February 26, 2011

Lefty blogger loves the idea of restaurants refusing to serve people that their other customers express open hatred toward.

"Sounds like a good idea to me. I don’t generally consider myself a snob, but in this case I’ll make an exception — I’ll be happy to dine at an establishment that knows exactly which kind of undesirables should be kept out."

Swopa loves that a Madison restaurant asked Governor Scott Walker to leave when customers booed him. He/she links to a Madison blogger who deleted the name of the restaurant after the restaurant received threats. (Threats? Were they reported to the police?) Swopa notes that he edited his post to delete the name of the restaurant, but he leaves in his "via Howie Klein on Twitter" link, and the name of the restaurant is right there.

Idiot. Don't rely on Firedoglake to protect you. They care. They want to protect you. But they just can't quite pull off the protectiveness they'd love to give you.

And that's the problem with liberals. They care. They're here to help. They're here to help the people they've decided are the people who deserve to be helped. But they do a half-assed job of protecting even the people they care about.

And how about believing in principles that you are willing to follow at a high level of abstraction? You love the idea of restaurants letting the passions of their customers determine who ought to be seated (at least when they sympathize with those passions). What sprang into my head was: Ollie's Barbecue!
Ollie's Barbecue is a family owned restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, specializing in barbecued meats and homemade pies, with a seating capacity of 220 customers... The restaurant caters to a family and white-collar trade with a take-out service for Negroes....
Ah, but who remembers anything anymore? It's today that matters. The war dead are dead, and now their memorial is a handy place to tape your signs and back your table up against so all your stuff doesn't fall on the floor.

And who thinks about tomorrow? The state capitol is occupied right now and plastered with thousands of signs this week, and isn't that just great? You haven't give a moment's thought — have you? — to what free speech rights will apply to the next group that wants to appropriate the state capitol? Are you planning on advocating viewpoint discrimination to keep the signs you find loathsome off the walls?

No. I know. You have no plan. You haven't thought about it. Swopa began his post this way:
Sometimes, it’s good to leave detached, cerebral meta-analyses of politics aside and just get a taste of public opinion being expressed the old-fashioned way.
Sometimes! The whole point of principles is that you're supposed to follow them all the time — especially when you would find it most satisfying to violate them. Swopa's all: Let's not be "detached" and "cerebral" today when we're having such fun.

What children!

IN THE COMMENTS: There's some evidence that the story of the booing and ejectment was a hoax. Of course, nothing in my post depends on whether the incident really happened or not. I'm writing about the reaction to the incident, not the incident itself. If it is a hoax, I would like to get to the bottom of it. Did the owners of the restaurant seek to endear themselves to Madisonians with viral P.R. about their political faith? Or were employees appropriating their employer's reputation?

216 comments:

1 – 200 of 216   Newer›   Newest»
The Drill SGT said...

I'm thinking about the Jews cowering at the back table in the Cabaret

Kev said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Headless Blogger said...

Ann,

Check out Badger Blogger. They blew up this hoax.

jrp

http://badgerblogger.com/?p=19243

Trooper York said...

Jeee nobody mentioned that the Governor was black.

I mean they would be happy to refuse him service if he was black right?

I mean there is a principle involved right?

I mean they are nothing but consistent right?

HT said...

Ollie's served the absolute best barbecue in town. The owner eventually came around. Ollie's is gone now unfortunately, though you can still buy the sauce. It was an institution that like a lot of city institutions used to not serve blacks. Why are we singling Ollie's out??? The waitresses were all black.

Chip Ahoy said...

I sense our hostess would like to post something on New Zealand but she's buried with work in Madison.

HT said...

I sense our hostess would like to post something on LIBYA, but instead has me remembering the best bbq sandwich with pickles ever.

Anne M Ford said...

I remember a few years ago when a Denny's restaurant was sued because some blacks were refused service. How is this any different? Oh and before the liberals starting preaching their holier than thou mantra, this is the exact environment in Germany during the early Hitler days. This is total hypocrisy. The liberals love to paint the conservatives with the Nazi brush, but its them that are following the Nazi example.

GMay said...

@headless blogger

Interesting, more lib shenannigans gone awry. First Maddow (failing), then that anti-troop assclown prank calling the governor (and failing), and now a lib restaurant lying about an incident and a lib blogger biting on it.

And in every case the little lefties showed their true colors.

Trooper York said...

I sense our hostess would like to post something about American Idol but this blog has gotten so boring that she didn't even tried to watch it.

It might as well be Little Green Footballs or Politico or something. All politics all the time.

It's what made this place so much fun.

Tibore said...

It cracks me up how uberliberals try to portray the Tea Party folks as out-of-control angry. Gee, projection anyone?

Anonymous said...

...and just get a taste of public opinion being expressed the old-fashioned way.

You mean a taste of public opinion like the Democrats got in the last election, where the people kicked them in the ass the old-fashioned way by voting the bums out?

Unknown said...

I seem to recall some people called Freedom Riders who crusaded against this sort of thing.

And a man who dreamed of a time when people would be judged on the content of their character.

Sounds like we need people like that again.

WV "tontally" A friend of the Lone Ranger's buddy.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

I love the empiricism and respect for facts and reason that pervades this post of yours. There are arguments deployed in here that Plato and Isaac Newton would have been proud to have advanced.

You are a credit to calm, reasoned thought, Princess Winebox, and don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

kent said...

Sometimes, it’s good to leave detached, cerebral meta-analyses of politics aside

Why do I get the sneaking suspicion that Swopa's idea of "cerebral meta-analysis" is reading old "Bazooka Joe" bubblegum strips aloud in a high, funny voice...?

Anonymous said...

I've seen no evidence that FDL bloggers are even capable of "detached, cerebral meta-analyses".

GMay said...

Here ya go Trooper:

The Yankees suck.

The Dude said...

We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Ah, good times...

WV: burpher - what you will be after you eat at that salmonella-filled dive.

John Cunningham said...

it is highly amusing that this Lefty boob tries to cover up the name of the restaurant, and then provides the Twitter link containing it--
The Merchant rocks! RT @_RubberNeck_ Scott Walker asked to leave restaurant after excessive booing from other tables http://bit.ly/eUfwzp
about 15 hours ago via web
Retweeted by 4 people


downwithtyranny
Howie Klein

Trooper York said...

First game of spring training.

And you have it wrong my friend.

BOSTON SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quilly_Mammoth said...

My four year old pulls stunts and throws tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants. So do these people. Just like a wise adult stays strong for the best interests of the child so must the political adults of America remain resolute in the face of the abuse and smears from the political children. Be the Honey Badger!

Headless Blogger said...

Make them leave, they are disturbing the other customers.

http://images.wisconsinhistory.org/700099990281/9999004618-l.jpg

Unknown said...

While it appears that Swopa got punked by his own side, still the story is totally believable.

If the last fews days have proven anything, it's that Madison is chock full'o rude liberal assholes. So when a blog written by rude liberal assholes gleefully reports that rude liberal assholes at a Madison restaurant behave like rude liberal assholes, then what's not to believe?

GMay said...

englishkanighit observed: "I've seen no evidence that FDL bloggers are even capable of "detached, cerebral meta-analyses"."

They're sort of like C4BDH Brasiliero here: heavy on the pseudo-intellectual fluff, light on the substance.

