Democrats as dictators

[Yonivore]

The Mayor of Boston is denying permits to Chick-fil-A, and the Mayor of Chicago threatening the same, over a lawful position held by the restaurant's owner and President. Ironically, one held by the current President, whom they both supported, until earlier this year.

No Building Permits for Opponent of Same-Sex Marriage

...denying a private business permits because of such speech by its owner is a blatant First Amendment violation. Even when it comes to government contracting — where the government is choosing how to spend government money — the government generally may not discriminate based on the contractor’s speech, see Board of County Commissioners v. Umbehr (1996). It is even clearer that the government may not make decisions about how people will be allowed to use their own property based on the speaker’s past speech.

And this is so even if there is no statutory right to a particular kind of building permit (and I don’t know what the rule is under Illinois law). Even if the government may deny permits to people based on various reasons, it may not deny permits to people based on their exercise of his First Amendment rights. It doesn’t matter if the applicant expresses speech that doesn’t share the government officials’ values, or even the values of the majority of local citizens. It doesn’t matter if the applicant’s speech is seen as “disrespect[ful]” of certain groups. The First Amendment generally protects people’s rights to express such views without worrying that the government will deny them business permits as a result. That’s basic First Amendment law — but Alderman Moreno, Mayor Menino, and, apparently, Mayor Emanuel (if his statement is quoted in context), seem to either not know or not care about the law.

Just what are Chicago values?

Alderman to Chick-fil-A: No deal

The alderman has the ideological support of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

"Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values," the mayor said in a statement when asked about Moreno's decision.

Rahm welcomes help from Farrakahn, ignores anti-Semitic remarks

I guess The Nation of Islam's values are Chicago values. I know Mayor Emmanuel is aware of the Nation's anti-Semitic stance but, considering his statement about Chick-fil-A, one has to wonder if he's aware of Islam's position on sexuality.

Can we expect the Mayor of Chicago to start shutting down Muslim-owned businesses because they don't "share" Chicago's values on same-sex marriage?

[Wild Cobra]

Demonrats always find ways around the cons ution.

Just proves, they are antiAmerican to me.

[TeyshaBlue]

Not Anti-American, just ing stupid.

Yo Alderman Moreno, look up the meaning of the word "Franchise" you stupid .

[MannyIsGod]

Dictators

[Yonivore]

Not Anti-American, just ing stupid.

I think Eugene Volokh just pointed out it is uncons utional. If that's not Anti-American, I'm not sure what is.

[Yonivore]

Dictators

It's certainly dictatorial to suggest that because a business doesn't agree with you personally, you're going to withhold government services to which they are en led.

[TeyshaBlue]

I think Eugene Volokh just pointed out it is uncons utional. If that's not Anti-American, I'm not sure what is.

lol @ uncons utional = Anti-American.


The 15th amendment called and says shut the up already.

[TeyshaBlue]

No, this action by Moreno and Rahm are simply ing re ed. However, it's Chicago politics. This is pretty much the norm.

[Wild Cobra]

Not Anti-American, just ing stupid.

Yo Alderman Moreno, look up the meaning of the word "Franchise" you stupid .

Yes, it is stupid. However, that is my choice of opinion when someone cir vents the cons ution.

[Winehole23]

superlegality: when allegedly overpowering "moral concerns" trump the law. bandwaggoning can be dangerous.

[TeyshaBlue]

You guyz need to read the Trib's take on this.
"Silich said she would never discriminate against anyone and has gay employees working at her restaurant."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,7136734.story

[Yonivore]

You guyz need to read the Trib's take on this.
"Silich said she would never discriminate against anyone and has gay employees working at her restaurant."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,7136734.story

Chick-fil-A doesn't discriminate in it's hiring or to whom they serve; I know. Which makes Emmanuel's comments even more bizarre, un-American, and -- should he take action on his words -- uncons utional.

lol @ uncons utional = Anti-American.

The 15th amendment called and says shut the up already.

Violating the 15th amendment would be Anti-American, as well. Your point?

Uncons utional = Anti-American since the Cons ution is, uh, America's cons uting do ent.

[vy65]

lol Alien Sedition Act

[Wild Cobra]

lol Alien Sedition Act

Are you suggesting the government never violates the cons ution?

[vy65]

I'm suggesting that incredibly uncons utional laws have and can be very "pro-American."

[vy65]

I also find it odd that the cons ution protects "Anti-American" speech, ideology, values, etc...

[TeyshaBlue]

Chick-fil-A doesn't discriminate in it's hiring or to whom they serve; I know. Which makes Emmanuel's comments even more bizarre, un-American, and -- should he take action on his words -- uncons utional.


Violating the 15th amendment would be Anti-American, as well. Your point?

Uncons utional = Anti-American since the Cons ution is, uh, America's cons uting do ent.

Apparently, prior to the 15th amendment, uncons utional did not equal Anti-American.

[Wild Cobra]

I'm suggesting that incredibly uncons utional laws have and can be very "pro-American."

I don't see anything pro American about some aspects of it. Sometimes, the greatest harm come from good intent. Intent is not a proper reason to cir vent the cons ution.

[vy65]

Intentions and harm are irrelevant to the issue.

lol some aspects

[DarrinS]

It's strange that in 2012, the phrase

"I believe that marriage is a union between a man and a woman"

is hate speech.

[Wild Cobra]

Intentions and harm are irrelevant to the issue.

lol some aspects

I wasn't going to commit myself without familiarizing myself with the details.

[vy65]

Ever think about familiarizing yourself with the details before commenting?

[TeyshaBlue]

Ever think about familiarizing yourself with the details before commenting?

Why start now?

[boutons_deux]

Hitting the corporate owner where it hurts, in his bank account.

So Yoni is against local zoning regulations? If the cities don't like the mayors "discriminating" against (LGBT) haters, they can elect other mayors and/or remove the mayor's power to regulate his city's business developments.

I suppose Yoni is also for Rand Paul's idea of allowing public-serving businesses to refuse service based on skin color, etc?

[ElNono]

Dictators