Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-Obviously) Says Firing Gay People is "A Freedom We Enjoy"

[KamaAina]

http://www.towleroad.com/2014/09/rep-robert-pittenger-r-nc-says-firing-gay-people-is-a-freedom-we-enjoy-video.html

Representative Robert Pittenger (R-NC) is courting controversy for remarks made at a recent town hall meeting in response to a question asking whether or not he supported the Employment Non-Discrimination Act - which would protect LGBT people from discrimination in the workplace.

Responded Pittenger:

"It's like smoking bans. Do you ban smoking or do people have the right to private property? I think people have the right to private property… If you have a business, do you want the government to come in and tell you you need to hire somebody? Why should government be there to impose on the freedoms we enjoy?"

Backlash was swift, with gay rights groups and even the Charlotte Observer calling out Pittenger's stance. The paper wrote an op-ed Tuesday saying Pittenger's flawed argument could've been made for racial discrimination in the past....

Contrary to Pittenger's idiotic follow-up statement's implications, North Carolina and 28 other states continue to have no protections for LGBT people facing discrimination in the workplace.

Towle Road is a fine site, but why must it put its headlines in caps, forcing me to retype them?

[msongs]

1. also firing people for being heterosexuals is perfectly cool - by this logic anyway nt

[Fred Sanders]

2. Next up is firing colored people and claiming it as a freedom "we" enjoy....how much more

madness from Republicans religious nuts and fascist dreamers until voters unlikely to vote do flock to the polls to register their disgust in the powerful and in their most powerful way they can, by solitary votes?

Wasn't voting supposed to be the ultimate protection against the idiots, grifters and plain evil folk in a democracy?

[xfundy]

3. "Colored people" is offensive.

I know you didn't mean it that way, but please consider changing it to "people of color."

[Jazzgirl]

4. "Colored people" is not offensive.

It can mean people of all other than white people too. If I'm reading this right that's what he means. Oh and I'm black.

[Fred Sanders]

5. Actually I agree with the comment, I think both are acceptable but "people of color" is better.

Also the context should be considered as to whether it is offensive, in context.

[KamaAina]

7. All she needed was this

colon, then the word 'sarcasm', then colon, with no spaces.

[Initech]

6. The derp is strong with this one!

[alp227]

8. But then those gay people will becomes TAKERS. LOL at this right wing logic.

They promote people being MAKERS - until people's sexual orientations become bothersome.

[Jamaal510]

9. So basically what he's saying is

to Hell with the freedoms of gay people. To Hell with their freedom to have a job and not experience discrimination. The only freedom that matters is that of employers.

[KamaAina]

10. Pretty much.