Hi everybody.

I thought you guys n gals should see this. How do you feel about this?

> from: [log in to unmask]
>  To: [log in to unmask]
>  Date: Thu, 25 May 2000 18:35:45 -0000
>  Subject: [ADAPT-CA] Civil Rights or the Bottom Line
>  Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]>
>
>  Civil Rights or the Bottom Line
>
>  I guess we just can't say enough about discrimination, liability or
>  money. Where do we actually separate these terms and how much do
>  these terms really mean to anyone anymore? It seems our society has
>  created reality cushions to soften the true hard facts that exist.
>  Lets face it folks when it comes to human beings we rate last in the
>  war against atrocity and dignity. Every decision, every thought,
>  every concern and every outcome is based on the "Bottom Line." Two
>  years ago a man, an entrepreneur, an advocate a tax paying citizen, a
>  friend, a person with a disability was denied his rights as a human
>  being. John Kirby went into a 7- 11 store in Modesto, CA to buy a six
>  pack of beer and then go watch football with his friends. When he
>  approached the clerk at the counter the clerk denied him the sale of
>  the product, stating that it was company policy not to sell alcohol
>  to "Disabled People." That moment Mr. Kirby was embarrassed,
>  mortified, shamed and disgraced. This started an intense fight for
>  his civil rights. To add insult to injury, in January 2000, a jury of
>  his peers (none had a disability), found that the 7-11 store (part of
>  South Land Corporation) had not in any way violated Mr. Kirby's civil
>  rights. The decision not to sell him beer was based on a business
>  interest, for the protection of the store, the public, and Mr. Kirby.
>  How archaic is this reasoning? Where does a persons rights fit into
>  this? Mr. Kirby was 29 years old, and he had the money. Do you
>  realize the impact this decision has on persons with disabilities or
>  even other minorities? The next thing you know businesses will decide
>  what food we eat, books we read, and the clothes we wear just for our
>  own protection. He was discriminated against because he was disabled,
>  plain and simple!! Who has the right to decide what is right or wrong
>  for any of us? Mr. Kirby's next trip is to the Supreme Court to
>  appeal this rather clear cut mockery. DRAIL is supporting Mr. Kirby's
>  quest, but this will cost bucks, lots of bucks. Mr. Kirby is going to
>  need money and support. DRAIL has created a defense fund for Mr.
>  Kirby. Remember, whether you can contribute or not Mr. Kirby needs
>  your support. He needs to hear from all of us. Only we together as a
>  team, a unit of one, can make changes. What happened to Mr. Kirby
>  could be all of our futures. By: Fred Dickinson, DS
>