Reply #105: I posted yesterday about my concerns re: boycotts and the poor

[hlthe2b]

and struggling of Arizona. I see both sides, but would like to politely play devil's advocate for a moment. Reversing the majorities in the legislature will be required--not just replacement of Governor. The fastest route to that is if the populace becomes angry over the reverberations from this law. An intense boycott would be very likely to accomplish that. Otherwise, it may take several cycles of elections before the mindset is out of power.

Then there is the bigger picture. I don't see AZ in a vaccuum. There are emboldened racist RETHUGS just drooling to pass similar laws in many states throughout the US. To stop this trend, requires quick and decisive consequences--whether through a Federal court injunction, a series of filed lawsuits, or immediate boycott impact from cancelled events, conventions, and tourism reservations. Someone mentioned the likely impact on local municipal and state liability insurance premiums. The faster these legal issues begin to be explored and consequnces in terms of proposed lawsuits announced, the more the public will realize how intense will be the financial ramifications. All of this in total, are going to build the unavoidable pressure for change and change on an immediate level.

I don't want to hurt the very people of Arizona that this law is most meant to impact the most--nor to cause the collateral damage that Saracat and others discuss. But, I am beginning to think that the best way to limit that pain--which is coming regardless, I am convinced--would be through quick and decisive multifaceted actions and their combined consequences. Dragging this out to allow for a long term political climate change and political solution strikes me as one with far more consequences--not only for Arizona, but for much of the rest of the US. I'm not sure that is a risk we can afford to take.

I am mulling these issues over and have not come to a final conclusion. I normally attend one or more conferences each year and Phoenix is often chosen as the locale. I will have some input for one meeting location and I know that this will come up. I should think most convention organizers would be leary of Arizona, whether they feel strongly about the issue or not--simply because they may get less participation from those who DO care.

Saracat and others, I do share your concerns and doubt that most would want to cause further pain to the 50% or more of the population that surely does not support this. It does have to be reversed and quickly.. I fear that with or without the boycott, AZ is going to face tremendous financial reverberation from this folly. Thus the real issue may be how best to overturn this law and quickly move past this and reverse the damage that it brings. In that light, a boycott may be appropriate.