Slew of online hate reviews plagues 'Sweet Cakes' bakery
GRESHAM, Ore. -- Before last week, Melissa Klein says her Gresham bakery, Sweet Cakes by Melissa, had fewer than a dozen reviews on Yelp.
On Wednesday there were around 300. People from as far away as England have posted reviews – nearly all scathing – on the online business-review site.
“Tastes like hate,” a reviewer named John B. of Portland wrote on Tuesday.
“Whether or not your cakes are delicious or dry and disgusting is now completely irrelevant,” Elyse F. from New York also said Tuesday. “No one cares; almost all who hear about this will chose (sic) to take their business elsewhere so as to not support a discriminatory business.”
The barrage of negative comments began after the bakery made national news when the owners refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. Melissa's husband Aaron Klein cited their religious position against same-sex marriage as the reason.
Investigators from the Oregon attorney general’s office are now examining whether the business violated the a 2007 Oregon law preventing businesses for discriminating based on sexual preference.
Wednesday morning, Melissa Klein said she was aware of the negative reviews, but was trying not to focus on them. She said her business is otherwise booming and that lots of folks have come to her bakery expressing well wishes.
“There’s nothing I can do about it. They’re allowed to do what they want to do,” Klein said. “It’s a little upsetting. There’s people writing on there who have never come to our shop.”
Klein said a friend alerted her to the Yelp reviews and she was horrified by them.
“People who claim to be so tolerant are not being very accepting of our beliefs,” she said. “It’s hurtful. It’s sad. We’re not hateful people. I have gay friends. We have acquaintances who are gay.”
The online backlash is apparently not affecting Sweet Cakes’ bottom line, either. Klein said she’s had to hire additional workers to keep up with the influx in business. One woman drove an hour to Sweet Cakes this week; she brought the bakery a Christian cross, Klein said.
The bakery’s phone is ringing off the hook. On Wednesday morning, there were 3,000 emails in Sweet Cakes’ inbox. Ninety-percent of the emails are positive, Klein said.
And none of the other online review sites has turned up overwhelmingly negative reviews, she said.
“I’m glad they’re not attacking all of our places,” Klein said.
The bakery is totally ghetto so who the hell cares?
@badcat
 How âretardationâ went from a clinical description to a word of derision
When they were originally introduced, the terms âmental retardationâ or âmentally retardedâ were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, âretardâ and âretardedâ have been used widely in todayâs society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when âretardâ and âretardedâ are used as synonyms for âdumbâ or âstupidâ by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity@badcat
people shape language, and not always is a good way. Look at recent verbs such as âgoogledââa nonsense word and âtweetedââpreviously a sound made by one of those flying, winged thingsâ which are now common-usage verbs. Language sure is dynamic.
 Unthinking people altered our language adding a connotation to the word retarded that goes along with the (especially American) perception that anything that is slow is also bad. And something to laugh about. Because really, whatâs not funny about Susie being the only one in the group to not understand the jokeâdespite her above average I.Q.? And by definition, at that moment in time, you could call Susieâs thinking & reasoning skills, her understanding of sarcasm: retarded, especially when compared to the control of your laughing group.
In short if you are to intellectually disabled to understand why the "R" word is banned and now listed as a hate word , then yo are lucky to have a job at all..Oh and about your "better then me attitude"And Narcissistic Behavior in which you like to demean and Humiliate people Is far worse then what I can ever Post. Your hate, is yours to own, it is yours to be responsible for , If you ever say this at work and some hears it, You won't have a job for long. Especially if it is an advocate that hears it. and if you are the owner of such an establishment and you insult some one like this, I hope you have the funds to cover a lawsuit. So if you don't believe , go a head call a customer the "R" word, unless of course you business is a business of hate and intolerance, then you are far worse then this person who does cakes, in fact you are far worse then he is.
Looks like yelp has removed 999 comments due to truthiness. Yelp hates gay marriage!
So is anyone willing to get me all caught up on what I missed while I was at work? Â Leave out the details...is this conversation worth diving in to?
 @sundowner Remember all the things we have discussed over the last few weeks? We basically went over those again. That wouldn't be so bad if it were a recap, but it was treated as if it were "brand new".
 @Sundowner I could be mistaken, but he was talking about death earlier...
 @str1ngb3nd3r  @Sundowner boring stuff...is this our main meeting site now lol?
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 @Sundowner Nope
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OMG -- Still????? Â Hahahaha!
Lee, you can easily get lost on Google...I ended up on Youtube and couldn't figure out how I ended up here...
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAg5KjnAhuU
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check it out...
ok, lee, sorry for the distraction...Is this what you speak of?
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"PhenylAde® Amino Acid Blend is a combination of essential and non essential amino acids intended to provide phenylalanine free amino acids to foods and drinks people usually consume. This mild tasting powder is an excellent source of amino acids that can be added to a PKU diet strategy that is easy to use and provides variety to a specialized diet."