(It Ritty's defense though, he's really trimmed his wordcount lately.)

EK said...

"And that's the problem with liberals. They care. They're here to help."

That line puts me in mind of something C.S. Lewis once said:

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their consciences.”

MisterBuddwing said...

There's a restaurant in the Seattle area that refuses to serve TSA employees:

http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/02/23/restaurant-bans-tsa-agents/

But that's a form of discrimination we can actually endorse, isn't it? (Feel free to list all of the rationalizations - er, good reasons why.)

WV: himotu

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Do you wonder if "Old Dad" has a sufficient number of teeth left to pronounce "rude liberal assholes" so many times in repetitive succession without it ending up sounding like a tongue twister?

Rick Caird said...

Hey, a "twofer" is always fun.

First, they guys got a lesson in principles and then it turns out they were lying in the first place. The first priciple is: "don't lie". The second prinicple is: "Have some principles".

I find the left is always about tactics, never about principles they can articulate.

Unknown said...

Conservatives 4 Better Dental Hygiene said...

I love the empiricism and respect for facts and reason that pervades this post of yours. There are arguments deployed in here that Plato and Isaac Newton would have been proud to have advanced.

Gee, did Trickling Down His Leg just denigrate two of the greatest minds in the history of the human race in the interest of a cheap snark?

virgil xenophon said...

"What children!"

Says it all. The child-like leftist mentality of zero " I want-it-all-and-I-want-it-now!" deferred gratification concept. The left has never met a gold egg-laying goose they didn't want to immediately kill for this evenings dinner. And anybody who wants to stop me is TOTALLY evil. And, oh, btw, we'll play by MY rules--except *I* don't have to abide by them--and when you nonetheless win even playing by *MY* rules I'll pick up my ball and go home...talking trash & shouting expletives as I go...PS....and if you get in my way you just might get hurt--got that buster!

rhhardin said...

Ah, but who remembers anything anymore? It's today that matters. The war dead are dead, and now their memorial is a handy place to tape your signs and back your table up against so all your stuff doesn't fall on the floor.

What goes wrong if you think memorials are just things put up by politicians for their own gain?

I claim, as in a few posts ago, they're misdefined, leading you away from what is good, towards cultism.

The young get it right on this one.

Unknown said...

The mere mention of rude liberal assholes, conjures a rude liberal asshole--Ratso.

Lincolntf said...

So did the "Gov. Walker kicked out of restaurant" story really happen or not? I'm confuzzled.

P.S.
Go Red Sox!

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Should I take the disrespect shown for caring in this thread to indicate a respect for carelessness, or for only caring about people who pay you back (i.e. prostitution)?

Either behavior seems to be quite in vogue among conservatards. In fact, I can't identify any other social model among them.

Chennaul said...

Yep-they deleted it because they lied about it.

A progressive website posted a story about Governor Walker getting asked to leave a Madison, WI restaurant because he was getting booed by patrons. The blog post asked readers to call the restaurant and thank the owners. That blog post has been removed, and replaced by a post asking people not to call the restaurant. The blogger claims the restaurant is getting threatening phone calls, with no proof to back it up.

So, why was the original post removed? I mean, it would be big news if a sitting governor was denied service at a restaurant. If there’s one thing a blogger really likes, it’s heavy traffic and a big memeorandum thread. The problem is, Governor Walker denies ever stepping foot in the Merchant Restaurant, according to Badger Blogger. That blogger also called the restaurant, and the person he spoke to would neither confirm nor deny the allegation that Governor Walker got the boot. What’s interesting is what happened after the restaurant employee thought he disconnected the call.

But in fact, they didn’t hang up, it appears that they accidentally put the phone on speaker…. And BadgerBlogger tapes continued to roll.

Our audio captures the restaurant staff talking about how they have to take down the blog posting because people are starting to call about it, you can actually hear them logging into the blog and deleting it. Too late.

They punked themselves! Listen for yourself.


lonely conservative

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

I do it out of concern for you, GMan. I know that in your world, more words = more pain for your brain cells.

kent said...

But in fact, they didn’t hang up, it appears that they accidentally put the phone on speaker…. And BadgerBlogger tapes continued to roll.

Our audio captures the restaurant staff talking about how they have to take down the blog posting because people are starting to call about it, you can actually hear them logging into the blog and deleting it. Too late.

They punked themselves!


Group MENSA application: Denied.

The Crack Emcee said...

The whole point of principles is that you're supposed to follow them all the time — especially when you would find it most satisfying to violate them.

Remember that the next time I piss you off because I'm standing on principle.

And, damn it, having said that, you should put me back on your blogroll or else you're, both, being a hypocrite and punishing me for holding to a position you've now articulated as correct.

I've never taken you off mine, criticism or no.

wv: "bloging" - it's weird sometimes.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Oh no! Old Tooofleth Dad hath inthulted me!

What's the matter, Dud? You know, it's ok to take your dentures out of the glass they've been kept in all night and put them back in your mouth. You might just end up feeling more articulate as a result, despite your senility and other infirmities.

Liberals 4 Better Driving Habits said...

a

Unknown said...

More sparkling wit from our resident liberal asshole.

Rat, in between eating boogers and pulling the wings of flies, how many time did you get beat up last year in sixth grade?

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

I think the meandering, aimless complaints and disconnected targets of abuse in Althouse's post are supposed to indicate the coherence of the conservative mindset these days.

Whatever her point was, I'm sure it came across loud and clear to all the true believers.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

There's your endorsement of bullying, Old Dud - the other conservative social model.

So, apart from apathy, political prostitution and bullying, what do conservatives such as yourself stand for these days?

Lincolntf said...

Madawskan-
Good find.

Anonymous said...

This is the leftover garbage of the 60s.

According to liberals, every political battle is just a re-run of the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement.

They are on the side of the blacks against the white southern sheriff, the side of the imperial giant ruthlessly killing Asian peasants.

And so, they are on the side of morality and conscience. Their enemies are, forever, horrifying bigots and killers.

So, any tactics are justified.

Irene said...

"Did the owners of the restaurant seek to endear themselves to Madisonians with viral P.R. about their political faith? Or were employees appropriating their employer's reputation?"

It's reassuring to see that the restaurant's owner is "Honest Foods, LLC."

dhagood said...

@mr buddwing: confirmation bias is a rather ugly thing, all in all.

i'll admit that when i first read that story, i smiled. after a little reflection, refusing to serve potential customers based on their employment is pretty damn weak. like people everywhere else, the vast majority of TSA agents are just trying to do a decent job.

TSA agents don't create the stupid, useless rules that aggravate everybody, they just have to enforce them.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

A hoax?..

It sure sounds like a hoax.

Somebody check with the governor.. does he tweet? does he have a facebook?

HT said...

Point of order.

I'm not a lawyer so maybe some JDs can help me out here.

Here is some (admittedly grabbed almost randomly) text from the ruling:

"Section 201(a) of Title II commands that all persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods and services of any place of public accommodation without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin, and § 201(b) defines establishments as places of public accommodation if their operations affect commerce or segregation by them is supported by state action. Sections 201(b)(2) and (c) place any "restaurant . . . principally engaged in selling food for consumption on the premises" under the Act "if . . . it serves or offers to serve interstate travelers or a substantial portion of the food which it serves . . . has moved in commerce."

