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<rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Disqus - Latest Comments for Brian</title><link>http://disqus.com/people/fcdb67596b703301c2651d1b89440445/</link><description></description><language>en</language><lastBuildDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:23:04 -0000</lastBuildDate><item><title>Re: Florida Marriage Amendment In Trouble</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/florida_marriage_amendment_in_trouble/#comment-1389733</link><description>What happened to the 30,000 that were thrown out?  Why were they thrown out?</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:46:26 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Median Income for Gay Identified Households</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/median_income_for_gay_identified_households/#comment-1389698</link><description>Interesting statistics.  Since you cited the average income for gay singles, do you have the average income for white singles? black singles, asian singles, hispanic singles?  I'd like to compare apples-to-apples (or as close as we can get).&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I also wonder how locations affects these numbers.  Are gay-identified singles and couples more likely to live in urban areas where acceptance tends to be higher?  If so, does higher cost of living contribute to higher salaries?  If gay individuals and couples moved away from lower cost-of-living areas, this could be why there aren't as many low-end salaries to balance out the median.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Regardless, Pat Robertson and other Christian heavy-hitters deserve the same rights and respect as the inner city Jewish family or the newly widowed atheist who has to take a low-paying job.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:09:16 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Florida Marriage Amendment In Trouble</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/florida_marriage_amendment_in_trouble/#comment-10169323</link><description>What happened to the 30,000 that were thrown out?  Why were they thrown out?</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:46:26 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Median Income for Gay Identified Households</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/median_income_for_gay_identified_households_30/#comment-10169291</link><description>Interesting statistics.  Since you cited the average income for gay singles, do you have the average income for white singles? black singles, asian singles, hispanic singles?  I'd like to compare apples-to-apples (or as close as we can get).&lt;br&gt;I also wonder how locations affects these numbers.  Are gay-identified singles and couples more likely to live in urban areas where acceptance tends to be higher?  If so, does higher cost of living contribute to higher salaries?  If gay individuals and couples moved away from lower cost-of-living areas, this could be why there aren't as many low-end salaries to balance out the median.&lt;br&gt;Regardless, Pat Robertson and other Christian heavy-hitters deserve the same rights and respect as the inner city Jewish family or the newly widowed atheist who has to take a low-paying job.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:09:16 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: The Three Criteria for Protected Class Status in Civil Rights</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/the_three_criteria_for_protected_class_status_in_civil_rights/#comment-1389779</link><description>From my understanding, the proposed legislation (Employment Non-Discrimination and amending existing hate crimes statutes) seeks to cover sexual orientation, regardless of what "community" one identifies with.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Randy, When you say "I know for a fact personally that it isn’t immutable" what do you mean by "it"?  Do you mean being gay-identified or do you mean sexual orientation (attractions to men)?</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:46:20 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Boy George Isn&amp;#8217;t a Boy Anymore</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/boy_george_isn8217t_a_boy_anymore/#comment-1389752</link><description>I'm not sure if Boy George's ambivalence about marriage means anything more than Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's reticence to wed.  Or Paris Hilton's wild romps.  Or Rudy Giuliani's multiple marriages.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Sexual orientation is just one part of human diversity and one person does not--or should not--represent all others who happen to share one characteristic.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thankfully my parents aren't living the same alcohol, sex, and party obsessed "straight lifestyle" you see splashed across the tabloids these days; rather, they are two committed straight Christians building a life and a family together.  And providing a model for me and my sister to follow at the same time!</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:55:22 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: The Three Criteria for Protected Class Status in Civil Rights</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/the_three_criteria_for_protected_class_status_in_civil_rights/#comment-1389788</link><description>Randy, When you say found your "attractions changed and [your] identity completely transformed" does that mean you no longer have attractions towards men and you now have attractions towards women.  I remember reading that Alan still feels attraction to men--not sure what your personal story is.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:34:23 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: The Three Criteria for Protected Class Status in Civil Rights</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/the_three_criteria_for_protected_class_status_in_civil_rights_87/#comment-10169372</link><description>From my understanding, the proposed legislation (Employment Non-Discrimination and amending existing hate crimes statutes) seeks to cover sexual orientation, regardless of what "community" one identifies with.