Starbuck Supports Gay Marriage

So I read today that Starbucks is supporting gay marriage legislation according to The Seattle Times.  This is just one new addition to a growing list of companies and corporations that are jumping on this legislation band-wagon.  To list of few of these Northwest employers doing this, there is: Microsoft, Concur, Group Health Cooperative, Nike, RealNetworks and Vulcan Inc.  The are all in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples. This is not surprising but noteworthy. The article went on to state that this position builds on our history of supporting corporate and public policies that promote inclusion and equality.

Inclusion and equality?  Why do the majority have to bend to this very small minority?  Why do my health costs have to go up to support a lifestyle that I am not in support of?  Why, as a business owner, am I being forced by legislation about the rules regarding MY private company.  People don't have to come work for me.  It's a free country yet now, legislation is being drafted that will make ME include them.  This is freedom?

These companies can choose what they desire to do, just as I can choose to shop where I want.  I certainly don't advocate harm to people who have different opinions from me, but I believe that marriage is a holy covenant between a man and women and I still believe that MOST people feel the way I do.  Even among the gay and lesbian community you find openly gay people who say that this lifestyle is a choice yet I am being forced to hire people who "choose" a lifestyle that I disapprove of.  What's fair about this?

Actress Cynthia Nixon (of Sex in the City) published an article in Sunday's New York Times magazine where she said, "[F]or me, it is a choice. I understand that for many people it’s not, but for me, it’s a choice, and you don’t get to define my gayness for me," Nixon went on to say. "… Why can’t it be a choice? Why is that any less legitimate?"

She is CHOOSING her lifestyle, which I believe we all do.  EVERYTHING that is an action is a choice.  Did you hear that?  Actions are choices.  People want to lump the homosexual lifestyle into this category with the civil rights movement but skin color is not an action.  It is a fact of life.  Actions are choices tho.  All actions get down to choices.  Some people even choose to NOT act on anything regarding their sexuality and CHOOSE a life of celibacy.  When it comes to sex, an action, it is ALL about choice.  Interesting how this same group advocates a woman's right to choice but when it comes to their own business, they want to say it is now a matter of birth, like skin color.

Nixon eded a 15-year relationship with the father of two of her children in 2003 and is now engaged to her long-time partner Christine Marinoni - a choice.  They have a son together nearly a year ago - again a choice.

Our society is spinning out-of-control.  People are doing what is right in their own eyes and this is dangerous.  God knew this is what people would do though and he said so in Proverbs 21:2 "Every man's way is right in his own eyes, BUT the Lord Weighs the hearts."

People, you have the RIGHT to choose, we all do but God will deal with those choices one day.  We ALL will answer for what we did while our spirit lived in the body.  II Corinthians 5: 9-10 says, "Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

 Judges 21:25 also states "...everyone did what was right in his own eyes."  When a society becomes ME oriented and "I have a right to" then they are going away from the good that selflessness brings.  Rome fell from within as people did what was right in their own eyes!

People will do what they want, this is true.  There is no way to legislate right and wrong yet, as a society we try, as we have laws against things like pedophilia, driving under the influence, stealing, you name it.  But just because there is a law that doesn't change the heart of man.  No laws don't seem to change people, money does.  It drives these businesses...the LOVE of money.  So,  I for one will be having less coffee and Nike will be passed by in our home as they "just do it".  I may be the only one in my silent "no buy zone" but I can't in good conscience promote a company that is taking such a bold stand on a social issue.



Starbucks' statement below:

To: U.S. partners
Date: January 24, 2012
Re: A Message from Kalen Holmes: Starbucks Supports Marriage Equality 

Dear partners, 

Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples. Starbucks strives to create a company culture that puts our partners first, and our company has a lengthy history of leading and supporting policies that promote equality and inclusion. 

This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners. It is core to who we are and what we value as a company. We are proud of our Pride Alliance Partner Network group, which is one of the largest Employer Resource Groups for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) employees in the U.S., helping to raise awareness about issues in the communities where we live and work. 

For the last 20 years, our benefits program has offered domestic partner benefits in the U.S. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs and alternative health care coverage. All partners (part-time and full-time) in all work locations, whether in a store, a roasting plant or a corporate office, adhere to the same eligibility requirements for health coverage and have access to the same comprehensive health plans. 

We are deeply dedicated to embracing diversity and treating one another with respect and dignity, and remain committed to providing an inclusive, supportive and safe work environment for all of our partners.
We look forward to seeing this legislation enacted into law.

Regards, 

Kalen Holmes
executive vice president, Partner Resources

The Most Brilliant Daily Show Take Down Ever

So I don't have a lot of time to watch the Daily Show* but every now and then I catch one.  The show usually tends to defend the left and mock the right but a friend sent me this link and I had to share it.  Jon Stewart actually was being open to the hypocrisy that has been going on in the liberal media with this piece and allows his reporter, John Oliver, to address it!

This is EXACTLY what is going on in our country; one side can't or WON'T hear the other.  This reporter even used the language of the very journalist he was interviewing; even their suggestions on irony on how to have a "confrontational" discussion and yet she still DIDN'T get it!  This was crazy, ironic and yet so sad because it shows the level of blindness people have in the media.

You will see Froma Harrop, a journalist and President of the Civility Project from the National Conference of Editorial Writers (NCEW).  She is absolutely CLUELESS in this piece and she looks foolish!

Take a few minutes and see how out-of-touch she was when interviewed.  The TROUBLING issues is that she is the one writing articles about the answers to the nations whoas regarding civility and communication; unbelievable!

*PARENTAL WARNING: please note - this piece has some offensive language in it.  Most of the language has been bleeped but it is still understandable.

A Voters' Guide to Republicans

Well, it's been awhile since I have had a moment to blog here and so I first apologize for busyness.  With that, I will make it up to you with this incredible link I am about to share.  This is probably one of my favorites political links I have ever found or posted about and I hope you love it as much as I do too.

So last week was the first of the series of caucuses and primaries that we are going to be bombarded with in the next few months and really at this point, there is no candidate that is taking my breath away.  I have been in prayer for God to raise up a "David" and to send a "Samuel" to anoint him (like in the Old Testament) and based on last weeks results from Iowa, maybe Rick Santorum is that man.  He is not getting the national press, well, not until last week anyway, but that's ok - I don't like the liberal media anyway.

So with all this political news on the airways, I think it would be good to establish who is who in this race and what do some of the political terms really mean.

I have a socialistic uncle who continually debates me on his take regarding America and it's future, but one thing he underestimates is the power of prayer.  He is not an American but he loves our country and our "beautiful" constitution.

With that, please take a few minutes and hear this incredible Voters Guide to Republicans.  I think you may even learn something.  I know I did!  ENJOY!