So, I get it that blacks eating at Ollie's should have been protected with this language, but how should the Wisconsin governor? Furthermore, why in the world - truly - would the governor not assert his rights? Well, I don't know what happened, maybe he did. But it just seems that if there were one person in the state who would not let someone get away with something like this, it would be a governor.

Chennaul said...

Lincolntf-

Well it gets interesting...

The Badger Blogger says that they confirmed it with Walker's staff..

They have a recording but the kids are taking the blog down either because they out and out lied or the restaurant did ask Walker to leave...

I don't know which is worse lying or as Althouse suggests booting someone out because of their political views.

What are the legal ramifications of that?

That's another reason they might be trying to back pedal rapidly.

I don't know which is worse-I suspect the latter.

Supposedly in comments at the Badger Blogger they are saying that the restaurant's Facebook page has plenty of comments from people who say they were there that night and witnessed the event.

Ugh-I don't think this is settled yet.

*****

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

The restaurant's facebook page defending the "hoax" is still up.. so it could be real.

This will backfire bigtime.

Alex said...

So liberals believe in freedom of association as long as they can exclude undesirables, but not to allow conservatives the same freedom.

Liberals 4 Better Driving Habits said...

Mr. Dental Hygeine,

You tell 'em sir! Our fellow liberals in the Wisconsin senate are standing for something bigger than democracy right now.

Alex said...

The comments on that blog post are even more disgusting and filthy. One even alludes to Scott Walker being a pedophile.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Real or fake – Progressives still manage to make themselves look like intolerant self-centered children.

John Burgess said...

Restaurants generally have the right to exclude anyone they like, for whatever reason they like, as long as the person they would exclude is not a member of a protected class. Governors, are not a protected class under the law, so any restaurant could choose to deny a governor service.

Legally, they're okay.

Politically, and as an indication of their social smarts, though, it's a dumbass move. They're flagging themselves for the contempt of 50% of their potential customers, unless their customer base is all students or state workers who might approve.

That they took down the post suggests that they didn't really think things through, but acted on an emotional 'Boy! This'll show 'em!!' level. In other words, typical lefty bozos pretending to be grown up.

Alex said...

The restaurant owner has updated their blog to indicate that despite this being a hoax she reserves the RIGHT to deny service to anyone. I'm smelling a civil rights violation!

Alex said...

Here's another thing, if Scott Walker is so damn hated how did he get elected governor by 52-46?

HT said...

But Alex, can't restaurant owners legally discriminate based on political views?

Lincolntf said...

If the Badger Blogger guys would tell us how they confirmed with Gov. Walker, I'd be satisfied that it never happened. I have no reason to disbelieve the people at BB (looks like a good blog), but just saying they got confirmation isn't really helpful.
I tried to register/login to ask them, but WordPress seems to hate me today.

Alex said...

HT - no they can't. You're allowed to deny service on behavioral traits(no shoes, no service), not characteristics.

Anonymous said...

Real or fake – Progressives still manage to make themselves look like intolerant self-centered children.

Progressives, in fact, believe that this is a good thing.

The focus of sexual identity politics enforces this outlook.

For the far left, abandoning family and tradition, advocating abortion, demanding that long-standing traditions simply be junked (like marriage)... these are admirable ideals.

In other words, acting like a spoiled, petulant child is a virtue for progressives.

former law student said...

And a man who dreamed of a time when people would be judged on the content of their character.

In the scenario of the post, the restaurant has judged that a man who as governor has pledged to strip public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights is unwelcome in their restaurant. There is no prejudging here: Scott Walker has taken a stand that repels some people, and he must accept the consequences.

In contrast, Ollie's Barbecue refused to seat Negroes completely based on the color of their skin. Saint or sinner, Ollie didn't care.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

The left is so completely clueless and unaware of the consequences of their actions or the consequences of their speech.

Unaware. Children.

In the South before civil rights, they used to like the idea of restaruants refusing to service to people that the other customers didn't like. They used to call them Negros/Darkies/Nigger/Boy.

Now the left wants to come full circle and bring back segregation and discrimination based on hatred.

Is THIS what people who fought and died for during the civil rights era envisioned?

I doubt it.

Once again....self unaware. I imagine that our lefty blogger would be stunned to find out that HE probably won't be served in most restaurants in some areas. We hate him.

:-D

AmPowerBlog said...

Linked: 'Naomi Houser Comments on Suspected Restaurant Hoax'.

Alex said...

st - did you read the comments on the FDL blog post? One cretin mused that Scott Walker was jacking off to a child's picture. I kid you not.

Chennaul said...

John Burgess

Legally, they're okay.

Thanks.

OK...hmmmm so they deleted it because they lied or -

bad for business..

I don't do Facebook so I'm not seeing the *evidence* or "witness statements" that liberal commenters at Badger Blogger are claiming are there.

Plus-I have been searching and no other news service has contacted Scott Walker's office.

*****

Alex said...

here it is:

msmolly February 25th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
7
In response to Shoto @ 5
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s eyes have the glazed over look of a man who just jacked off to a Facebook album of your niece’s fifth birthday party.

That one sentence will have me laughing all night!


I have no words.

Anonymous said...

In the scenario of the post, the restaurant has judged that a man who as governor has pledged to strip public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights is unwelcome in their restaurant. There is no prejudging here: Scott Walker has taken a stand that repels some people, and he must accept the consequences.

fls, you are a worthless piece of shit.

You just admitted it in print.

Gov. Walker was elected by the people of the State of Wisconsin, you lowlife piece of shit.

What a contemptible bastard you are.

Chennaul said...

Lincolntf

If the Badger Blogger guys would tell us how they confirmed with Gov. Walker, I'd be satisfied that it never happened.

Exactly.

They just say that they talked to a member of Walker's staff-who says Walker never heard of the restaurant.

....which is kind of like that phone tag game.

*****

Dust Bunny Queen said...

Restaurants generally have the right to exclude anyone they like, for whatever reason they like, as long as the person they would exclude is not a member of a protected class

They can refuse service for behaviour IN the restaurant and for inappropriate clothing.

They can't refuse to serve people because they don't like their political persuasion, religion or ethnicity.

They can't refuse to serve you because you have committed 'thought crimes' against their own pet beliefs.

The people who are defending this, even if it was not an actual incident, are going down a very foolish and dangerous path.

Useful idiots, once again.

Alex said...

Am I the only one OUTRAGED????? I'm shaking my fists at the sky. There is no God.

DADvocate said...

Reminds me of Ollie's Trolley a few blocks where I work. Owned by a black man, an Obama supporter, who proudly displays a picture of himself shaking hands with Obama. But, he also proudly displays pictures of himself with Bill Cunningham, the man who referred to Obama by his full name, Barack Hussein Obama and set the left into a conniption fit. Some people know how to disagree and still see the good character in others. If these lefties can do that, they're hiding it real well.

HT said...

I'm not defending this, and it is outrageous, but can someone point me to a place where it lays out in black and white that you cannot discriminate based on political views? I'm having a hard time finding that. I'd just like to read about such a case. (Continuing to search - yes, I know how to use google.)

