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Offline Texas Hill Country

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Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« on: November 10, 2008, 06:21:01 PM »
Hi,

As I said in another post, I am new here...  well, I have been skulking around for a while, but decided a couple days ago that it was time to peek my head out and say hello.


Anyway, as I said, I am a PUMA blogger and a now ex-Democrat, and I wrote an article for the blog No Quarter.  It is advice to the GOP for the future.

I was wondering what you all thought of my suggestions?

http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/11/10/message-to-the-gop-you-need-to-start-over/
Texas Hill Country

Please Come Check Out My Blog At http://texashillblog.blogspot.com

Offline rich_t

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2008, 06:38:28 PM »
Not bad:

Quote
How did the Republican Party get out done in fundraising by the Democrats?

Real conservatives like me, don't give money to liberal-lite campaigns.

Quote
Where was the Republican presence on college campuses?

Oppressed and intimated into silence by liberal colleges and professors.

"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline franksolich

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2008, 06:41:49 PM »
Well, Texas Hills, speaking as a lifelong professional Republican, I'd say the suggestions are all good, all of them, and I hope to God other professional Republicans pay attention.
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Offline Texas Hill Country

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2008, 06:55:17 PM »
Well, Texas Hills, speaking as a lifelong professional Republican, I'd say the suggestions are all good, all of them, and I hope to God other professional Republicans pay attention.

Great...  coming from you all rather than the occasional ecochamber of the pumasphere, these comments mean a lot.

I appreciate it!
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Offline franksolich

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2008, 06:56:30 PM »
Great...  coming from you all rather than the occasional ecochamber of the pumasphere, these comments mean a lot.

I appreciate it!

Well, granted, we've got to get our excresence together, in the Republican Party.

I'm confident we will.
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Offline Crazy Horse

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2008, 06:57:14 PM »
You are right in some parts, yet not all of em.  Especially about what we conservatives think of Ronnie. It's his thoughts and reasoning that resonates with us conservatives. The whole "goverment isn't the solution it's the problem"

Yes Mr. Steele would be great ashe RNC head, but we might want him as a canidate, cause the way that this is already shaping up, Jimmy Carter is gonna look like a great President.

Thank you for what you posted and welcome to the conservative side
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Offline rich_t

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2008, 06:57:39 PM »
Well, granted, we've got to get our excresence together, in the Republican Party.

I'm confident we will.

We had better or the whole damn country is toast.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline Thor

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2008, 07:11:50 PM »
You are right in some parts, yet not all of em.  Especially about what we conservatives think of Ronnie. It's his thoughts and reasoning that resonates with us conservatives. The whole "goverment isn't the solution it's the problem"

Yes Mr. Steele would be great ashe RNC head, but we might want him as a canidate, cause the way that this is already shaping up, Jimmy Carter is gonna look like a great President.

Thank you for what you posted and welcome to the conservative side

I'm NOT a Reagan fan, all in all. He WAS a very good leader and President. However, he allowed our rights to be subverted.
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Offline rich_t

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2008, 07:17:11 PM »
Quote
However, he allowed our rights to be subverted.

In what way? 

I was just a teen when he was 1st elected and didn't pay much attention to politics as a young adult.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline Crazy Horse

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #9 on: November 10, 2008, 08:37:16 PM »
I'm NOT a Reagan fan, all in all. He WAS a very good leader and President. However, he allowed our rights to be subverted.

And you seem to disagree with me on the goverment issue.

IF NOT WHAT ISSUE?
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Offline Thor

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2008, 09:05:14 PM »
In what way? 

I was just a teen when he was 1st elected and didn't pay much attention to politics as a young adult.

&
And you seem to disagree with me on the goverment issue.

IF NOT WHAT ISSUE?

The Gun Control Act of 1986...... IMHO, it was another blatant violation of our 2nd Amendment rights. I was too busy chasing skirt and Recruiting at the time to realize just what he was doing.
"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

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Offline rich_t

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #11 on: November 10, 2008, 09:35:16 PM »
&
The Gun Control Act of 1986...... IMHO, it was another blatant violation of our 2nd Amendment rights. I was too busy chasing skirt and Recruiting at the time to realize just what he was doing.


