Democrats replacing Harry Reid with Chuck Schumer, and Hillary Clinton waltzing to the nomination uncontested is something. Occupy Wall Street did one helluva job.

TenuredVulture wrote:

Slowhand wrote:

CalvinBall wrote:she is Colombian

That may have been the joke.

My grandpa used to refer to anyone of Spanish descent as "Mexican", which obviously meant that they spoke "Mexican". And of course black people were just "colored".

Where I come from, the term was Puerto Ricans.

I thought that they were all "coloreds"...just different shades.

jerseyhoya wrote:Democrats replacing Harry Reid with Chuck Schumer, and Hillary Clinton waltzing to the nomination uncontested is something. Occupy Wall Street did one helluva job.

And Werthless thinks my posts are weird

So we should get rid of the civil rights act. Obstruction of freedom to deny services to anyone you like.

Occupy WS had to do with Democratic Senate leadership positions.

pacino wrote:So we should get rid of the civil rights act. Obstruction of freedom to deny services to anyone you like.

We should PLAN to get rid of it, yes. It was necessary in its day - and perhaps - perhaps still today.

FREEMARKETSFREEMARKETSFREEMARKETS might get us where we need to be, faster. But maybe not yet in Alabama.

Werthless wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:On balance, I'd rather it was legal to refuse and people boycotted/shamed the proprietor for being a backward dbag. If it got to the point where rather than isolated incidents it became actually difficult for gay couples to find people to work their weddings, then I'd say there was a compelling state interest to overrule the individual's religious beliefs in these cases and to compel them to provide the service or face fines. But I would imagine these incidents will be rare and dwindling, and they don't need state interference to rectify them.

I know everyone is probably shocked, but I agree with this. I'd rather see if there is a problem before we come up with a government solution.

The Geno's/Pat's example is a good one. There was a ton of press/backlash about it.

But that's because it was just one guy. Make it legal and maybe more will do it. Maybe it will be commonplace enough that people won't have the energy to be outraged and inconvenienced anymore. Rage only lasts for a short time, does Gino's still get boycotted? Have they changed their tune or did the papers just stop covering it because it wasn't a hot story anymore? This is a slippery slope.

Wall Street crashed the economy, broke laws, and got away without punishment. In fact, they got big bonus checks. Lawmakers did nothing but throw up some window dressing. People were pissed and took to the streets. They couldn't have been more right in their position that what happened was unfair. How long did their indignation last? One year? How long did they maintain their rage against what was clearly wrong?

I think it's wishful thinking to believe we live in a world where the marketplace can decide morality with any kind of effectiveness. Sometimes morality wins out, sometimes bigotry and hate does. I don't think we can wait for the moral arc of the universe to bend towards justice.

"make it legal"

it already is

That's actually a really good point, legalizing or endorsing an activity through legislation could possibly contribute to a behavior's greater acceptance as a social norm.

jerseyhoya wrote:

The Nightman Cometh wrote:You're misrepresenting the law in the same way. You are taking the most reasonable possible application of the law and presenting it as if it will be the only application when you know that is not the case.

Under the terms of the law, a pizza place could refuse to serve a slice of pizza to a gay person based on sincerely held religious beliefs against the lifestyle the gay person lives. Although for your purposes of course you wouldn't want to frame the argument in that context

In the 19 states where state versions of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act laws are in place, has this been something that has happened and the law successfully defended the person's actions from a suit?

Maybe they should move the convention to Chicago. Oh wait, Illinois has a state RFRA. Philadelphia then? Oh, nevermind, Pennsylvania has one too. The scourge of gays not getting pizza in PA is coming to Indiana now.

Hey, nobody was murdered in my town, maybe we should make it legal.

TomatoPie wrote:FREEMARKETSFREEMARKETSFREEMARKETS might get us where we need to be, faster. But maybe not yet in Alabama.

oh for gosh sakes no. No, it/they won't. And not only not in Alabama. Mostly because it/they is/are just a figment of your overheated imagination

Houshphandzadeh wrote:"make it legal"

it already is

Federal laws don't count; Monkeyboy is a states rights guy.

Republicans will never learn. They're the gift that keeps on giving.

Keep these ridiculous laws coming.

Houshphandzadeh wrote:I think a person should be able to refuse to bake a cake for any reason they like, however stupid

I REFUSE TO BAKE A CAKE!

Because I'm lazy. Also, I don't know how to bake a cake.

Phan In Phlorida wrote:

Houshphandzadeh wrote:I think a person should be able to refuse to bake a cake for any reason they like, however stupid

I REFUSE TO BAKE A CAKE!

Because I'm lazy. Also, I don't know how to bake a cake.

Having worked in retail for many years, I think you should be able to refuse service to anyone without explanation, since I have a deeply held moral opposition to assholes. If it happens enough then it turns out you're the asshole and you hopefully go out of business.

I realize this breaks down though when I realize I'm not ready to go back to "No Irish or Dogs allowed" days. I'm honestly not sure though why we need to codify the "refusal to serve" right, particularly when it seems to confuse religious practice with simple intolerance. I think both sides of the debate are currently about as valid as the "War on Christmas" nonsense.

Goddamn gays making trouble again

pacino wrote:Goddamn gays making trouble again

They're so excitable.

@degg
since obamas victory he's done nothing but holler about loving big tittys. congress is afraid to impeach him cause ppl will think theyre gay

19 States that have Religious Freedom Laws Like Indiana's that No One is Boycotting

#boycottpennsylvania

Sounds good to me.