BOYCOTT WAL-MART OVER GAY AGENDA FOR 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY FREEP KAREN BURKE 1-479-273-4314

FREE REPUBLIC ^ | July 2, 2003 | the eagle has landed

[TheEaglehasLanded]

Wal-Mart Announces New Gay Policy Wednesday, 2 July 2003

SEATTLE -- Wal-Mart Stores, the nation's largest private employer, has broadened its corporate anti-bias policy to include gay and lesbian workers, the company announced Tuesday.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Mona Williams said that the company implemented the changes because "It's the right thing to do for our employees. We want all of our associates to feel they are valued and treated with respect — no exceptions."

The decision was disclosed by a Seattle gay rights foundation that had invested in Wal-Mart and then lobbied the company for two years to make its discrimination policies more inclusive.

A spokeswoman told The New York Times on Tuesday that Wal-Mart had already sent out letters Tuesday to its 3,500 stores, after which store managers would explain the change to its 1.5 million employees.

Along with prodding from groups, such as the Pride Foundation, the spokeswoman said several gay employees wrote senior management about six weeks ago to say they would "continue to feel excluded" unless Wal-Mart changed its policies.

With the change announced by Wal-Mart this week, 9 of the 10 largest Fortune 500 companies now have rules barring discrimination against gay employees, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Activists will now press for DP health benefits.

The exception is the Exxon Mobil Corporation, which was created in 1999 after Exxon acquired Mobil, and then revoked a Mobil policy that provided medical benefits to partners of gay employees, as well as a policy that included sexual orientation as a category of prohibited discrimination.

Wal-Mart said it currently had no plans to extend medical benefits to domestic partners.

Though no one directly linked the company decision to the Thursday's Supreme Court ruling against the country's sodomy laws, it certainly didn't hurt.

"A major argument against equal benefits, against fair treatment of employees, has been taken away," said Kevin Cathcart of Lambda Legal. "And so even within corporations it's a very different dialogue today, a very different dialogue."

There is no federal law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation, but 13 states, the District of Columbia and several hundred towns, cities and counties have such legal protections in place for public and private employees.

Wal-Mart's new policy reads in part: "We affirm our commitment and pledge our support to equal opportunity employment for all qualified persons, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or status as a veteran or sexual orientation."

[Clint N. Suhks]

Constitution gives you that right? You won’t answer that pesky little question, get a pair, BECAUSE you can’t.

OK forgetful ONE, I’ll spoon-feed your Pabulum AGAIN, what is the difference between your personal property, animal, and your blow-up doll? Inquiring minds want to know?

[TheAngryClam]

The law is full of arbitrary things like that. Do you really think that all 15 year olds would be less responsible drivers than 20 year olds? What about an informed, intelligent 16 year old being prevented from voting, while every liberal (i.e. moron) over 18 can vote? And on and on.

However, in the eyes of the law, pedophilia (aka "statutory rape" - note the "rape" part) always involves a lack of consent. Beyond the age of consent (appropriately named, no?), someone can still be adjudged to be mentally incompetent and likewise unable to give consent. It's just that before that age, there is a presumption that consent is lacking.

[breakem]

Have you ever seen the comedy skits where people yell at one another to be understood when they don't speak the same language? They think the louder they yell, the more likely they will be understood. That's what we have here. I am trying to use logic with Clint, but he is illogical. So I get hooked and keep trying. Sad, but true. I keep think, one more explanation and he'll get it, but of course, it won't work. Great foundation for comedy/tragedy.

[breakem]

When you address questions to yourself, do you get an answer? Good-bye, the other guy has more patience for your foolishness. And if you don't know the difference between your dog and your blow-up doll, be careful in the dark!

[Clint N. Suhks]

Is it an arbitrary law that children are under control of their parents and can not independently engage in contracting.

Not by your hysterical justifications.

You are going a very long stretch just to "proof" two guys or gals can't engage in sex.

Not by your standards…what was that difference “again” about the difference between animals and your blow-up-doll?

[DAnconia55]

Hetro or Homo I do not care to hear about body fluids mixing.

If it wasn't for the reactionary Fundies, the gays would pretty much have to shut up and go away.

They'd have no opposition to rile up.

[I got the rope]

Some people like to have sex with others of the same gender.

Well...as a scientist I am not familiar with the use of that term when it comes to distinguishing between a man and a woman. That word seems more appropriate for words than people.

The basis of my arguement is that no matter how much people want to accept this type of behavior as normal...it is not. Normal behavior is not determined by statistics or a poll. It is biological function...even for Heterosexuals.

