sir_eccles

I despair about AZ sometimes. SB1062. I just can't put into words how angry it makes me feel to see politicians pass laws that are blatantly unconstitutional and actively encourage discrimination.

I mean Kansas of all places almost passed a similar law recently but decided not to in the end and let the bill die. Yes, even Kansas wouldn't pass such a law.

If you are eligible to vote in AZ please consider this roll call from the senate vote next time you are in a voting booth.

http://legiscan.com/AZ/rollcall/SB1062/id/323839

Hotscot

Can you summarize?

scrubbedexpat091

Only passed by 4, so there seems to be some sanity in the legislature, just not enough of it.

sir_eccles

http://www.azcentral.com/news/politi...e-refusal.html

The "Christian" majority is being persecuted by teh gays and must therefore legislate the "right" to be bigots.

Uncle_Bob

Aye damn right i will.

Total idiots

Uncle_Bob

“This bill is not about discrimination,” he said. “It’s about preventing discrimination against people who are clearly living out their faith.” - Sen. Steve Yarbrough (R)

Absolute bollocks. This bill allows a hotel operator who believes Mormonism is a cult to refuse to provide rooms to a family who walked in wearing Brigham Young T-shirts indicating their religion.

Pulaski

Should not a private businessman have the right to decide with whom he does business? Granted, it is pretty stupid to turn away paying customers, but if a business wants to do so, I am not even sure why the would-be customers would want to force the issue?

Certainly if I walked into a business that had a sign on the wall saying "We don't serve Englishmen". I'd be more than happy to go elsewhere, and would, in fact, prefer to know that than to do business with someone who hates Englishmen.

sir_eccles

It's much much more than that. Firstly the text of the bill is much too broad, it was amended from "religious institutions" to essentially anyone (even civil servants) can now discriminate. Secondly, I previously had the right to sue on the grounds that I was being discriminated against. The right has been taken away.

markonline1

I regularly frequent a pub in Santa Cruz that is clearly owned by an Irish Nationlist judging by the anti British stuff he has discreetly propped up behind the bar. Serves good beer though, so whether he hates me or not, I'm still going

lansbury

To many frivolous lawsuits. People should have the right to do business with whom they choose, without fear of retaliation.

Pulaski

I avoid overtly Irish themed pubs in the US whenever possible, with the only exceptions being to avoid upsetting a friend or colleague who is unaware of the strength of my feelings. In twelve years I think I have only been into one twice, of which the most recent occasion was more than nine years ago.

markonline1

It's weird as I wouldn't class this as remotely Irish themed. I just remember standing at the bar once, seeing the anti British stuff (can't remember exactly what the placards said) and thinking oh! . They are discreet enough that you probably wouldn't even notice if you got served straight off.

rpjs

I find that stuff hilarious. I remember going to an Oirish bar in Philly with the now wife many years ago where they had a band playing songs like "What should we do with a British soldier?" (answer: "Shoot, shoot, shoot the bastard.") I recall they announced that they were "Righting Ireland's wrongs through our music" Well good luck lads, don't think it's working quite yet but please keep it up.

Also, those Irish bars where the people running them are actually from Ireland are perfectly welcoming. There's one up on the UES in Manhattan where they had a waitress from Poland but who had picked up her English from the owners and had the most amazing part-Polish, part-Irish, part-Noo Yawk accent.

Leslie

No. It is against the law.

Pulaski

"Should .... ?"

I know what the law is, and I was attempting to debate it. ..... I would have expected you to understand that concept of debating a law you don't agree with considering your lack of acceptance of existing laws against cannabis.

Then again, I have little expectation of logical consistency from those on the liberal left, especially as they are so keen on interfering in the rights of individuals who they don't agree with.