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Texas is... progressive?Follow

#1 Oct 01 2009 at 7:39 PM Rating: Decent
Ok that's a stretch, but still, I found this rather amusing.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-10-01-texas-gay-divorce_N.htm wrote:
DALLAS (AP) — A Texas judge has cleared the way for two Dallas men to get a divorce, ruling that Texas' ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitutional guarantee to equal protection under the law.

District Judge Tena Callahan's ruled Thursday that the court "has jurisdiction to hear a suit for divorce filed by persons legally married in another jurisdiction."

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has argued that because the state doesn't recognize gay marriage, its courts can't dissolve one through divorce. Voters approved a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in 2005.


"We don't approve of gay marriage, but we'll give you a gay divorce, on a technicality."

Most of you know I'm not heavily pro or anti-gay marraige. I figure it's one issue that doesn't really affect me either way, but this seems kind of stupid even to me.
#2 Oct 01 2009 at 8:29 PM Rating: Excellent
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BrownDuck wrote:
Most of you know I'm not heavily pro or anti-gay marraige. I figure it's one issue that doesn't really affect me either way.

Bold stance.

#3 Oct 01 2009 at 10:01 PM Rating: Decent
trickybeck wrote:
Bold stance.

I'm not sure it is so bold. I'm not gay, nor do I have any gay friends or acquaintances (that I know of) that want to get married. I'm not saying it'll never affect me, but right now, it doesn't.

Edited, Oct 2nd 2009 1:03am by BrownDuck
#4 Oct 01 2009 at 10:12 PM Rating: Good
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Not bold as much as provocative.

On the topic of the legal situation, I'm not sure what to think. I mean, obviously it's not the ultimate social correction needed for the issue, but it's a very cool logical step (whether or not it goes somewhere legally) about the official recognition of the union's existence. You can't honestly destroy something that you don't recognize as existing, not only because you are acting towards it in some capacity, indicating a recognition of it, but in destruction particularly, you are bringing something to a state of non-being. If something is already non-being, then you can't bring it there.

It's a sort of liminal assessment of same sex marriage. If it allows a foot in the door for creation as well as destruction, I think that would be dandy.
#5 Oct 01 2009 at 10:17 PM Rating: Good
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BrownDuck wrote:
trickybeck wrote:
Bold stance.

I'm not sure it is so bold.

Sarcastic joke WHOOSH.
#6 Oct 01 2009 at 10:20 PM Rating: Excellent
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Yes, the "bold" was sarcasm.

People are entirely capable, and are even expected to, have opinions on things that don't affect them (or anyone they know) at all. Compassion and empathy enter into it. Or a sense of justice. Or even a conceited desire to just feel self-righteous or good about one's self.

The future survival of the human race and planet earth, though it may not matter for thousands of years from now and thus will affect me in absolutely no way, still concerns me, however irrationally.

#7 Oct 01 2009 at 10:27 PM Rating: Good
trickybeck wrote:

Yes, the "bold" was sarcasm.

People are entirely capable, and are even expected to, have opinions on things that don't affect them (or anyone they know) at all. Compassion and empathy enter into it. Or a sense of justice. Or even a conceited desire to just feel self-righteous or good about one's self.

The future survival of the human race and planet earth, though it may not matter for thousands of years from now and thus will affect me in absolutely no way, still concerns me, however irrationally.



Ok, so I missed the sarcasm. However, I've stated on several occasions that while I understand some people "take up the cause" whether it affects them directly or not, I just don't happen to feel this is an issue worth my compassion, as you put it. I'm fairly indifferent on the topic of gay marriage, not just because it doesn't apply to me (directly, or indirectly), but because I have no personal interest in the topic outside of general discussion.

Quote:
You can't honestly destroy something that you don't recognize as existing, not only because you are acting towards it in some capacity, indicating a recognition of it, but in destruction particularly, you are bringing something to a state of non-being.


This was kind of my view on the situation. The fact that a court is willing to mandate the recognition of a union created outside of its jurisdiction is, at least on some level, progress. The amusing part is that someone seems perfectly willing to allow the destruction of something they specifically disallow the creation of. Then again, amusing as it may be, I suppose it's not all that uncommon for human kind in general.

On an additional note:

Quote:
Or even a conceited desire to just feel self-righteous or good about one's self.


I've long postulated that most people who fight for something that does not directly affect them are on at least some significant level motivated by said desire. I concede that it is possible to care about something for other reasons, but being cynical as I am, I'm inclined to believe that scenario is rather uncommon.

Edited, Oct 2nd 2009 1:33am by BrownDuck
#8 Oct 01 2009 at 10:28 PM Rating: Decent
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however irrationally.


Sarcasm or internal angst being expressed here?

I don't see how it's more rational to care only about one's self. I mean, it's rational if you already care about yourself to keep doing so, but that's just as made up as care about 1000 years away.