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

HT, I'm sure it's just something that Dust Cloud Queen made up.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

I'm not defending this, and it is outrageous, but can someone point me to a place where it lays out in black and white that you cannot discriminate based on political views?

So, you think that if I owned a restaurant and put up a sign that says:

"Treehuggers, Enviro-Nazis, Democrats and anyone stupid enough to live in San Francisco will have service refused", that I wouldn't be facing a discrimination law suit?

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Scott Walker's election to governor entitles him to run the office in the manner layed out in Wisconsin's constitution.

It does not entitle him to be able to patronize anyone's business that he wants to.

Pretending otherwise sounds like a throwback to pre-Third Amendment times.

Other than that, rage on.

somefeller said...

Restaurants generally have the right to exclude anyone they like, for whatever reason they like, as long as the person they would exclude is not a member of a protected class. Governors, are not a protected class under the law, so any restaurant could choose to deny a governor service. Legally, they're okay.

This is true. The people who are claiming this is some sort of civil rights violation are only showing their lack of knowledge regarding these sorts of laws.

Politically, and as an indication of their social smarts, though, it's a dumbass move. They're flagging themselves for the contempt of 50% of their potential customers, unless their customer base is all students or state workers who might approve.

This is probably also true. As a rule, a restaurant shouldn't be known for its politics. But it depends on the restaurant's target audience.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Dust Bunny Queen is also showing us her inability to distinguish between facing a lawsuit and losing a lawsuit.

Anyone can bring a lawsuit, goofball. Stop being so afraid of the common law.

HT said...

Though I may not have seen that precise sign, I've seen signs that are not far from it! What I'm ***asking*** is on what basis the tree huggers could bring such a law suit, or better yet, WIN.

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

This will be the new "Woodstock', where every left-wing mud-wallowing smelly hippie will claim to have 'been there'.

James said...

I doubt this story is true because I have it on Garage Mahal's good word that Scott Walker only eats homemade ham and cheese sandwiches.

Kinda like George Allen eating peanut butter & jelly sandwiches every day so he wouldn't have to waste time chewing :)

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

I'm pretty sure I've seen signs like that too, BTW.

Chennaul said...

HT

Well according to the Liberals they had grounds to ask him to leave because he supposedly was creating a disturbance.

By forcing the other patrons to boo him...

Ya I know it makes little sense Catch-22 and all that.

But it's the Liberal rational....which....oy.

Automatic_Wing said...

Restaurants generally have the right to exclude anyone they like, for whatever reason they like, as long as the person they would exclude is not a member of a protected class. Governors, are not a protected class under the law, so any restaurant could choose to deny a governor service. Legally, they're okay.

Interesting...if the guv was a black guy or a woman would it still be OK to exclude them? Or would it depend on the intent of the restaurant owner? Would it be OK to exclude Jesse Jackson as long as you didn't exclude all blacks?

somefeller said...

They can't refuse to serve people because they don't like their political persuasion, religion or ethnicity.

Correct on the last two but not the first one. Political persuasion is not a protected class under Federal civil rights laws that cover private establishments. Unless Wisconsin has added that as a class, a restaurant owner can say that he doesn't people of a particular political viewpoint as customers. Probably not a good business move (and it can't be a pretext for keeping out people based on race, religion, etc.), but you can do that.

traditionalguy said...

Sounds so Puritan...touch not the unclean thing and our movement will accept you.I suppose that we should also apply this to the "Handicapped Parking Spaces" at the door? Just tow them away if their bumper stickers are heretical. Who needs strangers among us!

DADvocate said...

The people who are defending this, even if it was not an actual incident, are going down a very foolish and dangerous path.

Fascism and totalitarian thought reside in the heart of lefties. They somehow imagine themselves immune from the world they want to build.

Chennaul said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
cubanbob said...

John Burgess said..

Good point. I never understood why people who earn their living catering to the public would ever expose their views. No matter what your view is, someone will be offended, so why drive away a customer? Michael Jordan was one asked why he did not endorse democrats for office and his reply was that republicans also buy sneakers. In that one reply he encapsulated an MBA from Wharton.

Alex said...

Ritmo - ask yourself why these people want to maintain such purity in their associations. Never mind the legality of it - just ask yourself why would you ONLY want to surround yourself with like-minded people?

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Lol, thanks for providing the necessary remediation, somefeller.

My politics convince me that you are a member of a subclass of humans who must be forever dominated by the noble Aryan people! Now serve me some mashed potatoes!

lol.

Chennaul said...

James

I doubt this story is true because I have it on Garage Mahal's good word that Scott Walker only eats homemade ham and cheese sandwiches.

Ha!

ThIs is from garage mahal who still has his-

sippy cup.

****

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

just ask yourself why would you ONLY want to surround yourself with like-minded people?

Who ever said that this is what I do, let alone what I seek to do?

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

It's more than just garage mahal who will vouch for the stories of Scott Walker's plain jane lunchtime habits.

Nothing more than a ham and cheese every day for twenty years? My God! Does the man wear Underoos too?

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Does he have his office assistant cut away the crust?

Dust Bunny Queen said...

@ HT here is some reference material

In California, for example, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, enacted in 1959, says that: "All persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever."

In Stoumen v. Reilly, a case interpreting the Unruh Act, the appellate court wrote: "Members of the public of lawful age have a right to patronize a public restaurant and a bar so long as they are acting properly and are not committing illegal and immoral acts. The proprietor has no right to exclude or reject a patron except for good cause, and if he does so without good cause, he is liable in damages."


We used to own a restaurant/deli and this is the law in California, probably in most states as well.

So as much as I would have loved to refuse service to assholes like FLS and others who I disagree with polically, I was not allowed to do so, UNLESS he was doing something inside my restaurant that was against the neutral rules that applied to everyone.

Just being on the other political side of the spectrum, does not count.

All my customers hating that person also doesn't give good cause or rise to the level of allowable refusing of service. Unless all the customers in the restaurant were going to riot and cause harm or damage, there is no reason to refuse service.

If I had those kinds of disruptive customers, I would kick them out as well, even if I agreed with them.

HT said...

somefeller and others, Thanks.

Doing some research, I see that restaurants are public accommodations, and if the patron is causing a disturbance (which may or may not be different that IS the cause of a disturbance) then the owner has the right to refuse. (As well as being a member of a protected class.) It appears that judges do not take kindly to *arbitrary* refusals.

I don't know if the owner whipped his patrons into a frenzy or not. If not, then it would appear that he would have a case for refusing service. In a better world, the patrons would have silently shunned if they disagreed with their governor, and simply let him eat his meal. So much more good can come of that.

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

Although, ya gotta love the 'update' on that FaceBook page that basically says, "Yeah, we booted him, and we can do that to anyone we want, and the people who disagree with our political discrimination are racists, so there!"

All that's missing is a picture of someone doing the "LALALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU! LALALALALA!" thing.

Alex said...

Ritmo: Who ever said that this is what I do, let alone what I seek to do?

Yet you celebrate these cretins who fantasize about denying Scott Walker food service.

Martin L. Shoemaker said...

Assuming the story's not a hoax (very unclear now)... And if I'm reading this correctly...

Swopa loves that a Madison restaurant asked Governor Scott Walker to leave when customers booed him.

