I loved the social commentary re: The Wizard of Oz. More U.S. History classes should discuss it.

__________________
Is our children learning? -George W. Bush

"I think—tide turning—see, as I remember—I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of—it's easy to see a tide turn—did I say those words?"—Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006

"[T]he illiteracy level of our children are appalling."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004

I didn't write the article. This isn't about MY "desires." It's about OTHERS "desires."

Ummmm hmmm.

Obviously.

In other words the forum rules are only there to make us all feel good :-)

Captain Trips, there are plenty of reasons why this thread was doomed to begin with. Some of these are:

• In the end, it's the exact same thread that you've started multiple times. Most people have already discussed their positions in those previous threads, so they don't feel the need to make that effort again.
• There was no clear item to debate. To ensure a good thread, you have to make it clear what exactly you want to talk about. Is there a particular item in the original post that you want posters to address?
• From looking at this thread, it seems that most people find the article you've posted to be absolutely ridiculous. Often times when people see something ridiculous, they can only really give a ridiculous response.
• People have seen your "anti-gay" arguments before and find them to be...less than convincing and find you to not be able to defend them very well. Thus, they feel it would be a waste of time to actually engage you in a serious discussion on the matter.
• You're outnumbered. Your views on homosexuality are in the minority on this site, so there's not enough of a balance to have a good back and forth discussion on the issue.

Just my thoughts.

__________________
"Anyone that needs what they want, and doesn’t want what they need
I want nothing to do with
And to do what I want
And to do what I please
Is first on my to-do list"
-Gnarls Barkley, "Going On" lyrics

That may be the case. If so, why are they here participating ? Other than to try to bait ME into saying something to them that will get me banned or something.

I don't even LOOK at threads I have no interest in. It seems we have a number of posters who see my name and just GOTTA go look and see if there's some kind of asinine commentary they can make about ME or my posting style rather than the topic.

I post things the way I do for a reason. I could lurk around and look for OTHER peoples posting styles I could criticise constantly TOO.

The opening post was titled Double standards in debate on homosexuality.

The text of the opening post contained a lot of things to be discussed.

To anyone interested in reading it. Those not interested in the topic or those that just hate ME and my posting style should be encouraged to find another area containing something they wish to discuss.

Here are some items that might generate interest. To someone interested in the topic that is. The topic and not ME:

Homosexuals are especially fond of calling people haters.

as a Christian, I'm supposed to have a reputation for loving people, not hating them. So I've worked really hard over the years to try to get the homosexuals to stop calling me a homophobe. I've pointed out the difference between hating people and hating their behavior (loving the sinner but hating the sin). They hated that.

Then I tried "walking my talk" by taking an ex-gay man who was dying of AIDS into my family. My wife and I and our children loved and cared for him during the last year of his life. They hated that even more.

After awhile, I realized that the only way I could get them to stop calling me a homophobe was to start agreeing with them about everything. But here's my dilemma: I honestly believe the Bible, which says that homosexuality is wrong and harmful and that all sex belongs within marriage. I've also read the professional studies and know that gay sex hurts people because it goes against the design of their bodies. And I'm friends with a number of former homosexuals who are now married and living heterosexual lives. Do I have to give up my religion? Ignore scientific facts? Betray my friends? Is that the only way to avoid being called a hater and a homophobe?

There's no escape. A homophobe is anyone who, for any reason, disapproves of homosexuality in any way, shape, manner, form or degree. This leaves me with just two choices: agree that everything about homosexuality is natural, normal, healthy, moral and worthy to be celebrated or be labeled as a mentally ill, hate-filled bigot.

the gay agenda is to stop everyone from following the Bible regarding sexual matters. It is, after all, their stated goal to "stamp out homophobia." No more religious freedom. It's also to suppress scientific research that has reached conclusions they don't like, especially if it helps people to change their homosexual orientation back to a heterosexual one.

Homosexuals call me names like bigot and homophobe, condemn my religion, mock my rational conclusions about social issues, impugn my motives, display intense hostility toward my actions and curse my very existence, all under the justification that I'm a hater. But if I'm a hater for civilly opposing what they do, why aren't they haters for uncivilly opposing what I do? Such a double standard, in the context of a public debate on civil rights, is not just hypocritical, it is surreal.

There's a bit. Not that any one is interested in examining the double standards used when "discussing" this topic.

No.

They're more interested in giving ME shit.

Most of the "people" that have participated so far, aren't interested in the topic and have nothing to say on it. That doesn't make the article "ridiculous" as you say. That makes most of the people participating so far "ridiculous" because the only reason they've come here is to give me shit.

Ridiculous that IS.

I defend them very well.

It is THEY that don't defend THEIR "arguments" and positions well. It is THEY whose arguments are...less than convincing.

Of course one that supports homosexuals and their nasty behaviour and ideas will tell me that it is I that can't defend my arguments and positions.

