Politics and the LGS

[Ryltar]

It wasn't so long ago that the gaming community itself was the target of a viewpoint that accused us of being Satanists and driving teens to suicide. That's something I consider a direct attack. (...) There were people who did prison time because of that mania. Now consider that there are similar views out there which have a much wider base of support, a much longer and uglier history, and people with much bigger megaphones promoting them, both in and out of the political arena. Take a moment and I'm sure you can think of some. (...) There was a time when I would have agreed with your statements above. I have the luxury of not being personally a target. A number of my friends, however, do not have that luxury and they must cope with wholly justified fears because of it.

I think we are on the same page after all. Said policies (I assume you are hinting at the various forms of whatever-ophobia and hate policies/crimes) are extremist in my book, and that's an exception I specifically made from the outset.

What this discussion is beginning to show is the importance of cultural context, in that the political culture of each poster's respective country informs what he or she is thinking of when reading the OP's question.

 

[Beginning of the End]

Hopefully I'd use such a situation to stand on another, time-honored principal, namely "I may not agree with what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it".

I would defend to the death their right to say it... But I wouldn't pay them to say it. Which is what happens when you politicize your storefront. Or when your business directly financially supports a candidate or cause.

I'd stop going there and that is what I did. One of the local stores (one most people consioder the best in Columbus) I have stopped going to becasue about 9 months ago I was there on a weekday afternoon when the place was mostly empty. One guy was working there and talking with some others that seem to be in there a lot paiting and their talk turned racist and homophobic right in front of me. And while I could not care less about their own personal views I think it was highly inappropriate to do in front of customers and a stranger. I left that day without buying a thing and have never and will never go back.

If it wasn't the owner you might consider reporting it. Employees creating hostile environments for customers is something he'd probably want to take some action on.