More on 'Bullshit Rights'

Ten years ago I wrote a post about 'Bullshit Rights' vs Inalienable Rights.  Without wandering far afield into philosophy and natural law, I shared that I'd learned to define 'Bullshit Rights' as those which invariably deprive someone else of their Inalienable Rights.

Today I read of an example that illustrated this perfectly.

In 2011, in a travesty of justice, a New York Judge ordered a Christian couple fined $13,000 for refusing to host a lesbian wedding in their home.  The Christian couple, Cynthia and Robert Gifford, were earning an income from hosting weddings and receptions on their family farm.  They'd informed the engaged couple that the were willing to host their reception, but not the ceremony itself, which they'd objected to on religious grounds.  In addition to the fines, they've now been forced out of business.

After meeting with the Giffords, the lesbian couple decided to punish them because their F E E L I N G S were  H U R T.  Jennifer McCarthy and Melisa Erwin, the lesbian couple, complained to New York State's human rights division.  McCarthy justified her attack on the Giffords, telling the media that no one should be forced to face discrimination on their wedding day. 

No, but apparently if you can't keep her feelings from being hurt you go out of business.

So who had their rights denied?   The Gifford's Freedom of Conscience and Freedom of Religion, and their right to earn a living?  Or McCarthy and Erwin's Rights to force the Giffords to host a same-sex wedding ceremony in their home?  Their home. Their home. Their fucking Home.

I ran a business out of my home for over twenty years.  I would never have accepted it if someone had told me that meant they could force their way into my home against my will.

Bitches couldn't get the venue they wanted.  I think 'bitches' is an appropriate term in this case. There's always other venues; it happens all the time in wedding planning. But because the happy couple were gay, they get to punish someone.

I'm glad the Giffords are now fighting back.  I'm saddened that they have to.

Toronto Police fail again.

I fully expect to read someday soon that the Toronto Police have arrested and charged Mike Greer for the crime of acting to defend himself, his family, and his home.

Greer isn't a visible minority or self-identifying member of one of Canada's special minorities, so I wonder if it's possible that the city of Toronto and it's oh so Politically Correct Police Service lacks the will or just doesn't give a damn about protecting him from druggies, vandals, and firebombers?

For two years teacher Mike Greer, his family, and his home have been targeted by party-goers on the elementary school grounds next door after he confronted them and complained to the Police.  Egging of his house and cars, thousands of dollars of slashed tires and other vandalism of his property, and now on June 30th, a firebombing with a Molotov Cocktail are all included in the price Mike Greer and his family have paid for trying to do something about it.

Greer has seen these youths, he's talked to them. He's complained to the Police. But after sending a few patrol cars around they were unable to catch the vandals in the act. At police suggestion he's spent thousands of dollars on security cameras and a security service. He has photos and video, but nothing the police can lay charges with.

He complained to the city and tried to work with community leaders.  More lighting  and an ineffectual gate were put up at the school. The partying and vandalism continued.

Who are these thugs?  Video of the vandals shows that unless they're a bunch of retards who've failed multiple grades, they're too old to be students of the West Rouge Public Elementary School on which they party. They appear to be area residents

AND NOW THEY FIREBOMBED HIS HOUSE! THEY FIREBOMBED HIS FUCKING HOUSE!

So Mike Greer has gone to the media.

When they can't apprehend the actual criminal the Toronto Police have already proved they're more than willing to arrest and charge outraged and desperate victims of crime who act to defend themselves. How long it will be before a desperate Mike Greer acts to defend his family and ends up facing charges for it?

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UPDATE, July 10th, 2012

* It looks like Mike Greer is getting increased assistance from the Toronto Police now that his story was broken Nationally by Sun News.  While I'm personally glad that it appears Mike and his family are getting some significant help, I'm absolutely disgusted it took this turn of events to get the bureaucracy to act.

do not call lists

Since joining the CRTC's federal do not call list last September, the number of calls I receive has increased. The big difference however is they are all originating from the United States, where the CRTC has no jurisdiction.

I am especially offended by they way they try to pretend that I am already a customer or am somehow already associated with them, and their telemarketing call is a legitimate form of contact. They all include a notice to press a number (like zero) if you do not want to be contacted again. I have done this, and yet the calls persist. Clearly, pressing the indicated number to be automatically removed from their call list does not guarantee they'll stop calling you.

It's frustrating, so now I never push the number. The bastards are going to phone anyway. Instead, I push the number to speak to a live agent. If they can call and interrupt my day, one of their employees is damn well going to get his/her day interrupted back. Like Today. I just received a call from OHIO and I pressed the number to speak to a live agent.

Then when the live person comes on, I say I'm on the do-not-call list, and tell them to FUCK OFF.

The cathartic effect on my emotional state is amazing. I mean, how often can you tell someone to fuck off and it has a chance of bettering our society? It's my deepest heartfelt hope that the unlucky employee I spoke with will quit their job and the telemarketer will have trouble filling the position.

(happy grin)