[Vision2020] creating tolerance

[bill london]

What should the city of Moscow do to be open and welcoming to diversity?
Should the Moscow city government clearly condemn the anti-gay, 
pro-slavery, Neo-Confederate views of Christ Church officials--OR--in 
the name of tolerance should the city support all political views and 
take no stand regarding their Neo-Confederate influence?

Perhaps a recent court decision from Boise could help define the issues 
(and my thanks to Adam Wilson, who raised this issue in his column in 
today's Lewiston Tribune).

The decision is Peterson v. Hewlett-Packard Co., filed 1/6/04, decision 
# 01-35795, by US 9th Curcuit District Court
http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/C1027D97C4AA46F388256E1200823D1F/$file/0135795.pdf?openelement

In sum, Peterson worked for Hewlett-Packard, and as a "conservative 
Christian" objected to the company posting signs welcoming gays into the 
workplace.  So, he posted his own signs, which were Biblical passages 
condemning gays.  In the name of tolerance of diverse opinions, Peterson 
refused to take down his signs.  Ultimately, Hewlitt-Packard fired him, 
and the court agreed with the employer.

The Court said that Peterson "was discharged, not because of his 
religious beliefs, but because he violated the company's harassment 
policy by attempting to generate a hostile and intolerant work environment."

The analogy is pretty clear.  Peterson would represent the Christ Church 
officials.  The City of Moscow would represent the employer.  And the 
Christ Church leadership's support and presentation (as at the Feb 
"history conference") of Neo-Confederate views both violates the goal of 
making Moscow open and diverse and is an effort to create a hostile and 
intolerant environment.

I am not suggesting that the City of Moscow should exile Christ Church 
officials for expousing their Neo-Confederate views.  I have 
consistently stated my belief that they have their First Amendment 
rights to make those statements.  I just think that the community has 
the obligation, and the right, to make it clear that the 
Neo-Confederates do not speak for us.  I urge the City Council to 
consider a public statement that those intolerant Neo-Confederate views 
do not belong here because their goal is the creation of a "hostile and 
intolerant" environment.
BL