“Brian Klawiter owns Dieseltec shop in Grandville [MI],” cnn.com reports. “In a statement this week on his company Facebook page, he urged gun owners to visit his business, promising a discount for those who do. ‘Enough is enough,’ his post said, declaring that the voices of conservative Americans are getting drowned out. He pledged to operate his business the way he sees fit. ‘I am a Christian. My company will be run in a way that reflects that. Dishonesty, thievery, immoral behavior, etc. will not be welcomed,’ he said. ‘I would not hesitate to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons. Homosexuality is wrong, period.” Oh dear. Here’s the Facebook post:
Enough is enough.
Our rights as conservative Americans are being squashed more and more everyday. Apparently if you are white (or close to it), you have a job, go to church, and own a gun… That translates into racists, privileged, bigot, conspiracy theorist. Too many of us say nothing. Well, freedom of speech isn’t just for Liberals, THEY are the ones that need to learn to “co-exist”, THEY are the ones who need to WORK to be “equal”
Therefore, in the spirit of freedom (whats left of it) and MY right to operate MY business as I see fit:
Guns ARE allowed at DIESELTEC, so much so in fact that we will offer a discount if you bring in your gun. (“On duty” cops are excluded because thats not their gun, thats my gun bought with my money, off duty absolutely!)I am a Christian. My company will be run in a way that reflects that. Dishonesty, thievery, immoral behavior, etc. will not be welcomed at MY place of business. (I would not hesitate to refuse service to an openly gay person or persons. Homosexuality is wrong, period. If you want to argue this fact with me then I will put your vehicle together with all bolts and no nuts and you can see how that works.)
We, as a team, work hard for whats ours. We are not protected by unions or contracts. We absolutely MUST provide our customers with a service level that would make them come back or tell their friends about us. We don’t have a “right”, and we are not “entitled” to our pay. We must EARN it.
I am not racists, you are for assuming I am, however, I am really quick to judge… if it acts like a duck, and quacks like a duck…It IS a free country and I support your right to your opinion, that being said, if you don’t like what I have to say I reserve that same right to tell you to go cry to your momma (cause your daddy would probably smack ya’, better yet, yes, go tell your dad.)
The backlash wasn’t pretty . . .
Klawiter told CNN affiliate WOOD TV [sic] he had to contact local authorities after protesters showed up at his home. He said he’s received death threats and hundreds of calls from all over the country.
He said he’s not asking customers about their sexuality, but same-sex couples who exhibit affectionate behavior openly will not get service.
Discrimination based on sexual orientation is not prohibited in Michigan, but some municipalitieshave laws against it, according to the affiliate.
Grandville is not one of them.
Dieseltec responded to the threats:
Listen up folks, If you have an opposing view to mine that IS OK, what is NOT OK is threats to kill me, my family, and friends; threats to burn down my shop and my home. I will stand firm on my views and will not back down. I said I am a christian and I think any true (as you all like to call it) christian would readily admit they are a sinner, as am i, and that we practice our religion: i.e. try to get better at it.
I am NOT Jesus. What he did was perfect and as far as what he would do I will not speculate as I am merely broken flesh. The Bible has been at the center of debate many times and left subject to interpretation. My interpretation is different than yours. I did not ask to debate sin, however, I am being reminded of mixed fabrics and eating shellfish… so can we all agree then that homosexuality is a sin? If it is then we should always make an effort to move away from sin right?
If its not then why are you offended? Enough about that, I am not qualified nor worthy to get in to theology. I set some ground rules for how I operate my life; do I not have the right to do that? If we both have the right to our opinions at what point does it become acceptable to destroy someones reputation, and the reputation of everyone they know, threaten to kill and destroy because you disagree.
The evil in this situation is clearly identifiable. Just read the comments below. I never threatened to intentionally put someones vehicle together wrong, use you sense, (although it may not have been the best way to elaborate) You need a bolt and a nut to hold something together, two bolts can not, and two nuts can not, you must have one of each, a male and a female. Get it now?
To all of our supporters, there is a semi-local preacher of some kind rallying a protest tomorrow Sat. 12:00-2p, they are gonna “occupy” something near by. We invite our supporters to join us for some fellowship, we will roll out the grill (bring something for us to cook up for you, and byob) and we can enjoy a sunny afternoon together with our guns, our God, our freedom.
Well now. The controversy over whether a private business can refuse service to homosexuals continues, regardless of Adam Smith’s “invisible hand.” But putting gun owners into this mix is nothing less than toxic, giving ammo to gun control proponents who paint gun owners as paranoid, racist, homophobic morons. Shame.