Interesting read. Here is my take on some of the issues being "discussed" in this thread.

1) We can not legislate thought. If we could, no one would think any bad things. It seems most of us agree on this point. However, most of you think you can legislate "actions". This is completely false. We have laws against commiting murder, and yet we still murder. We have laws against robbery, and yet we still rob. We have laws against beating each other up, yet we still have violence in our societies. Our laws are punitive, rather than preventive. Punishing someone for their actions does not prevent them, or anyone else from commiting the same actions. It also does not make the victim whole again, for that matter. A human being might be dead by another's hand. Putting his killer to death, or in jail does not make that human live again. The punitive laws we use, are designed to make US feel better. Not the victim.

2) Very few people have common sense. If a club excludes you, and it's member's don't want you, why on earth would you want to associate with the members of that club? This applies to country clubs, social clubs, and street clubs. If I were a rich man, and wore lots of jewelry, nice clothes, and drove a fancy car, in other words, flaunting my wealth, and I walk through a known rough neighborhood, what outcome should I expect? The law says I have a right to do this, but common sense tells me I might be assaulted, robbed, or killed. To do this, I am causing harm to myself, and punishment to those who would assault me. In other words, if I walk into a lion's den, is the lion wrong to maul me? Or is it my fault for antagonizing the lion?

3) Race, and genitics, and DNA are funny things. There are obvious physical differences between "races" which can be linked to our genes, and our DNA. We are NOT all the same. Over time, our genetic similarities have multiplied, due to the intermingling, and interbreeding of these "races". Global travel, and mixing of different populations have made us more alike than different. However, our differences have not declined as a real number. As a ratio to our similarities, it has shrunk...but not as a separate number. Genetics have not reliably been linked to behavior. Being from one race or another does not predispose an individual to commit crimes against humanity. These tendencies are linked to social and economic disparities. We talk a certain dialect or accent, because those around us do. We like or dislike other groups because those around us do. We behave within the rules of society, or we don't, because those around us do or don't.

4) I am not a good "quoter". A few posts back, some people got on the subject of smoker's rights, vs non smoker's rights. No one's rights out weigh some one elses. If I'm a business owner, (restauratuer) and I want to allow smoking in my establishment, it is my right. You have the right to stay out of my restaurant, and have your dinner in one that does not allow smoking. Currently, most states do not have legislation preventing smoking outdoors. If you are at a sporting event, and someone comes up to you to talk, and lights up, you have the right to move away from that person. Take matters into your own hands, and move to a location more preferable to you. Don't expect the law to protect you, or more appropiately, to limit MY rights!

5) Using words to correctly or incorrectly describe a person, such as racist, homophobe, xenophobe, redneck etc. over and over again does not change the meaning of the word. This applies to EVERYONE!

Summing up, it seems most of us agree that the man in texas from the original post has the right to think as he does. Where we fall apart is in the argument that he does not have the right to take action on his thoughts. Maybe he does, and maybe he doesn't. Having the CRA in place did not prevent him from making his radio ad proving that you can not legislate actions. If I were of a race, ethnic origin, political affiliation, or religion he is railing against, I would not patronize his business, and I certainly would not try to sign up for the lessons, putting myself in a position likely to cause confrontation. If I don't belong to any of those races, ethnic origins, political affiliations, or religions, it is up to me to decide if I will patronize his business or not. The free market will decide whether or not he remains in business. (Assuming a free market actually exists, as has been argued in previous posts)

I am a registered Republican, but I have more conservative views than most. I believe in personal responsibility, not government control. Our government has become more socialist over the years, to the point that you can not realistically tell the difference between a Republican or a Democrat. Most conservatives and liberals lean more to the center, than they will admit.

This argument proves that we can not overcome tribal thinking, and it also proves that most of us want to live in a Nanny State. I fear we as a country and as human beings are doomed! I will not post again in this thread. Flame on.....or off.