The Gun Control Act of 1986 is the Firearm Owners Protection Act aka McClure-Volkmer Act

What parts of it don't you like?
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline EastFacingNorth

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #12 on: November 11, 2008, 11:54:27 AM »

The Gun Control Act of 1986 is the Firearm Owners Protection Act aka McClure-Volkmer Act

What parts of it don't you like?


Well, the Hughes Amendment surely rubs many the wrong way, as well as the list of persons prohibited from owning firearms - although admittedly, the most egregious items on that list were added later by the Lautenberg amendment.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #13 on: November 11, 2008, 12:07:04 PM »
Well, the Hughes Amendment surely rubs many the wrong way, as well as the list of persons prohibited from owning firearms - although admittedly, the most egregious items on that list were added later by the Lautenberg amendment.

Aslo don't forget the first "illegal amnesty" that he signed.....I was really PO'd at him for that one.....

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Offline Woody

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2008, 01:35:09 AM »
I'd have to agree with the gist of your points.  Some quibbling and personal opinion...

Reagan was a revolutionary figure who rebuilt the GOP.  Yes, we should probably move him from "current affairs" to "historical figures", but politics is full of his staffers.  Reagan will be invoked wherever three or more Republicans gather. 

The GOP needs to get out of the churches and in to the communities.  Not as organizers, but as listeners.  Casting ourselves as the "party of God" is cutting ourselves out of a big chunk of voters.  Recognize that there are plenty of good men and women who don't attend church, and plenty of bad ones who do.  Claim the moral high ground, of course, but don't be divisive about it. 

Abortion will not be made illegal in the next 20 years.  This is not right, but it's true, and the party's platform needs to recognize this.  The long-term goal may be to ban it, but the short-term goals should be to reduce the incidence of it, and promote alternatives to it. 

The GOP needs to back off on the anti-gay rhetoric.  This does not mean that we need to find a flaming babysitter with ass-less chaps or have The Village People play the convention.  Intolerance is ugly, especially when it's widely accepted that homosexuality isn't necessarily a choice.  Who does more damage to the institution of marriage: Melissa Etheridge or Britney (I was just kidding) Spears?  Another question: Would you rather have a baby aborted or raised by gay parents (who would love their baby as much as an average American couple would)?  (I don't care if it's genetics or not, but I don't know any "former homosexuals".)

The GOP should hammer corruption whenever it raises its ugly head.  If you want to get the blue-collar vote, send a Congressman to jail for accepting a bribe.  Congressmen should be held to high standards on both sides of the aisle. 

Liberty should be our battlecry.  I'd suggest a "Tenth Amendment Committee" for both houses of Congress; it would report back on whether or not each bill on the floor would violate the Tenth Amendment. 

Fiscal responsibility should be our greatest weapon.  Liberals will tax and spend; we need to prove that we will not.  Not just say it, but prove it.  Yes, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth as "benefits" get cut, but we need to respond to that forcefully: "Are you saying that your study/project/whatever is more deserving of Americans' money than the citizens who actually earned it?"  The current occupant of the White House has done NOTHING to curb spending, and look where we are. 

Promote a strong international image.  We've tried being everyone's friend, and we've tried the "us or them" approach.  Neither work.  We need to promote liberty internationally and get engaged with the world again, but on our terms.  England did a fantastic job of managing their international relations for decades, even as they expanded and held a real empire.  We have done jack sh*t, and only have an empire in the minds of college professors and NYT journalists.

The GOP needs to make strong efforts to get rid of its racist image.  Republicans are not racist, but have been painted with that brush.  We need to take strong steps to show otherwise.  Go into the minorities' communities and bring our message there.  Fight illegal immigration, but keep it from being about "us vs. them".  Tell David Duke and his ilk to f*ck off and stop referring to themselves as Republicans. 

