For those of you on FB...

[Jamnanc]

Used the rifles. Thanks.

[Dave_L]

Just the other day, I saw a gay sitting in the front of a bus! Oh wait...they're allowed to do that. They're allowed to love/live/be with whoever they want. That's the "civil right". Do they get arrested for professing their love? Nope. Making it official is not a civil right, IMO.

On a side note, one COULD make the argument for separate bathrooms because of the "attraction" issue.

[brobar]

These people don't want "equal" rights for all- they want their cake, and fuck everybody else.

That is how I interpret the reaction from the OTHER side. They don't want "equal" rights for everyone... they want their special treatment based on a definition and ceremonial religious practice that is centuries old... they want that cake and really think "fuck everybody else who doesn't conform to my idea and my practices". It is a truth that cuts both ways. If homosexual couples end up getting that SAME "special treatment" then the treatment won't be special anymore. I get the feeling that straight people, who are against equal treatment for homosexual couples, they just want to feel and be treated as special and they won't get to have that feeling anymore. We'll just have to think of some other way to pat them on the head and make them feel special!

[Jer]

and people wonder why the republican part is declining

My thoughts exactly. It's not up to us, the people, to vote for whatever trash they put forth. Never has been. It's up to THEM to give us a worthy candidate of being the leader of this nation. They fail to do that year after year and finally they lose an election that is all but theirs for the taking and somehow that's OUR fault? lol That very stance is the reason why the Republican party is lost forever. The sooner they realize this and enact serious change the sooner things will improve. It seems that they're hell-bent on blaming us though rather than taking any blame.

Some people only feel strongly about a single issue... others feel strongly about many issues. It is good to see people standing up for what they believe in. If only MORE people would do the same thing. My wife and I have dozens of gay friends. Several of them support OUR cause... and I support their cause also!

THIS is the way we win our freedoms back. We MUST all stand for what is right regardless of how you personally feel about those freedoms. Liberty is liberty and the second we divide about what liberties are more important is the second we start to lose against those who wish to take them from us.

[Ronin13]

That is how I interpret the reaction from the OTHER side. They don't want "equal" rights for everyone... they want their special treatment based on a definition and ceremonial religious practice that is centuries old... they want that cake and really think "fuck everybody else who doesn't conform to my idea and my practices". It is a truth that cuts both ways. If homosexual couples end up getting that SAME "special treatment" then the treatment won't be special anymore. I get the feeling that straight people, who are against equal treatment for homosexual couples, they just want to feel and be treated as special and they won't get to have that feeling anymore. We'll just have to think of some other way to pat them on the head and make them feel special!

I think you misunderstand... people are pissed about the issue because of the redefinition of the word marriage. Most people in opposition of this don't care either way what rights or "treatment" same-sex couples are afforded, they only care that it not redefine the word marriage. I know I can't speak for everyone, but why can't we keep marriage in the church, and civil unions in the law books, everyone gets the same rights/benefits/misery and we call it good, and move on?

[Jer]

I think you misunderstand... people are pissed about the issue because of the redefinition of the word marriage. Most people in opposition of this don't care either way what rights or "treatment" same-sex couples are afforded, they only care that it not redefine the word marriage. I know I can't speak for everyone, but why can't we keep marriage in the church, and civil unions in the law books, everyone gets the same rights/benefits/misery and we call it good, and move on?

Doesn't seem like equality to me.

[jhood001]

I know I can't speak for everyone, but why can't we keep marriage in the church, and civil unions in the law books, everyone gets the same rights/benefits/misery and we call it good, and move on?

Right? If I want to be married, I'll go to a church. If I want a civil union, I'll fill out the damn paper work and I personally don't care what other people call my promise to someone else.

[brobar]

I think you misunderstand... people are pissed about the issue because of the redefinition of the word marriage. Most people in opposition of this don't care either way what rights or "treatment" same-sex couples are afforded, they only care that it not redefine the word marriage. I know I can't speak for everyone, but why can't we keep marriage in the church, and civil unions in the law books, everyone gets the same rights/benefits/misery and we call it good, and move on?

You and I are in agreement as to the most "common sense" approach. Can we use that term or is it reserved ONLY for anti-gunners? =) In all seriousness... I think you are right. Marriage needs to go back to the church and the "legal" term should be civil union. Nothing is redefined, everyone gets equal rights and everyone should be happy.

I can't speak for anyone else... but my wife and I did not look to get married because of any religious definitions or connections. We did it to celebrate with friends and family and publicly profess our love and commitment to one another. The benefits that go along with the "marriage" are nice to have. I'm sure SOME people get married because of what they believe or have read in the bible. I don't personally know those people... but I'm sure there are plenty out there. And I say good for them. My wife and I also don't have sex solely because of what we have read in the bible. While I'm sure there are some people out there who ONLY have sex for the sole purpose of procreation and nothing more... I don't know many or any of those people. But more power to 'em.

[Ronin13]

Doesn't seem like equality to me.

How is it unequal? Everyone who has a partner (as legally recognized by a state and federally respected matrimonial contract) gets the same rights, benefits, and economic treatment. Seems extremely equal to me. You are aware that the government (at any level) doesn't recognize that part of what a preacher says when you get married "By the power invested in me by God..." they only care about the contract stipulations, such as witness and person recognized by the state to preside over such ceremonies, be they religious wedding or justice of the peace?

[Jer]

How is it unequal? Everyone who has a partner (as legally recognized by a state and federally respected matrimonial contract) gets the same rights, benefits, and economic treatment. Seems extremely equal to me. You are aware that the government (at any level) doesn't recognize that part of what a preacher says when you get married "By the power invested in me by God..." they only care about the contract stipulations, such as witness and person recognized by the state to preside over such ceremonies, be they religious wedding or justice of the peace?

How 'bout we just take the government out of marriage entirely? No perks or credits for those married or civilly united or whatever term you want to use. Forcing them to use a different term just creates different classes that will allow for inequality moving forward.