Stop Playing Dodgeball: B² Religious Freedom

Indiana Governor Mike Pence had quite a week. It started with signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) into law and ended with “the fix.” In between, threats of boycotts and travel bans were announced, a local pizzeria was forced to shut down, and the relentless media cycle covered it all.

The aftermath has left many wondering, “How did this all happen?” While Governor Pence is currently on vacation with his family (Europe must seem like a warm welcome in comparison), I suspect he is asking himself the same question.

The train wreck started with “The Interview.” Not the Seth Rogan/James Franco flick, but the now infamous appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” It all went downhill – fast – when Governor Pence refused to answer the same question again, and again, and… well, you get the point.

Instead of dodging, he should have B²ed it! And with religious liberty battles still raging, no doubt these questions will come round again.

Good thing it’s Tuesday, B² day.

Here’s the likely media question and the B² (block and bridge) that sets the narrative straight:

Q: “If you support Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and others like it, aren’t you supporting discrimination?”

B²: “Not at all. What I support is allowing any person who claims discrimination to have their day in court. It eliminates your opinion and my opinion from the equation, and puts the decision in the hands of our judicial system so that everyone’s rights are protected.”

Don’t dodge questions like Governor Pence did. Whenever you sound like you are dodging a question, people assume you are guilty of the accusation contained in that question. Just B² it!

Also, put forth a narrative that states who you are defending – focus on what you do stand for instead of what you don’t.