Editorials / Opinions

Discrimination, be it trivial or detestable, is a barometer that measures liberty. Ironically, it is the presence and practice of freedom's evil twin, discrimination, without legal constraints, that is freedom's best metric.

To make my case that discrimination should not only be respected but protected, I'll use the least contentious example: Joe's Roadkill Diner.

Joe needs a few extra hands to gather food for his cafe. He posts a Help Wanted sign on the entrance to his business with this restriction: Hunchbacks from Albania who are old, and left-handed men need not apply,

Yes, that's peculiar, but so is Joe and his "restaurant."

The Need Not Apply exclusion affects no one. True, there are a few Albanians but not one who is a hunchback, old, and a left-handed man. Nevertheless, the next day a legion of bureaucrats from the Civil Right Division descend on Joe's eatery like a wake of hungry vultures. Joe was on their menu.

The beleaguered proprietor was informed of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, 1967, 1968, 1975, and 1990 that criminalized discrimination. Joe managed to violate all of them. He accepted only Albanians which is discrimination based on national origin. Exclusions because of a handicap, age, sex, and handedness are also criminal offenses. (I couldn't find handedness, but I'm sure it's there somewhere.)

Joe was puzzled.

Ordinarily to be guilty of a crime one must have harmed someone or damaged property. But no one filed a complaint. Neither was there any threat, coercion, force, or violence involved in Joe's aversion to a particular class of Albanians. How, then, was it a crime? If there is no victim, can it be a crime?

Poor Joe. He reasoned If he could not exclude someone from his employ it implies that everyone has a claim on his vacancy---or some item he wishes to sell---or a room he wants to rent--- or people with whom he wants to associate?

The federales agreed. "Washington," they inform Joe, "has discretionary authority over your business, your property, and your personal associations."

But Joe remembers a time when freedom was not under assault, a time when all had these unquestioned rights, rights that are now illegal.

His immediate question is, Who really owns my diner?

What right does the government have in saying who I must hire and presumably, who I may not hire? If a patron dislikes my food or staff, could he not go somewhere else and give another establishment the business that I chose not to have? Who is harmed?

Nor do I not see anyone else's name on the deed of ownership to my house beside mine. Then how can a government agency have a say in whom I let-out a room?

It appears that the right to discriminate defines freedom, but is not discrimination outlawed?

Well, like Joe's special of the week, his questions, and conclusion, with which I agree, are equally unpalatable. The bloom of freedom has many thorns.

Not a few in 1964 were offended by the morality or those who differed with theirs. They and their allies in Congress and the Supreme Court decided on a national code of conduct, embodied in civil rights legislation.

The major bone of contention then and now is the universal tendency of like to associate with like. The axiom is neither good nor bad, right or wrong. It is the natural way among animals, as it is in man, exceptions only prove the rule.

In a word, it is nature's rule versus man's laws.

It may not be possible to turn back the clock 55 years, to restore the freedoms that were lost even though the present system of anti-discrimination laws are causing more problems and social discord than they proposed to solve: they are like the guest who has overstayed his welcome and refused to leave.

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins, New Milford, PA

Amid the swirl of outrages that define the times, one story that's fallen through the cracks in an appearance of Nigel Farage at a fundraiser for Lou Barletta.

Farage is the former head of the notorious Independence Party in Britain, a party aptly characterized as racist. Farage previously campaigned for Roy Moore in Alabama. You remember that noted aficionado of 14 year old girls who was also removed from his position on the state judiciary, twice. Nice company for Barletta.

Now I can understand Farage's interest in Barletta. The Congressman built his career on exploiting animosity toward Mexican immigrants. That's catnip to a guy like Farage. But shouldn't it raise some concern that a foreigner is intruding in our elections? Farage has no legitimate business here. But I guess in a political climate where the proven skullduggeries of Putin are brushed off as a "hoax", a sinister Limey as an honored guest at a fundraiser slides by. This is not "America First".

Sincerely,

Stephen Van Eck, Rushville PA

It had been snowing all night - So...

8:00(am)  I made a snowman.

8:10  A feminist passed by and asked me why I didn't make a snow woman.

8:15  I made a snow woman.

8:17  My feminist neighbor complained about the snow woman's voluptuous chest saying it objectified snow women everywhere.

8:20  The gay couple living nearby threw a hissy fit and moaned it could have been two snow men instead.

8:22  The transgender person asked why I didn't just make one snow person with detachable parts.

8:25  The vegans at the end of the lane complained about the carrot nose, as veggies are food and not to decorate snow figures with.

8:28  I am being called a racist because the snow couple is white.

8:40  The Police arrive saying someone has been offended.

8:42  The feminist neighbor complained again that the broomstick of the snow woman needs to be removed because it depicted women in a domestic role.

8:43  The HOA equality officer arrived and threatened me with eviction.

8:45  TV news crew from the ABC, CBS & NBC showed up. I am asked if I know the difference between snowmen and snow-women? I reply, "Snowballs" and am now called a sexist.

9:00  I'm on the News as a suspected terrorist, racist, homophobe sensibility offender, bent on stirring up trouble during difficult weather.

9:10  I am asked if I have any accomplices. My children are taken by social services.

9:29  Far left protesters offended by everything are marching down the street demanding that I be beheaded.

Moral: There is no moral to this story.

It's just the world in which we live today and it is going to get worst. Amen!

Sincerely,

John Hollenback, Greenfield Township, PA