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Title: State Silences Bakers Who Refused to Make Cake for Lesbian Couple, Fines Them $135K
Source:
The Daily Signal
URL Source: http://dailysignal.com/2015/07/02/s ... esbian-couple-fines-them-135k/
Published: Jul 3, 2015
Author: Kelsey Harkness
Post Date: 2015-07-03 15:47:13 by Hondo68
Keywords: gag order on the Kleins, Christian beliefs, will not be silenced
Views: 23452
Comments: 124
Melissa Klein. (Photo: Patrick Frank) Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian finalized a preliminary ruling today ordering Aaron and Melissa Klein, the bakers who refused to make a cake for a same-sex wedding, to pay $135,000 in emotional damages to the couple they denied service. “This case is not about a wedding cake or a marriage,” Avakian wrote. “It is about a business’s refusal to serve someone because of their sexual orientation. Under Oregon law, that is illegal.” In the ruling, Avakian placed an effective gag order on the Kleins, ordering them to “cease and desist” from speaking publicly about not wanting to bake cakes for same-sex weddings based on their Christian beliefs. “This effectively strips us of all our First Amendment rights,” the Kleins, owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa, which has since closed, wrote on their Facebook page. “According to the state of Oregon we neither have freedom of religion or freedom of speech.” The cease and desist came about after Aaron and Melissa Klein participated in an interview with Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins. During the interview, Aaron said among other things, “This fight is not over. We will continue to stand strong.” Lawyers for plaintiffs, Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer, argued that in making this statement, the Kleins violated an Oregon law banning people from acting on behalf of a place of public accommodation (in this case, the place would be the Kleins’ former bakery) to communicate anything to the effect that the place of public accommodation would discriminate. Administrative Law Judge Alan McCullough, who is employed by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries and was appointed by Avakian, threw out the argument in the “proposed order” he issued back in April. But today, Avakian, who was in charge of making the final ruling in the case—and is also an elected politician—reversed that decision. “The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries hereby orders [Aaron and Melissa Klein] to cease and desist from publishing, circulating, issuing or displaying, or causing to be published … any communication to the effect that any of the accommodations … will be refused, withheld from or denied to, or that any discrimination be made against, any person on account of their sexual orientation,” Avakian wrote. (Photo: Alex Anderson/Facebook) The Kleins’ lawyer, Anna Harmon, was shocked by the provision. “Brad Avakian has been outspoken throughout this case about his intent to ‘rehabilitate’ those whose beliefs do not conform to the state’s ideas,” she told The Daily Signal. “Now he has ruled that the Kleins’ simple statement of personal resolve to be true to their faith is unlawful. This is a brazen attack on every American’s right to freely speak and imposes government orthodoxy on those who do not agree with government sanctioned ideas.” Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation, called the order “outrageous” and said citizens of Oregon should be “ashamed.” “This order is an outrageous abuse of the rights of the Kleins to freely practice their religion under the First Amendment,” he said. It is exactly this kind of oppressive persecution by government officials that led the pilgrims to America. And Commissioner Avakian’s order that the Kleins stop speaking about this case is even more outrageous—and also a fundamental violation of their right to free speech under the First Amendment. Avakian would have fit right in as a bureaucrat in the Soviet Union or Red China. Oregon should be ashamed that such an unprincipled, scurrilous individual is a government official in the state. The case began in February 2013 when Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer filed a complaint against the Kleins for refusing to bake them a wedding cake. At the time of the refusal, same-sex marriage had not yet been legalized in Oregon. The Bowman-Cryers’ complaint went to the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, which is in charge of defending the law that prohibits businesses from refusing service to customers based on their sexual orientation, among other characteristics, called the Equality Act of 2007. In January 2014, the agency found the Kleins unlawfully discriminated against the couple because of their sexual orientation. In April, McCullough recommended they pay $75,000 to Rachel and $60,000 to Laurel. In order to reach the total amount, $135,000, Rachel and Laurel submitted a long list of alleged physical, emotional and mental damages they claim to have experienced as a result of the Kleins’ unlawful conduct. Examples of symptoms included “acute loss of confidence,” “doubt,” “excessive sleep,” “felt mentally raped, dirty and shameful,” “high blood pressure,” “impaired digestion,” “loss of appetite,” “migraine headaches,” “pale and sick at home after work,” “resumption of smoking habit,” “shock” “stunned,” “surprise,” “uncertainty,” “weight gain” and “worry.” In their Facebook post, the Kleins signaled their intention to appeal Avakian’s ruling, writing, “We will not give up this fight and we will not be silenced,” already perhaps putting themselves at risk of violating the cease and desist. Poster Comment: The judge told them to STFU about Christ. They're not going to.
