Thursday, July 26, 2012

Lawless governance

Imagine the founder of a large national company made public statements in support of abortion on demand, with no restrictions whatsoever.  Then imagine that conservative city officials in several "red states" decided to slow-roll or deny building permits the company needed for planned expansions.

It's not difficult to imagine the venomous outrage that would erupt from the Left, up to and including street riots, storming public buildings and/or demanding the recall/resignation of the responsible officials.

So such a scenario isn't likely here, right?

Wrong.
A Chicago politician said he will block Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in his ward, following anti-gay marriage remarks by the fast food chain's president.
(Alderman Joe) Moreno is not alone in standing up to the fast food restaurant, whose president Dan Cathy came under scrutiny after he told the Baptist Press he was "guilty as charged" when it came to supporting "the biblical definition of the family unit."
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino sent Cathy a letter informing him "There is no place for discrimination on Boston's Freedom Trail and no place for your company alongside it." ...
Moreno said if the fast food chain wants to open a location in his ward, than they're going to have to make amends.
"They should be in the business of selling chicken, not promoting a political philosophy," he said. "If they want to come out with an anti-discrimination policy, put it in their employee handbook, post it in their restaurants…then we can have a discussion."  (Emphasis added)
Chick-fil-A has not refused to serve food to gay customers, nor have there been accusations of them denying employment (though I'm sure provocateurs will shortly be on the case to force such a scene).  This is a case of a company's leadership expressing a position on a political issue, and being penalized legally for it by various municipalities.  First Amendment, anyone?

This is government thuggeryIt is NOT equality before the law, and is unworthy of the legacy of generations of Americans who defended our freedoms (and who, incidentally, were more likely to share Dan Cathy's viewpoint than that of his detractors).

Forget the political issue -- that's the emotional smokescreen for these politicians' actionsWe seem as a nation not to be able to think neutrally -- i.e., would we want what's done to our political/ideological opposites to be done to us? Example: I suppose city officials in Boston and Chicago would be OK with "red state" cities denying business permits to Home Depot or ATT because those companies have made a point of promoting/supporting LGBT groups and causes. If not, why, considering their treatment of Chick-fil-A? 

It's one thing for a private company or citizens to refuse patronizing a business whose positions they find offensive.  It's another thing entirely for the heavy hand of government to be used to bludgeon an employer to change their public stance.  


We are rapidly legitimizing 'political' tactics and rhetoric that a decent citizenry should find unacceptable... and I suspect we're going to pay a high price for it as a nation before long.


(Note: check back Saturday for a related "Saturday Sounds")

2 comments:

Jim said...

This issue and many others mark the decline of our nation -- while I've given the best 30 years of my life in the defense of this great land, sadly I see the demise before my very eyes. Certainly, I know this "world is not my home," but I'm still saddened to think that this once great nation is coming to a tragic end. God is still on His throne. His Son, Jesus Christ has made the ultimate sacrifice for our Forgiveness. Only that I would proclaim this message! Thank you for your thought provoking messages -- only in Glory, will your realize your part in God's plan. Thank you my brother. May God richly bless you now and in eternity.
Jim

Jemison Thorsby said...

Thanks for your kind words.

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