Who cares about marriage anyway it's just another crazy idea people invented.
Jacks:SmirkingRevenge said:and you hate Wikipedia, but you thanked it after referencing it? I like how Wiki is fair game when it supports your side of the argument. that's cute.
So?So, that would make it... natural?
That's fine and all, but the whole argument around the 14th is regarding rights. The "protections" you're advocating would be handled as laws (as long as they don't violate rights).Actually, if you allow me I would.
I think that children from different mothers but with the same father would be troubled by that fact, and also the father would not be able to realistically take care of two or more families even if he tried his hardest to (Which is most certainly not the reality of things in Africa where polygamy is omnipresent.)
Also, it protects the women as who knows with whom your husband has slept? You are supposed to trust your spouse, now you're not sure if he's got something like HIV or other terrible sexually transmitted diseases. The possibility is that he could infect you as well as all the other women he has sex with (And that also definitely happens in Africa.)
Then shouldn't the people decide what it contains?Don't be so deliberately foolish. The constitution is set up for the welfare of the people (It's the freaking preamble!_ and outlines the methods in which the government may enact laws/govern. By promoting incest, it literally works against the welfare of the people through the massive increase in genetic problems. A law against incest is no more a case of bigotry than a law against letting people own radioactive materials without proper license and protections or a law against yelling fire in a theater. Your ridiculous cat argument has no bearing on anything--a cat is not a person and is not a citizen and no matter how hard a mental patient wants it to be so, it won't change.
Who is making that case? I don't think even Larkin has said that in this thread. My point is simply if the 14th amendment has no contextual relevance, then it shouldn't have ANY contextual relevance and separate laws need to be put in place that specifically exclude certain types of marriage.Stop it with your ridiculous straw men. The government is perfectly able and allowed to have laws for many purposes and the fourteenth amendment does not magically stop that. You know this, I know this and the argument that by allowing gay men to marry under the equal protection clause will somehow open the floodgates of hell is ridiculous.
So your point is that because of one issue with polygamy that could easily be resolved in a number of ways, we just make it illegal. Ok.Since nobody took my bait, I'll tell you what's wrong with polygamy. It's a legal issue. In a polygamous marriage who gets 'power of attorney' in cases of sickness or death? This alone is reason enough to make it illegal. This is why polygamy is a false "slippery slope" argument.
You're right. Two consenting adults. What constitutes an adult? There is no distinction so there is no false slippery slope.Marriage is a legal union between two consenting adults. Not a man and a goat, not a man and a child, not man and a trampoline. Another false slippery slope bites the dust.
Again, something that can easily be resolved is grounds for excusing the entire act. Ok.Sibling marriage is illegal because of the huge health concerns (despite what genetic expert Larkin claims). Another false slippery slope meets its maker.
I think the answers to your questions are obvious. The government can regulate certain privileges because restricting a person of a privilege can also restrict them from a right. To do the former is meaningless unless you also do the latter.On the issue of "equal protection" and whether marriage is a right or a privilege: It doesn't matter. Is shopping at Kroger a right or privilege? And if it's a privilege, does that mean Kroger can ban black people from its stores? Is driving a car a right or a privilege? Is a college education a right or a privilege? Etc...
I guess what I don't get is how this would be any different from a man marrying one woman who has a child and so he leaves, and then marries another woman who has a child and he leaves. There is no tangible difference between the two scenarios: if a guy is a loser and a leaver, he will continue to be a loser and a leaver. I'm not saying bad things wouldn't happen to polygamist families, I'm saying that it would do nothing to the status quo. In fact, there could be a net benefit since the two women would presumably have some kind of relationship with one another.Because two things can't happen concurrently according to you. I admit to not being that clear, that comes with the language. However, let's take a sample. Two men, three women.
First man is married to the woman, but wants no child. She gets pregnant, and he abandons her because he's a heartless son of a...
Anyways, in today's USA: second man is married to second woman, and wants a child. He gets it, he's happy and all.