Stop being quiet when it's not working.  The Obamites are pushy and rude; we need to answer them forcefully without sinking to their level.  "Closet Republicans" only embolden the opposition.  Speak out and use the bully pulpits we have. 

Finally, as Republicans, we need to find the common ground between us.  I may not go to church every Sunday, but I believe in a strong national defense, a free market economy, and limited government.  I'm sure we can find something other than a shared dislike of Obama's policies to tie us together.
Those who see their lives as spoiled and wasted crave equality and fraternity more than they do freedom. If they clamor for freedom, it is but freedom to establish equality and uniformity. The passion for equality is partly a passion for anonymity: to be one thread of the many which make up a tunic; one thread not distinguishable from the others. No one can then point us out, measure us against others and expose our inferiority.
-Eric Hoffer, "The True Believer", 1951

Offline rich_t

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2008, 02:01:08 AM »
I'd have to agree with the gist of your points.  Some quibbling and personal opinion...

Reagan was a revolutionary figure who rebuilt the GOP.  Yes, we should probably move him from "current affairs" to "historical figures", but politics is full of his staffers.  Reagan will be invoked wherever three or more Republicans gather. 

The GOP needs to get out of the churches and in to the communities.  Not as organizers, but as listeners.  Casting ourselves as the "party of God" is cutting ourselves out of a big chunk of voters.  Recognize that there are plenty of good men and women who don't attend church, and plenty of bad ones who do.  Claim the moral high ground, of course, but don't be divisive about it. 

Abortion will not be made illegal in the next 20 years.  This is not right, but it's true, and the party's platform needs to recognize this.  The long-term goal may be to ban it, but the short-term goals should be to reduce the incidence of it, and promote alternatives to it. 

The GOP needs to back off on the anti-gay rhetoric.  This does not mean that we need to find a flaming babysitter with ass-less chaps or have The Village People play the convention.  Intolerance is ugly, especially when it's widely accepted that homosexuality isn't necessarily a choice.  Who does more damage to the institution of marriage: Melissa Etheridge or Britney (I was just kidding) Spears?  Another question: Would you rather have a baby aborted or raised by gay parents (who would love their baby as much as an average American couple would)?  (I don't care if it's genetics or not, but I don't know any "former homosexuals".)

The GOP should hammer corruption whenever it raises its ugly head.  If you want to get the blue-collar vote, send a Congressman to jail for accepting a bribe.  Congressmen should be held to high standards on both sides of the aisle. 

Liberty should be our battlecry.  I'd suggest a "Tenth Amendment Committee" for both houses of Congress; it would report back on whether or not each bill on the floor would violate the Tenth Amendment. 

Fiscal responsibility should be our greatest weapon.  Liberals will tax and spend; we need to prove that we will not.  Not just say it, but prove it.  Yes, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth as "benefits" get cut, but we need to respond to that forcefully: "Are you saying that your study/project/whatever is more deserving of Americans' money than the citizens who actually earned it?"  The current occupant of the White House has done NOTHING to curb spending, and look where we are. 

Promote a strong international image.  We've tried being everyone's friend, and we've tried the "us or them" approach.  Neither work.  We need to promote liberty internationally and get engaged with the world again, but on our terms.  England did a fantastic job of managing their international relations for decades, even as they expanded and held a real empire.  We have done jack sh*t, and only have an empire in the minds of college professors and NYT journalists.

The GOP needs to make strong efforts to get rid of its racist image.  Republicans are not racist, but have been painted with that brush.  We need to take strong steps to show otherwise.  Go into the minorities' communities and bring our message there.  Fight illegal immigration, but keep it from being about "us vs. them".  Tell David Duke and his ilk to f*ck off and stop referring to themselves as Republicans. 

Stop being quiet when it's not working.  The Obamites are pushy and rude; we need to answer them forcefully without sinking to their level.  "Closet Republicans" only embolden the opposition.  Speak out and use the bully pulpits we have. 