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#81. To: A K A Stone (#76)
Put up, or shut up. Your personal problem involving your fondness to try to be a petty tyrant is just nothing I lose sleep over. Silly faggot, dicks are for chicks. Real freedom is not being forced to cater to any customer in the PRIVATE business industry. My rights as a business owner OUT TRUMP your over sensitized "everyone is equal" libtard queer feelings. There are plenty of fag bakers... the fags can go there. It's called a FREE MARKET driven by consumer demand. If there isn't enough fag business to create the demand to run a profitable Boner Bakery... then it just sucks to be a pickle kisser. I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
I agree. But that's not what they wanted, was it? They wanted a wedding cake for their dyke wedding. That is not a "normal" variety of cake (and I don't expect it to be normal for quite some time, if ever.) Why didn't they simply order a multi-tiered cake? I mean, absent the traditional bride and groom figures on the top, that's all a wedding cake is. Then they could look around for a bride and bride topping and voilà, a "gay" wedding cake. Nope. They wanted an in-your-face confrontation with the religious owners. They wanted the owners to know it was for their wedding. And they wanted this bakery to make it.
This went to the courts to sort that out and the ruling in their favor when all was said and done. Why does this need to be explained to you?
"I'd like to thank the Academy for this award ..."
It bothers us because those in charge haven't executed the people who made the incorrect decision yet. Comprende fago.
Even if they did, do you think these two dykes never heard that before?
They came in with only the opinion that their very reasonable request for a cake commemorating their relationship would be accommodated with no disparaging judgement made regarding it. The Bakery did not try to negotiate a change to the cake's format based on any expression of reluctance to do what they wished based on religious belief. If you are trying to make your business work and you actually have no sense of bigotry toward the customers, this would be reasonable to see them do if indeed this was a real religious conflict with them with on personal axe to grind against this couple. The Bakery just flat out refused the business. The claim of an objection based on religious ideology ultimately got ruled by the court to not have merit. Yes. That explains nothing. I don't see what they did to be called bigot and intolerant? Which by the way is not unconstitutional either. You do have the right to be both as long as you are not working for the government of the people.
You believe that sitting leaders of a branch of the Federal Government that do not agree with you should die? Interesting. Their refusal was based on their religious beliefs. Meaning, their refusal had merit back then, has merit today, and will have merit in the future. "All these woman wanted was a cake celebrating their commitment to each other." Then order a traditional wedding cake and replace the figures on top. IF that was "all they wanted". But that wasn't all they wanted and you know that. Next you'll be telling me that "all Rosa Parks wanted" was a better view. "in using a flimsy argument" People have died for their religious beliefs. Where do you get "flimsy"? "to justify bigotry toward these customers." Do you read what I post? Their "bigotry" was directed towards the behavior (gay marriage), not to the customers.
That is not what I said. I said the tyrants who made an evil decision should be executed by the government.
As a business in Oregon, the establishment had an obligation to accommodate customers desiring to conduct normal business with it. If they truly had a religious objection, they should of sought to do what businesses have always done; tried to negotiate a solution to any perceived problems that stood in the way of conducting a business transaction. had they done so, it would of kept them from running afoul with the law. Their ignorance of this aspect of business law caused them a great deal of heartbreak. That is unfortunate. However, ignorance of the law and how it works is never an excuse. Jesus loves people whether they are heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual. That is one thing L clearly know. Jesus will send every faggot that says it is not a sin to hell. Involuntary servitude/slavery was outlawed long ago. It is good to know you support slavery. Go tell that to your halfling.
OK. So you believe this. You believe these were reasonable people with a reasonable request. Wouldn't a reasonable person recognize a deeply-held religious belief different than their own and respect that belief? If you had observant Jews over for dinner, would you serve them pork? Why not? It's an old, outdated religious belief that has no place in modern culture. Hell, it's practically your duty to show them the error of their ways and demonstrate that pork is safe. Right? Or would you respect those beliefs, shrug your shoulders, and serve something else?
libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi So says the petty tyrant...
For a Nazi ceremony? Decorated with swastikas?
So now you're in support of militant fascism, Mike? The Law of the Mob? What happened to "choice"? "Freedom of speech"? Of "association"? Of respect of and for religion? WHO by what authority has assumed themselves the [fascist] arbiter of the new definitions of "obligation"? "Accommodation"? And "normal"? ALL the terms you've used are...RELATIVE. They are based on the new definitions and an expressed obligation for PRIVATE business to be held hostage and its principles compelled to be compromised by the State. The new definitions and "law" are purely contrived, ironically violating the "EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE" of the 14th Amendment, as well as 1st Amendment. [Christian bakers should have] tried to negotiate a solution to any perceived problems that stood in the way of conducting a business transaction. had they done so, it would of kept them from running afoul with the law. Bake me a cake that sez "Homos Are Freakin' Perverts". WHAT? You have a "perceived problem" wit dat?? Hmmm. You're intolerant, eh? HERE'S a problem right here: Laws are being enacted by partisan liberal hacks that are NOT rightfully and legally created by legislation, but by black-robed tyrants of the judiciary "running afoul" of the Constitution.
