Republican Senator Rob Portman SUpports Gay Marriage . . .

B

Bonestorm

Thrillhouse
. . . Because his son is gay:

Republican Senator Rob Portman has announced his support for same-sex marriage, saying he reversed his position on the divisive social issue after his son came out as gay.

“I have come to believe that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn't deny them the opportunity to get married,” Portman wrote in an op-ed published Friday in the Columbus Dispatch.

“That isn’t how I’ve always felt. As a congressman, and more recently as a senator, I opposed marriage for same-sex couples. Then something happened that led me to think through my position in a much deeper way," Portman wrote in the op-ed.
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I'm glad that Rob Portman supports gay marriage now. Really, I am. Welcome, Bobby. But it bugs the shit out of me when people like Portman are stricken with a sudden bout of empathy for people just like them or their immediate family members. It shouldn't take his son coming out as gay for Portman to recognize "that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commotment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn't dent them the opportunity to get married." That sentiment seems pretty fucking self-evident.

If only his son could be unemployed single mom of a child with disabilities and no health insurance . . .



http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_new...-announces-support-for-same-sex-marriage?lite
 
Someone I follow on Twitter said, if only his son were poor. It's a good point. The same thing with Nancy Reagan and stem cell research, Dick Cheney and gays...the only time they give a shit is when it affects them personally. They have literally no empathy.
 
This never fails - it's a horrible sin or unnecessary gov't expense or whatever until it happens to you, or you need it. I think it was Laura Ingraham who railed against homosexuality & gay marriage for years before completely changing her position, because her brother was gay.

It's too predictable. And it's almost exclusively on the side of the right.
 
Dungheap said:
. . . Because his son is gay:

I'm glad that Rob Portman supports gay marriage now. Really, I am. Welcome, Bobby. But it bugs the shit out of me when people like Portman are stricken with a sudden bout of empathy for people just like them or their immediate family members. It shouldn't take his son coming out as gay for Portman to recognize "that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commotment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn't dent them the opportunity to get married." That sentiment seems pretty fucking self-evident.

If only his son could be unemployed single mom of a child with disabilities and no health insurance . . .

http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_new...-announces-support-for-same-sex-marriage?lite
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as i've always said, most people don't give a damn about peoples rights until it directly affects them.
 
This coincides with what I've said about the homophobes like 007, ILA and Patriot66 on here. Find out that precious kid of yours is gay and it's a whole new story. Of course, considering the level of hatred in their hearts, they'd kick the kid out and disown him or her.
 
Dungheap said:
. . . Because his son is gay:

I'm glad that Rob Portman supports gay marriage now. Really, I am. Welcome, Bobby. But it bugs the shit out of me when people like Portman are stricken with a sudden bout of empathy for people just like them or their immediate family members. It shouldn't take his son coming out as gay for Portman to recognize "that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commotment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn't dent them the opportunity to get married." That sentiment seems pretty fucking self-evident.

If only his son could be unemployed single mom of a child with disabilities and no health insurance . . .

http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_new...-announces-support-for-same-sex-marriage?lite
Click to expand...

Ehhh, but this is why we see big changes in opinion. Every day, the hearts of people are changed because someone they love comes out as gay and it creates a ripple effect. In fighting against views long held and deeply embedded it is counter productive to attack this process.

Homosexuality was kept in the closet for a long time and many wanted it kept there because they want to maintain the stereotypes and stop people from understanding it. If you can keep it foreign to them you can perpetuate the lies. If it's out in the open then you start to see that it's not just Liberace and those crazy people in California but regular and normal people.

And it is not just homosexuality but other issues. Take marijuana. As it's use has become more accepted the opponents arguments based on stereotypes of lazy stinky hippies, jazz/hip-hop/gangsta rappers/(other dog whistle label for black) or some other despised minority, are destroyed by the image of Presidents, Governors, CEOs, doctors, scientists, athletes and just normal people as users.

Once you knock down one of those walls in a person it usually becomes easier to knock down others.

As a libertarian who has supported gay marriage for many years, I am not dismissive of you Republicans or Democrats that are late in coming to the party, like Obama and/or Portman.
 