Finally, as Republicans, we need to find the common ground between us.  I may not go to church every Sunday, but I believe in a strong national defense, a free market economy, and limited government.  I'm sure we can find something other than a shared dislike of Obama's policies to tie us together.

I was going to respond point by point to a lot of what you posted. 

But I decided to just say that the GOP needs to start merely being conservative again.  The GOP no longer represents many conservatives.  The GOP candidate this year and his ass spanking by a poltical neophyte speaks volumes IMO.

If and when the GOP starts fielding conservative candidates again, maybe their election results will improve.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline Woody

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2008, 11:46:29 AM »
Agreed, but we need to define (both internally and externally) what it means to be conservative.  Is it social conservatism, with strong religious ties?  Is it fiscal conservatism, with a more (lowercase) libertarian bent?  What does a conservative foreign policy look like?  How will we handle divisive issues like abortion, homosexuality, and immigration/race? 

Until we hammer these issues out, and find a common ground, the Republican party will continue to have a primary election identical to the one we just experienced.  Go back and look at the candidates again; each had a strong suit that is a core Republican value, but each also had a critical weakness that was easily exploited.  We can't afford to argue amongst ourselves again; that's for the Democrats to do. 

It used to be that the Democrats were a collection of special interests.  What is the common ground between an ivy league professor, a rust belt union member, a Left Coast urban homosexual, a southern black man, and a Colorado environmentalist?  There is no common ground, but they all vote Democratic.  The GOP, on the other hand, usually found a common ground in small government, a strong military, and a sense of American tradition.  The exact mix would vary between the fiscal conservatives and the social conservatives, but since 2006, we've been getting it very wrong. 

And this is what I'm calling for, a discussion amongst ourselves where we can define what it means to be conservative, and a common ground where we can come together and appeal to the rest of the country. 
Those who see their lives as spoiled and wasted crave equality and fraternity more than they do freedom. If they clamor for freedom, it is but freedom to establish equality and uniformity. The passion for equality is partly a passion for anonymity: to be one thread of the many which make up a tunic; one thread not distinguishable from the others. No one can then point us out, measure us against others and expose our inferiority.
-Eric Hoffer, "The True Believer", 1951

Offline rich_t

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #17 on: November 12, 2008, 05:47:48 PM »
Quote
Agreed, but we need to define (both internally and externally) what it means to be conservative.

Anyone that has to ask what it means to be a conservative, probably isn't one.  IMO.

From where I sit, it is possible to be a social and fiscal conservative at the same time.
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Offline Zeus

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #18 on: November 12, 2008, 06:03:28 PM »
I somewhat think the Republican defeat came from within just as much as from the Democrats,  Fractures of sorts. The two main ones being the "Gun Nutters" & the "Illegal Immigration'. apparently no matter who the candidate is if you ain't in sync with members of those two groups you aren't a conservative & they contributed to republican defeat just as much if not more so than the Democrats did.  The all or nothing or Purist political philosophy.

It is said that branches draw their life from the vine. Each is separate yet all are one as they share one life giving stem . The Bible tells us we are called to a similar union in life, our lives with the life of God. We are incorporated into him; made sharers in his life. Apart from this union we can do nothing.

Offline rich_t

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #19 on: November 12, 2008, 06:09:33 PM »
Gun Nutters?

Exactly what is wrong with expecting elected officials to actually support and defend the United States Constitution?  That includes the 2nd Amendment as written.

As far as illegal immigration, I see it as a National Security threat these days, not to mention an economic threat?  I have known several legal immigrants in my lifetime and they were all against granting amnesty to thousands and even millions of illegals.  If I am not mistaken President Reagan later regretted the amnesty that he granted in 1986.
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Offline AllosaursRus

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #20 on: November 13, 2008, 03:35:11 PM »
The GOP needs to back off on the anti-gay rhetoric.  This does not mean that we need to find a flaming babysitter with ass-less chaps or have The Village People play the convention.  Intolerance is ugly, especially when it's widely accepted that homosexuality isn't necessarily a choice.  Who does more damage to the institution of marriage: Melissa Etheridge or Britney (I was just kidding) Spears?  Another question: Would you rather have a baby aborted or raised by gay parents (who would love their baby as much as an average American couple would)?  (I don't care if it's genetics or not, but I don't know any "former homosexuals".)

