Originally Posted by lansbury

Originally Posted by AmerLisa

Always late to these things....

Suppose there's no beer or popcorn left.

Originally Posted by Leslie

My personal feelings are that, as a standard of decency, all members of a society should be treated equally in the public domain. Individuals are entitled to their own private and personal feelings about this group or that. However, a level playing field for everybody on a societal level should be the very minimum we should accept as a civilization. All people should have the right to full membership in the world in which they live. Class systems, imo, are barbaric. We're not animals.

So, if a business person chooses to be open to the public then they should serve all members of that public or else find a different line of business. That means they accept the legal definition of public (which I happen to believe in, and agree with) and not try to make up their own personal definition of "public" as it suits their personal preferences.

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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

Originally Posted by Ulsterman in Texas

What would your thoughts be on a pastor refusing to preform a same sex marriage ceremony? although I have no objection to same sex marriage on a governmental level (the Pursuit of happiness thing in the Declaration of Independence makes it very difficult to argue against)and as such would tale a fairly libertarian view of it, I have deep objections to it theologically and if I was a pastor (which may happen in the next few years) I would refuse to preform the ceremony. Of course basic rights like housing or health care or other services should not be denied no matter who you are, as everyone is of value, but I'm not sure the government should be able to legislate on matter of conscience.

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by sir_eccles

The business community is starting the fight back, doesn't want to lose out like they did after SB1070. This from Roccos Little Chicago Pizzeria:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhApLm8CQAA59wA.jpg

Originally Posted by Uncle_Bob

I often wondered why some businesses display those signs stating that they have the right to refuse service to anyone when the federal civil rights act guarantees all people the right to "full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin.

"full and equal enjoyment of the goods"

So i should be able to get my breakfast at the discounted OAP rate and not be discriminated against based on my age

Originally Posted by Uncle_Bob

I often wondered why some businesses display those signs stating that they have the right to refuse service to anyone when the federal civil rights act guarantees all people the right to "full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin.

"full and equal enjoyment of the goods"

So i should be able to get my breakfast at the discounted OAP rate and not be discriminated against based on my age