The ‘regional’ GOP is being won outside the South
So much for the Republican Party being the party of the South and nowhere else.
Just when social issues returned to the fore of the national debate, with both the Obama administration’s health insurance mandate for contraception and the Susan G. Komen/Planned Parenthood funding flap in recent weeks, the Bible Belt is taking a back seat. Instead, this GOP presidential campaign is shaping up for the real action to be everywhere except Dixie.
Ours is the region that, you may recall, overly giddy liberals less than four years ago labeled the last bastion of a dying conservatism. But the sudden demise Thursday of CNN’s Super Tuesday debate, to have been broadcast March 1 from right here in Atlanta, was another primary blow against the region. Consider:
- A pair of Southern favorite sons — Herman Cain (born in Memphis, raised in Georgia) and Rick Perry (a Texan born and bred) — are long since gone from the race.
- A passel of Southern governors or ex-guvs — Mississippi’s Haley Barbour, Florida’s Jeb Bush, Arkansas’ Mike Huckabee, Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal — never even joined the race despite much speculation. At least Bush gets mentioned as a possible deus ex machina for the party, should the primary fight remain unresolved all the way to the convention. And Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell merit vice presidential buzz.
- Still, the closest things we Southerners have now to a possible home-grown nominee are a pair of Pennsylvania natives: Ron Paul, now of Texas, and Newt Gingrich, once of Georgia. Well, those two and a Pennsylvanian born in Virginia, Rick Santorum. (If you pegged Santorum as the “Southerner” most likely to win the GOP nomination, please email your favorite lottery numbers to me.)
- The future GOP nominee has won South Carolina eight straight times. But that streak will end if Gingrich can’t stage a third Lazarus act of this race — a possibility which, given events so far, one cannot yet rule out.
- If Santorum keeps up his surprising national lead and captures the nomination, but does not beat Gingrich here, the GOP could have a nominee who not only failed to win the Palmetto State but three of the South’s biggest primary prizes: Florida, Georgia and Virginia, where neither he nor Gingrich qualified for the ballot.
The candidate’s name you haven’t read until now is that of Mitt Romney, whose withdrawal from the March 1 debate prompted CNN to pull the plug on it. The former Massachusetts governor has raised a lot of money in Atlanta, but he may have decided he wasn’t going to fall too far or rise too high in Georgia — and might as well deny his rivals free national air time. We’ll soon find out if that was worth the risk of alienating supporters here.
Instead of a Southern route, the path to the GOP nomination this year appears to run through the Midwest.
Santorum won the Iowa caucuses to keep his hopes alive, then got a boost from wins in (non-binding) contests in Missouri and Minnesota. Suddenly, he’s strongly challenging Romney in the latter’s birth state, Michigan. If he does so, Ohio just might steal Georgia’s thunder on Super Tuesday.
And if that happens? Southern Republicans ought to sit back and smile: Better to be along for the ride in a big party than driving solo in a small one.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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207 comments Add your comment
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
10:34 am
And why don’t they approve of it, Do What????
Ignorance of the real meaning of equality and freedom.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
10:35 am
“No, it proves that people don’t approve of it just like 98% of the rest of the world.”
That doesn’t make it any less ignorant. There was a time when the majority didn’t believe blacks and women should have the same rights as white people, but that didn’t make it right. Gays just want the same rights as straight people, what is wrong with that?
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
10:36 am
“And why don’t they approve of it, Do What????”
Ask them.
“Ignorance of the real meaning of equality and freedom.”
Your problem, not their’s.
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
10:37 am
“Gays just want the same rights as straight people, what is wrong with that?”
So do murderers, rapists and child molesters. Would you grant NAMBLA the same rights?
Rick
February 20th, 2012
10:39 am
“So do murderers, rapists and child molesters. Would you grant NAMBLA the same rights?”
That is a ridiculous comparison. Those people all commit actions which directly hurt and affect others. How does a gay couple getting married impact your life in any way other than your moral disagreement?
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
10:44 am
“That is a ridiculous comparison.”
Not really. Once the floodgates are open everyone will come out wanting equal rights.
” How does a gay couple getting married impact your life in any way other than your moral disagreement?”
It has more to do with lawsuits flying left and right if churches refuse to marry them. There will be direct attacks on churches.