Average American Couple???????????????????????

Uh exactly where are you getting this "being queer is not a choice"? Perhaps you know of no one who has turned the corner and become hetero, but I sure as hell do! Maybe he figured out being poked in the pooper was just a tad unsanitary!

I have no problem with Gays, except for the fact they want to have "special" privileges because of the sexual orientation. They are just as free to marry the opposite sex just as I am. As far as adoption, you will never get me to agree living with a same sex couple is acceptable for a child. I guarantee you my children walked in on me and "Toots" several times in the the time they were at home. How in the hell do you explain to a child, that is more than likely hetero, that you are poking your "significant other" with some artificial plastic, or in the case of male, in the pooper? That just cannot be done without some major physiological damage depending on the age of the child.

Sorry, I just can't get behind this: "we need to understand the GAY community" thing.

When they start calling blacks bigots because they won't get behind them in a gay marriage ballot measure, they have lost all credibility with me. After all they are trying to compare themselves to the Civil Rights Movement! That's just pure BulllllllSHitttttttttt!
« Last Edit: November 13, 2008, 03:41:21 PM by AllosaursRus »
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Offline Woody

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #21 on: November 14, 2008, 12:04:47 AM »
I used to feel the same way, until it was pointed out that we've probably all known someone from a very young age who everyone knew was gay.  When they came out, it was no big deal, because everyone knew it already.  I can think of at least two examples from my childhood.  How could someone be making a "choice" before they knew what gay was?  *shrug* 

I don't buy that a kid adopted by same sex parents is going to be messed up.  Two of my friends have parents who've come out of the closet, and they're no more messed up than anyone else who's been through a messy divorce.  Your mileage may vary...

I don't believe that homosexuals are a protected minority, or that it's a civil right issue, and I'll fight to keep it from becoming one.  Please don't put words in my keyboard.  I don't believe in gay marriage, but I have no problem with civil unions, or whatever you want to call it (as long as you don't call it "marriage").  I do believe that the GOP is missing out on a significant chunk of the electorate by taking an unnecessarily strong anti-gay stance.  I know at least three gays whose vote would be Republican if the Republicans would stop ostracizing homosexuals, but nothing is gained by taking that stance

I'm not asking anyone to change their personal views on the matter; people can respectfully disagree on any number of subjects.  I'm just pointing out that the GOP is picking the losing side in this battle. 

(FWIW, I'm definitely hetero, and have a wonderful wife and a 5 month old daughter.)
Those who see their lives as spoiled and wasted crave equality and fraternity more than they do freedom. If they clamor for freedom, it is but freedom to establish equality and uniformity. The passion for equality is partly a passion for anonymity: to be one thread of the many which make up a tunic; one thread not distinguishable from the others. No one can then point us out, measure us against others and expose our inferiority.
-Eric Hoffer, "The True Believer", 1951

Offline AllosaursRus

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #22 on: November 18, 2008, 01:16:53 PM »
I know at least three gays whose vote would be Republican if the Republicans would stop ostracizing homosexuals, but nothing is gained by taking that stance. 

I don't believe the Gop is "ostracizing" the homosexual vote. Most every Repub I know feels exactly the same way as you do about civil unions, including me. The Gays are putting these words into our mouths. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

However I also believe that counseling when one is first beginning to have homosexual tendencies they can be put onto a hetero path. it is very easy when you are young, and do not yet understand the changes taking place into maturity, to get infatuated with someone close to you, even if they are of the same sex.

It seems to me nowadays instead of trying to get our youth to understand these changes we encourage them, via the left and it's okay to be queer, to go against nature.

Oh, and I certainly was not reading anything into your post, or trying to "put words into your keyboard".