What I mean is that I agree with what you say but I don't think there is any reason to even pay lip service to what might just be vestigial egoism. It's like "realism," ******* raises my blood pressure everytime I have to consider some value judgment as more or less realistic than another.
#9 Oct 02 2009 at 12:23 AM Rating: Decent
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I can agree to gay marriages, but now they want to get divorced too?

You know, that's what makes people hate you Smiley: mad
#10 Oct 02 2009 at 12:39 AM Rating: Excellent
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BrownDuck wrote:
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Or even a conceited desire to just feel self-righteous or good about one's self.


I've long postulated that most people who fight for something that does not directly affect them are on at least some significant level motivated by said desire. I concede that it is possible to care about something for other reasons, but being cynical as I am, I'm inclined to believe that scenario is rather uncommon.


I find the existence of this level of cynicism really sad.

I also don't believe it is justified. Oh, you are entitled to feel it, it's your real opinion. I just don't think you are perceiving reality in this case.
#11 Oct 02 2009 at 4:32 AM Rating: Good
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Pensive the Ludicrous wrote:
Quote:
however irrationally.


Sarcasm or internal angst being expressed here?

More a comment on the meaninglessness of life in the long term. And an assumption that everything will become extinct eventually anyway, if not for a few billion years when the Sun turns into a red giant, so what does it matter?

#12 Oct 02 2009 at 4:43 AM Rating: Decent
Aripyanfar wrote:
I find the existence of this level of cynicism really sad.

I also don't believe it is justified. Oh, you are entitled to feel it, it's your real opinion. I just don't think you are perceiving reality in this case.


I also agree that it's sad. However, history, past life experiences, blah blah blah and such. At the end of the day, when casual support for a cause ceases to be easy or popular, I'll give the ones left supporting it the genuine benefit of the doubt, but it's been my observation so far that the number of people left "holding the bag" so to speak is often significantly less than the number of supporters at the peak of popularity. I find this to be especially true among young adults, who I believe latch on to these causes as a method of providing some direction in their lives.
#13 Oct 02 2009 at 4:48 AM Rating: Excellent
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Next, the Gay Prenuptial Settlement Hearing.
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#14 Oct 02 2009 at 5:01 AM Rating: Decent
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More a comment on the meaninglessness of life in the long term. And an assumption that everything will become extinct eventually anyway, if not for a few billion years when the Sun turns into a red giant, so what does it matter?


But because it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter that it doesn't matter.

Fun with ambiguous expletives!
#15 Oct 02 2009 at 5:26 AM Rating: Good
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BrownDuck wrote:
trickybeck wrote:

Yes, the "bold" was sarcasm.

People are entirely capable, and are even expected to, have opinions on things that don't affect them (or anyone they know) at all. Compassion and empathy enter into it. Or a sense of justice. Or even a conceited desire to just feel self-righteous or good about one's self.

The future survival of the human race and planet earth, though it may not matter for thousands of years from now and thus will affect me in absolutely no way, still concerns me, however irrationally.



Ok, so I missed the sarcasm. However, I've stated on several occasions that while I understand some people "take up the cause" whether it affects them directly or not, I just don't happen to feel this is an issue worth my compassion, as you put it. I'm fairly indifferent on the topic of gay marriage, not just because it doesn't apply to me (directly, or indirectly), but because I have no personal interest in the topic outside of general discussion.

Quote:
You can't honestly destroy something that you don't recognize as existing, not only because you are acting towards it in some capacity, indicating a recognition of it, but in destruction particularly, you are bringing something to a state of non-being.


This was kind of my view on the situation. The fact that a court is willing to mandate the recognition of a union created outside of its jurisdiction is, at least on some level, progress. The amusing part is that someone seems perfectly willing to allow the destruction of something they specifically disallow the creation of. Then again, amusing as it may be, I suppose it's not all that uncommon for human kind in general.

On an additional note:

Quote:
Or even a conceited desire to just feel self-righteous or good about one's self.


I've long postulated that most people who fight for something that does not directly affect them are on at least some significant level motivated by said desire. I concede that it is possible to care about something for other reasons, but being cynical as I am, I'm inclined to believe that scenario is rather uncommon.

Edited, Oct 2nd 2009 1:33am by BrownDuck
Well, looking at the big picture if arbitrary and bigoted law-making is allowed, it impacts all of us.


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#16 Oct 02 2009 at 6:17 AM Rating: Good
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While Brownduck's statements are pretty loathsome, I suspect his value system isn't as rare as one would expect from viewing this forum. Enabling people who's goal is to perpetrate hatred and violence generally ends up as more destructive than the will of those who do so.
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#17 Oct 02 2009 at 6:45 AM Rating: Good
Timelordwho wrote:
While Brownduck's statements are pretty loathsome, I suspect his value system isn't as rare as one would expect from viewing this forum. Enabling people who's goal is to perpetrate hatred and violence generally ends up as more destructive than the will of those who do so.