Dungheap said:
. . . Because his son is gay:




I'm glad that Rob Portman supports gay marriage now. Really, I am. Welcome, Bobby. But it bugs the shit out of me when people like Portman are stricken with a sudden bout of empathy for people just like them or their immediate family members. It shouldn't take his son coming out as gay for Portman to recognize "that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commotment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn't dent them the opportunity to get married." That sentiment seems pretty fucking self-evident.

If only his son could be unemployed single mom of a child with disabilities and no health insurance . . .



http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_new...-announces-support-for-same-sex-marriage?lite
Click to expand...

Yes, but perhaps this will be one steps to making further inroads into the Republican party. I remember John Huntsman as well just recently "came out" in support of gay marriage. The tide may be turning.
 
Sir Digby Chicken Caesar said:
Ehhh, but this is why we see big changes in opinion. Every day, the hearts of people are changed because someone they love comes out as gay and it creates a ripple effect. In fighting against views long held and deeply embedded it is counter productive to attack this process.

Homosexuality was kept in the closet for a long time and many wanted it kept there because they want to maintain the stereotypes and stop people from understanding it. If you can keep it foreign to them you can perpetuate the lies. If it's out in the open then you start to see that it's not just Liberace and those crazy people in California but regular and normal people.

And it is not just homosexuality but other issues. Take marijuana. As it's use has become more accepted the opponents arguments based on stereotypes of lazy stinky hippies, jazz/hip-hop/gangsta rappers/(other dog whistle adjective for black) or some other despised minority, are destroyed by the image of Presidents, Governors, CEOs, doctors, scientists, athletes and just normal people as users.

Once you knock down one of those walls in a person it usually becomes easier to knock down others.

As a libertarian who has supported gay marriage for many years, I am not dismissive of you Republicans or Democrats that are late in coming to the party, like Obama and/or Portman.
Click to expand...


Yeah, but it shouldn't be this way. I mean, I realize the world is full of selfish assholes, but really . . . It's not like it's hard to understand why gay people want to have marriage rights such that it requires a direct personal experience to get it.

Like, its not as though Rob Portman suddenly had a flash of insight after his son told him he was go "Oh, so being able to marry the person that you love is important to you? Wow, I guess gay people really are like stright people" like its some weird thing that only people that have gay kids could possibly understand.
 
nobody is stopping queers from getting married. they just have to marry someone from the opposite sex. nobody can marry whomever they choose.

but I guess since Portman has changed his mind, then I must change mine right?

NOT
 
I Love America said:
nobody is stopping queers from getting married. they just have to marry someone from the opposite sex. nobody can marry whomever they choose.

but I guess since Portman has changed his mind, then I must change mine right?

NOT
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can you point out to the class what part of the constitution gave government any authority over marriage?
 
tinfoil said:
Why does the left punish their opposition for changing and joining in their viewpoint?
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It's the reason he changed his viewpoint.

If their son/daughter is gay, if they're poor, if they have to fight in the war - every issue becomes quite a bit different. It's a fundamental difference between how those emotional people on the left feel, and how the automotons on the right feel.
 
SmarterthanYou said:
can you point out to the class what part of the constitution gave government any authority over marriage?
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It doesn't give the federal government any authority, that is left with the states. If you are a strict constructionist, you will agree with me. Additionally, morality is a key component of keeping the US Constitution as founded.

Class dismissed :)
 
Dungheap said:
Yeah, but it shouldn't be this way. I mean, I realize the world is full of selfish assholes, but really . . . It's not like it's hard to understand why gay people want to have marriage rights such that it requires a direct personal experience to get it.

Like, its not as though Rob Portman suddenly had a flash of insight after his son told him he was go "Oh, so being able to marry the person that you love is important to you? Wow, I guess gay people really are like stright people" like its some weird thing that only people that have gay kids could possibly understand.
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The evolution of ideas is retarded by our love and respect of our parents and grandparents and pushed ahead by the love of our peers, children and grandchildren. The younger influences are more powerful in our hearts but in politics the older generations hold disproportionate power. That power is even stronger within the GOP.

Most of these right wing nuts have had it drummed into them that homosexuals are all part of some Marxist plot, they are influenced by the devil or some other crazed nonsense. A lot of them have had those illusions dispelled but still have associations with or fond memories of the people that planted such nonsense. So they latch on to it being just about getting handouts, so they can have some way to walk the line or they continue to find some reason to villify them and/or not to care.