I have been married for 35 years and have raised a son and a daughter, I have 5 grandchildren, 3 of which are quickly aproaching the age in question, and have been a mentor for countless of their friends both male and female. Especially those who are unfortunate enough not to have both parents. I know many of the problems these youngsters encounter during their transitions. I just cannot see how a same sex couple can have the perspective of both sexes when it does not exist in their lives. Children need both a MOTHER and a FATHER to get that perpective and enjoy a full chldhood.
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Offline Woody

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #23 on: November 19, 2008, 12:11:41 AM »
I'd agree that kids do best with a mother and a father.  But when it comes to foster families, divorces, 'sperm donor' dads, single moms, etc, I'm not so sure that a gay couple would be worse.  There's definitely room for reasonable folk to disagree here. 

I do think that the GOP has pushed gays out of the party, and I think it's a tactical error (nothing gained, but up to 10% of the population lost), as well as a strategic error (it displays intolerance and provincialism).  Again, there's room for reasonable folk to disagree. 

There will be is a big fight going on for the future of the GOP.  There are many factions, but the big ones seem to be social conservatives vs. fiscal conservatives (this is my opinion).  I'm on the side of the latter, as I'm partial to the little-L libertarian side of things (as opposed to the big-L Libertarian side, which wants to do such wonderful things as legalizing all drugs :o). 

That said, I agree that we should try to keep our society from being too progressive and permissive.  I just don't believe that government is the best tool for that.
Those who see their lives as spoiled and wasted crave equality and fraternity more than they do freedom. If they clamor for freedom, it is but freedom to establish equality and uniformity. The passion for equality is partly a passion for anonymity: to be one thread of the many which make up a tunic; one thread not distinguishable from the others. No one can then point us out, measure us against others and expose our inferiority.
-Eric Hoffer, "The True Believer", 1951

Offline AllosaursRus

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Re: Wrote a post for NoQuarter... wonder what you all thought of it?
« Reply #24 on: November 19, 2008, 09:38:06 AM »
Quote
nothing gained, but up to 10% of the population lost

Where did you find that number? I seriously doubt the homo population is more than 1% of the voting public.

Quote
Proof of the pudding: so many "shocked" by much lower recent numbers reported in Alan Guttmacher-sponsored study of men aged 20-39, which estimated that only 1.1% of men had had only male homosexual partners within the last 10 years.

1. Washington Times, 4/16: "‘If everyone examines their own conscience, they know that more than one in 100 people is gay.... Common sense tells you this survey is nonsense,’ said Gregory King, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign Fund, the nation’s largest homosexual rights group. ‘I feel the 10 percent figure is probably about right’ because many homosexuals fear to admit their sexual orientation, said Cathy Renna, co-chairwoman of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Againse Defamation."

NY Times, 4/16: "Yesterday, gay groups scoffed at the 1 percent figure, saying that even though the researchers promised respondents anonymity, many homosexuals were afraid to disclose their sexual orientation."

2. NY Times editorial from 4/17 called the new survey results a "surprise"

3. Letter to the Washington Blade entitled "Out in America": "Up until now, we have always based our estimates of the size of our community on the Kinsey studies of the late 1940s. Researchers revisiting the question in the 1970s reaffirmed that ‘one in ten’ view. Until now. A sociological study published by the progressive Alan Guttmacher Institute, that interviewed over 3,300 men throughout the country in 1991, found that only 2.3 percent of those interviewed admit to a same sex experience in the last ten years; only 1.1 percent say they have been exclusively Gay. Although most of believe in our heart of hearts that these are gross underestimates, the controversy will continue to be fueled by experts and homophobes from everywhere."

4. NY Times election poll buried: A journalism seminar reviewing 1992 nominated the NY Times for one of the most significant "buried" stories of the year. The Times own presidential election exit polls asked about voters’ sexual orientation and found less than 3% claimed to be gay. Times staffers couldn’t believe the results, being so much lower than the standard 10%, and so they did not report the story.

D. More revealing: gay leaders now admit to abusing the 10% figure for their own gain

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