It's only conservatives that proclaim racism is dead in America, and it is a ludicrous notion, but now they've found a new pastime with which to occupy themselves. They believe hating on the gays isn't a form of racism at all, but a God-given right to business owners. That reminds me how business owners treated blacks during the civil rights movement. Didn't you think we had moved beyond these despicable ideas years ago?

A Westmoreland grocer names Chauncy Childs and a devout Christian posted on her Facebook page that that she believes businesses had the right to refuse service to gay people and that gay marriage might lead to pedophilia and bigamy before her grocery even opened for business.

A new Westmoreland grocery isn't even open yet and already its owner has created a controversy with statements she made online. But the owner told KGW Thursday she wants to make amends. In about one week Chauncy Childs plans to open her natural grocer on Southeast Milwaukie Avenue. But after a series of postings she made on her Facebook page, she now finds herself at the often dangerous intersection where social media and gay rights meet.

But of course she would never deny service to teh gays, but you know, she should have the right not to. I love how she lies about what her Facebook posting means to the reporter, then admits it and then says she would never act on those beliefs.

Q) Do you believe that? Childs: No, I don't think I said that. I said i think that...well, maybe I did say that in the post. Maybe it says that in the article that I referenced. What I believe is that if you, yes, the principle that a person, a private business ahs the right, yes I say I believe that. Q) But would she ever deny a gay person service at her own store? Childs: Absolutely not.

It's so sad that these views are shared by more people than will admit it and this push of hatred is being fostered by the religious right in this country.