I’d love to see a gay couple try to get a Mosque to marry them.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
10:49 am
“Not really. Once the floodgates are open everyone will come out wanting equal rights.”
So should black people not be able to get married or vote? Should women still not be able to vote? Should we not allow interracial marriages? This is about equality. You are delusional if you don’t see the ridiculousness in that comparison. Again, murders, rapists, and molesters directly hurt and affect other people. It’s an entirely irrelevant argument.
“It has more to do with lawsuits flying left and right if churches refuse to marry them. There will be direct attacks on churches.
I’d love to see a gay couple try to get a Mosque to marry them.”
No it isn’t. There is supposed to be a separation of church and state in this country. If a church does not want to marry a gay couple, that is their decision. The state, however, should legally recognize it.
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
10:51 am
“So should black people not be able to get married or vote? Should women still not be able to vote? Should we not allow interracial marriages? ”
There’s a huge difference between race and sexual orientation.
“You are delusional if you don’t see the ridiculousness in that comparison. Again, murders, rapists, and molesters directly hurt and affect other people. It’s an entirely irrelevant argument.
Not my problem if I’ve caused you to actually have to think for a minute. All I tried to do was counter argue your argument.
“There is supposed to be a separation of church and state in this country. If a church does not want to marry a gay couple, that is their decision.
WRONG.
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
10:52 am
Rick
BTW, what does gay marriage have to do with Kyle’s topic? Seems you’re the only one fixated on the subject.
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
10:55 am
Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate!
Why is it only “ignorance” when someone disagrees with someone else? Just because people have moral issues doesn’t make them ignorant.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
10:57 am
“There’s a huge difference between race and sexual orientation. ”
How so? These are people vying for the same right.
“Not my problem if I’ve caused you to actually have to think for a minute. All I tried to do was counter argue your argument.”
And you did it quite poorly with a ridiculously irrelevant argument.
“BTW, what does gay marriage have to do with Kyle’s topic? Seems you’re the only one fixated on the subject.”
I’m just responding to the recent comments on the blog.
GodHatesTrash, Superstar
February 20th, 2012
11:07 am
“When arguing with fools, don’t answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are. Proverbs 26.”
Good to remember when you’re arguing with one of Kyle’s Kavalcade of Konservative Kooks and Krazies.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
11:07 am
“There’s a huge difference between race and sexual orientation.”
Really? Please state how treating sexual orientation inequitably is different from treating race inequitably?
“Just because people have moral issues doesn’t make them ignorant.”
Why do YOUR morals get to determine equality and freedom? In short, why does the religious beliefs of some get to determine another group’s ability to be treated the same as others? If your Bible stated that blacks were inferior to whites, wouldn’t you have to do the same thing and treat them differently because your Bible tells you so?
And why do the moral issues of people, based on a religious text and transformed into laws, now mean that we are a theocracy at some level?
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
11:09 am
And BTW, Say What???, your “murderers, rapists and molesters” argument falls flat on it’s face when up against my CONSENTING ADULTS argument.
Nice try at deflection, however.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
11:10 am
“Really? Please state how treating sexual orientation inequitably is different from treating race inequitably?”
Yes they are different but of course murderers, rapists, and molesters arguing for rights is similar to gays wanting to get married!
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
11:12 am
“Why is it only “ignorance” when someone disagrees with someone else? ”
It is ignorance when you single out one group as being different from another when it comes to rights.
There is either equal, or not equal. There is no in between.
There is either freedom, or not freedom. There is no in between.
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
11:25 am
“Why do YOUR morals get to determine equality and freedom?”
Why do your perversions get to trump my right to vote?
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
11:26 am
“It is ignorance when you single out one group as being different from another when it comes to rights.”
No one is singling anyone else out. It was on the ballot and the voters voted no. Get over it.
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
11:27 am
Rick and Tiberius – Your lightning rod of hate!
You two can always go to NYC to get married if you want.
Do what??????
February 20th, 2012
11:28 am
BTW, there’s a new blog topic upstairs if you two want to come up and debate.
Tootles.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
1:09 pm
“You two can always go to NYC to get married if you want.”
I’m not gay. I just think it’s ridiculous that they still don’t have the same rights as straight people.
Linda
February 20th, 2012
1:15 pm
Tiberius@12:14 AM, God creates males & females. God does not create adulterers, pedophiles, homosexuals, etc., which are all abominations. God does not create drunk drivers nor drug users & is not to blame for their deaths nor the ones they cause. God creates people. God does not create their behavior.