 @str1ngb3nd3r yes
 @lee986321 "I don't recall writing any thing, I have 4 realities that are severe and profound."
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My comment -
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"...what are the odds that both you and your wife, with the same receptive gene, would end up together..."
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...is just a remark about PKU:Â "Both parents must pass on the defective gene in order for a baby to have the condition."Â
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If it is a rare gene...the betting odds seem great for two people with the same gene to meat...
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Don't get paranoid on me lee...I'm on your side. This is your world, I'm just a visitor....:-)
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 @lee'ssecretboyfriend ahhh...well, that would be devastating to lee if lee found out...I better shut up.
 @str1ngb3nd3r  @lee986321 That's because he resembles his biological father.Â
 @lee986321 I found your You news channel...is that you doing the signing in the video? That's cool...you know how to sign language...too bad there's no caption...what is the message...if you write it word for word, I'll try to match it to your gestures.
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btw, if that's you in the video...I don't see any resemblance between you and your son's picture...he must look more like his mom, no?
 @str1ngb3nd3r Hey lee, now I know what you're talking about...I swear to God...I did not spoof your son. I'm astounded you would think that about me after the rapport we've built up over the last few days.
 @lee986321 "unless you foundd my You news channel"
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Never heard of You news...Link?
 @lee986321 "If you are spoofing my son I would appreciate if you remove it."
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Spoofing? What did I say or write to give you that idea...do you mean the youtube video?
 @str1ngb3nd3r I don't recall writing any thing, I have 4 realities that are severe and profound. unless you foundd my You news channel...not sure what is on that. It is a mess.
 @str1ngb3nd3r Ninja has 3 attachments, dough blade, paddle and the really wicked blade...If you are spoofing my son I would appreciate if you remove it. DMC stuff can get messy and KU has enough stories..Unless you want to be a part of one. Or who ever the person is that is illegally using my sons picture..KATU will investigate this and the real persons Idenity will be made known if an arrest is made for exploiting.
 @str1ngb3nd3r Lee is an amazing writer. No doubt about it.
 @lee986321 Ooops, my bad...that response was meant for the other question you asked.
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That's amazing...what are the odds that both you and your wife, with the same receptive genes, would end up together...to allow this condition into fruition (that sounded dumb...I'm not the writer that you are, so if I say something stupid just work with me)...blows my mind!
@lee986321
"Phenylketonuria (PKU) is inherited, which means it is passed down through families. Both parents must pass on the defective gene in order for a baby to have the condition. This is called an autosomal recessive trait.
Babies with PKU are missing an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase, which is needed to break down an essential amino acid called phenylalanine. The substance is found in foods that contain protein.
Without the enzyme, levels of phenylalanine and two closely-related substances build up in the body. These substances are harmful to the central nervous system and cause brain damage."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002150/
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I don't see any reason why you can't use a ninja to make bread but don't you think it would be easier if you had a KitchenAid Mixer? I don't see how it's possible for a blender to thoroughly mix the dough with such small blades.
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 @str1ngb3nd3r lol, after reading the first comment on that video, I now have to change my pants.
 @str1ngb3nd3r Rofl. Lee is that you?
 @TreeWizard  @str1ngb3nd3r that sure in hell is not me lol
And funny that on yelp, most of their reviews prior to this event weren't all that great to begin with. Â So not only do they discriminate, but their products and work ethic really are less than satisfactory.
They have Gay friends? Not for much longer I'd bet, if they really did at all.
@Payton Blake why would that be a problem
 @Joy Logan  @Payton Because someday, maybe your baby will be caught in a burning house, and a gay friend will help to save your baby. But if you've chased your friends away with your hatred, then your baby will perish.  We all need all the friends we can muster.
Could a large movie theater chain in Oregon, refuse to admit black people, because the theater owner's religion was anti-black?
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Of course not. Â
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But that theater owner's CHURCH could turn away black people and could refuse to marry gay people. Religious people are allowed to discriminate at church and in their own private homes, but NOT in public businesses.
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 @Kay Eff well what if he is a religious for profit organization?
 @lee986321For Profit = Business = Can't Discriminate
 @Kay Eff  @lee986321 If any class needs protecting am sure the Hippy should be #1 on it.
 @TreeWizard  @lee986321 You can fairly NOT serve someone because they haven't bathed as long as you treat EVERYONE the same and don't discriminate against protected classes.
 @lee986321 No, you don't need to sue them, this is a State issue. You would contact the appropriate authorities and explain what happened.  If the store has have a policy of excluding anyone based on their religion then they would be forced by the State to change that policy (or go out of business). Â
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Stores can exclude people who are misbehaving, but NOT exclude them based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation.
 @Kay Eff  @lee986321 Sell*Â
 @JTesla Dang I had a lawsuit and didn't even know it..But I htink 20 years is past statute of limitations lol
 @Kay Eff  @lee986321 When I owned a lemonade stand. I refused to tell lemonade to hippy looking folks. It worked for me.
