Nightmares and Fairy Tales
April 6th, 2007Excuse me if I become a Libertarian for a moment. Stories like these do that to me.
Police have arrested an activist for feeding the homeless in downtown Orlando, Florida.
Eric Montanez, 21, of the charity group Food Not Bombs was charged with violating a controversial law against feeding large groups of destitute people in the city center, police said Thursday. Montanez was filmed by undercover officers Wednesday as he served “30 unidentified persons food from a large pot utilizing a ladle,” according to an arrest affidavit. The Orlando area is home to Disney World and Universal Studios Florida.
The Orlando law, which is supported by local business owners who say the homeless drive away customers but has been challenged in court by civil rights groups, allows charities to feed more than 25 people at a time within two miles (3.2 kilometers) of Orlando City Hall only if they have a special permit. They can get two permits a year. Police collected a vial of the stew Montanez was serving as evidence. Police spokeswoman Barbara Jones said in an e-mail it was the first time anyone had been arrested under the feeding ban. Montanez was charged with a misdemeanor.
What a ridiculous law. Listen: I feed homeless people all the time. If I’m downtown, and I’m alone, and I grab some lunch, it’s not at all unusual for me to invite someone from the Red Line to catch a meal, so I think this Law is ridiculous as a spectator and a participant. It’s completely unacceptable for any government to rule in such a manner.
I’m just glad I don’t live in a city with a fascist for a Mayor!
Right. With that out of the way, this is a great story and I’m glad to hear it.
The Walt Disney Co. has changed its policy to allow same-sex couples to participate in a popular Fairy Tale Wedding program it runs mainly at its two U.S. resorts and cruise line, a Disney spokesman said on Thursday. Disney previously had allowed gay couples to organize their own weddings or commitment ceremonies at rented meeting rooms at the resorts, but had barred them from purchasing its Fairy Tale Wedding package and holding the event at locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World that are set aside specifically for weddings. “We are updating our Fairy Tale Wedding guidelines to include commitment ceremonies,” Disney Parks and Resorts spokesman Donn Walker said. “This is consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests.”
It’s little things like these that’ll carry over and make the American public more accepting of gay people’s love. Kudos to Disney! (Although I must ask — I must! Why, oh why, is this something that they can do, but distribute Fahrenheit 9/11 in 2004 wasn’t? Guess it’s not an election year so the Republicans aren’t leaning on them.)