# Palin confuses First Amendment protections **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 1, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072 "2012-08-01T16:50:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/81 "2012-08-02T02:51:12Z")
The Mayor of Boston MA is Thomas Me **n** eno. ---
**Author:** ![bmoak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@bmoak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoak)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/82 "2012-08-02T03:07:05Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Cite? > > I’d like to read whatever article you are pulling this from. [Here’s](http://www.wbez.org/ald-proco-joe-moreno-open-new-talks-logan-square-chick-fil-101227) the report on new talks with the alderman. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/83 "2012-08-02T03:36:38Z")
> [@bmoak](#): > > [Here’s](http://www.wbez.org/ald-proco-joe-moreno-open-new-talks-logan-square-chick-fil-101227) the report on new talks with the alderman. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/84 "2012-08-02T03:39:22Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Moreno’s backed away from his comments, too.](http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2012/07/boston-mayor-backs-off-chick-fil-a-aclu-warns-politicians-to-avoid-threats/) ER… That article is about Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, not Chicago Alderman Moreno. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/85 "2012-08-02T03:50:13Z")
That’s why I always quote the post to which I’m referring. Ooops! > [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > **Bricker** was responding to **Ludovic** ’s post - which did specifically refer to Boston and Chicago politicians. That’s why I always quote the post to which I’m referring. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/86 "2012-08-02T04:02:42Z")
> [@Punoqllads](#): > > Could Chicago or Boston government officials get around 1st Amendment issues by requiring businesses to not discriminate against people based upon sexual orientation, and require large businesses to document such a policy in writing? This would include treating same-sex couples (be they married, in a civil union, or merely cohabiting) the same as opposite-sex couples. > > At that point, Chick-fil-A can either implement such a policy, which some would argue paints Cathy as a hypocrite unwilling to fully put his money where his mouth is, or not implement such a policy and then be unable to set up shop in those towns. > > Or write up such a policy but not actually implement it, opening themselves up to lawsuits. I think San Francisco has a policy about providing benefits to partners. You might Google that. I believe that it is in force. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/87 "2012-08-02T04:14:18Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Can’t really blame Palin for the vagrancies of the English language. vagaries ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/88 "2012-08-02T04:17:53Z")
That either. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/89 "2012-08-02T04:27:20Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > To my knowledge, they can’t. If you want to keep out Walmart, you have to write zoning against all comparable big-box stores in a given area. In my county, any business that wants to build new buildings of any kind (even say a farmer sold a field that they want to build homes in), has to be approved at a monthly meeting. There are five people on the board who vote. People show up to fight for or against the new development (for what ever reasons, including John Doe sucks) and then the five people vote. You can almost guess their vote in advance based on who is friends with whom. And this happens for each individual new establishment. (So, if a Chick-Fil-A bought a Burger King they could remodel it without this process). So, in my area, individual businesses can be blocked from building new construction just because the people don’t like them. > [@](#): > > Not really. The strip club and the church are just in different categories, and the former isn’t allowed near the latter in some jurisdictions. The particular **religious beliefs of the church (or the strip club) aren’t relevant**. Why do you supposed that a strip club would be barred from being within (say) 1000 feet of a Church if not for religious reasons? Their peak hours don’t exactly overlap (the Church could probably even charge parking fees as a revenue stream). A facade embellished with busty women wouldn’t interfere with access any more than any other business front. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/90 "2012-08-02T09:59:01Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > That’s why I always quote the post to which I’m referring. I’m not sure if this is what you’re getting at, but\*\* Bricker\*\* did quote\*\* Ludovic\*\* in his post, which is why I was a little surprised at the responses he got. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15336599&postcount=4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15336599&postcount=4) ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/91 "2012-08-02T10:26:14Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > “Hey Mom, what are you up to today?” > > “Well, I just got back from Chick-Fil-A… I went to show my support, you know… are you okay?” > > “Mmm!” > > “Sounded like you were crying! Anyway…” Reminds me of a conversation I had yesterday, when my stepdad and crazy uncle dropped by my house (80 miles away from their homes): “So, looks like neither of our counties could muster up enough opposition to vote our sheriffs out of office in yesterday’s primary. How’d the transportation tax come out in your district?” “I don’t know. I didn’t vote. Waste of time.” “So what brings you to [my town]?” “We’re going to ChickFilA.” :smack: (Weeping. Weeping.) I love my dad and uncle, but da hell?! ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/92 "2012-08-02T10:41:49Z")
I’ve been boycotting ChickFilA ever since I graduated from IU. It was the only restaurant in our library and I was beyond sick of it by the time I graduated. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/93 "2012-08-02T11:52:22Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Bit off topic, but both of the Chick-Fil-A stores in my neighborhood had huge, out-te-door lines this evening. Maybe their damages will be offset. Trampled bushes, trashed the parking lot, that kind of thing? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/94 "2012-08-02T11:57:46Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Trampled bushes, trashed the parking lot, that kind of thing? No, I meant that the supposed damages I spoke of above – the architect fees incurred when they thought they could not get into their second Chicago location – will be mor than offset by increased sales. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/95 "2012-08-02T15:34:31Z")
“‘But you have to respect their beliefs. You have to respect everyone’s beliefs.’ _No you don’t_. We have to _acknowledge_ everyone’s beliefs, but then we have to reserve the right to say, ‘That’s fucking stupid.’ Look, I have an uncle who believes he saw Bigfoot. We don’t believe him, nor do we respect him!” Patton Oswalt, being right about stuff again. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/96 "2012-08-02T15:49:39Z")
I’ve been boycotting Chick-Fil-A all my life but that’s only because there isn’t one anywhere around here that I know of. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/97 "2012-08-02T16:30:53Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > ER… That article is about Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, not Chicago Alderman Moreno. Goddamit. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/98 "2012-08-02T16:43:05Z")
I didn’t even know there was a Chick-Fil-A in town until yesterday. I guess there were huge lines there too. I am moderately interested in politics, but no way would I wait in line for 2 hours for any fast food just to make a point. According to an article in the Des Moines Register, some people stood in line for that long. Gotta admire the dedication. I don’t admire the position, but I have long held to the belief that the world would be a better place if everybody just minded their own damn business. Not your marriage, none of your bees-wax. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/99 "2012-08-02T18:18:24Z")
As I mentioned in another thread, the first Chick-Fil-A opens in the Bay Area on August 16, in San Jose. It should be interesting to see the reaction. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072/100 "2012-08-02T19:28:39Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > That’s an excellent First Amendment argument, actually. > [@John Mace](#): > > It should be noted that Rom Emanual and those other government officials who were threatening to not allow CF to open a branch simply because the owners disagree with SSM are also ignorant of the first amendment. Wouldn’t he have to demonstrate some religious reason for donating to Focus on the Family (which I think was the motivator for not allowing him to open a restaurant)? Or would it be under speech grounds, following the precedent from Citizens United? Any money deprived of a business which could be used on speech is speech and thus regulations are unconstitutional? Is operating such a franchise (the specific one being opened) necessary to practice religion? Does prohibiting those donating to Focus on the Family an [undue burden](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Exercise_Clause#Compelling_interest)? > [@Really Not All That Bright](#): > > He could have forced her to remember the name of one. Maybe she was flustered when she realised her admission about only reading the New Statesman and Mother Jones wouldn’t be received well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-confuses-first-amendment-protections/630072.md?page=6)