1 Corinthians 6 says, “Do you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, no idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, not thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus & by the Spirit of our God.”
Churches are different & many have strayed from biblical teachings by making concessions to liberal thinking. It’s still morally wrong.
The Bible has had many revisions, but God’s word is still God’s word. Sin is still sin.
God not only creates people, but He also created marriage, that is between one man & one woman.
@12:16, As I mentioned, I’ve been married for 36 yrs. & our marriage has been close to perfect. Homosexuals hope to be perceived as having a normal, natural, moral & dignified lifestyle by being able to marry. Actually, it will weaken marriage as an institution. Our goal as a society should be to increase the proportion of children who grow up with their two married heterosexual parents & to decrease the proportion of children who do not. Children need & deserve the love & provisions of both a mother & a father.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
1:29 pm
“Why do your perversions get to trump my right to vote?”
And if we lived in a democracy where your vote was supreme, you’d have a point.
However, we are a nation of laws, built on principles of equality and freedom, not of men.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
1:34 pm
Linda, thanks for not answering my questions.
How will YOUR marriage (not the “institution” of marriage) be affected by gays being allowed the same right you have.
And in case you missed it, we are not residing in the kingdom of God, but on Earth. What’s it to you if someone who believes differently than you doesn’t enter the kingdom of God? Don’t you have enough to worry about in your own life to insert yourself into someone else’s that you don’t even know and can’t affect you?
Rick
February 20th, 2012
1:36 pm
“God creates males & females. God does not create adulterers, pedophiles, homosexuals, etc., which are all abominations. God does not create drunk drivers nor drug users & is not to blame for their deaths nor the ones they cause. God creates people. God does not create their behavior.”
It’s not like gay people choose to be gay. If God exists, then he created them as gay people. The bible may condemn their actions, but God would still be responsible for creating the inclination. In any case though, no matter what your religion teaches, this nation has a separation of church and state. If a religion preached that black people were inferior citizens, would that make it ok for the state to give them less rights?
“As I mentioned, I’ve been married for 36 yrs. & our marriage has been close to perfect. Homosexuals hope to be perceived as having a normal, natural, moral & dignified lifestyle by being able to marry. Actually, it will weaken marriage as an institution. Our goal as a society should be to increase the proportion of children who grow up with their two married heterosexual parents & to decrease the proportion of children who do not. Children need & deserve the love & provisions of both a mother & a father”
Please link a study that shows children born to gay parents are any worse of. If a child has two loving parents who care for them, how would they be any worse of? A family is a family.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
1:37 pm
*worse off
Linda
February 20th, 2012
2:00 pm
Tiberious@1:34, MY marriage & the INSTITUTION of marriage are one in the same.
Christians believe that life on earth is very temporary compared to the after-life & that life on earth is merely a test. We strive to serve God & we care for each other. We do not exclude those we do not know & those with whom we disagree. I thank God for those who are Christians & pray for those who are not.
Linda
February 20th, 2012
2:29 pm
Rick@1:36,
“It’s not like gay people choose to be gay” (or that adulterers chose to commit adultery or that pedophiles chose to abuse children). “If God exists, then he created them as gay people” (& adulterers & pedophiles). “The bible may condemn their actions, but God would still be responsible for creating the inclination.”
Do you see how your argument can not excuse homosexuals any more than it can adulterers & pedophiles?
“In any case though, no matter what your religion teaches, this nation has a separation of church and state. If a religion preached that black people were inferior citizens, would that make it ok for the state to give them less rights?”
Christianity does not condemn anyone. Christianity condemns behavior which is controlled by individuals. Lustful thoughts are sinful but not as sinful as actions. It’s the practice of homosexuality that is sinful & marriage will not moralize it.
You need to do your own research on what makes families strong. You can spend years.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
2:44 pm
“MY marriage & the INSTITUTION of marriage are one in the same.”
Only because YOU choose to make it your business, Linda. My marriage (which is part of the whole “institution” of marriage, is NONE of your business.
“Do you see how your argument can not excuse homosexuals any more than it can adulterers & pedophiles?”
But we DO excuse adulterers, at least as far as the law is concerned, don’t we, Linda? Can adulterers marry? Of course they can.