...then it could be argued that he wasn't asked to leave due to his politics, but rather due to the disruption. And while that may or may not be legal (I'm not a lawyer, so don't ask me), it might be a smart way for the owner to maintain order in the restaurant. And complying with the request would be the smart and gracious thing for the Governor to do.

The Governor isn't fighting for the right to eat in that restaurant. He's fighting to get control of current and future budgets. Fighting over restaurant policies would only be a distraction from that. He has to choose his battles. "Stick it to them!" is the short-sighted, immature philosophy of the union supporters. Grown ups think more strategically than that.

And whether this is or is not a hoax, I suspect the staff thought it was clever and acted on their own initiative, and now the owner is kicking some asses and doing damage control.

MadisonMan said...

What kind of owner doesn't like the green of money? That was my principle reaction to this story.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

"celebrate"? "fantasize"?

Alex, try toning up the hyperbole meter a notch, ok?

People have the right to shun public figures who act in a way that merits ignominy.

Not only that, but to do so is a damn sight better than your side's (depending on the day... I know you switch sides often) reliance on endlessly entertaining assassination scenarios.

MadisonMan said...

(and I was also amazed that pleasant midwesterners would actually boo someone in a restaurant)

And it turns out to be a fabrication.

paul a'barge said...

Swopa?

the mutt's name is Swopa?

What is that, like Polish?

LOL.

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

reliance on endlessly entertaining assassination scenarios.

Yeah, I saw 'Death of a President' too - nd the people in the audience wearing t-shirts of Bush in crosshairs - which they probably got the idea for from Dan Rather's news show.

Good call, man!

HT said...

Re-reading my last post, I see I got my words twisted a bit.

I have a better understanding now.
Going to pack now....

Fen said...

The Merchant
121 S Pinckney St
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 259-9799

Let's play.

Big Mike said...

Hmm. The first image that came into my mind when I read the Althouse headline was Lester Maddox chasing black customers away from his restaurant with an axe handle.

Liberalism has come full circle! Not only are they now the ones trying to "stand athwart history yelling 'Stop'," but now liberals in Madison occupy the niche once held by Lester Maddox down in Atlanta.

No wonder they're trying to push the story that it's all a hoax.

Moose said...

So, I'd suggest that a restaurant that asks a gay man to leave based on his dress or mannerisms would be covered here. As long as they don't say the "gay" word.

Yup. Sounds good too...

shiloh said...

Whatever her point was, I'm sure it came across loud and clear to all the true believers.

Hopefully ;) as long AA posts liberals suck and conservatives are god's gift to mankind her winger lemmings are happy campers as indicated by their (5O) ITA in a 100 post thread.

Did I mention AA's constant meme: liberals (((insert ad nauseam childish ad hominems by her well educated Rep contributers lol))) suck !!! and conservatives are god's gift to mankind.

Rinse, lather, repeat daily ...

>

Indeed AA's conservative crew is quite dedicated and craves the 24/7 winger redundancy she provides as it's a win/win for all concerned in the never ending circle jerk!

Alas, the unintentional entertainment value wears thin quickly ...

DADvocate said...

...if the guv was a black guy or a woman would it still be OK to exclude them?

If it's for the right reason, restruanteur Jeff Ruby kicked OJ Simpson out of his place in Louisville a few years ago. Some people cried racism but Ruby pointed out he gave Simpson's table to Michael Jordan after Simpson left.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Not that a shaaaaarkkkkk would know the meaning of the word "reliance" or anything. After all, the species is known to sniff out a drop of blood from a mile away.

I compare one obscure film made of Bush with the persistent attempts and violent rhetoric aimed at Obama, Clinton and any successful Dem pol since Reagan. I can compare those things for a reason. There's not much of a comparison.

But it's good to know you've internalized the martyrdom and victimology complex that you so often criticize on the left. So that's good.

Anonymous said...

Indeed AA's conservative crew is quite dedicated and craves the 24/7 winger redundancy she provides as it's a win/win for all concerned in the never ending circle jerk!

Another one of the loony left's tactics. Anybody who opposes anything they want is a right winger.

Never mind that Althouse is a feminist and an advocate of gay marriage. She's also a law professor at one of the most liberal institutions in the country.

But, because she doesn't roll over and immediately serve up what the spoiled brat left wants, she's a right winger.

Headless Blogger said...

Some here are missing the point. Walker was not purportedly booted because of his political views. Per the Badger Blogger screenshot, Walker was asked to leave because "his presence was causing a disturbance." Based on the description of the circumstances, Walker was not the individual who was disturbing the peace at the Merchant.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Oh, AA will just say any contrarian, knee-jerk thing as long as it will win her the adulation of a bunch of uncritical "others". The sides don't matter so much, but seeing as how she's in Madison she has no choice but to pick on lefties for whatever reason is available and reap the love (and the jerking knees) of groupie-like retro-pubicons scattered throughout cyperspace in return.

Fen said...

The owner needs to fire everyone involved.

Then claim the Gov was asked to leave because his presence was causing Libtards to create a disturbance.

Then publicly apologize, and insist his business doesn't discriminate against people because of their political beliefs.

somefeller said...

Liberalism has come full circle! Not only are they now the ones trying to "stand athwart history yelling 'Stop'," but now liberals in Madison occupy the niche once held by Lester Maddox down in Atlanta.

Yes, because being a conservative in America today (particularly if you are the Governor of a state) is just like being a black person in the pre-civil rights era South. You have an interesting mix of self-pity, feelings of victimization and a need to be a drama queen, Big Mike. Maybe you should write a book about this and get a syndrome named after you.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Looks like the reliably ill-educated Fen still has some upthread swimming to do before he gets the message on the constitutionality of "political" discrimination.

Fen said...

Shiloh: Did I mention AA's constant meme: liberals suck !!!

Why would she push a constant meme that liberals suck when she's got you here posting everyday?

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

No, actually, I was pointing out that there are dumbasses everywhere regardless of political affiliation. After 8 years of "Kill Bush", "Hang Bush", "Regime Change Now" and other shit, you left-wingers have created this environment. Good luck trying to put that genie back in the lamp after rubbing it for a decade.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

12:16 FTW.

MadisonMan said...

Fen, did you somehow miss the evidence that this whole thing was most likely fabricated?

Unknown said...

So this guy agrees with Rand Paul that the Civil Rights Act went to far. Who knew he's a closet tea bagger.

BTW, I embrace the word tea bagger. It says more about those that use the term than those it is directed at.

Fen said...

Ritmo: Looks like the reliably ill-educated Fen still has some upthread swimming to do before he gets the message on the constitutionality of "political" discrimination.

Hey dumbass, show me where I invoked the constitution.

I even said the restaurant was within their rights to deny the Gov service if his presence was creating a disturbance.

You get dumber every day. Are you wasting away like Andrew?

Beth said...

We've been booing and making politicians and opposing speakers hightail it regularly since the town hall/health care meetings two summers back. Why get all righteously indignant now?

Liberals 4 Better Driving Habits said...

"There's not much of a comparison."

Boy are you right about that Mr. Dental Hygeine!!

I can't find anything against Obama and Clinton that matches the frequency or vitriol against eevil Booosh!

