Another Republican Sen. has a Dirty Little Affair

[David]

Originally Posted by markolas

Well, unless you want a 25% literacy rate.

If you define literacy in the silly way the schools do (that is, the ability to read practically all the letters & some words), then the country has a high literacy rate. But if you define literacy the way I & Richard Mitchell do (that is, the ability & the inclination to distinguish sense from nonsense, fact from opinion, reasoned inquiry from persuasion & cajolery, data from sales pitch, & metaphor from simile -- in short, the ability & the inclination to pay thoughtful attention in language, which is exactly what is not taught in public school), then the country's literacy rate is well below 25% already!

I'd like to see the Department of Ecudation ("Quality Ecudation Doesn't Come Cheap! ran the old motto) dismantled & left flapping in the breeze, like a scarecrow. Think of all the money we might save.

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by nailatixela

PS: I'm with mark on the abortion/gay marriage issue. (except for the fact that I'm not gay) In my mind abortion is muder, and even if you personally do not believe in abortion I still think you should stand up for what you believe in. You personally may have not believed in slavery, but were not going to say anything if others wanted to have slaves. That's one comparison - and both sides of any issue should take a stand.

With gay marriage - that's a right that I don't think should be denied because there is nothing (in my mind) illegal about it. Except for the fact that it is in most states. But the process of a gay marriage doesn't create any crimes. Every human life should be given a chance...I know I would not have wanted to be aborted even if I were to grow up in the hardest of situations. Every life deserves a chance to live. (which I guess is part of why I support gay marriage - the right to live a better life with someone. an aborted child never gets a chance to live with anyone)

That's just how I think about it in my mind - I guess I'm in an odd stance on these 2 issues though. I think I'll have to create a new party.

No, on reflection, I think a lot of people will recognise the points you make.

Aspects of the language used in this thread certainly offend me but on the principle of gay rights and marriage it is important that we see real equality in the US. As a European it is difficult to understand the way in which the more legal aspects and law get wrapped around gay issues in the US when elsewhere it is accepted as a basic human right that everyone gets equal treatment, equality and opportunity.

Unlike Strand, I don't think abortion is a variation on the same issue. I think it is important that women have a choice but the constant attempts to say that either pro or anti view is either morally, intellectually or in any other way superior, is unhelpful imo.

[Moz]

Originally Posted by nailatixela

With gay marriage - that's a right that I don't think should be denied because there is nothing (in my mind) illegal about it. Except for the fact that it is in most states. But the process of a gay marriage doesn't create any crimes. Every human life should be given a chance.

But people will be able to marry their dogs if gay marriage is legalized! It will be the downfall of society! The world will end!

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by Moz

But people will be able to marry their dogs if gay marriage is legalized! It will be the downfall of society! The world will end!

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

. . . Aspects of the language used in this thread certainly offend me . . .

Did I make you blush

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Unlike Strand, I don't think abortion is a variation on the same issue . . . .

Legally it is. Either you believe in the right to privacy or you do not. Both of these issues are grounded in that right. So, while on the surface they may seem different, to keep them or argue for them in the legal sense makes it impossible to separate them.

In the end, people just cannot abide other people not conforming to their set of values. People want to control other people in that manner. Until people can see past that, the right to privacy will be eschewed for this BS hypocritical pseudo religious fervor.

[LikeAWillow]

Originally Posted by TeenageMac

As a proud member of the Libertarian Party, I can only laugh when politicians from the two major parties are caught up in scandals like this!

I'm torn on the Libertarian Party, but I have to admit, I'm not as informed on all their stances as I should be. I believe in small government, and I believe in the power of most markets to operate efficiently when left to their own devices, but I also believe that some markets fail, and that, say, in the case of an externality, it's the job of the government to attempt to internalize the externality as best as possible. Am I right in assuming that the libertarian stance disagrees?

I also love that the party stands in support of full free trade, but I think that free trade needs to be coupled with job training programs, job placement programs, and longer unemployment periods for those whose jobs were outsourced. Again, I'm just not sure if the libertarians agree with this idea, or if it would be viewed as too much government involvement? Can someone help me out on where the line is drawn?

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by David

I cracked up when I read this. Point taken.

But how can a State that can't even keep out of your wallet be expected to keep out of your uterus?

Touche'. I can see that's what makes the Libertarians so popular, the notion people should mind their own damn business. I'm not against taxes. I think the system needs a complete overhaul. Oh and marijuana should be legalized and taxed accordingly. The proceeds should be used for health care and education. People get all up in arms over these pot dispenseries but really they are no different than a liquor store. And studies show that one can't become physically addicted to weed. Pot needs better lobbyists, I guess.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Aspects of the language used in this thread certainly offend me

Removed. Sorry.

EDITED TO ADD: Added back in when I realized Stew Matthews wasn't referring to me. I love to use my cuss words every now and then.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Moz

But people will be able to marry their dogs if gay marriage is legalized!

Why not? They make wonderful companions.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Did I make you blush



Legally it is. Either you believe in the right to privacy or you do not. Both of these issues are grounded in that right. So, while on the surface they may seem different, to keep them or argue for them in the legal sense makes it impossible to separate them.

In the end, people just cannot abide other people not conforming to their set of values. People want to control other people in that manner. Until people can see past that, the right to privacy will be eschewed for this BS hypocritical pseudo religious fervor.

It's when religion enters the picture that the problems seem to start. The founders of this country certainly knew what they were talking about when they referred to a separation of church and state. Thomas Jefferson was brilliant.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by carrie721

mine is invitation only.

As is mine but they're always trying to get in there anyway.

[strandinthewind]

“Marriage is the cornerstone on which our society was founded. For those who say that the Constitution is so sacred that we cannot or should not adopt the Federal Marriage Amendment, I would simply point out that marriage, and the sanctity of that institution, predates the American Constitution and the founding of our nation.”

— U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev.,

July 13, 2004



Fukc that the hypocritical prig

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

“Marriage is the cornerstone on which our society was founded. For those who say that the Constitution is so sacred that we cannot or should not adopt the Federal Marriage Amendment, I would simply point out that marriage, and the sanctity of that institution, predates the American Constitution and the founding of our nation.”

— U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev.,

July 13, 2004



Fukc that the hypocritical prig

Would have been funny if his mistress got preggers.

The Libertarian party makes me a little sick and here's why. David Brudnoy once said that adults who had bad childhoods were basically throw-away people who were pretty useless and you can't expect them to be anything. He said something like this on his radio show. Now this was (RIP) his personal opinion but I can't help but extrapolate that much of the party might see it that way. It sounds to me like a party for the privileged who believe they deserve to have everything (entitled) and the scraps (underprivileged) shouldn't be helped because they are useless anyway. I think that's a crappy stance on your fellow man.

[Stew_Matthews]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Did I make you blush

Oh no it was nothing to do with swearing etc - I don't much care about that.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by Stew_Matthews

Oh no it was nothing to do with swearing etc - I don't much care about that.

Le Sigh - I just wanted to make your cheeks red.

Interestingly and back to the main topic, my spies tell me much more bad karma is headed Mr. Ensign's way. Oh well, you reap what you sow