March 06, 2006
Something to think about the next time you're considering ordering from Domino's
My first reaction to hearing about this attempt to build a town governed by Catholic principles was "Well, if people want to restrict their own freedoms, I guess I don't see why they shouldn't be free to do that," but it didn't take me long to realize that not everyone in the town is going to be there wholly of their own free will. Do they think there will be no teenagers in that town frustrated by the lack of birth control (which is only going to lead inexorably to a much worse level of upset about the lack of available abortions)?
(Via America Hates Us.)
Posted by Francis at 11:48 AMExcept that teenagers don't have the right to affect or opt out of those kinds of social questions anywhere in the country. A teen frustrated with American drinking laws isn't (usually) going to be in a position to move to France. Provided they still have the option to a) go to a neighboring town to buy condoms/get abortions/see "Transamerica" surreptitiously, and b) emancipate themselves and leave town once they turn 18; I'd still file this under "If people want to restrict their freedoms..."
What I question is the town's ability to implement such policies. It seems like Thomas A. Monaghan, of all people, ought to realize that if people can't/won't go to where a product is sold, they'll find a way to get somebody to bring the product to them. They aren't going to be able to prevent FedEx from delivering mail-order condoms or even to prevent USPS from delivering Playboy. At which point, all this really is is a matter of zoning laws, coupled with a heavy city involvement in building the business district. It would be interesting if a large drugstore chain (probably not Walgreens) wanted to move into town and continue selling birth control, but I can't imagine it'd be worth the bother from a business standpoint. If the town leaders want to put that much energy into what looks to me likely to be a largely symbolic effort, they're welcome to it.
Posted by: Scott at March 6, 2006 12:42 PMFor the first time ever, I have a deep urge to move to Florida and open a brothel.
Posted by: Rick at March 6, 2006 02:52 PMYou better be careful. It's hard out there for a pimp.
Posted by: Francis at March 6, 2006 02:57 PMThere are some freedoms you're not allowed to restrict of yourself. Like, you can't voluntarily become a slave. At least I think heard something like that somewhere...
Posted by: Doug Orleans at March 6, 2006 03:41 PMI'm kind of curious to see what will happen with this equation: repressive, authoritarian community + teenagers with raging hormones + unlimited guns and lax gun laws. Could be an exciting combination.
Posted by: Victoria at March 6, 2006 03:42 PMAlso, that guy no longer owns Domino's, so I don't think anyone should be boycotting them over this. But there's probably some other reason to boycott them.
Posted by: Doug Orleans at March 6, 2006 03:43 PMIf voluntary slavery is illegal, that's going to wreak havoc with a large percentage of Craigslist ads.
Posted by: Francis at March 6, 2006 03:46 PMI didn't realize this the guy planning this was in any way related to Domino's, so I read this as a question of restricting one's ability to order meat on a pizza on Friday nights. I think that's a valid concern, right?
Posted by: TK at March 6, 2006 04:23 PMDo people really need any reason to boycott Domino's other than those cardboard frisbees they pass off as pizza?
Posted by: Evad at March 7, 2006 10:18 AM