&lt;br&gt;Randy, When you say "I know for a fact personally that it isn&amp;#226;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;t immutable" what do you mean by "it"?  Do you mean being gay-identified or do you mean sexual orientation (attractions to men)?</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:46:20 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Boy George Isn’t a Boy Anymore</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/boy_george_isnt_a_boy_anymore/#comment-10169349</link><description>I'm not sure if Boy George's ambivalence about marriage means anything more than Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's reticence to wed.  Or Paris Hilton's wild romps.  Or Rudy Giuliani's multiple marriages.&lt;br&gt;Sexual orientation is just one part of human diversity and one person does not--or should not--represent all others who happen to share one characteristic.&lt;br&gt;Thankfully my parents aren't living the same alcohol, sex, and party obsessed "straight lifestyle" you see splashed across the tabloids these days; rather, they are two committed straight Christians building a life and a family together.  And providing a model for me and my sister to follow at the same time!</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:55:22 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: The Three Criteria for Protected Class Status in Civil Rights</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/the_three_criteria_for_protected_class_status_in_civil_rights_87/#comment-10169378</link><description>Randy, When you say found your "attractions changed and [your] identity completely transformed" does that mean you no longer have attractions towards men and you now have attractions towards women.  I remember reading that Alan still feels attraction to men--not sure what your personal story is.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:34:23 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Florida Victim of Anti-Gay Beating Appears in Online Video</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/florida_victim_of_anti_gay_beating_appears_in_online_video/#comment-1390276</link><description>I don't think it is that the Mayor is daring to enforce the law so much as he is suggesting that gay men need automated locks to prevent them from having public sex (there is of course, no data to back up this assertion--or even the assertion that public sex in portable toilets is occurring).  And that the Mayor "erroneously [stated] that gay men represent the demographic with the highest incidence of new HIV infections."&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The problem it seems isn't so much with enforcing law but with the mayor making erroneous and inflammatory statements.  He of course is not advocating violence against gay people but after perpetrating such outlandish myths, misinformations, and smears, we can hardly be surprised when individuals take action on their own. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Especially when there are pastors such as Ken Hutcherson stating "If I was in a drugstore and some [gay or effeminate] guy opened the door for me, I'd rip his arm off and beat him with the wet end."</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:01:44 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Florida Victim of Anti-Gay Beating Appears in Online Video</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/florida_victim_of_anti_gay_beating_appears_in_online_video/#comment-10169736</link><description>I don't think it is that the Mayor is daring to enforce the law so much as he is suggesting that gay men need automated locks to prevent them from having public sex (there is of course, no data to back up this assertion--or even the assertion that public sex in portable toilets is occurring).  And that the Mayor "erroneously [stated] that gay men represent the demographic with the highest incidence of new HIV infections."&lt;br&gt;The problem it seems isn't so much with enforcing law but with the mayor making erroneous and inflammatory statements.  He of course is not advocating violence against gay people but after perpetrating such outlandish myths, misinformations, and smears, we can hardly be surprised when individuals take action on their own.&lt;br&gt;Especially when there are pastors such as Ken Hutcherson stating "If I was in a drugstore and some [gay or effeminate] guy opened the door for me, I'd rip his arm off and beat him with the wet end."</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:01:44 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Threaded Comments</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/threaded_comments/#comment-1390319</link><description>I know I can count on God, death, taxes, and Randy changing his blog;)  It's a great addition!  Subtle, yet effective.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:36:10 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: I wasn&amp;#8217;t kidding &amp;#8230;</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/i_wasn8217t_kidding_8230/#comment-1390301</link><description>Priceless!</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:39:28 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Revolution in Iran</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/revolution_in_iran/#comment-1390259</link><description>I agree with Randy, you really do have a way with words.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:50:14 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Threaded Comments</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/threaded_comments/#comment-1390321</link><description>I fully support!  And I hadn't even thought about the benefit of opening up the comment thread to multiple, simultaneous conversations, I'm sure that will come in handy.