Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

[BoatBuoy]

Yesterday, I heard that the USCG has implemented maximum tatoo standards for new recruits. <br /><br />Today, the NBA has implemented a dress code.<br /><br />I'm not against either, as they comply with my personal values. However, where should it stop? Is this the beginning of a trend?<br /><br />It's like banning assualt rifles. Most people don't want or own assult rifles but all gun owners are afraid of the proliferation if control begins.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

These are not personal liberties being infringed but I see where you are going. I have to say I think that the intiatives are no different than the ones I face every day. Dress nice, and perhaps no facial tatoo's. Not that they are bad but when I am working I am the face of the company. Having lightening bolts or scales tatoo'ed on my face just sends the wrong message.<br /><br />This is just teaching those who have no formal manners what descent society prefer's. Let's call it continuing education.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

This just in Stephen Jackson of the pacers say's the rule is RACIST and infringes on his FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. Don't they teach anything in college? This guy is a jerk.........

 

[pjc]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

good point POINTER..were I an employer I would never hire some punk that paints his fingernails black, regardless of what NLRB etcetera says I must do. <br /><br />My current employer has a loose dress code. Folks started with flamer (Harley flame job shirts) Friday, lately it is tropical (tropical Jimmy Buffet shirts) Friday. Should I push this deal and wear a Burka on Friday?<br /><br />Not appropriate IMO. Neither is crapping on the United States Flag for example. Would crapping on the Flag be regarded as "personal liberties" ?

 

[KRS]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

There is no requirement that someone work for the USCG, if we were required to serve a 2 yr tour, then I would probably say ... maybe.<br /><br />But if they don't like it, they don't work for USCG. I don't think it's any different than working a job where a shirt and tie is required, if you don't want to meet the standard then find a different job.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

I think an employer can dictate a dress code while a person is on the job. That includes visable tattoos.<br /><br /><br />Ken

 

[JB]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

Most liberties, abused to the point that they offend or injure others, are eventually lost.<br /><br />My question is: Is the liberty to impose dress codes on employees being abused by the NBA?

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

JB,<br /><br />NO. Of course if they feel put off, there is always europe or the CBA. And if they feel compelled to wear "bling" they can start their own league. They want to be paid like men and behave like children.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

Topic: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

Sure they are. You just picked some poor examples.<br /><br />Municipalities passing ordinances imposing smoking bans in private business establishments.<br /><br />Emminent domain issues that essentially allow private business to force you to sell your home to them.<br /><br />You can be denyed a airplane travel just because your name is on some ambiguous list and without due process.<br /><br />You can be denyed to purchase a firearm for no other reason except that you didn't take a state approved "safety course" (and pay the fee). Even though you are a honorably discharged veteran with extensive weapons training and already own several guns and safes to keep them in. <br /><br />A statewide ballot initiative can be passed with overwhelming majority (greater than 67%) and it can still be overturned by one simple rougue "district" judge.<br /><br />There is room for more examples.

 

[PW2]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

And to top that off, there is a move out there to deny a woman's right to contol her own body and her reproductive system,<br /><br />And to deny two consenting adults the right to enter into the lifestyle of their choice.<br /><br />It's unbelievable in a land that supposedly cherishes freedom.<br /><br /><br />Re: The NBA. The NBA has the right to enforce a dress code. It's pretty silly, however, and it is a generational thing, and not racist.<br /><br />It's comparable to the reaction from a previous generation when Elvis wanted to swivel his hips, and there was a huge outcry about it being inspired by Satan himself.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

And there is a move to deny an unborn baby's right to life liberty and pursuit of happyness.<br /><br />Ken

 

[KaGee]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

IBM has had strict dress codes for years... do their employees think their liberties were being violated? <br /><br />What about you guys who work around dangerous machinery all day... are your liberties threatened because you can't where a little "bling" around the shop?<br /><br />David Stern's action (approved by the Union BTW) is too little too late. The NBA is no longer a place for the family. The thugs, excuse me, "players", have been dressing like gang bangers for years. The crowds are now mostly made up of street hoods. I refuse to watch them, and wouldn't go to a game if given court side seats. <br /><br />What's even worse, this crap is filtering down to collage players.

 

[jinx]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

You are correct, they are, but it is not "just starting."<br /><br />1. Let's celebrate our independence by setting off some fireworks. Sorry, most places they are illegal.<br /><br />2. In the District of Columbia you can be arrested and convicted of DWI with a blood alcohol content of just 0.01%. <br /><br />3. In many localities your property can be confiscated under eminate domain to benefit a private developers plans.<br /><br />4. We have in many communities surrendered our choices on such mundane items as what kind of mailbox or door colors we can have through real estate covenants.<br /><br />5. Within the last decade, stiff penalties were imposed for failing to withhold at least 90% of your tax liability. That's your money until the tax bill is due.<br /><br />6. Heaven forbid you send a plastic knife with the kid's lunchbox to cut a piece of meat. Zero tolerance laws do not allow any leeway.<br /><br />7. The list goes on, but I would grow weary typing.<br /><br />"The land of the free...."<br /><br />Jinx

 

[DJ]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

The NBA has NOTHING to do with personal liberties. The NBA player is an: EMPLOYEE!<br /><br />If you do not like the "rules" set about your job description, you DON'T have to work there. Your choice-your freedom. That's the way it is.<br /><br />The REAL loss of freedom is business. They have to abide by some government goob's idea of "fairness". We continue the drift to socialism.<br /><br />Case closed.<br /><br />Here's a definition for you.<br /><br />Capatilism-"The unequal distribution of wealth based upon ability/desire to gain wealth".<br /><br />Socialism/Communism-"The equal distribution of sameness/misery".<br /><br />Make your choice.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

NBA dress code: <br /><br />My understanding is that it's only applicable while players are on team/ league business, and therefore representing the team/ league. I don't see that as detracting from personal liberties. Neither do I have a problem with the fact that it includes travelling with or as part of the team, or how players are dressed in the arena on their way to and from games. <br /><br />Many jobs/ industries have dress codes, and if the players dislike it enough, they can address it at their next colletive bargaining agreement negotiations with the league. <br /><br />btw, did anyone hear what Charles Barkley had to say about it on the Tonight Show last night? It was something along the following lines:<br /><br />He was very much in favor of the dress code for the following reasons:<br /><br />Young black kids tend to use pro athletes as role models and immitate their dress/ actions. It doesn't really matter to a pro athlete what he wears; he's already got a tremendously high paying job and his attire won't effect that. <br /><br />But for kids in the real world that emulate the hip-hop attire and bling that many current athletes prefer, it has a very real, detremental effect on their desirability from a potential employers perspective. <br /><br />I know he's not for everyone, but I really like Sir Charles. He's honest, extremely direct, often very funny, and seems to be pretty intellegent when it comes to seeing the 'big picture' w.r.t. many issues.

 

[DJ]

Re: Are Personal Liberties Disappearing?

We all have our opinions about everything.<br /><br />"Sir" Charles is a travesty to the moniker of "Sir". The designation of "Sir" has been typically granted to those with outstanding/upstanding qualities, within society. That, he is NOT!<br /><br />I agree with him, on this issue, but that's about it. I doubt he can tie his own tie.<br /><br />Money is no contributor to "class" and social grace.<br /><br />I am NOT wealthy, yet I can co-exist amongst people of "class" because I do possess "manners".<br /><br />My mother (a "true" lady of grace) would have it no other way.