no third solution

Blogging about liberty, anarchy, economics and politics

eHarmony & Discrimination

June 1st, 2007

If there were no such thing as Diet Coke, would you try and sue coca-cola to make a lighter version of their trademark? If Pizza Hut didn’t offer a vegetarian option, would you raise hell in order to force them to do so? If you’re a full-figured woman, and [insert trendy fashion design label] doesn’t make a dress in your size, do you call for the government to require that they provide one for you?

Or would you simply buy diet-Pepsi, and eat your pie from Papa John’s, and buy your dresses at White House/Black Market instead?

What if you’re gay or lesbian, and one particular personals site doesn’t cater to your lifestyle?

Linda Carlson said she tried to use the Internet site in February to meet a woman but could not based on her sexual orientation. When Carlson wrote to eHarmony to complain, the company refused to change its policy, according to the lawsuit filed on her behalf in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

“Such outright discrimination is hurtful and disappointing for a business open to the public in this day and age,” Carlson said in a statement.

Ms. Carlson, why don’t you stop trying to run other people’s shit. Aren’t you better served by a corporation that actually caters to you, one that has your interests in mind?

Look, N. Clark Warren is a man with an agenda – a Christian agenda – which he promotes through eHarmony. I’ll admit that it is disingenuous for eHarmony to advertise their “29 dimensions of compatibility,” and their overall success record matching couples based on love, when the truth of the matter is that eHarmony is only interested in one sort of love: that between a man and a woman. It is disingenuous for them to insist they aren’t discriminating – of course they are. And they ought to be able to do just that, because you have no right to force them to do business with anyone other than those with whom they want to do business. They obviously don’t want your business based on some irrational fear or hatred of you, your biology, your choices, &c. eHarmony thinks so little of you that they don’t even want your money – what kind of service and attention do you think you’ll get from them?

Your time is obviously scarce, Ms. Carlson, else you’d meet someone through friends – you know – the normal way. Why you would choose to use your limited time trying to force someone who hates you to take your money in exchange for a service they clearly don’t want to give you, and probably wouldn’t provide in a satisfactory manner anyways… it simply boggles the mind.

++++++

Update: A Stitch in Haste informs us that Ms. Carlson’s suit is in accord with the letter of – if not actually encouraged by – California State law.

Illegal Immigrants to Sue for Minimum Wage Grievances

May 30th, 2007

Do illegal immigrants have a right to file suit in U.S. Courts? It sounds awfully far-fetched to me, just as a matter of reason.

Now, I’m on record as opposing immigration laws – but I’ll hand it off to Don Boudreaux at cafehayek, who discussed recently the substantive difference between malum in se and malum prohibitum:

Looked at differently, to call “criminal” those persons whose only offenses are merely malum prohibitum is unfairly and inappropriately to tar them with the scorn and wariness that is deserved only by persons who commit genuine offenses against others.

I don’t think they’ve done anything wrong, per se, and I think they ought to be able to seek damages where appropriate. But I also oppose minimum wage laws and labor restrictions, and furthermore, it’s patently frivolous to seek damages resulting from a voluntary agreement, or to try and use the law to strongarm your position.

The bottom line: I think the whole legal/illegal discussion is absurd to begin with. I think anyone who wants to come here and contribute to society ought to be permitted to do so. But I don’t think they should be able to collect anything for this suit.

Hecho en Mexico

May 25th, 2007

Just got back from a full day of riding Mt. Hood – after which we drove up to Hood River, about an hour North and messed around a bit, had dinner and a beer.  On the way back, we were emasculated by the gas station, which is full-service only.  Brad asked where we could get a few beers, and he pointed us towards Odell, a few miles down the road.

Odell is an agricultural town – it’s a freaking apple orchard, and apparently was populated entirely by migrant workers.  We stopped at Clem’s 1-Stop – a gas station, pizzeria, laundromat, &c.  We picked up a six pack of Rainier beer, which is pretty low rent.  Then I wanted to get a coca-cola.  I saw glass bottles in the cooler – and then I saw the words “hecho en mexico” down the side.  This is real coke, made with real sugar – not government subsidized corn-syrup.

It was phenomenal.  Brad asked the guy behind the counter where he got it – and he got this dumb look on his face like we were federales or something, and told us that he ordered it from Portland.  Yeah, right.  Monkeys might fly out my butt.

About this time, we realized that the empty 1-stop was now full of “regulars,” who were probably suspicious of the two gringos invading their space.  We made ourselves scarce, and enjoyed “the real thing.”

More to follow.

no third solution

Blogging about liberty, anarchy, economics and politics