Posted on 06/16/2006 9:58:51 AM PDT by khnyny
If he said that she was a religious deviant then yes.
Nononono. I mean what if the guy was fired because HIS OWN mother was a Jew? (Then it would be anti-Jewish discrimination. Is that legal?)
Are you implying that being identified as being Jewish is some sort of slur on a person?
[According to an earlier poster, Smith was a regular panelist on the show and was know as a member of the transit committee. He was a political appointee, he expressed an opinion that differed from those of the person appointing him, he paid the price. Poor judgement on his part.]
I guess "diversity" only goes so far then, right? But, in fact, was Smith's opinions on "gay marriage" so very different from Ehrlich's? Or was it the way Smith expressed those opinions in the context of his religious faith that was the problem? I thought that Gov. Ehrlich opposes "gay marriage".
Everyone really needs to read this article re Ehrlich's position on "gay marriage". It is enlightening.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/31/AR2006013100041.html
Yes it would be discrimination. No it wouldn't be illegal.
It's somewhat beside the point... but it's important to realize that Smith wasn't fired for being Catholic. I think it's a safe bet that at least one other Catholic has been appointed by the Governor and is still employed. Smith was fired for making comments that upset people... people the Governor was probably relying on for support.
But that doesn't address the question of legality.
You probably realize that there are times when it's legal to discriminate. If you want to hire a babysitter you can choose to only hire females. If you're a casting director for a TV show you can narrow your applicant pool for a particular role down to black males 30-35 years old. If you, as a church employee, want to create a nursery for your church's members you don't have to hire a Buddhist to be the nanny... even if s/he's more qualified than the Presbyterian you choose to hire.
And if you're an elected official who appoints policy makers, you can choose to only appoint (and only keep) those who will benefit you politically.
It would be wise for MD Republicans to criticize the Governor... loudly and often... for firing Smith. They should write letters asking for Smith to be reinstated. They should find a Republican to challenge the Governor next time around. But we shouldn't threaten a lawsuit... the law's unequivocally on Ehrlich's side.
Gimme a break, I used to cover Metro for a suburban D.C. newspaper, and Mr. Graham is nothing but a pervert who used to make sexual looks at me while I was sitting at the press dais.
It turned my stomach.
The man is a sicko.
Homofascism wins again.
Smith was the lone Republican on the WMATA board.
Yeah, but the law is in the hands of judges who hate Christianity. The judges give or take away rights.
You make some excellent points!
Oy vay... I'm saying what if the GOVERNOR thought there was something wrong with being Jewish?? And fired the Transit guy because his mom was Jewish? Would this be legal?
OK!
Oops, thanks for pointing that out.
Mr. Graham is a slimy individual who I had to work with on a regular basis. I had to endure his making eye contact with me, winking at me and his raising his eyebrows at me.
It seems the Left wants to give practicing traditionally minded Christians of all sects the same status that blacks held in the South prior to the 1960s.
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