USA Today Religion Blogger Mocks Caterers Who Would Feel Uncomfortable Serving at Gay Wedding Reception
As the New York state legislature debates authorizing same-sex marriage, some Republican legislators want to ensure that Empire State business owners in the hospitality industry, such as caterers and florists, could refuse to lend their services to a same-sex couple hoping to hire them without being wrung out to dry in court for discrimination.
In response to this development, USA Today's religion blogger Cathy Lynn Grossman yesterday snarked that it reminded her of the "Soup Nazi" episode of Seinfeld.
"[S]ome [state] senators think once a gay couple has gotten family, friends and stodgy Aunt Petunia on board and found a venue, they should have to pass a values test with the vendors, too," Grossman groused.
"No cake for you! No tiger lilies!" she quipped, adding "Somehow I can't see it."
Grossman failed to find a Christian caterer or photographer or wedding planner who might explain his/her objections and defend the desire to be protected from discrimination lawsuits on religious conviction grounds. She also closed her June 19 post with the following loaded question to her readers:
DO YOU THINK ... traditionalist believers should have legal protection to discriminate? Or is business just business to you?
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Comments
Sure, afterall, look at American entertainers, like . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:26pm.
. . . Beyonce, who performed for Moammar Gaddafi's son Hannibal at a private beach party last New Year's Eve. I'm sure that Beyonce doesn't condone wife-beating (Hannibal once broke his wife's nose), but she didn't let that get in the way of making a few bucks (or perhaps $1 million) performing for a dictator's son.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Don't let your personal values get between you and $$$.
Basically, something like
Submitted by Soldat44 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:35pm.
Basically, something like prostitution or close to it anyway.
Funny how
Submitted by HockeyKid on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:51pm.
no one questioned the "soup Nazi"'s authority to run his business as he chose; they were just annoyed if they didn't get the soup.
Now, if he had refused to serve gays ("not that there's anything wrong with that"), it would have been a different story, I'm sure.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Standard Liberal Tactic: Sue ‘em!
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 6:06pm.
Don’t like the way someone runs their own business… sue ‘em.
Don’t like it when someone in business has moral values… sue ‘em
Don’t like it when they refuse to accept your values… sue ‘em.
Don’t like it when they refuse to “cater” to degeneracy… sue ‘em.
Don’t like it when somebody lights-up a Lucky Strike in a “cigar bar”… sue ‘em.
Don’t like it when a company sells a sugary drink… sue ‘em.
Don’t like it when people engage in prayer in public… sue ‘em.
Don’t like it when a Catholic Hospital refuses to perform abortions… sue ‘em.
Don’t like it when the people vote to prohibit gay marriage in their state… sue ‘em.
Don’t like it when a state passes a law against “illegal immigration”… sue ‘em.
The list is almost endless. So the bottom line for libs is: “If you can’t screw ‘em… sue ‘em.”
- Grump
Loaded Question!
Submitted by DumbCanuck on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 6:48pm.
DO YOU THINK ... traditionalist believers should have legal protection to discriminate?
A "legal protection to discriminate?" Is this an example of setting up a strawman?
If you answer yes, you're in favor of discrimination. So obviously "NO" would be the correct response.
"There... Are... Four... Lights!"
Very good point. It's a
Submitted by JasonC on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 11:11am.
Very good point. It's a rhetorical trap.
So long, USA today. I
Submitted by Slyrr on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 6:56pm.
So long, USA today. I wouldn't use your rag to buff my shoes....
No example? No problem.
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 7:02pm.
Grossman failed to find a Christian caterer or photographer or wedding planner who might explain his/her objections and defend the desire to be protected from discrimination lawsuits on religious conviction grounds.
But she didn't let that stop her from demonizing conservatives over something that only exists in her imagination.
Must be a Barack (they'll say, Oh, and did I mention that he's black?) Obama follower.
I'm inclined to mock them
Submitted by JasonC on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 10:16am.
I'm inclined to mock them too. However, although I spend more time on NB defending gay causes and progress than on any other issue, I think that a business owner should have every right to refuse service to whomever her or she chooses, on whatever grounds he or she chooses.
Note that I said "business owner." An employee should not be protected from discipline or dismissal if her or she refuses to do his or her job on similar grounds. If the owner decides to cater a gay wedding, and an employee who is scheduled to work that wedding doesn't want to work on moral grounds...tough.
One must be consistent here, though. As a thought experiment, ask yourself whether such a business person ought to be able to exempt him or herself - without legal consequence - from serving anybody, for whatever outrageous or bigoted reason you can dream up. I submit that they should, but if even one exception can be dreamed up, the whole thing is shot on principle.
But it cuts both ways. The business is free to say no. The gay community is free to publicize that they said no. To point out to the millions of people, gay and otherwise, who are committed to solidarity with the gay movement, that that company is in the business of homophobia. All's fair.
Or Or Or.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 11:59am.
You could stand out in front of businesses in your Code Pink T-Shirt and Panties and harass the customers of businesses you felt aggrieved you in the slightest way.
Target sues San Diego gay rights group
It is the leftist mob way. Heck, your misogynist obsession (although hating on only right leaning women) Ann Coulter even wrote a book on your tactics.
Since I've never been
Submitted by JasonC on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 12:49pm.
Since I've never been involved in a public protest in my life, I was thinking more along the lines of simply not considering that business for future events, sort of the same way that NBers recurringly swear not to give money to the musicians, actors, etc., that they feel have said something offensive. Or like some offended parties did after the Chik-Fil-A thing a few months ago.
Still think we are having a conversation?
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 1:15pm.
Whatever. Wow. That is what I am paid for. conversing with an antithetical hosrsepoo spewing troll. Whatever.
Little more advice from The Vet for Binky. Yeah, you really don't have to feel compelled to respond to my posts. Save yourself a little time there troll. And please, you don't have to thank me for the advice either.
Ah yes, "whatever." The
Submitted by JasonC on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 1:54pm.
Ah yes, "whatever." The disaffected adolescent's retort of choice.