Political Punch

So the solution to countering "the homosexual agenda" is to create "the homophobic agenda".

These arguments are all great...Why can't the heterosexuals leave the homosexuals alone? Honestly, are we disturbing you? If you don't like seeing two females or males walking down the street look down the other way. It seems that we are in the 1800's again. Why are we getting discriminated again? This is a debate that won't go away but if you think about it, the straight people that don't accept it are making it harder on themselves. You don't have to agree but just let us live our lives and move on. Focus on your own lives, not people that you don't know. Maybe if you got to know some of us you would maybe tolerate and GOD FORBID maybe even befriend us.
No wait, don't. And I read the marrying animals comment...Completely ridiculous. How do you sleep at night being so closed minded? I bet great but just think about the people that you are looking past just because you are scared of the unknown!

Create equality by ABOLISHING Tax benefits for married couples.

I am a gay man. I have been in a relationship for 5 years. My partner makes more money than I and cannot claim me on his taxes.

Married couples can claim eachother on their taxes and receive GREAT tax breaks.

This is why we need rights.

What would Jesus do? LOVE ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN, regardless of sexual orientation. Stop using a religion whose most important religious symbol was the most tolerant and loving figure in human history to justify your fears, insecurities, and hatred.

I am straight. I am married. I do not care for the lifestyle the gay/lesbian/transexuals choose but it is their right to do so. If they want to get married or have life partners then that is fine by me. They should be afforded the same rights as couples as straight people are.
They have no rights as families, they can't even have their life partners make decisions about their health or family because they aren't deemed family. They are pushed aside and their wishes are not recognized. Children are given to grandparents never to see the other parents again because of the fear of the (lifestyle) and how it is going to affect the kids. Bull! Kids just want to be loved. It doesn't matter who just as long as they are treated with kindness and love. Parents come in all shapes and all sizes.

I'm straight and applaud the democratic party!! Since when did the bible run this country? I thought it was the CONSTITUTION, but that might just be me. The Republican Party is far behind on ALL social issues. For someone to argue politics with me and bring in the bible, is quite condescending. AND WHY THE HELL ARENT REPUBLICANS joining this debate? or commenting on it? I see where they are on these issues, a sad party indeed.

Along with being straight, I am also a LTCDR in the NAVY. "Dont ask, dont tell" is a abomination. I work with gays and I would much rather work beside some of them than these "straights". I believe in the constitution and "equality for all".

Gay or not. You are still a Man and a Woman. Get over your weakness.
I dont think it should be allowed! period, for lesbians to use the ability of a MANS spearm to have children, when they denounce the NORMAL way of reproduction. Men when you donate, always specify how the spearm is to be used only for the reproduction of a baby between a MAN and a Woman. Lesbians have one purpose in life, turn on the MEN. Gays (men) have one purpose in life, to get rid of women.

If the "Americans for Truth" had taken their lofty moral stance against, say, mistreatment of animals, would they have received the publicity they now have? I think not. Raging against the so-called "gay agenda" (whatever that might be) is a sure-fire way of getting one's organization noticed, as well as a sure-fire way of advertising one's bigotry.

The only debate on this issue should be why the following countries have yet to fall apart after passing legislation repealing anti-discriminatory policies and either allowing civil union or same sex marriage.Some of which have been in effect since 1993. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, Iceland, France, Germany, Portugal, Finland, Luxemborg, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Andorra, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Israel, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, Belgium, Canada. In some areas, Mexico, Italy, Brazil, Australia, Argentina, and of course Massachusetts. Seems to me it's like beating a dead horse on the stage of world opinion. I think it's high time for our legislators to repeal laws and pass legislation allowing everyone the civil legal right's to be equal, and then move on to more important matters, also keep the church out of it. Marriage is a civil matter in the first place. I can't recall any church authorized to issue a marriage license.

Bigots need to get over themselves. People are gay and they should be treated equally, fairly, and with dignity. They are still discriminated against on so many fronts that yes they do need a debate about issues specific to their community.

