As you've probably heard, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was denied service the other night at a Virginia restaurant. The reason was that she was Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
I honestly don't know how I feel about that. On the one hand, I see the point of those who say that if you have a privately-owned business, you shouldn't have to perform services for someone you find repulsive. On the other hand, I see the point of those who say someone who offers services to the public shouldn't be able to discriminate against a class of people…and it's sometimes really messy to distinguish between a class and a person. If Ms. Sanders was the exact same person but black or gay, how would that change the situation?
Right after I read about her ejection, I read about this which feels like it belongs in the same post…
An Arizona woman has said she was left "in tears and humiliated" after a staff member at U.S. pharmacy chain Walgreens refused to give her prescription medication to end her pregnancy — even though her doctor had said she would ultimately have a miscarriage.
I understand that the law in Arizona allows a pharmacist to refuse to fill a prescription for reasons of personal ethics. I also understand why some people object to abortion. I'm not sure I understand what principle someone is standing on when they decline to be involved in the termination of a non-viable pregnancy that is not going to result in the birth of a living child. "No, no! If she's going to lose the baby, she has to do it the more painful and emotional way!"?
Some newspaper reports said that — to quote one — "the pharmacist had transferred her prescription to another Walgreens location in Phoenix, a 20-minute drive away, where she was able to pick up her medication." Was that the same pharmacist? If not, why didn't that person fill the prescription? The woman said there were others on duty when she was denied.
If it was the same pharmacist then the principle he's fighting for is really screwy. "No, no! It's against my beliefs for me to hand you those pills but I will arrange for someone else to give them to you…and by the way, I don't mind if you feel inconvenienced and humiliated." (It is also worth noting — and I looked this up on Google maps — that there are other pharmacies, including a nearby CVS, that were closer. Was someone trying to make sure that Walgreens wouldn't lose the business?)
If anyone sees an interview with that pharmacist, let me know. I'd like to hear what he thinks he accomplished.
Getting back to Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Like I said, I don't know how I feel about what happened with her. I do know though that — surprise, surprise! — she said something that is not true. She said…
I always do my best to treat people, including those I disagree with, respectfully and will continue to do so.
No, you don't, Sarah. That's not your job description. Your job is to treat every reporter who isn't from Fox News with undisguised contempt and not only dodge legitimate questions but to sneer at them as if they don't have the right to exist, let alone ask you to clarify or defend something ridiculous that your boss said. And you do it well. If you didn't, you'd be standing in line at Unemployment behind Sean Spicer.