 @JTesla  @lee986321 I just get more and more lost by the hour.
 @lee986321 " so lets say I go into an occult book store"... That's pretty much what we've been telling you fora a week.
 @Kay Eff oh and lets say, he stated it was against his Satanic views..That should help
 @Kay Eff and he is for profit
 @Kay Eff Ok so lets say I go into an occult book store, I state I a Christan, and I want to buy some materials for research, and the owner says for me to leave, because I am a Christian, I can sue them correct?
There are TWO somewhat separate issues here.
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1. Does the bakery have a continuing policy of illegal discrimination.
2. Did the bakery unfairly harm the customer in this particular case, did the customer misbehave?
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Issue #1 requires little or no research. The bakery owner freely admits that he has a policy of discrimination and is blatantly and publicly reaffirming that law-breaking policy.  He could be fined and lose his business license if he does not fix his policy.Â
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Issue #2 involves the details of the recent case. That involves witnesses and conflicts and all sorts of he-said/she-said messiness.
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The real debate here, is around issue #1.     The State can't allow this Bakery to continue to discriminate against gays, or they MUST also allow ALL businesses to discriminate against women, and old people, and blacks and Hispanics and any other classes protected under the non-discrimination law.  Â
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Now, if the store owner wants to NOT make wedding cakes for gays, he could implement a policy that says "We only provide wedding cakes to those who show their valid Oregon Marriage Licenses.  But he would have to turn away EVERYONE who lacked such a license. That would be bad for business.Â
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 @Kay Eff "he could implement a policy" I agree with your point, but most people order the cake long before they get the license. In Oregon the license expires in 60 days after issued.
 @JTesla  @Kay Eff eh Oregon don't wed gays...but here in WA it is a tad different with Oregon and I can agree on the" clause" statement..
 @JTesla fine what is if it a hung jury?
 @JTesla Well, I understand that...But...
 @lee986321 No one answered because they were too busy laughing. You may have a hung jury, but you don't have a hung state.
 @Kay Eff  @JTesla We can not make one thing void to allow another.. What if the state is "hung".. can't make a decision one way or the other...I never got a real answer to that question..hypothetically speaking has any one thougt of that?
 @Kay Eff  @JTesla I say this because he is using his faith as a reason Constitution and Civilities Must Protect Both"
 @lee986321  @JTeslaÂ
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Bad policy to require your bakery customers to show legal documentation because most customers would say "you've got to be kidding" " I'm ordering a cake! "  Most would go elsewhere.  That's bad for business.
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Is he going to require birth certificates for birthday cakes?
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 @JTesla he just wont cater to a crowed. but i do know what you mean.
Son's waking
 @JTesla that works better lol.. with that said , I know many businesses with bad polices that are doing well.
 @JTesla I know the recourse on that as well...invalid ..annulled...ect..
 @lee986321 "it would be a bad policy for him" where could you get "it would be a threaten policy for him"
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Really, replace the "bad" with whatever word you want, does it work? No.
 @JTesla  @Kay Eff define "bad"
 @JTesla  @Kay Eff if you mean by bad, as in to threaton some one that would be illegal.
 @lee986321 Again, anyone can "wed" in Oregon... it just wouldn't be a valid marriage.
 @JTesla That's why it would be a bad policy for him.  It would simply be easier for the baker to simply provide cakes to anyone who will pay for them.
@Kay Eff @JTesla I hope he doesn't
 @Kay Eff Yeah and Oregon revoked 3,000 marigae licenses to...I know..
Li and Kennedy, et al v. State of Oregon
 @Kay Eff look if Oregon can revoke that what other powers does it hold? that would mean that Oregon Discriminated against LGBT.
@lee986321 @Kay Eff so what do you thinks going to happen now so the Gays are going to go on there march and hit bakerys and whatever
 @Kay Eff sticking with CWP
 @Kay Eff wheren did that come from
The KKK were very religious as they hung black people.
 @Kay Eff any of them religious?
 @lee986321 Many cases in Oregon have been documented where business owners have discriminated against protected minorities.  In 100% of cases, the business owner was forced to change their policy to one of non-discrimination.
 @lee986321 Your religion, does NOT give you the right to discriminate against protected minorities in public schools and public businesses.  That was decided LONG ago.
 @Kay Eff ok that I know...Twilight was not religious.. it was far from it.
 @lee986321 Many cases have been documented where businesses refused to serve protected minorities. Â
 @Kay Eff if it wre a simple bakery I would understand...But its not just a simple bakery...We have Religion VS Gays at the core
 @Kay Eff a case like this has never been documented in Oregon, So how the heck do we know hoe the state will react? I have a feeling that there is going to be a firestorm brewing and it not going to be pretty. Oregon also has the right to protect religious freedoms...So there are 3 issues at hand.