Schwarzenegger Is Furious -- Pens Op-Ed Warning 'Indiana's Religious Freedom Law Is Bad For Republicans'
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- True to form, the Governator doesn't mince words:
"As an American, I'm incredibly concerned about what happened in Indiana this week and the threat of similar laws being passed in other states. As a Republican, I'm furious."
Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pulls no punches in a straightforward op-ed letter to his party in the Washington Post about Indiana's so-called Religious Freedom bill.
In it, Schwarzenegger tells his party what happened in Indiana "should be a teachable moment for us."
The former California governor is referring to the fury of negative reactions to legislation that potentially made it lawful for anti-LGBT businesses to discriminate against gays. Threatened with boycotts, Indiana's Governor Mike Pence quickly crafted a "fix" that purports to protect against anti-LGBT discrimination.
Now, Schwarzenegger joins the chorus of disapproval. He praises openly gay Apple CEO Tim Cook and others for speaking out against the law and chastises those in his party who choose "the politics of division over policies that improve the lives of all of us." He says those Republicans "have decided to neglect the next generation of voters" by pushing laws that "fly in the face of equality and freedom." He cites blowback on social media as proof positive the party is losing touch with younger voters.
Addressing those in his party who disagree, his tone sounds decidedly 'Terminator-esque' -- "you're wrong."
Schwarzenegger posits a list of issues the GOP should be championing, instead, like America's infrastructure, eduction, jobs, and the environment.
In other words, "hasta la vista, culture wars."
This isn't the first time Schwarzenegger made plain his support for LGBT rights. In 2008 he opposed California's Prop 8, and has even performed same-sex marriages.
Since his days at the helm of the Golden State, Schwarzenegger seems to be putting most of his focus on film, fitness and TV. The next sequel in the Terminator franchise is due out this summer. Still, he clearly remains very much in touch with political and social issues near and dear to his heart, and in this case, chose to speak directly to his party.
The one thing he didn't say? "I'll be back."