Gov Schwarzenegger Refuses to Help Kids
September 9, 2006: In a move that could only serve to pander to his most conservative supporters, Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger, who, we must remember, as a Hollywood star must have frequently worked and socialized with a ton of LGBT people, has vetoed legislation that would have barred discrimination against LGBT kids in public schools.
This is from The Mercury News:
The measure, SB 1437 by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Los Angeles, would have prohibited the instruction, use of textbooks or school-sponsored activities that adversely reflect on people based on their sexual orientation — adding to an existing law that bars discrimination in schools based on race, sex, color, creed, handicap, national origin or ancestry.
Schwarzenegger said the measure wouldn’t have enhanced protections offered under current law against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
“I think that it is covered by the Education Code. It says it all, that we fight prejudice,'’ Schwarzenegger told reporters Wednesday, adding that he’s “totally committed 100 percent to fight prejudice in our schools.'’
Schwarzenegger’s veto was not totally unexpected for a Republican governor running for re-election and trying to strengthen his conservative voting base.
But the bill’s author called the veto “inexplicable'’ and said she “deeply amended'’ the measure in response to Schwarzenegger’s initial opposition. In its original form, the measure would have required schools to teach students about the contributions of prominent gays, which drew fire from conservative organizations.
“Since we amended the bill simply to bar discrimination in official teaching materials, I an extremely disappointed that the governor chose to respond to a small, shrill group of right-wing extremists rather than a fair-minded majority of Californians who support this reasonable measure,'’ Kuehl, who was traveling out of the country Wednesday, said in a statement.
“This piece of legislation would have only modestly expanded existing statutes to bring us one step closer to the goal of safe schools for all children,'’ Kuehl said, adding that gay, bisexual and transgender students need “equal protection'’ because they face hostilities on campuses.
Of course, the haters applauded the Governor’s actions:
The president of the Pacific Justice Institute, a non-profit group that defends civil liberties and opposes bills that “push pro-homosexual curricula,‘’ said Schwarzenegger made the right decision.
“Without question,'’ said Brad Dacus, “the governor did the right thing at the right time.'’
I don’t mean to be naive, but I really don’t understand how someone like Schwarzenegger, who MUST know what he’s doing is wrong, lives with himself. Or how someone like his wife, Maria Shriver, can live with him. They’re just awful, awful people who would sell out the happiness and safety of vulnerable children - children! - to get and hold onto their power. It’s sickening.