold,” said Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart. “For these reasons, we are asking Governor Hutchinson to veto this legislation.” Okay, that's pretty clear, too. Unfortunately, as we know, Walmart is up against a brick wall, since Gov. Hutchinson was standing on him firm principals of "religious freedom" and bluntly said -- quite specifically -- that he "will sign" the bill, and in fact is pleased with it. Which brings us to today, folks. Wednesday. The very next day. What do you think happened? What? Take a guess. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who two days before said he was "pleased" by the bill and adamant he would sign it, and one day after Walmart, the biggest business in the state of Arkansas, asked that the bill be vetoed, said -- “I ask that changes be made in the legislation, and I’ve asked that the leaders in the General Assembly recall the bill so that it can be amended.” I don't think too much has to be added to finish painting this picture. I'll just push out a big bucket filled with words like full-blown open hypocrisy, pandering, disingenuous, sanctimonious, hollow, shameful, pathetic, divisive, indecent, reprehensible, full-blown open hypocrisy, contemptible, discriminatory, harmful, bigoted, full-blown open hypocrisy...and you just reach in and grab the ones you want. And in the end, Asa Hutchinson didn't change in position one day after he said he would sign the bill because he thought the bill was wrong, discriminatory, hurtful, and should be fixed, but just because a big corporation told him to. And they risked taking a big financial hit. Swell way to run a state. But who'd have thought you'd be cheering Walmart??!
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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