Disqus - Latest Comments for yourconscience

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:17:31 -0000

The truth hurts, doesn't it, Mr. Racist?

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:09:13 -0000

You're still at it, I can see why you're nervous. I'll let you in on a little secret to which most others here seems to be privy. Your attempts to justify your beliefs by denying that they are racist do not change the meaning of the word. The action committed by this supposed justice of the peace can be described by the definition of the word racist, as we'd discussed previously. Moreover, the definition that will matter in this case will not be your definition, shoehorned such as it is to exclude your position. It will be the legal definition, and your definition is highly unlikely to coincide with the law.

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:14:45 -0000

There is no need for me to be "the one", but the fact is we're talking about words, and the rest of what you're saying has no bearing on the discussion until we've come to an agreement on what the terms mean. Words have one or more meanings.

Now racism is the sticking point for you, and the definition of this word is where we have a disagreement. In this situation, he has determined for himself that children of mixed race have a disadvantage in their cultural or individual achievement. That fits the definition of racism as presented; if it does not, please explain why. Until we've reached a conclusion on this, there is no basis for discussion.

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:50:54 -0000

Good, we can agree that the term discrimination fits. Now racism, if you go back to the definition from which I'm working, does not state that a belief in superiority of a specific race must be present, merely that this is usually the case. If this is your sole discriminant, then you should be comfortable with the rest. The definition does identify a belief in inherent differences amongst races, and there is nothing here to preclude those of mixed race, that determines their achievements. Do you agree that this might be the case?

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:10:37 -0000

My arrogance, I must confess, I learned from the best; you. :)

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:08:54 -0000

Let's see, perhaps what we need to do is define "discrimination", and "racism". That's the only way we're going to have a valid discussion here. Let's use dictionary.com, that should suffice. Feel free to look them up yourself.

dis⋅crim⋅i⋅na⋅tion
/dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən/
Pronunciation [di-skrim-uh-ney-shuhn] –noun
an act or instance of discriminating.
2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.
3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment: She chose the colors with great discrimination.
4. Archaic. something that serves to differentiate.

Definition 2 clearly fits this situation. The individual chose based on categories, race in this case, rather than on the traits of the individuals involved.

Still with me? Now, let's look up racism:

rac⋅ism
/ˈreɪsɪzəm/
Pronunciation [rey-siz-uhm]
–noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Looks like 1 fits pretty well here; he believes that there are inherent differences that will prevent the relationship from working out, particularly for the children.

Now, pray tell, why do you feel that this situation does not meet the definition of both words?

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:50:39 -0000

Indeed, we wouldn't want to confuse the issue with trivial things like facts.

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:50:00 -0000

Read your message again, it's incredible how crazy you sound.

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:57:53 -0000

Wow, you've outdone yourself, this is the funniest post I've seen all day. You're a closet racist. And you speak of witch hunting KKK members, an organization which exists to do precisely that to others based on their race. You're nuttier than a fruitcake.

Re: Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Refuses to Issue Marriage License for Interracial Couple, Says "He's Concerned for the Children" the Union May Produce

yourconscience — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:52:30 -0000

It's racism because he's discriminating based on race. That, by definition, makes it racism. Easy enough for you to comprehend? Should we try grunts and monosyllables? :)