Discrimination... on a new level

While I don't particularly like the Goth style. They are doing nothing wrong. I try not to judge others by they're appearances or beliefs and I frankly don't give a crap if a woman is willing to be walked with a leashed. That's her call to make. Who am I to tell her what rules and codes to abide to if they are not clearly outlined by the law? Who are YOU to tell anyone to conform to society if what they are doing/wearing isn't breaking any laws? (this question is not aimed at anyone in particular)

I come from a very religious family and like everyone else I had my "rebellious" phase. Needless to say, my family didn't approve, and my community didn't approve. Well, I wasn't breaking any rules. I was told by a religious figure in my community "Nothing gives me the right to judge you. Who am I to say I am a better person or more stable mentally than you are?". I refuse to judge anyone by their appearance or behaviour. If someone's behaviour contradicts with my beliefs what can I do? Nothing they are doing is illegal so who am I to decline a PUBLIC SERVICE to them? I can feel bad and offended, certainly! I can ask them why they do what they do. I can tell them I don't agree with their views. I can't refuse to provide a service unless it is not a public service.

+1

I think a man with a cane poses a much greater thread to the safety of passengers than a small metal chain that can probably snap in a second. Sorry but there are many people in the buses everyday with items that may be considered dangerous, a leash is probably the least of my worries.

 

I completely agree, my grandpa can swing a nasty cane. But I guarantee this will be used as a defense if and when some crack pot lawyer picks this up.

 

Sigh... I am shaking my head in disbelief at some of the responses here. My only hope is that they aren't really serious, just being provocative.

Can you ridicule someone for being different? Sure. Should you? Well that's a barometer to your treatment of people in general. But to deny them something as basic as public transportation is the beginning of a slippery slope.

You don't like them, don't invite them home for dinner. Don't let them join your poker game on Thursdays.

No comparison between them and Rosa Parks? Perhaps, but what do YOU think Rosa Parks would say about this? And to using the chain as a weapon??!!! LOL ! Let's make everyone remove their belts and shoelaces before boarding then.

 

I hope they were just being a little provocative too.

Notice that many straight-lacers were all up in the air when the Ethiopian-Islamacist cabbies in Minn.St.Paul would not take fares if they had a dog or a sack that had a bottle of alchohol in it.

IDEA - maybe he could put on dark glasses and a cane, and claim her as his seeing eye b**TCH...lol

just being provocative, of course...

 

And so you are saying that, if someone walked into an establishment at which you were working, while wearing a T-shirt that read something like "All N****rs Should Die!" or "Kill All The Jews!," you would be willing to serve them as if nothing was amiss?

As for what Rosa Parks would say, I'm betting she would chastise the young woman for allowing herself to be publicly degraded, and tell her to go out and get some self respect.

You mention the "slippery slope" argument, please do not forget that your slope slants in both directions. The open embracing of every alternative lifestyle that rears its ugly head, all in the name of "tolerance" is just as slippery a slope. Either position can be abused, and thus a tension should always remain between the two so that society can exist in some basic middle ground.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

1. Rebel, usually by following other "rebels"

2. "Don't judge me by the way I [look/talk/act]!"

 

I am a member of a society, and as such I am able to apply pressure to another member who is not conforming. Yes, I may be reacting beyond a reasonable degree, and if so, the lack of pressure by other members of the same society, or pressure upon me for reacting in such a manner as I have, will keep a reasonable balance. All people, including you, judge by appearance. Appearance is one of the few clues we have concerning the character of others. Would you go to a doctor who was dressed like that?

As for you religious leader, if he is a Christian, he is misusing the quote. I have no right to judge your soul, only God can do that. I do have the right to judge your earthly actions, if I did not, there could be no courts, no family justice, etc.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

Bus driver must be a cat lover

 

I've often wondered,...do Gothic lifestyle people have an official summer uniform? All that black clothing would be oppressively hot in the summertime. Perhaps something white or pastel colored with an official "I'm a Goth lunatic" logo tastefully placed on the chest of the shirt in the manner of a polo player or a penguin.

 

While I disagree with the bus driver not letting them on, I do not feel comfortable with this couple being touted as civil rights activists. While there are aspects to freedom and agency in their lifestyle choice to make the woman a leashed "pet," and treat her like an animal, I think this is directly opposite to the progress and goals of a true civil rights activist. IMO, their behavior does nothing to bring betterment of society, the progress of humanity or some enabling for a genuinely suppressed portion of society.

In sum, I think Rosa Parks would call these people a disgrace.

 

Yes, a nice hip to waist ratio and some cleavage is definately working here But where's the doggie bag?

 

My wife and I used to take our live in girfriend out to diner with a collar and leash. But we had the good taste to make her wear her Catholic school girl uniform with the extra short skirt.

 

Unless they are on their way to work at Hot Topic.

 

+1

 

Can't believe I'm first to come up with this, but:

I wonder if they do it doggie style?



And WHERE do they buy their clothes?

Let 'em on the damn bus.

 

Jim - really!

I think that it all could be easily explained if the city involved had a strict "leash law".

BTW, Does this deserve honorable mention in the "belts versus chains" thread in Technical?

 

Testarob was able to get my point through better. (I think I forgot that sarcasm doesn't go through well over the internet)

I am not saying that I don't get a first impression from someone's appearance. I just think they shouldn't be declined a public service because of how they look.

PS. No, he was Muslim.

Best.

 

she is a pig, and if you married her she would be your pig.

 

Valid points, but I think you are missing the main issue here. This is not a privately owned establishment. This is public transportation. The bus driver has no right to enforce his personal prejudices. As a product of the 60s I am still reminded of the often times vehement reaction to those "damn long haired hippie freaks".

BTW, this was neither an endorsement nor a comdenation of the couple. They were ancillary to the main issue. I am sure Rosa would have chastised them as you indicated, but abhored the bus driver's actions.

 

I see your point, and it is valid. I think, however, that there is a point at which the bus driver has the right to refuse entry to someone who appears to him to be too far outside the social norms and thus offensive to those already on the bus. Perhaps the driver acted when the evidence did not support his actions? If this is the case, then his crime was no more than one of excessive caution.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

Understand also that we're only hearing their version of the incident. I'm sure the bus driver has a different version, and the truth lies in between.