To Marty, Your right, I did not respond directly to the question.
It is a moot point.
This event will happen, will it be good for the Democratic party? NO.
Will it turn the debate from the serious problems facing this nation? YES. Will it influence voters? YES.
Do I approve of it? NO. WHY? Because it is an issue that divides our nation
when we need to stand united.
It will be aired on a channel that many Americans do not have access to, in the closet so to speak.
It would most helpful if the gay and lesbian community could step up on some of the other issues concerning this nation and not divide the vote.
What do you think about the war, immigration, national security, border patrols, national identity cards, health care, social security, education and foreign policy? It is common ground that brings people together.

I don't see many people making comments which actually address the questions which Mr Tapper closed his entry with!

I think the hosting of this debate is a non-event. I see it as pandering to a demographic which the Democrats have not done much for despite all their talk.

If the RNC chooses to take a position, it will only be a repeat of what they have proclaimed before. In my dreams, they would say they are still examining the progress of the issue but instead I assume they will just parrot back what they usually say.

As far as the Republican candidates, my concern continues to be all of the attention the Religious Right continues to receive as the speaking voice for them in the press. I would hope by now the Republican party would see that being guided by only one aspect of a multicultural society is not a wise choice.

And after reading so many comments below, I have to point out to "Benjamin" one thing: he insists that what "sex" homosexuals have is unnatural and damaging but I know of no acts that we get up to that are not also being done between heterosexuals as well.

One final point: not all homosexuals are Democrats.

If God did not want any gay people on earth, there would be no gay people on earth. You can not tell other humans what god wants, and decide for the rest of us who gets to go where upon dying. You are only a human and no higher than ANY other human. I also have a dream that my children be judged solely on the content of their character, not the unfounded opinions of the self-righteous.

Why don't the gays and lesbians make a list of EXACTLY what they need to "feel"
equal?
If you get a civil union - you want a church wedding scantified by God and the church and the congregation.
How can the government grant that? Division of church and state prevents it.
I think what you want is absolution. If you "need" that then only God can grant it. If you don't need it... then what is the problem?
If you are granted a civil union, you still - will never get approval for your lifestyle, that is just a fact and reality.
Abortion rights were granted by the government, it doesn't make it right... it just makes it legal. Abortion is still recognized as a sin by the church.
The tax dollars of many citizens who in their heart and faith have to pay for and support what they believe to be a sin, to end a human life.
People in this country still struggle with inter racial and inter faith heterosexual marriages.
If you want equal rights by the state, that is one thing. Approval, by the the chruch and the population - isn't going to happen. Tolerance yes, approval no.

Hmmm, I believe that most of you really need to go and get some professional help. Politics are just that Politics. Religion is just that Religion. Peoples choices are just that, Their Choices. There is not a single perfect person on this earth, why do people insist on throwing stones when they live in glass houses?

I personally take a great deal of offense at people suggesting that lesbians and gays are not fit to be parents. I was raised by two loving lesbians who paid their taxes and volunteered hours a week at a homeless shelter for over fifteen years. I was teased by a lot of kids, and as a result many of my friends growing up wound up being from other gay and lesbian families. Of the twenty-odd kids I actively know and stay in touch with from this group, not a single one of them was ever beaten or otherwise harmed - although one was molested by a Catholic priest! Gay and lesbian parents have to fight to be parents - and if they do that fight, I guarantee they really WANT to be parents and are ready for the responsibility. Conversely, my husband, raised by a traditional mother and father, was beaten regularly by his dad and his younger sister was sexually molested by same. That ideal, heterosexual dad has been in prison for the last 12 years. This is an extreme example, obviously, but I hope it drives home that there are far more important things to parenting and family life than idiotic discourse about who must or must not be privileged with the blessing and responsibility of raising a child. KIDS DON'T CARE ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATION, THEY JUST WANT A LOVING AND SUPPORTIVE HOME. By the way, my moms are great grandmoms, too.

Lots of people say they support gay marriage until they see two men kissing and holding hands or one woman carrying another woman down the aisle -- and they cover their childrens' eyes. That's when people say, "What was I thinking?".

