The Shotgun Blog
« Brian Lee Crowley is back at AIMS | Main | Has the blogosphere busted the Chinese Communist Party? »
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
New Mexico HRC
A reader writing to the LewRockwell.com Blog says:
It's not often that any kind of news comes out of New Mexico at all, much less a story that will be of concern to both libertarians and orthodox Christians. But our "Human Rights Commission," apparently aspiring to join the Canadian government, has recently penalized an evangelical Christian photographer here in Albuquerque for refusing to photograph a same-sex "commitment ceremony" on the ground that such refusal is illegal discrimination. Of course, the religious freedoms of the photographer were of no significance. (I believe that comes under the provision of the Constitution which says that you have a right to free exercise of religion as long as you keep it to yourself and don't let it affect anything you do.)
The story is here.
(HT Laurence Vance)
Posted by Kalim Kassam on April 15, 2008 in Current Affairs | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b5d69e200e551d4aab88833
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference New Mexico HRC:
Comments
So they couldn't find a gay photographer? Who's trying to make the statement here, the photographer or the couple? Seems to me that no one in her right mind would want such a controversy surrounding an event that's supposed to be your happiest day.
What if the photographer is asked to shoot for a wet T-shirt contest? Or maybe a dog fight? How about an all nude wedding?
An old friend of mine used to be the official photographer for the Halifax chapter of the Hell's Angels. His ability to keep secrets was an asset. Once you're in, you're in, so to speak. I'm not sure if they'd have gone to the HRC had he refused to work for them.
Maybe Bugs Bunny was onto something when he used to say "I knew I shoundn't have taken that left turn at Albuquerque"
Posted by: dp | 2008-04-15 10:07:24 AM
I photographed wedding for awhile when I was young guy with a photo habit. I could not have done a same sex wedding. To this day when I see two men kissing I am repulsed to the core.
If there are such things as humans rights (and I am not sure there actually is) then I maintain I have a right to find homosexuality repulsive and unnatural.
I have no desire to prevent those who want it from living their lives the way they want to, but they could do us the courtesy of leaving straight people out of it and keep it to themselves.
I am really glad that I don't have kids asking me what gay pride parades are about.
Posted by: John West | 2008-04-15 10:43:41 AM
What strikes me the most with this event (and there have been others) is how the U.S. has become just about as bad as Canada even with their constitution and all. I do not gloat over it but am indeed saddened.
Posted by: Alain | 2008-04-15 12:29:17 PM
Yes Alain, we sometimes forget that the US is not all about Reagan politics. They have been one of the most liberal countries in the world since just before WW2.
They are far more liberal than Canada on many things, welfare, immigration, abortion, civil rights, etc. Their justice system, and drug enforcement laws are harsh by comparison, but They also have more rights for the accused.
The recent surge in conservatism has been in the spotlight because it came at a time when new types of media were emerging. To many young people politics did not exist before that.
Posted by: dp | 2008-04-15 12:55:41 PM
For every freedom removed, another freedom must be put into the breech.Activists of all stripes now hold the position the common sense held not long ago and do-gooders that scream the loudest are being encouraged by the results of their efforts.Everyone wants to educate the public and mind everyone elses business.This is not the land our fathers fought for. Hell...our fathers are not even allowed to smoke in their own Legions anymore.
Posted by: peterj | 2008-04-15 9:46:32 PM
Political correctness is the cancer that will kill our freedoms.
Posted by: crusader10 | 2008-04-15 10:06:43 PM
This smells like a set-up all the way.
Posted by: DML | 2008-04-15 11:47:35 PM
LOL! Where Canada leads, America follows! Never forget, Conrad Black is doing time in an American jail! LOL!
Now about this New Mexico case, it is of course perfectly reasonable and just. A business cannot deny services on the basis of proscribed grounds. It is that simple. There was a time here in Canada, when Irish people could not get service in bars, hotels and so on. There was a time when Jews were denied services, memberships in clubs, and even access to universities in Canada. Black people and other visible minorities, including Chinese and East Indians could not get service in restaurants, hotels, etc. Aboriginal Peoples were extremely badly treated in Canada and remain so today, especially by Harper and Tom Flanagan!
So, laws were enacted to stop the racists, bigots and homophobes from acting out in their businesses and official capacities. If you offer a business service, you have to treat all customers fairly and without discrimination. Simple as that. This photographer is running a business service. She cannot refuse black people, Muslims, Jews, atheists, midgets, trailer park residents, gays or any other identifiable group covered by anti-discrimination legislation the services she offers. That has been the law in the USA for over 40 years. And guess who brought it to Canada in the first place? LOL!
Posted by: ROGER | 2008-04-16 2:22:17 AM
John West, once upon a time, Conrad Black found homosexual acts as repulsive as you do. Now, he is dependent on the comfort of strange men for his solace. If he wants sex with another person for the next 6 years, he has to get it on with another man. Who knows, maybe Black has already been the object of amorous affection in jail? I am sure that Amiel has altered her once homophobic rants now that Black's only companions are other men. If those old fools can change, then so can you. LOL! Who knows, may be you should visit the Republican Log Cabin convention and see for yourself? Just give Paster Ted Haggard a call! remember how he said similar words to yours--and then his paid lover came forward and exposed him. Or how about that neocon senator in the washroom reaching under the stall and moving his feet and stuff! LOL!
Posted by: ROGER | 2008-04-16 2:28:43 AM
Roger...Extending your train of thought, where is this train going ??. There are people out there that love their sheep. Others love little children.Not everything has to be embraced. We all hit a point where it gets uncomfortable. Political correctness does not make it more comfortable. Every nut idea that Canada embraces seems to origenate in California.As far as Conrad is concerned, the prison he is staying in is closer to country club than jail.If he is homophobic,he will still be the same when he gets out.At his age sex will not be a issue.
Posted by: peterj | 2008-04-16 11:57:36 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.