In modified USA where polygamy is legal, say this second man is also married to the third woman, but doesn't want a child with her (Say she doesn't have a great salary or whatever other reason you want.) She gets a child too. Let's say that second man is also heartless in this case. Now you've got two abandoned children instead of one.
I'd say it wouldn't increase or decrease and there is no evidence to even srt of back up the claim that it would.Again, two things can't happen concurrently. You think that men who are married would never in their life dream of sleeping with someone else? Yeah, that happens already, in and out of marriage. But make it legal. And you think there's absolutely no chance of this kind of behavior increasing? I'd say you'd be quite wrong.
That's like saying that since you can get divorced we need to get rid of marriage altogether because of the possibility that people are left unhappy in bad circumstances. Polygamy wouldn't even change that.It's not different. It's equally as tragic. But, if you encourage through laws behaviors that can increase the likelihood of such situations happening, you're gonna have more tragedies to deal with. Again, just because it already happens doesn't mean that it can't happen more.
Sure, but you already hear about those people... so how would it be worse, exactly? Because more people would be involved? Wouldn't that actually be a good thing? (Family and support systems and such...)There I tried to explain it now. The only problem I have with polygamy is that it can easily be abused by men to control multiple wives. Sure there are some good hearted men out there, but they never make the news. All we hear about are wife beaters and such. Multiple wives? Wives beater? I don't like it that much. Yes, that does make me uncomfortable, among the other things I said.
But hey, if you're a nice man and are a millionaire and want many wives and children, go for it. But you better be up to the task otherwise you'll have some internet flak from me to deal with.
So your point is that because of one issue with polygamy that could easily be resolved in a number of ways, we just make it illegal. Ok.
You're right. Two consenting adults. What constitutes an adult? There is no distinction so there is no false slippery slope.
Again, something that can easily be resolved is grounds for excusing the entire act. Ok.
I think the answers to your questions are obvious. The government can regulate certain privileges because restricting a person of a privilege can also restrict them from a right. To do the former is meaningless unless you also do the latter.
Again, easily resolved. One person would have the ultimate authority in those cases. A person agreed to at the time marriages were performed. This is, as usual, a case of there simply being weak power of attorney laws. I should be able to give power of attorney for myself to my dying grandmother if I want, yet I can't or it is a ridiculously difficult process.First, please define "easily be resolved in a number of ways".
Second, imagine one spouse is in a critical medical situation and other spouses are left to make medical decisions regarding the care. What happens if they disagree on the best course of action? Do they "blue code" in a couple of lawyers and a judge to fight it out on the emergency room floor?
I'm not sure that is defined in the constitution If it's in state constitutions, I guess it can be considered unconstitutional since it's not in the US constitution.Human, 18 years of age. Just as it has been established in most states for a very long time.
Sure, that could be a requirement. All I'm saying is there are ways to fix the practical problems in these situations, which only leaves the "moral" or "makes you uncomfortable" arguments, which are the same arguments people use to combat gay marriage.Define "easily be resolved". Mandatory sterilization?
So? How is that contrary to what I just said?1. "Equal Protection" means that you can't pass a law that restricts the rights of one group of people. All laws must apply equally to all people.
It honestly depends on why they are banned from doing so. If Kroger has a rule to throw out anyone that wears a purple hat in their store, would you be outraged or care at all? If people who can't see are banned from driving, are you outraged? It's a matter of perspective. Obviously if you are black you have the RIGHT to not be discriminated against for being black, but if you are wearing a purple hat in a Kroger store and their policy is to kick out people wearing purple hats, you have no RIGHT to wear a purple hat even if you're black. The protections of the law cover skin color but not hats.3. I argue that driving, shopping at Kroger, attending college, etc... are also not rights, but privileges. But most normal people would be outraged if we attempted ban some people from driving, shopping at Kroger, attending college, etc...
1. "Equal Protection" means that you can't pass a law that restricts the rights of one group of people. All laws must apply equally to all people.
