Would Mozilla appoint someone to CEO who donated $1000 towards a campaign on banning interracial marriage? Is being against same-sex marriage ok as a personal opinion just because we're in the transition period?
In the late 60s when that issue was being debated? Ya, probably. Today, no.
Gay marriage has gone from outrageous to a viable idea in my lifetime, it will take a decade or two for it to become almost universally accepted as the "right thing" as interracial marriage is today.
> Is being against same-sex marriage ok as a personal opinion just because we're in the transition period?
Yes. The jury's out on gay marriage still. We all know what the verdict will be, and people who don't support it will be carried along kicking and screaming, but it's still ok socially to oppose gay marriage.
That said, it was a stupid move on Mozilla's part. I'm sure he'll be great for the company, but now their masthead practically reads "We hate gays!"
I'm totally fine with our masthead reading "We're understanding of dissenting opinion, even if we believe you're really and utterly wrong". We seem to like to do things the hard way with the press anyhow.
He didn't donate to a campaign banning interracial marriage though and the example isn't the same. Furthermore he is one of the founding members of Mozilla and his contributions give him a certain level of respect within the organization.
I am worried I'll start sounding like an apologist for Eich even though it's not my role. On a different note I think the board should've brought in an outsider for the role so they can leverage experience that Mozilla might currently be lacking.
No, Mozilla would not appoint someone to CEO who donated $1000 towards a campaign on banning interracial marriage. However, not very long ago that was an acceptable, even common, personal opinion and people who publicly held it were appointed CEO without any qualms.
So yes, being against same-sex marriage is still OK as a personal opinion and does not stand in the way of being appointed CEO. The facts are your answer.
You are assuming that this change will be the same as that change. However, that is something history will show and that you cannot speed up by asking questions that only time will tell the answer to. This change is not yet the same as that change and consequently that change cannot yet be used as an argument for how to behave towards this change.
Gay marriage has gone from outrageous to a viable idea in my lifetime, it will take a decade or two for it to become almost universally accepted as the "right thing" as interracial marriage is today.