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Originally Posted by
Sasquatch
One that addresses the question instead of avoiding it. A simple "yes" or "no" would be the two acceptable answers for a yes-or-no question.
And how may I ask is the original question a 'yes' or 'no' one? Your question this refers to was:
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So I ask again, because I have, as of yet, gotten no answer. The only time the question has been addressed is to avoid it. If a heterosexual couple had been kissing, making out, and/or groping in the stands at a baseball game and were asked to leave because of it, how many of you would bitch about it?
And I did answer it that second time for you Sassy, being the nice person I am... :lol: I noticed you didn't quote it, merely my reason for continuing as I did. But more on that next.
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How often do straight couples do something indecent enough to warrant being told to stop, then become hostile and refuse to stop when somebody talks to them about it?
A lot. Ever been in the country/fringe of suburbia? They're generally not approached, but some of them when approached are pretty damned vicious. But regardless of sexual orientation some people will act crabby. The real issue is if others are treated differently because of their sexual orientation. Which is discrimination.
Actually, I'll even add this. Because I can.
How many straight couples get told off for kissing even with groping and more at a game? If I had $5 for every occasion I saw the boobs of some girl making out with a guy at a sporting event, I'd be one wealthy SOB. Anecdotal or not, I'm arguing about incidents like the one this thread is about in general. Last I looked personal experience was a form of evidence. Oh it has it's flaws, anyone who knows a little of cognitive psychology would know that, but it's still better than just having small articles from large media companies. I noticed reading several that some had directly cloned bits from other publications, and others the details didn't match at all. So forgive me if I choose to believe the smaller articles by people who actually saw some or all of the events.
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Your anecdotal evidence is no evidence at all. Whether or not you have seen something happen has absolutely no bearing on whether or not it happens.
Actually it does. If I have seen it happen it has happened. If I haven't seen it happen and have been to a fair few games, that's a general indicator it either doesn't happen or happens on a much smaller scale. There's also that being there allows a person to gauge the attitudes towards things that people show. Oh it's not an exact science, but few things if any are.
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Saying that two things are wrong is not saying that they're on the same level.
Nope, but saying it in certain ways can make one of the things seem worse than it actually is. Let me put it to you this way. Outside of a game, is a straight couple kissing wrong? What about a homosexual couple? Now say the straight couple at a game kiss and are caught on camera yet nobody gives a damn, but then the homosexual couple do and shit is raised, where's the justice in that? That IS a double standard. And also discrimination.
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Both actions -- murder and groping in public -- are wrong. That's the only "comparison" that was made. But I thought that was obvious.
Indeed. As obvious as murder being unacceptable and smaller shows of affection quite acceptable in modern society depending on where one lives. I only mention that last part as there are indeed small conservative areas, but for it to be fair, both straight and homosexuals would be treated the same, right?
That's all I'm arguing about Sassy. I couldn't really care about any laws in effect. Just that I'm seeing people treated differently to others merely because they're different in some small way.
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Because that's the way we do things -- when we don't like what somebody believes, insult them.
No, I meant literally. I was watching this wonderful documentary a while back saying a number of them came from a few Southern communities known for it. Them and I think it was the Confederate Army? I'm not really into researching American History any more than any in general so I can't be sure. But yeah, an interviewed member was pretty funny to watch in an 'I'm glad I'm not gay, black or several other forms of minority living in those areas' kind of way.
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Nobody's defending the KKK, you can let that subject go.
Ummmm... No. I like using them as an example of discrimination. Seriously, they're perfect for it. No-one in this scenario was that discriminatory, but they serve to show what discrimination can do.
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Oh hey, it looks like that really is the way we do things. First off, I'm impartial to homosexual people. Second -- and most importantly -- my personal views on homosexuality have absolutely nothing to do with this subject. Two people were doing something indecent and were told to stop. The action was what was indecent -- not the participants.
