Can They Do That?
The Chicago Tribune reports that a city alderman, Joe Moreno, plans to block Chick-fil-a from opening a store in his district in Chicago because the alderman doesn't agree with opinions the company's president, Dan Cathy, expressed about same sex marriage in an interview. Putting aside the content of Cathy's opinions, can government officials really just decide to prevent businesses from operating in a city because the officials don't like those particular businesses?
I understand, of course, that businesses require various licenses and permits to operate, but I was under the impression that those licensing and permitting processes had to be conducted to advance some specific public purpose -- a public purpose defined in the law establishing the licensing or permitting process, and not just some commissar's assertion of a public purpose made up ad hoc --but I'm not a lawyer, perhaps I'm just wrong about that.
Mayor Emanuel is backing-up the alderman saying "Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values." Well so what? Does one have to agree with Mayor and neighborhood aldermen on matters of philosophy to operate a business in Chicago? Apparently so. The article also reports that the alderman had "block[ed] plans for a Wal-Mart in his ward, saying he had issues with the property owner and that Wal-Mart was not 'a perfect fit for the area.'"
This is an abuse of power.
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Re: Can They Do That?
James Of England
And via Rahm it's linked to the feds. I don't hold out much hope for this being helpful in Illinois politics this cycle (although I'd be happy to be corrected), but it seems like a perfect match for linking with the HHS mandate. Both are clear statements that it is offensive for Christians to run businesses without shedding their faith and that they should be prohibited or financially sanctioned for doing so. · 0 minutes ago
Related to this, my husband came up with the best idea for a Clinton-Souljah moment for Obama.
It's such a good idea that I almost didn't want him to publish it.
Jun '12
Re: Can They Do That?
Realistically, what does anyone propose to do about it? Who will bell the cat?
Jul '12
Re: Can They Do That?
I read this morning’s Yahoo story about a Greek athlete expelled from her nation’s Olympic team following her supposedly racist tweet, which as at turns out, is entirely benign and within the bounds of decent humor in a free society. Read more here. My initial reaction was, “I’m glad that wouldn’t happen here – 1st Amendment and all.” Then Rahm reminded how wrong I was.
This Chick-fil-a situation is much worse for all the reasons pointed out above and below. I hope Chick-fil-a fights vigorously any attempt to keep their business from opening. Allowing the government to nibble away at our freedoms is the surest way to lose them entirely. BTW: How great are waffle fries?
Dec '10
Re: Can They Do That?
Can I get an "Amen?!" Finally! Something on which left and right can agree!
I hope Chick-Fil-A bows out of Chicago (and Boston) gracefully and builds more stores here! I have to drive at least two miles to the nearest one. It isn't fair!
In fact, I think it'd be a great campaign issue for Romney. Chicago and Boston are turning away job opportunities in the private sector for low-skilled, first-time workers. Apparently the mayors don't care about teen (especially black) unemployment in their area!
And aren't the servers at Chick-fil-A just the best!! They are so incredibly efficient and well-trained. I can't ever remember them getting an order wrong. Their manners are simply the best. My kids already know their applications for summer jobs are going in at age 14 with my permission (coercion).
Mar '11
Re: Can They Do That?
Jager: This can really be added to most of Democratic Memes lately that are simply discussed to "rally the base".
I can not believe that most people in the Country care about the politics of the owner of a fast food restaurant. · 29 minutes ago
Exactly that, even Mayor Emanuel does not really give a damn about the politics of Chick-fil-A's owner. After all look who he just welcomed to the city:
That would be this Farrakhan:
Aug '10
Re: Can They Do That?
From the original article:
There's just one problem: Cathy never mentioned same-sex marriage. He merely expressed support for traditional marriage. (Original interview: Baptist Press )
Jul '12
Re: Can They Do That?
raycon: Back in prehistoric times, that is before 1965, porno shops and sleaze bars were blocked by communities from opening in neighborhoods. They expressed their community standards by using the zoning and licensing laws. The Warren Supreme Court disagreed and ultimately disallowed these sorts of restrictions as an unconstitutional restriction on freedom of expression.
Now, however, the pretense that the supremes are about Constitutional issues is over, and it is about supporting the views of the current zeitgeist, that the political class no longer lead, they rule.
As such, they can do any damn thing they want. · 1 hour ago
Can I take this a step further by suggesting that Liberalism is a secular religion and not a set of ideas? There is no basis for giving an account of itself as there is with conservatism, there are only new sins, new blasphemies, new commandments and so on. The biblical attitude toward homosexuality is merely a new sin and it is being treated, as you say, as leaders of yore treated porn.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 5:53pmMay '10
Re: Can They Do That?