2. Larkin argued that marriage is not a right, but a privilege, therefore it's okie dokie to restrict some people from getting married.
3. I argue that driving, shopping at Kroger, attending college, etc... are also not rights, but privileges. But most normal people would be outraged if we attempted ban some people from driving, shopping at Kroger, attending college, etc...
1. "Equal Protection" means that you can't pass a law that restricts the rights of one group of people. All laws must apply equally to all people.
2. Larkin argued that marriage is not a right, but a privilege, therefore it's okie dokie to restrict some people from getting married.
3. I argue that driving, shopping at Kroger, attending college, etc... are also not rights, but privileges.
But most normal people would be outraged if we attempted ban some people from driving, shopping at Kroger, attending college, etc...
Now we're talking about hiring lawyers, drawing up complex legal documents just so people can get married. Even if it were practical, this will certainly be challenge in court regardless of how "iron clad" they may seem. And the problem won’t end with medical power of attorney. There will be inheritance, child custody, survivor benefits, etc…issues as well. Talk about your slippery slope!Again, easily resolved. One person would have the ultimate authority in those cases. A person agreed to at the time marriages were performed. This is, as usual, a case of there simply being weak power of attorney laws. I should be able to give power of attorney for myself to my dying grandmother if I want, yet I can't or it is a ridiculously difficult process.
So you’re okay with 3 year olds voting then?I'm not sure that is defined in the constitution If it's in state constitutions, I guess it can be considered unconstitutional since it's not in the US constitution.
Do you honestly believe that mandatory sterilization is a good or remotely legal idea?Sure, that could be a requirement. All I'm saying is there are ways to fix the practical problems in these situations, which only leaves the "moral" or "makes you uncomfortable" arguments, which are the same arguments people use to combat gay marriage.
I have no idea what you said. All I read was a confused circle logic cluster-f**k.So? How is that contrary to what I just said?
We're not talking about hats or disabilities that affect public safety; we're talking about the fundamental defining characteristics of a human being.It honestly depends on why they are banned from doing so. If Kroger has a rule to throw out anyone that wears a purple hat in their store, would you be outraged or care at all? If people who can't see are banned from driving, are you outraged? It's a matter of perspective. Obviously if you are black you have the RIGHT to not be discriminated against for being black, but if you are wearing a purple hat in a Kroger store and their policy is to kick out people wearing purple hats, you have no RIGHT to wear a purple hat even if you're black. The protections of the law cover skin color but not hats.
Your argument about incest works just as well if applied generally to homosexuals: they do not promote the general welfare of the population because they can't have children at all... right? Sorry, but the same "not that many people practice it" and "not all of them would have children" and other silly arguments could be applied in both cases. So avoiding the topic entirely like you have is simply illogical.
As for the "cat example", I was simply leading off what you said. Sillier things have happened than a crazy person admitting their animal as a "person" in some governmental inquiry.
My point is simply if the 14th amendment has no contextual relevance, then it shouldn't have ANY contextual relevance and separate laws need to be put in place that specifically exclude certain types of marriage.
1. I agree.
2. Marriage IS a privilege. It is also a legally binding agreement, therefore, it can be regulated by the government, in that the government can determine qualifications for marriage, since it does require a license to be legally binding.
3. You are correct in that driving is also a privilege. Your argument fails, however. To put it in the proper context, consider that you must meet certain requirements in order to qualify for a driver's license. While each state has similar generalized requirements, each individual state has varied determinations of age of eligibility to apply for a license. Is this not a similar context to each state regulating marriage with their own determinations and requirements?
1. I agree.
2. Marriage IS a privilege. It is also a legally binding agreement, therefore, it can be regulated by the government, in that the government can determine qualifications for marriage, since it does require a license to be legally binding.
3. You are correct in that driving is also a privilege. Your argument fails, however. To put it in the proper context, consider that you must meet certain requirements in order to qualify for a driver's license. While each state has similar generalized requirements, each individual state has varied determinations of age of eligibility to apply for a license. Is this not a similar context to each state regulating marriage with their own determinations and requirements?