Conversely, the law DOES punish pedophiles, because the act is not CONSENSUAL, nor is it between two ADULTS.
So your comparison fails the logic test, Linda.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
2:46 pm
“We do not exclude those we do not know & those with whom we disagree.”
No, you just restrict their God-given rights of freedom and equality.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
2:48 pm
“Do you see how your argument can not excuse homosexuals any more than it can adulterers & pedophiles?”
As I explained to Do What, adulterers and pedophiles are committing actions which directly hurt and affect others.
“Christianity does not condemn anyone. Christianity condemns behavior which is controlled by individuals. Lustful thoughts are sinful but not as sinful as actions. It’s the practice of homosexuality that is sinful & marriage will not moralize it.”
I never said it does. I grew up Catholic and attended Catholic middle and high school so I’m well aware of Christian teaches. But really, I’m not concerned with what they think. This is an equality issue in my eyes. If Church’s don’t want to recognize and marry gay people, that is their decision. But it should be legal in the eyes of the state.
“You need to do your own research on what makes families strong. You can spend years.”
So I guess you have nothing to back your claim that children need a mother and father. I see no difference if a child had two parents who love and care for them.
Linda
February 20th, 2012
3:39 pm
Tiberius@2:44, Marriage is an institution. I am married. Why is my marriage any different?
We have zoning laws & S/D restrictions to prevent the construction of a 1500 sq. ft. house in an area where 3000 sq. ft. houses exist to prevent downgrading the value of existing houses. NFL coaches don’t allow unskilled players on their teams. An owner probably would not install retreads on his Ferrari. A restaurant would not pour a $100 bottle of wine over ice or serve chateaubriand with ketchup.
Liberals/progressives want to weaken American values & institutions which include families, education, religion & charities.
God did not create homosexuals’ inclination to be gay any more than He created adulterers’ & pedophiles’ inclinations to be cheats & abusers. Liberals want to excuse homosexuals by blaming God for their creation. God does not create behavior for humans.
I restrict rights? The Defense of Marriage Act was passed by congress 9/21/96 by 343:67 in the House & 85:14 in the Senate. State legislators have passed gay marriage laws but most state voters have voted against it.
The Bible was written long ago & will never change.
Debbie
February 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
Kyle, A great article and very good work. I do not know why there are comments about masturbation in the comments section of this article but I know a few years ago, England’s prime minister was broadcasted when he told the rioters to do this instead of whatever they were doing at the time.
Debbie
February 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
So, I still do not understand. Ron Paul is the only choice for Georgia voters to have as a candidate? I have no idea what Tennessee will do then since we do not have anybody who was born here in the race for President of the U.S.A. I believe we should have Ellen DeGeneres as the first female President of the United States of America with Jon Stewart as the Vice-President.
Debbie
February 20th, 2012
3:52 pm
I am very serious about Ellen and Jon. I am really tired of politicians, lawyers, and doctors.
Debbie
February 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
Religion must not be any kind of deciding factor in our leaders. All religions have a whole lot of problems and trouble makers and sinners.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
3:59 pm
“We have zoning laws & S/D restrictions to prevent the construction of a 1500 sq. ft. house in an area where 3000 sq. ft. houses exist to prevent downgrading the value of existing houses.”
Yes, and they exist for EVERYONE, not just against gays.
“NFL coaches don’t allow unskilled players on their teams.”
Private decision of a private organization.
“An owner probably would not install retreads on his Ferrari.”
Another private decision.
“A restaurant would not pour a $100 bottle of wine over ice or serve chateaubriand with ketchup.”
They would if the customer asked them to. And again, a private transaction.
You’ve failed on ALL points, Linda.
“God did not create homosexuals’ inclination to be gay any more than He created adulterers’ & pedophiles’ inclinations to be cheats & abusers.”
Then how did they “become” gay, Linda? Do you really think that someone would voluntarily “choose” to be something that would be ostracized and treated inequitably in a society? Really?
Linda
February 20th, 2012
4:19 pm
Rick@2:48, You blamed God for creating homosexuals’ inclination to be gay which implies an excuse of “God made me do it.” If God is “responsible” for homosexual tendencies, is he equally “responsible” for creating adulterers’ & pedophiles’ behavior?