.
Mar '12
Re: Can They Do That?
Another recent thread at Ricochet involved comments on local politicians and their lack of ability to really effect the country. Hearing about Chick-fil-a or about Walmart or the size of a Coke in NYC suggests that local power mongers don't necessarily lack ability to effect the country.
May '11
Re: Can They Do That?
Here's some irony. Imagine if an establishment refused to serve aldermen because of their "values." What would be the likely result?
And yet, as a private enterprise, wouldn't the establishment have this right?
Dec '11
Re: Can They Do That?
James Of England
And via Rahm it's linked to the feds. I don't hold out much hope for this being helpful in Illinois politics this cycle (although I'd be happy to be corrected), but it seems like a perfect match for linking with the HHS mandate. Both are clear statements that it is offensive for Christians to run businesses without shedding their faith and that they should be prohibited or financially sanctioned for doing so. · 31 minutes ago
Have you paid your jizya today?
Apr '11
Re: Can They Do That?
When I read these comments I'm reminded of former mayor Jane Byrne's husband Jay McMullen's comments about some "googoos" - good government types: "they think it’s on the legit!”.
Is this legal? Who cares? As I recall there was a time in the 80s when half of Chicago's 50 person city council was either in prison, under indictment or out on probation or parole. 4 Illinois governors in the last 4 decades have done time. The law in Illinois is not something to be obeyed but to be used to extract money and votes from the citizens.
The aldermen run their wards like fiefdoms. They have veto power over what happens. If Chik-fil-A is given official permission to open they can still be swamped with endless inspections. I bet that they don't open a restaurant in Chicago.
Sep '11
Re: Can They Do That?
Apparently Boston citizens are just mean-spirited bigots:
The Sun-Times reports that, “[Mayor] Moreno said he has an ace in his back pocket if he runs into legal trouble: traffic and congestion issues caused by the [Boston] store that have been the subject of behind-the-scenes negotiations for the last nine months.”
Mar '11
Re: Can They Do That?
More to the point, Sodomy is a "Chicago Value"? Really? Is that going on the tourism brochures?
Mar '11
Re: Can They Do That?
As to the main question... "Can they do that?"... I think the SCOTUS Obamacare ruling proves that, yes, they can, Constitutional text be damned. There's always a way around that text with judges. Unfortunately, Pete Stark was right all along. Government really can do pretty much anything they want now.
Jan '11
Re: Can They Do That?
The thing we have to realize these days is that "they" can do anything. They, the government, have the deepest pockets around courtesy of you and me. And "they" will do whatever they want, depending on the whim of the time. Rule of law? Yeah, it will kind of guide them. But rules and laws will be discarded for "their" convenience.
This type of event was unthinkable twenty years ago, but all too common now.
Dec '10
Re: Can They Do That?
I wrote and deleted several posts before realizing that I am incapable of responding to this travesty in a CoC compliant manner.
Aug '10
Re: Can They Do That?
First Amendment Violation--Liberal Version:
First Amendment Violation--Conservative Version:
I say, bring it on. The liberals are saying:
People of faith--you are the enemy.
Businesspeople and job creators--you are the enemy (remember when Obama described himself as "behind enemy lines" when working in the private sector?).
Defenders of marriage--you are the enemy.
It's helpful when the other side brings its unpopular views into stark relief with our side's.
Addendum:
A Facebook friend of mine posted Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's intemperate letter to Dan Cathy, with the comment, "whoa...is that my tommy m bringing the hammer down? if it's real, count me in for another 20 years of His Reign."
Cheering the suppression of First-Amendment-protected religious speech through the authoritarian bullying of a job creator by an elected official. Likening a mayoralty to the second coming of Christ. These people have no sense of decency or fairness.
Edited on July 26, 2012 at 9:23pmApr '11
Re: Can They Do That?
Chicago's loss, Chik-fil-A's gain
Apr '11
Re: Can They Do That?
Douglas
More to the point, Sodomy is a "Chicago Value"? Really? Is that going on the tourism brochures? · 1 hour ago
If you don't know that the answer to that is "yes, of course Chicago's government makes publicly funded efforts to attract gay tourism and gay professionals" then you're a long, long way behind the times.
Depressingly, while this is probably an excellent issue for us in Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, New Mexico, Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and maybe Florida, it's almost certainly an excellent issue for them in Chicago, NYC, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, and other Democratic fundraising hubs.