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Nice re-writing of history, Shark Bait. Care to cite all these calls for killing and hanging? I don't recall a lot of conservative outrage over them at the time. Although I do recall someone caught on Bill Clinton's White House lawn firing off a few rounds after the unhinged guys on the air couldn't help their hyperbole. Funny, that.

BTW, "Regime change" is not a call for assassination, but I guess you go to war with the army you've got. Today the dish sounds like "petty feigned indignation", served with a smattering of "My governor does so deserve respectful treatment no matter what he does. To do otherwise would be discriminatory and, uh, racist."

You guys are really something today.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Oh, that's right, Fen. I forgot that you don't do sarcasm or satire in your posts. Which makes your homophobic snipes at HIV+ writers so much more worthy of being taken seriously.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

did you somehow miss the evidence that this whole thing was most likely fabricated?

@ Madison Man

Whether it is a false story or not, the significance is that the liberals think that it is a good idea to discriminate in public establishments based on political persuasion and ideology.

What next....refuse to hire someone based on their voting record? Refuse to rent to a person because they have committed the 'thought crime' of not supporting Unions?

Perhaps because some one has had some association with Communists we should black list them from being able to work in the movie industry.......hmmmm.....that one sounds vaguely familiar. Doesn't it.

The idea that some people think this is ok is revealing and frightening.

GMay said...

shiloh whined: "as long AA posts liberals suck and conservatives are god's gift to mankind..."

Awww, poor girl. Somebody's a widdle upset!

But cheer up, because I'm fairly certain AA just makes the "liberals suck" point. That conservative thing is just a figment of your fevered imagination.

But do carry on.

Fen said...

MadisonMan: Fen, did you somehow miss the evidence that this whole thing was most likely fabricated?

"And BadgerBlogger tapes continued to roll.

Our audio captures the restaurant staff talking about how they have to take down the blog posting because people are starting to call about it, you can actually hear them logging into the blog and deleting it."

My words are directed at the staff. Those involved should be fired. If the owner wants to employ types that will spit in your food because of your politics, he deserves to go out of business.

Chennaul said...

Welp....

they still have this discussion topic on their own Facebook page, which they link to at their website.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=147913008586869&topic=486

the title of which is "Walker OUT".

Here's the hyperlink.

The Merchant Facebook

*****

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Whether it is a false story or not, the significance is that the liberals think that it is a good idea to discriminate in public establishments based on political persuasion and ideology.

What next....refuse to hire someone based on their voting record? Refuse to rent to a person because they have committed the 'thought crime' of not supporting Unions?


How about refusing them access to the political process because they don't have enough money - I mean, political donations to contribute, Whore Queen?

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

Well, CfBDH, you were apparently asleep for damned near a decade then.

Every.Single. left-wing protest, led by groups like ANSWER, and other agitators like that spent nearly 8 years... Here's some samples:

"Kill Bush. Bomb his fucking house"

"I'm Here to Kill Bush"

"Save Mother Earth. Kill Bush"

Hang Bush For War Crimes"

Bush is the disease, death is the cure"

You can find tons more here.

Also note that when "Regime change now" was being spouted, this was when we were actively trying to capture and kill Saddam. Context, my friend. Context.

Chennaul said...

I don't know how Facebook works can anyone start a discussion?

And, I don't see all the *eye witness reports* that the Liberal commenters at Badger Blogger claim were posted.

***

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Ok Shaark, I get it. You're upset at some zombie-heads for making threats on someone who allegedly and recklessly engaged war crimes while declaring himself above the law. Despite whether any of these posters were making credible threats, they are inexcusable.

And yet, none of them culminated in so much as the shootings on the White House lawn during Clinton's administration. So the fact remains that the right was more fervent about their violence from an earlier point in time, and did more to act on it. Not surprising.

But you go ahead and take your fake outrage and false equivalence any way you can get it. I understand. I really do.

shiloh said...

So C4, you say AA is an equal opportunity annoyer, eh. Then timing is everything 'cause all I've seen/read lately is Obama/liberals suck laced w/disingenuous sarcasm/hyperbole.

It was interesting watching her endless me, me, me interview re: her quickie marriage at the end when she says AA has the most intelligent posters in political blog stratosphere ie declarative statement knowing it's impossible to peruse the plethora of said political blogs in one's lifetime.

Now to be sure, AA does have a rather large following, but bigger isn't necessarily always better. fixednoise continually brags about it's 2.8 million prime time audience ...

but, but, but WWE RAW has (4) million lol

apples and oranges, eh

AA has developed her over-the-top niche, congrats! But like all other political blogs it's not gonna discover a cure for cancer any time soon, let alone solve a major political problem in America.

It's a nice place for many to vent, some angrily, some humorous, some sarcastic so it serves as a free speech vehicle and I will give her credit in that area as many blogs delete posts like there's no tomorrow.

There, I said something nice about AA as she is a strong believer in free speech and in a perfect world, everyone would agree on this concept.

Again, why AA's hissy fit re: defacing a few statues, whatever.

hmm, what was my original point and expected more ad hominems thrown my way after my last post, kinda disappointing ;)

that is all

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

we were actively trying to capture and kill Saddam.

Well, those of us who understand justice might have drawn a distinction between capturing someone and a need to kill him, anyway. I guess for your guys it's necessarily one and the same, though. Can't blame that on the left, can you?

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

February 7, 2001: While President George W. Bush was in the White House Residence, in Washington, DC, Robert Pickett, standing outside the perimeter fence, discharged a number of shots from a weapon towards the White House. The U.S. Park Police stated, according to CNN correspondent Eileen O'Connor, that the type of handgun that was confiscated was of a sophisticated type and had the shooter not been shooting from an obstructed angle view, the bullets would have reached the White House. Following a stand-off of about ten minutes, the incident ended when a Secret Service officer shot Pickett, resulting in an injury which required immediate hospital surgery. Pickett was found to have emotional problems and employment grievances. Pickett had previously written letters to the President about these grievances. A court in July 2001 sentenced Pickett to three years imprisonment in connection with the incident.

Fen said...

Ritmo: And yet, none of them culminated in so much as the shootings on the White House lawn during Clinton's administration.

Are you trying to bring up Vince Foster in all this? I think I nailed you with the wasting disease.

Snark aside, you're arguing that its no longer the violation that matters, its the degree of it.

You're just intelligent enough to be dangerous to yourself.

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

Should I keep proving you wrong, C4, or do you just want to agree that there are fucking nutjobs on each side in ready supply, and call it a day?

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Althouse herself declared that she just likes being the bug in the punch bowl and can really only criticize the side that she surrounds herself with.

I mean, come on. She voted for Jesse Jackson!

The wingers here get on her for voting for Obama, but to her credit, she did claim that he seemed more reasonable than a computer-illiterate septuagenarian like McCain. And that would have been a much better reason than the fact that she went ga-ga starfuckers over his celebrity, a phenomenon which drove the right nuts and which I suspect was really more of her reason. She probably just wanted to get on board with a democratic bandwagon effect.

Michael said...

"Well, those of us who understand justice...."

No justice no peace?

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

there are fucking nutjobs on each side in ready supply, and call it a day?

I would, if only one of those sides wasn't much more in love with its guns.

Henry said...

There's a fine coffee shop in Providence near the Brown University campus called Blue State Coffee. I got a good chuckle one day when they apologized for raising their prices. They put up a sign that started with the words:

"Coffee is bought and sold as a commodity..."

