In a message dated 2/23/2007 1:29:42 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Balancing the concerns and views of a minority (in the strict sense of <50% of the population) against the views of the majority is clearly difficult, but I feel this goes too far. You have some good points. But, I think that when what's becoming an important element in the diversity we supposedly celebrate in this enlightened paragon of a neighborhood has strong convictions on something like alcoholic beverages, and a liquor store is proposed across from its nerve center, the issue of sensitivity to fundamental beliefs comes into the picture. Here's another example. I happen to be neutral on the topic of abortion. And I'm not only not a Catholic by heritage, I'm an athiest by practice. Still, if someone bought Liz Campion's house directly across Farragut Street from St Francis de Sales and applied for zoning to open an abortion clinic (or even a planned parenthood center) there, and the church people objected (you can be sure they would!), I'd be strongly on their side. As I noted in my first post on this general topic, I believe that part of the diversity we brag about is a responsibility to respect basic cultural mores of people who are different than we are in ways that don't impinge on our own deep convictions (think: MOVE). And, I'm sorry, but denying the zoning for a liquor store in the 4200 block of Walnut Street isn't impinging on the rights of anybody to get a Blue Pelican Cliquot Fizz or whatever the hoity toity quaff these days at all of our fine BYOB beaneries. Always at your service and ready for a dialog ® brand resident and housing provider, Al Krigman <BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.
