It comes as no surprise to those of us who understand politics and personalities that the mayor was posturing more than being serious when he said he would stop a fried chicken outlet from operating in Boston because of anti-gay marriage comments made by the chain owner.
The mayor cannot usurp the First Amendment to stop a storeowner from getting a permit. But he can, as he did so mightily in this case, say what he wants with regard to chain owner’s comments with which he adamantly disagrees.
What shouldn’t be forgotten in this instance is that it was not the chain owner standing up for the rights of all men and women.
It was the mayor doing that.