Communism would no longer be a firing offense under bill

SacBee ^ | May 16, 2008 | Aurelio Rojas

[radar101]

California Senate on Thursday passed legislation that would delete membership in the Communist Party as a reason for firing a public employee, a Cold War-era prohibition intended to root out communists.

Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, called communism a "failed system" and said his bill – Senate Bill 1322 – was intended to protect "the constitutional freedoms that we have fought so valiantly for," including freedom of political affiliation.

California is the only state that allows public employees to be dismissed for membership in a political party.

In addition, current law requires that any organization that applies to use a public school facility can be asked to sign a statement that "the applicant is not a communist action organization or a communist front."

"SB 1322 seeks to protect the rights of free speech and political affiliation by repealing the no-longer-necessary statute from the books," Lowenthal said.

The bill, he said, would "still allow employees to be fired for any activity to overthrow the state or federal government."

The legislation, which will now be considered by the Assembly, was approved on a 24-15 vote, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed.

Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Atwater, warned "the Communist Party is not a dead organization … and (is) actively repressing human beings in Cuba and China in brutal ways.

[dfwgator]

"Mash that dirty red scum, kick 'em in the teeth where it hurts. Kill! Kill! Kill! The filthy bastard commies, I hate 'em! I hate 'em! Aaargh! Aaargh!"

[Ptarmigan]

HA! HA! HA! HA! Now, that’s funny!