Why dont they call it something else and give them the same rights. Marrage is part of the bible. Call it something else and see if that calms things down. I do not like the gay lifestyle and it goes against God and Nature. But people have rights and I must repect that. The gay community is trying to press themselves into my church and my life. That is the way alot of us feel. Try calling it something else and move on. We will both have the same rights without stepping on each others shoes.

When will the 4% or less of people who like the same sex leave the rest of the 96% of the heterosexual population alone. Stop trying to force your unnatural, immoral, and illogical ideas and behavior on the rest of society. God back into the closet and stay there. Homosexual behavior is nothing to be proud about.

Why can't everyone just leave the gays alone they are a happy people. I do not care what their choice is when it comes
with whom they want to be.
I do not think that they care about what other people do, why can't we just leave them alone.
Democrats clean up your own back yard then see what is left over after they are finished.
THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NEVER NEVER THROW STONES!!!

Gee, last time I checked, the Constitution was the basis of law in this country, not the Bible. If it was the Bible, an American Taliban would already be running the country. Damn, they are. It's called the Republican Party. And what is this "gay agenda" they're always foaming at the mouth about? Do they mean teaching tolerance? Like Jesus did? If God hates anyone, it's hateful, bigoted, intolerant, closed minded, self righteous, malicious thugs, not homosexuals.

Some believe that the attack on Gays by the Religious Right is the separation of Church and Sex. Hardly -- the Church Leadership is into sex big time (which even includes the Catholics priesthood that get away with pedophilia).
Gays are attacked because they're being honest about lust and have the freedom of expression that the Church denies herself because of its own fabricated Thou Shall Nots. Yeah -- the attacks are based on the old sin of pure envy.
Need I say more?
Adam of CA.

Elements within the Democratic party are headed on a collision course. The Democrats want to court both the Muslims and the Homosexuals. If you look at Muslim controlled countries, the Homosexuals do not fair very well. This "debate" would not be happening in a Muslim country.

"So if gays can marry..whats next? marriage to multiple partners? Marry animals? What are the boundaries anymore?"

This is Rick Santorum's silly argument. The idea, of course, is that if we allow gay marriage, somehow all hell will break loose and we won't consider ANYTHING sexually deviant. We'll all be going around having orgies and having sex with animals and crossbreeding whole new species of animals.

It reflects a very messed up view of the human race and the country.

It's kind of like saying, "if we raise the drinking age to 21, what's next? 24? 35? 50? Will we even be able to drink in retirement?"

Yeah. Right. That's what's going to happen. That's a very level-headed reaction to an idea.

So if gays can marry..whats next? marriage to multiple partners? Marry animals? What are the boundaries anymore?

All of you 'righteous' Bible thumpers are a bunch of freaks. I am a gay man, who knows that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that he loves me, I don't need ANY OF YOU to worry about MY salvation.... 'he who casts the first stone..' WHATEVER... 50% of the 'heterosexual marriages' end up in DIVORCE.... (guess they ain't going to Heaven eh??)...

Let's take a look at some Bible verses:

SHELLFISH "But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you." (Leviticus 11:10)

"They (shellfish) shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination." (Leviticus 11:11)
FARMERS: "...do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear material woven of two kinds of material." (Leviticus 19:19)

Eating pig: "...and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you." (Leviticus 11:7)

Haircuts: "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." (Leviticus 19:27)

People as property: "Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property." (Leviticus 25:44-45)

Heterosexual having sex while a woman is having her period: "If a man lies with a woman during her sickness and uncovers her nakedness, he has discovered her flow, and she has uncovered the flow of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from her people." (Leviticus 20:18)

Imagine what would happen today if we deported every man and woman who had ever had sex together during this time??

