World is Falling Apart Thread (Locked forever)

[aaron]

Conforming it to other RFRAs seems perfectly reasonable. I agree that both protections based on sexuality and protection of religious freedom can co-exist, and should co-exist.

this is essentially the biggest issue i have with it. pence and his base just hate, hate, hate LGBTs more than anything, it seems.

[Sarge]

this is essentially the biggest issue i have with it. pence and his base just hate, hate, hate LGBTs more than anything, it seems.

I don't think that's the case, but I'm generally willing to extend the benefit of the doubt a good deal more than most people.

I also play devil's advocate a lot, for what it's worth. I find looking at an issue from multiple angles fascinating.

[aaron]

this is essentially the biggest issue i have with it. pence and his base just hate, hate, hate LGBTs more than anything, it seems.

I don't think that's the case, but I'm generally willing to extend the benefit of the doubt a good deal more than most people.

I also play devil's advocate a lot, for what it's worth. I find looking at an issue from multiple angles fascinating.

so, you don't think that's the case, just because? do you live here?

also i envisioned you reciting your last sentence with a pipe in your hand, stroking your goatee as you sip an earl grey in your study, surrounded by memoirs of cultures from days gone by.

[Sarge]

No, I don't live there, but I've also had discussions about these issues with quite a few people who would fall on the side of Pence and his base, and I know that they do not harbor hate for the LGBT community. Now, that's obviously as anecdotal as it comes, but I tend to hold to that well worn idea that one shouldn't attribute to maliciousness what can be attributed to incompetence. I think they can, and will, fix it to better reflect the original intent.

also i envisioned you reciting your last sentence with a pipe in your hand, stroking your goatee as you sip an earl grey in your study, surrounded by memoirs of cultures from days gone by.

Well, I can stroke my beard and sip on my coffee, anyway.

[Luke]

Now what's wrong with Earl Grey tea?

btw: Aaron, update your barcade thread and let us know how it goes.

[Sarge]

Now what's wrong with Earl Grey tea?

Absolutely nothing.

[Luke]

Now what's wrong with Earl Grey tea?

Absolutely nothing.

Nice. I usually prefer a London Fog, but straight Earl Grey is still my usual choice of tea.

[samsonlonghair]

Has it occurred to anyone that this whole "religious freedom" bill nonsense is just a smokescreen ramping up public interest for the unavoidable stump speeches in the upcoming election season?

The last two or three election cycles have been about whipping up the base on the left or on the right rather than trying to sway the opinions of moderate voters. Based upon this strategy, Mike Pence doesn't have any need to craft moderate (or even realistic) legislation. If Pence wants to win in 2016, all he needs to do is whip ultra-conservatives into a frenzy to show up on election day. It doesn't even matter to Pence if the bill passes or not. He's looking at next years elections, not at gay rights.

[dsheinem]

Has it occurred to anyone that this whole "religious freedom" bill nonsense is just a smokescreen ramping up public interest for the unavoidable stump speeches in the upcoming election season?

The last two or three election cycles have been about whipping up the base on the left or on the right rather than trying to sway the opinions of moderate voters. Based upon this strategy, Mike Pence doesn't have any need to craft moderate (or even realistic) legislation. If Pence wants to win in 2016, all he needs to do is whip ultra-conservatives into a frenzy to show up on election day. It doesn't even matter to Pence if the bill passes or not. He's looking at next years elections, not at gay rights.

While both parties have some problems translating their base appeal in primaries to popular appeal in the general election, it seems to most acutely effect the Republicans (to my immense amusement).

On the other hand, I am a little bit jealous of their intra-party "dialogue."

[pepharytheworm]

AFAIK Pence is not seeking re-election.