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:29:05 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: I wasn&amp;#8217;t kidding &amp;#8230;</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/i_wasn8217t_kidding_8230_38/#comment-10169767</link><description>Priceless!</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:39:28 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Revolution in Iran</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/revolution_in_iran/#comment-10169724</link><description>I agree with Randy, you really do have a way with words.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:50:14 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: No Drag Racing?</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/no_drag_racing/#comment-1391541</link><description>I hope none of these women have AIS.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:56:22 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: No Drag Racing?</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/no_drag_racing/#comment-10170931</link><description>I hope none of these women have AIS.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:56:22 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: CDC Underestimates US HIV Cases by 40%</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/cdc_underestimates_us_hiv_cases_by_40/#comment-1391673</link><description>I wonder the same thing myself and I'm not sure I've come up with answer yet.  The tension between the need for personal responsibility and for systematic support is tough.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;On one hand, it seems so easy to just  "keep our pants on;" on the other hand, years, decades, and sometimes centuries of tradition bear down upon us.  I'm not certain we can easily dismiss the effects of racism, sexism, homophobia, and sexual repression when dealing with issues.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Yes, black fathers should not abandon their families, but slave owners forced that model for centuries.  &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Yes, children should graduate college and get a job, but often times impoverished children have never seen that model, nor been told that financial independence is something they can dream for.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Yes, gay men should take their relationships and sex lives seriously, but they've been told that they are incapable of commitment, a prevision, and disgusting and so sadly, some act accordingly.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;What is encouraging is that when we identify the systems that bear down upon us and make an effort as a society to address them, we can empower individuals to take personal responsibility upon themselves.  I'm not exactly sure how government programs and personal responsibility interact but my mom used to be a social worker in Maryland and I saw the positive impact those programs had on the lives of young women and abused children and so I think that there is a way for us to help those who feel helpless.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:27:19 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: War Over Words in Proposition 8</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/war_over_words_in_proposition_8/#comment-1391546</link><description>I'm concerned that the article from the FRC is factually inaccurate&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;Perhaps the most infuriating part of the new language is that it suggests homosexuals will somehow be deprived of a “right” to marry that does not exist (except in the minds of four activist judges).&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The FRC may not like the Court's decision and they may be upset that gay couples now have a right to marriage, but they cannot truthfully state that it does not exist.  The Supreme Court of California is charged with interpreting the state constitution.  They found that barring gay couples from marriage is unconstitutional.  That is now precedent and law of the land.  It is no more "in the minds of judges" then the right to an integrated education. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thus, the proposed amendment &lt;i&gt;will&lt;/i&gt; in fact remove a right that currently exists.  In California, same-sex couples have a legal &lt;b&gt;right&lt;/b&gt; to civil marriage.  The FRC may not like it, they may want it removed, but it exists.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I'm disappointed by this act of dishonesty :(</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:35:47 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: CDC Underestimates US HIV Cases by 40%</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/cdc_underestimates_us_hiv_cases_by_40/#comment-10170986</link><description>I wonder the same thing myself and I'm not sure I've come up with answer yet.  The tension between the need for personal responsibility and for systematic support is tough.&lt;br&gt;On one hand, it seems so easy to just  "keep our pants on;" on the other hand, years, decades, and sometimes centuries of tradition bear down upon us.  I'm not certain we can easily dismiss the effects of racism, sexism, homophobia, and sexual repression when dealing with issues.&lt;br&gt;Yes, black fathers should not abandon their families, but slave owners forced that model for centuries.&lt;br&gt;Yes, children should graduate college and get a job, but often times impoverished children have never seen that model, nor been told that financial independence is something they can dream for.&lt;br&gt;Yes, gay men should take their relationships and sex lives seriously, but they've been told that they are incapable of commitment, a prevision, and disgusting and so sadly, some act accordingly.&lt;br&gt;What is encouraging is that when we identify the systems that bear down upon us and make an effort as a society to address them, we can empower individuals to take personal responsibility upon themselves.  