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This is a real pain
As the debate rages on in Washington whether "ObamaCare" is the right way to go or even affordable, several frequent visitors to neighboring hospitals made unexpected visits.
Former vice president Dick Cheney, who has more frequent flyer miles racked up with all his hospital stays, had "chest pains" recently. He was admitted immediately to one of America's finest hospitals, receiving around-the-clock care. Who's picking up the tab so Mr. Cheney can "rest comfortably"? The American taxpayer — many of which have no health benefits.
For more than 40 percent of Americans who feel tighness or shortness of breath, they have to work through it. Unless they want a $1,500 emergency room bill for a false alarm.
Former Sen. Bob Dole, who's also on the dole, was admitted for complications from a prior knee surgery. The U.S. taxpayer paid for his new "knee," and all follow-up treatment.
All of Congress and their families have free access to world class health care. It's available 24/7. Is that why they can't comprehend the plight of half of Americans who cannot see a doctor without the fear of filing bankruptcy?
Paul D'Argent, 37209
Send comments and letters via email to editor@nashvillecitypaper.com
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Ben, you were doing good until you said back-breaking.
Being gay is a preference... and a behavior. If a child molester has a preference for little girls... and acted on this preference would you consider that behavior a protected minority civil right? The age of concent is a cultural norm in our country just like marriage being limited to a man and a woman.
A country has a right to set laws based on it's cultural norms and the only arbiter of that in a democracy or representative republic has to be political concensus of the people.
"preference"? i don't agree, Ben. and do not compare gays to child molesters. that's just wrong.
BenDover said
"Being gay is a preference... and a behavior."
So I guess you just haven't found the right man then.... right? Since from your perspective being gay (or not) is as easy as flipping a switch....
Ben,
I have a real simple question for you.... what's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
It is a preference... I simply prefer women. Gays men prefer men.
I have said that I'm fine with gay marriage and I made no comparison to child molesters except to illustrate the extreme argument that if we are going to allow one's preferences to excuse behavior then where do you draw the line... and further it is society's role to draw the line whether you like the side of the line you are on or not.
BenDover said
"It is a preference... I simply prefer women. Gays men prefer men."
But to simply toss homosexuality or lesbianism off as a "preference".... something that you call a "behavior", implies that you yourself could change your mind if you met the right man.
i bet it was the gay people that put those rocks in a circle in the forest.....
Is "Faaaaabulous!" an ice cream flavor?
Preferences and behavior are independent of each other brrrk. People make decisions against their preferences all the time for a multitude of reasons.
I see where you are going but I find the thought of guys having sex a bit revolting. Hot chicks having sex? Well I guess I could see that.
house - You have to wave your hand "limply" when you say that.
My SIL is gay. She really tried to not be, but it just didn't work.
you just haven't met the right man, Ben. you'll be preferring banana nut ice cream soon enough.
house, i have some gay friends who tried really hard to be straight so as to not disappointed their fundamentalist families. didn't work.
Be what you is and not what you is not! Folks that is what they is, is the happiest lot!
BenDover said
"I see where you are going but I find the thought of guys having sex a bit revolting. Hot chicks having sex? Well I guess I could see that."
And when did you "decide" this? WHY is the thought of guys having sex revolting for you? Did you try to have sex with men first and decide it wasn't for you then? After all, you're the one implying that choosing one sex over another is a conscious decision. I want a detailed explanation as to the thought processes that you went through to decide that you weren't gay.....
It's about time for d7 to remark about how his ex-wife realized she was gay...
right after their honeymoon...
house lol
"I'm still here...I won't go away..." LOL
Gays are born gay, IMO. I know lots of gay people and tmany of them tried the straight way and it just didn't work for them. I know a few who have children and ex-wives/husbands. Trying to be straight isn't the same as being straight.
MamaG, i bought the Groupon for Far East. i'll let you know how it is if i get there before you do!
Countries that do not allow gays to serve openly in the military....
* Cuba
* China
* Egypt
* Greece
* Iran
* Jamaica
* North Korea
* Pakistan
* Saudi Arabia
* Serbia
* Singapore
* South Korea
* Syria
* Turkey
* Venezuela
* Yemen
Along with the good ol' U S of A..... pretty good company, huh?
