By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
Have you ever been asked to “mind your own business?”
We probably all have at one time or another, especially by family and close friends who might not appreciate our opinions.
Sometimes, as family and friends, we may feel the need to “stick our nose” into someone else’s business, especially if we fear negative consequences for that person.
Most of the time, however, we probably need to stay out of other people’s affairs.
In recent weeks I am beginning to see a trend that definitely needs to stop – governments of one state or city telling another state or city what they should or should not do.
Last month, Andrew M. Cuomo, the governor of New York, signed an executive order banning all non-essential state travel to North Carolina.
Why? Pat McCrory, the governor of North Carolina, had the courage to sign into law a bill that protects the privacy and safety of women and children in North Carolina by prohibiting men access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities. Opponents call it discrimination; proponents call it common sense. Count me in the common sense group.
That decision sent supporters of the LGBT population into a tailspin. It never ceases to amaze me how this group always lambasts those who disagree with their lifestyle as “intolerant” when they are the most intolerant group on our planet today. They won’t be satisfied until everyone welcomes and supports their lifestyle.
Breaking news – that’s not going to happen. There is still a remnant (although it appears to be growing smaller) of people who still believe in morals and biblical values.
Several other states (among them Minnesota and Connecticut) and cities including the District of Columbia and Boston have joined the anti-North Carolina bandwagon by banning travel from city/state officials to North Carolina. Just this week, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced he was banning travel to North Carolina.
My word to them is simple: Mind your own business.
Take care of the people and conduct the business in your city and your state and allow other states and cities to do the same.
And, if you have the opportunity to travel through North Carolina, stop and buy some food or gas to help their economy and to say “thanks” for doing the right thing, instead of being “politically correct.”