For a Nazi ceremony? Decorated with swastikas? HA! Pole, you busted Mike, the Cake-Nazi. NO CAKE FOR YOU!
In the past, traitors and tyrants in America WERE hung. BY THE FOUNDERS.
Nice clock-cleaning, MW. And you hardly even tried. Mike...Mike...you're returned to LF lose every argument? To come here a-bragging about your newly enforced homo-fascist "rights"?? It's sad how much you're devolved as a man of (supposed) principle.
Now wait did they refuse to bake them a wedding cake or did they say we will not serve them at all? These are 2 different subjects. If they refuse to sell them a wedding cake its their right. If they refuse to sell them anything thats another issue. If they refuse to make them a wedding cake and the commission fined them they should sue the city and the people involved for civil rights violation on religious freedom ground. The story does not specify which it is. As a business owner you have the right to refuse serve to anyone for any reason. Well unless you live in a communist state of inmates running the asylum. But thats another argument for another day.
I knew that as soon as I left for a while to get some sleep before work this afternoon I would return to find some pretty incredibly funny stuff. Your comment is especially so as I now work as a cook in a very nice restaurant. We actually are serving pulled pork we cooked in the smoker at this Country Club for our July 4th Barbecue, but I don't think we will be serving anyone with dietary laws prohibiting it though naturally. When we do large plate ups we always assemble some with differences to them because of dietary preferences. Now if I were having guests at my place I don't think I would have any problems being just as considerate. If you have any more questions, I should be back on as soon as we get done and I'm off work. Lib... Lib... people posting in forums are only expected to respond when they can and are actually at their computer or cell phone and are able to do so. I bought a Samsung S5 and it has replaced my laptop as my portable computer, which is nice as I prefer to get around this time of year on one of my motorcycles. I just bought a nice Yamaha 1300 CC V Star a couple of months ago and am having a blast on it. The smart phone is a better item to carry on it then my laptop as I don't have saddlebags for it yet. As for whether I am celebrating this high court ruling by experimenting with whom to bed down, really, be serious for once. Have a great forth and if you have anything else to say. don't worry buddy, just post it and I'll be happy to respond to it. I mean "returned" in general; We haven't seen you in a long time. I bought a Samsung S5 and it has replaced my laptop as my portable computer, which is nice as I prefer to get around this time of year on one of my motorcycles. I just bought a nice Yamaha 1300 CC V Star a couple of months ago and am having a blast on it. The smart phone is a better item to carry on it then my laptop as I don't have saddlebags for it yet. I'm pleased that you're pleased with all your hi-tech, oil-based toys. I just don't understand your "green" crusade when it seems to fly in the face of your lifestyle. To be fair, there are many far worse than you. Many livelihoods are ruined or lacking the resources to purchase what you've just purchased -- because enviro-wackos would rather save a darter snail, guppie, or tree. As for whether I am celebrating this high court ruling by experimenting with whom to bed down, really, be serious for once. Have a great forth and if you have anything else to say. don't worry buddy, just post it and I'll be happy to respond to it. Lol...ME?? "serious for once"?? Good one, Mike. Have a BBQ hot dog on me. A jumbo :-)
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ just like Gore the Whore. “Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
Because it benefits him, someone in his family or one of his friends take your pick. Phuck morals... “Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
The fascist Green Movement OR Mikey (or all of the above?) Patently hypocritical to crusade on the Green bandwagon as you're awash in petrol-based products. Well, of course Gore is a $ell out, having already even sold out God on the abortion issue (at one time he was pro-life.)
PING to above
That's what disappoints me about Mike. He *does* have core moral values and ethics. But they seem to be a matter of (in)convenience.
Stuff like that isn't optional so I would have to say he fakes his. “Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
I'm going to be heading to Texas this August for my vacation, and I look forward to doing so on a bike. I probably will be moving there next year to be near my daughter. I will be working doing activism when I do, but I will be working on issues involving people and their rights directly, not environmental issues. Have a great Forth and talk at you later. ;)
Such a Noble liberal trait. Care to detail what you're gonna "activist" about? I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
But ... but ... YOU want pork for dinner, it's YOUR house, and their only objection is some stupid, antiquated, religious belief that is no longer necessary in the modern world. Why aren't your needs more important than their silly religion? (Rhetorical question.) In reality, I'd like to know why someone's religious freedom, protected by the first amendment, is secondary to someone's wedding cake.