Kids disrespecting their parents: "For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon him." (Leviticus 20:9)

Hey Carrie and all you others: DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO YOU: YOU DONT KNOW ME, you don't know my life, my thoughts, my prayers, my emotions, my likes, my dislikes and my qualities. Just because I am gay, doesn't mean I'm a rapist, murderer, child molester, freak, going to hell, uncharitable... I'm a person, who was BORN THIS WAY... EDUCATE YOURSELVES and do something better with your time... how about volunteering for something worthy (hey, I do that), how about having a private fundraiser for a great cause (hmmm.. my partner and I do that, for the animal shelter); how about EDUCATING YOURSELF??? I hope you don't eat shrimp, pork, ever talk back to your parents, wear clothes made from several types of materials, never work on Sunday, etc.... stop 'selectively' quoting the Bible.

"Democratic candidates focus on fighting the President instead of terrorists, they also focus on promoting homosexual agenda while gas prices are tripling, homosexuals can take care of themselves without my tax dollars funding them."

Republicans spend all their time trying to find some ridiculous spin to slam Democrats. Like your post. That's why so many got voted out of office in '06, and why so many more will be voted out in '08.

Exactly how you relate the "homosexual agenda" to your taxes is beyond me.

So, from telecom's post, we can draw the following conclusions:

1. The President is doing a great job fighting terrorists.
2. Homosexuals don't care about tripling gas prices.
3. Homosexuals don't pay taxes, so are entitled to no representation.

Telecom, we all tan in the radiance of your mighty intellect.

Interestingly enough, although religion can play a positive role in people's lives, it also lends itself to uninformed or unsubstantiated group think. So is the case with homosexuality. In the four Gospels traditionally accepted by the Christian religion, there is no record of Jesus discussing homosexuality or same sex relations. Misrepresentation of what Jesus said is critically dangerous as it is used to control populations and manipulate social policy to the exclusion of some. Kudos to the HRC for setting up this debate as it not only promotes freedom of speech, but recognizes that we the people have the right to seek information and make up our own minds. As a Christian man, I often times reflect on the words found in the Pauline literature of the Christian Scriptures that one doesn't need a teacher, but rather the Spirit will guide one in all things. This is disconcerting for the leadership in Christianity (and rarely mentioned), because it requires them to relinquish control and walk humbly with one's God. (Micah). The most common thread in all religions is a sense of a being with which one communes in right living with oneself and neigbor. Maybe we should begin there, "love God and love your neighbor as yourself." I recall that those words are followed by, "do this and you shall live."

Democratic candidates focus on fighting the President instead of terrorists, they also focus on promoting homosexual agenda while gas prices are tripling, homosexuals can take care of themselves without my tax dollars funding them.

I care as much about what the bible has to say about homosexuality as what Harry Potter has to say about homosexuality. Social policy dictated by fictional religious doctrine is equivalent to a Taleban regime, to primitive shamanism. It's stupid, has nothing to do with god, and is all about bigoted, spotlight-adoring and power mongering morons whom Jesus, a great prophet of spirituality and higher purpose (who, by the way, frequently and openly contradicted the old testament and never got a chance to edit the new one) would have patiently sought to steer in a more enlightened direction. Trust in your own powers of observation, your own reason. These are creation's true gifts and it's your god-granted responsibility to use them. Don't blindly accept what fallible MEN, subject to their own uninspired prejudices and lusts, sought to exploit two thousand years ago. Trust in your own personal connection with god and fire the exploitive religious intermediary. And then consider human social policy on those and also practical terms - and be grateful that you live in a country where you can, and consider how badly it would suck if that hard-fought constitutional right were hijacked by fundamentalist mullahs, rabbis, or priests, or JK Rowling, each with a bestselling book in tow.

Religion was designed to be voided from the framework of the constitution for one reason: to protect religious minorities. If we allow public policy to be driven by a religious tone of any kind there will be smaller, minority religious sects discriminated against and thusly persecuted for their beliefs. Just as with the gay debate there are thousands of individual churches that accept homosexuality with their faith. In fact, the United Church of Christ openly accepts homosexuals on this basis: "He didn't discriminate, so neither do we." Just as we pursue an economic policy of a mostly free market for the better good we should also follow a free society. Believe what you want to. But please, don't tread on me.

"Science now states that the enormous complexity of DNA proves that a super intelligence did indeed create us and everything in the universe and He does indeed know each one of us, individually."