You're trying to blow smoke up my ass. Find another that's willing.

I don't care. Just because the majority of members at a website are wrong on a topic, doesn't mean that that topic is out of bounds and off the table for discussion.

It just means that I will be very roundly hated. That doesn't bother me when I consider the types of individuals that HATE me.

Funny how the opening post was about the double standard of hatred.

So, we see that what is said in the opening post is 100 % valid. It's ok for THEM to be full of hate and venom. Even if it's aimed at people that don't hate THEM but hate their BEHAVIOUR. Or even disapprove of or don't agree that it's right.

You're right. It's just one great big left-wing faggot conspiracy to get you banned...

Whaddya' mean "if"?

I wouldn't say that.

Just a bunch of weak kneed weenies that really hate ME is all :-)

Kinda the same thing I suppose

Yes, I know there's ALWAYS a way to make some kind of asinine commentary about ME (or anybody) or my posting style rather than the topic.

Asinine commentary is easy and free to create. Most of what goes on here :-)

I just think it's funny, while more than just slightly pathetic, that you've adopted this "victim" mentality. "Everyone's out to get me!"

Hehehehe... please.

It's just like that notorious Jew-hater who believes nobody gets banned but him...

No, what's really "pathetic" is, rather than discussing the topic, you keep making this about me.

I really don't see how I could "adopt a victim mentality." How can a bunch of other bored yahoos and nobodies on the internet victimize me ?

Now look, I know I'm a real fab guy and everything, but really. I'm not that exciting. Go hound Tom Cruise ... Maybe Fabio or something ?

I know. That guy that... Leonard Nimoy. Bug HIM. He's GOTTA be more interesting than me.

Hell, he might even have a comment to make on the topic

Never know.

As this part seems to be the essense of the op-ed, I think the mentality of a minority group to be overly sensitive to innocuous comments to them to be common.

Thus, I would argue that this piece can be generalized to the hyper-sensitivity of some in any minority to comments about them.

Practicing politically correct speech is OK, but when what is PC is defined by the hyper-sensitive of the minority, then things often get out of control.

This op-ed seems like a good example. The man does not show any hatred in this op-ed, but is called one. (I have no idea about his history or any of his other views, I am basing this statement on this piece alone.)

__________________
I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Maybe if you put a little bit of effort into coming up with a post that didn't express your hatred of gays, things would be different. Everything you post seems to hit on that one topic. You start thread after thread about the same fucking topic, and then get all whiney when people don't bother commenting on the topic.

If you'd take a moment to consider it, you might realize there's the possibility that no one is commenting on the topic because they commented on the topic in the last eight dozen threads you started on the topic.

As you've hammered this topic into the ground; moreso than anyone else has done with any other topic, really, the only conclusion one can draw is that you desperately seek attention.

The funny part is how you start to whine when you get it...

Yes, and the reason I put it up is because I have seen the same responses and attitudes from that side HERE.

You're "hateful" and a "homophobe" unless you 100 % agree with and support "homosexuality" as perfectly normal and healthy. You're especially "hateful" when you present the evidence of it's dangers to those who take part in it.

It's an OBVIOUS double standard.

But they DO need it.

Unfortunately for them, it's easy to see right through.

See next post....

Like this garbage here.

I have a "hatred for gays.

I'm "whining."

I'm "seeking attention."

Who is hateful ?

Yes, for everyone's views, please see:

Emo is "gay" ? Or just .....
In search of the gay gene
boycott Ford for their support of homosexuals ?
Homosexuals imposing THEIR Values on Christians
Will Congress fall for gay histrionics ?
Tough-guy firefighters forced into 'Gay Pride' parade
Who stole our culture?
Lesbian Asks Court to Ban Gay Adoptions

All brought to you by Captain Trips.

__________________
"Anyone that needs what they want, and doesn’t want what they need
I want nothing to do with
And to do what I want
And to do what I please
Is first on my to-do list"
-Gnarls Barkley, "Going On" lyrics

Wow, how cool.

More about me.

Hey I don't get paid like a movie star.

I think I SHOULD :-)

Care to comment on the topic or am I ...

.... nevermind, I know I'm a super swell guy

------------------------------------------------

"Emo is gay" was 3 weeks ago and more about music than anything else. - I know you're desperate.

"In search of the gay gene" was 12/27/2007

"boycott Ford for their support of homosexuals ?" was Aug. 31 2007

"Homosexuals imposing THEIR Values on Christians" was Sept. 2007

"Will Congress fall for gay histrionics ?" was also in Aug. 2007

"Tough-guy firefighters forced into 'Gay Pride' parade" was also in Aug. 2007

"Who stole our culture?" was in June 2007

"Lesbian Asks Court to Ban Gay Adoptions" was in April 2007


So we're covering more than a year back. One of these 8 threads isn't even about "gay" it's about music.

I know. I should appreciate the fact that I'm so well admired :-)