So many topics to talk about - so little time on the computer at the library!
I'm all for assisted suicide, but as I think it's been stated, there needs to be guidelines. Candidates should have to go through a psychological screening and maybe physical screening, so that anyone on a whim can't go in and kill themselves (of course they might just go out and find another means - but the denial would slow them down a bit). I think it should be the terminally ill, who would rather end their life on a positive note, rather than waste away in misery for the next few months, or people with Alzheimer's or those in a vegetative state. That's not to say perfectly healthy people should be restricted, but if they want to commit suicide, are they healthy mentally?
As for gun control, sigh, there are so many things to consider. Do you really help anything by putting up restrictions? If someone really wants an assault rifle they're going to do everything in their power to get it - especially if it's a criminal - do you think they're going to think twice about breaking a couple of gun laws to get what they want, especially if they have something much more sinister in mind for it? However petty criminals may not have that drive, and so yes, it may cut down on some crime. Like Jane, I know people who collect guns, but since they don't really use them, I doubt they would mind any kind of long term wait to get one, if a new law entailed such. In summation? I guess I'm for gun control, as long as it doesn't end up harming the people it's intended to protect.
For my final act - gay marriage. To help me illustrate my argument let me put in in terms of the civil rights movement. Say that blacks had all the same rights as whites (this wasn't the case, but hypothetically, indulge me), but it wasn't called the same thing because of the color of their skin - no one would stand for it. In essence you're still calling them less than because of something they can't help - because of the way God (if you believe in God) made them. To me it's the same thing with gay marriage. I think homosexuality is something ingrained - you're either born gay or you're not. (Here is an interesting article about something similar). To say that they can't have the word "marriage", simply because they are gay (something they can't help) is ridiculous. (Can you help the fact that you're heterosexual?). That being said, I don't think you can force churches to perform gay marriages - you probably won't have to, as there will be plenty willing to do it. However, I think that all states should recognize it (none of this crap where you can get married in Maryland, but you live in Florida, and Florida won't acknowledge it).
As for the institution of marriage, that to me has been destroyed. When a man can marry a woman and then senselessly beat her to death, but homosexuals can't marry? Please. Technically even divorce destroys the institution of marriage. It doesn't mean 'til death do you part anymore - it just means 'til I can't stand you and I find someone else to inflict myself upon. I don't think people even try to stay together anymore. With 1 in 3 couples getting divorced, it doesn't have the same stigma that it did long ago, and so people don't try as hard, don't go to counselling. (Is this enough of a conversation for you Nick?) So to say that gay marriage would go against the institution of marriage is a bit of a joke to me.
I think I've ranted enough for one day.
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6 comments:
I agree with you on the gay marriage thing; I was putting forth that argument to start some arguments. Honestly, I could care less what gays do; but they obviously deserve the same rights as anyone else. And I agree that the "institution" of marriage is a bit of a joke; since the majority of marriages end in divorce, and heterosexual married couples do some pretty disgusting things.
I agree with you on gun control; I think that some weapons have no place in private hands, and should only be made for law enforcement and the military (and that would make it very difficult to get in the hands of private people, as they would have to buy it off of a corrupt cop or military official, which of course would happen but would make it difficult). Someone can kill very easily with a legal handgun or hunting rifle, but that argument is somewhat silly because someone can easily die from drinking alcohol, or kill others by drunk driving for instance, but we aren't going to outlaw alcohol or argue for legalizing all drugs, right?
Oh I know you agree and were just paying devil's advocate (I did read your post). I didn't think that gay marriage was something I was that passionate about - hm, proved myself wrong.
Good topic.
From what I've seen of gay people, the ones that I have had contact with personally, gay people in committed relationships seem to be more committed and faithful than the heterosexual couples who cheat; I'd love to see a study on that. Maybe having homosexuals enter the institution of marriage would rehabilitate said institution; the exact opposite of what many social conservatives say allowing gays to marry would do. Because, haven't heterosexuals really fucked up the institution of marriage?
Well I don't know that they could rehabilitate it. I was just reading an article in Psychology Today (found at http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20061221-000001.html) that was saying that homosexual couples may get along better because of similar mindsets within the gender, and may tend to be more upfront with indiscretions. However it went on to say that they have a 65% divorce (or whatever) rate, compared to the 67% divorce rate in heterosexuals.
Really interesting article though, about how we form biases and lie to ourselves to help us in our sexual relationships.
A student of a friend's wrote a paper saying that if homosexuals were given marriage rights they would respect the institution of marrige more than heterosexuals because they fought so hard for it. It was an interesting point, but ultimately, the paper sucked.
Is is that common for unmarried just cohabiting couple to beat each other or commit other domestic violence act, if they have no obligations to each other and to 3rd parties? Let's wait until number of homosexual couples with children and mortgages grow, one of so-called parents will be trapped in house without income, and see what will happen.
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