2017 All Star Game Moved From Charlotte

[Diop]

Just make all toilets unisex and enter at your own risk.

You have plenty of guns over there to protect yourselves. Worried about your kids? Give them an AR15 to go the toilet with. Problem solved.

Sorry not trying to troll, the whole situation over there amazes me. What gets attention and action, what doesn't.

[amcoolio]

My open letter to Pat Mccrory (sent this to Raleigh as well):

I am so disappointed in you, Governor. I had the opportunity to serve your dinner while you were campaigning in 2008 in Blowing Rock, NC and voted for you. Now, 8 years later, you allow the NBA All-Star game to be removed from Charlotte because of a negative, poison-pill bill that I know in your heart of hearts you don't really believe in, but must fight for in order to secure donor dollars and appease interest groups.

You hit me in the gut today. I am a loyal North Carolinian who graduated high school from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and attended NC State University and Appalachian State University. I have two small businesses and a third in progress that have created over 50 jobs in NC. And I am still under 30 years old! Yet most of me really wants to get up and leave this state....the only things keeping me here are the Hornets and Panthers, two of my greatest passions in life.

Regardless of your spin on this bill, it is undoubtedly negative and unfairly targets people that love this state and want to contribute to its education and economy. It offers no protections to women. One of my employees is a wonderful, mid 20's woman who works hard and is always friendly to others. She is a lesbian with female parts (the fact I even have to mention her "parts" is downright degrading to her, but necessary now). The other day she was followed into the bathroom by an older white gentleman, who immediately accused her of being a man based on the way she dresses.

You are doing the exact opposite of the "liberties" that you intended to protect. Remarkably, she didn't get upset over the confrontation but explained that she did, in fact have female parts. I was incredibly angry, seething with rage when she told this to me. But what really can I do? The proponents of House Bill 2 and the media groups that support it have scared the population. You are making this great state and nation scared of other people different than them, and worse, you are alienating many loving, hard working people in this state. The statement you gave today about the NBA moving the 2017 all-star game is not a sufficient reason for discriminating against people I know and love; you blamed it on left wing media and the Obama administration. Please, tell me exactly, why are you hurting the people of this state? Why must we continue to be dumped on, other than to appease your donors and special interest groups?

[Flip Murray]

Good, effective words.

I don't think I could write a well thought out letter without threatening to grind him into cheeto powder at this point. I'm going to need a few days to calm down.

[Mystical Apples]

Unfortunately I'm reminded of this article all too often.

"The great gerrymander of 2012 came 200 years after the first use of this curious word, which comes from the salamander-shaped districts signed into law by Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts. "

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/opinion/sunday/the-great-gerrymander-of-2012.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[Eoghan]

So you guys are okay with a private business, a special interest, extorting a democratically elected government into changing laws? Reverse the situation with Koch industries strong arming the government into repealing an environmental bill or something another, y'all okay with that too? What kind of government do you have that kowtows to monied interests? Not a very good one.


It's okay, the LGBT NBA fans will be safe now. Especially if they go to the exhibition games in Mexico City, which doesn't have a problem with homosexuals and trans people getting murdered or anything...

"In mid-2007, Emilio Alvarez Icaza Longoria (chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Mexico City) said he was deeply concerned that Mexico City had the worst record for homophobic hate crimes, with 137 such crimes reported between 1995 and 2005.[53] Journalist and author (Homophobia, Hate, Crime and Justice 1995–2005) Fernando del Collado affirmed that during the decade covered by his book, 387 hate crimes due to homophobia were committed in Mexico (98 percent of which remain unprosecuted).[53]

Del Collado expressed his concern about a lack of prosecution and reported that according to the Citizens Commission Against Hate Crime because of Homophobia (CCCOH), three homosexuals are murdered per month in Mexico.[53] Del Collado indicated that between 1995 and 2005, 126 homosexuals were murdered in Mexico City. Of those, 75 percent were reclaimed by their families. In 10 percent of the cases, families identified the victim but did not reclaim their bodies (which were buried in common graves) and the remaining 5 percent were never identified.[53]"

Oh wait, that's right. Nobody actually gives a chit about LGBT rights or safety. It's just a convenient tactic in election year political football to turn a swing state blue. Y'all getting played, like a dollar store fiddle.

[Braggins]

So you guys are okay with a private business, a special interest, extorting a democratically elected government into changing laws? Reverse the situation with Koch industries strong arming the government into repealing an environmental bill or something another, y'all okay with that too? What kind of government do you have that kowtows to monied interests? Not a very good one.

This is an important point. I think the reason a lot of people are ok with it is because they implicitly understand that their government doesn't represent them and that their voice doesn't matter. They know that its all about money. They know that they are personally pretty much powerless to have any effect on the corrupt system, so they are ok when a big money interest solicits change when they agree with the change because that is the only way things get done in this country. I think that people are so used to the insanity of how the system works that this kind of stuff feels normal now.

[Eoghan]

So you guys are okay with a private business, a special interest, extorting a democratically elected government into changing laws? Reverse the situation with Koch industries strong arming the government into repealing an environmental bill or something another, y'all okay with that too? What kind of government do you have that kowtows to monied interests? Not a very good one.

