Mal: You know, you ain't quite right. River: It's the popular theory.

'Objects In Space'


Natter 70: Hookers and Blow  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Typo Boy - Jul 26, 2012 10:30:57 am PDT #15565 of 30001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.

I would say that, in general, denying a governmental service (like a planning permit or a zoning waiver) to a business solely because of political positions taken by the owners, which are unrelated to the business or service in question, and which are not otherwise illegal (like inciting the violent overthrow of the government), could be successfully challenged in court.

I would add that I think this is a good thing. As someone who takes unpopular political positions myself on occasion, I think a business or non-profit should only be denied permits for what they do in operating that business or non-profit, not who they give money to or what they say.

In terms of big box stores - yes they have been stopped, but not by laws saying "no Walmart" or whatever. You can't target a specific business. For example, one case I know of was an ordinance targeting businesses with over a certain number of square feet. A square foot limit on a single store is perfectly legitimate, and Walmart could still move in by putting up a mini-Wal Mart. They just have to obey the same rules as everyone else. Or some cities have minimum wage laws over the Federal and State level. And there have been cases of Walmart saying, "we don't operate like that -grant us an exemption if you want us". And the answer has been: "hey if you want to open in our town, live by our rules. No special treatment." If you want to target a firm for what they say start a consumer boycott. Nobody has an obligation to spend money with someone they don't like. But don't set the precedent of government retaliation for speech that is disapproved of.

There is not constitutional right to sell 2 gallon bottles of mayo. But if Alabama decided to ban Costco because they donated to the Obama campaign I'll bet most of us would not make that argument.

Look, I hate that corporations intervene in politics. But they way to stop that is to over the rulings that money is speech and corporations are people and ban corporations of donating to anything but charities that don't engage in politics and ban anyone (corporation or individual) from donating huge amounts of money to campaigns or political causes. Retaliating by government action against specific acts of free speech is a horrible precedent, because if it can be done to a corporation it can be done to an individual.

Free speech is for everyone, even horrible people advocating horrible things.


Jesse - Jul 26, 2012 10:31:21 am PDT #15566 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Now I sort of want to see the CVS people sell the property to Chick-fil-a, just to see if an actual torch-bearing mob would form. The torches might have to be LED-based--CO2, you know.

Hee.


Connie Neil - Jul 26, 2012 10:34:37 am PDT #15567 of 30001
brillig

Free speech is for everyone, even horrible people advocating horrible things.

Wrod up.


§ ita § - Jul 26, 2012 10:37:33 am PDT #15568 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.

I am having an application-related freakout right now, you don't even know. I have no idea how I'm going to last this week, considering I'm working late Friday (at least from home), and watching email Saturday, and working in the wee hours of Sunday before the ER.

I can feel the stress making my scalp muscles throb. It's a very otherworldly experience.

Also I want to puke.


Consuela - Jul 26, 2012 10:38:48 am PDT #15569 of 30001
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix

Exactly, Typo.

Total change of pace: have a brown-bear-and-salmon cam: [link]


flea - Jul 26, 2012 10:38:52 am PDT #15570 of 30001
information libertarian

Yeah, so, instead of a mattress it looks like we'll be buying an extraction, pulpotomy, and crown for Dillo. (I think insurance will eventually cover most of it, but not for 3 months or whatever.)

And it's thundering and bucketing down rain and next we get to take the cat to the vet! Do we know how to have a good time or what?


Consuela - Jul 26, 2012 10:45:59 am PDT #15571 of 30001
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix

Yikes, flea! Children that young shouldn't have dental problems, isn't that a rule? Poor kidling. And poor you.

In which case, spring for the memory foam topper: it really does make a big difference. Support where you want it, and no support where you don't.


§ ita § - Jul 26, 2012 10:48:57 am PDT #15572 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.

Dammit. I can't believe I just went hunting for pictures of Kristen Stewart cheating on RPatz. What the hell am I wasting my time on that for? Especially considering how quickly I got distracted by nothing at all. I have work to do! Lunch to order!


Consuela - Jul 26, 2012 10:51:04 am PDT #15573 of 30001
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix

I just went to a food truck and got a pretty tasty beef brisket sandwich. Nom.


tommyrot - Jul 26, 2012 10:54:19 am PDT #15574 of 30001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

I just went across the street to get salmon teriyaki takeout. Also nom.