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Oh well. Just when I was cajoling resident righties like Old Dad and Dust Bunny Queen to prove that they had values besides political prostitution, Michael shows up.

Case closed.

Fen said...

Evryone notice how our Libtards have shifted from defending the Union Brats to attacking Althouse and Meade's blog, marriage and employment status.

(although I may be counting Shiloh/Ritmo twice)

We need Garage to come back in and remind us how the Left is really winning out there...

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

I would, if only one of those sides wasn't much more in love with its guns.

Yeah, because one side hasn't been in love with blowing shit up, burning shit down, destroying property, and stuff.

keep in mind that I am a former member of AIM a long time ago in my wayward youth, where I learned all kinds of cool things to do from left-wingers that didn't require a gun, but were just as (if not more so) violent.

Again, how many "people's revolutionary this" and "something liberation front/army/group/etc" have we seen in America over the past several decades? Tons. Just like there have been huge amounts of right-wing extremist groups as well.

But again, why let facts get in the way. One side believes in the 2nd Amendment. THE HORROR!

Michael said...

C4: Creep someone else out, please. Your snarky stupid posts are like the chorus in a play written by high schoolers on ritlin and self love. You really are not smart. Or funny. Or perceptive. And like a poorly conceived and awfully written chorus you add nothing, absolutely nothing, to the play.

You have no integrity and apparently no ability to articulate a point of view beyond snark. You really do creep me out.

Fen said...

Ritmo: Case closed.

Yes. You slipped up when choosing a handle for your lastest sock puppet. I'm betting you lost a tooth and somehow got fecal matter up into the dead root. And the infection has spread to your brain.
You're just wasting away now.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Fen, a good strong pimp like you should know that it always just comes down to image, right?

Or did you somehow have some actual arguments of your own that you, for the first time ever, wanted to try out?

Maybe I'm just stupid and didn't realize that your slander of someone with AIDS was a real strong and objective argument. Argument for what, exactly? I'm not sure. And I'm pretty sure you're not, either. But I bet in your mind that it seemed like a great argument, of some sort or another.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Michael, go be creeped out somewhere else. I don't give a damn about you, your shallow lack of any values, or your love of political prostitution.

Now, can you kindly go fuck yourself somewhere else? Hopefully the kind tone of that politely phrased request will protect you from the willies you feel long enough to find something productive and meaningful for you to do. Not that dressing up like Thurston Howell the Third and proclaiming yourself to be better than others isn't a productive and meaningful way for a douchebag like yourself to derive what little meaning out of life that you can manage to find.

Michael said...

Yeah, Fen, you can't slander someone with AIDs.

Unknown said...

Michael,

Rat's a sick fuck. Poke him a couple of times so that newbies see that he's nuts, and then move on. He'll hijack the thread no matter what.

Michael said...

C4: I am clearly not the first person to be creeped out by you. That much is apparent. You have no idea how I dress or what I do for a living or what I believe or what I support or anything about me. Nothing. You think shallow, dude, very shallow.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Not if he wants any more credibility than the guy who declared gay troops to be like orphans committing incest.

Oh wait. Same guy.

I think it's safe to assume that neither of you have any real arguments to contribute. It doesn't stop Ivana Trump wanna-be Michael from denouncing my snark, which is touching. But notice how he never has an argument of his own. At least I'm capable of spicing up my snark with an argument, from time to time.

What can you do, Michael?

Don't you have a cabaret act to perform, or something? Surely there's got to be a way a billionaire like yourself can do something interesting every now and then. Don't be such a stuffy sourpuss, just asking for Grey Poupon. That act went out the window with Louis Rukeyser. You've got to be more colorful these days.

Michael said...

You never "spice up" your snark, dude. Take an afternoon and cruise your comments and you might be disgusted like the rest of us. Your snark is lame. And shallow.

shiloh said...

And that would have been a much better reason than the fact that she went ga-ga starfuckers over his celebrity, a phenomenon which drove the right nuts and which I suspect was really more of her reason.

Too bad I missed that AA time frame lol but I'm sure it was the same everywhere in 2008 as I frequented Nate Silver's 538, RCP, Politico and HP. And at everyone there were die hard "truly intelligent" conservatives who were 100% convinced Barack Hussein Obama had no chance to be elected president. Many are still in therapy!

Interesting AA would go ga-ga over anything as she gives the impression of trying to be a celebrity her own self.

>

Yea, I'm sure AA wingers were devated when Obama was elected.

One of the catch phrases at 538 was: This is great news for John McCain! as conservatives were hoping/praying Obama would not be elected as the election drew near.

As mentioned previously, having grown up in the '60s never/ever thought an African/American would be elected president in my lifetime, so everything else is now icing on the cake.

I can die in peace! ;)

It will be interesting upon Obama's 2012 re-election what the reaction of Reps here and everywhere will be ~ oh the humanity!

Also mentioned previously I voted for McGovern in '72 for the few concerned about my age. Hint: the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971. So yes Virginia, they changed the voting to (18) just for me and was one of the few lol who voted for McGovern.

But on the bright side, I didn't vote for the only president in American history who resigned in disgrace!

and so it goes ...

btw, that liberal bastion of society HP was the first to break the Obama "bittergate" story as it was news, unlike fixednoise who doesn't say anything bad re: Reps/Cons/teabaggers, etc.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

I'm just waiting to be blown away by your depth, Michael. Or to hear the incredibly complex political ideas you have. But all I hear is "you give me the willies... you give me the willies..."

Michael, a billionaire like yourself should be able to afford a nightlight, no? Please don't tell me that you're scared of the dark, also.

Or is it just pseudonymous commenters on the web who really freak you out?

You are clearly quite removed from the masses, Michael. Try getting out and reaching out more, like Sarah Palin does with her Facebook account.

ricpic said...

Remember what brought down Joe McCarthy? It was Joe Welch saying to him at a HUAC session "Have you no sense of decency?"

Who will say this now to the millions of smug self-righteous holier than thou leftist barbarians?

shiloh said...

C4, you definitely add entertainment value to AA's mundane/redundant discussion.

Are you on Ann's payroll? ;)

Alex said...

Well I can see this blog has been overrun by lefty lunatics who have nothing better to do then hurl endless streams of insults. I'm out of here.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Are you on Ann's payroll? ;)

Hell no! I get under her skin as badly as anyone can.

I just don't have a problem exposing when emperors have no clothes. Being aware of all shortcomings (including one's own) and self-deprecating and critical are crucial to a stable society. So that's why I have no problem making fun of rich bastards who feel they're better than everyone else while pining away for the myth of the noble truth. I think even some other Althouse commenters get this.

But I really do have to get on with enjoying the rest of the day. To be fair to Michael (not that he needs it), his political leanings probably aren't that far off the deep end. He's just sheltered and shallow and probably believes in nurturing falsities like the "political (i.e. apathetic and boring) middle", for reasons that serve his own self-interest and no one else's. He probably can't help it.

But I can. And not only will I poke that for the sake of humor and a more examined moral direction, I'll do it for the hell of it.

Have a good one.

Michael said...