No "science" does not say this. You're hilarious. If scientists did indeed agree that DNA complexity = God we'd be hearing something about it every day in the news.

Thanks. You made my day. That was funny.

Ah, how I enjoy watching the ignorant frantically defend their ever diminishing moral hold on this world.

With each generation, liberal views gain foothold in out society as antiquated conservative ideals die out.

The majority of youth hold egalitarian viewpoints. Know that your hate mongering views will soon die out with you.

And that's all the matters...

Yes, there is definite proof that there is a God. Science, which is the study of facts known to be true, has been allowed to discover the complexity of DNA. It is a known fact, that no two persons on earth has the same exact genetic code found in blood, and has become just like a "fingerprint" for identification purposes. Science now states that the enormous complexity of DNA proves that a super intelligence did indeed create us and everything in the universe and He does indeed know each one of us, individually. Science, however is still working on the breakdown of code between "identical twins" but they will crack it some day. No. 2, God, in his perfect design created man and woman for procreation and the proof of this can clearly be seen in our specially designed anatomy. Yes, do check out "Genesis" in the Bible, which was written by Moses, directly from God's spoken word and you will see that homosexual conduct is absolutely forbidden, as it conflicts with God's perfect design. Want more proof? Sodom and Gomorrah, Pompay, Rome:all will go into destruction as they have forsaken their creator.

Zues didn't stike them down and he is older than God. And he weilds a mean lightning bolt. Maybe the Dems are trying to aid Chenny's daughter. As gross as I think the homo acts are, I am not threatened by them, are you? Some one call Freud.

Jesus of Nazareth condemned homosexual acts with the same words he condemned divorce: "In the beginning God made them male and female . . . and the man leaves his mother and father and clings to his wife and the two become one . . . therefore what God has joined let no man separate." If Jesus forbade divorce for contradicting God's design for the union of man and woman how much more did he forbid homosexual unions which lack "male and female"? It is called deductive reasoning.

The writer of this article, Jack Tapper, is known for his anti-Democrat stories, right-wing bias and Republican leaning views. He recently ripped Harry Reid for no reason.

I want them to ask all the candidates a direct question, with a yes or no answer only…. “If elected, will you submit to Congress, a request to pass a law legalizing gay “marriage”?
My main problem with Homosexuality is the fact that the gay movement and liberal left wing media want us to believe it’s normal, it not normal, it’s a mental disease. That said, I could care less what these people do in the privacy of their homes. I do care when the politicians start allowing them to adopt children into an already abnormal relationship, (before you say it, I know heterosexual relationships have problems to), it’s wrong, and I wont vote for a politician who thinks it may be right. I’m not a religious person, but I do believe “marriage is a very sacred institution” and that politicians and the gay movement should not mess with it. I have no problem if they want to create laws to allow same sex “unions” in order for them to get the same legal benefits that heterosexual couples have (except for adoption). I don’t believe a presidential candidate that openly supports the passage of gay “marriage” laws or adoption of children by gay couples, will ever get elected. It will be fun to see the Democratic candidates try to tip toe around these issues at this debate, are they going to be truthful, or just tell the gay audience what they want to hear, using statements that really don’t pin them down on the issues.

The Bible does not say homosexuality is wrong, bible was inspired by God but written by men and they can interpret words the way they think is convenient for the church of for his own interests religiously speaking. Now, If people could open their minds a bit more they would stop being so mind blinded and would leave people enjoy their lives in peace cos does not matter what we are outside but what we become inside, good human beings able to help each other without thinking about religion, sex, race or asking how much money one has on his bank account and the most important of all, we always get what we give. Particularly speaking I think the nation has so many things real concerning to discuss in a debate.

What is so terribly wrong with homosexual behavior? (1) It goes against the meaning of our bodies. (2) It does injury to both parties involved -- physical and emotional. (3) It is scandalous -- sets a bad example for others. (4) 65% of all new HIV cases every year are due to homosexual male sex. (5) It destroys the personalities of the people who live this lifestyle (6) It destroys families.

