This blog is not in the habit of endorsing petitions, but in this case we are making an exception and urging you to sign this one. We encourage everyone to sign it, regardless of ideology.
In case you missed it, here’s the back story. On Friday, aging rocker Bruce Springsteen announced he was canceling his upcoming show in Greensboro, N.C. His reason, he explained, was to join fellow liberals in their protest of a state law that segregates bathrooms based on biological plumbing at birth. In other words, according to HB2, men — regardless of what “gender” they claim to identify with — are not permitted to enter the ladies room when nature calls, and vice versa.
In a statement, Springsteen said, “To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress.” To me, the statement came as a revelation, partly because I didn’t think Bruce Springsteen had a mind.
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
Anyhoo, in response to Springsteen’s decision, a North Carolina real estate broker and investor named Dennis Burgard created a petition at Change.org offering his support.
Here is the text of the petition:
Bruce Springsteen has a right to his deeply held beliefs. He has a right to control his business and refuse to do business with those he disagrees with. He exercised that right when he refused to serve ticket holders in Greensboro NC, for a concert he agreed to perform on April 10th., 2016. He cancelled the concert just days before he was to perform, and did so specifically because he disagreed with the beliefs of the people of North Carolina. He has that right, and so should every business person. He did so, even though he knew it would cause financial harm to those who had non-refundable hotel reservations and non-refundable airline tickets. He did so, even though he knew he was causing financial harm to people who had no control over a decision he disagreed with. Rock on Bruce! You exercised your rights as a busines s person and we support your right!
Sign this petition, and support the right of Bruce Springsteen and ALL American’s in their right to control their own business!!
The petition is a minor work of art. If you didn’t read it carefully, read it again. Pay particular attention to the part about the financial harm Springsteen’s last-minute decision has caused — and to people who have no immediate control over the law the performer professes to find so odious.
If you still haven’t grasped the full intent, maybe a comment Burgard made to CNSNews will provide the necessary context: “Springsteen acted in the exact manner a baker did in refusing to bake a cake due to deeply held personal beliefs,” Burgard observed, “yet they were fined and he is celebrated.”
Double standard, anyone?