Not completely. Are most humans capable of fully suppressing their natural bias? Even at 'neutral', there's always that trace of bias. First thing they taught us in History class. Every person shows bias to some extent so you have to take things with a grain of salt. Fine, say the action was 'indecent'. So why weren't other participants asked to leave for for other similar 'indecent' acts? Hmmm...
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I can easily understand that. The problem is whether or not the two people in this situation were treated differently because of their sexual orientation. As I've pointed out, whether or not these two people were homosexual has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that they were doing something indecent., and the action taken against them was warranted.
And that's where the problem as I see it lies. There's been a few blog entries and smaller articles suggesting that the usher did complain about 'making out' but all the couple did was kiss. And I buy those over larger publications where the information wasn't gathered first-hand, and could be inaccurate for it. I personally prefer bias over articles based mostly on hearsay. Even that video on youtube I saw that got taken down looked like the couple had been wronged. And it was unedited with nothing lost. I honestly wonder why it was taken down when videos of the Cronulla riots and several fights still stay up...
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Last I checked, Mardi Gras isn't designed to be a huge display of sexuality. Sure, things may happen, but that's not the entire objective of the celebration. Not just that, but nobody calls you a homophobe if you don't like Mardi Gras.
My mistake. I didn't realise it was only an Australian thing until now.
New Mardi Gras, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
But yeah, half of February and the full name is Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. And it's both big and quite fun, even for heterosexual people. A cultural event that's extremely colourful and fun to attend. And if you don't attend one of these and like it? Chances are you're either colour-blind, a very cranky mean spirited person or a homophobe. [/chuckle]
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Are you comparing Michelangelo's David to gay pride parades?
Yes. Yes I am. Both are works of art showing culture, and both have people who don't like them for what they show.
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"By LastRow"? What, did you find a blog entry? Let me help you out here.
The Associated Press: Lesbian kiss at Seattle ballpark stirs up gay-friendly town
There's the Associated Press report of it. The Fox News, CNN, CBS, and Seattle Times all report the same thing -- I can get the links for you if you need them. And it doesn't mention that they were on the "kiss cam". One report even had a quote from one of the participants -- something along the lines of "they even have a 'kiss cam' [so kissing can't be improper]." These are slightly more accurate than a post from an internet blog. A hint ... support is nothing without credibility.
Lemme quote what I typed above. I find it'll be a pain for me to type twice.
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Originally Posted by Meh
And that's where the problem as I see it lies. There's been a few blog entries and smaller articles suggesting that the usher did complain about 'making out' but all the couple did was kiss. And I buy those over larger publications where the information wasn't gathered first-hand, and could be inaccurate for it. I personally prefer bias over articles based mostly on hearsay.
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You were making accusations with nothing to back them up. You were the only one doing that, hence, the only one that needed to back up their accusations.
I was the first to back my arguments up actually. :D
And no-one's really making accusations. I've merely implied several things, often just to try to help get my point across.
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The problem is that your "personal observations" don't affect reality. You didn't personally observe these lesbians kicked out, did you?
Nope. But did you? And if you didn't, do you think you're right and I'm wrong?
And even if I didn't personally observe events, I did see that clip on youtube before it was removed. That's better than nothing at all. ;)
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Yes. "Magical absolute neutral" is also known as "impartial". It's amazing. And magical... You're kidding, right? The point was that not "fearing" something doesn't mean we want to be surrounded by it. If you honestly failed to see the point there ... nevermind.
It would be amazing if I witnessed it. But then most humans aren't capable of not showing a little bias, are they? It's what separates us from most AI systems that lack those fake personalities some seem fond of. You can say you're impartial. But you're not completely impartial I don't think. Just as I'm not. Actually the original point in question was mine I believe. Showing what I meant by 'homophobe'. And what I meant was one who doesn't want to be around it. Like hydrophilic/lipophobic objects love grabbing onto water yet simply won't make the effort with poor old oil.
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You recall a gay marriage thread where I argued against special treatment for homosexuals? Just like this thread, where I'm arguing against special treatment for homosexuals?