"I want a detailed explanation as to the thought processes that you went through to decide that you weren't gay....."
Well... want in one hand and sh*t in the other, brrrk. See which one fills up first. I find women attractive and men not attractive. That varies in people, I understand.
What point are you trying to make? Do you disagree that homosexuality is a preference? Regardless of the root of the cause it is a preference upon which you can choose to act upon or not the same way some pervert attracted to young girls can choose whether to act upon his preferences or not.
Let me know, blanket! You probably will make it before I do! Hope it's good!
Interesting, brrrrk...
so, now the comparison is to perverts! child molesters, perverts and beastiality. wow.....how ignorant.
Don't forget about horses....
and goats
BenDover said
"What point are you trying to make? Do you disagree that homosexuality is a preference?"
Just answer the question.... did you or did you not make a conscious decision to be attracted to one sex or the other?
Dammit, MamaG, are you gonna ride me about that forever?
house, i thought it was sheep.
but just the ewes, not the billy goats....
ben you talk about acting or not acting on preferences
calling it preference doesn't change the fact that each individual generally knows by their early teens what attracts them sexually whether or not they act on that attraction
Me, too, Blanket...me, too.
My point stands. The gay's sexual preference is accepted by society at large (just short of allowing formally sanctioned marriage)... the pervert's preference is not -- to the degree of being the worst kind of crime. That doesn't change the fact that it is his choice whether to act on his preference or not.
Well, it's "Happy Hour" at TCP...
Bend-O..you're full of shit, as usual.
"Gay's" are BORN that way, like you were born "heterosexual", (and that might be a stretch).
Gay people might choose a "lifestyle", like your kind choose a "lifestyle".
But, needing, wanting, craving intimacy from the same sex, is in no way "chosen".
That's the problem with you homophobes...you just don't get it.
Saying, and believing a person "chooses" to be gay, is the exact same as saying a person "choses" to be "black", "white", Asian, Latino.
It's genetics, handed down directly from God, Himself.
Now, if you'll all excuse me, I'm going to take a shower.
Free will.
ben acting or not acting is irrelevant to what their orientation is
dargent7 said
"It's genetics, handed down directly from God, Himself."
And we all know that God doesn't make mistakes.... right?
This damn laptop!!! My cursor got stuck! (that's what he said)
I agree wholeheartedly with your last post, darge. Born, not chosen.
House: And, my ex-wife accused ME of being gay, DURING our honeymoon.
Bye again, everyone!
MamaG, turn the hose on that d@mn cursor...works with dogs.
By: dargent7 on 3/4/10 at 4:37
House: And, my ex-wife accused ME of being gay, DURING our honeymoon.
did the stylish PJ's give you away?
blanket maybe the lavender thong lol
Why am I catching grief about this? I said I'm fine with gay marriage. I have no problem with it. All I've suggested is that it is the privey of society to establish and enforce such thresholds.
No, my preference wasn't a decision... brrrk. I've not suggested that it's a decision gays make... and I'm not sure that it's even a decision of the pervert to prefer little girls either. Each simply has a different degree of acceptance in our society. My behavior based on my preference is my decision though... as is the gay man's... and the pervert's.
You're both wrong...it was Mr. Plum...in the bedroom...with a giant "strap-on"....
ben not disagreeing with your analysis except you are calling it a preference like they have a choice of what they are attracted by which we do not believe they have that choice
Ben-O: Gay and being gay,....isn't a DECISION. That's what you crainal fossiles don't get.
I didn't choose to be heterosexual. All the pain, harship, lies, nothwithstanding, I'm attracted to the opposite sex. Always will be, I'm sorry to report.
You tell me a gay person, with all the homophobic b.s., all the scorn, humiliation, societal casting off, ...CHOOSE to go that way?
You're nuts.
brrrrk: God made the pit in the avocado too big and put the knee caps on flamingo's on backwards. (Oh God! movie).
Oh, and allowed the Palin clan to breed.
Aside from that, He did pretty good, I'd say.
What would you call it? It has to be a 'preference' or otherwise you could not act independently of the urge; which we all agree we can.
I have not said that the preference is a decision at all, Dargent. Nature, nurture... hell I don't know. Probably some of both based on what I've read. The decision is involved in how we behave based on our preferences.