Wild Oats Settles Down

WASHINGTON - A federal judge Thursday gave the go-ahead for grocer Whole Foods Market Inc. to buy rival Wild Oats Markets Inc., rejecting government arguments the deal would stifle competition and lead to higher prices.

U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman's reasoning was based on the California Senate's newly passed Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act [AB 43]. The bill defines marriage as "a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between two persons". Judge Friedman cited the Supreme Court's ruling of Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Company as granting the full rights of living persons to corporations and added, "I can not in good conscience deny the rights of the involved parties to be joined together, whether it be for better or worse."