The Senate today voted 22-9 (with the Senate’s unlikely statesman, Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, arguing against passage) for Rep. Brandt Smith’s HB 1041, a religious discrimination law.

Here’s how it’s styled — American law for American courts, as if any problem exists. The preamble::

Advertisement

The General Assembly intends that it shall be the public policy of this state to protect its citizens from the application of foreign laws when the application of a foreign law will result in the violation of one (1) or more of the following fundamental rights, liberties, and privileges guaranteed by the Arkansas Constitution or the United States Constitution:

No Sharia law, in other words. Believe it or not, U.S. courts theoretically are already guided, first, by Arkansas and U.S. Constitutions.

But the law is more evil than that. Enumerated “rights” to be protected include:

Advertisement

The right to marry, as “marriage” is defined by the Arkansas Constitution, to the extent that the definition of marriage does not conflict with federal law or a holding by the United States Supreme Court.

You may remember the Arkansas Constitution contains an amendment that banned same-sex marriage. You may know that the Arkansas Supreme Court ducked a definitive ruling on its constitutionality, bailed out by the U.S. Supreme Court in a holding that such bans were unconstitutional. Hope springs eternal among the American Taliban of a court takeover that will upend the marriage equality ruling and who knows what else.

There’s more religious claptrap in the bill, meant I guess to create special rights for people of Smith’s religious persuasion.

Advertisement

It’s ugly stuff. Which means it’ll likely pass through the House, where it must go with an amendment, like corn through a goose. This is Arkansas.

Benji Hardy wrote at length earlier about the many objections to this bill.

Advertisement

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article Another setback for highway construction legislation Next article Another shooting on Col. Glenn