I'm not exactly sure how government programs and personal responsibility interact but my mom used to be a social worker in Maryland and I saw the positive impact those programs had on the lives of young women and abused children and so I think that there is a way for us to help those who feel helpless.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:27:19 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: War Over Words in Proposition 8</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/war_over_words_in_proposition_8/#comment-10170935</link><description>I'm concerned that the article from the FRC is factually inaccurate&lt;br&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;Perhaps the most infuriating part of the new language is that it suggests homosexuals will somehow be deprived of a &amp;#226;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;right&amp;#226;&amp;#128;&amp;#157; to marry that does not exist (except in the minds of four activist judges).&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;br&gt;The FRC may not like the Court's decision and they may be upset that gay couples now have a right to marriage, but they cannot truthfully state that it does not exist.  The Supreme Court of California is charged with interpreting the state constitution.  They found that barring gay couples from marriage is unconstitutional.  That is now precedent and law of the land.  It is no more "in the minds of judges" then the right to an integrated education.&lt;br&gt;Thus, the proposed amendment &lt;i&gt;will&lt;/i&gt; in fact remove a right that currently exists.  In California, same-sex couples have a legal &lt;b&gt;right&lt;/b&gt; to civil marriage.  The FRC may not like it, they may want it removed, but it exists.&lt;br&gt;I'm disappointed by this act of dishonesty :(</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:35:47 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: CDC Underestimates US HIV Cases by 40%</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/cdc_underestimates_us_hiv_cases_by_40/#comment-1391674</link><description>&lt;a href="#comment-13279" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Randy&lt;/a&gt; - &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I think we're saying the same thing.  We see need for personal responsibility but we also see a need for outside help.  Sometimes that help comes in the form of local 12-step programs.  Sometimes the problem is prevalent on such a large scale that small, local organizations cannot adequately address it.  Sometimes governments are uniquely suited to address problems, epidemics are one of those times.  We ask the government to help us deal with smallpox, avian flu, and a host of other diseases.  We even help nations in Africa deal with HIV.  The government can help Americans stave off HIV.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;We could simply say "don't commit crimes" but the government gives organizations such as Breakpoint funding to help convicts become ex-cons and tries to provide secular options as well.  Do I think it is solely the government's responsibility to stop individuals from committing crimes?  Of course not, but they can help.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Do I think it is the sole responsibility of the CDC to eradicate HIV?  Of course not.  But the government can help people of all stripes--gay men, Hispanic women, elderly singles--stay safe.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href="#comment-13272" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Ellie&lt;/a&gt; - &lt;br&gt;I see where you're coming from but I'm not sure it's exactly the same.  Your friend is fully aware of the risks but she's choosing to ignore them and is fully conscious of her decision-making.  I agree, there are some young people brazen enough to say of HIV "even if I get it, there will be a cure by the time it's a problem."  However, it's not always the case.  There are some straight couples that think HIV is a gay disease.  There are others that only think to worry about pregnancy and not STDs.   There are gay men trying desperately to be suppress their same-sex attractions who loose control of their bottled emotions and engage in unsafe activities.  There are still other gay men who seek out risky behavior as a form of self-punishment for their supposedly perverse and sinful attractions.  There are straight men oversees who have been told that having sex with a virgin will cure them of HIV.  There are boyfriends of ex-girlfriends of drug users.  There's a whole host of times in which personal responsibility, while necessary, must be supported by social action.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href="#comment-13273" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Greg P.&lt;/a&gt; -&lt;br&gt;I'm intrigued by your reflection that some young gay men think &lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;“I’m going to die [with HIV] anyway, I might as well do all I can before I’m gone”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I agree that happens sometimes.  People may also think, perhaps subconsciously, "I can't ever hold down a relationship, why try," "My parents don't love me, how could anyone." &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;As a Christian, I feel called to counter these destructive messages.  "HIV is not synonymous with homosexuality."  "Look around at the endless happy, stable, and productive gay couples around the world."  "God loves you more than any human ever could."  These are the messages I hope other Christians are shouting loudly at every oppurtunity.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The government can also help.  During health education classes. teachers can emphasize that STDs are not inherent in being gay but are the cause of personal decisions.  Unfortunately, some Christian groups advocate against addressing homosexuality in classrooms.  Do gay men think they way you've described because we've taught them to think that way?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;How many young people have that thought you because a teacher never said "No, you're not!"?