Disqus - Latest Comments for MaryHunton

Re: Debbie Downer and People of Walmart

Mary Hunton — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:57:46 -0000

Oh no! You were unfriended?! That's it--this is serious business.

Re: Owning your image

Mary Hunton — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:00:43 -0000

Actually, I mentioned that (and referred to the contracts by their technical term: "model releases."). The article wasn't to address how such a situation could be AVOIDED, seeing as, as you have pointed out, it is clearly possible to avoid a lawsuit with an appropriate model release. Instead, I want to ask, is it necessary to have a model release? If a model has been paid for her work posing for the pictures, what gives her any claim on the photographs themselves once the shutter has been snapped? Once the images have been printed? Once the prints sold?

Re: How Cool is the ASUN Bookstore?

Mary Hunton — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:14:52 -0000

This guy's ridiculous expression and unnatural pose didn't make me nearly as happy as the fact that this was tagged with "popped collar."

Re: Morality and Liberty

Mary Hunton — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:33:46 -0000

I guess you could say it is I am not imposing my belief to the origin of life on other people. Serial killers and mass murderers are killing beings that no one can deny are people. A fully developed human being is one thing, a fetus is quite another. Whereas I DO view a fetus as life, not everyone does. This goes back to your Analog Dilemma: who is right and who is wrong? Am I right in that life begins at conception or is someone else right that life begins at the very moment the umbilical cord is cut? I believe I'm right, as you stated I would in your Analog Dilemma. At the same time, however, they believe they're right, too. Who am I to say they aren't and vice versa? I can't change the way people think.

That is one reason I told you I liked your Blatant Falsehood Analog Dilemma so much: it made me think more. The reason abortion is such a big deal isn't only because of the "killing" involved (depending upon which side of the fence you sit on), but because of the question: when does a "fetus" become a"person." Should we allow people to believe blatant falsehoods when, no matter what we say or do, we cannot change the way they think? If everyone in the world agreed that the moment sperm met egg, the being conceived was a person with rights then there would be absolutely no question as to whether or not abortion was killing. However, that is not the case, and there are just as many people who believe that as who do not. Do those who are pro-life have the right to force those who are pro-choice into their manner of thinking by making abortion illegal? I don't believe they do.

Re: Morality and Liberty

Mary Hunton — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:51:41 -0000

I see what you mean, and I would have to agree with you that the link between morality and religion is overemphasized, but the fact remains that it is still there. I would also have to agree with you that one does not need religion to be moral and same vice versa. Perhaps I overused my reference to religion in my article. However, that does not necessarily undermine what I'm trying to get across. Morals (with or without religion) should not always come into the picture when considering the wider, political scope.

My stance on abortion is simply the way I've always felt about it. Though I do consider a fetus a life, and do consider abortion the killing of said life, I am very aware that not everyone views life in the same way I do. Regardless to whether or not abortion is legal, women are going to have it done. I don't have to like the idea of it to believe that people should still have the right to do it.

(Pardon the rather short and perhaps a tad incoherent response. It's been a long couple of days).

Re: Response to Analog Dilemma: Animal Rights

Mary Hunton — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:46:32 -0000

Well, then that may pose a different question. You said "If one intends to keep a dog as a pet, one cannot then slaughter it for food the next day.... Conversely, if one intends to keep a cow for slaughter, then it is justified."

What if the roles were reversed?

If one were to keep a dog for slaughter, with the intention of killing and eating it, would that be considered unethical? I figure we can all agree that if one were to keep a cow as a pet that would be just fine, but what about killing a dog for its meat? You said it earlier--dogs would have different rights than cows, but if it is simply a matter of what we intend to do with the animal that counts, would it be okay for me to buy an English bulldog puppy and raise it toward an imminent death and place on my dinner table?

Re: Harry Reid – WTF?

Mary Hunton — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:19:37 -0000

I think I’m going to decide not to pay my taxes now, since Harry Reed has clearly repeated time and time again that our system is, in fact, voluntary. Who cares if I’m subjected to civil and criminal penalties? Just because I get punished for it doesn’t mean it’s involuntary, obviously. I have a choice!

Looks like we’ve been wrong all along, guys. Thanks, Mr. Reed, for clearing that one up.

Re: Oh, Nevada.

Mary Hunton — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:13:57 -0000

I'm not half as clueless as you might think, John. :)

Re: Oh, Nevada.

Mary Hunton — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:52:44 -0000

The sex-slave trade is completely different from prostitution. Prostitutes, as I've stated before, are willing. No matter what way you look at it, you cannot deny that. In the sex-slave trade the women are completely unwilling, being sold to slavery. You aren't looking at it in respect to individual human rights. The difference between the two is that prostitutes choose it, whereas sex slaves do not. Therein lies the difference, hence the problem.

Isn't your claim much the same in other professions, though? Prostitutes are not the only people in the world with drug addictions who need a job to support their habit. The only reason you seem to have an issue with it is because you abhor the idea of prostitution in general. Many people are pulled into similar situations in other institutions, owing debts to people much worse than their employers. You are assuming that all brothels are run by cold, ruthless individuals who are dragging unwilling women into a trade they did not choose. Though that may be true in some cases, it certainly isn't in all. The world is an ugly place, Jacob K, and there's nothing we can do to completely abolish all the horrible things that happen, but by making things we disapprove of illegal, all we do is turn a blind eye to the evils that will happen regardless. Though you may be reluctant to admit (or believe) it, even if living in the brothels isn’t the most ideal lifestyle, it is certainly safer than performing the very same business on the streets.

I admit that prostitution and teaching are two very polar opposite positions to be in, but I can’t help but argue with you on one point. You make it out that all prostitutes are subjected to things that, quite frankly, they are not. Prostitutes are required to be tested for STIs, and condom use is absolutely required. Though the job is certainly more stressful, it is still a choice.