IMHO, we should be doing more to help homosexuals with their confusion. Liberals and RINOs attitudes toward this type of behavior has harmed and is harming the well-being of these folks. There acceptance has stifled research and searches for cures. I'm not some pseudoscience psychology pundit, but a biologist/chemist that believes that this is a simple chemical imbalance that can be alleviated.

I suggest you differentiate between that which is immoral and illegal, and that which you consider immoral, but don't believe people should be jailed for the sin.

This will be difficult by today's standards. At one time, it was believed that judges should be the Ministers of Justice. They should be Godly men with high moral standards of conduct. This is not true today. Judges today would rather throw someone in jail and have him be a burden to society than have him pay restitution for his crimes.

Homosexuals that admit to performing sodomy should be helped to overcome thier deviancy by doctors and scientists IMHO. If need be a Judge could order them to treatment like any other behavioral disorder.

The simple solution to Walmart's problem at the picnic would be for them not to read any further than two guys going to a picnic together. It's none of their business as long as Adam and Steve are not involved in any homosexual behavior...(i.e. sodomy, fondling, kissing). If this happened Walmart employees should assist the two individuals in seeking counseling or therapy, just like they would for drug use. For Christians not to help these people is far worse than the behavior itself IMHO.

[kuma]

You all conveniently leave out "sensitivity training". Why must employees be socially engineered? Why are you in favor of this practice?

If Adam brings Steve to the picnic does John have to talk to them or "accept" Steve in order to keep his job?

[Clint N. Suhks]

The law is full of arbitrary things like that.

Then BY Substantive Due Process the rest of your point is moot.

[breakem]

Homosexuals should be thankful that there are people like you around to help them out. I guess once they get over your self-righteousness and arrogance, they'll just flock to you for the cure.

You keep referring to homosexual sodomy. Does that mean that it's okay for heterosexuals or do we just let that be one of the perks of the straight and righteous?

[breakem]

You addressed my example to the other guy. No one on this thread said anything about acceptance by John. I said that WalMart would not fire Adam. If you want to get someone to support sensitivity training you need to find someone else.

[kuma]

Nope they'd have accomplished all the Judicial Activism they could. You know these issues wouldn't come up unless their was a public example going on.

Your being dishonest.

[TheAngryClam]

If the employee doesn't like it, they can go work for someone else.

While the employer is paying their salary, the employee gets to do what they're told. Simple as that.

[DAnconia55]

And the atypical supporters of liberal, socialist (as in social engineering), gay propaganda show up on these threads every time just to be sure to call everyone a nasty little "hater". If that PC garbage isn't liberal what is???

Ummm... because you are haters? And you're hurting the GOP at the same time. And as much as I don't like Republicans I like Demonkrats even less. So stop screwing around.

There are 50,000 pressing issues more important that whether or not a gay man gets arrested for something he does in his own house.

They aren't going to covert you. (Well, you Fundie types I'm not so sure about - that repression has got to be coming from somewhere) - They ain't going to convert ME at least, so I intend to leave them alone until they bother me.

(Islam, China, Bureaucracy, Excess Taxation, Gun Control, Education Freedom. Solve those and then worry about what gays are doing.)

[breakem]

Good night boys AND girls. Third time's the charm.

[Clint N. Suhks]

And if you don't know the difference between your dog and your blow-up doll, be careful in the dark!

SORRY... you keep refering to a LEGAL difference. What is it or just shut-up?

[DAnconia55]

What rational person thinks (snip) sodomy is acceptable forms of behavior.

Well, I do. At least with girls :)

[DAnconia55]

God gave us liberty and free-will because he loved us.

Here, I fixed your sentence to mean what you really want to say :

God gave us liberty and free-will so that a small group of loud busybodies could usurp it and make everybody obey them.

[TheAngryClam]

You brought out the magical substantive due process.

Now, the big question is, are you an attorney, or even an interested layman, or are you repeating the boogeyman (not entirely imaginary) thrown at you by conservative legal commentators?

For bonus points, true or false: Roe v. Wade invented the right to privacy in the 14th Amendment (no, this isn't a trick question, I won't say "False! It was always there! HAHAAH!" I promise.)

[DAnconia55]

But there are hetrerosexuals that engage in the same type of sex. Should WalMart fire them? Should they go to jail too.

Yes! And Those depraved sickos should not be allowed to work, eat or own property!!

LOL.. I'm not stretching much, am I?