Here's the problem with religious fundamentalists in America and wanting the government to "ban" homosexuals from marriage: If the government can choose who you can (and cannot) marry, they can choose quite a few other things as well.

Marriage, friends, is a cultural issue. For some, even a religious issue. Last time I checked, the only thing the United States was obligated to handle was the economy, domestic tranquility, and the protection of its citizens' lives. Can anyone, anyone at all, tell me what two members of the same gender at a wedding altar has to do with my taxes or general safety? From what I can tell, the answer is little-to-nothing by logical definition. Granted, the government has itself created a relationship between marriage and taxes, but that is their mistake and so it shall be theirs to clean up when homosexuals are finally granted their equal rights.

So then marriage, whether it be between same or opposing genders, seems an odd thing for the government to be regulating. They are in fact making cultural judgements, and backing them up with law to boot! Here is the slippery slope -- if the government regulates this, what else can they regulate? Our generation saw the downfall of long-standing sodomy laws, laws that made a certain sexual act illegal between to consenting adults in the privacy of their own home. Those rules may be gone now, but that was "THE LAW" for over 150 years. What if the government took another comparable stand, such as a ban on oral sex or the refusal of marriage rights to persons of different races? It sounds silly, I know, but such bans would work on the same principles being used against homosexual marriage this very moment.

To the Christians, who would "vote against homosexuality" in the name of their God: Are you even Americans? Do you not appreciate the rights for which your ancestors fled England, the very rights which enable you to practice your faith? It is quite ironic, and blatently hypocritical -- you don't want the government touching any element of your religion, but you do want it deciding who someone can marry and/or sleep with.

The religious must realize that the American government cannot enforce their morality and still be the government outlined in the Constitution.
posted by S at 5:41 AM

 
Authors:

I was asked by the frequent LFP posters to intervene in what's recently developed here. I've reviewed what's happened, what's been said, and would like all parties to remember that in situations such as this, I do not take sides. Beyond that, I know nothing about what caused this dispute, nor do I care to be involved in the conflict that "it" has caused. What I will say, explain, and have done is simply my role as this site's administrator.

LFP was never intended to be a forum for interpersonal conflict. Ever. It was a gift I created in hopes that many of my close friends could come to better appreciate both their ideas and the channel of internet writing. I simply maintain the site -- I'm sure you've noticed that I seldom post unless a topic appears that I feel very strongly about. There are other authors, however, who have made very strong attempts at providing a focus for writing here. Kenneth and Luis, for example, have tossed out many ideas in hopes that it might bring response.

For now, Tracy and Misty will be given a break from writing on the site. You both know that this isn't personal. I love both of you very much, but as administrator here it's my obligation to keep the site purpose intact. I have also removed all post content related to this fight. I would encourage you two to settle this one-on-one, and hope that you do, but a public internet forum is not the place for such resolve.

That's all I really have to say. Best wishes with all, and I hope this site can move past personal dispute and accusation.
posted by S at 11:59 PM

 
I know this might be wrong to write this on the blog, in front of everyone, but I need to clear my name. Some things have happened between me and Tracey, and I feel most of everyone in the group has "picked a side" And that is WRONG! And to the other half of you who doesn't know what the hell is going on, well, keep it that way. I am about to move, which everyone knows, and I hate that this has happened right before I leave. Everyone has been a wonderful friend to me, and I am so thankful for that. But, for the others, u remind me why I usually don't have friends. I was their for Everyone! And look what I have gotten in return! No one will hardly talk to me anymore, and why? I don't know! I want to let everyone know that I'm innocent! No one needs to blame anyone.
But I have started college down there, and I have a wonderful life ahead of me. I wish everyone the BEST OF LUCK with your lives, and I hope you will never forget me, because I will never forget any of you. Thanks for the best year of my life.
posted by Anonymous at 9:55 AM

 
POWER ABE LIVES!

BEHOLD HIS MIGHT.

posted by S at 7:20 PM

 
Who

is

MadMike?

(incidentally, I head back for Longview in 19 hours)
posted by S at 6:13 PM

 
Hey Sam!
So I here you are comming home Sunday. I'm so glad to hear that. I've missed you. Veronica and I were talking about you needing someone to pick you up from DFW. So we thought that we can use my car and the two of us come get you. I have room for one more that would like to come. So let me know if thats what you want us to do. I don't mind. ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!

Later!
posted by Anonymous at 3:05 PM

 
This post is to explain my last post that I think was badly misunderstood. Yes I believe in self gratification, but I really was shooting for the idea that I think we can all have more than one soul mate. While we are all on the quest to find our one soul mate why can't we be each others soul mates. Though I'm sure that a few of us are happy with going home to ourselves for a night of alone time. I hear that it is perfectly healthy but when more than getting off is in order we have each other. We can be there for one another when we need moral support or just someone to talk to. What is the difference in a girl having a guy friend (no sex) and a girl having a boyfriend (no sex). Same with a guy. I would much rather have a really good friend than a relationship right now. Why date? I'm not ready to settle down. So why get into something that isn't going to go anywhere? Are we looking for love or friends with benefits? What is the difference between the two?

I read Misty's post a few days ago and I couldn't think of what to say. I think that from what guys have told me that it is all about the chase. I was told that a guy doesn't want what is right in front of him. He wants what he can't have. And yes a girl may have everything going for her and a guy just walk away but that's what its all about. You have to get to know one another to find out if the whole thing will work out or not. With guys it could be anything that turns them away. The fact that you gave up the chase too fast or a freckle on your back that reminds him of his ex. It can be anything. Think about it, girls are the same way. It's human nature.

