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Trooper & Klan Member

STATE FIGHTS TO FIRE TROOPER TIED TO KLAN

Robert Henderson was not fired as a state trooper because he belonged to the Ku Klux Klan and another white supremacist group, authorities said.
Ref. https://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/26/trooper.r...m.ap/index.html

Member Klan and Trooper

I agree with the Police union and the arbitrator. This was, and is, an attempt to punish this man for his beliefs. They have no evidence of any illegal or even antisocial acts.

Under the 1st Amendment, he is free to believe anything he wants. They haven't even shown where he has made any public statements that are objectionable.

I think that the Nebraska State Patrol is completely wrong in this matter.

Now, if he starts to behave the way most people expect the KKK to behave, then there is a real problem.

Trooper & Klan Member History & Civil Business Politics

I understand what you are saying about US law, but given the beliefs of the KKK about African Americans I wonder if he were to pull over a Black male if he would not somehow be biased? We could argue that if he carried out his duty only then his beliefs are irrelevant, but there are those subtle things that are done during a stop that can be really insulting / rude / harassing, etc.

Member Klan and Trooper

The problem is that the same thing can be said about ANYONE! What about the African American police officer that has a bias against Jews? How about the Jewish police officer that hates Muslims, or vice versa?

Punishments HAVE to be based on actions, not on beliefs. Otherwise, the government (at whatever level) is going against the foundational principles of the United States, and against both the spirit and the letter of the First Amendment.

Member Klan and Trooper

However, shouldn't certain beliefs stop you from holding certain offices? Yes, you can believe what you want, but it does not mean you must be a police officer. For instance, if a person believes that Osama Bin Laden is a just man and what happened on Sept 11th was deserving of the US, should that person be made a soldier because it is his 'right'? I believe he has the right to think whatever he wants, but he does not have the 'right' to be a soldier based on what he thinks. Not so?

Trooper & Klan Member

Unfortunately, that is just another example of the current double standards within the US. We have a lot of soldiers who agree with bin Laden. Remember the soldier who threw grenades into his officer's tent?

Legally, I don't think that a "belief" should disqualify someone from a particular job. If we allow it to happen in this case, then it can, and will, happen in other cases. We already have people, on this forum, who believe that a person's religious beliefs should be considered in any public office. The Left wants to restrict anyone who sincerely believes in the Bible from holding public office. One of the HUGE complaints from the Left about President Bush is that he is a "right-wing religious nut."

Discrimination based upon belief is unacceptable within the United States. It is horrible in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, France, Sri Lanka, India, or anywhere else. In the US, it is criminal. What the Nebraska State Patrol is trying to do is not right.

Now, the first time that this officer ACTS upon those beliefs, I will be first in line calling for his punishment.

Trooper & Klan Member

Well, beliefs should be a major decision maker if it is contrary to the job being pursued. For instance, a small example:

Recruiter: "So you want a job as a marriage officer, what is your view on marriage?"

Respondent: "I believe marriage should not exist and that the government has no right to issue a license for it"

Recruiter: "Great, you are hired."

Trooper & Klan Member Politics Business Civil & History

Once again, looking at things from a US legal standpoint, belief should have no place in determining the suitability of someone to hold a job, especially in this type of job.

Within the private workforce, I believe that the employers should be able to discriminate based on belief, but that is outlawed as well. Even religious schools have great difficulty in NOT hiring people who believe differently than the school.

This is a public office. It may seem logical that your scenario would be true, but it is illegal. Heck, it is illegal to even ASK such a question, even in a private company!

I don't agree with this man's beliefs, but I strongly believe that he should not be punished for having them.