Live blogging the vote for 2012-296, human rights ordinance.

[finehoe]

^^^I'm afraid you have a profound misunderstanding of how the law works.

[jtwestside]

That last part is the exact problem with creating a protected class based on anything. As soon as they are unhappy with something they have an automatic "trump" card to pull. The other problem is that you can't legislate hate out of people or acceptance in. Sure you can make punishments worse, but there is still hate and discrimination. Government is not the answer to every (any) problem.

A whole lot wrong with this here.  First, there isn't a protected class.  The anti-discrimination bill covers heterosexuals just as much as it does homosexuals.  Second, it doesn't act as a trump card.  It only serves to protect against discriminatory firing/hiring or housing.  Like Tacachale said.   

And last but not least, are you suggesting that if you can't completely get rid of something then there shouldn't be a law against it?  Murder?  Rape?  Theft?  All still happen.  Do you think government should stay out of making laws against them?

A. I'm heterosexual and I don't want the protection. Thanks but no thanks. The government screws up anything it touches. If it's not screwing it up just yet, wait until the next guy gets voted in and screws it up for you. You may see it as "Protecting" or giving you a right. Unfortunately the government doesn't give rights. The only thing "government" does and does well is controls people through force. Period.

Your second comment is a complete red herring, and honestly I think it's disrespectful to compare discrimination (yes I'll qualify) in America today with murder or rape.

[jtwestside]

^^^I'm afraid you have a profound misunderstanding of how the law works.

You seem content with pointing out that I should get educated and have little understanding. Why not educate me instead?

[Bridges]

Your second comment is a complete red herring, and honestly I think it's disrespectful to compare discrimination (yes I'll qualify) in America today with murder or rape.

At no point did I compare those crimes to discrimination.  Only that outlawing or protecting something doesn't have to completely eliminate it in order to be effective or needed. 

[Tacachale]

^^^I'm afraid you have a profound misunderstanding of how the law works.

You seem content with pointing out that I should get educated and have little understanding. Why not educate me instead?

I'll bite. The ordinance doesn't create a "protected class", it merely adds sexual orientation to the list of things, including race, creed and age, that you can't use in firing someone, kicking them out of their home, or denying them access to stores and restaurants. The only folks this effects are those who want to continue discriminating against gays. For literally everyone else, it's good policy.

[jtwestside]

^^^I'm afraid you have a profound misunderstanding of how the law works.

You seem content with pointing out that I should get educated and have little understanding. Why not educate me instead?

I'll bite. The ordinance doesn't create a "protected class", it merely adds sexual orientation to the list of things, including race, creed and age, that you can't use in firing someone, kicking them out of their home, or denying them access to stores and restaurants. The only folks this effects are those who want to continue discriminating against gays. For literally everyone else, it's good policy.

Again, much like the other unneeded protections it opens the door for unfounded allegations. Florida is an at will state regarding employment meaning a business should be able to fire you for no reason at all. These laws open the door to a "well he didn't like we because of X" allegations impeding on the business owners rights.

Don't get me wrong, the government shouldn't make laws that exclude anyone .. meaning voting, schooling ... etc. But I think "protections" for certain (any) groups goes too far. They do nothing to address the underlying issue of ignorance and intolerance anyway.

[Tacachale]

^No, it doesn't really. People can make "unfounded allegations" currently, and anything unfounded will be dismissed under the law. The difference will be that victims of true allegations will have recourse if they are fired, kicked out of their home, etc. for being gay.

And if you're going to talk about "impeding on the business owners rights" you really ought to be better informed about what "the business owners" actually want. The business community is strongly in favor of this legislation and are in fact some of its strongest backers. You can be damn sure this wouldn't be the case they thought it infringed on their rights.

[AshleyLauren]

Good Evening,

Since there seems to be a small amount of uncertainty still looming about this bill, MJ staff will attempt to clear some stuff up this evening as we live blog from the city council meeting. Joost just made it clear that there will be no vote this evening on this matter, but we already knew he wouldn't not pull rank. Nevertheless, it is important to keep this bill at the top of our list through conversation.

The weather mimics the mood of the room this evening as we head into our third CC Meeting.
Don Redman asked for those in opposition of the bill to stand so that they may leave if they like since there will be no vote this evening. a large portion of the room stood and most of those have left. It appears most of the city is not keeping up with the bill despite their continuous efforts to show up at the meetings.

Some good news though, CC announces that parking validations will now be offered for those that attend any CC meeting including the regular Council meeting, all sub committee meetings, and any personal meetings one may have with a CC member. You may get your parking validated for the Public Parking garage on Duval and Main.

[Timkin]

Some good news though, CC announces that parking validations will now be offered for those that attend any CC meeting including the regular Council meeting, all sub committee meetings, and any personal meetings one may have with a CC member. You may get your parking validated for the Public Parking garage on Duval and Main.

http://youtu.be/ZCFCeJTEzNU

[AshleyLauren]

ahaha, I just want to know can I get back the $.75 I just put in a meter before this meeting.

Councilman Jones finally calls his supporters to stand to show their support of bill 2012-296. Smaller crowd than normal in attendance for the supporters of 296. Debby must be holding them captive. Along with Kim Daniels since she is NOT in attendance this evening.

[Timkin]

ahaha, I just want to know can I get back the $.75 I just put in a meter before this meeting.

Councilman Jones finally calls his supporters to stand to show their support of bill 2012-296. Smaller crowd than normal in attendance for the supporters of 296. Debby must be holding them captive. Along with Kim Daniels since she is NOT in attendance this evening.

To the first point.. I ll  give you  $.75.  To the second point , refer to my previous post

[AshleyLauren]

ahaha, I just want to know can I get back the $.75 I just put in a meter before this meeting.

Councilman Jones finally calls his supporters to stand to show their support of bill 2012-296. Smaller crowd than normal in attendance for the supporters of 296. Debby must be holding them captive. Along with Kim Daniels since she is NOT in attendance this evening.

To the first point.. I ll  give you  $.75.  To the second point , refer to my previous post

Ha. I must disagree. I get upset when she is not here. Means it might actually be a smooth meeting, and where is the fun in that?? Since I love religious-fanatics that scream to the room, "I'm gonna get my point across every time. I am going to speak out and stand up for what I (hits her chest) know to be truth every time." haha.

[Timkin]

( hits her chest?) 

[AshleyLauren]

hits might be slightly barbaric. When speaking she often pats her chest, open palm, when she gets heated. Like a pastor stomps his foot.

[AshleyLauren]

Don Redman keeps saying things like, it's what the community wants and it's good for the community. Hate to say it but it doesn't seem like lately the council really cares what any "community" wants.