Ken I think you may have stumbled onto something. Sex with yourself! I think that if more people knew about "toys" there wouldn't be so many STD's. Think about it one vibrator used every other night or a different guy every other night. They have things for guys too. Even if a girl is with the same guy, where is he the nights they aren't together? Every time you have sex with someone you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with and so on. Scary thought! Well really I would like some feed back on this. It may be a little off the wall but it's true. Think about it and hit me back. I want to know what everyone thinks.

Well I'm out........See you guys tonight. I've got to get out of this house.
Later
posted by Anonymous at 2:25 PM

 
Hey Guys!

The last few days have been really shitty! I've got the Flu and Strep. I spent all day Monday at the hospital. I hate those places. Well anyways I started missing everyone and so I called a few people to see what was up. Norm told me that everyone was great and that all of you were going up to fast Freddy's. I wish I could be there with you guys. UHHHHH! Well I just want to get to the point of this post.

It was brought to my attention that some people were not happy with some of the things that I have done and said. For this I am truly sorry. I know that I have been really hard on a few people in the group. I've done this out of fear and no compation. Let me explain........ Fear! I fear for those that are going down a road traveled by many and those I've seen have hurt themselves and everyone around them. I don't want to see our group torn apart by all of this. Nor do I want anyone to get hurt. I feel that in an effort to fix this I've made it worse. I made a promise to a very good friend that I would help those going down that road. This time I will help by being there to listen and help in any way I can. I will not push anyone away that needs a FRIEND. I just hope that it is not too late to extend my hand to them. I have had no compation for those going down that road because I have forgot what it is like to be in their shoes. It is hard to be in our shoes. Everyone deals with things in our own way. I dealt with all of this along time ago. Bad relationships, new schools, new friends, and a new life. All of us need to remember how we dealt with things and what people thought about us. Not everyone agreed with the way we handled our problems. So I have opened my mind and heart to those that just need a friend and locked away my tough love out look and I hope that all of us can do the same and just be there for one another. We all talk about finding our soul mates and finding love. What about us? Can't we all be our own soul mates. We are a great group of people. A great group of friends. Why can't we all just be there for each other as soul mates. Friends can be forever too. Just think if and when, we find our lover soul mate there will just be more friends in the group. So I will close this post with a thought.

To all of you:
I am a very lucky person to have found great friends like ya'll that I can call my soul mates.

Good night and I will see you guys tomorrow(I'm getting cabin fever)
XOXOXOXO
Wait let me take those kisses back, that's how I got strep in the first place! LOL
Oh and can someone help me come up with another name. I don't want to be known as the Beer Queen anymore. Its not me.

posted by Anonymous at 9:21 PM

 
Hoss, I have to disagree with you on that one. Soul mates aren't just "friends with benefits," soul mates have an inner connection, something that only you have with this one person. And I highly believe that if you get married, stay married! If you love someone enough, you should be willing to work out any problems. And as Amy said, what happened to the old days? They never even knew the word Divorce. People just think now that its an easy way to get out of the situation. But its 2004, and I highly doubt things will change anytime soon........
I just sometimes wish that guys weren't as cruel to women as they are. Maybe its just me, but I haven't met a nice, good guy in a long time, and starting to give up hope.
Any More advice?
posted by Anonymous at 11:05 PM

 
Hey guys what's supppp!
Half of LFP is over at my house getting throwed! And Norm just informed me, that from now on, I'm too be called "Birdie," because of the confusion from the other Misty at books. I'm having a great time! I love hanging out with these people! I'm so going to miss everyone when I move to Galveston! But hey, outside my bedroom there is a HOT TUB! Hell yeah! There will be a lot of memories made their!! Haha....
But the only problem is, I won't know anyone down their and that is going to suck! So, every weekend I will probably be driving up here to see everyone!

So, about the post awhile back, about nothing really been said on this post, well I got a topic for all of ya'll....."GUYS"
Yes that's right, guys. I want to know what guys think, and how they feel about LOVE. I know its on everyone's mind, and that everybody wants that "perfect person" But recently, I talked to a few guys, and asked them what exactly they thought. Their answer.......uhh..... And that's all I got. So I'm interested to see what u think. What does a guy look for in a girl? What makes a guy turn down a girl that has all the potential in the world? Why would they turn down someone who that is going somewhere, that has money, that is cute? What's the deal on this?
SOMEONE TELL ME....


Oh, Hey sam...I MISS YOU!!!!!
posted by Anonymous at 11:26 PM

 
By the way.

The new classifications in the sidebar are mostly there to give the site some more character, as well as provide a vague snapshot of each LFP author. Don't take them too seriously.

Oh, I had to guess on a few ages. If I got any of your info wrong, please correct me in this post's commenting system.
posted by S at 6:19 PM

 
"Purpose"

Greetings from Australia to all Longview's Finest Philosophers. As I check this site's progress, I've noticed an encouraging new trend of "themes" that flow from an initial point. Don't let me cut off any trains of though, but I encourage you to consider (and possibly write on) this idea.

We humans, the homo sapien, speak in our languages of an idea called "purpose." To be general, the what in what we are supposed to be doing. I've often wondered at what point this notion crept into human thought, considering its overwhelming prevalence in the motivations of near everyone around us. But tell me this, good philosophers:

Can you see where the idea of "purpose" crept into human conscience?
Do you see purpose for yourself?
If not, do you wish for one?
If so, where do you draw the reasoning for your purpose from?
And finally, what is this purpose that you see/claim?
posted by S at 2:12 PM