This is an important point. I think the reason a lot of people are ok with it is because they implicitly understand that their government doesn't represent them and that their voice doesn't matter. They know that its all about money. They know that they are personally pretty much powerless to have any effect on the corrupt system, so they are ok when a big money interest solicits change when they agree with the change because that is the only way things get done in this country.

That's understandable, especially with how plutocratic American politics have become, but it's impossible to stay consistent and not conducive to a representative government at all. Most of the people that are cool with the NBA strong arming the NC government over this are probably really against Citizens United and it's the same effing thing!

I still boycott Chik-Fil-A ever since I found out that their owner pumps millions of dollars into a lobby with the goal of keeping marriage between men and women b/c wtf does a guy that makes chitty chicken sandwiches for a living have any business telling people whom they can't marry?

[yosemiteben]

BDave, you still rolling with the take that HB2 has nothing to do with moral judgements on LGBT folks?

[Braggins]

So you guys are okay with a private business, a special interest, extorting a democratically elected government into changing laws? Reverse the situation with Koch industries strong arming the government into repealing an environmental bill or something another, y'all okay with that too? What kind of government do you have that kowtows to monied interests? Not a very good one.

This is an important point. I think the reason a lot of people are ok with it is because they implicitly understand that their government doesn't represent them and that their voice doesn't matter. They know that its all about money. They know that they are personally pretty much powerless to have any effect on the corrupt system, so they are ok when a big money interest solicits change when they agree with the change because that is the only way things get done in this country.

That's understandable, especially with how plutocratic American politics have become, but it's impossible to stay consistent and not conducive to a representative government at all.

This is but one of many reasons I think America's political situation might be hopeless.

[Flip Murray]

So you guys are okay with a private business, a special interest, extorting a democratically elected government into changing laws? Reverse the situation with Koch industries strong arming the government into repealing an environmental bill or something another, y'all okay with that too? What kind of government do you have that kowtows to monied interests? Not a very good one.

People are okay with private businesses strong-arming the government when it fits their agenda. Nothing new here. The hypocrisy in politics rabbit hole is a deep one.

That's what made me uncomfortable about this the whole time just watching people cheer these businesses. And that's coming from someone very opposed to HB2

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

My open letter to Pat Mcrory (sent this to Raleigh as well):

I am so disappointed in you, Governor. I had the opportunity to serve your dinner while you were campaigning in 2008 in Blowing Rock, NC and voted for you. Now, 8 years later, you allow the NBA All-Star game to be removed from Charlotte because of a negative, poison-pill bill that I know in your heart of hearts you don't really believe in, but must fight for in order to secure donor dollars and appease interest groups.

You hit me in the gut today. I am a loyal North Carolinian who graduated high school from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and attended NC State University and Appalachian State University. I have two small businesses and a third in progress that have created over 50 jobs in NC. And I am still under 30 years old! Yet most of me really wants to get up and leave this state....the only things keeping me here are the Hornets and Panthers, two of my greatest passions in life.

Regardless of your spin on this bill, it is undoubtedly negative and unfairly targets people that love this state and want to contribute to its education and economy. It offers no protections to women. One of my employees is a wonderful, mid 20's woman who works hard and is always friendly to others. She is a lesbian with female parts (the fact I even have to mention her "parts" is downright degrading to her, but necessary now). The other day she was followed into the bathroom by an older white gentleman, who immediately accused her of being a man based on the way she dresses.

You are doing the exact opposite of the "liberties" that you intended to protect. Remarkably, she didn't get upset over the confrontation but explained that she did, in fact have female parts. I was incredibly angry, seething with rage when she told this to me. But what really can I do? The proponents of House Bill 2 and the media groups that support it have scared the population. You are making this great state and nation scared of other people different than them, and worse, you are alienating many loving, hard working people in this state. The statement you gave today about the NBA moving the 2017 all-star game is not a sufficient reason for discriminating against people I know and love; you blamed it on left wing media and the Obama administration. Please, tell me exactly, why are you hurting the people of this state? Why must we continue to be dumped on, other than to appease your donors and special interest groups?

This is one of the best things I've read in a long time. Thank you for sharing.

That said, McCrory wasn't caught up in HB2, he actually pushed it forward. At first I thought, as you stated, that he was dragged along for the ride. But apparently not.

http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/ned-barnett/article72280037.html if you want to read the depressing back story.

[amcoolio]

I get what you are saying but what I was implying was that McCrory (like Trump) cares for the LGBTQ community and probably facepalms himself at night and what he created but used this bill for political gain, which is what makes it disgusting. And he cant back out now because it's career suicide.

He saw this as an opportunity to get a lot of the redneck vote and get reelected. So basically we are losing the All Star game and the Hornets are getting a lot of negative publicity so some *sshole can get reelected in November

[fatlever]

@Coolio - that was a great letter you wrote. A+

@BrotherDave - you aren't wrong. I get what you are saying. Charlotte is stuck in the middle of two stubborn groups with their heads up their asses, only concerned with votes or money.

