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Prrfin' Politics.
9 years ago
So.
I found, on my ooooooooolllld Livejournal blog, an ooooooooooolllld meme.
A....political meme. =>.>=;
In fact, you can still see it here: http://brenderlin.livejournal.com/66931.html =<.<=;;;
Anyway, I figured that, it's been 12 years. It's another Presidential election (in the U.S., anyway). Why not go over the same meme, see what my stances are now on the same issues? ^^;
Cuz I think my views kinda changed over the years. =>.>=;;
ANYWAY, on to the list! =O.O=
(Note: I'm only doing the issues that the meme covered.)
1. Abortion
What I said in 2004: "Okay in rape cases and if the mother will hurt too much. Otherwise, I don't mind early term, but the longer the mother is pregnant, the more likely I'd go for adoption first."
What I say now: *Prrrfles* Annnnd right from the gate, we get a biggie. Hoo-boy. =o.o=;;;
Okay, basically, no one has the right to tell the mother what she should do with her body. Her body, her choice.
I'm not a woman (not physically, anyway). I literally don't know what it's like to be pregnant, and I never will. So I'm basically the LAST person who should have a say in a woman's choice on the matter. So yeah, her body, her choice. PERIOD.
That's....a bit of a change, huh? =>.>=;
-
2. Death Penalty
What I said in 2004: "For the most heinous crimes, yes. But try to make sure the person's actually guilty. Mistakes HAVE been made."
What I say now: Hmmm, I'm leaning more towards no nowadays. Too many innocent people died, for starters. And I kinda think that, even for the most psychopathic killers, it'd be better to give them life imprisonment, making sure they don't harm others while still respecting their own personal right to live.
-
3. Prostitution
What I said in 2004: "Alright if practiced responsibly and won't result in adultery. So legalize, tax and regulate! ;)"
What I say now: As long as everything's clearly consensual, it should be okay. Of course, that'd probably fall under "regulate". And yeah, I'm aware of the whole sex slave and human trafficing issue. Then again, that'd fall under "clearly consensual", which falls under "regulate". Huh. Guess my position hasn't really changed, then. As for the adultery....is it still adultery if your spouse is aware but is clearly okay with it?
-
4. Alchohol
What I said in 2004: "Alright in moderation. But I ain't stopping ya."
What I say now: Pretty much the same thing, really. But if it's resulting in alchohol abuse, it's time to get help.
-
5. Marijuana
What I said in 2004: "Again, alright in moderation. Legalize, tax, and regulate!"
What I say now: Again, same thing as I said with alchohol. Especially when it's been shown that it's pretty much on par with alchohol in terms of harm 'n such.
-
6. Other Drugs
What I said in 2004: "Ehhh, depends on how 'harmful' the drug is."
What I say now: Yeah, same thing.
-
7. Gay Marriage
What I said in 2004: "Not stopping individual religions from choosing who they marry, but legally (as in "civil unions")? Hell fu--ing YEAH!"
What I say now: Holy PRRF what a difference 12 years made here. The US went from one state having marriage equality 12 years ago to now, with marriage equality in the ENTIRE country. And needless to say, I'm VERY happy at how this turned out. And holy PRRF was I ignorant about the term "civil union". Now I kinda regard that as "separate but unequal". Especially when large parts of the US don't regard civil unions and domestic partnerships as highly as actual marriage (seriously, I've seen stories of hospitals 'n such denying people in civil unions because they're not "actually married"). So now I say, why NOT let gay couples call their union marriage? Especially when it's now accepted among several large-domination churches (like the Episcopalians)? And again, I'm fine with letting individual churches decide how to handle marriage. I'm talking about in the eyes of the law/government here.
-
8. Illegal Immigrants
What I said in 2004: "Eh, got mixed feelings here. Yeah, they should've gone through the legal process, but can't help but feel that, for SOME of them, that process may be too slow/broken for them."
What I say now: I still say the same thing, more or less. But now I'm even MORE inclined to believe that the system/process is too slow and/or broken for many of these people. Especially if they're literally escaping death and had no time to go through the legal channels. At the very least, could we PLEASE stop demonizing them?!
-
9. Smoking
What I said in 2004: "Perhaps alright in moderation, and I wouldn't stop you in public, yet secondhand smoke IS harmful. Problem is, who has to leave the area, when both have the right to be there?"