But, again, it has not been that long since Obama's official views changed. There is no real value in attacking the noobs.
 
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tinfoil said:
Why does the left punish their opposition for changing and joining in their viewpoint?
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Punish? Interesting word choice. I actually welcomed him to the club.


What bothers me is the extremely narrow scope of the change of viewpoint. It's never a whole new look at the ways public policies impact people unlike them, but instead its a narrow look at how public policies impact people exactly like them.
 
Thing1 said:
It's the reason he changed his viewpoint.

If their son/daughter is gay, if they're poor, if they have to fight in the war - every issue becomes quite a bit different. It's a fundamental difference between how those emotional people on the left feel, and how the automotons on the right feel.
Click to expand...


Without a doubt the Democrats were always ahead of the Republicans on this curve, but not by much. Also, I would say the ground forces of the Democrats pulled their politicians over the line whereas within the GOP it might be politicians like Portman that finally pull their voters over the line or impress upon them the need to keep a lid on their idiotic views.

But why did it take so long for Democrat politicians to finally start changing their opinions? It's just within the last 4 years that Democrats are FINALLY starting to move to a solid stance of supporting gay marriage. Many are still pretty quiet about their support and won't discuss it unless pressed by advocates.
 
Dungheap said:
. . . Because his son is gay:




I'm glad that Rob Portman supports gay marriage now. Really, I am. Welcome, Bobby. But it bugs the shit out of me when people like Portman are stricken with a sudden bout of empathy for people just like them or their immediate family members. It shouldn't take his son coming out as gay for Portman to recognize "that if two people are prepared to make a lifetime commotment to love and care for each other in good times and in bad, the government shouldn't dent them the opportunity to get married." That sentiment seems pretty fucking self-evident.

If only his son could be unemployed single mom of a child with disabilities and no health insurance . . .



http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_new...-announces-support-for-same-sex-marriage?lite
Click to expand...
It's pretty hard to support Hate laws, like DOM, when they directly affect your own family.
 
Sir Digby Chicken Caesar said:
Without a doubt the Democrats were always ahead of the Republicans on this curve, but not by much. Also, I would say the ground forces of the Democrats pulled their politicians over the line whereas within the GOP it might be politicians like Portman that finally pull their voters over the line or impress upon them the need to keep a lid on their idiotic views.

But why did it take so long for Democrat politicians to finally start changing their opinions? It's just within the last 4 years that Democrats are FINALLY starting to move to a solid stance of supporting gay marriage. Many are still pretty quiet about their support and won't discuss it unless pressed by advocates.
Click to expand...

I get what you're saying. For Democrats, it's an issue of political expediency. For Republicans, it's an issue of "morality" and self-righteousness.

I'm not sure that one is better or worse than the other - but Republicans just bug me more.
 
Thing1 said:
It's the reason he changed his viewpoint.

If their son/daughter is gay, if they're poor, if they have to fight in the war - every issue becomes quite a bit different. It's a fundamental difference between how those emotional people on the left feel, and how the automotons on the right feel.
Click to expand...

So that's how tolerance works, eh?
You guys get to decide if someone's REASON is good enough?

You guys should really look at yourselves for a moment
 
Dungheap said:
Yeah, but it shouldn't be this way. I mean, I realize the world is full of selfish assholes, but really . . . It's not like it's hard to understand why gay people want to have marriage rights such that it requires a direct personal experience to get it.

Like, its not as though Rob Portman suddenly had a flash of insight after his son told him he was go "Oh, so being able to marry the person that you love is important to you? Wow, I guess gay people really are like stright people" like its some weird thing that only people that have gay kids could possibly understand.
Click to expand...
Well there you're heading into uncharted waters. I doubt you understand how difficulat and traumatic it is for a parent to realize that their child is gay, and all that implies. It's not an easy situation for either the parent or the child.

Personally considering how the knuckle draggers have taken over the GOP, I think Mr. Portmans change of mind took real political courage. I'm sure there will be a political back lash in the Party by social conservatives for his change of heart that he will have to deal with but still.....good for Mr. Portman!!
 
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