You around Buck?
Well put
I don't want to argue about it at the moment as my focus is to keep developing the advocacy as I am now doing, and I have to respect the information of the folks I am dealing with. I will eventually talk about it though. It is not my judgement that any firmly held religious belief is 'antiquated' or stupid. My needs are to respect the religions of others, and to stay open minded about them. I have worked in Jewish restaurants and had many dear Jewish friends. When I know Muslims, Pagans, Mormons, and was raised and confirmed in the Catholic church. In this particular case, I have stated in previous posts as to the why I do not believe her claim to hold water. I am going to leave it at that. Fine. Then you're a hypocrite for supporting the dykes.
Comments (121 - 124) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestYou will most likely be gone.
#82. To: Ferret Mike (#63)
(Edited)
The woman did not come into the bakery to bait or bedevil the owners, they just wanted a cake baked for them.
#83. To: Ferret Mike (#71)
"If they just wanted the normal variety of cake bake there, they had a right to expect the establishment to bake it."
#84. To: Justified (#80)
#85. To: Ferret Mike (#77)
"What was obvious was their surprise and hurt by this display of bigotry and intolerance by this bakery."
#86. To: Ferret Mike (#84)
This went to the courts to sort that out and the ruling in their favor when all was said and done. Why does this need to be explained to you?
#87. To: Justified (#80)
"Did they call them fags and laugh to their face or something?"
#88. To: misterwhite (#83)
#89. To: Ferret Mike (#84)
This went to the courts to sort that out and the ruling in their favor when all was said and done. Why does this need to be explained to you?
#90. To: A K A Stone (#86)
It bothers us because those in charge haven't executed the people who made the incorrect decision yet.
#91. To: Ferret Mike (#69)
"Back then, the bakery's refusal had no merit."
#92. To: Ferret Mike (#90)
You believe that sitting leaders of a branch of the Federal Government that do not agree with you should die? Interesting.
#93. To: Justified (#89)
#94. To: A K A Stone (#92)
I said the tyrants who made an evil decision should be executed by the government.
#95. To: Ferret Mike (#94)
#96. To: Ferret Mike (#88)
They came in with only the opinion that their very reasonable request for a cake ..."
#97. To: A K A Stone, Ferret Mike (#95)
This site was built upon the idea of free speech so everyone is welcome to come and discuss and debate the issues on hand.
#98. To: Ferret Mike (#63)
If a Nazi wants to go into a Jewish bakery for a cake I support his or her right to peacefully buy one from it.
#99. To: Ferret Mike (#93)
As a business in Oregon, the establishment had an obligation to accommodate customers desiring to conduct normal business with it.
#100. To: A Pole, Ferret Mike (#98)
("If a Nazi wants to go into a Jewish bakery for a cake I support his or her right to peacefully buy one from it.")
#101. To: A K A Stone (#92)
I said the tyrants who made an evil decision should be executed by the government.
#102. To: misterwhite, Ferret Mike (#91)
#103. To: Ferret Mike (#93)
#104. To: misterwhite (#96)
If you had observant Jews over for dinner, would you serve them pork?
#105. To: Liberator (#102)
Mike...Mike...you're returned to LF lose every argument?
#106. To: Ferret Mike (#105)
Lib... Lib... people posting in forums are only expected to respond when they can and are actually at their computer or cell phone and are able to do so.
#107. To: Liberator (#106)
I just don't understand your "green" crusade when it seems to fly in the face of your lifestyle.
#108. To: Liberator (#99)
So now you're in support of militant fascism, Mike? The Law of the Mob?
#109. To: CZ82 (#107)
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ just like Gore the Whore.
#110. To: Ferret Mike (#109)
#111. To: CZ82, Ferret Mike (#108)
Because it benefits him, someone in his family or one of his friends take your pick. Phuck morals...
#112. To: Liberator (#111)
core moral values and ethics. But they seem to be a matter of (in)convenience.
#113. To: Liberator (#111)
#114. To: Ferret Mike (#113)
I will be working doing activism when I do, but I will be working on issues involving people and their rights directly,
#115. To: Ferret Mike (#104)
"Now if I were having guests at my place I don't think I would have any problems being just as considerate."
#116. To: buckeroo (#31)
#117. To: misterwhite (#115)
I'd like to know why someone's religious freedom, protected by the first amendment, is secondary to someone's wedding cake.
#118. To: GrandIsland (#114)
Care to detail what you're gonna "activist" about?
#119. To: misterwhite (#115)
#120. To: Ferret Mike (#119)
"My needs are to respect the religions of others, and to stay open minded about them."
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