What I say now: Prrrf, pretty much the same thing. And I still haven't figured out a decent answer to that question. Prrrrf, I dunno....maybe keep designated smoking areas, but use walls and ventilation systems so people with breathing problems will be okay? *shrugs*
-
10. Drunk Driving
What I said in 2004: "*blinks* Who WOULD be for drunk driving? I'm not. =o.O="
What I say now: Seriously, why was this considered controversial? Anyone driving drunk should at least have their license suspended, if not outright revoked.
-
11. Cloning
What I said in 2004: "As long as we don't wind up with The Clone Wars. ;)"
What I say now: Okay, I may have been joking then, but seriously, I'm fine with it...as long as we don't wind up with Parts: The Clonus Horror (ie, cloning people just to harvest their organs).
-
12. Racism
What I said in 2004: "Stupid in any form, sad that it's still an issue here."
What I say now: Yeeeep....still an issue. Even after 12 years. Prrrrrf... =>.>=;
Back then, at least a part of me wasn't surprised by how much racism still existed, nor how systemic. Nowadays? Holy PRRRF. The unfair treatment of minorities by the police. The defense of the Confederate Flag (or the Confederacy in general). Donald PRRFIN' Trump?! *prrfles* Yeah, long story short, as a white guy IRL, I support the Black Lives Matter movement. =>.>=;
-
13. Premarital Sex
What I said in 2004: "If the two (or more) are in love and practice it responsibly."
What I say now: Basically, if there's clear and informed consent, it should be okay. Heh, would you believe I'm a feminist as well? =<.<=;;
-
14. Religion
What I said in 2004: "As long as it's not forced on anyone. Yes, this DOES mean separation of church and state (or, at least, the gov't doesn't favor/impose one over another)."
What I say now: Pretty much the same thing. Actually, since it's close enough, lemme extend this to the whole "Religious Freedom" debacle. Basicially, what we're seeing here in the US is a rash of so-called "religious freedom" laws that are so broad that they're more "license to discrimnate" laws. And I say: PRRF. THAT. NOISE! If your business offers a product or service to the public in general, that product or service should be available to the ENTIRE public. Now, to be clear, I'm not talking about a customer acting like an asshole. That's behavior. I'm saying you shouldn't deny a customer just because they're gay, or black, or muslim, etc. And I'm not talking about private clubs or churches themselves, either, as that's private property and not TRULY serving the public. Also, don't give me that "persecution" nonsense. Putting a cake in an oven is NOT persecution. Persecution is putting a PERSON in the oven for their religious views.
-
15. Downloading Music
What I said in 2004: "If the RIAA wasn't being such an @$$ about it..."
What I say now: I understand that internet piracy can be an issue, especially for small-time musicians 'n such. At the same time, a lot of the countermeasures have been so...draconian that they've basically made things worse than the problem itself. So...I dunno. =>.>=;;
-
16. The Legal Drinking Age
What I said in 2004: "At 18, you're old enough to handle a gun, a car and a ballot, but not a can of beer? Where's the logic in that? Keep it consistant, people!"
What I say now: Sorta the same thing, more or less. But now I'm thinking it might be better to teach responsible drinking. Like, allow alchohol, but under adult supervision (to make sure the teens aren't getting hurt or something).
-
17. Porn
What I said in 2004: "If in private, involving consenting adults, and doesn't harm anyone, I suppose it's okay (in moderation ;))"
What I say now: Yeah, same thing. Though I understand that the porn industry itself can be a bit....problematic (overworked, underpaid, abused actors, etc), but that sounds more like a regulation issue. Hmm...maybe if the sex workers are allowed to unionize... =>.>= =<.<=
-
18. Suicide
What I said in 2004: "Maaaybe in THE most extreme cases, but it's not exactly the smartest solution here, to put it tactfully."
What I say now: I think now it really depends on the person and situation. In most cases, yeah, I'd try to talk the person down and try to get them therapy or something. But if the person is, say, a cancer patient or otherwise terminally ill, then I suppose they should have their "death with dignity" or a "do not resusitate" or something.
-
*prrrrfles, pantpants* =@.@=
Prf, heh, looking back, I guess some of these aren't so much me changing my views as me CLARIFYING my views. =>.>=;;
I found, on my ooooooooolllld Livejournal blog, an ooooooooooolllld meme.
