Your concept that sexuality can only hurt the participants would be wonderful if sexuality were a non-issue to society. As the case may be, sexuality is definitely in issue in society, whether its heterosexual or homosexual. I don't like the fact that homosexuality exists in our society, but a don't ask/don't tell ideal cannot exist in the society at large -- we are already way beyond that point. Does this mean homosexuality is now an evil of society that can only cause harm? I don't know, and am not sure how long it will be before we can tell what the long term effects will be.
Merlin Dorfman wrote:
Aaron Merritt (gt4334b@prism.gatech.edu) wrote:: Merlin Dorfman wrote:
: > The point is that cannibalism hurts others, while homosexuality
: > doesn't...: ahh, but thats where you're wrong....
It is my opinion that homosexuality (or pretty much any sexuality)
between consenting adults does not hurt anyone other than the
participants, and therefore is no concern of the law. If you disagree,
let's discuss it, and if a majority finds that homosexuality is harmful
to society as a whole then there will be legislation against it. But
the degree of harm, if any, can be the basis for a rational discussion
while the "morality" of it cannot be.
I responded to the message (bottom half) with my own opinions and a rebuttal of the argument at hand. More than anything, I think the weak and incorrect arguments of others do nothing more than take up space. Many people take very narrow views of situations, while I prefer a more holistic view in order to capture all (or most) sides of a situation.
Not all is serious debate or discussion. Humor also resides in the newsgroups, and many comedic e-mails probably come from the newsgroups first before they are distributed through people's personal mailing lists. For example, here's a posting about the Bay Area:
Subject: How is Bay Area?
Subject: You know you are from the Bay Area when...
***************************************************
You make $100,000 a year, yet still can't find a place to live.
Your commute time is 45 minutes and you live 8 miles away from work.
Stop asking how much things cost but, ask "How long will it take?"
Two-Thirds of the people you know are from Boston or New York, but you are living in PST.
Know vast differences difference between Thai, Vietnemese, Chinese, Japanese, Cantonese, and Korean food.
Your home computer contains mostly hardware/software that is not on the consumer market yet.
Go to "The City" on weekends but don't live there because you like your car.
Think that "I'm going to Fry's." is an acceptable excuse to leave the office for a while, and your boss does too.
Lost your alarm clock. You'll get to work when you get there.
Go to an industrial-heavy-metal bar and see two guys get into a fight over what flavor is unix is better.
Own more than 10 articles of clothing that have hardware/software companies printed on them. Bonus for embroydered stuff.
"Your best buys..." you know the rest.
You know where Woz Way, Resistor Ave, and Floppy Dr are located.
You know who Woz is.
You know 280North runs west, and 680N runs East.
Even though Microsoft employs quite a few programmers in the Bay Area, they only work on Powerpoint, and the company is still the embodiment of Satan.
Even if their stock IS worth more than yours.
You see a billboard that says "FGPA2ASIC" and aren't phased.
When you need the updated Diamond Monster 3D drivers, you just walk across the street.
You have more bandwidth in your apartment or condo than most major universities.
You have to hire security to keep the panhandlers off your terrace (Oakland/Berkeley).
None of the people you work with are bible thumpers.
You scan yardsales for back issues of "Dr. Dobbs."
Your favorite computer reseller speaks only Cantonese.
Your workplace vending machines dispence "100% natural twig-bars" right next to Jolt cola and Instant Espresso mix.
No one brings radio's into work - they just use RealAudio and listen to thedj.com, rebelradio.com, or other out of state stations.
I also posted a response to someone's cry for a better ISP. I think my own ISP, while local in nature, is probably one of the best available. I believe most areas have small, local ISPs that really perform for the power users, but too many people are intimidated by the thought of a few technies supporting them vs. a large corporate ISP. Eventually everyone will see the AOL is just a big giant that doesn't provide them anything but frustration through busy signals.