I'm pissed at McCrory for HB2 and for not being able to admit it was a bad move. I'm pissed at the NBA for following the money and trying to dictate politics. I wish the NBA would have stood behind Charlotte and applauded the city and used the ASG as a platform to raise awareness. The NBA has set a precedent that they will now need to answer to going forward - games in China and Mexico and any other countries with a long history of rights violations towards any group, future games in states that are actively trying to sue the govt for these same politics that caused issues in NC. Where does it end for the NBA? I'm pissed at companies like Google whose dealings with the state have been hypocritical, lobbying the NBA to move the game out of the state, while continuing huge new business in the state. You can't have it both ways.

This situation is just a sad example of the larger problems with current politics in this country. Every decision being made by either money or re-election and a broken two party system where at best you still have 45-50% of the government and people opposing every decision because of fear of going against the party. I'm a registered independent and I'll stay that way until I die.

[316Hornets]

This is really bad move by NBA and Adam Silver. They just lost a lot of business from people who don't think the NBA and politics should mesh. If the NBA wants to promote equality and other stuff, that's great. However, challenging states on issues such as this is over the line and this entertainment business just got a lot less entertaining.

[Mubucks]

I feel bad for you guys. Sorry this happened to a city in which I know the majority doesn't feel this way.

I graduate from Milwaukee soon and have been looking at Charlotte for a new start in my life. Hope things can get fixed soon.

[Bassman]

some of these people (like McCroy) just need to do research and try to learn about something before they make a law about it.

here is an article (about HB2) with a doctor explaining gender identity in a sound bit.
http://wunc.org/post/science-and-gender-identity#stream/0

OK, just a statement here folks: do any of you have kids or grandkids? I do, and I resent the idea of children having someone in their school bathroom or shower area that is not the same physical gender. Adults dealing with this is one level, but it is overreach by our federal government to go into our schools. For that I believe the NC law is helpful. I also resent the NBA for their overkill on punishment using this vehicle. Losing an all-star game is a small price to pay to protect children from difficult scenarios they are not ready for.

Just my opinion.

[MPM]

The original bathroom bit was absolutely unnecessary to begin with. It was never a problem before, so why codify it one way or another? It made it very easy for the whole issue to become a business-as-usual hot potato of political brinksmanship and opportunism orbiting around which private parts are allowed in which rooms, while it's really much more of an anti-regulatory initiative. It seems that many continue to ignore the worst parts of HB2 - the stripping away of state court avenues for those discriminated against on the basis of sex, gender, race, religion.

This part has sadly become a footnote:

"The act prohibits municipalities in North Carolina from enacting anti-discrimination policies, setting a local minimum wage, regulating child labor, or making certain regulations for city workers. The legislation also removes the statutory and common-law private right of action to enforce state anti-discrimination statutes in state courts."

Finally, while I seem to stand somewhat alone here in my belief that the NBA has every right to decide where it wants to do business and I applaud any business that takes a stand against what they believe is wrong (so long as it doesn't infringe on basic civil rights), I also completely agree that it opens a pandora's box of hypocrisy - HB2, and Charlotte specifically, seem like awfully odd targets on which to stake out your moral high ground when you're openly flaunting your courtship of human rights abusers like China.

[Walt Cronkite]

some of these people (like McCroy) just need to do research and try to learn about something before they make a law about it.

here is an article (about HB2) with a doctor explaining gender identity in a sound bit.
http://wunc.org/post/science-and-gender-identity#stream/0

OK, just a statement here folks: do any of you have kids or grandkids? I do, and I resent the idea of children having someone in their school bathroom or shower area that is not the same physical gender. Adults dealing with this is one level, but it is overreach by our federal government to go into our schools. For that I believe the NC law is helpful. I also resent the NBA for their overkill on punishment using this vehicle. Losing an all-star game is a small price to pay to protect children from difficult scenarios they are not ready for.

Just my opinion.

Other cities and school districts that have implemented similar civil rights protections as Charlotte did haven't been running across incidents of increased child danger.

[Bassman]

some of these people (like McCroy) just need to do research and try to learn about something before they make a law about it.

here is an article (about HB2) with a doctor explaining gender identity in a sound bit.
http://wunc.org/post/science-and-gender-identity#stream/0

OK, just a statement here folks: do any of you have kids or grandkids? I do, and I resent the idea of children having someone in their school bathroom or shower area that is not the same physical gender. Adults dealing with this is one level, but it is overreach by our federal government to go into our schools. For that I believe the NC law is helpful. I also resent the NBA for their overkill on punishment using this vehicle. Losing an all-star game is a small price to pay to protect children from difficult scenarios they are not ready for.

Just my opinion.

Other cities and school districts that have implemented similar civil rights protections as Charlotte did haven't been running across incidents of increased child danger.

Please show links to data or information specific to schools. In a country where we rightfully prosecute persons who display their penis to women or girls without invitation, or who do so to children under 18 without any justification, we legalize it via a policy in our schools??

[yosemiteben]

Please show links to data or information specific to schools.

Show data evidencing that nothing happened?