A....political meme. =>.>=;
In fact, you can still see it here: http://brenderlin.livejournal.com/66931.html =<.<=;;;
Anyway, I figured that, it's been 12 years. It's another Presidential election (in the U.S., anyway). Why not go over the same meme, see what my stances are now on the same issues? ^^;
Cuz I think my views kinda changed over the years. =>.>=;;
ANYWAY, on to the list! =O.O=
(Note: I'm only doing the issues that the meme covered.)
1. Abortion
What I said in 2004: "Okay in rape cases and if the mother will hurt too much. Otherwise, I don't mind early term, but the longer the mother is pregnant, the more likely I'd go for adoption first."
What I say now: *Prrrfles* Annnnd right from the gate, we get a biggie. Hoo-boy. =o.o=;;;
Okay, basically, no one has the right to tell the mother what she should do with her body. Her body, her choice.
I'm not a woman (not physically, anyway). I literally don't know what it's like to be pregnant, and I never will. So I'm basically the LAST person who should have a say in a woman's choice on the matter. So yeah, her body, her choice. PERIOD.
That's....a bit of a change, huh? =>.>=;
-
2. Death Penalty
What I said in 2004: "For the most heinous crimes, yes. But try to make sure the person's actually guilty. Mistakes HAVE been made."
What I say now: Hmmm, I'm leaning more towards no nowadays. Too many innocent people died, for starters. And I kinda think that, even for the most psychopathic killers, it'd be better to give them life imprisonment, making sure they don't harm others while still respecting their own personal right to live.
-
3. Prostitution
What I said in 2004: "Alright if practiced responsibly and won't result in adultery. So legalize, tax and regulate! ;)"
What I say now: As long as everything's clearly consensual, it should be okay. Of course, that'd probably fall under "regulate". And yeah, I'm aware of the whole sex slave and human trafficing issue. Then again, that'd fall under "clearly consensual", which falls under "regulate". Huh. Guess my position hasn't really changed, then. As for the adultery....is it still adultery if your spouse is aware but is clearly okay with it?
-
4. Alchohol
What I said in 2004: "Alright in moderation. But I ain't stopping ya."
What I say now: Pretty much the same thing, really. But if it's resulting in alchohol abuse, it's time to get help.
-
5. Marijuana
What I said in 2004: "Again, alright in moderation. Legalize, tax, and regulate!"
What I say now: Again, same thing as I said with alchohol. Especially when it's been shown that it's pretty much on par with alchohol in terms of harm 'n such.
-
6. Other Drugs
What I said in 2004: "Ehhh, depends on how 'harmful' the drug is."
What I say now: Yeah, same thing.
-
7. Gay Marriage
What I said in 2004: "Not stopping individual religions from choosing who they marry, but legally (as in "civil unions")? Hell fu--ing YEAH!"
What I say now: Holy PRRF what a difference 12 years made here. The US went from one state having marriage equality 12 years ago to now, with marriage equality in the ENTIRE country. And needless to say, I'm VERY happy at how this turned out. And holy PRRF was I ignorant about the term "civil union". Now I kinda regard that as "separate but unequal". Especially when large parts of the US don't regard civil unions and domestic partnerships as highly as actual marriage (seriously, I've seen stories of hospitals 'n such denying people in civil unions because they're not "actually married"). So now I say, why NOT let gay couples call their union marriage? Especially when it's now accepted among several large-domination churches (like the Episcopalians)? And again, I'm fine with letting individual churches decide how to handle marriage. I'm talking about in the eyes of the law/government here.
-
8. Illegal Immigrants
What I said in 2004: "Eh, got mixed feelings here. Yeah, they should've gone through the legal process, but can't help but feel that, for SOME of them, that process may be too slow/broken for them."
What I say now: I still say the same thing, more or less. But now I'm even MORE inclined to believe that the system/process is too slow and/or broken for many of these people. Especially if they're literally escaping death and had no time to go through the legal channels. At the very least, could we PLEASE stop demonizing them?!
-
9. Smoking
What I said in 2004: "Perhaps alright in moderation, and I wouldn't stop you in public, yet secondhand smoke IS harmful. Problem is, who has to leave the area, when both have the right to be there?"
What I say now: Prrrf, pretty much the same thing. And I still haven't figured out a decent answer to that question. Prrrrf, I dunno....maybe keep designated smoking areas, but use walls and ventilation systems so people with breathing problems will be okay? *shrugs*
-
10. Drunk Driving
What I said in 2004: "*blinks* Who WOULD be for drunk driving? I'm not. =o.O="
What I say now: Seriously, why was this considered controversial? Anyone driving drunk should at least have their license suspended, if not outright revoked.
