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Brendan Eich steps down as CEO of Mozilla(blog.mozilla.org)
almost 9 years ago from John McDowall, Freelance Ruby & Javascripté
Jake Lazaroff, almost 9 years ago Because as baffling as that viewpoint may be, I don't think it defines his worth as a person, any more than any one of us would want our entire person to be written off because of one aspect; and because his views on same sex marriage have nothing to do with his work at Mozilla; and because "although I disapprove of what you say, I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Rob Grant, almost 9 years ago
I'd rather defend to the death the dignity of all people than the opinion of some rich bigot.
Jake Lazaroff, almost 9 years ago (edited almost 9 years ago ) No one is defending his opinion. It is a bigoted opinion. But he is not using Mozilla as a platform to promote it.
I understand why you oppose him, but I don't think the way to fight intolerance is with more intolerance.
We should have been more tolerant of those Germans back in World War 2, huh?
Jake Lazaroff, almost 9 years ago No, that's a straw man. In his endeavors to deprive gay Americans of their right to marry we should absolutely oppose him, and publicly so. However, I don't think those endeavors should define the way we interact with him on all other issues. His position as CEO of Mozilla has nothing to do with gay rights, so—as long as that view doesn't inform his work—I don't think it's appropriate to hold it against him.
I'm Jewish, and I have friends and family who were affected by the Holocaust, so I do sympathize with your example. But I just can't bring myself to believe that a small subset of one's actions or beliefs define one as a person. I vehemently disagree with them, but I don't want anyone ostracized because of it.
And lastly, I realize this is a very emotional issue, but many people who oppose his resignation (including myself) do support LGBTQ rights. We have the same end goal, you and me—we just see different ways of getting there :)
Raffaello Sanzio, almost 9 years ago
Dignity (noun): the quality of being worthy of honor or respect
In that case, you should treat Mr. Eich with all respect, even if you disagree with him. Even if you think he didn't treat you (or people close to you) with respect.
Let's be gentlemen.
Literally the "tolerate my intolerance" argument
Jared Scheel, almost 9 years ago
You keep using the word bigot. Other than your interpretation of his donation to Prop 8, can you point to one single example of bigoted behavior? People supported Prop 8 for a variety of reasons, not just because they "hate the gays". Were some of the donors bigots? I don't doubt it. But, you are unfairly speaking for Brendan Eich when you interpret his donation as being nothing more than a bigoted action, without actually knowing his reasoning. In fact, he's been quite silent on the issue, even though his own company supports speaking out in public on such matters. The world is not as black and white as you see it. I understand that you feel strongly about this, but it seems like you are getting angry and deriding others on your own platform, which is sad, given that the instructions are "be nice, or else".
In your estimation, what are the reasons for financially supporting legislation that denies the civil rights of a particular group, if those reasons are not fundamentally motivated by intolerance?
True, the world, in general, is not black and white, but this matter is—either you favor complete equality or you don't. And yes, it makes me profoundly angry to see so many of you coming out in defense of someone who so obviously and publicly doesn't.
Again, you continue to put words in his mouth. He has never "so obviously and publicly" come out against equality. Support for Prop 8 comes from several different fronts, several of which are rooted in traditional governing stances on marriage, such as the role of population building and sustainability, etc, and not on a hatred for other people. I'm not saying their stance it right, I'm just saying that you, and others, have painted a very black and white picture when there are, in fact, several shades of gray. If you think otherwise, then I would suggest you go back and look at President Obama's remarks and evolving views on the subject.
Donating to Prop 8 is coming out against equality. There is no way to interpret the action otherwise, as Prop 8 literally seeks to deny rights to a particular group of people.
"Traditional governing stances on marriage, such as the role of population building and sustainability" sounds to me like a dogwhistle for homophobia. I mean, population building, really? Gay marriage is not a threat to population growth.
Not sure about your Obama non sequitur. I'm not even close to being an Obama supporter.
Zach ⑊, almost 9 years ago Other than your interpretation of his donation to Prop 8, can you point to one single example of bigoted behavior?
You didn't answer his question.
He was moving the goalposts by asking it.
Zach ⑊, almost 9 years ago No he's not. All he's asking is for you to provide additional solid facts to validate your position.
Either you can or you can't.
My position is that Brendan Eich is anti-equality and seeks to deprive a group of people of their civil rights. His donation to Prop 8 establishes this unequivocally. I need not provide any further evidence to validate this position.
My problem is with your poor interpretation of what is donation to Prop 8 means. You have decided that it means he is bigoted and doesn't believe in equal rights. Just because you say so doesn't make it true. Sticking to your own narrow interpretation of a very complex subject gives you the freedom to make poor assertions that you parade as fact. Need I again point to our own president's swaying on the issue? It's not as simple of an issue as you believe it to be.
Todd Burton, almost 9 years ago
One time is enough.
If someone has one act of sexism, they are sexist. If someone supports one cause that goes against equal rights for gays, they are a bigot. It's pretty cut and dry. He doesn't need to provide 'more instances'. One time is one too many times.
Art Vandelay, almost 9 years ago
You do realize that while he is no longer the CEO of Mozilla he is still a co-founder. And I'm sure he still will make decisions on behalf of the company, just not in the public eye.
As mentioned by others, I'm all for whatever personal beliefs a person has. To each is own. But to assume that his only power comes by being a CEO is a bit dumbfounded if you ask me.
Granted, by no means am I saying your'e dumb, Rob. And I mean that wholeheartedly. But people seem to forget that he's been at Mozilla since the beginning and it hasn't done anything wrong, so what leads people to believe that under his public 'control' it'll all of a sudden turn into a anti-gay organization?
Chik-Fil-A isn't anti-gay and their CEO outwardly expresses his disinterest for same-sex marriages and relationships.
Making a $1000 donation to Proposition 8 is absolutely tantamount to speaking out against gay people, and it is absolutely a use of wealth to try to legislate an opinion in the most literal sense. You're delusional if you believe otherwise.
Brandon Eich is a bigot who does not believe in the equality of all people. Why on earth are you defending him?