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt; &lt;a href="#comment-13279" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Randy&lt;/a&gt; - &lt;br&gt;How's that for starting a dialouge? ;)</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:57:58 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: CDC Underestimates US HIV Cases by 40%</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/cdc_underestimates_us_hiv_cases_by_40/#comment-10170988</link><description>&lt;a href="#comment-13279" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Randy&lt;/a&gt; -&lt;br&gt;I think we're saying the same thing.  We see need for personal responsibility but we also see a need for outside help.  Sometimes that help comes in the form of local 12-step programs.  Sometimes the problem is prevalent on such a large scale that small, local organizations cannot adequately address it.  Sometimes governments are uniquely suited to address problems, epidemics are one of those times.  We ask the government to help us deal with smallpox, avian flu, and a host of other diseases.  We even help nations in Africa deal with HIV.  The government can help Americans stave off HIV.&lt;br&gt;We could simply say "don't commit crimes" but the government gives organizations such as Breakpoint funding to help convicts become ex-cons and tries to provide secular options as well.  Do I think it is solely the government's responsibility to stop individuals from committing crimes?  Of course not, but they can help.&lt;br&gt;Do I think it is the sole responsibility of the CDC to eradicate HIV?  Of course not.  But the government can help people of all stripes--gay men, Hispanic women, elderly singles--stay safe.&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href="#comment-13272" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Ellie&lt;/a&gt; -&lt;br&gt;I see where you're coming from but I'm not sure it's exactly the same.  Your friend is fully aware of the risks but she's choosing to ignore them and is fully conscious of her decision-making.  I agree, there are some young people brazen enough to say of HIV "even if I get it, there will be a cure by the time it's a problem."  However, it's not always the case.  There are some straight couples that think HIV is a gay disease.  There are others that only think to worry about pregnancy and not STDs.   There are gay men trying desperately to be suppress their same-sex attractions who loose control of their bottled emotions and engage in unsafe activities.  There are still other gay men who seek out risky behavior as a form of self-punishment for their supposedly perverse and sinful attractions.  There are straight men oversees who have been told that having sex with a virgin will cure them of HIV.  There are boyfriends of ex-girlfriends of drug users.  There's a whole host of times in which personal responsibility, while necessary, must be supported by social action.&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href="#comment-13273" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Greg P.&lt;/a&gt; -&lt;br&gt;I'm intrigued by your reflection that some young gay men think&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;&amp;#226;&amp;#128;&amp;#156;I&amp;#226;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m going to die [with HIV] anyway, I might as well do all I can before I&amp;#226;&amp;#128;&amp;#153;m gone&amp;#226;&amp;#128;&amp;#157;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br&gt;I agree that happens sometimes.  People may also think, perhaps subconsciously, "I can't ever hold down a relationship, why try," "My parents don't love me, how could anyone."&lt;br&gt;As a Christian, I feel called to counter these destructive messages.  "HIV is not synonymous with homosexuality."  "Look around at the endless happy, stable, and productive gay couples around the world."  "God loves you more than any human ever could."  These are the messages I hope other Christians are shouting loudly at every oppurtunity.&lt;br&gt;The government can also help.  During health education classes. teachers can emphasize that STDs are not inherent in being gay but are the cause of personal decisions.  Unfortunately, some Christian groups advocate against addressing homosexuality in classrooms.  Do gay men think they way you've described because we've taught them to think that way?&lt;br&gt;How many young people have that thought you because a teacher never said "No, you're not!"?&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href="#comment-13279" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Randy&lt;/a&gt; -&lt;br&gt;How's that for starting a dialouge? ;)</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:57:58 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: CDC Underestimates US HIV Cases by 40%</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/cdc_underestimates_us_hiv_cases_by_40/#comment-1391669</link><description>&lt;a href="#comment-13300" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Ellie&lt;/a&gt; - &lt;br&gt;As a male former-teen driver, I'd like to go on record saying I only received one speeding ticket (it was a trap! and I was going with the flow of traffic! they pulled over every single car on the road in both directions, no seriously!) and was never in an accident! In fact, most of my teenage friends were better drivers than our parents.  But I digress...&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I totally get where you're coming from, Ellie.  I used to BRISTLE at AIDS-related fund raisers thinking, "They should have known better, I'd rather spend money helping others."  Though, I'm not questioning that attitude.  As an affluent, white, suburban teen who attended school in Montgomery County, Maryland, I was given comprehensive sex education--which included abstinence.  We did reports on various types of birth control and safer-sex methods, STDs, etc.  &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I then went to the University of Southern California which had multiple LGBT groups and counseling programs.  RAs on every floor have a bucket of candy and condoms.  