Indiana joining the bigotry parade

[SGOS]

He was 20 years old, a Stella Maris graduate and a member of the Old Christians rugby team. He was studying to become a veterinarian. He survived the plane crash uninjured but was killed in an avalanche on the mountain two weeks later.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=27338442

Ahh, one of my google links did lead to a plane crash and an avalanche, but I just glanced at it.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Ahh, one of my google links did lead to a plane crash and an avalanche, but I just glanced at it.

Good news! You survived the plane crash. Bad news! You'll be dead in two weeks anyway. Better news! If global warming continues they might find your body some day. Otzi II, the Andes Option.

[stromboli]

Good news! You survived the plane crash. Bad news! You'll be dead in two weeks anyway. Better news! If global warming continues they might find your body some day. Otzi II, the Andes Option.

As a former survivalist, I have recipes.

[Johan]

I'm lost.  I'm not seeing a connection.  Googling Nicolich didn't offer any help.

Yeah, it was a very obscure reference. As they said, he was one of the survivors of that Andes crash in '72. Several died in the crash, more died in the days following. But because they crashed far off course, search parties were looking in the wrong places for them.

They were high in the mountains where nothing grows and nothing lives. They had no warm clothing and virtually no food. There was no way they'd be able to survive all winter without being rescued nor could they as a group, survive any kind of attempt to find their way to civilization. So when they heard the news via a small transistor radio that search being called off, they all knew they'd just been handed a death sentence.

And as they all sat contemplating their fate, Gustav stood up and announced 'this is great news'.  They asked why and he said because now that they were no longer searching, they'd be able to walk out of the mountains and find help themselves. Which is exactly what they did. They choose the strongest, made a blanket from the planes insulation and sent them walking to find help.

When they heard the news that meant certain death for all of them, he was the one guy who stood up and said this is terrific because now we'll be able to get something done. Its a true you see adversity, I see opportunity type story and I've always thought it was inspiring.

And I think it applies well in this case. We need states to pass idiotic laws like this. Because only then will we get to a place where the federal government will be forced to make discrimination of homosexuals illegal everywhere. Plus I'm a fan of obscure references. Sue me.

[Mermaid]

I'm lost.  I'm not seeing a connection.  Googling Nicolich didn't offer any help.

For the record, I had to ask what the connection was, too, and I'm his wife--I should know how his brain thinks better than anyone.

[SGOS]

And I think it applies well in this case. We need states to pass idiotic laws like this. Because only then will we get to a place where the federal government will be forced to make discrimination of homosexuals illegal everywhere.

Thanks for the explanation.  It was more than helpful.  I agree that these kinds of laws are catalyst for federal action.  If these kinds of hate laws were not so damaging to a free society, they would be comical, although in a dark sort of way.  I'm not entirely confident that the federal government is all that just, however.  Any court decision is going to be close, I think.  And any laws the Feds might pass to prevent further discrimination will not be slam dunks.  There is a lot of stupidity, religious as well as naturally impaired at all levels of government.  The very fact that this stuff will end up being debated and drawn out does not inspire a great deal of confidence.

[stromboli]

And I think it applies well in this case. We need states to pass idiotic laws like this. Because only then will we get to a place where the federal government will be forced to make discrimination of homosexuals illegal everywhere. Plus I'm a fan of obscure references. Sue me.

Wow, me too. Must be atheist/intellectual trait. Or not.

[SGOS]

For the record, I had to ask what the connection was, too, and I'm his wife--I should know how his brain thinks better than anyone.

How many people here already knew that?  That seems like an important piece of personal information, although I don't know why.  I guess I just like knowing this stuff.

[Mermaid]

Knew what? That we are married? Or about the cannibal guy? :)

[SGOS]

Knew what? That we are married? Or about the cannibal guy? :)

About the marriage.

[SGOS]

http://news.yahoo.com/look-widely-criticized-indiana-law-114514606.html

Video: Press Conference with Governor Pence defending the Indiana Law.  He is adamant that the law does not allow business to discriminate against anyone, including specifically gays and Lesbians.  Nor was that ever the intention of the law.  He is also adamant that he does not support any sort of discrimination against anyone.  Now he also states that he wants to work with legislators to change the law to "fix" the "imperceptions" about the law.  In other words, there is nothing wrong with the law.  It's just misperceived.  Therefore he wants to change the law.  Does this sound like bullshit to anyone?

OK, I have not read the law, but I've certainly read a lot about it, and the idea of legalizing discrimination as a protection of religious freedom seems to be the whole point of the law.  Nor have I heard the religious right object to that perception.

I'll give the Gov points for remaining cool, even while making contradictory statements that, in my opinion, totally discredit himself.  I couldn't do that with a straight face.  He's good.  Behind the straight face, he certainly must be surprised at the backlash.  But I have to wonder how stupid a politician would have to be to be surprised in this situation.