Originally Posted By Mr X <a href="http://rawstory.com/2010/02/vi...-workers" target="_blank">http://rawstory.com/2010/02/vi...-workers</a> ***Gays and lesbians in Virginia have lost specific protection from discrimination in the workplace after Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) reissued the state's non-discrimination policy with one group conspicuously absent from the list.*** In other (clearer) words, he rescinded the original non-discrimination order, and put out a new one removing gays from being included...it's now open season to discriminate against them if you so please, in Virginia. ***Gov. McDonnell assured reporters that his administration is not anti-gay, and that he will work to ensure fair treatment of all workers.*** Yeah, right. What a load of crap. Why on Earth, other than for the fact that he's anti-gay, would he single-handedly roll back discrimination protections against gays (and ONLY gays)???? ***McDonnell faced opposition during his 2009 campaign for governor when his 1989 graduate thesis emerged, in which he argued that homosexuality could have a negative impact on society. He has stated that his views have changed since then.*** Apparently not. *sigh* Looks like 2010 is 1960 all over again.
Originally Posted By DAR I'll repeat what I said earlier, it's kind of a sad comment on our society that we have to have laws to treat people decently, something that should be just a given.
Originally Posted By Mr X Of course that's sad. But there ARE plenty of people out there more than happy to discriminate if they can get away with it, we all know that. So, there must be laws in place to prevent it (unless you're gay in Virginia, then you are subject to the whims of any homophobe you might encounter).
Originally Posted By Mr X And also DAR, we're not talking about laws "to treat people decently", we're talking about laws preventing discrimination (equal treatment, in other words)...discrimination can happen in many places, in the workplace, while shopping or patronizing establishments, when trying to rent or buy a home, etc...
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I really felt like someone punched me in the stomach when I heard this story.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy Here's another one, just to add insult to injury: <a href="http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/84994592.html" target="_blank">http://www.wsaz.com/news/headl...592.html</a>
Originally Posted By plpeters70 I've said this before, but it just amazes me that somehow in the year 2010 we're still seeing stories like this. What the hell is wrong with people in this country? How can they be so backwards when it comes to something as simple as "equal rights" for all?? Is this really so difficult to understand?
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I've said this before, but it just amazes me that somehow in the year 2010 we're still seeing stories like this. What the hell is wrong with people in this country? How can they be so backwards when it comes to something as simple as "equal rights" for all??*** I share your frustration, but I would suggest the backwards people have been around all along and at least SOME of them will be around for a very long time, hopefully more and more marginalized. I believe that the fact is there are MORE accepting and tolerant people out there than ever before, BUT the remaining bigots are scared, lashing out, and taking action as they see their myopic world views becoming less and less relevant.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<BUT the remaining bigots are scared, lashing out, and taking action as they see their myopic world views becoming less and less relevant>> I think I agree with you - but what scares me is how far this all will go. People backed into a corner can sometimes lash out in very scary ways - and I really hope there are enough tolerant people out there to counter the rest of the craziness that is sure to come!
Originally Posted By DAR Or maybe the majority of people will still have the good sense to not participate in this crap.
Originally Posted By Mr X Violence or other nefarious activities, DAR, do not require a majority. A small but determined minority can do quite enough damage to say the least (I offer to the court the Confederate States of America as Exhibit "A").
Originally Posted By Mr X DAR, with every post you make I'm convinced that you fall into one of two categories. You are either a smarter-than-the-average right wing troll, carefully crafting your "huh? wha?" message with every post. OR, you are more naive than a recently consecrated but as yet un-violated Catholic Alter Boy. Either way, your outlook is totally jacked. You need to wake up.
Originally Posted By DAR I'm sorry. NOW THAT IT'S LEGAL IN VIRGINIA TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST GAYS THE GOVERNOR OF THAT STATE IS GOING TO SEND OUT A SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO ROUND UP EVERY GAY PERSON. IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE NAZI GERMANY. There I think that's response you wanted.
Originally Posted By Mr X No, DAR, that's not at all what I was looking for. But kudos on remaining consistent in your bizarre outlook.
Originally Posted By Mr X Although, in fairness, given that governors anti-gay stance in the past, I'm sure he WOULD do just as you suggest if he thought he could get away with it. After all, the Republicans in Texas continued to criminalize gay intimacy all the way up until the Supreme Court struck it down in 2004.
Originally Posted By gadzuux It's been a busy week for Virginia's new republican governor ... <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/us/24guns.html" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02...uns.html</a> Fearing Obama Agenda, States Push to Loosen Gun Laws >> In Virginia, the General Assembly approved a bill last week that allows people to carry concealed weapons in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, and the House of Delegates voted to repeal a 17-year-old ban on buying more than one handgun a month. The actions came less than three years after the shootings at Virginia Tech that claimed 33 lives and prompted a major national push for increased gun control. << Who thinks it's a good idea to bring handguns into bars? Republicans, that's who. Who thinks it's a good idea to allow near unlimited ability to purchase virtual arsenals? You guessed it. People were dancing in the streets last november when the GOP won the VA governorship and the benefits are already starting to pay off. God guns and gays indeed.
Originally Posted By gadzuux >> Fearing Obama Agenda, States Push to Loosen Gun Laws << That headline alone should be troubling.
Originally Posted By gadzuux I went looking for a news report about the shooting in the CO school this week. The story I heard on the radio - unattributed - was that the gunman was armed with a hunting rifle because he couldn't find a handgun. This allowed the teachers to overpower and disarm the gunman because it was taking him so long to reload. He only got off two shots. Imagine if he'd had free and easy access to a handgun, or worse - a semiautomatic weapon - like the VA Tech gunman or the Columbine High shooters.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Guns in bars and restaurants? Alcohol and guns, really? If they fear an "Obama agenda", I think the last place to look would be the local bar... This is just asking for more bar shootings.
