DISQUS

Re: Freedom of speech Jeremy, thank you for making that distinction. Don Imus fell victim to something each of us are vulnerable to. Our bosses can get rid of us if we screw up. If I work for an advertising agency and I put something out that embarrasses the biggest account we have, hell yes, I'm going to get fired. He pushed the envelope and it finally tore. That's business in America. If he wants to go stand on a tree stump and say whatever he wants, the government is not supposed to interfere (they can make him get a permit, I guess). But they cannot interfere with a sponsor's decision to fire someone who they think is going to cost them money because of his own actions.

Old Man Speaketh, you make a good point. If a Black comedian calls the women in his audience "nappy-headed hoes", he gets laughs because he's a "brother" to them. It's affectionate in a way. I doubt that Imus, an old conservative White dude, has a lot of "sisters" listening to him every day. And that's the difference between teasing and ridiculing.

Re: Freedom of speech Jeremy, thank you for making that distinction. Don Imus fell victim to something each of us are vulnerable to. Our bosses can get rid of us if we screw up. If I work for an advertising agency and I put something out that embarrasses the biggest account we have, hell yes, I'm going to get fired. He pushed the envelope and it finally tore. That's business in America. If he wants to go stand on a tree stump and say whatever he wants, the government is not supposed to interfere (they can make him get a permit, I guess). But they cannot interfere with a sponsor's decision to fire someone who they think is going to cost them money because of his own actions.

Old Man Speaketh, you make a good point. If a Black comedian calls the women in his audience "nappy-headed hoes", he gets laughs because he's a "brother" to them. It's affectionate in a way. I doubt that Imus, an old conservative White dude, has a lot of "sisters" listening to him every day. And that's the difference between teasing and ridiculing.

One of the things I loved about Pope John was the mutual affection between him and young people, from his early days before priesthood until his death. Everywhere he went, teenagers and young adults would line the streets and fill the stadiums to hear his gentle and hopeful, but firm, teaching.

One of the things I loved about Pope John was the mutual affection between him and young people, from his early days before priesthood until his death. Everywhere he went, teenagers and young adults would line the streets and fill the stadiums to hear his gentle and hopeful, but firm, teaching.

Grant, I don't see any place in that post he linked to where Randy blames himself for the attack or excuses his attackers. Quite to the contrary, he describes the attack as unprovoked, tells how the police basically ignored it, and calls the attackers liars. What I hear Randy saying is that what happened to him does not belong in a special category, that is, a crime against someone for being gay is not worse than a crime against someone who has money and someone else will beat them for it.

And, by the way, I apologize in advance if you are a friend of Randy's and/or you truly care for him, but isn't that a bit of baiting to challenge him to name the people responsible for attacking him then? The police ignored it, and it happened in 1988. You seriously want him to name people who attacked him nearly 20 years ago? Now, you know you really don't expect that, so what was the purpose of that?

That was so touching to see that boy running to jump into Dad's arms, his little face crumpling as he ran. How cool. Thanks for posting that.

Grant, I don't see any place in that post he linked to where Randy blames himself for the attack or excuses his attackers. Quite to the contrary, he describes the attack as unprovoked, tells how the police basically ignored it, and calls the attackers liars. What I hear Randy saying is that what happened to him does not belong in a special category, that is, a crime against someone for being gay is not worse than a crime against someone who has money and someone else will beat them for it.
And, by the way, I apologize in advance if you are a friend of Randy's and/or you truly care for him, but isn't that a bit of baiting to challenge him to name the people responsible for attacking him then? The police ignored it, and it happened in 1988. You seriously want him to name people who attacked him nearly 20 years ago? Now, you know you really don't expect that, so what was the purpose of that?

This is more of what we're seeing with Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, attempting to cast the nets and pull in fish from that fringe area, where the Christians are Christians by default (not Jews or Muslims) and don't have a clue as to what it would mean to genuinely be one. They are the Christians who, as Mike indicated, abhor conflict and will do or say nearly anything to avoid being called judgemental or being perceived as hypocritical. It's a remarkable phenomenon, this self-hatred many Christians have, but they're ripe for picking. Apologies for mixing my metaphors. :)

This is more of what we're seeing with Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, attempting to cast the nets and pull in fish from that fringe area, where the Christians are Christians by default (not Jews or Muslims) and don't have a clue as to what it would mean to genuinely be one. They are the Christians who, as Mike indicated, abhor conflict and will do or say nearly anything to avoid being called judgemental or being perceived as hypocritical. It's a remarkable phenomenon, this self-hatred many Christians have, but they're ripe for picking. Apologies for mixing my metaphors. :)

Yeah, good advice for everyone else to stay civil, right now he's the one that has to answer for his inappropriate response, no sense in giving him ammunition.
I am having trouble believing that a professional would write something that crude and confrontational, much less in response to calm, thoughtful objection.
Something about "true colors" comes to mind here, you know?
Keep us posted, Randy.