There’s God’s Law & there’s man’s law. Sometimes they concur (murder, theft, etc.) & sometimes they do not. Homosexuality & adultery are neither against man’s law but both are against God’s Law. Liberals want to promote homosexual marriage with the clear understanding that it is just as morally wrong as adultery, both being legal. Liberals can see that adultery hurts spouses & children but can not see that homosexual marriage will destroy families & the Holy Institution of marriage. The moral decay of America begins with the family. It’s not an equality issue. It’s a morals issue. Gays will never be equal & know that. They want dignity & legitimacy.
Children can grow up just fine with only one parent, a step-parent or no parents, but children who grow up with both a loving mother AND father have a greater chance at happiness. Gender & sexuality were part of God’s plan for procreation & the family is our foundation as a society. You may start here, but please do not limit your research:
http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/speakout/2007/02/children_need_both_a_mother_an.html
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
4:29 pm
“It’s not an equality issue. It’s a morals issue.”
Trying to find anywhere in my copy of the U.S. Constitution where the role of government is to be the morality police . . . . or their role in protecting the institution of marriage . . . .
Nope, not in there.
Linda
February 20th, 2012
4:40 pm
Tiberius@3:59, What I have failed to do is to teach you morals. Sorry.
Homosexuals become gay the same way adulterers become cheaters, pedophiles become abusers, alcoholics become drunks, murderers become killers, thieves become entitled, liars become fanatics, rapists become violators, arsonists become destructionists, etc. It’s not God’s will. It’s not by Divine authority. It’s not by God’s hand. It’s not by God’s creation. It’s not God’s fault. We are created equal & special in the eyes of God. God gave us free will.
Homosexuals have the same rights in their behavior as everyone else I mentioned above. They all chose to “be something that would be ostracized & treated inequitably in a society.” Yes, really.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
4:47 pm
“They all chose to “be something that would be ostracized & treated inequitably in a society.” Yes, really.”
Got any scientific evidence to support that conclusion, Linda?
“We are created equal & special in the eyes of God.”
So you’re saying it takes Man to make us unequal?
“God gave us free will.”
OK, if he gave us free will, why are you (and He) coming down on us for actually using it?
Michael H. Smith
February 20th, 2012
4:52 pm
Let me know when the Constitution requires any state government to “provide equal results” instead of “protecting equal rights”?
Believe it or not I can’t legally marry the man of my choice either gays but you do have the exact same EQUAL RIGHT to marry anyone of the opposite sex that will have you as their spouse just like me and this state will grant you a State of Georgia marriage licenses too.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
5:00 pm
“You blamed God for creating homosexuals’ inclination to be gay which implies an excuse of “God made me do it.” If God is “responsible” for homosexual tendencies, is he equally “responsible” for creating adulterers’ & pedophiles’ behavior?”
I don’t even believe in God, so I can’t blame him for anything. I am only saying if you believe in God, then you must believe that he created homosexual inclinations.
“There’s God’s Law & there’s man’s law. Sometimes they concur (murder, theft, etc.) & sometimes they do not. Homosexuality & adultery are neither against man’s law but both are against God’s Law. Liberals want to promote homosexual marriage with the clear understanding that it is just as morally wrong as adultery, both being legal. Liberals can see that adultery hurts spouses & children but can not see that homosexual marriage will destroy families & the Holy Institution of marriage. The moral decay of America begins with the family. It’s not an equality issue. It’s a morals issue. Gays will never be equal & know that. They want dignity & legitimacy.”
You are misunderstanding me. I don’t think being gay is immoral at all. I believe that what consenting adults do in the bedroom is their own business and they should be free to go about it.
“Homosexuals have the same rights in their behavior as everyone else I mentioned above. They all chose to “be something that would be ostracized & treated inequitably in a society.” Yes, really.”
Gay people had no more choice in being gay than you or I in being straight. Science has shown it’s genetics, not a choice.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
5:01 pm
“Believe it or not I can’t legally marry the man of my choice either gays but you do have the exact same EQUAL RIGHT to marry anyone of the opposite sex that will have you as their spouse just like me and this state will grant you a State of Georgia marriage licenses too.”
So what part of equality and freedom do you NOT get, Michael?
You’re free to choose the partner of your choice, as long as the state chooses the sex of that partner? Is that small-government conservatism to you?
You’re equal, except you’re not?
