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Constitutional "Patch" Protection?

One person's decorum and "safety" is another's discrimination.

I once was refused entrance to a restaurant in Nebraska because of my motorcycle jacket; it was explained to me that "we don't serve your kind here."

I went back to my moto, shucked and locked my jacket, leaving me in a flannel, jeans, and boots. Pretty much exactly what the natives (who were being served) were wearing. I then tried again.

The hostess still refused to seat me, and threatened to call the police. Regardless of attire, I was still a "biker" in her eyes, and apparently there was no way for me to take that off...
 
Jenn said:
I think we need to see pictures.

I had nothing but love from people in Nebraska when I went through on my motorcycle. Maybe I'm less threatening looking?
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Fair enough:
MATT1988.jpg


(I'm 5'5", and 130 lbs. at that time. Add in a "Wild Ones" biker jacket and you're seeing pretty much what she did.)

I think the real dealbreaker was that I was riding just after Sturgis closed, so there were TONS of motos on the road. I still didn't appreciate getting lumped into the "biker trash" category, especially as it cost me a much-needed rest and meal.

I'm a Midwesterner born-and-bred, and I behaved in accordance to local mores (apart from the Brando jacket, apparently). I was surprised at the antipathy I garnered simply because of being a motorcyclist.
 
Jenn said:
There's a big difference when discrimination is based on factors which a person can't control (ie, skin color, nation of origin, gender/sex, height, etc) and things intentionally displaying artifacts of offensive or objectionable political statements (ie, the swastika tattoo previously mentioned - represents a pretty powerful statement of political/cultural/racial superiority - nobody is born a Nazi).

I'm perfectly happy discriminating against fascists and potential criminals (ie, people who would just as soon cause me harm as otherwise). Makes my life a lot simpler and safer. That's a form of discrimination I'm okay with - not "you're just wearing the wrong color" - but if you're wearing red or blue bandanas in support of a criminal group - that's wrong.
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Should they be allowed to discriminate against flaming faggots, as long as gay people who act normally are allowed?

How about people who received tattoos long ago that they now regret, but don't have the money to get rid of?
 
Let's not mix up discrimination with free speech issues, nor government with private businesses that do business with the public.

Such businesses may not discriminate against protected classes, but don't have to honor free speech. Patched bikers aren't protected and colors may be deemed speech likely to incite violence.

Of course, the bikers are free to protest outside business that don't welcome them.
 
That's the whole point: the CO legislator is attempting to create/add a protected class!

Sucks to be the proprietor who wants to do business as you see fit.

Sucks to be the patron who is arbitrarily discriminated against.
 
TheRiddler said:
Seems odd. I just heard a story about how residents of Colorado Springs are doing everything in their power to reduce government interference in their lives. However, Colorado Springs is also home to the US Air Force Academy, and as such may be a more conservative region of the state. It's possible that the legislator in question is from a more liberal area.
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*may* be a more conservative region? Colorado Springs is the heart of the cesspool of focus-on-the-family brand nanny statism.
 
I'd have a problem if a patron walked into my establishments wearing these colors:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EF9-2807-IM-PROUD-WHITE-BIKER-PATCH-/150553769400

I saw a guy in Mississippi wearing it.

Re "freedom of speech", it means I can peacefully protest and speak against the gov't without retribution. The old anecdotal example of playing the prank of shouting "fire!" in a crowded theatre is not freedom of speech. Hate is uncool.
 
InNoHurry said:
I'd have a problem if a patron walked into my establishments wearing these colors:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EF9-2807-IM-PROUD-WHITE-BIKER-PATCH-/150553769400

I saw a guy in Mississippi wearing it.

Re "freedom of speech", it means I can peacefully protest and speak against the gov't without retribution. The old anecdotal example of playing the prank of shouting "fire!" in a crowded theatre is not freedom of speech. Hate is uncool.
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why is saying you are proud to be white have to do with hate speech? Oh yeah...political correctness gone amok :rolleyes
 
InNoHurry said:
I'd have a problem if a patron walked into my establishments wearing these colors:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EF9-2807-IM-PROUD-WHITE-BIKER-PATCH-/150553769400

I saw a guy in Mississippi wearing it.

Re "freedom of speech", it means I can peacefully protest and speak against the gov't without retribution. The old anecdotal example of playing the prank of shouting "fire!" in a crowded theatre is not freedom of speech. Hate is uncool.
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If context made it clear (like other elements of his attire) that it was hate-motivated then I wouldn't sink to discriminating against him by keeping him out. I'd just look at it then say "You may be but you're an embarrassment to everyone else."
 
n10sive said:
why is saying you are proud to be white have to do with hate speech? Oh yeah...political correctness gone amok :rolleyes
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Because you're a nice guy and don't wear a patch saying "proud of having two legs". You'd be rubbing in the folks that don't. The only reason you'd wear a "proud to be white" patch is to rub in. Uncool.

However, if you'd wear a patch saying "proud to have found the cure for MS", not only that'd be very, very cool, but I'd find a way to rename the GGB after you.

Why hate when you can love? Just simple math.
 
so would you also hate someone who was wearing "I'm proud to be black"? "Proud to Muslim"? "Proud to be Asian"? We, as a society have allowed many cultures and races to run around and "to be proud". I don't see anything hateful in that. If that is, sheesh, there must be plenty of hate on St Patty's Day! :laughing
 
Jenn said:
I suspect that said waitress would not have felt so empowered if you were taller than 5'5" - I bet she was just reacting against obnoxious bikers by taking it out on you because she figured you weren't likely to beat the living crap out of her.
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I wondered about that at the time, but later in my trip I had lunch with a quarter of two-patch H-D riders in Nevada who had had the same experience at that diner (it was either Sidney or Kimball).

I think she was most likely empowered by having scads of locals at hand, a bunch of whom were taking note of her refusing me service... Tangling with locals anywhere over a "point of honor" is rarely worth it; I just moved along until I found a breakfast (well, lunch by that time) spot.

Jenn said:
Btw, you're adorable and you would be welcome in my diner anytime.
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Why, thank you, but you might want to ask for some recent pics before you make such a statement! ;)

Jenn said:
As MysterYvil demonstrates - the person who manages the business can refuse service to anyone. There's no accounting for taste and your first amendment rights don't count in a private establishment.
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I absolutely get this, and I always vote with my dollars, not by complaining to politicians. If that doesn't work, poor me, boo hoo. Not worth a law, IMHO, but worth mentioning to my peers on BARF.
 
n10sive said:
so would you also hate someone who was wearing "I'm proud to be black"? "Proud to Muslim"? "Proud to be Asian"? We, as a society have allowed many cultures and races to run around and "to be proud". I don't see anything hateful in that. If that is, sheesh, there must be plenty of hate on St Patty's Day! :laughing
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No, I wouldn't hate them, but would ask that those patrons don't bring uncool statements into my for profit establishment. I'm not opposed to abortions, but don't wear a "proud of abortions" patch. It'd be insensitive.

Again, nobody has a reaction to your "proud to have cured cancer" patch. See the difference? Try to wrap the noggin around that.
 
oh...so now you are into attack mode? gotta luv you clowns who resort to attacks when people don't agree 100% with you. Speaking of hate :laughing
 
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