-
11. Cloning
What I said in 2004: "As long as we don't wind up with The Clone Wars. ;)"
What I say now: Okay, I may have been joking then, but seriously, I'm fine with it...as long as we don't wind up with Parts: The Clonus Horror (ie, cloning people just to harvest their organs).
-
12. Racism
What I said in 2004: "Stupid in any form, sad that it's still an issue here."
What I say now: Yeeeep....still an issue. Even after 12 years. Prrrrrf... =>.>=;
Back then, at least a part of me wasn't surprised by how much racism still existed, nor how systemic. Nowadays? Holy PRRRF. The unfair treatment of minorities by the police. The defense of the Confederate Flag (or the Confederacy in general). Donald PRRFIN' Trump?! *prrfles* Yeah, long story short, as a white guy IRL, I support the Black Lives Matter movement. =>.>=;
-
13. Premarital Sex
What I said in 2004: "If the two (or more) are in love and practice it responsibly."
What I say now: Basically, if there's clear and informed consent, it should be okay. Heh, would you believe I'm a feminist as well? =<.<=;;
-
14. Religion
What I said in 2004: "As long as it's not forced on anyone. Yes, this DOES mean separation of church and state (or, at least, the gov't doesn't favor/impose one over another)."
What I say now: Pretty much the same thing. Actually, since it's close enough, lemme extend this to the whole "Religious Freedom" debacle. Basicially, what we're seeing here in the US is a rash of so-called "religious freedom" laws that are so broad that they're more "license to discrimnate" laws. And I say: PRRF. THAT. NOISE! If your business offers a product or service to the public in general, that product or service should be available to the ENTIRE public. Now, to be clear, I'm not talking about a customer acting like an asshole. That's behavior. I'm saying you shouldn't deny a customer just because they're gay, or black, or muslim, etc. And I'm not talking about private clubs or churches themselves, either, as that's private property and not TRULY serving the public. Also, don't give me that "persecution" nonsense. Putting a cake in an oven is NOT persecution. Persecution is putting a PERSON in the oven for their religious views.
-
15. Downloading Music
What I said in 2004: "If the RIAA wasn't being such an @$$ about it..."
What I say now: I understand that internet piracy can be an issue, especially for small-time musicians 'n such. At the same time, a lot of the countermeasures have been so...draconian that they've basically made things worse than the problem itself. So...I dunno. =>.>=;;
-
16. The Legal Drinking Age
What I said in 2004: "At 18, you're old enough to handle a gun, a car and a ballot, but not a can of beer? Where's the logic in that? Keep it consistant, people!"
What I say now: Sorta the same thing, more or less. But now I'm thinking it might be better to teach responsible drinking. Like, allow alchohol, but under adult supervision (to make sure the teens aren't getting hurt or something).
-
17. Porn
What I said in 2004: "If in private, involving consenting adults, and doesn't harm anyone, I suppose it's okay (in moderation ;))"
What I say now: Yeah, same thing. Though I understand that the porn industry itself can be a bit....problematic (overworked, underpaid, abused actors, etc), but that sounds more like a regulation issue. Hmm...maybe if the sex workers are allowed to unionize... =>.>= =<.<=
-
18. Suicide
What I said in 2004: "Maaaybe in THE most extreme cases, but it's not exactly the smartest solution here, to put it tactfully."
What I say now: I think now it really depends on the person and situation. In most cases, yeah, I'd try to talk the person down and try to get them therapy or something. But if the person is, say, a cancer patient or otherwise terminally ill, then I suppose they should have their "death with dignity" or a "do not resusitate" or something.
-
*prrrrfles, pantpants* =@.@=
Prf, heh, looking back, I guess some of these aren't so much me changing my views as me CLARIFYING my views. =>.>=;;
In all seriousness, I find myself agreeing to the majority, if not to all. This list can be summarized to three points, really:
A) There needs to be consent with all parties.
B) Control it without it controlling you.
C) Extenuating circumstances do exist and should be planned for.
But yeah, a very well-put list of beliefs, I says
On marriage, its none of my business who get married with who, it doesn't affect me any. Literally, the only reason why the gov is in the marriage business is the revenue it makes from it. Get the government out of marriage, and we won't have this contentious issue of who should and shouldn't be getting married.