Please.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
5:03 pm
“Believe it or not I can’t legally marry the man of my choice either gays but you do have the exact same EQUAL RIGHT to marry anyone of the opposite sex that will have you as their spouse just like me and this state will grant you a State of Georgia marriage licenses too.”
Two people of the opposite sex have the right to marry, but two people of the same sex do not. That is not equal rights.
Linda
February 20th, 2012
5:30 pm
Tiberius@4:29, The morality police IS in the constitution. They are mentioned right there between the food police & the tanning bed police.
4:47, This is getting old. This is no longer a debate. You’re asking too many questions of me & not offering any counter debates. You are merely disagreeing with me, telling me that I’m not answering your questions & failing your tests on ALL points. I’m exiting this blog & will not return.
It’s difficult for a Christian to debate a non-Christian, especially on morals.
We have both social & fiscal conservatives.
We have fiscal conservatives & social liberals.
We do not have fiscal liberals & social conservatives.
We have social & fiscal liberals. These are the progressives who intend to bring down our country.
We have a critical fiscal crisis in this country. Santorum has been criticized for his social conservative views. What I came to believe overnight is that NO ONE can be a fiscal conservative & a social liberal. Our mounting natl. debt is as much of a social issue as it is a fiscal issue. It is as (socially) immoral to run up this amount of debt as it is fiscally irresponsible. If it’s not against man’s law, it it certainly against God’s Law. It’s affecting our families & will affect our children & grandchildren for generations to come.
I will pray for you & for all other homosexuals & those without conscience & guidance.
Michael H. Smith
February 20th, 2012
5:34 pm
GOD didn’t create sin but HE did create salvation for everyone. GOD also gave everyone a free moral will to make choices good or bad.
GOD has already judged sin that issue is settled. So is redemption from sin.
It is not for me to tell any adult what you can’t do with another willing adult no matter if I like what is being done or not. It is also not for government to tell consenting adults what they can do in their privacy or bedrooms, which a restraint of government power I firmly and fully support.
But please don’t tell me you had no choice in what you chose to be or do because of genetics – I’m an addict to a particular very powerful highly addictive legal substance – nicotine – which I have no doubt in my body or mind I was genetically predisposed to abuse from my birth, if I so chose to and I did. Needless to say, I’m now a recovering nicotine addict, so don’t tell me you can’t make a choice to change because of genetics. GOD gave you a “WILL” you are free to you it or abuse it in anyway you choose.
By the way GOD only hates sin, GOD loves the sinner.
Michael H. Smith
February 20th, 2012
5:42 pm
Rick
February 20th, 2012
5:03 pm
Oh but yes it is equal rights. What you want to believe is that “equal results” means the exact same as thing as “equal rights”.
Gays have exactly the same equal rights to the state granted privilege of a marriage license as I do so long as they too marry someone of the opposite sex and I’m still waiting for anyone to show me in the Constitution where government must provide equal results in stead of protect equal rights.
Rick
February 20th, 2012
6:09 pm
“But please don’t tell me you had no choice in what you chose to be or do because of genetics – I’m an addict to a particular very powerful highly addictive legal substance – nicotine – which I have no doubt in my body or mind I was genetically predisposed to abuse from my birth, if I so chose to and I did. Needless to say, I’m now a recovering nicotine addict, so don’t tell me you can’t make a choice to change because of genetics. GOD gave you a “WILL” you are free to you it or abuse it in anyway you choose.”
I’m not saying a gay person doesn’t choose to act on their sexual inclinations. Just like straight people, anyone can remain abstinent with enough will power. I’m saying that gay people did not choose their inclination though to those of the same sex just like straight people don’t choose their inclination to those of the opposite sex. It is something that happens naturally. And it is not right to not allow gay people to celebrate their natural love for another person simply because the majority of society has a different natural inclination.
“Gays have exactly the same equal rights to the state granted privilege of a marriage license as I do so long as they too marry someone of the opposite sex and I’m still waiting for anyone to show me in the Constitution where government must provide equal results in stead of protect equal rights.”
I understand what you are saying, it’s just not a good argument.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
February 20th, 2012
6:14 pm
“What I came to believe overnight is that NO ONE can be a fiscal conservative & a social liberal. ”
Linda, once again I break your preconceived notions, for I am the epitome of a fiscal conservative and a social liberal.