Donald Trump Shifts Position On North Carolina Bathroom Bill

[Marlee]

The problem with this is that when the majority rules absolutely, the minority absolutely suffers. There are some points where we have needed federal law to step in over state law no matter what the population of the state thought. Without that, the civil rights of many would never have happened. What's different in this case?

well I respectfully disagree. Civil rights happened because people made it happen. The government is there to give us security and enforce rules that the people want. Unfortunately, that purpose has been lost over the last seven years, and too many who are in the minority are looking to have government come in and 'create" the rules regardless of who it harms. The solution is to encourage businesses to designate single-occupant gender-neutral restrooms. Not to expect the government to simply tell businesses that they have to do this...or that..regardless of consequences. The result would be some very negative backlash directed at transpeople..we've seen some of that already in places.

[Deborah]

well I respectfully disagree. Civil rights happened because people made it happen.

If by people you mean the United States Army armed with rifles and bayonets then that is true.  If by people you mean the citizens of the state then it's unequivocally false.

Furthermore, that action was ordered by a Republican President.  Once upon a time Republicans could do the right thing.

The following morning, troops from the 327th surrounded Little Rock Central High School while a small detachment went to pick up nine neatly dressed black teenagers. After a short drive, the Soldiers and their charges reached the school. Staring straight ahead, the youngsters formed a single file and, surrounded by some of America's best Soldiers carrying rifles with bayonets fixed, they marched through a jeering crowd into the school to begin the fall term after two previous failed attempts. As the nation and much of the world watched, Central High School became desegregated. The 14th amendment to the United States Constitution, which mandates that no American will be deprived of the equal protection of the laws, had been upheld.

http://www.army.mil/arkansas/




Sapere Aude

[Eevee]

well I respectfully disagree. Civil rights happened because people made it happen.

As stated above, that's not how it happened. The federal government had to step in and make it happen. Otherwise many states never would have progressed with civil rights at all. It was amended into the constitution first on several occasions, for both racial and sexual differences. States had to comply whether their population and local governments agreed or not.

It's the same kind of condition that we're facing now. We need to treat it the same way as before.

[Marlee]

I think we're touching on the same point from different angles here.
The government is not a physical thing..representatives of the people make it up. Sure..in some cases, the National Guard was needed to enforce the rules on school integration. But only in a few places. The "rule" arose from the majority of people who let their wishes be known to their representatives. Will the National Guard be needed for a rule about restroom use? Perhaps. But it won't be the case everywhere. And the rule may never come up if it isn't worked on correctly. It is up to us to work towards making it so..not by "petitioning" the government...but by getting more of the people to desire the rule.

[Sspar]

I thought it was simple.. the majority rules....But the minority has rights...
that's what i was taught way back..
that the majority cant take away our rights...
I am so confused now...
Steph

[Tessa James]

well I respectfully disagree. Civil rights happened because people made it happen. The government is there to give us security and enforce rules that the people want. Unfortunately, that purpose has been lost over the last seven years, and too many who are in the minority are looking to have government come in and 'create" the rules regardless of who it harms. The solution is to encourage businesses to designate single-occupant gender-neutral restrooms. Not to expect the government to simply tell businesses that they have to do this...or that..regardless of consequences. The result would be some very negative backlash directed at transpeople..we've seen some of that already in places.

We, you and I are the government and I am literally an elected rep who occasionally calls on the state police to enforce the law.  Its is not just encouraging businesses, this battlefield is pointedly taking place in our schools and public accommodations.  We refer to legal precedent, statutes and the EEOC, dept of Justice, and Education etc and the school policies we craft at the local level.  Some rights are "inalienable" and the right to relieve oneself in safe public accommodations need not be some libertarian or conservative battlefield for political points.  Solutions are readily available for those ready to work together rather than staging a performance show for conservatives looking for red meat and a dog whistle like Sen. Ted Cuz this morning on cable news.

[roseyfox]

Not defending the guy.
But he, like I, believe in state's rights. We are the "United 'states"  not the United colonies of Washington after all.
A state, aside from inalienable rights, decides for itself what laws to enact. We as citizens, have the right to work to change or add a law in the state we reside in...or not to live in North Carolina.

But states do not have the right to make a law that can go against the constitution in are right to privacy. While not define in the constitution the supreme court has pass numerous amendments that protect personal privacy of what one can and does with there body. Not to mention the ability to refuse a unwarranted search and seizure from official without a warrant.