Hats affect public safety? Are people being violent with their hats?
How is it unnatural if it is currently existing naturally.
Does anyone care about the "established view in the field of psychology"? It means nothing.
Homosexuals are normal, and happy with their lifestyle.
You are a schmoe. You should eat a toaster,
well the bible is a hoax and there's no such thing as god.
so that solves that.
No, I think the point is an indict of the idea of "natural" in the first place. The only time we use the term "unnatural" it is to denigrate things or demonize them. Single mothers are not natural, GMOs (which could feed the world if adopted) are not natural, homosexuality is not natural, etc. These statements criticize something because it isn't natural.
But everything is natural. Humans are natural to Earth and therefore everything about us and everything we make is also natural. If everything is natural, then it is a useless to say things are unnatural and should be exposed as a bad form of social engineering.
Anyone that argues that something is not "natural" automatically loses. It has zero merit. Is mending a broken leg "natural?" How about heart surgery or organ transplants? How about complicated recipes? How about the construction of airplanes?
Further, if something consistently shows up in nature, as homosexuality does, doesn't that completely negate the idea that it isn't natural (as worthless as an argument as that is)? Further, how can something seen abundantly in nature not be natural, the definition of which is being in accordance with nature?
Elmer, there is nothing "unnatural" or dangerous, or harmful about homosexuality. The only possible arguments against homosexuality are religious ones as there is no other logical reason to be against it.
Homosexual couples should be afforded all of the benefits and rights as heterosexual couples. It is a matter of civil rights on par with what happened in the 60's and the fact that minorities are against it despite the obvious parity shows how inherently prejudiced people are and how pervasive religious doctrine is in our society. Denying marriage to homosexuals is like denying marriage to mixed race/nationality/social status/religions/etc. couples and it saddens me to see so many people offer lameass unsupported arguments (that echo past racist/classist/nationalist/religious/etc. arguments)about how it would somehow magically destroy society.
~Jason
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_nuclear_fission_reactor Yes.
Lets go back to this for a second... firstly, if you wish to carry the compulsion of homosexual attraction and the compulsion of chemical addiction in the same umbrella -- then you must also include heterosexual attraction in that same compulsion as every definition of addiction (a compulsion, impact on family/financial/work/etc. segments of your life, etc.) that one follows, the other applies in the same way.
Secondly -- Would you give a person who compulsively drinks water... water? Of course, it's called dehydration.
So therefore what makes a compulsion accepted is the definition of normal.
The question then is where do you define normal?
My girlfriend and I determined that we will NOT have children ((we may adopt later, but that is irrelevant)). Are we normal? How can we be normal if we follow the usual compulsions BUT we have a "problem" with the normal compulsion of wanting children.
An easy definition of normal is defined based on consent and acceptance between the affected parties.
In that case... the micro-society between the couple is normal as both consent and accept the relationship... and the micro-society between homophobics and homosexuals is not normal. (Zoophiliacs and Necrophiliacs are also "not normal" in this definition of normal... as animals and the dead are unable to consent and accept behaviour -- polygamy however would be normal provided all parties are consenting and accepting of the total relationship... which is why it's banned because usually polygamous relationships are very abusive. The question is should polyamourous relationships be legal in the situations where all couples are consenting... or should we threaten legal action against every threesome?)
So what I'm saying is compulsive homophobics are hate addicts Why feed them hateahol?
--------------------------
And *does* people realize the difference between recognizing the marriage of two consenting adults of whatever gender combination... and forcing the marriage of two consenting adults of whatever gender combination? It seems like a lot of the anti-homosexual marriage comments I see is because people assume that it will force private institutions to accept it as well...
... that or Christians (I am Roman Catholic {Christian}, FYI) who don't seem to realize that the word "Marriage" isn't copywritten or trademarked for religious use only