So is km, apparently.

km; have your peeps call my peeps. I have things to do.

When it's harmless... for example when it allows men and women respectively to gather in their own clubs and associations or when not discriminating would needlessly upset a section of society as with abolishing gender specific sporting events, ballroom dancing competitions, the meaning of marriage or, to use Ecks example, same sex crappers.

km

Women can't vote
A Black man could never be president
Gay marrage will never be accepted
You know KM there is a crack in everything.......
thats how the light gets in....
Here is a little story that may or may not give you a gleam on the signifecence of what Iowa has done to start to make a difference.


The Starfish Rescuers

by Jeff Roberts

One morning after a particularly fearsome storm, a man arose early and decided to go for a walk along the sea. As he neared the beach, the early riser saw an old man in the distance slowly, yet purposely, ambling down the shoreline. As he watched, the old man stopped, picked something up, and tossed it into the ocean. Then, the old man slowly straightened himself up, walked several more feet, stooped down, and once again picked up something, which he tossed into the sea.

Intrigued, the early riser moved closer. As he drew near, he realized suddenly what the old man was doing. Littered all down the shoreline, as far as the eye could see, were thousands upon thousands of starfish cast out from the ocean by the fury of the now-passed storm. As the early riser watched, the old man bent down, gently picked up a small, helpless starfish, and tossed it back into the ocean. He repeated the same process every few feet.

After a minute or two, the early riser approached the old man. "Good morning, sir" he said. "I couldn't help notice what you're doing. I commend you for what you're trying to do, but the storm has washed up thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly save them all! What possible difference do you hope to accomplish?"

The old man paused for a long time, pondering the early riser's question. Finally, without saying a word, he bent down, picked up a starfish, and tossed it far into the ocean. "It made a difference to that one," he said.

Now, it was the early riser's turn to be silent. As he looked at the old man with growing admiration, it seemed as if the years fell away, revealing someone wise, noble, and strong enough to stand up to any challenge. Deeply moved, the early riser struggled for the right words, but none would come. At last, he too, bent down, picked up a starfish, and tossed it into the ocean. The old man, watched intently. He spoke not a word, but his nod and a wink said all that was needed. "Well," the early riser said as he looked out at the thousands of starfish stranded on the beach before them, "It looks like we've got a lot of work to do."

Just then, the two men realized they were not alone. Others out for their Saturday morning walks and jogs had witnessed what had taken place. When they saw what the old man and early riser were attempting to do, they too bent down and picked up starfish of their own. Soon, the morning sun shone down upon hundreds of good Samaritans - young, old, black, white, rich, and poor; each working diligently to save as many starfish as he or she was able. What had started out as one, had grown into an army of kindness.

Some time later, an amazing thing happened. As the last starfish was tossed into the ocean, a spontaneous cheer broke out among the starfish rescuers. People hugged and high- fived each other. Some exchanged names and numbers and promised to stay in touch. Others walked off together to share breakfast with new friends. To a person, each one felt they had done something important and had made a difference.

That morning, in the span of only two hours, five thousand starfish were saved, and hundreds of lives were transformed. All because one person cared enough to try to make a difference.

The next time you begin to think that the good you are doing (or considering doing) won't be enough to make a difference, think back to the Parable of the Starfish. Remember... "What is impossible for one, is easily accomplished by many." But someone needs to be the first person to throw the first starfish into the sea.
Even believe it or not if its who many may think is a idiot Judge or a State that is changing the tide of indifference.
Peace kiddo

Discrimination based on age.
Discrimination based on skin color.
Discrimination based on gender.
Discrimination based on ethnic origin.
Discrimination based on religious beliefs.

All of these are illegal in civic/government institutions unless the state can prove a compelling interest otherwise. It is possible, however, that such discrimination is legally tolerable in a private association depending on how "private" it really is ...

Why should discrimination based on sexual preference be any different? Especially since we're not talking about a private association allowing homosexual people in their club, we're talking about the government guaranteeing civil rights to a minority group ...



Roberts v. United States Jaycees
Rotary Int'l v. Rotary Club of Duarte
New York Club Ass. v. City of New York
Vermont Supreme Court Upholds Fraternal Club Sex Bias Ruling
Court Rules Connecticut Social Club Can’t Ban Women
Those are the results of a brief search -- obviously the USSC decisions are the most influential ...

These are all decisions balancing the right to free association vs. the right to not be discriminated against because of your [insert characteristic here] ... and in determining that balance, it all depends on how private the association is in practical terms. In the case of same-sex marriage rights, we're talking about civil/governmental institutions that cannot claim they are private entities exercising their right to association, which is why the analogy between them and private clubs breaks down ...

You know, not everyone has time to camp-out here and conduct real-time conversations ... you might want to cut km a little slack response-time-wise since he, like you, probably has other things to do ...

Darned right, thanks! In fact I'm gonna quit in a minute and carry on with a few more gems tomorrow - if I can find the time, that is.

km

...and now you know...
why Ms. Bird is my favorite
member of this entire forum.

It appears to me km has quite a bit of time, but what do I know. In any event, it is nice of you to be looking after him.

Nope. That is an oxymoron.
Discrimination by its very nature is not harmless.