I find your comparison to murder farfetched and inaccurate. If you murder someone you completely strip them of their most essential right: the right to life. What right is legalizing prostitution taking away? None whatsoever. If a woman chooses to sell her body, it is her decision, therefore her right. Someone doesn't choose to be murdered.

You can stand by your statement about rape all you want, but that won’t make it right. Prostitutes go into the business knowing full well what it entails, just as smokers chose to smoke knowing that it can lead to lung cancer. It is, as I’ve said, by no means the most ideal way to live, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be legal, and it certainly isn't rape. I also stand by marijuana being legalized, but that doesn’t mean that I think spending all of your money on pot is a good idea.

Either way, you seem to be missing my point. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I don’t believe there is anything wrong if a woman chooses to sell her body. It is her property, and she can do with it what she wants. If that means the conditions that prostitutes work under need to be improved so be it, but completely illegalizing it would be a greater crime.

Simply answer this for me: what in the WORLD would making prostitution illegal actually solve?

Re: Oh, Nevada.

Mary Hunton — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:15:56 -0000

Actually, Prostitution is only legal in counties in Nevada with a population of 400,000 or less, which means Clark county (the county that Las Vegas is in) does not condone legal prostitution, and Washoe county made prostitution illegal under municipal law. I also didn't say that every single case of prostitution in Nevada is legal. There are illegal sex trades everywhere, to be sure, and not every prostitute goes through a brothel. My statements were more directed at those that did.

And you stated that "legal" prostitutes are not necessarily willing, but in order to be legal whatsoever they must be in brothels. Pimping is illegal, point blank, so if a prostitute is in debt to a pimp she is clearly not legal, which makes that argument blatantly incorrect. The way payment works in a brothel is different than "pimping," and a portion of the prostitutes earning goes to the house. She is considered an independent contractor, and can quit any time she wants to.

By no means am I saying that all prostitutes enjoy it. No one always likes their job, and half the time people fall into a profession that they would never want to do. This happens a lot for teachers--many teachers are only such because their original plans backfired and they had to rely on a fall back plan. I mean, really, who would want to teach for a living when you're underpaid and disrespected?

Mostly what I'm saying is that I respect Nevada's decision that a woman's body is hers to do with what she will. Most of the arguments against prostitution are moral, and I don't think this is really a question of morality. Regardless, let's look at it this way: we are never going to get rid of prostitution. It's the world's oldest profession and I have a feeling it's also going to be the world's longest-lived. Prohibition certainly didn't work, why do we expect keeping prostitution illegal to do the same?

EDIT: Also, you claimed that "Prostitution is rape in exchange for money." Prostitutes are willing, and as far as I know the definition of "rape" is non-consentual sex. Prostitutes are willing, because, to them, it is exactly what it is: a profession.

Re: Oh, Nevada.

Mary Hunton — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:39:24 -0000

Wow, really? From what I saw of Nashville I wouldn't have guessed that at all. There is a church on every other corner!

Re: Oh, Nevada.

Mary Hunton — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:04:46 -0000

I actually googled the lyrics to this song before I posted this blog and considered trying to weasel in some of the words, but I decided that was waaay too much trouble.

Re: Just what the heck am I?

Mary Hunton — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:44:16 -0000

I kinda have to agree with John on this one... I think the mustache just kills your ratings.

Re: Just what the heck am I?

Mary Hunton — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:26:34 -0000

Yeah, I know. Last time I was in Elko he was actually talking about how he LIKES Libertarians, because they have the right idea. It's about time he just accepts it.

Re: Just what the heck am I?

Mary Hunton — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:25:34 -0000

Thanks, Travis! I'm not sure about every few DAYS... We'll see what I can do!

Re: Just what the heck am I?

Mary Hunton — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:19:04 -0000

Actually, all things considered, my dad IS a Libertarian, he's just too proud of being Republican to admit to it.

But yes. Elko is a very conservative city.

Re: New Website!

Mary Hunton — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:13:46 -0000

Hah! Just because my skin is the color of a lobster doesn't mean I can't hunt you down!

Re: New Website!

Mary Hunton — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:02:45 -0000

Done!
Be gentle!

Re: New Website!

Mary Hunton — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:46:04 -0000

I just did, haha!
I won't lie, though. I'm a little nervous about posting something.

Re: New Website!

Mary Hunton — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:04:35 -0000

I think the new layout looks great! But I have one suggestion.

On the last site there was a list on the side of the authors. I really liked it because I liked being able to see who all was able to post.

We don't /need/ it, but I did like having it there.

Re: A Gun Social: Success!

Mary Hunton — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:00:21 -0000

Well, I DO have the entire first season on DVD now... (though I'm almost certain someone else has that and more!)

Re: 2008-2009 Club of the Year.

Mary Hunton — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:25:45 -0000

Let's face it: we're pretty much the most badass club on campus. They finally saw the light!

Re: UNR Students for Liberty Webpage Redesign

Mary Hunton — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:33:30 -0000

It looks great, Travis! I like the typeface for the first example you gave: it's longer, so the letters look less clustered, which is good. It reads smoother. I also think there should be a dividing line between the articles: we don't want everything to look like one big entry. I think the sidebar looks a lot more organized in your templates, too, but I think there should definitely be a dividing line between it and the entries.

Re: A Gun Social: Success!

Mary Hunton — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:22:38 -0000

Heck yes! Look at that phenomenal shooting! And I have season one of 24 to show for it!

Re: Police Report: UNR Students for Liberty are domestic terrorists

Mary Hunton — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:14:32 -0000

You know, you're RIGHT.

The UNR student government is full of a bunch of anti-American militants! I knew there was something fishy about them...