My goal is neither to perpetrate hatred nor violence. I'm simply indifferent on this particular subject because it resides outside my monkeysphere. I don't see how that can be particularly loathsome or bigoted.
#18 Oct 02 2009 at 6:49 AM Rating: Excellent
BrownDuck wrote:
My goal is neither to perpetrate hatred nor violence. I'm simply indifferent on this particular subject because it resides outside my monkeysphere. I don't see how that can be particularly loathsome or bigoted.


I find your position annoying and upsetting, but I recognize that is mostly because I happen to care so much about the topic, so I am usually able to push that aside and realize it's my own failing.
#19 Oct 02 2009 at 7:37 AM Rating: Good
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With the way people get married and divorced these days I find it hard to believe that marriage is seen as anything serious or meaningful anymore. It's just a contract that allows two people to combine their resources. Let the gays / lesbians / "gender confuseds" / whatever you want to be calleds have their marriage. Jesus.
#20 Oct 02 2009 at 7:55 AM Rating: Decent
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BrownDuck wrote:
My goal is neither to perpetrate hatred nor violence. I'm simply indifferent on this particular subject because it resides outside my monkeysphere. I don't see how that can be particularly loathsome or bigoted.


Because it's apathy, like doing absolutely nothing during civil rights or any other social injustice. A 10% of the population has to fight against the rest of the 90% of the population for rights. Unfortunately, they need outside help. That's how I feel about the matter at least, and why I'm willing to support them.
#21 Oct 02 2009 at 7:59 AM Rating: Good
Draxyle wrote:
BrownDuck wrote:
My goal is neither to perpetrate hatred nor violence. I'm simply indifferent on this particular subject because it resides outside my monkeysphere. I don't see how that can be particularly loathsome or bigoted.


Because it's apathy, like doing absolutely nothing during civil rights or any other social injustice. A 10% of the population has to fight against the rest of the 90% of the population for rights. Unfortunately, they need outside help. That's how I feel about the matter at least, and why I'm willing to support them.


Trying to tell someone they should care when they don't is a futile endeavor. A more useful approach would be to give said person a reason to care, but that's not likely here either. Just so there's no confusion, if there's ever a federal or state ballot initiative to allow gay marriage, I'd vote for it. What I'm unwilling to do is take up a torch and march with the rest of the cause's supporters. It just doesn't mean that much to me.
#22 Oct 02 2009 at 8:00 AM Rating: Good
BrownDuck wrote:
A more useful approach would be to give said person a reason to care, but that's not likely here either.


As long as it's illegal, you and NixNot can never get officially married.

Is that not incentive enough...?
#23 Oct 02 2009 at 8:03 AM Rating: Good
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BrownDuck wrote:
Trying to tell someone they should care when they don't is a futile endeavor. A more useful approach would be to give said person a reason to care, but that's not likely here either. Just so there's no confusion, if there's ever a federal or state ballot initiative to allow gay marriage, I'd vote for it. What I'm unwilling to do is take up a torch and march with the rest of the cause's supporters. It just doesn't mean that much to me.

So you DO have an opinion. You'd vote in favor of it.

I was never arguing that you had to become an activist about it, just that you could have an opinion about something that doesn't affect you (and furthermore, should have an opinion, if you are reasonably informed about a topic).



Edited, Oct 2nd 2009 11:03am by trickybeck
#24 Oct 02 2009 at 8:06 AM Rating: Good
trickybeck wrote:
So you DO have an opinion. You'd vote in favor of it.


I'd also avoid stepping on a spider if I had no reason to do so. It's not so much that I favor the spider's right to live, but that the benefit of letting the spider live outweighs my instinct to squash anything with more than 4 legs.
#26 Oct 02 2009 at 9:28 AM Rating: Good
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My goal is neither to perpetrate hatred nor violence. I'm simply indifferent on this particular subject because it resides outside my monkeysphere. I don't see how that can be particularly loathsome or bigoted


Yes, but it allows for it to occur.

You don't even need to have true support for their rights, only for the goal of limiting the pervasiveness of adgenda driven institutional control over the populace, especially when the adgendas are inherently at odds with the general benefit of society.

If an institution was disriminatory towards a certain racial group, you don't need to be part of that group, or know someone who is to dislike those actions or policies with regards towards any group.

If an institution was built to financially exploit the fears, or ignorance of a certain subset of people, you don't need to be caught in that web to dislike, and oppose this method of exploitation.

And by doing nothing, or remaining wholely apathetic to those conditions actively encourages people to use those tactics. If there is no retalitory pushback for practices that collectively we would like to discourage, they will be successful, and thus more likely to be carried out in perpetuity. Vocal minorities only have a small segment of the power quotient neccessary to make those positions untenable in even the strictest of game theory dissections of their successfulness. And if they have a high proportionality of successfulness, they will exist, and entrench themselves deeper into society at large.
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