Wedding bells for same-sex couples; bye-bye domestic partnerships

[Smokey 1]

You expect me to be upset that not everyone agrees with me? That would be irrational and immature. But I am glad that a majority agrees with me.

But I bet you wouldn't hesitate to call people who don't agree with this homophobes or some other derogatory term.

[Haberdasher]

I don't know but I didn't see that a majority was required in the defiinition of normal.

So, your objection to SSM is that it is not "normal", and that legalizing it is just a step in making it "normal"

What is your definition of "normal"?

[Smokey 1]

So, your objection to SSM is that it is not "normal", and that legalizing it is just a step in making it "normal"

What is your definition of "normal"?

The dictionary definition of "normal" is what I use.

But you weren't "listening" were you? My objection is to the attempted "normalization" by using the term "marriage" instead of the more accurate "civil union". As someone who is defiant I don't like coercion of any sort and will go the opposite way.

[regularguy]

But I bet you wouldn't hesitate to call people who don't agree with this homophobes or some other derogatory term.

I call them "social conservatives".

[Haberdasher]

The dictionary definition of "normal" is what I use.

But you weren't "listening" were you? My objection is to the attempted "normalization" by using the term "marriage" instead of the more accurate "civil union". As someone who is defiant I don't like coercion of any sort and will go the opposite way.

There are several dictionary definitions of "normal". Which one are you using?

You object to SSM being "normalized". What do you mean?

[Smokey 1]

There are several dictionary definitions of "normal". Which one are you using?

You object to SSM being "normalized". What do you mean?

I object to the coercive nature of using words improperly to change the way people think about something. See "Newspeak" in 1984.

[yuca]

The dictionary definition of "normal" is what I use.

But you weren't "listening" were you? My objection is to the attempted "normalization" by using the term "marriage" instead of the more accurate "civil union". As someone who is defiant I don't like coercion of any sort and will go the opposite way.

Words can change or shift meaning over time. "Marriage" has already been updated to reflect modern reality:

the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage <same-sex marriage>

Eleven countries, as well as parts of the U.S. and Mexico have now legalized same-sex marriage. There are also a number of religious institutions that recognize same-sex marriage. More will follow.

Kick and scream and act like a bigot all you want. But I think you're wasting energy that could be put to better use.

[Smokey 1]

Kick and scream and act like a bigot all you want. But I think you're wasting energy that could be put to better use.

Is that what you think I am doing? Like I said I don't like to be "coerced" into anything. If that is acting like a bigot then so be it. I would rather be that then a pathetic sheep that goes along with anything they are led to believe. I never said I objected to civil unions did I? Go peddle your PC crap to someone who cares.

[Marshan Man]

Is that what you think I am doing? Like I said I don't like to be "coerced" into anything. If that is acting like a bigot then so be it. I would rather be that then a pathetic sheep that goes along with anything they are led to believe. I never said I objected to civil unions did I? Go peddle your PC crap to someone who cares.

What are you being coerced into? Using the term "marriage" to refer to a married gay couple? How often might you even be in that situation??

[Smokey 1]

What are you being coerced into? Using the term "marriage" to refer to a married gay couple? How often might you even be in that situation??

I know it might seem petty to you but I am extemely defiant. Using the term "marriage" as opposed to "civil unions" is a form of coercion to change the way people think.

[Marshan Man]

I know it might seem petty to you but I am extemely defiant. Using the term "marriage" as opposed to "civil unions" is a form of coercion to change the way people think.

Do people even use the term civil union in everyday speech?? How would you use it? "Those two guys are civil unionized"??

Most people would just say they're "together" or "husbands" or "wives" or "partners". I really don't think convos are going to change that much.

[Smokey 1]

Do people even use the term civil union in everyday speech?? How would you use it? "Those two guys are civil unionized"??

Most people would just say they're "together" or "husbands" or "wives" or "partners". I really don't think convos are going to change that much.

I know, "unionized", thats funny.

[Marshan Man]

Civilly united??

[Haberdasher]

I object to the coercive nature of using words improperly to change the way people think about something. See "Newspeak" in 1984.

Why is it so difficult for you to answer the question?

You objected to SSM because you said it was an attempt to make homosexual relationships "normal". What do you mean by "normal"?

No one is coercing anyone into anything. Just because you feel offended, or don't like something, that doesn't mean it is coercive. If I have been married for 25 years to the same woman, do I have a right to object to people calling something "marriage" when they are on their third divorce?

If I think that marriage means one man, and one woman, for life, does that mean that these serial divorcers are trying to coerce me into thinking that what they do is "normal"?

You really can't even logically defend your position, other than to say you don't like it. And that's fine. Except we, thankfully, don't have to live in a society where only Smokey gets to make the rules.

[Smokey 1]

Why is it so difficult for you to answer the question?

What question didn't I answer? I answered everything you asked.

You objected to SSM because you said it was an attempt to make homosexual relationships "normal". What do you mean by "normal"?

I said I objected to the coercive methods of using "newspeak". Normal is defined by the dictionary as posted above.

No one is coercing anyone into anything. Just because you feel offended, or don't like something, that doesn't mean it is coercive. If I have been married for 25 years to the same woman, do I have a right to object to people calling something "marriage" when they are on their third divorce?

Newspeak is a form of coercion.

If I think that marriage means one man, and one woman, for life, does that mean that these serial divorcers are trying to coerce me into thinking that what they do is "normal"?

No.

You really can't even logically defend your position, other than to say you don't like it. And that's fine. Except we, thankfully, don't have to live in a society where only Smokey gets to make the rules.

Of course I logically defended my position, you just don't understand it. I don't expect society to follow my rules but I do expect society to let me think the way I choose to think without labeling me a bigot or whatever derogatory terms they can think of if I don't fall in line with their way of thinking.

[Haberdasher]

What question didn't I answer? I answered everything you asked.



I said I objected to the coercive methods of using "newspeak". Normal is defined by the dictionary as posted above.

As I stated above, their are several definitions of the word "normal" in the dictionary. Which one do you mean?

[Smokey 1]

As I stated above, their are several definitions of the word "normal" in the dictionary. Which one do you mean?

usual; regular; common; typical: the normal way of doing it

There, happy now?

See, this is what I am talking about. You won't let me alone because I don't see things like you do. Too freaking bad.

[octoburn]

Two people in love who want to share their life together and possibly raise a family. What's more normal than that?

Smokey doesn't see it as "normal" because he has already admitted that is not the reason that he got married. To see it as you do would mean that his marriage is not "normal" even as he judges other marriages as not being "normal."

[bmore_ken]

Smokey doesn't see it as "normal" because he has already admitted that is not the reason that he got married. To see it as you do would mean that his marriage is not "normal" even as he judges other marriages as not being "normal."

I must have missed it. Exactly what was his marriage about?

[durango46]

durango--

Where did Haberdasher say same-sex was the norm? He didn't. Maybe you should pay attention to what he actually said.

here comes the calvary to the rescue