I was educated and I had access (though, I was also not sexually active but... if I were, I could have protected myself).&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I took a Broadway musical class with my friend Jessica and the professor managed to work a lesson in by one of the Health Center staff (the tie-in was &lt;i&gt;Rent&lt;/i&gt;).  She went to Catholic school and had never been taught about this.  Not condoms, not birth control pills, not different STDs and how you get them, not anything.  Thankfully she wasn't sexually active, but imagine if she!  She's a responsible person too.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Another friend of mine went to Notre Dame, which unlike USC does not distribute condoms.  She told me that many of her (straight) friends ended up having unprotected sex because they weren't planning on it, didn't have access to any, and were taught to keep such things secretive.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;A recent study found that over 90% of Americans 15-44 had premarital sex ... including individuals born in the '40s!  It's not "kids these days" or "those type of people" that are having sex before marriage.  Nearly everyone is.  Should we teach kids to wait to have sex?  Should we teach them how to be responsible with it?  Absolutely.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;But what about Jessica and her school friends, we've sent them into the world without talking about.  What about all of the kids at Notre Dame, we're not talking about it with them either.  What about those in districts were health classes don't include a frank discussion of sex and sexual orientation?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;It is my hope that every child in Americas receives the quality education that I was blessed with but I know it's not the case today.  There are young people in America who have HIV because they were taught to worry about pregnancy and thus went on the pill instead of using a condom.  There are young people in America who were never told that it's OK to be gay and act out in shame and secrecy.  There are young people in America who were simply never taught about HIV, the real risks, how to get it, and how to prevent.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;What do you propose we do with them?</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:13:26 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: CDC Underestimates US HIV Cases by 40%</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/cdc_underestimates_us_hiv_cases_by_40/#comment-10170991</link><description>&lt;a href="#comment-13300" rel="nofollow"&gt;@Ellie&lt;/a&gt; -&lt;br&gt;As a male former-teen driver, I'd like to go on record saying I only received one speeding ticket (it was a trap! and I was going with the flow of traffic! they pulled over every single car on the road in both directions, no seriously!) and was never in an accident! In fact, most of my teenage friends were better drivers than our parents.  But I digress...&lt;br&gt;I totally get where you're coming from, Ellie.  I used to BRISTLE at AIDS-related fund raisers thinking, "They should have known better, I'd rather spend money helping others."  Though, I'm not questioning that attitude.  As an affluent, white, suburban teen who attended school in Montgomery County, Maryland, I was given comprehensive sex education--which included abstinence.  We did reports on various types of birth control and safer-sex methods, STDs, etc.&lt;br&gt;I then went to the University of Southern California which had multiple LGBT groups and counseling programs.  RAs on every floor have a bucket of candy and condoms.  I was educated and I had access (though, I was also not sexually active but... if I were, I could have protected myself).&lt;br&gt;I took a Broadway musical class with my friend Jessica and the professor managed to work a lesson in by one of the Health Center staff (the tie-in was &lt;i&gt;Rent&lt;/i&gt;).  She went to Catholic school and had never been taught about this.  Not condoms, not birth control pills, not different STDs and how you get them, not anything.  Thankfully she wasn't sexually active, but imagine if she!  She's a responsible person too.&lt;br&gt;Another friend of mine went to Notre Dame, which unlike USC does not distribute condoms.  She told me that many of her (straight) friends ended up having unprotected sex because they weren't planning on it, didn't have access to any, and were taught to keep such things secretive.&lt;br&gt;A recent study found that over 90% of Americans 15-44 had premarital sex ... including individuals born in the '40s!  It's not "kids these days" or "those type of people" that are having sex before marriage.  Nearly everyone is.  Should we teach kids to wait to have sex?  Should we teach them how to be responsible with it?  Absolutely.&lt;br&gt;But what about Jessica and her school friends, we've sent them into the world without talking about.  What about all of the kids at Notre Dame, we're not talking about it with them either.  What about those in districts were health classes don't include a frank discussion of sex and sexual orientation?&lt;br&gt;It is my hope that every child in Americas receives the quality education that I was blessed with but I know it's not the case today.  There are young people in America who have HIV because they were taught to worry about pregnancy and thus went on the pill instead of using a condom.  There are young people in America who were never told that it's OK to be gay and act out in shame and secrecy.  There are young people in America who were simply never taught about HIV, the real risks, how to get it, and how to prevent.&lt;br&gt;What do you propose we do with them?</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:13:26 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Attacking People Instead of Principles - Far Left Hate Mongers</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/attacking_people_instead_of_principles_far_left_hate_mongers/#comment-3463410</link><description>Randy, seriously?