Many Kansans breathed a short sigh of relief hearing of the exit of Governor Sam Brownback, who hopes to move to DC and represent the Trump administration as Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. There is one problem with this appointment though, and it is simple: Democratic members should strongly oppose this appointment and vote against confirmation of Sam Brownback.
As Governor, Sam Brownback has at every turn promoted religious intolerance. His intolerant beliefs toward the LGBT community have resulted in opposition to LGBT marriages, opposition to LGBT adoption, and LGBT foster care.
Equality Kansas lays out their concerns:
eqks.org/...
Governor Brownback is unsuited to represent American values of freedom, liberty, and justice, whether at home or abroad. His use of religion is little different than that of a bully wielding a club. His goal is not to use religion as a way to expand freedom, but to use a narrow, bigoted interpretation of religion to deny freedom to his fellow citizens. He has caused enough damage here in Kansas. We do not wish him upon the world.
Governor Brownback’s intolerance, however, isn’t limited to the LGBT community. Governor Brownback advanced legislation built on hysterical fear of Islam.
www.reuters.com/…
The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington denounced the Kansas law and said it is considering legal action.
About 20 states have considered similar legislation but the Kansas law is the only one signed in recent weeks, council spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said.
"It's unfortunate the governor chose to pander to the growing Islam-phobia in our society that has led to introduction of similar unconstitutional and un-American legislation in dozens of state legislatures," Hooper said.
www.kansascity.com/…
“The governor has taken the action he can to protect the security of the state,” Hawley said. “It was clear we were not going to get the assurances we need to participate in the program.”
Micah Kubic, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said Brownback’s decision only takes the state out of the process.
“It’s very sad and very unfortunate that the governor is allowing fear to get in the way of hospitality and traditional Kansas values,” he said.
While it is unlikely that Governor Brownback would be rejected by the Senate for this post, and it would leave him as Governor of Kansas, it is important that Democratic elected officials not blindly vote YES to confirm someone they know.
This office was formed to protect religious minorities and those who are persecuted. Appointing someone into this post who has used elected office to persecute others based on faith or gender status is a terrible message to send to the world.