Wow. All I have to say is that Alan Chambers has one cool banner over there at his blog.

Yeah, good advice for everyone else to stay civil, right now he's the one that has to answer for his inappropriate response, no sense in giving him ammunition.

I am having trouble believing that a professional would write something that crude and confrontational, much less in response to calm, thoughtful objection.

Something about "true colors" comes to mind here, you know?

Keep us posted, Randy.

The only thing I've heard about Brazil was a couple of years ago when two evangelical preachers were arrested for hate crimes when they passed out Christian tracts at some festival that most likely did not have many Christians at it. They finally won in court, I think, but two years is a lot of time. Their hate crime laws may have evolved into any talk anywhere against a class defined as "protected" by the law.

Well, don't hold your breath on that whole "honor(ing) women who determine they want to express their sexuality according to a Biblical sexual ethic" thing. Take it from an old feminist who had to put up with bullying for years for having a pro-life view. But they never turned down a check while lecturing me.

Mike E. said it pretty well in the last couple of paragraphs about people having served their time and paid their debt. I have to say even having sex offenders' addresses online makes me cringe.

My gut instinct is to say that the Wisconsin sponsors of that bill are playing politics with an emotional issue and people who've paid their debt should not be targeted for harassment.

A different license plate could affect a person's chances of getting a job, staying with a church, and could isolate them, which I imagine would exacerbate the disease.

However, studies appear to show a high rate of recidivism among pedophiles. So this makes me doubt my initial revulsion at having sex offenders identified.

I don't know what the answer is, but assigning a different-colored license plate is not the answer. And applying the law to all levels of sex offenders is absolutely crazy. For the same reason that I am against the death penalty -- because our justice system is not perfect -- I am against an across-the-board assignment.

This is a really difficult subject, and I hope that people won't allow politicans to manipulate them into supporting the wrong decision.

Bob, I'm praying for you.

Mike E. said it pretty well in the last couple of paragraphs about people having served their time and paid their debt. I have to say even having sex offenders' addresses online makes me cringe.
My gut instinct is to say that the Wisconsin sponsors of that bill are playing politics with an emotional issue and people who've paid their debt should not be targeted for harassment.
A different license plate could affect a person's chances of getting a job, staying with a church, and could isolate them, which I imagine would exacerbate the disease.
However, studies appear to show a high rate of recidivism among pedophiles. So this makes me doubt my initial revulsion at having sex offenders identified.
I don't know what the answer is, but assigning a different-colored license plate is not the answer. And applying the law to all levels of sex offenders is absolutely crazy. For the same reason that I am against the death penalty -- because our justice system is not perfect -- I am against an across-the-board assignment.
This is a really difficult subject, and I hope that people won't allow politicans to manipulate them into supporting the wrong decision.
Bob, I'm praying for you.

I love the new banner. Very underwaterish. Very "burbly".

I love the new banner. Very underwaterish. Very "burbly".

Interesting. I didn't know anything about this trend happening among teenage girls, although I have heard about some instances where some boys have run websites that trashed the girls at their schools. So my mind jumped immediately to some of the "adult" bloggers and commenters that are so nasty.

Thanks for the video. I'd like to reblog it too.

Sorry to rat you out like that, Susan!

Interesting post, Randy.

I'm not sure whether it's the Boomer personality affecting the candidates, or if it's the fact that Boomer voters grew up hand in hand with the media. No generation before the Boomers has been exposed to such messaging, telling them what to wear, what to watch, what's acceptable, how to feel...Because we're such a large generation, the GenY-ers running for President in a decade or so will still have to pander to us.

Since Boomers will pretty much rule until about 2020, and most of the Supreme Court judges will go to something like 2025, they will not only lead at a dangerous time, but they will be around to deal with the aftermath.

I'll have to get that book. Thanks for sharing.

not getting the whole Susan as Maureen thing

I didn't make any cracks about your stats. I'm innocent.

That's the way it should be, Kevin. If I move into a neighborhood, it shouldn't be to remodel the neighborhood to my specs (unless you're closing down crack houses). You're right. All neighborhoods change with time, and the overlapping of cultures and experiences through that time can make a neighborhood truly rich for its residents.

I've never been to the Castro, but you've made it sound like a wonderful neighborhood.

Yes, I do, Randy. It has saved many a day (and perhaps a life or two in the merge lane at rush hour). :)

Yes, if only she would use her powers for good instead of evil. :)

I agree with you. I respect people who say the hard things, but she often says the cheap things.