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;"Here is the one difference I see between the far left and the religious right [...] the far left attacks people personally … the religious right goes after issues."&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;People, across the political and religious spectrum, engage discourse and debate in differing ways.  Jerry Fallwell blamed the attacks of Sept 11 on liberals, feminists and gays (people, not issues).  Jim Wallis speaks exclusively to issues, refusing to endorse candidates.  Someone wrote "bigot" on a car in that picture, I met an young man at CMU recently who very respectfully told me that he believed homosexuality to be sinful.  &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;People are individuals and making blanket generalizations is neither accurate nor productive.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Rather, in making sure I'm on the lookout for specks in my own eye, I gently remind my (straight) college roommate that punching a wall when he sees a Yes On 8 ad is not going to help anything.  I make sure that none of my friends rip out yard signs (even when they've had their own ripped out).  And I look for connection with those who hold differing opinions on marriage equality.  Am I perfect?  Absolutely not.  Thank God  (literally), that Christ has done the hard work of redemption and reconciliation for us!  I feel so blessed with the gift of grace that I look--even during this emotional election--to pass that on to others.  Loving them as I would be loved.  I never want to be lumped into a group and defined by the actions of others.  Dear God, let me never do that to others.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:08:01 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: The Gay Mafia That&amp;#8217;s Redefining Liberal Politics - TIME article</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/the_gay_mafia_that8217s_redefining_liberal_politics_time_article/#comment-3463484</link><description>Something seems terribly lacking in an article focusing on money buying politics (especially when it comes to LGBT issues) that fails to acknowledge the stream of money pouring into Yes On 8 coffers from outside groups.  In our current political system, money does talk ... it talked support for Prop 8 up from a 17% trail.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:13:50 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Attacking People Instead of Principles - Far Left Hate Mongering</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/attacking_people_instead_of_principles_far_left_hate_mongering/#comment-10172452</link><description>Randy, seriously?&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;&lt;br&gt;"Here is the one difference I see between the far left and the religious right [...] the far left attacks people personally &amp;#226;&amp;#128;&amp;#166; the religious right goes after issues."&lt;/br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;&lt;br&gt;People, across the political and religious spectrum, engage discourse and debate in differing ways.  Jerry Fallwell blamed the attacks of Sept 11 on liberals, feminists and gays (people, not issues).  Jim Wallis speaks exclusively to issues, refusing to endorse candidates.  Someone wrote "bigot" on a car in that picture, I met an young man at CMU recently who very respectfully told me that he believed homosexuality to be sinful.  &lt;/br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;&lt;br&gt;People are individuals and making blanket generalizations is neither accurate nor productive.&lt;/br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Rather, in making sure I&amp;#39;m on the lookout for specks in my own eye, I gently remind my (straight) college roommate that punching a wall when he sees a Yes On 8 ad is not going to help anything.  I make sure that none of my friends rip out yard signs (even when they&amp;#39;ve had their own ripped out).  And I look for connection with those who hold differing opinions on marriage equality.  Am I perfect?  Absolutely not.  Thank God  (literally), that Christ has done the hard work of redemption and reconciliation for us!  I feel so blessed with the gift of grace that I look--even during this emotional election--to pass that on to others.  Loving them as I would be loved.  I never want to be lumped into a group and defined by the actions of others.  Dear God, let me never do that to others.&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:08:01 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: The Gay Mafia That&amp;#8217;s Redefining Liberal Politics - TIME article</title><link>http://randythomas.disqus.com/the_gay_mafia_that8217s_redefining_liberal_politics_time_article/#comment-10172436</link><description>Something seems terribly lacking in an article focusing on money buying politics (especially when it comes to LGBT issues) that fails to acknowledge the stream of money pouring into Yes On 8 coffers from outside groups.  In our current political system, money does talk ... it talked support for Prop 8 up from a 17% trail.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:13:50 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: Template for Building a Small Powerful Network</title><link>http://chrisbrogan.disqus.com/template_for_building_a_small_powerful_network/#comment-8530881</link><description>Great post!  I'm new to the Twitter world and in major information gathering mode so this piece was particularly helpful.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:34:48 -0000</pubDate></item><item><title>Re: I Bet Beyonce Didn&amp;#039;t See This Coming</title><link>http://ablogbyrandythomas.disqus.com/i_bet_beyonce_didn039t_see_this_coming/#comment-18000001</link><description>this is hilarious! I appreciate that it's not an interpretation but rather a reinvention.  Really creative!  Thanks for finding and sharing.</description><dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Brian</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:23:04 -0000</pubDate></item></channel></rss>