So Now That Health Care Has Been Haggled Over

[moguy1973]

What I want to know is, what will happen to two gay guys or lesbians that work at CFA and go and get married? Will they not be allowed to work there anymore? If so that's workplace discrimination. I don't care how much you want to express your right of free speech or whatever this is considered to be, that's not going to fly...

[Chief Grey Bear]

What is going to happen tomorrow? Been out of the loop due to a heavy work schedule. That guy that Obama said started my business for me is never around when you need him

Yeah, don't know. From what I hear, there is nothing but job killing policies. Hiways sure are full of trucks hauling cargo though. Still have about 30 to 35 trains aday going by the house. Paper still has 100's of job listings. John hired over 1000 workers some how.

[Feathers and Fins]

"Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas

There is the Chicks comment. They shot themselves in the foot with that as their primary base was Country Music Fans who as a rule do not take well to insulting a president in a time of war that at the time appeared needed for our countries safety. Further Mouthing off by them pretty much ended their career. You dont tell your fans your not part of their scene anymore.

Chik handled this very well not commenting or condoning it. Pretty hard to find fault with them for comments when they didnt. The only one who did is the one who made the comments at a Baptist meeting what was he going to say D'uh

[hoglaw]

What I want to know is, what will happen to two gay guys or lesbians that work at CFA and go and get married? Will they not be allowed to work there anymore? If so that's workplace discrimination. I don't care how much you want to express your right of free speech or whatever this is considered to be, that's not going to fly...

Well, that's where it gets tricky. Arkansas, like most southern states, is an "at will" employment state. That means you can fire someone for any reason, just not the "wrong" reason. Firing a woman because she gets pregnant is against the law. Descriminating in promotion practices or hiring practices against a "protected class" is against the law. I'm sure someone knows more about this than me, but the protected classes include religious affiliation, race, ethnicity, age, and maybe disability. It does NOT include sexual orientation. So as far as I know, firing someone because you find out they are gay is not against the law since sexual orientation is not a protected class under the 14th amendment. It would take a supreme court ruling on the national level, or individual state supreme courts on the state level, or amendments to the U.S. or specific state constitutions to make firing someone because they are gay (or get married to a member of the same sex) against the law. That may not be the case in states with more employee-friendly employment laws that require some kind of cause or something, but I only know about the at will employment state law.

[Chief Grey Bear]

There is the Chicks comment. They shot themselves in the foot with that as their primary base was Country Music Fans who as a rule do not take well to insulting a president in a time of war that at the time appeared needed for our countries safety. Further Mouthing off by them pretty much ended their career. You dont tell your fans your not part of their scene anymore.

Bull butter. The current prez was also a part of the same war when he took office and has been insulted from day one. Don't even try to sell that line of crap.

And since when did standing up for yourself and your right become mouthing off??

[Wayne SW/MO]

I believe the biggest problems the Chicks had were twofold. one they chose to voice their opinion to a British audience knowing it wouldn't fly with their normal audience. They knew what the were doing and they didn't lose their livelihood, they just changed fans. It was also their choice to go on a political tour.

I don't think they did any whining about it.

[Feathers and Fins]

Chief, you can call bull all you want but its the truth! Not only did they make the above stateent but then went on to insult Toby Keith over his song and the fued that followed with more comments and who could forget the newsweek photo and finally went on to state "We don't feel a part of the country scene any longer, it can't be our home anymore." all in the course of 5 months Come on man when you shoot your foot that many times and insult your fans by telling them that you really expect to have a career in counrty music left? If that is not mouthing off I dont know what is!

[Chief Grey Bear]

I am not saying they didn't say it. I'm saying you can't validate the backlash because it was at a time of war but when the next leader takes over and the insults become vile, it is all accepted. That is but one huge hypocrisy.

And I believe Toby shot his mouth of first.

[Feathers and Fins]

And that is freedom of speach. They had the right to say it but the fans had a right to boycott them! Each person has the right to their opinion and belief which goes right to the core of this topic. No differnet then the gays being upset over the mans comments and boycotting Chick or the supporters in their belief supporting chick. You are dealing with Millions of people in each case some for some against but all excersising their 1st ammendemnt right.

[hank franklin]

hoglaw, you are correct in that sexual preference is not a protected class. But the law is so gray that the attorneys can "make it fit." From an employer standpoint sexual preference may as well be law because to play those cards is extremely risky. So basically you don't go there.