Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Michigan, Where Christians Are Free To Bully

In what can only be described as a state government declaring open season on the bullying of LGBT youth, and, in fact, bullying of any LGBT person, the Michigan Senate passed an anti-bullying bill that basically condones and allows bullying of LGBT people if the case can be made that the bullying and harassment is based on a moral belief or religious viewpoint.

Yep. In Michigan you can torture an LGBT person and get away with it if you just say you're a Christian.

The bill is, sadly, oddly, and ironically, called "Matt's Safe School Law," and is named for Matt Eppling, a 14-year-old boy who committed suicide back in 2020 as a result of bullying. It's sad, odd, and ironic, because, had this been on the books in 2002, it wouldn't even have protected the young boy for which it was named.

And, naturally, all Michigan Republicans voted for the bill, and all Michigan Democrats voted against it, further proving--as if we needed it--how little the GOP cares for LGBT rights or protecting LGBT youth.

 Kevin Eppling, Matt's father, wrote in a letter to the Senate: "I am ashamed that this could be Michigan's bill on anti-bullying when in fact it is a 'bullying is OK in Michigan law.'"

Rick "Asshat" Jones
Senator Rick "Asshat" Jones, a Republican, of course, who sponsored the bill, says it's intent is to get each district to write an anti-bullying policy within six months. But, when asked if he thinks the religious provision could, for example, be used to exempt a student who tells a gay classmate he is going to go to hell, Jones said, "I don't believe for one minute that is the intent of this legislation....Certainly a child should not be allowed to go up to another child and say he's going to hell."

Um, but not according to your legislation you moronic asshat. Jones is simply doing what the GOP does. Pass the buck along to someone else so they don't have to take a stand. For children. For bullied children.
There oughta be a law.

And there might be: Ari Adler, spokesman for House Speaker Jase Bolger, another republican, though he serves in the Michigan House,  said he doesn't know if there will be support for the bill in the Republican-controlled House. And Governor Rick Snyder's spokeswoman, Sara Wurfel, said the governor supports anti-bullying legislation "to provide a safe environment for all students."

Hopefully he means all children.

4 comments:

  1. .....................I'm speechless over the lack of love for another humans. But hey, why should I be surprised, kids can't vote, and the GOP doesnt want our degenerate votes anyway, they might be tainted with ass germs or something.

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  2. The fools clearly didn't realize that, in their quest to make it OK for Christian kids to bully LGBT kids, this bill also makes it A-OK to bully Christian kids for being Christian, if one claims a religious and/or moral motivation to do so.

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  3. I love Lightning Baltimore's comment -- not that I would condone the idea -- but it is certainly an interesting thought. It's also interesting how many of these politicians have the middle name "Asshat." (Once you've written it, it sticks in my head, and I like that!)

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  4. I feel bad for jesus too, people doing things in his name that he abhorred...

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