"Pardon our dismissive tone, but homosexual behavior is wrong — at least half the country still regards it as such," the group writes.

Here's the question that can't ever be answered: what's so terribly wrong with homosexuality? I know the Bible says it's wrong, but WHY is it wrong?

It's fine if you believe that the Bible "is the inspired word of God." But many people don't, certainly nobody can prove that it is and it shouldn't be shoved down people's throats. When you can't even prove the EXISTENCE of God, it's incredibly arrogant to go even a step further and say that your particular interpretation of god is the correct one and must be reflected in law.

The Bible is the inspired word of God. 1 Corinthians, with it's admonishments to homosexuals (among many other groups) was written by the Apostle Paul whose life was utterly changed by an appearance of the living Jesus Christ.

God hates homosexuality because it is against his nature, but what so many miss out on is that God hates all sin because it is against his nature. Christians are called to love all as God does but seek and encourage righteousness as God does.

Homosexuals, like the rest of us as sinners, can and will spend eternal life with God as long as they repent of their sins and ask for His mercy. That is necessary for all, but available for all. It's really quite simple.

Also, it is not just Christianity that speaks out against homosexuality, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism also view the practice as immoral.

Lastly, their is no doubt that people have done great evil in the name of religion from Christian bombers of abortion clinics to Islamic terrorists to Hindu rioters in India. What cannot be denied however is the vast good that religion also inspires people to do...abolition was led by Christians, the Confessing Church stood against Hitler and his genocide (admittedly, other Christians did not), and today billions and billions of dollars is collected from religious assemblies in the wake of monumental tragedies like 9/11 and Katrina as well as "everyday" tragedies like soup kitchens and drug counseling.

Too many people on here are demonstrating the very hate they see in the "Fundementalists" Christians. There is no doubt that some Christians have failed in their efforts to exhibit God's love (we all do sometimes), but stooping to their level is not going to help anyone.

Yawn. Why doesn't this wingnut group that no one has ever heard of just hold its own debate. Not even worthy of a web story by ABC.

Our country is "divided" on every topic under the sun. I have witnessed intense debates about whether or not kids should be allowed to bring peanut butter sandwiches to school. No one agrees on anything in this country, including whether or not there is a God, and if there is, what he/she cares about. That is how it should be. A diversity of ideas and tolerance of differences of opinion are what this country is all about.

Intolerance, particularly religious intolerance and the anti-gay rhetoric that always accompanies it are hallmarks of a totalitarian state. The further our country moves from our Constitution and our ideals, the louder and stronger that anti-gay rhetoric gets.

People who bolster their anti-gay stance with material from (whatever one of many very different versions of) the Bible, are a real threat to our democracy and to the ideals and principles expressed in our Constitution.

Yes, the Founding Fathers knew all about this threat. Our Constitution and the Bill of Rights were designed to protect all citizens from a monarchical government, but also from the threat of religious political extremists and their tendency to impose their religious/political manifestos on others.

So true patriots who support the Constitution and our democratic way of life will shun such rhetoric and instead seek the path of peaceful co-exist. One flag, one country, one nation of very diverse people with all kinds of religious and political beliefs.

As if God doesn't love gays! The Bible says, "For God so loved the WHOLE world..."

Who are these whackos with the audacity to claim representation for Christians? Maybe God wants to use the government and all these debate forums to call attention to an under-served and mal-understood population of His homosexual children, whom He loves and adores, as much as his straight, uptight, bigoted, and hard-hearted children...

This fires me up. Do gay people have the right to host a debate, organize, lobby for their rights.. of course they do. They have just as much right as the "christian coalition" on the other side lobbying the exact opposite. Further, as another poster said, progress will pass these gay haters by. Just like it did the sexists, racists, etc. It's a historical certainty that we will evolve pass this too (pun intended for all you creationists out there). You know why? Because as much as you may hate the "gay lifestyle", it doesn't matter legally. No one can justify keeping rights from a person on the basis of sexual orientation. It doesn't matter if it doesn't meet your moral approval. People have a right to live as they wish in this country.. and that includes gays. If they wish to get married by the state, the state will eventually find legally they have no argument to deny them. Churches have, and will always have, the right to decide who they wish to marry.. as they are not tax paying entities.. but the government is supported by the taxes of ALL citizens, therefore, cannot discriminate. It's really, that simple.