Special treatment? My argument is always that they should be treated equally to straight people. And it always seems to come to blows with your opinions. You were against homosexual marriage I recall. As in not letting a homosexual couple marry, remember?
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Like I've said. My personal views on homosexuality play no part in the fact that two people were doing something they shouldn't have been.
But it does effect how you'd see such an incident whether or not you'd admit it. This links back to the bias I keep mentioning. It's only human though...
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You have completely failed to "bring up" any differences, only so-called "observations" that have no bearing on reality.
And what of your arguments? I've seen equal and/or less evidence than what I have provided. Passing off one's opinion as fact doesn't make it any more valid than stating what you think as a personal opinion. And observations are a form of evidence, even if they must not be completely relied upon due to the individual's perception of what they see.
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Two uninformed sources say it was "a simple kiss". The people who dealt with it say it was much more.
So an usher who may want to stay out of trouble is more believable than the other people who witnessed the incident and also spoke? Remember, discrimination can often cost people their jobs these days. I've seen that happen too. First-hand.
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Wrong. Alright, here's a little bit of common sense for you -- NOT ONLY did somebody complain about it and an usher address the situation -- likely neither of which would have happened if it was on the "kiss cam" -- and NOT ONLY was the kiss much more than a "peck", enough to warrant being asked to stop -- but also, they were asked to stop in the third inning. What baseball games have you seen that have a "kiss cam" in the third inning?
Naturally. You always get one or two people uncomfortable around homosexuals. Or more. And an usher's job is to keep everyone happy. Or they get their own problems later. BUT regardless of whether or not the kiss-cam was on (and by several reports it was what got them seen in the first place), it's mere presence encourages kissing. The inning doesn't matter. Regardless of 'inning', other couples had kissed, and the only real difference is that they were straight.
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Asking two people to leave because they were making out and groping in the stands isn't "discrimination".
It is when other social groupings aren't. It's both a double standard AND therefore discrimination.
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Despite personal opinions, nothing credible has shown a link between homophobia and homosexuality.
I never said there was a link. I just said I wouldn't be surprised if there were a ton in the closet who wouldn't come out due to prejudices. Big difference.
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Of course. If they admit they're homosexual, they wouldn't be allowed to do all the things straight people aren't allowed to do! How terrible!
YAY WE AGREE ON SOMETHING! But seriously, yeah. Homosexuals aren't treated right. Not only are they treated unfair a lot of the time, but at times there are laws which don't allow them the equal rights of straight people in some way.
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This couple was told that they could kiss, just not to the makeout/groping extent. They weren't asked to leave until they responded with hostility towards the usher, who told them to tone it down.
That's not what I heard. From what I understand they were asked to either not kiss, or leave. The hostilities occurred AFTER they were singled out. But why should they have to face discrimination placidly? I know I sure as hell wouldn't.
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Of course. And if you don't see it, it doesn't happen, right?
Nope. But it is a general indicator it doesn't happen as much. Especially as I've worked at some events too. I've seen things from so many angles. And often for bugger all money...
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How is it wasn't a "plain old kiss" suit you for a reason?
And what if it was? It haven't heard that it looked so evil and wrong to all the people other than the one women who complained who didn't want her son seeing the lesbians kissing.
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The rule is against inappropriate displays of affection, and there are no reports of any straight couples making out and groping.
Because no-one found it news-worthy to mention. Except all the people who were there who saw the straight couples on kiss cam, noticed something wrong with this whole event and decided to make a blog entry or small article of it from what they themselves saw. And there might be other reasons, but that's the obvious one.
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T.G. Oskar, I don't have time to reply to your long, winding post right now, but I might get to it later. In the meantime, some friendly advice -- if you don't have an argument, leave the discussion. Grasping at straws and playing semantics doesn't help your cause. (If an act was improper for the situation, it was indecent in general. Being one does not exclude the act from being the other.)
I liked Oskar's post. He was terribly, terribly correct on all counts. I'd also point out that even if 'being one does not exclude the act from being the other', just because one thing has a similar nature to the other does not make it the same thing. It can be very similar yet not identical.