Ok, I admit it, I keep tabs on the conservative "side" of the news. I like to see what they're talking about so I can have counterpoints ready when I talk to the right-wing side of my family. On the rarest of occasions, we even agree, usually about free speech. Granted, their big free speech rants are usually about things I don't agree with, but they have every right to say it. Normally, I'll glance at some article about how corporate taxes or environmental regulation are destroying America, laugh, and move on. But, every so often, something like this happens.
www.gopusa.com/freshink/2015/03/23/employee-to-home-depot-stop-pushing-homosexuality/
If you don't want to click on the article for fear of your computer being possessed by the ghost of Prescott Bush, or something, here's the gist, and some highlights. Apparently this guy in Colorado was upset about how his local Home Depot was pushing homosexuality, and wrote a letter to complain. Here's some actual quotes from the article:
"What would happen if Craig Menear, Chairman and CEO of The Home Depot (THD), were to appear at the next board meeting in lipstick and a wig wearing a skirt and pantyhose? In the midst of such absurdity, could the Board of Directors function as though there were nothing wrong and work effectively?”
"The Home Depot presentation seeks to redefine morality, and therefore effectively defines religion for THD employees.”
“It is self-evident that what LGBT people practice and promote is perverse. It is denying God's order of creation, working against nature and human success."
“[T]o have one's employer promote this evil … discriminates against Christian[s] and all well-meaning employees."
Wow... I don't even... Where do I begin? At first I thought this was satire, but no, this was actually a thing that happened. I read this, and all I could hear was, "This group I don't like is being given a cookie, and I'm being told to let them have their cookies. This violates my rights as a good person. They shouldn't get cookies, it's wrong and being told otherwise oppresses me." But it gets better, the article it's self goes on to say:
"Neffsinger sees himself as a defender of his faith by standing up to the political correctness and homosexual activism at Home Depot that has rendered all who aren’t in agreement with it as essentially wrong and bigoted."
Yeah. I can agree with that last part. Because they are. But the part that really made me laugh was this:
"Corporate values trump all... Regardless of the values and religious beliefs held by Home Depot employees and customers, the corporate team at the nation’s largest home improvement chain has zero tolerance for those who don’t agree with its worldview when it comes to homosexuality."
To this, all I can say is: Hobby Lobby. How is it any different? Why don't we see?
Corporate values trump all... Regardless of the values and religious beliefs held by Hobby Lobby employees and customers, the corporate team at the nation’s largest crafting chain has zero tolerance for those who don’t agree with its worldview when it comes to birth control.
I changed three things, and yet, somehow, now it's a "Good Thing"tm in the eyes of the christian right. Pot to kettle, you are also black. All I know for sure is that I'll be shopping at Home Depot more often.
Tue Mar 24, 2015 at 3:03 PM PT: So, it's been brought to my attention that the GOP USA article never once mentions what set this guy off, which baffles me even more. I did a little research, and while I'm not sure which of these things Home Depot does so upset him, it was probably one of the following...
Home Depot sponsors floats in gay pride parades. They provide full health benefits for homosexual employees and their partners. They even provide coverage for sex-change operations. They also have a Pride Network Associate Resource Group, which, to quote Home Depot’s own website:
“Pride Network’s mission and focus is to raise internal awareness and understanding of the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender customer segment and promote inclusion and respect for all associates.”
Now, I can’t be certain, but my guess is it was that last one. Either way, my original point still stands. It’s all well and good when a company supports “Christian values,” but the moment it’s something they don’t agree with, Republicans suddenly find a seething hatred for corporations with “strongly held beliefs.”