Posted by
Bob Siegel on Monday, November 16, 2009 5:04:33 PM
Peter Vadala accidentally discovered a way to rise from the obscurity of an ordinary Massachusetts salesman at the Logan Airport branch of Brookstone.
It seems a fellow co-worker continually spoke with Peter about her engagement to another woman. Not wanting to be rude, but not wanting to come across as endorsing something that violates his Christian convictions either, he tried at first to change the subject.
"But she brought it up three more times during the day," Vadala explained. "After the fourth time she told me about her plan to marry her partner, I told her, "I think homosexuality is bad stuff."
OK. That's not the most tactful way to say it and that's not the way I would have said it. But this followed several attempts to simply avoid the conversation and (bottom line), the man should be allowed to say whatever he wants because we are supposed to be living under a constitution which guarantees freedom of speech. Vadala does claim there was no disrespect in his tone even though the woman piped forth, "You keep your opinions to yourself?"
Was she keeping her opinion to herself? That's a question no one would dare pose.
Vadala was promptly fired. His letter of termination accused him of "harassment." His comments were characterized as "inappropriate and unprofessional." He was also charged with "imposing his beliefs upon others."
Hmm..I don''t suppose firing a man for his beliefs would constitute "imposing your belief on others." Naw!!!!
Talking heads are already suggesting that Vadala did not need to bring up the subject of homosexuality. Are they not paying attention, or are they simply in cowardly denial? He didn't bring it up! She did! Four times.
Vadala also used this opportunity to share about his early days at Brookstone, how he was taken through an orientation that included affirmation of the gay lifestyle. During the sensitivity video, Brookstone employees learned that since homosexual marriage is legal in Massachusetts, nobody has a right to be offended by it. Perhaps this would be a suitable time to remind everyone: We were told many times during the Proposition 8 debate in California that allowing gay marriage will not infringe upon the rights of others. Indeed, we were accused of fear mongering and lying to even suggest such a thing. If that is so, why does the fact that gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts suddenly mean that nobody is allowed to be offended by it anymore?
Oh yes, Brookstone claims to be an atmosphere of diversity. But then, in case you have forgotten, "diversity" today never means diversity of ideas. Neither does "tolerance" mean that one is allowed to disagree with anything Politically Correct. Peter Vadala was shown about as much tolerance as an alligator shows some poor, unfortunate duck accidentally landing on his head.
Also by Bob Siegel:
If You Think Gay Marriage Will Not Affect You, Think Again!
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