Is anybody getting just a little tired of this?

I am sure all gays and lesbians will be granted this "right". All lawmakers are after all lawyers and they can't wait to get their hands on all the fees for settling the divorces!

Now we all have to go through the abortion issue again, we have had available birth control and the morning after pill for years, but guess it's too cumbersome to use. So now I have to spend my tax dollars to clean up your "mess", because you are too lazy or irresponsible to take your free pills or was it because it's aginst your religion to take them?

Let's just let the country go to hell in a handbasket so we can deal with all this circular thinking again!

I happen to believe their are more important issues at stake than your sexlife!

You religious fanatics are ridiculous! You will see when you get to the other side....that there's nothing there. Live life today the best you can, it's all you got! The Bible is a hoax.

This is such a diconomy...doesn't it say somewhere that their is a division between church and state??? So why are we once again making this political..It always strikes me funny that the government says I am good enough to pay taxes and had no problem with me serving my country for eight years and was willing to let me die for its preservation of freedom. But as a gay American my value changed. I defended a constitution that doesn't defend me. Although my church views my 6 year commitment to my partner with value because Mr President your church doesnt share the same values as mine you feel you have the right to deny me my constitutional rights with no consideration of my character. As a catholic are you going to condemn a Jewish person their rights because you differ in their perceptions...so why am I any different. We are EVERYWHERE!!!! We are often college educated with beautiful homes and most importantly with the power to vote...it's only a matter of time and my guess is when we finally do get equal rights for our equal contributions to this country, the world will continue on!!!

You have to ask yourself a bigger question when pondering the gay and lesbian issue: "Do you really believe there is some old guy called God floating somewhere above us who gets so upset and has his big godly feelings hurt by gay behavior that he throws temper tantrums like the very bigots on this thread?" After the great flood and Jesus dying, Jesus's Dad apparently mellowed out and CON-servative bigots need to too. I wouldn't be suprised if God loved the gays and lesbians more than they love the judgemental Christians who act oppositely of what Jesus taught. I truly feel bad for Jesus, he always either gets kicked out of these conversations with Christians or forgotten about. Poor guy.

Sounds like:

(Posted by: n | Jul 28, 2007 1:22:12 AM)

Needs to get out of the closet...I mean damn! Hate spewed like that ultimately is directed towards "self".

Dude, or dude-et...get your gay on and stop hatein'!!

Open the closet door and just step out!!

Kisses!!!!!
I'll be O.K.

Anyway - I hope all of you have a good night.

We are intelligent and free creatures capable of self-determination. All desires and instincts must come under the control of our intelligence and free-will. Determine yourselves; don't be determined by the world.

Live according to the truth -- you have a choice.

OHHHHHHHTay. Somebody on here is just a few fries short of a happy meal.

My friend, you also need to be careful about stating that your marriage was a mistake because that automatically includes your children. Your children cannot be separated from your marriage. They would not be here without it.

probably 'cause they only did it once--

didja notice that for all his sermonizing, he didn't actually answer my question? (probably a politician--that would explain a lot!!)

I believe there is no equality between heterosexual unions and homosexual behavior for many reasons: in heterosexual unions there is a perfect physical, physiological, emotional, and personal fit. From this perfect union comes new life. Physical abnormalities such as sterility do not nullify the perfection of the personal union, although these couples often struggle greatly with this lack. These abnormalities cannot be compared to the total inablity of homosexual behavior to create life, because the latter are due to misusing the body, not an abnormal functioning of the body. The union of man and woman is the nucleus and foundation of society.

OK TA, I'll admit it is fun baiting them. Kind of like teasing a yapping chihuaha who thinks he's a lot bigger than he is.

