Ford pulls LR/Jag GLBT support due to American Family threat

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

No, they are not. It cost them, dearly. Too bad they had to beat the **** out of someone first though, eh?

You're talking about thought police. It's a firm principle in this country that you have to either do harm, or have a specific plan to do harm to be punished. Thinking about doing harm, or talking generally about doing harm, or (in the Ford case), talking about what you think is wrong, with zero actual harm even implied, is not, and should not, be illegal.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

You're talking about thought police. It's a firm principle in this country that you have to either do harm, or have a specific plan to do harm to be punished. Thinking about doing harm, or talking generally about doing harm, or (in the Ford case), talking about what you think is wrong, with zero actual harm even implied, is not, and should not, be illegal.

So, if I wander into a airport terminal and mutter something about blowing the place up, I am merely engaged in the thought of doing harm, and won't get into trouble? If I joke about harming the President to a Secret Service person, there would be no actions against me? I could go on and on with instances such as these where I believe I might get into mischief just by excercising my freedom of speech, but I have to go to work! Have a great day, all!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

So, if I wander into a airport terminal and mutter something about blowing the place up, I am merely engaged in the thought of doing harm, and won't get into trouble? If I joke about harming the President to a Secret Service person, there would be no actions against me? I could go on and on with instances such as these where I believe I might get into mischief just by excercising my freedom of speech, but I have to go to work! Have a great day, all!

As a matter of fact, I think things have gotten way too sensetive in that arena.

But let's take a step back here. Show me where the AFA has advocated or even hinted at violence against gays and I'll agree with you.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

As a matter of fact, I think things have gotten way too sensetive in that arena.

But let's take a step back here. Show me where the AFA has advocated or even hinted at violence against gays and I'll agree with you.

Actually, it seems that there are many, many examples of the AFA's 'activities' available online - I ran a Google search and read through a couple, but this one sums up the group quite nicely: AFA exposed

It seems that this is the group behind the failed Disney boycott. They had a fun time writing some really nice stuff on the petition- some of the stuff was beyond offensive, and there were quite a few that threatened violence to gays. These are not nice people- they are dangerous.

[Alex]

For those who want to watch such things,

AFA also recently pulled their deposits from Wells Fargo Bank after the bank met their demands with a hearty "bite me." According to today's Chronicles the AFA's vice president said they moved their money to First National Bank of Omaha and "[f]rom our disucssions with their executives, we were satisfied that they would not do what Wells Fargo did." What Wells Fargo did was give $50,000 to GLAAD. So it looks like another case where AFA met with a company's executive and reached an agreement to deny money to third parties. You might also want to watch and see if FNBO continues its support of Youth Emergency Services in Omaha which provides assistance to troubles teens, including programs for gay youths.

I don't know if what the AFA did is illegal and I don't think it should be illegal even if they did what iSm says would be illegal. But more power to you if you can convince Ford to change their mind.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

AFA also recently pulled their deposits from Wells Fargo Bank after the bank met their demands with a hearty "bite me."

I had just just exclaim the joy I felt with first reading this sentence. Bless you Wells Fargo - and I didn't think I'd EVER say that!

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

AFA also recently pulled their deposits from Wells Fargo Bank after the bank met their demands with a hearty "bite me."

Focus on the Family severed ties with Wells Fargo, not the AFA.

Last week, Focus on the Family withdrew its funds from Wells Fargo, citing "ongoing efforts to advance the radical homosexual agenda," according to a statement by Jim Daly, Focus's chief executive officer.

Source

[Alex]

Whoops, you're right. The article I read was talking about the Ford thing and then switched to this. I didn't notice the organization involved changed with it. Anyway, my head's up still applies, just with a different group.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Thinking about doing harm, or talking generally about doing harm, or (in the Ford case), talking about what you think is wrong, with zero actual harm even implied, is not, and should not, be illegal.

Sorry to be playing post-by-post catch up here.


In this case, the AFA made a deal with Ford to stop advertising in certain publications. This is not speech. This is action. And it's actionable.


(Ford may not have any legal liability - they have the right to act on whatever advise they please. It's the AFA which took actions, not mere speech, to interfere with existing business relationships. They can, and should, be sued).