http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061110/...scapers_gays_4

A small landscaping business was flooded with hate e-mails for refusing to do work for a gay. An e-mail citing that they do not work for homosexuals, sent to a homosexual would-be-client, was forwarded on to hundreds of people. I think the landscaping business had every right to do what it did and did not handle the situation rudely or unprofessionally. While others had right to voice their objection, I don't think this was an appropriate response at all:

I'm pretty sure it is illegal for them to refuse to work for homosexuals.

Isn't it?

It should be. It's discrimination.

WTF? There are homosexuals in Texas?

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There you are!

How can you think it's OK that they refused to work for homosexuals, but not be OK when those same homosexuals exercise their rights to organize and disseminate information about that act. Such hypocrasy on your part.

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Yesterday, John McCain actually said that if he’s president he’ll take on, and I quote, 'the old boys’ network in Washington.' I’m not making this up. This is somebody been in Congress for 26 years, who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network,” he said. “In the McCain campaign that’s called a staff meeting!- Obama, 9/17/2008

Re-read my post. I did not say anything against their rights to organize or disseminate information. I said I didn't think "the response was appropriate."

They can refuse to do work for homosexuals (lawn care service isn't a right!) but the repercussions aren't worth it. Personally, I would take the job but I also respect the owners' right to their opinions.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

If the firm had the right to discriminate against the gay couple, the Gay couple had a similar right to publish that discrimination. "Sauce for the Goose" and As you sow, so shall you also reap. They deserve to lose their business.

Disseminating information is fine.

The homosexuals, though, crossed the line when they started making threats. It does absolutely nothing to help their cause, and plenty to harm it...

Steve

Regardless, is a poor business decision as the market will certainly show.

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"Bring the boys back home!"--Pink Floyd

NFA JJG 42-95

Free People/Free Markets

Following the Path of the Beam

I agree.

But do you think that death threats and threats of violence and rape to the owners and their family/children was an appropriate response?

Depends.

Clearly, any potential homosexual customers will go elsewhere.

However, heterosexuals, who might have otherwise used another service, may well use this landscaping service to support them...

Steve

What a load.

If the landscaper started threatening the homosexuals, the homosexuals would be crying about a hate crime...

Steve

So? Why should a private business owner not have the right to refuse service for any reason at all? This isn't a publically funded operation...

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"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases."

-Thomas Jefferson

Obviously not. The appropriate response is to make a vocal case and encourage a boycott. Death threats are likely to entrench a position, and rightly so. There is no rebuke more stinging for a business than a boycott.

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"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases."

-Thomas Jefferson

I admit that it could be true.

__________________
"Bring the boys back home!"--Pink Floyd

NFA JJG 42-95

Free People/Free Markets

Following the Path of the Beam