LAguy--

you are, of course, absolutely right. (but don't you think that sometimes it's entertaining to try and torment them?)

ta

To all of you who seem to want to change the minds of the many bigots on here, let me give you a word of advice. Save your breath. As you can see from their postings, these people don't respond to reason or facts or basic notions of humanity and equality. Bigots hate just because they do. I grew up in the South in the 1960s and initially I tried to argue with the racists and got the same result you are getting on here. They are ignorant, hateful people period. Don't worry. The march of history, equality and compassion will brush them aside just as it has brushed aside the religious and racist and misogynist bigots throughout history. They're losing and they are getting more desperate -- just ignore them. Nothing makes them angrier.

ok ben, buddy boy, let's see if i got this right--homosexuals should not be allowed equal rights because they don't procreate, thereby continuing our great nation? hmmm...well, i'm a lesbian and i have two children (we all make mistakes--the marriage, not the children, who are the light of my life). i have good friends who have been married for over 25 years and sadly have been unable to have children. who has greater rights in your formula? my straight, but childless friends? or myself, who despite my perfidity, has borne a new generation of forward-thinking americans?

i think i know your answer, and i'm sure that you can't possibly see the flaw in your logic, but i thought that i'd put it out there anyway...

sleep well, you of the absolute certainty of the right (wing).

No one will ever convince me that what my mother and father did when they conceived me -- brought me into existence -- is equal or the same as what two men or two women do. It would be like slapping my parents in the face and disparaging their love for each other and their gift to me -- life and existence.

If this Christian stuff is all that some would have us believe it's cracked up to be, how come the majority of Christians believe in and want to go to heaven and yet no one is in any kind of a hurry to die?
Listen, if you're going to be around anyway, could you please just let everyone else live life their own way and get your opinions and superstitions out of other people's bedrooms?

The homosexual activists and those who support them are basing their position on equality and justice. My points are to make evident that there is no equality between heterosexual unions and homosexual behavior, thus there is no injustice in not giving them the same recognition and benefits. I'm analyzing the situation from very basic reality -- the source of human life and the existence of every State or government that has ever existed.

Benjamin - what a ridiculous comment! Homosexuals are a small percentage of the population, and since many of them won't have children anyway (through adoption, surrogate, etc.) why not let them marry? It's not like they're going to marry someone of the opposite sex and have kids if they aren't allowed to marry someone of the same sex. There are still plenty of heterosexuals out there to "sustain" the country.

benjamin buddy, you be ticking me off.

"The State or Government would not exist without the union of man and woman. The State owes its very existence to this union. The State would be ungrateful, illogical, and unjust to give the same recognition and the same benefits to homosexual unions -- as if they give rise to the same benefits as the union of a man and woman." what the ****?

one could just as easily say that the state would not exist without the leadership of wealthy, white, male landowners, and it would be unjust to give the same benefits to the rest of the citizenry-as if they give rise to the same benefits...you may not have noticed, but we are a nation built on the radical notion that we are all equal--even those who would deny equal rights to all are permitted to speak their minds.

Julie: the land of the free and equal does not mean the land where you get to do anything and everything you want, hence the existence of laws. Men who have "sex" with men and women who have "sex" with women should not receive the same recognition and benefits as a man and a woman who create new human life and sustain this country. Without the union of a man and a woman this land of the free and equal would be just that -- land without people. Homosexual acts are totally unnatrual and should not be done and there is no equality between heterosexual unions and homosexual behavior. Wake up people!

Actually, I meant "condones such sadism" (although I suspect more than a few of these hate-mongers have masochism issues of their own.)

There are so many hypocrites here - they claim they're not bigots and that they're not advocating hatred of those who are different, then they post comments like "So, many people hate and are disgusted by gays and lesbians." Yes, you ARE advocating discrimination and hatred! Currently, anyone even suspected of being a homosexual can be kicked out of their rental housing, fired from their job, refused admission to a sick loved one's bedside, denied inheritance rights for joint property and generally be treated as a second-class leper in most states in this so-called Land of Freedom and Equality. I'm not gay (in fact, I'm a perfectly straight mom of 3) but I find it sickening that anyone would justify such treatment of other human beings. I just can't understand how anyone can believe that their religion condones such masochism.