C4: You have put me in an incredibly good mood. I am going out for my long weekend run and then I shall take my beautiful wife and my strapping young son out for a nice dinner somewhere to celebrate our good fortune in life. I would suggest you do the same. We are enjoying splendid weather today and earlier I got a nice note from a kid I am putting through school down El Salvador way. A real gentleman that kid.
So, thanks for the laughs and reminding me that I am blessed.

shiloh said...

I'm out of here.

Alex, are you gone for good ?!?

Never say never, eh

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

I'm out of here.

You go have a good one, Alex.

And remember, be noble to one another!

Bill and Ted were "excellent" to one another. But we conservatives must be reminded of our nobility! Noble treatment of other important people like ourselves and acknowledgment of our own dignified presence is what we should value above everything else!

/End snark.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Did I really turn your mood around that quickly, Michael? Gosh I'm good.

It's sunny and temperate here for the first time in forever. Heck yeah, I'm out to enjoy the day.

Blessings.

Alex said...

C4 & shiloh - you're both full of shit. You go on about "right wingers" and "AA water carriers" but never actually discuss the issues. Pure Alinsky garbage and it's alienating the readership here.

Ritmo Re-Animated said...

Alex, you're right.

We should be excellent to each other.

Are you old enough to have seen "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure"?

Alex said...

Ritmo - I worship that film. although to be truthful I didn't see it in it's entirety until a couple of years ago.

shiloh said...

Alex shows up one last time to shout his disgust "our" way.

Hopefully he feels better now.

All is well w/the AA universe!

btw, there's never any issues to discuss, just AA lemmings sayin' in total agreement 24/7 to everything she posts.

Rinse, lather, repeat ...

>

Alex, you're still here ?!?

Of course you are ~ take care

Alex said...

btw, there's never any issues to discuss, just AA lemmings sayin' in total agreement 24/7 to everything she posts.

You're full of shit and a psychopath. Nobody here agrees with AA 24/7, but you can't be bothered to actually pay attention. Lots of people here don't like that she voted for Obama, supports gay rights, is squishy on economics in general. I'd say most of us here are more to the right of AA by a lot. But you go ahead fantasizing about AA water-carriers.

Fen said...

Ritmo: the guy who declared gay troops to be like orphans committing incest.

I never said that.

I see I was spot on re your wasting disease.

shiloh said...

Alex, please learn to control your temper as it will surely be your undoing ...

ciao

DADvocate said...

This all looks suspicious. At the Facebook page under discussions, there is only one discussion, Walker OUT. No explanation or anything.

All info on this seems to come from one blogger, Naomi House. Even the reported threats to the restaurant originate from Houser in the comments at Fire Dog Lake. I can't find any other source for any of Houser's claims.

Unknown said...

RIP poor little thread. You never had a chance.

Mary Beth said...

Jeff Ruby, a restaurant owner, asked OJ Simpson to leave the restaurant. People applauded.

Alex said...

shiloh - I'm not angry, but sad that you and Ritmo have driven away good commenters who just can't stand your drivel. It's a shame that blogger doesn't have an ignore feature.

deborah said...

Leave the Meadhouse marriage out of this.

Unknown said...

Lie down now poor little zombie thread. You're dead, brought low by the Black Death, the victim of Rat's rhetorical fleas.

Alas, you are not the first or the last.

deborah said...

"I claim, as in a few posts ago, they're misdefined, leading you away from what is good, towards cultism."

Excellent point. We have to be aware of the manipulation of our feelings by politicians when they invoke the war dead. I know from experience how comforting it is to remember personal heros (relatives) with pride and tenderness, all mixed in with love of country, song, memorials, etc. So easy to take advantage of.

Fen said...

/pause for weekly PSA

Pogo: it's worth reposting a Ritmo comment from one earlier last week, displaying what he's up to at Althouse, and why he comments here:

Ritmo Brasileiro said: It's good to know that the stupidest threads are just ripe for the threadjacking. I'll be sure to leave a trail of turds on every one of the brain droppings here that suit my fancy. Getting you shit-eaters to complain about the taste after opening your mouths wide and saying "Ahhhh..." to every bad idea under the sun is very satisfying, I must admit.
- 10/16/10 10:28 AM

rhhardin said...

I'm eating spaghetti today because I notice my stock of it about to expire.

Normally I cook rice for two, shared with the dog.

Open hatred doesn't ever come up.

Unknown said...

Fen,

Please be respectful of the dead.

Thread, you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Paddy O said...

Shiloh, Alex is a bit like Ritmo but from a different direction. He doesn't have positions, just is playing a game.

I think there's more depth with you, but for some reason you're trying to make yourself feel better by denigrating the people around here. I suspect, just from your tone, you actually do have positions and care.

If you ignore the various jesters, playing for fool for their own amusement, you'll find there's nothing really lemmingy about it here. Though, on some topics there's a lot more agreement than others.

deborah said...

Mmmm...spaghetti.

Chip S. said...

shiloh:

Rinse, lather, repeat ...

You keep using that phase. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Or else you walk around all day with sudsy hair.

deborah said...

Ritmo's exuberance comes from youth. He's a young turk full of piss and vinegar who knows it all. He may grow out of it.

But his heart is in the right place.

deborah said...

lol Chip S.

dave in boca said...

If the left didn't have a double standard, they'd have no standards at all.

wordsmith2 said...

Please don't feed the trolls.

Unknown said...

The Merchant made up that story, I hope no one eats at that place again. Patrick Sweeny has no integrity at all!!

Fen said...

My restaurant review via Google will be along the lines of: waiter snarked about my haircut and suit. Called my companions "corporate whores" and "RepubliThugs". Evidence that he may have spit in our food.

One good hoax deserves another.

shiloh said...

Chip S.

Having surfed political blogs since 2001 there isn't much new under the sun. Again, Reps and Dems yellin' at each other ad nauseam to no effect.

The really, really angry posters can be somewhat amusing if taken in moderation.

Ironically joined a reality tv site in 2001 'cause I was a fan of Big Brother and discovered they had a current affairs forum where some of the posters really hated/despised each other lol and thought, hmm, I should fit right in.

There were threads about abortion, evolution, bush's iraq fiasco that went well over (1) thousand posts ~ fun times! :)

>

Most regulars at political blogs, including myself, end up repeating themselves over and over and over again hence, ergo, therefore ~ rinse, lather, repeat.

There was a conservative buddy of mine, I know shocking I had a Rep buddy, who used to keep all her talkin' points in a separate folder so she would always be ready for battle! ie any eventuality.

Political blogging can be a full contact sport, or so I hear ...

take care

Randy said...

Did the owners of the restaurant seek to endear themselves to Madisonians with viral P.R. about their political faith? Or were employees appropriating their employer's reputation?

Does it have to be either/or?

shiloh said...

Does it have to be either/or?

Yes, as there's no grey area at Althouse ;)

BJM said...

People, if we continue to engage trolls & mobys they will shut down and/or hijack every thread in an effort to taint Althouse's excellent coverage of the events in Madison, and we are helping them.

Anonymous said...

It is unfortunate that Ollie's BBQ is out of business after being the destination of every con law student who ever drove I-65 through Birmingham.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

People, if we continue to engage trolls & mobys they will shut down and/or hijack every thread in an effort to taint Althouse's excellent coverage of the events in Madison, and we are helping them

Word.

Just use your scroll key and ignore the trolls.

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